Mild to moderate facial aging can be seen in the cheek or midface region with loss of volume and volume descent.
- Flattening of the cheeks, deepening of lines, lower eyelid puffiness and bags, and dark circles under the eye are all signs of midface aging.
This aging process not only effects the cheek but the lower eyelids and nasolabial folds. Deep lines in these area: tear trough, malar grooves, and smile lines can all worsen as the midface ages.
- Correction for this area can include skin care and skin resurfacing, volumetric filling, and surgical repositioning and lifting.
Volumetric filling in the cheek region can help replace volume and provide a youthful and natural shape to this area. Fillers are injected in the deep tissue in this area and need more form stable consistency than more superficial fillers. Restylane® Lyft and Voluma® have both been developed for volume replacement in this area. Both are composed of highly cross linked hyaluronic acid which is thicker than more superficial fillers such as as Juvederm®.
The higher ratio of cross linking lead to a longer lasting filler for the cheek, with Voluma® lasting up to 2 years in this region.
Both fillers are combined with Lidocaine to make injection comfortable. After the skin is over the cheek is anesthetized with topical anesthetic and cleaned with antiseptic, the areas of volume loss are filled incrementally and gently with deep injection under the skin. The cheek can be shaped and rejuvenated with this technique with additional filler placed along the tear trough and a softer filler (Restylane® or Juvederm®) in the nasolabial folds. Approximately 1.5 to 2 cc of Restylane® Lyft or Voluma® are typically used in this region. Ice and light massage can help decrease swelling and bruising.
Volumetric filling combined with an effective skin care regimen to help smooth fine lines and improve pigmentation irregularities in this area, as well as neuromodulators like Botox® or Dysport® can help smooth crow’s feet all combine to rejuvenate the cheeks.
All of these procedures can be performed in the office and a consultation with Dr. Trussler in his Austin TX plastic surgery office can help develop an individualized plan to help meet your goals.
