You’re so cute! I just want to pinch your cheeks!” Children hear this common exclaim directed at them by mothers, friends, and the dreaded distant relatives.
But for many of us, it has been many, many years since we’ve heard these words directed at ourselves.
The plump and rosy cheeks are tell tale sign of youth. However, the malar fat pad, commonly termed the apples of the cheeks, tends to get flatter with age.
There is a saying that you can love your body or love your face, but not at the same time.
This often is from the observation by patients that as they lose weight, their face often loses fullness.
This is certainly noticed in the apples of the cheeks, creating an aged look.
On the other hand, when patients maximize their apples in their cheeks, they may accentuate volume along their body, not ideal for health reasons. The classic catch 22. However, with facial fillers, patients can continue to keep their bodies buff while keeping their faces youthful. Facial fillers which work best are either hyalouronic acid derivatives (termed HA’s) such as Restylane or Juvederm or calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse). Both of these fillers work by adding volume to the face.
Studies have demonstrated that these fillers are often replaced by collagen, which is the material of youth and volume.
The down time of fillers is typically minimal with many patients going back to work or out that evening after treatment.
The key step is the injector’s technical ability to artistically transform cheeks so that they appear youthful without looking overly plump. (See picture) Once your apples are rejuvenated, you may want to steer clear from that plucky aunt who just can’t resist fuller cheeks.