Loss of volume in one side of face. What could be the cause? (Photo)

Question

I recently noticed one side of my face is more defined than the other. Having looked back over old photos it started around 2021 and looks to have gotten worse. What could be the cause? It’s starting to bother me and I’m not really looking to get fillers.

John Reilly, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, Without previous photos it is difficult to comment on volume loss or progression of asymmetry. There are many conditions that can cause that and might be best to see a dermatologist or primary care physician for an evaluation. Best of luck.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo. Though we’re all asymmetrical to some degree, symmetry can be improved with either dermal fillers or a facial fat transfer. Since you aren’t interested in filler, you may consider a fat transfer to restore volume to the less-defined side of your face and to bring your facial features more into balance. 
I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon or injector. They will be able to assess your concerns and help you decide on the best treatment option.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is my expertise and a huge portion of my practice. Asymmetry is normal and expected. Buccal fat pad gives slimming not symmetry. Masseter botox will make you slimmer and make the jawline more loose. Fillers help give shaping and contouring. If you want perfect or close to perfect symmetry you need maxillofacial surgery or implants customized. I suggest seeing an expert to go through all options. Most of my younger clients use fillers to give them shaping especially on the cheeks, jawline, and chin which make the face look more slim and tight; and threads such as PDO or Instalift can build collagen and support the facial shaping and skin looseness over time, slowing down the aging process and given the face a more “snatched” look; and morpheus8 or PiXel8 deep microneedling RF can tighten crepe skin especially on the neck and jawline and is great for long term tightening of the full face, neck and chest; its often used to give the face a slimmer more sculpted look because it tightens the skin and gives lift. an early face lift can be performed as well even in younger clients if they want a different facial shape, maxillofacial surgery with bone breaking or shaving can also be done. For facial slimming a combination of treatments are always needed. Options include: 1. Buccal fat pad removal to reduce fat on the lower face 2. Factite or Renuvion/J Plasma to tighten the lower face, jawline, and chin to reduce fat and give the jawline and neck tightening and shaping. 3. Botox to the masseter to reduce the muscular size of the jaw giving the face an illusion of being more slender 4. Fillers to the jawline, chin, cheeks, temples and brow help to shape the face and make it more angled and defined Always use at home derma rolling (see link to Emerageskin x anteageMD roller plus stem cells/hyaluronic acid ampules) and peels like emeragecosmetics enlighten or aerify that can be used to improve skin quality and tighten the skin while improving wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and Melasma. See an expert who does facial shaping with surgical and non surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

It is true that most of us are flatter on one side of our face than the other. We usually lose more volume on the side on which we most frequently sleep. Unfortunately, the only way to correct it is with fillers/fat graft.

Loss of volume in one side of face. What could be the cause? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Loss of volume in one side

Answer: Loss of volume in one side

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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Loss of volume in one side of face. What could be the cause? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Loss of volume in one side

Answer: Loss of volume in one side

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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