Cheek fillers and implants Scottsdale

High cheekbones make a person’s face look elegant and sophisticated. This is a highly prized look, and many people are seeking it. The bone structure of your face is determined mainly by genetics, and while some people got lucky on this, others are wondering whether there’s any way for them to get the high cheekbones they wish for.

If you don’t have high cheekbones, is there anything you can do to get them?

The bone structure of the face won’t change

The appearance of high cheekbones is primarily created by the structure of a facial bone, which can be known as the zygomatic bone or the malar bone. This bone creates the “arch” of the cheek. The arch can be located higher or lower on the face. The prominence, meaning how far it sticks out from the face, also varies.

When the arch is higher, this creates higher cheekbones. The more prominent the arch is, the more dramatic the cheekbones will appear to be. More prominent cheekbones create shadows beneath themselves, enhancing their appearance.

Once you’re finished growing, there’s really nothing that you can do to change your bone shape. This is primarily created by your genetics. Certain forces placed on the bones during childhood, like orthodontic treatment, can have a small impact on some of the facial bones, but aren’t likely to change the cheekbones much.

You can use makeup to mimic the appearance of higher cheekbones. This is what contouring is for. However, this won’t actually give you higher cheekbones, just make them look a little higher or more prominent. How well it works depends on many factors, such as the lighting.

There are options for adding volume to the cheek area

For those who would like to have cheekbones that are actually higher and more prominent, there are a few treatments that can be helpful. One option is to use dermal fillers. These can be injected into the cheeks to add some volume, creating the appearance of higher cheekbones. Certain fillers are better for use in the cheeks. One option is Juvederm Voluma XC, which is made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in your tissues that acts to hold water in order to provide volume. Another option is Sculptra, which is a polylactic acid filler that acts to stimulate your body’s production of collagen in the area.

Fillers provide results right away, and they don’t require surgery for placement. However, fillers are also temporary. If you like your results and want to maintain them, you’ll need touch-ups about every six months to two years, depending on the specific filler.

For a more permanent solution, cheek implants are an option. These are made of silicone, and are implanted beneath the skin but above the bone. A specific type of cheek implant, known as a malar implant, can be used to create the appearance of higher cheekbones. (There are also cheek implants that can be used to “fill out” the cheeks, if they’ve become too gaunt as a result of aging or weight loss.)

The placement of cheek implants does require a surgical procedure, with the associated downtime needed for healing. It takes some time for the swelling to go down after the surgery, so this isn’t something you’d want to do right before a major event, like a wedding. However, the results of this procedure are permanent. Once the healing process is completed, you’ll be able to enjoy your results for the rest of your life.

Cheek fillers and implants Scottsdale

If you’d like to have higher cheekbones, and you’re finding that contouring makeup just isn’t enough to get the look that you want, you may want to consider options for augmenting your cheekbones. Even though you can’t change the bone structure of your face, you do have some options for creating the appearance of high cheekbones.

Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Henderson to learn more about your options. As a specialist facial plastic surgeon, she’s helped thousands of people achieve their desired facial appearance. After an exam and a discussion of your concerns and your goals for your appearance, she’ll tell you about your options, including what results you could likely expect from each and what she recommends for you. You can then decide how you’d like to proceed. To book your appointment, please contact our front desk.