You’ve probably seen the "supermodel" look. High, sharp cheekbones that catch the light and cast a shadow just underneath. For some, it's genetic luck. For others, it's the result of a surgeon’s steady hand. Looking at cheekbone implants before and after photos can be addictive, honestly. It’s like watching a magic trick where the face suddenly gains architecture it never had. But there is a massive gap between a glossy Instagram result and the reality of having medical-grade silicone or porous polyethylene screwed into your facial bones.
It’s not just about "bigger" cheeks. That’s a mistake people make all the time.
True malar augmentation—the technical term for this—is about balance. If you go too big, you look like a caricature. If the placement is off by even a couple of millimeters, your eyes might look sunken or your smile might feel tight. We’re talking about permanent changes to the midface. Unlike fillers, which eventually dissolve and let you reclaim your original face, implants are a commitment. They are a physical "shelf" added to your skeleton.
Most people start this journey because they feel their face looks "flat" or "tired." As we age, or sometimes just due to our bone structure, the midface lacks projection. This leads to a lack of support for the lower eyelids and can make the nasolabial folds (those lines from your nose to your mouth) look deeper than they really are. When you study cheekbone implants before and after images, pay attention to the transition from the lower lid to the cheek. That’s where the real magic happens.
The Anatomy of the Midface and Why Placement is Everything
Doctors usually categorize these implants into three types. Malar, submalar, and a combination of both.
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Malar implants sit directly on the cheekbone. They give you that lateral width. Think of it as the "high fashion" look. Submalar implants are placed slightly lower, in the hollow area just below the bone. These are huge for people who have lost volume due to aging or weight loss. Then there’s the combined implant, which covers both bases.
Dr. Barry Eppley, a well-known craniofacial surgeon, often talks about how the "ideal" cheek isn't just a bump. It’s a specific curve. If a surgeon puts a malar implant too high, it can interfere with the lower eyelid muscle (the orbicularis oculi). This can lead to a "pulled" look or even issues closing the eyes. Scary? Kinda. That’s why choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is non-negotiable.
The materials matter too.
- Silicone: Smooth, easy to remove if you hate it, but doesn't "bond" to the bone.
- Medpor (Porous Polyethylene): It has tiny holes that your own tissue grows into. It stays put like a rock, but it’s a nightmare to remove.
- PEEK: Often used in custom, 3D-printed implants for people with facial asymmetry.
The surgery itself usually happens through incisions inside the mouth. No visible scars. The surgeon creates a pocket, slides the implant in, and often secures it with a tiny titanium screw. Yes, a screw in your bone. It sounds intense, but it prevents the "implant shift" that used to haunt patients in the 90s.
What Really Happens During Recovery (The Stuff Nobody Posts)
You won’t look like a model on day three. You will look like you went twelve rounds with a heavyweight champion.
Swelling is the primary boss you have to defeat. For the first 72 hours, your face will feel tight. Your upper lip might feel numb. This is because the nerves that provide sensation to your cheeks and lip run right through the surgical area. In almost all cheekbone implants before and after success stories, the patient mentions a period of "buyer's remorse" during week one. It's hard to see the vision when your face is a balloon.
Diet is weirdly difficult. Because the incisions are inside your mouth (usually above the upper gums), you can't just chow down on a burger. You’re looking at protein shakes, lukewarm soups, and a lot of salt-water rinsing to keep things clean. Infection is the biggest risk here. Since the mouth is full of bacteria, oral hygiene is your full-time job for two weeks.
By week two, the "monster" swelling is gone, but the "social" swelling remains. This is the subtle puffiness that only you and your mom notice. It takes about three to six months for the tissues to fully "shrink-wrap" around the new hardware.
Why Fillers are the "Gateway Drug" to Implants
A lot of surgeons actually recommend you try Voluma or Radiesse first.
Why? Because it’s a trial run. If you like the way 2cc of filler looks in your cheeks, you’ll probably love the permanence of an implant. However, fillers are soft. They mimic fat. Implants mimic bone. The "feel" is different. If you press on a cheekbone implant, it’s hard. It feels like you. It doesn't move when you smile the way a bolus of filler might.
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But here’s a nuance: fillers can migrate. Implants, once screwed in, don’t. This is why people who are tired of the "filler face" look—where the face looks puffy rather than structured—eventually turn to surgery. They want the definition back.
Risks and the "Uncanny Valley"
Let’s be real. It can go wrong.
Asymmetry is the most common gripe. Our faces aren't perfectly symmetrical to begin with, and adding identical implants can sometimes highlight those differences rather than hide them. Then there's the risk of nerve damage. While rare, permanent numbness in the midface can happen if the infraorbital nerve is nicked.
And then there's the aesthetic risk. We’ve all seen the "cat-like" look. This usually happens when someone gets implants that are too wide for their narrow face. It pulls the skin too tight and makes the eyes look slanted in an unnatural way. A good surgeon will tell you "no" if your goals aren't realistic for your bone structure.
The longevity, though? That’s the selling point. A well-placed implant lasts a lifetime. You don't have to go back every 9 months for a $1,000 top-off.
Examining the Results: What to Look For
When browsing a gallery of cheekbone implants before and after results, don't just look at the front-facing "passport" style photos. Those are deceptive.
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Look at the 45-degree angle (the oblique view).
This is where the true projection shows up. Look for the "Ogee curve"—that soft S-curve that runs from the temple down to the cheek and into the jawline. In a great "after" photo, that curve is smooth and continuous. There shouldn't be a visible "step" where the implant begins.
Also, look at the eyes. Do the lower lids look more supported? Does the patient look rested? If they look like they’re perpetually "surprised," the implants might be too high or the skin might be under too much tension.
Actionable Steps for the Prospective Patient
If you are seriously considering this, don't just book a consultation with the first guy you find on Yelp.
- Request a CT scan evaluation. High-end surgeons now use 3D imaging to show you exactly how an implant will sit on your specific bone structure. Some even offer custom-made implants designed from your scan.
- Test the waters. If you haven't had cheek filler, get it once. It’s a $800 investment to see if you actually like having a wider or more projected face before you spend $8,000 on surgery.
- Ask about the "Screw Fixation." Ensure your surgeon plans to secure the implants. "Floating" implants are an old technique that leads to many of the "after" horror stories you see online.
- Check the "After" long-term. Ask to see photos of patients 1-2 years post-op, not just 3 months. You want to see how the face aged with the implant.
- Prepare for the "Numbness." Mentally prepare for your upper teeth and lip to feel like they’ve been at the dentist for a few weeks. It’s normal, but it’s annoying.
Cheek implants are a powerful tool for facial harmony, but they are an "inches" game. Success is found in the subtle restoration of structure, not in trying to look like a completely different person. Focus on the transition zones of the face—the eyelid-cheek junction and the temple—to ensure the final look is seamless.