Sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, loose jawline. What are my options? (Photo)

Question

I'm 26 and after a few years of yoyo dieting my cheeks literally dropped from the upper sides to the center of my face making me look tired and older. I dont like the shape it gives to my face and I hate taking pictures now. I know the fillers are an option but is there any other way of lifting my cheeks without adding volume to my face and to get rid of nasolabial folds and slight marionette lines? My weight is stable now and I want my young and fresh face back now when I'm happy with my body.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Your question is quite interesting. In the past ten years there has been a virtual revolution in the way advanced injectors use volumizing fillers to nonsurgically augment the cheeks, a technique that not only restores sunken, saggy cheeks, but often secondarily improves smile lines and to a certain extent marionette lines without the need for directly injecting them. Prior to that time our approach was to directly inject fillers into the smile lines and marionette lines to soften them. That being said, it appears from your photos, that, as you noted, you really do not need cheek augmentation. Your cheeks actually look fine and your problem appears limited to the presence of smile lines and to a lesser extent marionette lines. For you, it would appear that our original approach, namely of direct injection of volumizing filler into those locations (without any prior treatment of the cheeks) would give you the result you desire. The photos do not show a particularly saggy jawline. If this is indeed the case, simply treating the marionette lines may impart a slight secondary lift to the jawline that may be sufficient to create a smoother look. If the jawline does require treatment, a volumizing filler properly injected in the pre and post jowl sulci can straighten and restore a more youthful jawline. Without a profile shot, it is hard to say if there is any volume loss in the chin, but if so, then nonsurgically revolumizing the chin can likewise straighten the jawline.Consultation and treatment with an experienced board certified aesthetic physician would be wise and be sure to ask to see his/her before and after photos.  Best of luck to you.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for sharing your questions. You would probably have the best results using any of a number of fillers injected in your cheeks and nasolabial folds. There is the possibility of having a mini facelift; however, you do not appear to have significant problems which would require a mini facelift. See a facial specialist for comprehensive evaluation and discussion of treatment options.Good luck,

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Sagging cheeks and jawline after weight loss? I would need to see you in consultation to determine if a mini facelift or cheek lift would be best. Patients like you and the rest of us want the best result with a mini procedure that sounds good but ends up not producing the result they wanted after spending a lot of money. See a very experienced facelift surgeon to determine which of a variety of procedures would be best and the pros and cons of each.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Fillers and lasers and skin tightening work well in combination to improve contour, give lift and improve lost volume. I suggest you see an expert for a formal evaluation.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD · Answer

You are excellent candidate for proper filler injection for the cheeks and naso labial folds.  The key here is having a very experienced injector to get the results that you want.  I would not recommend Ultherapy.  Hope this helps

Sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, loose jawline. What are my options? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Facial Sculpting Using Fillers Like Voluma, Radiesse, Lyft, Juvederm and Sculptra and Fat

Answer: Facial Sculpting Using Fillers Like Voluma, Radiesse, Lyft, Juvederm and Sculptra and Fat

Answer: Fillers

Answer: Fillers

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Everything you need to know about Cheek Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, loose jawline. What are my options? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Facial Sculpting Using Fillers Like Voluma, Radiesse, Lyft, Juvederm and Sculptra and Fat

Answer: Facial Sculpting Using Fillers Like Voluma, Radiesse, Lyft, Juvederm and Sculptra and Fat

Answer: Fillers

Answer: Fillers

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.