The Complex Reality of Aging Cheekbones
Many people believe that aging causes their cheekbones to become more defined or high. This observation is rooted in the visible changes that occur as we get older, but it often misinterprets the underlying cause. What you perceive as more prominent cheekbones is not the result of bone growth, but rather a cascading effect of facial fat loss, collagen reduction, and bone resorption. Understanding this multi-layered process is key to grasping why our faces change over time.
The Shifting Landscape of Facial Fat
One of the most significant factors in how we perceive cheek prominence is the behavior of our facial fat pads. These pads, which provide youthful volume and contour, do not stay in place forever. With age, the deep fat pads in the upper cheeks shrink and migrate downwards. This downward shift, known as gravitational ptosis, often creates deeper nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and marionette lines (the lines from the corners of the mouth to the jawline).
As the fat volume diminishes in the mid-face area, the soft tissue support for the cheekbones decreases. This can cause the zygomatic bones, or cheekbones, to appear sharper, but in a gaunt or hollowed-out way, rather than the desirable high cheekbone look. The loss of fat, particularly in the temples and under the eyes, also contributes to a sunken, tired appearance.
Bone Resorption: A Shrinking Scaffold
Beyond the soft tissue, a more fundamental change occurs at the skeletal level: bone resorption. The bones of the face, just like those in the rest of the body, lose density and volume with age. This process affects several areas crucial to facial structure:
- Cheekbones (Zygomatic Bones): As the zygomatic bones resorb, they lose volume and projection. This flattening effect reduces the underlying support for the facial tissues, exacerbating the appearance of sagging and volume loss.
- Eye Sockets (Orbits): The eye sockets can widen and deepen with age, which contributes to a sunken-eye appearance. This change, combined with the loss of fat under the eye, creates deeper tear troughs.
- Jawline and Chin: The jawbone can also resorb, leading to a less defined jawline and contributing to the formation of jowls.
The diminishing bone structure means the facial tissues have less of a scaffold to hold onto, which contributes to overall sagging and the alteration of facial proportions.
The Impact of Skin Elasticity and Collagen
Collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for keeping our skin firm, elastic, and youthful. As we age, our bodies produce less of these proteins, and existing fibers become disorganized and fragmented. The resulting skin laxity has a direct impact on the appearance of the cheekbones.
- Loss of Firmness: Less collagen and elastin mean the skin can no longer tightly hug the facial contours. This leads to drooping and a less defined look.
- Thinning Skin: The skin itself becomes thinner, making the underlying bone and fat structures more visible and sometimes translucent. This can make the cheekbones look sharper, but often in combination with fine lines and wrinkles.
Youthful vs. Aging Facial Structures: A Comparison
Understanding the specific differences between a youthful and an aging face can provide a clearer picture of how these changes affect cheekbone appearance.
| Feature | Youthful Face | Aging Face |
|---|---|---|
| Cheek Volume | Fullness and roundness in the upper and mid-cheek areas. | Flattening and hollowing of the cheeks due to fat loss and downward migration. |
| Cheek Prominence | Defined but softened by surrounding fat pads. | Can appear sharper or more gaunt due to loss of soft tissue support and underlying bone resorption. |
| Fat Pads | Located higher on the face, providing volume and lift. | Shift downward towards the jawline, contributing to nasolabial folds and jowls. |
| Facial Bone Structure | Higher density and robust structure, providing a firm scaffold. | Decreased bone density and volume, leading to a smaller, less prominent bony framework. |
| Skin Elasticity | High levels of collagen and elastin for firm, resilient skin. | Reduced collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. |
Lifestyle Factors and How to Maintain Facial Volume
While genetics play a significant role in the rate and degree of facial aging, lifestyle choices can help mitigate some of the negative effects.
- Sun Protection: Excessive sun exposure is one of the biggest accelerators of premature skin aging. Protecting your skin with sunscreen can preserve collagen and elastin.
- Healthy Diet: A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats can support overall skin health and combat inflammation.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking constricts blood vessels and damages collagen and elastin, leading to premature wrinkles and sagging.
- Adequate Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial for maintaining skin plumpness and overall health.
- Quality Sleep: Sleep is a vital time for the body to repair and regenerate, which includes skin cells and tissues.
Addressing Age-Related Changes in Appearance
For those concerned about the changes in their facial contours, several options are available, from non-invasive procedures to surgical interventions. For reliable, expert care, it's important to choose a provider you can trust, such as those at a reputable institution. Learn more about your options at Penn Medicine.
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable fillers, often made of hyaluronic acid, can effectively restore lost volume in the cheeks and mid-face, helping to counteract the effects of fat loss and bone resorption. This provides a fuller, more youthful contour.
- Fat Grafting: For a more long-lasting solution, fat can be harvested from another part of the body and transferred to the face. This restores volume and can have rejuvenating effects on the skin.
- Cheek Implants: For a permanent and more dramatic change, cheek implants can be surgically placed to enhance the underlying bone structure.
- Facelift: This surgical procedure tightens sagging skin and repositions underlying tissues to create a more youthful appearance. Modern facelifts can also incorporate techniques to address mid-face volume loss.
Conclusion: The Whole Picture
Ultimately, whether your cheekbones appear more prominent or less so with age depends on a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle, and the complex, interacting processes of fat migration, bone resorption, and skin laxity. The perception of increased prominence is often a side effect of these other changes rather than a simple gain in definition. By understanding the science behind facial aging, you can make informed decisions about how to maintain your health and address your aesthetic concerns.
