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kcj11
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Are these indentations on my upper cheeks,MALAR BAGS?I'm 23.HELP!


Hello beloved experts and world,

I'm on the edge of going BERSERK!
I include 2 pictures,for better explanations.
Notice those little creases on top of my upper cheeks?Are they malar bags/mounds/festoons?
I am only 23 and I am so self-conscious about them as they are right on my face and make me appear tired and older all the time.
I've been researching a lot and have read ALMOST every reference to the 'malar septum' I could find online.

I am aware that should they be malar bags,they are either liquid or fat.
I cannot say which they are though because some days,they almost disappear(e.g.rested) but other days they are just darn right OUT THERE.At times I don't even want to walk out of the house because of them.

I am willing to do WHATEVER it takes to get rid of them.Although I am a rather holistic kind of person,at this point I'm even considering going under the knife for excision but I also don't want any scars on my face.Difficult?I KNOW!

Can anyone advise me as to what these are,what their cause could be?How can I go about them?Anyone out there in their 20s with malar bags?

I have no history of allergies,although I have struggled with ovarian cysts and hormonal imbalance for some time.But I found pictures of me very young,it seems i developed them around the age of 11.

Water retention?I've exhausted every possibility in my mind.

I live in Amsterdam,the Netherlands and most dermatologists here are clueless as to what these are.GO FIGURE!
Therefore,I'm more than biased when it comes to the variety of 'choices' out there.

I mean the market is over-saturated nowadays and should these be malar bags indeed,I'm prepared to wait a few years till there is more practical knowledge on them.

To make A LONG STORY-SHORT:
What are these,and what can be done,to improve my facial appearance?

I appreciate any input and am excited to hear from ANYONE,with any experience on them.
Thank you in advance and best wishes!

P.S.I know this is long,I do so,apologize!

P.P.S.Maybe I should see an oculoplastic surgeon?I have been a myopic forever and when I smile my cheeks almost drown my lightly slanted eyes,resulting in my having no eyes at all!

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Doctor/Professional Answers (5)   

arnioldkleinmd


Dermatologist
beverly Hills, CA
United States
View My Professional Profile 		  The Zygomatic arch and Malar Pat Pad
April 11, 2012 1:36 PM

The malar fat pad lies superficial to the SMAS and the lip elevator muscles. It has a cheek and jowl portion. The buccal-maxillary retaining ligament courses through the fat pad. With age, (more)

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docblinski


Plastic surgeon
Miami, FL
United States
View My Professional Profile 		 
April 9, 2012 8:39 AM

Again very hard to advise if I do not see the deformity. Try fat grafting or temporary fillers to the area in question. Skin mesotherapy at best is a very very short lived therapy. Good (more)
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drgrossman


Plastic surgeon
New York, NY
United States
View My Professional Profile 		 
April 6, 2012 11:59 PM

If it bothers you so much, you can try some of the temporary fillers to fill the area of hollowness. If you think of fat transfer please email me at drgrossman@msn.com
Good luck from (more)
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drgrossman


Plastic surgeon
New York, NY
United States
View My Professional Profile 		 
April 6, 2012 10:48 AM

Don't panic, you don't have malar bags or any other condition you listed. What you have is purely hereditary, most likely your dad has the same condition, but even more pronounced.
This (more)
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docblinski


Plastic surgeon
Miami, FL
United States
View My Professional Profile 		 
April 6, 2012 5:58 AM

Sorry you think you have an issue. But your posted photos are useless, I CAN NOT SEE THE ISSUE. PLEASE RE POST BETTER EXPOSED PHOTOS that show the cheek defect. (more)
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Member Comments (2)

MissJ521@aol.com
Camb, MA
United States 		  I think you look like a beautiful model
May 11, 2012 3:16 PM

With the face structure you have, you could be a model. So, I would not fret over the minor flaws you see. Compared to the whole picture, they are minor. Besides, if you got a modeling job, they could all be airbrushed away in a photo.


kcj11
  
April 6, 2012 3:22 PM

Thank you both doctor Blinski and doctor Grossman for your replies!

I have been told it's hormonal so many times,which led me to believe it's treatable by means of internal cleansing and detoxing and so many futile attempts and medication.

It's such a relief to know that they aren't malar bags though.So thank you whole-heartedly doctor Grossman!

When you say hereditary though,you are right!My father has the same problems but I seem to be the one blessed with such 'inheritance' instead of my sister.That frustrates me so!haha.

What do you think makes it so though?I mean why me,and not my sister as well?what makes me a better 'host' to say so,than her?

This whole puffy cheek face is really annoying.

I've been recommended facial mesotherapy here in Amsterdam.would that improve my skin's appearance?

Last but not least,what would be the costs of facial rejuvenation through fat grafting/or perhaps only cheek rejuvenation?

Thank you!Cheers!!




 



 

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