Dieting Success Can Alter Facial Appearance: Solutions from Makeup to Surgery

[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] Many people who lose weight through dieting may find their facial appearance less satisfying than expected. As facial fat decreases, features such as the cheekbones and jawline can appear more prominent, sometimes giving the face a sharper or wider appearance.

How Weight Loss Affects Facial Contours

When subcutaneous fat decreases, facial contours become more defined. Prominent cheekbones or a sharp jawline may become more pronounced, particularly in individuals with naturally angular bone structures. Reduced skin elasticity can also make the midface appear hollow or create uneven facial contours.

Non-Surgical Solutions: Makeup, Hairstyles, and Accessories

One of the simplest ways to address these changes is with makeup. Shading applied diagonally along the cheekbones and jawline, combined with highlighter on the forehead or chin, can create a more balanced, three-dimensional look by diverting attention from prominent features.

Hairstyles and accessories can also help. C-curl bobs or layered perms softly frame the face, reducing the prominence of cheekbones. Large-framed glasses add balance and soften sharp features, creating a more harmonious appearance.

Prominent cheekbones after dieting may be addressed with makeup, lifestyle adjustments, or surgery. (Image: ClipArtKorea)

Skincare and Massage for Improved Elasticity

Gua sha massage, a traditional technique, may improve skin elasticity and reduce puffiness. Gentle stimulation of the cheeks, forehead, and jawline can temporarily create a slimmer, more refined contour.

Limitations of Lifestyle Changes

While these non-invasive methods can help, they have limitations. For those dissatisfied with prominent cheekbones, surgical options such as zygomatic reduction may be considered. This procedure involves analyzing facial structure and repositioning protruding cheekbones—whether anterior or lateral—through osteotomy, rotation, and fixation, resulting in a smoother, more natural contour.

Risks and Considerations of Surgery

Zygomatic reduction surgery carries risks, such as nonunion at the osteotomy site or sagging cheeks caused by damage to supporting ligaments. Minimizing these complications requires thorough preoperative diagnostics, including 3D CT imaging, and a skilled surgical team.

Dr. Chang Hyun Oh, director of Banobagi Plastic Surgery Clinic, emphasizes the importance of expertise and postoperative care. “For those seeking a softer appearance or struggling with prominent cheekbones, zygomatic reduction can be an effective solution,” he says. “However, choosing a skilled surgical team and a clinic with a robust postoperative care system is essential.”

Lim Hye Jung, medi·K TEAM press@themedik.kr

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