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