High cheekbones are a sign of beauty. Cheek implants are often used for facial wasting or complaints of a "hollow" look. Cheek implants enhance both the soft tissue and bony part of the face depending on which type of cheek implant is used and the placement. Malar implants augment the bony cheek while submalar implants augment the hollow under the eyes. Care must be taken to select the proper implant characteristics for the desired cosmetic result, since each type of implant has unique properties. The newer cheek implants have the ability to provide a more natural appearance.

At your initial consultation a complete health assessment including a head, face and neck exam will be performed. Facial analysis - examining genetics, congenital abnormalities, dietary habits, trauma, disease processes and aging (to name a few) - is an important part in determining if cheek implants are right for you. A qualified surgeon will also point out characteristics unique to your face - even asymmetries that you may not have previously noticed - before surgery so that you are aware of the exact effect an implant will have based on your individual bony skeleton and facial structure.

"What are cheek implants made of?" "Is the cheek augmentation surgery painful?" "Are cheek implants safe?" In our Cheek Implant FAQs you will find answers to many questions about cheek augmentation.

When discussing cheek augmentation procedures the best place to start is by looking at before and after photos to see just what can be accomplished. As you will see in our photographs, many patients combine the contouring of cheek implants with a facial plastic surgery procedure such as a facelift to eliminate a "saggy neck" or "turkey wattle" to tightening of the jowl area. Others come to discuss neck liposuction and fat injections, which can easily be combined with chin implant. Fat injections can be used in many areas of the face including the smile lines and for lip augmentation.

Once thought a beauty procedure sought by only wealthy women, men in today's competitive corporate workplace are increasingly seeking cheek implants to restore a younger look that more typifies their energy level. Men also frequently ask about face lifts and brow lifts for correction of frown lines between the eyes or blepharoplasty for improvements in bags under the eyes.

Patients also learn about cheek implants when they seek information about improving superficial skin wrinkles in the cheek area with a chemical peel, laser surgery or similar skin resurfacing procedure. Lip augmentation surgery can also be performed in conjunction with cheek implants.

A board certified facial plastic surgeon, trained to perform cosmetic surgery exclusively on faces and necks, knows that his responsibility is to evaluate not only the areas of concern but also the motivation behind the requests. It goes without saying, a cosmetic surgery won't save a failing marriage. Similarly some patients not ready for cosmetic surgery are better served with conservative measures, such as Botox for fine lines and wrinkles or Restylane for crows feet. Patients who educate themselves about facial plastic surgery know when and if the time is right to proceed.

An important first step toward any cosmetic surgery is to have a facial plastic surgeon assess the entire picture before making specific recommendations. At an initial consultation, we will evaluate the bony and soft tissue architecture of the face, including the proportion and balance of the face, nose and cheeks. We evaluate the amount of fat in the neck area, the elasticity of the skin and the textural qualities of the skin. Skin type, ethnic background and age are important factors influencing the outcome of plastic surgery. Together we may discuss many alternatives before determining if cheek implants are right for you.

Cheek implants are a safe, effective plastic surgery procedure performed to restore balance, proportion and a younger appearance. As with all facial plastic surgery, a thorough health assessment and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Your understanding of instructions and routines is essential to a successful final result.

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For more information about this procedure, call 585.244.1000 or send us a message.

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