Injectables for Cheekbones
As many of you may already know I am pretty much obsessed with prominent cheek bones. I love full cheeks, not the fatty, puffy cheeks you see in overly fat-grafted patients, or even the natural, pudgy cheeks. But high, exquisite, chiseled cheekbones with a youthful, but not significant, fat layer on top of them catches my eye above most other facial attributes. In fact, I think one of the first compliments I ever gave my boyfriend before I asked him out (yes, I asked him out) was that he had really great cheekbones. They aren’t too bony so that his face looks gaunt, and not they’re not too plump either—they are just right. He must be incredibly tired of my complimenting him, “I love your cheekbones” as I trace my finger on his face. He just rolls his eyes and thinks I am nuts. I can’t help it.
So, if we don’t have beautiful cheekbones naturally, how do we buy them?? What does it take to create perfect, high cheekbones? Although I have pretty prominent cheekbones I have had my share of injections to make them more so. Unfortunately, it never lasts much past the swollen stage. Let’s look at the most popular options in injectable cheek fillers…
- Radiesse: I have had Radiesse in my lips, and I don’t recommend it there, but I have seen it used for the jawline, cheeks and chin. The results have been pretty phenomenal although it did not last as long as they had hoped. It is certainly worth a look-see. The cost of Radiesse is still about $1,500. a CC.
- Sculptra: I have had Sculptra injected into my undereyes and nasolabials. I felt that it took too long to achieve nominal results for considerable augmentation. I honestly would not choose it personally, although I have seen fantastic results in those with lypodystrophy. The cost can be a few thousand over a course of 3-6 months.
- Restylane (also JuveDerm, and Perlane): Although I have not had Restylane in my cheeks, I have had it in the upper eyelid, undereyes, the nasolabials, and lips. I love it! It works. But you get a lot of swelling associated with hyaluronic acid injections and this can set you up for disappointment simply based upon becoming accustomed to larger cheeks/lips/etc. even though they are clearly larger in the after photos. I have seen Restylane used for the cheeks and feel it can give you a very nice result. It is also temporary so if you can’t stand it, you won’t have it forever. The cost for Restylane can run you about $900+ for 2 cc. but you may not need that much. Subtlety is a good way to start.
- Fat Grafting: I have had fat grafting twice and both times the fat layer disappeared in the areas I wanted to retain it and stayed in areas I did not like it. When you go slow, fat grafting can be very nice. It can enhance al already existing cheek structure, or it can smooth the harshness of implants under thin skin. Fat grafting can run you anywhere from $2000. to $6000. and may take several sessions.
- Artfil (formerly Artecoll): Microscopic beads of polymethylmethacrylate (or PMMA, the same material PlexiGlas is made from, can be suspended in a carrier and injected in several sessions to trigger your own collagen to grow. It can, however, take a considerable amount of the injectable to make a difference once the carrier is absorbed by your body. Artefil can cost about $1200+ for a cc.
- Cheek Implants: Although not an injectable, cheek implants are still an option. It can be used in conjunction with the above options for a natural result if you go to the right surgeon. Cheek implants can run you about $5000.-$10,000. depending upon whom you choose as your surgeon.
I have always been fascinated by high cheekbones so as their appeal has come and gone, they have always remained a favorite with me. I remember when the trend was to have plump cheeks. However, I felt it never made anyone look younger, rather they looked overstuffed to me (think Rene Zelwegger). When you take a stick-thin woman and fill her face with fat, it doesn’t look natural. But having a gaunt face can age you considerably. You may have heard of The Ogee Curve in facial aesthetics. This enhancement of the gentle concavity of the face, while maintaining a chiseled malar point is a delicate balance indeed. Choosing a skilled surgeon with an impeccable aesthetic eye can help you achieve this balance.
Just remember, a little bit goes a long way. Consider a temporary solution before undergoing a more permanent option. You can always go back for more, or decide on a permanent option later. I truly believe that slow and easy wins the race in plastic surgery. Reversing a bad mistake is far more difficult than avoiding one in the first place.
Marianne
in Plastic Surgery Trends and News
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Reader Comments (14)
Hi Marianne,
I've seen Dr. Flowers give these high, sculpted cheekbones to a few ppl. Some posters on the face board had cheeks by him. One person in particular had spectacular results. Cheeks are so hard to get right...there's a fine line between strong cheeks and overdone. Have a wonderful weekend!
I would have to say, if I were to get cheek implants Flowers would more than likely be my top pick. You are so right, cheeks are difficult to get right. I know people with good and bad results, and the elbow guards for implants just don't look good. Look at Mickey Rourke. What a tragedy, he was so beautiful :(
I really think you should check out the new MSNBC article: "Pursuit of beauty isn't always pretty." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23359042/
Do some people in their pursuit of beauty and youth end up looking weird instead of pretty and young? That's a big YES.
