Around the world, cheekbones play a role in a person’s perceived attractiveness with certain cultures preferring higher cheekbones and others preferring lower cheekbones. According to research studies, we also make instant assessments of people based on their faces. Just by looking at someone’s cheekbones, we may think of them as friendly, energetic, or dominant. If you can feel the zygomatic bone at the same level as your nasal bridge, then you have high cheekbones. You have a low cheekbone if you feel the zygomatic bone at the same level as your nostrils.
How your cheekbones look is determined largely by your genetic makeup and ethnic history. If you ever decide to modify your cheekbones with a cosmetic procedure, you should make sure to consult a specialist plastic surgeon like Dr Jeremy Hunt to get a clearer picture of the procedure, its cost, and the risks involved.
Read on to learn more about cheekbones, how you can locate yours, the differences between high and low cheekbones, and what you can do to modify the appearance of your cheekbones.
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The cheekbones are located below the eye sockets and are a part of the human cranium or skull. Anatomically referred to as the zygomatic bones, they project from the face and together with the skin and buccal muscles, create the structure of the cheek ensuring that food is kept in the mouth while chewing. In addition to giving structure to the face, the cheekbones are also involved in certain activities of our everyday lives. The structure of the cheek formed by the zygomatic bones and other structures enables us to speak, chew food, and make facial expressions.
Our cheekbones get more pronounced as we get older. This is because over time, the amount of facial fat decreases and gravity tugs the skin downwards. Bone loss in the nose and cheeks are also a possible consequence of age-related facial changes. The way your cheekbones appear is also influenced by your weight. The amount of cheek fat over your cheekbones determines how visible your cheekbones will be. The amount of facial fat can also be influenced by lifestyle choices including smoking and drug use.
To find out whether you have low or high cheekbones, examine them in the mirror after you’ve located them. You have low cheekbones if the tips of your fingers meet at the level of your nostrils. Your cheekbones are high if they are located at the same level as the upper part of your nose or closer to your eye.
It is important to remember that no cheekbone is exclusively better than the other as the perception of appearance is highly subjective. There are also other factors that play a role in determining the attractiveness of an individual. As mentioned earlier, various cultures around the world value both types of cheekbones for various reasons.
The level of your cheekbone is determined to a large extent by your unique genetic makeup and ethnic history. Your gender also has a role to play in determining if you have high or low cheekbones. This is because men are usually more likely to have higher malar bones than women. It is important to remember that the level of your cheekbones has no bearing on their function and only plays a role in determining your facial structure. But if this is the case, then why are high cheekbones preferable?
People with low cheekbones may lack some definition in their cheeks. Their face is usually the widest at the same level as the nostrils. People with high cheekbones are frequently easy to identify because the widest part of their faces is usually right below the eyes.
It is believed that high male cheekbones, “hunter eyes”, and a chiselled jawline all contribute to attractiveness. Male celebrities with prominent cheekbones are seen as being particularly attractive. They appear confident and masculine because of their clearly defined facial features. Likewise, high female cheekbones are also considered to contribute to attractiveness with celebrities typically having prominent cheekbones in addition to symmetrical facial features.
When considering appearance, a person’s face may look more different as they age if they have higher cheekbones. This is due to the fact that as gravity pushes the skin downward, the skin on the face can cling to the elevated cheekbones better. People with low cheekbones are also considered to be unsociable with some people believing that they prefer their own company and do not engage in stimulating conversation.
There are various cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical procedures you can utilise to modify the appearance of your cheekbones. Some techniques you can use to modify the appearance of your cheekbones include:
When considering face shapes, the heart or V-shaped face is thought to be the most appealing with V-shaped faces regarded as “mathematically attractive.” The forehead and chin are both rather broad on a face like this with the chin slightly pointed and the jawline being quite narrow. This face shape also features wide cheekbones. Studies have shown that the heart or V-shaped face is perceived as more youthful. In contrast, the diamond facial shape is thought to be the most attractive for women and it is regarded as being very feminine and sophisticated.
Some ethnicities known for having high cheekbones include Asian, African, and Amerindian. It has been established earlier that certain cultures prefer higher cheekbones to low ones. Individuals with high cheekbones are readily accepted in some Asian communities as they consider high cheekbones to be a sign of vitality and energy. They also believe that high cheekbones signify bravery and commitment. Similarly, Americans view those with higher cheekbones as bright and perceptive.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon and a member of FRACS & ASPS. He has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.
Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is optimal for your body and your lifestyle.
Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has given thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia the aesthetic results they desired.
Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.
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