What can be causing my lower cheeks to protrude and which procedure would help minimize their appearance? (photos)

Question

Hi, I have always had chubby lower cheeks, even when i was 104 lbs. I'm 5 ft. 3.5 inches and currently 115 lbs, age 28. I want to know if my lower cheeks protrude because of the buccal fat pads or something else, and what can be done to decrease the size of my lower cheeks. I'm worried that buccal fat removal would make me look gaunt and exaggerate my smile lines. Thank you!

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

It looks as though it may be coming from your jaw muscles and the shape of your jawline. In addition, your chin is a bit on the soft side (short, under-projected), so all of the soft tissue of your jawline is distributed across less bony support. Your projection of soft tissue is good, but it looks as though the bone is not supporting which is why it bunches up and protrudes a bit when you smile. BFR would make you look gaunt and your submalar contour (just under cheeks) is good. I would recommend masseter reduction with jawline contouring (more on L than R) and a genioplasty/chin implant. This will support the soft tissue of your jawline and improve the bunching of tissue around the corners of your mouth both when smiling and at repose.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for providing photos. You may benefit most from a combination of Botox injections and chin augmentation to slenderize and contour your facial features. When injected into the masseter muscle, its size is reduced to provide a slimming effect to the lower third portion of the face. Augmenting the chin to increase its projection can further balance your facial proportions. This can be done with injectable dermal fillers/collagen stimulators or a surgical implant. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon or injector. They’ll be able to discuss your concerns with you and help you decide on the best course of action.

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

In three of the 5 photos you are smiling so that makes it more difficult to assess your facial structures. We prefer more photos without animation. However, in the frontal photo is appears that your mandibular angles are wide and give your face a more square appearance. Botox injections to the masseter muscles can sometimes help. Another option would be mandibular angle reduction of the bone to slim  the lower face. The treatment of any features that happen when you smile usually involve neuromodulators.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

based on these photos, it would be hard to decide whether buccal fat removal would be appropriate procedure for you. In person consultation with a baord certified plastic surgeon familiar with this procedure would help. Good luck.

Cassie Nghiem, MD · Answer

Hi, excellent question. It's hard to give you a definitive answer without a physical exam. However, you can also consider masseter botox, which slims the lower face and makes it less square. I also see some facial asymmetry, which is normal. You can also consider cheek filler (moreso on the right side) for balancing. Hope that helps.

What can be causing my lower cheeks to protrude and which procedure would help minimize their appearance? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Minimizing heavy lower face

Answer: Minimizing heavy lower face

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Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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What can be causing my lower cheeks to protrude and which procedure would help minimize their appearance? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Buccal fat removal

Answer: Minimizing heavy lower face

Answer: Minimizing heavy lower face

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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