Cheekbone Reduction

Cheekbone Reduction: A Complete Guide to Facial Harmony

Cheekbone reduction is a cosmetic surgical operation to reduce the size of one's cheekbones. The treatments are also referred to as cheekbone surgery or zygomatic reduction. Individuals who perceive their cheekbones as big or protruding can opt for this surgery to have a balanced face. By shrinking the size and projection of the cheekbones, the surgery can help to provide a more harmonious and balanced facial appearance. This guide will outline the benefits, procedure, recovery, and considerations regarding cheekbone reduction surgery.

What is Cheekbone Reduction?

Cheek reduction is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce the size or projection of cheekbones, better known as the zygomatic bones. This aesthetic surgical reshapes or reduces the zygomatic bones to create a softer, more balanced facial profile. In performing this procedure, usually under general anesthesia, minor incisions inside the mouth or beneath the lower eyelid are made through which the cheekbones are accessed.

In the surgery, the surgeon might remove or readjust portions of the zygomatic bones in order to achieve a more cosmetically-pleasing contour. This can be beneficial when one naturally has strong or wide cheekbones that, proportionally, are not in harmony with other facial features.

Why Get Cheekbone Reduction?

Many people who feel that their facial features are out of proportion due to overly wide or too-projected cheekbones tend to look for the operation. Among the various effects of this procedure, one can include:

Facial Proportions: Sometimes, this may make a person look like they have a "wide face," disrupting the overall harmony of the face. In such cases, cheekbone reduction helps in restoring proportion by reducing the width and size of the cheekbones.
Aesthetic Harmony: By reshaping the cheekbones, the procedure enhances the overall balance of facial features. It can soften the face, leading to a more feminine or delicate appearance in individuals seeking a less angular or harsh look.
Improved Confidence: Many patients with a cheekbone reduction report a boost in their confidence level due to their general appearance. A symmetrical face can boost self-esteem, especially in those who have struggled for many years with an overly large appearance of the cheekbones.
 

Who is the Right Candidate for Cheekbone Reduction?

Cheekbone reduction surgery is generally considered suitable for people who are fit and healthy, and can view their expectations regarding the procedure realistically. Ideal candidates for this surgery can have a number of the following characteristics:

Prominent or Wide Cheekbones: People with overly wide or protruding cheekbones who believe that the face does not look balanced because of this particular feature are suitable candidates for this surgery.
General Health Stability: Similar to all surgeries, candidates must be in good health overall, with no serious underlying medical conditions that could hamper healing or recovery.
Facial Symmetry: Candidates seeking a more proportionate, symmetrical facial look, in contrast to those wanting a complete face transformation, could be good candidates for cheekbone reduction.
Non-smokers: "Smoking may impede the healing process and may create some complications, hence non-smokers or those who would quit smoking prior to the surgery are considered to be the best candidates."
 

The Cheekbone Reduction Procedure: What to Expect

There are usually several important steps involved in the cheekbone reduction surgery:

Consultation: A consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is necessary before the procedure. During this consultation, the surgeon will examine your facial features, review your aesthetic expectations, and decide on your candidacy for a cheekbone reduction. You may also discuss any possible risks and explain the details of the recovery process.
Anesthesia: Surgery to reduce the cheekbones is usually performed under general anesthesia, ensuring comfort and safety for the patient during the operation. Incisions: Small incisions are made either inside the mouth, beneath the upper lip, or beneath the lower eyelid, depending on the technique applied. These incisions will be placed as strategically as possible to minimize visible scarring.
Cheekbone Reduction: After the incisions have been made, the cheekbones are carefully reshaped or reduced by removal or repositioning of the bone tissue. This may involve partial removal of the zygomatic bones or cutting and repositioning to decrease prominence.
Closure and Recovery: After reshaping the cheekbones, the incisions are sutured. The surgery generally takes a few hours, and most patients return home the same day or after a short hospital stay.
 

Recovery and Aftercare: What to Expect

Cheekbone reduction requires a crucial period for recovery if good results are to be achieved. Patients should carefully follow post-operative instructions for care to ensure that healing is appropriate and complications are limited. Here's what to expect during recovery:

Swelling and Bruising: The patient can still experience some swelling and bruising of the cheeks, eyes, and jaw after the surgery. Most symptoms will peak during the first few days and decrease over the next weeks. Pain Management: Mild to moderate discomfort is to be expected during the first several days. This is often manageable with pain medications or over-the-counter pain relievers.
Dietary Restrictions: The doctor might recommend that the patient follow a soft or liquid diet for a few days to avoid aggravating the surgical site. Activity Restrictions: Patients should try to avoid intense physical activity, such as exercise and lifting heavy things, for some weeks after the surgery to prevent complications and ensure proper recovery. Follow-up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon will be scheduled to monitor the patient's progress and make sure the healing process goes according to plan.
 

Risks and Possible Complications

Cheekbone reduction, like any other surgery, carries some risk. However, in the right hands of an experienced surgeon, complications are not very common. Some of the potential risks include:

Infection: As with any other surgery, there is a risk of infection at the site of the surgery. Adhering to proper aftercare instructions minimizes this risk significantly.
Scars: Although the incisions are made at inconspicuous sites, scarring can't be entirely avoided. However, the scars are in most cases small and unnoticeable within the natural folds of skin.
Nerve Damage: Nerve damage seldom may occur, and temporary numbness or sensation changes around the cheek area may be felt.
Asymmetry: Sometimes, the final outcome is not completely symmetrical.
Unsatisfactory Results: Sometimes, patients do not achieve the desired results and may need additional procedures to refine the results.
 

Non-Surgical Cheekbone Reduction Alternatives

While cheekbone reduction surgery offers permanent results, many may opt for non-surgical ways to reshape or contour their cheekbones. Two such options are:

Dermal Fillers: Several injectable fillers, including hyaluronic acid, can contour the face by adding volume to certain areas. These results are temporary and require constant repetition.
Botox: Botox can be placed in specific areas to relax the muscles around the jaw to reduce the look of a wide face or prominent cheekbones. This is temporary.
Of course, these options can only facilitate minor modifications and cannot offer the permanence of the effects or the radical improvement that cheekbone reduction surgery does.

Long-Term Results and Advantages

Usually, the results from a cheekbone reduction are permanent. Once the reshaping of the cheekbones is done, they stay that way, offering better balance and proportion. However, for long-term maintenance, one should avoid weight fluctuations and follow a good skincare regimen.

The surgery has been very effective in boosting the confidence and self-esteem of many patients by making them feel more comfortable with their facial appearance. Long-term benefits associated with this type of aesthetics include an improved sense of harmony, a softer and more refined profile, and an overall aesthetic enhancement.

Conclusion
Cheekbone reduction surgery is one of the most effective cosmetic surgeries for those wishing to improve their facial harmony due to larger or overly projecting cheekbones. This surgery can help improve not only one's facial aesthetics but also increase one's self-confidence by achieving a more balanced, proportionate look. Consult a skilled and experienced surgeon if you are considering cheekbone reduction to discuss your goals and see if this is the right procedure for you. With proper care and a positive mindset, the results of this surgery can result in a confident, harmonious appearance for many years ahead.