What Treatments are Available for Drooping and Sagging Cheeks?

dermal filler treatments for sagging cheeks - Before & After

What Treatments are Available for Drooping and Sagging Cheeks?

Aging is inevitable but that does not mean you have to put up with unwanted signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. When it comes to early signs of aging, the cheeks tend to be one of the most problematic parts. These issues can be reduced and resolved thanks to surgical and non-surgical face rejuvenation treatments and cosmetic dermatology procedures. Anyone can undergo these rejuvenation procedures to eliminate the signs of aging. These procedures include cosmetic dermal fillers, facelift treatments, and much more. In this blog, we’ll learn more about cosmetic treatments that are available for drooping and sagging cheeks

What Causes sagging skin?

Collagen is a very vital component of skin that provides it with elasticity. This structural protein, together with elastin, provides firmness and structure to the skin. Over time, as we age, the skin loses much of its elastin and collagen and the skin surrounding your mouth loses its firmness and tightness. This is mirrored by the reduced volume of the face. The loss of collagen and elastin causes the whole matrix to break down, resulting in a loss of elasticity, and consequently, the skin sags.

Frequently, the drooping and sagging appears to be around the cheeks, particularly the lower cheek area and along the jawline.  Other factors that might contribute to sagging skin are:

  • Genetics
  • Environmental and lifestyle factors
  • Facial expressions
  • Weight loss
  • Sun exposure
  • Smoking
  • Lifestyle habits

How can I prevent sagging skin from aging?

The process of aging is unavoidable, and all skin loses its youthful appearance with time. As we age our skin loses its ability to renew itself as often, allowing for the depletion of collagen and elastin. Exactly when these signs of aging appear, and the skin loses its ability to rejuvenate, depends a lot on your genes. Protecting your skin by applying sunscreen throughout your life, however, can help preserve the collagen in your skin, and therefore prolong its youthfulness.

What you can do is take several proactive steps that will help reduce the appearance of saggy, droopy skin:

  • Consume a healthy diet full of antioxidants and healthy fats
  • Hydrate frequently as it keeps your skin fresh while flushing out toxins
  • Use sunscreen daily
  • Incorporate firming creams into your skincare regimen that contain a retinoid, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
  • Workout regularly
  • Reduce stress
  • Get sufficient sleep
  • Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake

Can sagging skin be reversed?

Unfortunately, the process of aging cannot be reversed. As you age, the production of collagen and elastin, the compounds that give skin its youthful shape and appearance, slows down so much so that your skin starts getting saggy. While you can do nothing about aging, you can dramatically reduce the appearance of signs of aging, with the following procedures that help lift sagging skin:

  • Facelift treatments (surgical)
  • Non-surgical skin tightening treatments
What skin-tightening treatments are available?

There are numerous options for treating or reducing the appearance of sagging skin. You can choose from surgical procedures, such as facelifts, that can help lift sagging skin, or non-surgical options.

Opting for non-surgical face rejuvenation procedures, such as lasers, thermage, and peels can change the composition of the collagen in your skin. Fillers can also be used to rejuvenate hollow areas on your face due to loss of fat and elasticity.

Discovering the right facial treatments

Surgical options

Surgical procedures used to reduce the appearance of saggy skin are often done in a clinic of a cosmetic surgery specialist. Make sure to consult with the cosmetic surgeon before scheduling your appointment so that you know them, the procedure you are going to get done, and be confident that you are in the hands of qualified professionals.

  • Facelift

The facelift treatment is one of the most well-known and frequently chosen cosmetic surgery procedures available today. This surgical procedure involves going under general anesthesia. Recovery might take a few days to a couple of weeks. During the procedure, incisions are made behind the ears through which the underlying structures of the face can be adjusted and loose skin is removed. This results in tightening of the facial skin and aids in removing wrinkles and sagging.

  • Facial Implants and Cheek Augmentation

Cheek implants are normally used as a way of adding definition and prominence to the cheekbones. Cheek implants can be used as an ideal way to counter the sagging of the cheeks that occurs with age. Adding volume to the cheekbones will reduce the appearance of sagging.

  • Liposuction

During liposuction, the surgeon uses a microcannula to remove fat from your chin area. Your skin and jawline area are also reshaped to prevent future sagging.

You have to undergo general anesthesia for this surgery as well and will likely spend a few days to a couple of weeks recovering from the procedure.

Another innovation of liposuction is fat grafting, which is used commonly in procedures to lift sagging skin. During this procedure, fat extracted from one part is injected into the areas where loose skin is prominent. Fat grafting can be quite effective in cases where cheek drooping is encountered. The fat is usually obtained from the buttocks or the abdominal area using liposuction.

Nonsurgical options

Sometimes rejuvenation treatments don’t require any surgical intervention, especially for subtle drooping and sagging. Instead, a little skin tightening may be all that’s required to turn back the clock and reduce facial sagging. These procedures don’t require general anesthesia, and they typically have fewer risks. However, the results may also not be as drastic.

  • Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are becoming increasingly popular in the dermatology cosmetic industry. These fillers are made of a biocompatible material called hyaluronic acid. This material can be injected into any part of your face or jaw to make it look less saggy. Sometimes fillers can aid your body in producing more collagen to keep your skin tight.

Thermage jawline tightening

During this non-surgical face rejuvenation procedure, heat and radiofrequency energy from a tool called the Thermatip is used to tighten the skin around your neck and chin. It has to be done multiple times to ensure that the collagen in your skin stays tight. Recovery time is minimal and the procedure can be easily done in one day.

Be sure to contact professionals in the field before undergoing any procedures to lift saggy skin, so you understand the risks and outcomes of the procedure you are opting for.

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