Cheek Augmentation in Gender-Affirming Facial Surgery

Abstract

The cheek area is an important area in facial beauty. High cheekbones and full malar area is considered a desired feminine feature and therefore an essential component of gender-affirming facial surgery. The most common treatment options are injectable fillers, autologous fat grafting, and alloplastic cheek implants. Fillers are customizable and reversible and have minimal recovery but are not preferred because of need for maintenance and cost. Fat grafting has many desirable characteristics, such as abundance, customizability, biocompatibility, and relative low cost. However, evidence for its long-term longevity is lacking. Alloplastic implants are a reliable augmentation method but associated with implant related complications such as infection, migration, and visibility.

Keywords: Alloplastic cheek implants; Augmentation; Cheek; Fat grafting; Gender-affirming facial surgery.