Where do so-called "hamster cheeks" come from on the face and how to get rid of them?
Table of Contents
- How do hamsters form on the face?
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How to get rid of hamster cheeks?
- Volumetry and contour modeling using fillers
- Tissue stimulators and polynucleotides in the regeneration of skin density
- Thread lifting for sagging cheeks
- HIFU SonoQueen - scalpel-free lifting
- Microneedle radiofrequency and thermolifting for sagging tissues
- Zaffiro in firming loose skin
- Injection lipolysis and liposuction in the reduction of excess fat
- Home methods for firming the face
- Plan therapy tailored to your needs!
The skin on the face loses its firmness with age. Skin cells are positioned on a framework of collagen and elastin fibers, which stretch over time, and the production of new ones slows down. The loss of hyaluronic acid further weakens moisturizing and cell functions. All of this contributes to skin sagging and the dropping of the facial contour.
However, biological aging is only part of the story. Genetics and anatomical structure - the strength of the zygomatic muscles, the structure of the SMAS fascia - determine when jowls will appear. Sagging of the facial muscles causes fat pads to droop. Lifestyle factors significantly accelerate this process.
What accelerates the formation of jowls:
- Smoking - destroys collagen and elastin
- Excessive UV exposure - degrades elastin fibers
- Tech-neck posture - bending over the phone loosens the tissues of the lower face
- Rapid weight fluctuations - stretch the skin and impair its elasticity
A young face has a triangular shape with the apex pointing downward. With age, the **triangle of youth** inverts: volume escapes from the upper areas, and the contour of the face changes its outline. The aging processes shift the weight of the tissues downward - that's why effective therapy often requires not only skin firming but also volume restoration higher up.
Gravity shifts the fat pads from the cheeks downward. Menopause accelerates this process - the decline in estrogen weakens skin density and the jawline disappears. Weight fluctuations work both ways: when losing weight, loose skin hangs, and when gaining weight, fat accumulates in the lower face.
Missing teeth, particularly the back teeth, remove the internal support from the skin of the cheeks. The natural resorption of the jawbone reduces its volume with age, and the loss of fatty tissue in the compartments of the face deprives the skin of filling. When internal supports are lacking, the face sags even with elastic skin.
When jowls result from volume loss, simply improving skin tension is not enough. Volumetry lifts the tissues from within - rebuilding volume at strategic points. Hyaluronic acid lifts the cheeks - effects last 12-18 months. Calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse) has a biostimulatory effect - the result develops over several months.
Biostimulants do not fill volume - they stimulate the skin to produce collagen and elastin. Polynucleotides (PDRN) regenerate tissues and improve density, Profhilo hydrates and stimulates renewal - effects after 2-3 sessions. Polylactic acid (Sculptra) rebuilds the collagen matrix and provides effects lasting up to 2 years. They are especially effective for thin, lax skin.
A very effective method for hamsters is the use of lifting threads. Threads appropriately selected by an aesthetic medicine doctor, when applied to the tissues, stimulate them to intense work, increase collagen and elastin production, and deliver spectacular results. Depending on the needs, barbed or smooth threads are used - the decision on the type is made individually during a consultation at our clinic.
HIFU SonoQueen treatments are a highly effective method for firming facial skin. The procedure is completely non-invasive and uses focused ultrasound to lift tissues at the level of the muscular fascia. It is an ideal treatment for busy individuals as it is performed once a year. About 20% of the effect is visible immediately after the procedure, and the treatment has no recovery period, allowing one to return to daily activities right away.
Microneedling radiofrequency combines microneedling with thermal energy - microneedles penetrate deeper layers, and the radio wave induces contraction of collagen fibers. Morpheus 8 is a popular device of this class - effects accumulate over 3-6 months. Thermolifting stimulates collagen at various depths.
Zaffiro is an excellent solution for thin, lax skin with a small amount of subcutaneous fat. It is a treatment that uses infrared radiation to heat the deep layers of the skin. This causes the collagen fibers to contract and stimulates fibroblasts to produce new ones. The result is skin firming and reduction of jowls.
When chubby cheeks are due to excess fatty tissue, methods dedicated to reduction are needed. Injection lipolysis breaks down fatty tissue over a few weeks. In the case of Buccal fat pads, liposuction can be effective - excess fat can enlarge the lower part of the face even in young individuals. Make sure to determine if your chubby cheeks are due to skin or fat - this is key to choosing the appropriate method.
Face yoga improves the tone and blood circulation of tissues - regular exercise prolongs the effects of treatments. Gua Sha massage enhances lymphatic drainage and firms the tissues.
- Fish lips - suck in your cheeks and shape your lips like a fish, hold for 5-10 seconds
- Cheek puffing - push air between cheeks to strengthen the zygomatic muscles
- Mona Lisa smile - a slight smile with raised corners of the mouth, hold for 10 seconds
- Tongue pushing - press the tongue against the cheeks from the inside
- Aesthetic kinesiotaping involves applying elastic tapes to the face - they mechanically lift tissues and support lymphatic drainage. However, their effect is questionable.
UV radiation is responsible for nearly 80% of the signs of skin aging. Every day - even when the sky is cloudy - UVA rays penetrate through windows and clouds, destroying collagen fibers deep within the skin.
- Role of SPF 50+: Daily use of high protection is not only preventive against discoloration, but most importantly, it conserves the "framework" of your face. Without a filter, any anti-aging therapy loses its purpose.
While SPF protects, retinol repairs. As a derivative of vitamin A, retinol is one of the most well-researched ingredients with proven effects:
- Remodeling: Stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin.
- Density: Regular use improves skin texture, making it more compact and resistant to sagging.
To make the therapy complete, it's worth incorporating support:
- Vitamin C: A strong antioxidant that enhances the effect of sunscreen in the morning and brightens the complexion.
- Peptides: Act as "messengers", signaling the skin to regenerate, perfectly complementing the irritating potential of retinol.
Hamsters on the face may result from skin laxity, volume loss, or excess fat - each requires a different approach. Don't search for solutions blindly. Consulting a specialist will help select a method that precisely targets the root cause of the problem, restoring the youthful contour of the facial oval in a natural and harmonious way.
Your skin is an investment, start taking conscious care of it today!