What are Malar Bags and What Can I Do About Them?

There are a lot of different things that can contribute to an overall aged look, but malar bags seem to be one area that can especially age your profile. Once the natural fatty deposits and bone tissue underneath the eyes begin to recede, it can cause your face to look worn out and tired no matter how well-rested and youthful you really feel. Fortunately, you can enjoy great results by rejuvenating your undereye area with some help from your board-certified plastic surgeon. Here’s what to know about this concern and what you can do about it.

What Causes Malar Bags?

Malar bags are bumps that appear on top of the cheek bone at the outside corner of the eyes. They can happen in both men and women and can become more visible with age. Often, they stay in place even with facial movements, unlike undereye bags which respond to things like squinting. They’re caused by age-related volume loss, both in the bone tissue of the cheek bones and the fat pads underneath the eyes. It’s a common misconception that they’re caused by something protruding— this isn’t the case! Rather, they seem to protrude because of a loss of volume in the area around them.

What Are the Best Treatments for Malar Bags?

There are a couple of different approaches to treating malar bags. The right one for you might depend on their severity and your candidacy for each option.

Non-Surgical Fillers

Dermal fillers in the Restylane® and Juvéderm® families can be great options for restoring lost volume to the area around malar bags. This can help pad out the area and reduce the appearance of hollows in the cheeks that can contribute to the appearance of malar bags. Although you’ll need to return for re-treatment periodically, fillers can be an extremely effective way to achieve your goals without downtime or hassle.

Facelift

For more substantial correction, the facelift can improve the appearance of malar bags by repositioning the underlying fat deposits and tissues. This can help create a better contour and also tighten any sagging skin in the area. Although this is a more invasive option that comes with downtime, it can produce long-term results without the need for multiple injections.

Schedule a Consultation

The best way to learn more about your options for facial rejuvenation is by meeting with your board-certified plastic surgeon. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul Stanislaw at our Avon, CT office, we invite you to contact Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center by calling or filling out our online form.