3. What type of cheek implants are there?
Fillers are typically recommended for older patients who are unhappy with the symptoms of aging in the midface area, especially volume loss that makes their cheeks appear sunken in. Cheek implants are usually recommended for younger people who want a long-term treatment for the bone structures in their cheeks. There are three common types of cheek implants:
Submalar Implants:
The submalar is slightly below the lower eye line, where the cheekbone begins. As your fat cells move down toward your lower cheek and chin area, you may see volume depletion in this area around your early to mid-40s. The cheeks become sunken in, and the bottom of the face develops jowls over time as a result. Submalar implants, which are inserted directly above where the cheekbones begin, are a simple and affordable solution to this problem.
Malar Implants:
Just below the submalar area lies the malar region – the location in which your cheekbone sits. Malar implants are less common than submalar implants, and younger patients in their 20s and 30s are more likely to request them. Malar implants are used to create a sharper, more angular shape in the bone, resulting in a stronger and more defined structure.
Combination of Submalar and Malar Implants:
Although it’s uncommon, some patients may choose to have both procedures done at the same time if their cheekbones aren’t well defined and their midface has lost volume. Patients who have both treatments combined get the best of both worlds in terms of more voluminous and structurally solid cheekbones.