| When one thinks of facial aging, they | | | | simplest and the most versatile, but fat |
| inevitably look to the jowl and neck | | | | survival remains unpredictable |
| area.While this lower facial area is of | | | | particularly in the older patient. I |
| big concern to many and is the | | | | currently add PRP (platelet-rich plasma |
| foundation of facial rejuvenation | | | | extract from the patient) to the |
| surgery (usually through a facelift-type | | | | injections and isolate the fat through a |
| procedure), the underlooked area is the | | | | unique centrifguation method. Early |
| midface or cheek. As one ages, the cheek | | | | results are encouraging but only one |
| area sinks in and sags for many as it | | | | year results count when it comes to fat |
| loses volume through fat atrophy. This | | | | grafting. Cheek implants are simple to |
| is partly why a heavy person with a full | | | | do, remain stable in volume over time, |
| face may still look somewhat youthful as | | | | and come in a few styles to add volume |
| they age. (known as the Santa Claus | | | | to some different areas around the |
| effect) A gaunter, thinner face, while | | | | cheek. Unfortunately, the more lateral |
| interesting when one is young, can | | | | cheek area, which is not over bone is |
| really show age when one is older. | | | | not affected by the introduction of an |
| Adding volume to the cheek has been | | | | implant. And there is always the risk of |
| recently shown to to help make a more | | | | infection or malpositioning. Injectable |
| youthful face. Based on cadaver work by | | | | fillers are as versatile as fat |
| Dr.Joel Pessa at the University of Texas | | | | injections and don't involve an |
| at Southwestern, a deep fat compartment | | | | operating room experience. But their |
| was identified in the cheek. When this | | | | effects are only temporary and, when |
| fat compartment was enhanced through | | | | adding up the cost per volume injected, |
| implants or fillers, there was an | | | | can potentially rival surgery fees if a |
| immediate improvement in the hollowing | | | | large cheek area needs to be treated. |
| of the face. Not only does restoring | | | | Not every aging face patient needs cheek |
| volume to this cheek compartment make | | | | enhancement nor is it the mainstay |
| the cheek/midface area more youthful,it | | | | treatment of most aging faces. But it |
| also helps improves the look under the | | | | can be a good complement to more |
| eyes as well as around the nose and | | | | conventional facelifting procedures and |
| upper lip area. | | | | is a 'missing component' of some |
| The jury is still out, however, on the | | | | patient's treatment plans whether they |
| best method to do this cheek volume | | | | are young or old. |
| addition. Fat injections would be the | | | | |