The Downside of Being Too Thin

The Cheeks Can Lose Support and Become Flat: Although sagging skin on the cheek is the first sign that fat loss is occurring, as fat dissipates, the cheeks become flat and poorly defined as the curvature of the cheek is lost. The more fat lost in the cheeks (the fat in the cheek area is usually the thickest of any area on the face), the more pronounced the jowls, under-eye hollows and nasolabial folds become. But, when it comes to correcting the cheeks, New York plastic surgeon Sharon Giese, MD, says that it’s of the utmost importance to focus on the area under the eyes first, then the nasolabial folds and, if more volume is needed, the cheeks themselves. “If these steps are not followed, the face can take on a very artificial look.” Since we each age differently, it’s important that the deficient areas are properly addressed.

The area under the eyes can appear hollow: As fat in the cheeks begins to thin out, the lower eyelid takes on a puffy look and is plagued with bags because the fat that once kept it looking full is gone. The eyes can also look saggy. “The upper eyelids tend to look deflated, and the skin on the lower lids just hangs when volume is lost from this area, sometimes making it look like the cheekbones have been ‘lost,’” says Beverly Hills, CA, facial plastic surgeon John Joseph, MD. The tear trough is also sensitive to fat loss since the fat surrounding the eye is extremely thin, as is the skin.

The Temples: As fat begins to thin out around the temples, the sides of the forehead can become gaunt and sunken in, drawing unwanted attention to aging cheeks.