Aging is a natural course of human life. But while we will all see various signs of aging when we look into the mirror, it doesn’t mean we can’t do it gracefully. With the desire to look young for as long as possible, many wonder how to fix sagging cheeks.
Minimally invasive and non-surgical cosmetic treatments like Ultherapy, subdermal skin tightening, and injectable dermal fillers all offer a solution to sagging cheeks. There are also surgical options like facelifts, mini facelifts, fat grafting, and cheek implants. And there are, of course, facial exercises you can try to firm and tighten skin.
There are many other treatments and procedures you can turn to bring back youthfulness to your cheeks. And just because one procedure worked for another doesn’t mean it will work the same for you. A consultation with your healthcare provider is still the most important step.
Below, we’ll go over treatments, procedures, and proactive steps to fix sagging cheeks. We’ll also lay down everything you need to know about sagging skin and what could be causing them.
Sagging and Loose Skin: A Natural Part of Aging
Aging is a natural process everyone goes through. But as we age, so does our skin with various signs of aging from fine lines, wrinkles, and droopy and sagging skin.
Aging is inevitable and typically, our facial skin, including the midsection of the face, is the first one to show signs of it. Once full cheeks are hollowed out with jowls forming at the jawlines due to the lack of firmness.
While aging and the various signs of it are nothing to be ashamed of, their appearance can cause a staggering effect on how individuals see themselves. This can lower self-esteem and confidence.
If you find yourself looking at a mirror and feeling unfamiliar with what you see, you’re not the only one.
And as we’ve said again and again, aging is a natural process in life and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. But it doesn’t mean you can’t do so gracefully or attempt to slow the process down.
With the many advances in the beauty and cosmetics world, slowing down the skin’s natural aging process doesn’t seem impossible now.
What Causes Sagging and Droopy Skin?
Sagging and droopy skin is a natural effect of aging skin. But more than the passage of time, other factors can contribute to sagging and droopy skin:
Collagen and elastin loss
Both collagen and elastin naturally occur in our bodies. They provide skin structure, elasticity, and firmness for that plump, youthful look. It also prevents the skin from sagging.
But as we age and grow older, the skin loses much of its collagen and elastin. And while it still makes some, it doesn’t make as much as it used to.
Less collagen and elastin in the skin means the skin would start losing its structure and firmness. The skin slowly loses its volume and would start drooping and sagging. And gravity would do what it does best and pull the skin down.
Genetics
Believe it or not but genetics could play a vital role in how and when you develop sagging and droopy skin and the common enemy, jowls.
Jowls, as many know, are sagging skin that hits just below the chin or jawline area.
Just like your skin type, sagging skin can be inherited. If one or more in your family tend to have singing skin and jowls, you’re more likely to develop them early on as well.
Excess sun exposure
While everyone needs a little sun on them, excess sun exposure can cause major damage to your skin.
Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays sucks out the skin’s natural moisture, messing with the skin’s natural ability to produce collagen.
And as we’ve mentioned above, the loss of collagen will cause the skin to sag and droop. Excess sun exposure could likely cause premature skin aging.
Environmental factors and lifestyle habits
Other factors like the environment you’re in or your lifestyle choices can also affect how your skin ages:
Weight loss: When you lose weight, you lose the body mass but the once-stretched skin will remain intact. This will cause the skin to sag and droop.
Smoking: Smoking can damage your skin and its ability to naturally produce collagen and elastin. Moreover, it can also limit blood circulation and not get enough vitamins to your skin.
Facial expressions: Some facial expressions can stretch out the skin on your face and neck, causing a sagging effect.
Poor diet: Eating all the wrong things will not give your body the proper nutrients and vitamins it needs. This would also affect the skin and the nutrients it should be getting.
Phone and computer use: Using a computer or phone for long periods will force you to look down. This will loosen up the skin around your neck and damage skin elasticity. This is better known as “tech neck”.
Can I Reverse Sagging Skin and Cheeks?
Aging is irreversible so one can’t actually reverse sagging skin and cheeks. But while this may be true, there are steps you can take to reduce their appearance and slow down the natural aging process.
