Do Cheekbones Grow with Age? The Surprising Truth About Facial Bone Structure

According to extensive research, facial bones, including the cheekbones, undergo measurable changes with age through a process known as bone resorption. Understanding this complex reality is key to answering the question: do cheekbones grow with age?

Quick Summary

Facial bones, including the zygomatic bones that form the cheekbones, generally decrease in mass and change shape with age, rather than growing larger. This loss of underlying support is a primary factor in the shifting appearance of the midface.

Key Points

• Cheekbones Don't Grow: The popular belief that cheekbones grow or become more prominent with age is a myth; the underlying bony structure actually loses mass over time.

• Bone Resorption is Key: Facial aging is fundamentally influenced by continuous bone remodeling, which includes the resorption of bone in the midface and around the eye sockets.

• Flattening and Volume Loss: The gradual loss of bone projection in the cheekbones leads to the flattening of the midface, reducing the support for overlying skin and fat.

• Affects the 'Triangle of Youth': This skeletal change contributes to the inversion of the youthful 'triangle' of facial fullness, causing features to sag downward and inward.

• Lifestyle Plays a Role: While genetics dictate much of the process, factors like diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco can help support overall bone health and potentially mitigate some effects.

• Aesthetic Changes are Linked to Bone: Deepened nasolabial folds, tear troughs, and the formation of jowls are all directly tied to the changing skeletal framework, not just soft tissue descent.

The Dynamic Process of Facial Aging

For decades, the conventional wisdom of facial aging focused primarily on the effects of gravity and sagging skin. However, recent medical and anatomical studies have revealed a more complex and foundational process at play: the aging of the underlying facial bone structure. This paradigm shift in understanding is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the physical changes that occur over time. While the skin, fat pads, and muscle tissue all play significant roles, they are all supported by the bony framework of the face, which itself is constantly remodeling.

Bone Remodeling and the Midface

Bone is not a static material but a living tissue that is constantly being broken down and rebuilt in a process called remodeling. After reaching skeletal maturity in young adulthood, the rate of bone resorption (breakdown) can begin to outpace the rate of bone formation. This process is particularly notable in the facial skeleton, which undergoes predictable changes. The zygomatic bones, more commonly known as the cheekbones, are a key component of this framework. Rather than growing, studies using CT scans on different age groups show that the cheekbones and midface area experience a loss of bony projection and volume over time. This resorption affects the structural support for the overlying soft tissues, contributing significantly to the perceived signs of aging.

The Impact of Bone Loss on Facial Aesthetics

As the cheekbones lose volume, the consequences are visible in the overall facial contour. The high, defined cheeks associated with a youthful 'triangle of beauty' begin to flatten. This deflation effect means the overlying fat pads and skin have less support. This leads to a cascade of aesthetic changes, which include:

• Deepening Nasolabial Folds: The lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth become more pronounced as the skin and fat in the midface descend.
• Formation of Marionette Lines: The downward pull of tissue from the cheeks can cause creases to form from the corners of the mouth down to the chin.
• Hollowing Under the Eyes: The orbital area expands with age due to bone resorption, which can create a hollowed-out look or exacerbate tear trough deformities.
• Jowling: With less structural support from the maxilla and mandible, the soft tissues of the lower face sag, creating jowls that blur the once-sharp jawline.

This evidence clearly demonstrates that asking, do cheekbones grow with age?, misunderstands the fundamental process of how our facial structure changes. The key isn't growth, but rather a reshaping and reduction of bone mass.

Differences in Aging Between Genders

While both men and women experience facial bone remodeling, the rate and pattern of change can differ. Some studies suggest that certain bone changes may begin earlier in women, possibly due to hormonal differences, particularly post-menopause. For example, the expansion of the eye sockets has been shown to occur earlier in females. These gender-specific patterns mean that the visible signs of aging may present slightly differently, although the core mechanism of bone loss remains the same. The underlying bone health is influenced by many factors, making the aging process highly individual.