I wonder if you're heading in that direction Marriane. I see that you take care of your diet excesively and in non-scientific ways (one can not put on pounds of fat in a matter of days). In your aim to be skinny your face is looking gaunt. Also your too-bleached hair washes away your skin tone. And those lips, ugghh, those tragic tragic lips of yours. Honey, let it go. I'm not saying all of this to be catty, I am saying it because damn it, someone needs to say it! You have no qualms about making comments of celebrities, you are a public figure in a way so please take this as good advise. If your lips get any bigger, you'll look like an awful clown who put her mouth makeup in the dark. If you get any skinnier you'll look in your 50s. Gain some pounds if you really want youthful and give your obesession a bit of a rest!
Laurie, If you honestly want me to believe that you have good intentions with what you've said, you'd have written something so painfully obviously out of self-misery via private email.
Now to counter your responses...
I haven't had plastic surgery (other than to REMOVE my breast implants and lip implants) since 2005.
I KNOW that one cannot gain pounds of fat in a matter of days, it's called exaggeration and being funny. I know it's water. I can pack on 5 lbs of water in a day easy. And lose it just as easily.
I weigh 130 right now, I just got off the scale--hardly skinny. I have put on a lot of muscle in the last 3 months and I have some good junk in the trunk going on right now. I don't watch what I eat as much as I should, I haven't worked out in over a year other than manual labor around my ranch. Yes, I had a good dinner, coincidentally: I had salmon and zucchini and a spinach salad, but we also had a bag of Kettle Korn and split a bottle of WHITE wine while watching a movie afterwards. OH and I had bacon and eggs for breakfast. I am not obsessive about what I eat.Heck, I go to Hooter's regularly for wings!
My lips and "gaunt face", how rude are you? A. The recent photo was an awful photo with awful light and B. I had recently had Restylane. But I am sure you have NEVER taken a bad photo before, give a sista a break, huh?
I am hardly obsessive about beauty. I took my extensions out, I have no nails anymore, I have the darkest ranch-tan you have ever seen regrdless of the amount of sunblock I wear (it looks like I have on a white wifebeater when I take off my shirt), and I never wear make up unless I have to. I have been shoveling horse poop in paradise every day and am happy as is.
Also, I don't think people think I am in my 50's. I get ID'ed for alcohol CONSTANTLY, And for the record I don't make fun of people, celebrities included. And if I have ever, I apologize.
Now you try to have yourself a wonderful day if you can, alright?
M
Hi Marianne,
Have you had any other filler to your cheekbones besides fat grafting?
Thanks,
Madeline
PS.-- Don't you miss Beverly Hills?
I don't recall having anything else there. I had Sculptra under my eyes and Resty under eyes (on orbital rim ) but nothing else. I had fat both times on the orbital rim but I consider it the cheek area sorta.
p.s. Don't miss Beverly Hills even one iota!!! :)
I hope you start another website. You have talent for it and bringing people together. Your willingness to be vulnerable and chronicle your journey made ppl feel comfortable. Think about it.
Re. post by Laurie: what a despicably rude and ridiculous comment! Shame on you!
Marianne – not only you look beautiful, your blog is smart, funny and USEFUL! And I applaud your fearless honesty publishing all the before and after pics. I have been reading YesTheyAreFake, and I have to say, this is one of the best websites about cosmetic surgery and procedures - intelligent, honest, down to earth and very well written.
Laurie either nasty or blind, or perhaps both. I think Marianne is hot, She looks young and gorgeous. I seldom find women over a certain age (usually over early thirties) physically attractive, but Marianne is certainly very very attractive in my eyes.
Marianne,
Having read your posts, I understand you don't care for fat grafting...I am scheduled for fat grafting along with undereye fat repositioning...since i will be "under" anyways and fat is better for skin etc., i thought I would try it...now i think resty is more practical and feasible! help!!have you had any friends happy w/ fat?? I wonder how many people doing fillers are using what???
many thanks for your assistance.:)
Starla,
Hi! I actually like fat grafting :) I just feel I didn't have it properly injected, that's all. I would get it again :) I like Restylane only because it is cheaper, faster, and less downtime. But I LOVE the swelling after fat grafting. I wish I could look that smooth all of the time lol.
Try the facial forum and see what others have to say about what they are using. If you are getting the surgery and will be under and get get fat grafting, I'd go for it (depending upon the surgeon of course). I admit I will get it again eventually when I ever have eye surgery. ;)
http://talk.facialplasticsurgery.net/forum/topic/index/
Lana,
Thank you SO MUCH for your compliments :) I really appreciate them!! I am so glad you find the sites useful and the blog a fun read. Glad to hear I am not boring the skin off of someone ;) hehe I hope to hear from you more :)))
Thank you Inga :) I have been posting over there lttle by little hoping to immerse myself back in :) I am glad to have you here, tho!!
Dave, Thank you! You flatter me ;) I really do appreciate it. I am turning another year older and it is bothering me this year. So I am taking off to Switzerland (and maybe France) to go find something to jump off (with a canopy of course LOL) toget it off my mind, Maybe I will stop thinking about it. Aging sucks!