The cheekbones are a key part of the mid-face. Cheekbones that are well defined and in proportion to the face give it shape and dimension and a softer, more youthful look. Some people have flat or low cheekbones, so the face can look incomplete even when the other features are well balanced.
Cheek augmentation raises and widens flat or low cheekbones to balance the mid-face. Options include solid implants, fat transfer or fillers. It can be combined with procedures such as forehead augmentation or chin augmentation.
Cheek augmentation is also part of facial feminization surgery: typically male cheekbones are lower and flatter, while fuller, higher cheekbones give a softer, more feminine look.
Cheek Implant Materials
Several materials have long been used safely for cheek augmentation, in a range of shapes and sizes:
- Silicone: a solid, smooth implant that can be shaped to fit
- ePTFE (Gore-Tex): a soft, porous material that tissue grows into, holding it in place
- Medpor (porous polyethylene): a firmer porous implant that integrates with surrounding tissue, which makes it harder to remove if revision is needed
- AlloDerm: a tissue matrix graft
- Customized PMMA implant: designed for you from a 3D scan
- Fat transfer or filler: injected instead of a solid implant, with no incision
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Has flat cheeks that need more definition and fullness.
- At an age where facial growth is complete.
- Physically healthy.
- Doesn’t smoke.
- You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for improving your appearance.
Preparation
Consult with the surgeon to discuss procedures and your goals.
- Discuss medical history
- Physical examination and lab test.
- Avoid medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen for two weeks before and after surgery, as these medications may increase bleeding. Avoid herbal remedies and over-the-counter supplements.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol for 2 weeks before the surgery and weeks after the surgery, as smoking seriously impairs healing.
The Procedure
- Anesthesia: local anesthesia with sedation, or general anesthesia.
- Incision: usually inside the mouth above the upper gum line, so there’s no visible scar. Alternatively, an incision can be made just below the lower lashes, or within the hairline.
- Placement: a pocket is created over the cheekbone, and the shaped implant is placed in position.
- Closure: the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches, which don’t need to be removed.
The operation takes about 1–2 hours, with a hospital stay of about 1 night
Post-operative Care
- Keep your head raised and apply cold compresses to reduce bleeding and swelling.
- Wear the facial compression garment provided for at least 1 week.
- Eat soft food for at least 1 week.
- If the incision is inside the mouth, rinse often with mouthwash during the first week. If it’s under the eye, keep the wound clean as instructed.
- The stitches dissolve, so they don’t need removing.
- Attend a follow-up appointment after 1 month.
Recovery from Cheekbone Augmentation
- You can go back to work seven days after surgery.
- You can exercise one month after surgery.
- You can take a shower after 24 hours.
- The final results can be seen in approximately 2-3 months
Risks and Complications
While rare, the following are associated with cheek implant surgery:
- Infection
- Poor Healing
- Hematoma
- Risk from Anesthesia
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Skin Discoloration
- Scaring
- Fat Loss
- Cheek Implant Displacement
- Pain
- Poor Aesthetic Result
Before & After for Cheek Augmentation, Cheek Implant
Reviews for Cheek Augmentation, Cheek Implant
Video : Cheek Augmentation, Cheek Implant
Are High Cheekbones a Marker of Beauty?
Prominent cheekbones have been treated as a mark of beauty across many cultures and for a very long time, and they remain sought after today.
The cheekbones — the zygomatic bones — sit below and to the outside of the eyes and form the widest part of the mid-face when you view someone from the front. Where they are high and well-defined, they create a distinct angle across the cheek, which most people read as youthful and healthy.
Part of the appeal is structural. Defined cheekbones tend to accompany a symmetrical face, and symmetry is consistently associated with attractiveness across cultures. They also add contour and shadow, which makes the face more expressive and gives it a more sculpted, refined line. Faces that read as flat through the mid-face can look heavier or less animated by comparison.
This is why procedures aimed at the cheekbone — fillers, implants, and contouring surgery — remain among the most requested in facial aesthetics.
Whether high cheekbones are attractive is ultimately a matter of taste, and there is no single standard worth chasing. What surgery can do is bring the mid-face into better proportion with the rest of your features, which is a more useful goal than any ideal.
Why Choose Kamol Hospital for Cheekbone Augmentation?
- A full range of options: Silicone, ePTFE, Medpor, AlloDerm and custom PMMA implants, as well as fat transfer and filler.
- Hidden incisions: Usually placed inside the mouth, so there’s no visible facial scar.
- Whole-face planning: Cheek augmentation can be combined with forehead augmentation, chin augmentation or rhinoplasty for balanced proportions.
- Experience in facial feminization: Cheek shape is a key part of Kamol’s FFS planning.
- Hospital-level safety: A JCI-accredited hospital with an experienced anesthesia team.
- Support for international patients: Multilingual coordinators and Kamol Trip help you plan your stay in Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I choose an implant, fat transfer or filler?
Implants give a defined, long-lasting result. Fat transfer uses your own tissue and looks natural, but part of the fat is reabsorbed, so a top-up may be needed. Fillers need no surgery but are temporary. Your surgeon will recommend the best option based on how much volume you need and your preferences.
Which implant material is best?
Each material has advantages. Silicone is smooth and easy to remove or exchange. Porous materials such as ePTFE and Medpor are held in place as tissue grows into them, though Medpor is harder to remove. Custom PMMA implants are designed for an exact fit. Your surgeon will discuss which suits your face.
Will I have a visible scar?
Usually not. Most cheek implants are placed through an incision inside the mouth, so there’s no scar on the face. If an incision under the lower lashes is used, the scar is small and hidden in the natural crease.
Can cheek augmentation help feminize my face?
Yes. Fuller, higher cheekbones are one of the features that soften the face, so cheek augmentation is often part of facial feminization surgery, alongside procedures such as forehead contouring and jaw reduction.
Can cheek implants move, or be removed later?
Implants are positioned carefully and sometimes fixed in place, but shifting is a possible risk. Implants can be removed or replaced if needed, although porous implants such as Medpor are harder to remove because tissue grows into them.
What if my cheekbones are too wide rather than too flat?
If your cheekbones are too prominent or wide, cheekbone reduction is more suitable than augmentation. Your surgeon will assess which approach balances your face best.
Is it worth travelling to Bangkok, Thailand for cheekbone augmentation?
For some international patients, travelling to Bangkok, Thailand, may be worthwhile when they are seeking specialised facial aesthetic treatment and want to combine their procedure with care at an established hospital. The decision should be based on the surgeon’s qualifications, the proposed technique, hospital standards, total cost, travel requirements and the level of postoperative support available.
How long should I stay in Bangkok after cheek augmentation?
Plan to stay in Bangkok for about 7 days. This includes a short hospital stay and a check-up before you fly home. The stitches dissolve, so there’s no need to wait for stitch removal. Kamol Trip can arrange accommodation close to the hospital.