Comparing Youthful vs. Aging Facial Characteristics

Characteristic	Youthful Appearance	Aging Appearance
Cheekbones	High, full, and prominent	Flattened with reduced projection
Facial Shape	Often described as a 'triangle of beauty' with the base at the cheeks	Inverted into a 'pyramid of age' with the base at the jawline
Under-Eye Area	Tight skin, minimal hollowing	Increased hollowness and tear trough deformity
Jawline	Sharp, defined contour	Softer, less defined due to jowling
Skin Turgor	Taut and firm, with good elasticity	Laxity, sagging, and increased wrinkles

Lifestyle and Bone Health

While genetics play a significant role in determining how we age, lifestyle factors have a profound impact on the health of our bones. Maintaining bone density is a whole-body effort, and the facial skeleton is no exception. Here are several steps you can take to support your bone health throughout life:

1. Consume adequate calcium and vitamin D: These nutrients are essential for bone mineralization and strength. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium.
2. Engage in weight-bearing exercise: While you can't lift weights with your face, regular physical activity, such as walking or strength training, promotes overall skeletal strength.
3. Avoid tobacco products: Smoking has been linked to decreased bone density and accelerated aging in general.
4. Moderate alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can interfere with bone metabolism.
5. Maintain a healthy weight: Being either underweight or overweight can negatively affect bone health.

The Role of Cosmetic Procedures

For those concerned with the aesthetic impact of midface bone loss, a range of cosmetic treatments can help restore volume and structure. Fillers containing hyaluronic acid, for instance, can be strategically injected to add volume and lift to the midface, mimicking the youthful projection of the cheekbones. Other options include fat grafting, where a person's own fat is used to restore volume, or even skeletal augmentation. These modern approaches acknowledge that successful facial rejuvenation often requires addressing the foundational changes in the underlying bone, rather than simply tightening the skin. For detailed information on facial bone remodeling, consult resources like the National Institutes of Health The National Institutes of Health.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the idea that cheekbones grow with age is a misconception rooted in a misunderstanding of how the face ages. The perceived 'sharpening' of cheekbones in later years is not a result of growth, but rather the loss of overlying soft tissue and the ongoing resorption of the bony structure beneath. This deeper scientific understanding allows for more effective and comprehensive approaches to healthy aging, focusing not just on the surface but on the foundational health of the body as a whole. By prioritizing overall bone health through diet and lifestyle, individuals can better support their facial structure and embrace the changes that come with time in a more informed way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the cheekbones as we get older?

As we age, the bones of the midface, including the cheekbones, undergo resorption, meaning they lose mass and projection. This loss of volume and definition in the underlying bone structure is a key contributor to the signs of facial aging.

Does losing fat make your cheekbones look bigger?

Yes, losing fat in the face can make your cheekbones appear more prominent or defined. This is because the fatty tissue that once covered the bone structure has diminished, revealing the underlying skeleton more clearly.

Are prominent cheekbones a sign of good bone health?

While prominent cheekbones are often seen as a youthful trait, they are primarily the result of genetic factors and strong facial bone structure from a younger age. Good bone health is a factor in maintaining that structure, but they are not a standalone indicator.

Can diet and exercise affect the growth of my cheekbones?

No, you cannot grow your cheekbones with diet or exercise. However, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, combined with weight-bearing exercise, is crucial for maintaining overall bone density and health, which supports the facial structure.

How do fillers help with age-related cheekbone changes?

Dermal fillers, often containing hyaluronic acid, can be strategically injected into the midface area to replace lost volume. This helps restore the youthful projection and fullness of the cheekbones, providing support to the surrounding tissues.

Does osteoporosis affect facial bone structure?

Yes, osteoporosis is a condition characterized by reduced bone density and can affect the facial skeleton, just as it affects other bones in the body. This can exacerbate the age-related bone loss in areas like the jaw and midface.

Is it true that facial bones continue to change throughout our lives?

Yes, it is well-established that facial bones undergo continuous change through a process called remodeling. This includes subtle reshaping and changes in volume, which contribute to the altered appearance of the face over time.