Where do so-called "hamster cheeks" come from on the face and how to get rid of them?
Jowls on the face – skin, volume or fat:
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Three different causes: sagging skin, loss of volume or excess fat, and each requires a different method.
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Not just age: genetics, hormones, gravity and weight fluctuations also contribute to sagging facial contours.
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Treatments by type: fillers and stimulators restore volume, HIFU and radiofrequency tighten the skin, and lipolysis reduces fat.
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Skincare supports: sun protection and retinol protect collagen, but will not replace treatments in cases of advanced sagging.
Table of Contents
- How do hamsters form on the face?
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How to get rid of facial jowls?
- Volumetry and contour modeling using fillers
- Tissue stimulators and polynucleotides in the regeneration of skin density
- Lifting threads for sagging cheeks
- HIFU SonoQueen - lifting without a scalpel
- Microneedle radiofrequency and thermolifting for sagging tissues
- Zaffiro in firming sagging skin
- Reduction of fatty jowls: injection lipolysis and the boundary of surgery
- Home methods for face firming
- Plan therapy tailored to your needs!
- Frequently asked questions about facial jowls
How do hamsters form on the face?
Jowls are sagging cheeks that appear when the skin loses firmness, and tissues and fat pads shift down the face. This is caused by several processes at once: aging of support fibers, genetics, and habits that accelerate sagging.
Collagen and elastin fibers stretch with age, and the production of new ones slows down. When jowls appear is also determined by the strength of the zygomatic muscles and the structure of the SMAS fascia.
What accelerates the formation of jowls the fastest:
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Tobacco smoking – destroys collagen and elastin.
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UV exposure – degrades elastin fibers.
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Tech-neck posture – constantly tilting the head down over a phone loosens the tissues of the lower face.
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Weight fluctuations – stretch the skin and weaken its elasticity.
Why does the facial oval sag with age
A young face resembles a triangle pointing downwards, but with age the arrangement reverses: volume escapes from the upper parts of the cheeks, and gravity shifts the fat pads downward. In women, the process is accelerated by menopause, because a drop in estrogen weakens skin density and blurs the jawline. The facial oval also loses support from the inside, with missing teeth and jawbone atrophy.
How to get rid of facial jowls?
The method is chosen based on the cause: for sagging skin, firming treatments help; for volume loss, fillers and stimulators; and for excess fat, fat reduction methods. One treatment will not solve every type of jowls, which is why everything starts with identifying the source of the problem.
Volumetry and contour modeling using fillers
When jowls result from volume loss, volumetry lifts the tissues from within, rebuilding them at strategic points. Hyaluronic acid lifts the cheeks usually for 12-18 months, and calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse) has a biostimulatory effect.
Tissue stimulators and polynucleotides in the regeneration of skin density
Biostimulators stimulate the skin to produce its own collagen, instead of merely adding volume. Polynucleotides (PDRN) and Profhilo improve density, and polylactic acid (Sculptra) rebuilds the collagen matrix with an effect of up to 2 years, best for thin skin.
Lifting threads for sagging cheeks
Lifting threads are an effective method for sagging cheeks – applied into the tissues, they stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Threads with or without barbs are used, and the decision regarding the type is made individually during a consultation at our clinic.
HIFU SonoQueen - lifting without a scalpel
The HIFU SonoQueen treatment firms the skin with focused ultrasound that reaches the SMAS layer – the same one a surgeon tightens during a surgical facelift. The effect builds up gradually over the following weeks and months, and the method requires no recovery time.
Microneedle radiofrequency and thermolifting for sagging tissues
Zaffiro in firming sagging skin
Zaffiro works well for thin, sagging skin with a small amount of subcutaneous fat. The treatment uses infrared radiation, which heats the deep layers of the skin, shrinks collagen fibers, and stimulates fibroblasts.
Reduction of fatty jowls: injection lipolysis and the boundary of surgery
When jowls result from excess fat tissue, injection lipolysis using products such as Aqualyx locally breaks down fat over a few weeks. Deeper buccal fat (Bichat's fat pads) is surgically removed – this is a plastic surgery procedure, outside the offer of a non-surgical clinic. It is worth first determining whether the jowls are skin- or fat-related.
Home methods for face firming
Home remedies will not replace in-office treatments, but they support skin condition and extend the effects of therapy.
Exercises, massage and face yoga
Face yoga and Gua Sha massage improve tension, blood circulation, and lymphatic drainage, and regular practice prolongs the effects of treatments. However, with pronounced jowls, this is not enough.
Simple facial muscle exercises for a home routine:
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Fish lips – suck in your cheeks and shape your lips like a fish, hold for 5-10 seconds.
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Puffing cheeks – push air between your cheeks to strengthen the zygomatic muscles.
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Mona Lisa smile – a gentle smile with raised corners of the mouth, hold for 10 seconds.
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Tongue push – press your cheeks from the inside with your tongue.
A separate method is aesthetic kinesiotaping – applying tissue-lifting tapes, although its effectiveness can be questionable.
Photoprotection and retinol in daily skincare
UV radiation is responsible for nearly 80% of skin aging signs, which is why a sunscreen with SPF 50+ used daily protects the collagen scaffold regardless of the weather. Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin, and its action is complemented by vitamin C and peptides.
Plan therapy tailored to your needs!
Facial jowls can result from sagging skin, loss of volume, or excess fat, and each of these causes requires a different approach. Instead of acting blindly, start by assessing the type of problem – a consultation with a specialist will allow you to select a method targeting the actual cause. Take care of your facial contour consciously and with a plan, instead of relying on a random procedure!
Frequently asked questions about facial jowls
Can jowls disappear on their own?
Jowls do not reverse on their own, as they result from permanent changes in the skin, tissues, and fat distribution. They usually deepen with age, which is why early prevention and a tailored treatment yield better results than waiting.
How to tell on your own whether jowls are fatty or skin-based?
Fat jowls are usually firm and distinct regardless of facial expressions, while those resulting from skin laxity sag more when tilting the head. The final assessment is made by a specialist, but this observation hints at what to expect.
At what age do jowls appear on the face?
They most often become visible after the age of 40, when collagen production decreases, and in women, menopause additionally plays a role. However, genetics means that in some people, the first signs are visible earlier, even with a slim figure.
Will exercises and massages alone remove jowls?
Exercises and massages improve tissue tone and blood circulation, but they will not reverse advanced sagging nor reduce excess fat. However, with visible jowls, in-office methods are needed.
Where to start when you don't know what type of hamsters they are?
It is best to start with a consultation during which a specialist will assess whether the problem stems from the skin, volume, or fat. Such a diagnosis immediately directs to a method tailored to the cause and saves time and money.
