All About Achieving the Perfect Cheeks: Your Go-To Guide

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

What makes the ideal face shape, anyway?

Is it high cheekbones? Perfectly arched eyebrows? Plump, even lips? Flawless symmetry, whether an oblong, round, heart-shaped, or square face shape?

It all comes down to personal preference. As you can see, there’s no agreed-upon definition of “perfect cheeks” (let alone “perfect face”). It’s more of a “you know it when you see it” kind of thing.

With that said, you have every right to “prefer” different facial proportions. And that often begins with perfect cheeks, whatever “perfect” means to you.

How to Get Perfect Cheeks: Surgical & Non-Surgical Options

Your cheeks are one of your most noticeable facial features, if not the most noticeable. Here are six options to change their appearance for the better — temporarily or permanently.

Start a Facial Exercise Routine

If you have 10 extra minutes in your day, take up facial yoga. These repetitive, low-impact exercises strengthen your facial muscles and add definition to your cheeks, all the way from your eyes to your lips:

Close your mouth, puff up your cheeks, hold for 45 seconds, and then slowly let the air out through your mouth.
Purse your lips and smile, then push your cheeks upward with your fingers and hold for 20 seconds.
Hold your mouth in an open “O” shape, then slowly lift and drop your cheeks with your fingers for about 30 seconds.

Do these exercises for at least 30 minutes per week, and ideally more like 45 to 60 minutes, for best results.

Upgrade Your Skin Care Routine

Topical moisturizers and serums can improve your skin tone, reduce fine lines, and impart a more youthful and vibrant appearance. Look for products containing:

Aloe vera
Hyaluronic acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin B12

Get Cheek Filler Injections

Looking for more dramatic, lasting results? Get cheek fillers from a licensed, board-certified provider who has completed comprehensive dermal filler coursework.

The active ingredient in the most popular cheek fillers (brand names Restylane® and Juvederm®) is hyaluronic acid. Results last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, depending on the patient, dosage, and injection area. After that, you can return for a touch-up or try a different cheek augmentation technique.

For a longer-lasting filler experience, consider calcium hydroxylapatite (brand name Radiesse). Radiesse is indicated for treatment of moderate to severe nasolabial folds, a type of facial line that can adversely affect cheek appearance.

Get Cheek Lift Surgery

Traditional cosmetic surgery is the longest-lasting cheek augmentation option. It’s also the most risky, which is why it’s crucial to choose an experienced plastic surgeon for the job.

Cheek lift results last for many years, although natural side effects of aging (sagging skin, collagen loss) may necessitate follow-up surgery or less invasive augmentation procedures. However, recovery can be slow, especially for older patients, so you should carefully consider the relative risks and benefits.

Get a Brow Lift

Brow lift surgery focuses on the eyebrows rather than the cheeks themselves, but it can help improve facial symmetry and achieve the so-called “golden ratio” that’s seen as a traditional marker of facial beauty. Like a cheek lift, a brow lift is a significant surgical procedure that takes weeks to recover from and carries considerable risk.