What can be done about my flat face? (Photo)

Question

I have one of the most flat side profiles I've ever seen. I look somewhat normal from the front, but from the side it looks extremely bad. What could I do to improve this? I would not even know where to begin when it comes to any type of treatment that could help with this issue.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Sometimes people notice rapid signs of aging and there are many nonsurgical and surgical options to help correct this. Surgery is not for everyone. In today's day and age, there are many surgical and nonsurgical options to address various concerns one has for their face as they age.

In general, surgery is one of the best ways to address jowls and bulging fat and falling tissue. However, laser skin tightening and all sorts of injectables can definitely help significantly especially for patients that are not interested in surgery. Fillers are a great option because they add volume, improve contouring, and fill in even the deepest wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.  I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and never be pushed out with just one suggestion. Ultimately there are pros and cons to every procedure whether it's surgery or not surgery. It should always be your choice. I have had 80 year old patients be very happy without having had any surgical procedures.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial photographs from all angles  would be helpful  to make a determination about how best to proceed.  From the limited photographs, it appears that there is a flat maxilla and a flat mid face.  Consider fillers placed in the office setting for a temporary augmentation, or cheek implants placed  for a permanent result.  Cheek implants are manufactured in large array of thicknesses, sizes, and shapes. In our practice, we placed these implants through an intraoral approach under brief general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

What you are referring to is the lack of projection to your midface in profile. This is mostly seen in the underlying bone but also a bit of lack of nasal tip projection as well. Provided your bite is good, the only way to bring on your midface out is onlay implant augmentation. Whether this requires standard midface implants (premaxillary-paranasal implants) or a total custom midface implant depends on the extent of the change you desire. (nasal base only vs total midface) With that also comes the consideration of nasal augmentation as well as you don't want the nose to be 'left behind' as the rest of the midface comes out beneath it. Understanding these potential midface changes requires computer imaging.

What can be done about my flat face? (Photo)

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What can be done about my flat face? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

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