At what age do cheekbones stop growing?

While the bulk of facial growth occurs during childhood and adolescence, studies have shown that facial skeletal changes, including those involving the cheekbones, continue subtly throughout life. The answer to at what age do cheekbones stop growing is not a simple cutoff, but a dynamic process that slows significantly after puberty, though minor changes persist into old age. This continuous process is influenced by a mix of genetics, environmental factors, and hormonal changes.

Quick Summary

Cheekbone growth largely completes during the late teens and early twenties, with a definitive end to major changes typically seen around age 18 in females and early twenties in males. However, continuous remodeling of facial bones, including the zygomatic complex, persists throughout adulthood.

Key Points

• Major growth ceases in early adulthood: The most significant growth spurt for cheekbones concludes in the late teens for females and early twenties for males, driven primarily by puberty.

• Facial bones remodel throughout life: The zygomatic bones, like other parts of the facial skeleton, undergo subtle, continuous processes of bone resorption and deposition into old age.

• Genetics dictate core structure: The fundamental shape, prominence, and ethnic characteristics of cheekbones are primarily determined by an individual's genetic makeup.

• Soft tissue affects appearance: The visible prominence of cheekbones is not only a result of bone structure but is also influenced by facial fat, which diminishes and redistributes with age.

• Lifestyle factors have a minor impact: Factors such as diet, chewing habits, and general health can have subtle effects on facial bone development and muscle function.

• Growth timing varies by gender: Males generally experience a later and more prolonged period of facial bone growth, including the cheekbones, compared to females.

The Core Timeline of Zygomatic Bone Growth

The zygomatic bones, more commonly known as the cheekbones, are a critical component of the facial skeleton. The development of these bones follows the general timeline of human skeletal growth, with several distinct phases. While the most significant growth spurt occurs during puberty, it is a common misconception that all changes cease at this point. In reality, the bones undergo a process of subtle, continuous remodeling well into later adulthood.

Infancy and Early Childhood (Ages 0-6)

This period is characterized by rapid, formative growth. The zygomatic bones grow to keep pace with the rapidly expanding maxilla and surrounding facial structures. By age six, roughly 60% of total facial growth has been completed. During this time, proper nutrition, muscle function (including suckling and chewing), and early environmental factors play a crucial role in establishing the foundational facial structure.

Puberty and Adolescence (Ages 12-18)

During puberty, a major growth spurt occurs, driven by hormonal changes. The timing of this spurt differs between sexes. In girls, the maxilla (upper jaw and midface) typically finishes its major growth phase by age 12-14, with overall facial growth concluding around age 16-17. In boys, this process happens later, with the mandible (lower jaw) and midfacial areas continuing to grow and broaden until the late teens or early twenties. It is during this phase that secondary sexual characteristics, such as more pronounced brow ridges and potentially more defined cheekbones in males, become more apparent.

Adulthood and Ongoing Remodeling (Age 20+)

Even after reaching their maximum size, the facial bones do not become static. Research shows that craniofacial growth is a continuous process that involves bone deposition and resorption. In older adulthood, changes become more noticeable due to a complex interaction of factors. For example, some studies have noted a gradual retrusion or 'melting away' of bone in certain areas, including the midface, which can contribute to a flattened or more aged appearance of the cheeks. Conversely, other areas like the zygomatic arch and mandible may continue to expand slightly.

Factors Influencing Cheekbone Appearance

While the underlying skeletal structure is a primary determinant of cheekbone prominence, several factors contribute to how they appear on the face throughout a person's life. The appearance of defined or high cheekbones can change significantly due to soft tissue variations, even if the bone itself has stopped its major growth phase.

Genetics and Ethnicity

Genetic makeup is the most significant determinant of cheekbone structure. Certain ethnic groups are genetically predisposed to having higher or more prominent cheekbones. This is a key factor in overall facial morphology and cannot be altered naturally. This genetic blueprint sets the stage for how facial growth unfolds throughout childhood and adolescence.

Facial Fat and Soft Tissue

Subcutaneous fat and muscle are crucial to the appearance of the cheeks. In younger individuals, fuller, rounder cheeks can conceal the underlying bone structure. With age, the fat pads in the cheeks tend to descend and decrease in volume, leading to a more hollowed-out appearance. This can make the cheekbones appear more prominent or defined, even as the bone structure itself changes subtly.

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

While less impactful than genetics, lifestyle choices and environmental influences can play a role. Chewing and muscle activity, for example, influence facial bone development throughout life. Facial trauma, surgery, or environmental factors like maternal smoking during development can also impact facial traits. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking can help preserve a more youthful appearance by mitigating soft tissue changes.

