Why do we lose volume in our cheeks?

When we’re young, our cheeks contain several small pockets of fat called fat pads. These aren’t something we can see, but they provide structure, softness and youthful contours.

Strong collagen and ligaments hold these fat pads in place, creating a smooth transition between the lower eyelid, cheek and jawline.

What happens as we age?

As we get older, several things happen:

• Collagen and elastin reduce.
• The retaining ligaments become less supportive.
• Facial fat pads gradually shrink.
• They also descend slightly due to gravity.

Instead of one smooth contour, the individual fat compartments begin to separate. This creates shadows and hollows that can make us look tired, even when we’ve had plenty of sleep.

Many people assume it’s simply wrinkles, but volume loss is often a much bigger contributor.

How can cheek filler help?

Dermal filler doesn’t need to create large, obvious cheeks.

When used conservatively, it can:

• restore gentle support to the mid-face
• soften shadows beneath the eyes
• improve facial proportions
• subtly lift the appearance of the lower face
• help you look fresher without looking different

The aim should always be restoration rather than transformation.

My own experience

One of the signs of ageing I’ve become more aware of is the separation of these fat pads.

The before and after photographs above show the subtle treatment carried out by our Nurse Prescriber, Jo.

She carefully restored a small amount of lost volume to support my cheeks. My face still looks like mine, just a little fresher.

That’s exactly the type of result we strive for.

Is cheek filler right for everyone?

Not necessarily.

A consultation is always the best place to start. Sometimes skincare, skin boosters, weight changes or other treatments may be more appropriate.

At Luisa Krayem Permanent Makeup, Jo takes time to assess your facial anatomy, discuss your goals and recommend only treatments that will genuinely benefit you.