How to Fix Sagging Cheeks
Though sagging and drooping skin and cheeks are all part of the body’s natural aging process, there are a few ways you can try to reduce and slow down the appearance and even fix them.
Below, we’ll go over, what you can do to fix saggy cheeks from various treatments, procedures, and facial exercises.
How to Fix Sagging Cheeks: Surgical and Nonsurgical Skin Tightening Treatments
Facelift
Facelifts are one of the most popular and most sought-after cosmetic procedures today and for very good reasons.
A facelift is a major invasive procedure and would involve the patient going through general anesthesia. The procedure will surgically remove and trim excess skin. This creates a tighter, smoother, and younger appearance.
Mini Facelift
Instead of a full facelift procedure, a mini facelift would be best for those with milder skin elasticity issues. The procedure is the same as a full facelift but results are less drastic. Some patients are better candidates for a mini facelift rather than a full facelift.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is a non-invasive non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses ultrasound technology to lift and tighten skin.
This smooths out fine lines and wrinkles on the treatment area and lessens the effects time and gravity does on the skin. Additionally, it also works to stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen.
There is no downtime to this but the results aren’t immediate. You would need to be patient and wait for about three to nine months before full results set in.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Injectable dermal fillers are a common non-surgical cosmetic procedure that millions around the world get every year.
What they do is bring back lost volume to the treatment area and provide an instant lift. It also smooths out both deep facial wrinkles and fine lines. The most common type is hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
Subdermal Skin Tightening (ThermiTight)
Subdermal skin tightening is a minimally-invasive treatment that uses a device that applies thermal energy just underneath the skin to help with tightening and firming.
The procedure doesn’t burn the skin. What it will do is stimulate collagen production. The most common device used for this procedure is the ThermiTight.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is a surgical procedure that transfers fat from other parts of your body to your hollowed cheeks. This plumps them up and brings back the youthfulness to the area.
Cheek Implants
Cheek implants add instant volume to hollowed cheeks, getting rid of the saggy appearance. It adds definition and further brings out your cheekbones so they look more prominent.
How to Fix Sagging Cheeks: Facial Exercises
If you want to try the natural way to tighten sagging skin, here are a few facial exercises to fix sagging cheeks naturally:
- Smile as wide as you can to tighten your cheeks. Then, move your head up and down for a natural neck lift as well. Repeat this a few times.
- Blow up one of your cheeks with air. Then, transfer the air to the other side. Do this from one cheek to the other. Continue for a minute and then relax the facial muscles on your cheeks. Repeat a few more times.
- Suck in both your cheeks until you have a “fish face”. Hold this position for a few seconds and then let go. Repeat the exercise a few more times.
- Open your mouth as wide as possible, like a yawn. Then, close your mouth without having your teeth touch. Repeat the process a few more times.
- Tilt your head up and chew. Do this for a few seconds and bring your head back. And then repeat.
Can I Prevent Sagging Skin?
While you can’t prevent the body’s natural aging process, you can take proactive steps to reduce and delay the appearance of saggy skin and cheeks.
How to Prevent Sagging Cheeks
Here’s what you can do to keep your cheeks from sagging and drooping:
- Try doing facial exercises and face yoga every day to tighten and firm up the skin.
- Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. This also helps the body flush out toxins.
- Keep a diet of antioxidants and healthy fats.
- Work out as a regular part of your day.
- Reduce alcohol intake and smoking.
- Get enough sleep every night.
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Include firming creams, retinoids, and Vitamins C and E in your skincare routine.
Conclusion
Sagging skin and cheeks are a natural part of aging. While there’s nothing to be ashamed of, many seek out different ways to fix and counter the effects of aging.
You can fix sagging cheeks with non-invasive to minimally-invasive treatments like Ultherapy, subdermal skin tightening, and injectable dermal fillers. There are also surgical procedures like facelifts, mini facelifts, fat grafting, and cheek implants. Of course, there are natural remedies like facial exercises and face yoga you can try at home to firm up and tighten facial skin.
And that has been our guide on how to fix sagging cheeks. If you have other questions for us, hit us up below!
