Cheek Lift and Other Options for Patients in Their 20s

Question

I am 23. I have droopy cheeks, extra skin/fat in the jowl/chin area, and visible lower eye whites. When I smile these issues are accentuated. Would a cheek lift address these issues and how do I find facial surgeons who have extensive experience on younger patients?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"I suggest reaching out to an expert for a formal consultation. I like to recommend my patients start a combination of facial rejuvenation treatments.

1) Skincare with products and microneedling/PRP
2) PDT Light Therapy a few times per month with growth factors
3) Laser treatments like Clear + Brilliant regularly and others (Fraxel, Moxi, Viva, CO2, Erbium, Halo) a few times per year
4) Sculptra injections a few times per year for collagen production with fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Radiesse, and/or Bellafill
5) Thermage/Ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone-based Instalift threads for lifting
6) Botox every 2 to 3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest

Best, Dr. Emer."

Rian A. Maercks, MD · Answer

I would strongly recommend staying away from midface lifts cheek lifts implants and permanent fillers.  These are not good choices for your concerns.  In my practive you would get a profractional Erbium laser treatment followed by fat grafting to give you an elevated refreshed look.   I hope this helps!

	Rian A. Maercks M.D.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Although a mid face lift might accomplish your goals that would be, as we describe, a "long run for a short slide. " Your high degree of aesthetic expectations are more likely to be short lived following this procedure and will require repetition over and over in order to maintain the result. In most situations, I would not perform or advise this procedure in an individual your age. However, if you look, you will find someone to perform the procedure. This is your second post on this and obvidously it is important to you. First try temporary fillers if you remain bent on an intervention.

James C. Marotta, MD · Answer

I have a lot of experience with cheek lifts or midface lifts in younger people and my preferred technique is the endoscopic forehead/midface lift with buccal fat transposition. Midfacial aging does begin to occur in the mid to late 20s. But generally mid to late 30s is the minimum age I would consider for this procedure. Sounds like your issues may be somewhat congenital or skeletal since you have them at such a young age. Adding volume whether with microfat transfer, fillers, sculptra or cheek implants is probably the way to go at your age but difficult to tell without a thorough evaluation. Adding volume with one of these methods can give you the same look as having a lift with less trouble.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

There is an exception to everything, but it would be almost never that I would do a cheeklift on patients that young. You may need cheek implants instead which is far more common. See an experienced plastic surgeon and be careful of you you pick.

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

If you need  volume in the cheeks, I recommend fat grafting.  This is relatively noninvasive and an excellent way for you to work with your plastic surgeon to achieve the results that you desire.

Philip Young, MD · Answer

you look like you have some volume loss. A face lift or cheek lift will not improve your situation. You need to have volume. cheek implants could help you but they are more invasive and the recovery is harder than other options. Fat injections are definitely a great option. Go to someone with a lot of experience. Find out about their techniques and whether they are confident that the fat grafting will survive.

Marisa Lawrence, MD · Answer

At your age I would use fillers such as Sculptra to volumize your upper cheeks and Laser-Assisted-Liposuction to remove jowls and tighten skin.  A mid-face lift would be "overkill," given your photos.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

You do not need a lift. You may explore the possibilities of

	1: fat transfer

	2: Malar or submalar implant

	See aq Board Certified plastic surgeon for your options and expectations and risks of each procedure.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Never say never, but cheek implants or fillers are more commonly used in youger patients. A surgeon who does facial cosmetic surgery will discuss your goals and explain thealternatives.

Cheek Lift and Other Options for Patients in Their 20s

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