墨白 Plump and full Apple Zone is traditionally considered a symbol of youth. However, if the Apple Zone is too thick or protrudes excessively, smiling can make the face appear larger and the eyes smaller, resulting in an unbalanced overall proportion. Many people ask, “Is there any way to reduce the thickness of the Apple Zone?” This article outlines several common methods to help you find the solution that suits you best.
What are the reasons for a thick Apple Zone?
Before deciding what to do, it’s important to first understand why the Apple Zone is so thick. There are usually several reasons why the Apple Zone becomes excessively thick:
- Inherent bone structure and fat distribution: A higher position of the cheekbones or naturally larger fat pads in the cheeks are structural factors that contribute to this condition.
- Fat accumulation: Excessive fat in the face can cause the Apple Zone to become overly prominent.
- Muscle hypertrophy: When the zygomaticus major or zygomaticus minor muscles are overdeveloped, the Apple Zone becomes prominently protruded when smiling.
- Aging and sagging: As facial tissues age and sag, the position of the Apple Zone drops and its range expands, making it appear more prominent than when one is younger.
Since the causes vary, so do the solutions. If the problem is caused by aging and sagging, simply “thinning out” the skin won’t solve it; instead, lifting treatments are necessary.
Method 1: Lipolysis needle injection
Lipolytic injections (phosphatidylcholine injections) represent the most direct cosmetic treatment option for cases of excessive fat in the Apple Zone. These injections dissolve local fat cells, thereby reducing the volume of this area.
- Suitable for: Those with an overly thick Apple Zone due to fat accumulation
- Effect: The results become apparent gradually 4 to 8 weeks after the injection. Typically, 2 to 3 treatment sessions are required.
- Recovery: After the injection, there may be mild swelling and redness, which usually subside within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Fees in South Korea: Starting from approximately 200,000 South Korean won.
Note: Lipolytic injections must be administered precisely by experienced physicians; both the dosage and the injection site are of critical importance. Excessive amounts or incorrect placement may lead to localized indentations, and the risks associated with improper procedures cannot be ignored.
Method 2: Botulinum toxin injections (suitable for those with muscular facial features)
If the Apple Zone is too thick due to overdeveloped zygomatic muscles, making it particularly noticeable when smiling, botulinum toxin injections are another option. By blocking neuromuscular transmission, botulinum toxin causes the zygomatic muscles to relax temporarily, reducing their contraction strength and thus minimizing the excessive protrusion of the Apple Zone when smiling.
- Suitable for: People whose Apple Zone becomes particularly prominent when they smile
- Effect: Results become visible 2 to 4 weeks after the injection and last for approximately 4 to 6 months.
- Recovery: There is virtually no recovery period; occasionally, mild bruising may occur.
- Fees in South Korea: Starting from approximately 100,000 South Korean won.
It is important to note that the zygomatic muscle is one of the facial muscles used for expressions, so after the injection, there may be a slight sensation of an “unnatural smile.” However, this usually subsides within 2 to 3 weeks as the body adjusts. The injection technique at this location requires considerable expertise, so it is recommended to choose a doctor with extensive experience in facial injections.
Method 3: Facial Contour Adjustment (Integrated Solution)
Sometimes, the Apple Zone may appear to be “too thick,” but this is not necessarily due to issues with the Apple Zone itself; rather, it may be because the overall facial proportions make it stand out more. In such cases, adjusting the surrounding areas often yields better results than simply trying to thin the Apple Zone alone.
- Zygomatic bone Reduction surgery: For individuals whose zygomatic bone structure is particularly prominent, surgical intervention is the most fundamental solution. However, this is an invasive procedure with a lengthy recovery period (approximately 2 to 3 months).
- Filling the temporal region: Depressed areas in the temporal region can make them appear more prominent; injecting Filler into this area can create a more natural transition in the facial contours.
- Lifting treatment: For sagging Apple Zone, using HIFU or Thread Lifting to restore the Apple Zone to its original position can achieve better results.
Which method is the most suitable for you?
To put it simply:
- Fatty type (soft to the touch and with a noticeable layer of fat when pinched) → Lipolysis needles
- Muscular type (the wrinkles are more noticeable when smiling, but less prominent at rest) → Botulinum toxin injections
- Bone structure type (where the jawbone itself is positioned relatively high) → Use Filler to adjust the surrounding proportions, or consider undergoing bone surgery.
- Sagging type (the Apple Zone descends and the Nasolabial Fold Correction becomes more pronounced) → Lift treatment
It is recommended that before undergoing any treatment, you should first consult a doctor for a face-to-face evaluation to determine the underlying cause. Instead of assuming that you belong to the “fat type” and immediately requesting lipolysis, it is better to seek professional advice to avoid incorrect approaches that may result in suboptimal outcomes or even lead to unsatisfactory results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Apple Zone become sunken after being thinned?
This risk indeed exists, especially when too many lipolytic injections are administered or when the injection sites are misplaced. Therefore, when using this technique to “thin out” the facial features, it is essential to proceed with moderation—the goal should be to achieve a more harmonious facial proportion, rather than completely eliminating the Apple Zone. Experienced doctors will determine the appropriate treatment dosage based on the structure of your face.
Which one has better results: lipolysis injections or facial liposuction?
Facial liposuction offers more predictable results and higher efficiency, but it is a surgical procedure that requires a longer recovery period (1 to 2 months) and carries certain risks. Lipolysis injections, on the other hand, are milder and more suitable for individuals with moderate amounts of fat. The choice between these two methods should be based on the amount of fat present and the individual’s specific circumstances.
Will the Apple Zone rebound after being thinned?
The fat cells destroyed by lipolysis injections are permanently removed and generally do not rebound. However, if your weight increases significantly, the remaining fat cells may expand in size again. Therefore, maintaining a relatively stable weight is essential for preserving the results of these treatments.
