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I am actually old enough to remember when highlighted cheekbones and dark blush applied to the hollows of the face was considered an attractive look. Now pudgy chipmunk cheeks are ”in”. I’m probably exaggerating (and kidding), but according to a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, fuller cheeks are thought to be youthful and attractive. We’re not talking about high, chiseled cheekbones and thinner faces, we’re talking round, child-like apple-cheek features. But that’s old news. It is no secret that those with inner child-like features (large eyes, full cheeks, full lips, and a cute nose) are considered most attractive. Although, I guess since the study came out, it is now official.

I recall a time when patients seemed to request buccal fat removal more often, now it seems to be few and far between. But then again, lower face fat isn’t exactly on the menu these days, is upper cheek fat. More and more, women are getting their butts and inner thighs injected into their faces, including but not limited to their cheeks, undereyes, lips, nasolabials, and even their temples! Fat equals youth, we lose it where we want it as we age and where we have a surplus of where we don’t want it, it is most certainly can be injected elsewhere. Yay for Medical Science, especially the cosmetic kind.

Renée Zellweger is certainly a great example of fatty cheeks a la beautiful. Angelina Jolie has fully cheeks—not only does she have sculpted cheekbones, she has visible nasolabials (thought to be attractive it seems). I personally think she is hottt beyond words but who knew slight nasolabials would be considered attractive?? A good friend of mine was dead-set against my having my nasolabials injected. Heck, even my own surgeon won’t inject my nasolabials beyond enough to make me THINK he did, so what gives? Apparently it is a youthful trait and as he says, “Everyone has nasolabials. It isn’t natural-looking not to have any at all.” Yes, I know that but I remember when it was taboo to have them as well. We’re not talking hound dog nasolabial folds, but enough to make it appear we have slightly plump cheeks. I wish the beauty standard would stop changing.

So, if we don’t have them, how can we get them? Like everyone else does: fat injections or cheek implants. I have had fat injected 9 http://www.mycosmeticsurgeryblog.com/home/2008/4/2... )into the orbital rim area of my upper cheeks twice, but never to my lower cheeks; and not enough to be permanent. I probably know more people who have had fat grafting than who have not. How crazy is that? Shows you who I hang with, eh? And they look fabulous. Fat grafting is a fabulous way to add a youthful plump appearance to an otherwise gaunt or thin face. I personally get Restylane for my gaunt areas, but that’s just me. It seems to last longer and longer as the years go by. Plus, I strongly recommend it as a try on before getting fat grafting

When Too Much is Simply Too Much

More is not better with fat grafting (http://www.newimage.com/fat-grafting.aspx). So please, when and if you do decide to get fat grafting, please go slowly, or gently. Getting rid of fat is not as easy as you would think. However, there is significant, prolonged swelling with fat grafting. If you choose to undergo fat grafting, don’t think on week two that you are grossly overfilled and are ruined for life. The swelling lasts for weeks upon weeks sometimes. In fact, the swelling was absolutely fabulous at 6 weeks and looked the best at this point, then it started to subside. Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Oh well, guess I’ll have to get more (or keep getting Resty). Patience is vital when choosing fat grafting. Then again, it can be with Restylane as well, however swelling is usually less than it is with fat grafting.

What do you think about nasolabials and full cheeks, do you like the apple cheeks? The full, high cheek bones, a ‘perfect’ balance of all of these? Do you prefer having a smidge of nasolabials, or prefer to have none at all? I am really interested in what everyone thinks about this subject.