Facial Volume Loss
Facial volume loss is the depletion of superficial and deep facial fat compartments that occurs progressively with chronological aging. Unlike skin laxity — which is gravitational — volume loss is primarily atrophic and affects the midface, temples, and perioral region most severely, producing a hollow, aged appearance.
Understanding Facial Volume Loss
The aging face changes in three dimensions: skin loses elasticity, retaining ligaments weaken producing tissue descent, and the facial fat compartments atrophy and recede. Of these three mechanisms, volume loss is often the most impactful on perceived age. The malar (cheek) fat compartments — superficial and deep medial, middle, and lateral — are most affected. As these compartments deflate, the cheek contour flattens and descends, the tear trough hollow deepens, the nasolabial fold becomes more prominent, and the facial skeleton becomes more visible. The temporal fat pad atrophies, producing a skeletonised temple contour. Perioral volume loss reveals the underlying orbicularis oris muscle and creates fine radial lip lines.
Volume restoration — either through autologous fat transfer or surgical repositioning — is the foundation of modern facial rejuvenation. Istanbul's facial aesthetic surgeons combine deep plane facelift techniques with simultaneous fat grafting to comprehensively address all three dimensions of facial aging at a fraction of Western costs.
Treatment Options for Facial Volume Loss
View All ProceduresManifestations of Facial Volume Loss
Volume loss does not occur uniformly across the face. The midface is most affected, with visible hollowing beneath the eyes (tear trough deformity), flattening of the malar eminence, and deepening of the nasolabial fold. Temporal hollowing creates an inverted triangle appearance where the upper face appears narrow relative to the jaw. Perioral volume loss produces thinning of the vermilion border, downturned oral commissures, and marionette lines. The jawline softens as the prejowl sulcus deepens, creating the appearance of jowls even in the absence of significant skin laxity. Understanding which compartments are depleted and which remain intact is essential for precise, natural-appearing restoration.
Treatment Options at Vellum Select
Deep Plane Facelift with Fat Grafting
The most comprehensive approach to facial volume restoration is the Deep Plane Facelift in Turkey, which releases the entire midface soft tissue envelope as a single composite flap, repositions the descended cheek mass superiorly, and simultaneously allows for autologous fat transfer to restore depleted fat compartments. This combined approach addresses both volume loss and tissue descent in a single procedure. Fat is harvested from the abdomen or thighs via liposuction, purified, and micro-injected into the specific compartments that have atrophied.
To discuss your facial volume loss with a Vellum Select facial aesthetics specialist, contact us to arrange a consultation.