The Youthful Cheek and the Deep Medial Fat Compartment

Loss of volume of deep medial cheek fat leads to pseudoptosis and is an additional determinant of the nasolabial fold. Augmentation of deep medial fat has four effects: it increases anterior projection (not addressed by lateral redraping alone); it diminishes the nasolabial fold; the V-deformity is corrected; and a youthful cheek with natural boundaries is recreated. The term "malar fat" is probably a misnomer: this region is composed of both distinct superficial and deep fat compartments. Submentalis and sub-orbicularis oris fat play a role is the formation of the labiomental hollow and aging lip respectively. Understanding the anatomy of this area lends greater precision to our ability to rejuvenate the aging face.