Sunken Cheeks in Manchester and Cheshire
Book a consultation at CLNQ in Manchester or Knutsford and we will talk you through your options.
- Consultation before any treatment
- Manchester (Deansgate Square) and Knutsford clinics
- 5.0 from 275+ reviews
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 0584558
Book your consultation
Tell us a little about you and our patient team will call you back to arrange a time that suits.
Your enquiry is confidential. We never share your details.
Sunken cheeks, often referred to as hollow cheeks, are a condition where the cheeks appear indented or have less volume than usual. This feature can give the face a gaunt, aged appearance and may affect one’s facial aesthetic and self-confidence. The appearance is typically characterized by a reduction in the prominence of the cheekbones, a lack of soft tissue in the cheek area, and more pronounced facial lines and contours.
Causes of Sunken Cheeks
With sunken cheeks Manchester & Cheshire patients may have experience several factors that contributed to the development of the condition, including:
- Ageing: As one ages, natural fat pads in the cheeks decrease in size. The skin also loses collagen and elasticity, contributing to a more hollowed appearance.
- Weight Loss: Significant or rapid weight loss can reduce the amount of fat in the face, leading to sunken cheeks.
- Genetics: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to having less fat in their facial structure, which can manifest as sunken cheeks even at a younger age.
- Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as malnutrition and diseases that cause muscle or fat depletion, can lead to sunken cheeks. Conditions like HIV, cancer, and diabetes may impact the body’s ability to maintain healthy levels of fat and muscle.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and excessive sun exposure can accelerate the loss of skin elasticity and the degradation of fat and collagen in the face.
If your face has hollowed quickly, see your GP before you see anyone about filler. Cheeks that sink over months rather than years, particularly alongside weight loss, tiredness or night sweats, are a reason to be examined properly first. We will say the same thing if you come to us. Volume can always be replaced later; the point is to know why it went.
Appearance Characteristics of Sunken Cheeks
Sunken cheeks are often marked by:
- A noticeable indentation running from the cheekbones to the lower parts of the face.
- More pronounced cheekbones, with less flesh beneath them.
- A more angular and sometimes aged appearance due to the lack of soft tissue.
- Possible sagging skin depending on the skin’s elasticity and the extent of volume loss.
Age-Related Changes
Sunken cheeks do commonly occur as a part of the ageing process. Over time, the natural ageing process leads to a decrease in subcutaneous fat throughout the body, including the face. This loss is compounded by the reduction in collagen and elastin in the skin, making the cheeks appear more hollow.
Treatments for Sunken Cheeks
At CLNQ in Cheshire & Manchester sunken cheeks are treated with a focus on restoring volume and enhancing facial contours. Here are some common methods:
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable fillers such as hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, or calcium hydroxylapatite can be used to add volume to the cheeks and reduce the appearance of hollowness.
- Fat Grafting: This involves transferring fat from another part of the body to the face, providing a more permanent solution to volume loss.
- Facelift: A facelift can help by tightening the skin and redistributing fat and tissues in the face to a more youthful position and contour.
- Cheek Implants: Surgical implants can provide a permanent increase in cheek volume and are an option for those looking for a long-lasting solution.
Cost of Cheek Fillers
The cost of cheek fillers can vary widely depending on the type of filler used, the volume of filler needed, the practitioner’s experience, and the geographic location. At CLNQ our prices start from £300 per syringe with our doctors, and multiple syringes may be needed to achieve the desired volume.
How a Facelift Helps Sunken Cheeks
A facelift (rhytidectomy) can be particularly beneficial for addressing sunken cheeks, especially when they are part of overall facial aging. The procedure can tighten loose skin and reposition the underlying tissues, giving the cheeks a more filled and youthful appearance. Facelifts can be combined with other procedures such as fat grafting or fillers for enhanced results.
Conclusion
Sunken cheeks can result from a variety of factors, including aging, weight loss, and certain health conditions. Treatment options are plentiful and can be tailored to individual needs and desired outcomes. There are a range of options for treatment from non-surgical, less invasive options to more invasive surgical options. At CLNQ, our team will help guide you through your concerns and desired expectations with the full range of treatment options.
Treating sunken cheeks at CLNQ, and what it costs
Cheek hollowing comes from fat pad descent and shrinkage, bone remodelling underneath, and sometimes rapid weight loss. Restoring it properly is about rebuilding the structure that has gone, not simply filling the hollow you can see — which is what produces the heavy, over-projected look.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Cheek filler | £350 |
| Lanluma — face, one vial | £1,000 |
| Lanluma — two vials | £2,000 |
| Liquid facelift | £1,500 |
| Profhilo | £300, or £575 for two |
| Morpheus8 | from £400 |
Filler or collagen stimulator? Hyaluronic acid filler gives an immediate, reversible result and suits moderate hollowing and people who want to see it before committing. A collagen stimulator like Lanluma builds volume over three to six months, lasts around two years, and gives a more diffuse result that reads as your own tissue — better for significant hollowing, but you have to be patient and it cannot be dissolved if you dislike it.
Placement matters more than volume here. Deep injection onto bone in the right positions restores projection with surprisingly little product; superficial filling of the visible hollow takes far more and looks it. This is doctor-performed at CLNQ.
If the hollowing followed significant weight loss and you intend to lose more, we will usually suggest waiting.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Kajal Babamiri
GP with Specialist Interest in Dermatology — GMC No. 6132231
Dr Babamiri is a co-founder of CLNQ and leads the clinic’s non-surgical, skin and longevity practice. She is a key opinion leader in aesthetic medicine, appears as a doctor on Olivia Attwood’s Price of Perfection and Channel 4’s Surgery Secrets of the Super Rich, and has been featured in Glamour, the Daily Mail and Gulf News. She consults in Manchester, Knutsford and Wilmslow.
Last medically reviewed: 27 September 2026. This page is for information only and does not replace an individual consultation.
Confident. Beautiful. Empowered.
The Leading Aesthetic and Longevity Clinic in Manchester and Cheshire
We are dedicated to helping you achieve your health and wellness goals through our comprehensive range of personalized treatments and luxury approach. Whether you’re seeking to address specific concerns, enhance your appearance, or simply optimize your well-being, we have the solution. Our team of experts is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable and confident in your journey to a more radiant you. Don’t wait any longer to start your journey to optimal health and beauty.