Comparison of Major Growth Periods for Cheekbones

Feature	Puberty (Ages 12-20)	Adulthood (Ages 20+)
Growth Rate	Rapid and significant, especially during growth spurts.	Very slow, with subtle changes over decades.
Driving Forces	Hormonal changes (e.g., testosterone, estrogen) and overall skeletal maturation.	Bone remodeling processes (deposition and resorption), loss of facial fat, and loss of collagen.
Effect on Prominence	Bones broaden and become more defined, contributing to more mature facial features, particularly in males.	Appearance of prominence may increase due to soft tissue loss and downward migration, or decrease due to bone resorption.
Gender Differences	Males experience a later and more prolonged growth phase, especially in the jaw and brow area.	Changes in bone remodeling and soft tissue loss occur at different rates and patterns between men and women.
Overall Result	Facial shape shifts towards adult proportions, completing the primary growth phase.	Facial appearance continues to evolve, reflecting the combined effects of bone changes and soft tissue aging.

The Continuous Evolution of the Facial Skeleton

While the peak growth period ends in early adulthood, it is important to recognize that the facial skeleton is not a static structure. The skull bones, including the cheekbones, constantly undergo a process of renewal and repair throughout life. Research into the facial aging process reveals that this isn't just about soft tissue sagging but also involves structural changes to the underlying bone. Studies have noted widening of the eye sockets and a flattening of the midface in older adults, indicating that bone remodeling is a lifelong process. This provides a deeper understanding of facial aging beyond skin and fat changes alone, highlighting the interconnectedness of all facial tissues.

Conclusion

The notion that cheekbones stop growing at a specific age is an oversimplification. While the most substantial growth concludes during the late teens and early twenties, influenced by genetics and puberty, facial bone remodeling continues throughout life. In adulthood, these changes are slow and subtle, driven by continuous processes of bone deposition and resorption. The perceived prominence of cheekbones can also be influenced by changes in facial fat and soft tissue, which redistribute with age. A comprehensive understanding of facial maturation acknowledges that it is a lifelong, dynamic process rather than one with a fixed endpoint. For more in-depth information on the complexities of facial bone aging, you can refer to authoritative sources such as those found on the National Institutes of Health website.

Key Takeaways

• Major Growth Ends in Early Adulthood: For most people, significant cheekbone development concludes in the late teens to early twenties, with the exact timing differing by gender.
• Female vs. Male Timelines: Girls typically complete major facial growth, including cheekbones, earlier (around 16-17), while boys continue to develop until around age 21-22.
• Lifelong Remodeling Occurs: Facial bones, including the zygoma, undergo subtle, continuous remodeling (resorption and deposition) throughout an individual's entire life.
• Appearance is Not All Bone: The perceived prominence of cheekbones is also heavily influenced by soft tissues, like facial fat, which decreases and shifts with age, often making the cheekbones appear more defined.
• Genetics are the Primary Driver: The shape and structure of your cheekbones are largely predetermined by your genetics and ethnicity.
• Multiple Factors Influence Growth: Hormones, genetics, muscle function, and environmental factors all play roles in shaping the facial skeleton over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cheekbones continue to change after puberty?

Yes, facial bones, including the zygoma (cheekbones), undergo continuous, though subtle, remodeling throughout adulthood through processes of bone resorption and deposition, which can alter the face's appearance over time.

At what age do cheekbones stop growing in women?

For women, the major growth of facial bones, including the zygomatic complex, typically slows and concludes around ages 16-17, although minor remodeling continues beyond this point.

At what age do cheekbones stop growing in men?

For men, the process of facial and jaw growth continues longer than in women, with major growth generally ending around the early twenties, often between 21 and 22 years of age.

What causes cheekbones to appear more prominent with age?

The perception of more prominent cheekbones with age is often due to the redistribution and loss of facial fat, which can make the underlying bone structure more noticeable as soft tissue volume decreases.

Is it possible to increase cheekbone prominence after major growth has stopped?

While natural bone growth cannot be stimulated after maturity, cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers, fat grafting, or surgical implants can be used to augment and increase the visible prominence of the cheekbones.

Do high cheekbones mean you have a more youthful face?

In many cultures, high, defined cheekbones are associated with youth and vitality, forming part of the 'triangle of youth.' However, the perception of attractiveness varies widely and is influenced by many factors beyond cheekbone position.

What role do genetics play in cheekbone shape?

Genetics are the most significant factor determining the shape, position, and overall structure of your cheekbones, with ethnicity playing a large role in predisposing individuals to specific facial morphologies.