What Causes Hollow or Sunken Cheeks?
Several factors contribute to hollow or sunken cheeks, such as aging, weight loss, and reduced collagen production. To understand these factors, it’s first important to understand the role collagen plays in the look of the face. Collagen is crucial for maintaining the skin’s strength and elasticity. However, its production decreases with age, and so the skin becomes less firm and more prone to sagging.
This contributes to the development of hollow or sunken cheeks as the skin loses its support structure. Similarly, significant weight loss, whether intentional or unintentional, can lead to hollow or sunken cheeks. When individuals lose a substantial amount of weight, particularly in the face, they may experience a reduction in facial fat pads, resulting in a loss of volume and fullness in the cheeks.
Finally, both lifestyle factors and genetics affect the appearance of a person’s cheeks and their rate of collagen production. These factors may include conditions that affect fat distribution in the face as well as bone structure abnormalities. In addition, smoking and sun exposure can accelerate the skin’s aging process and lead to a reduction in collagen production.