What are Festoons (Malar Fat Pads) and how can they be treated?
Festoons, also known as malar mounds or malar bags, are collections of skin and fat that occur on the upper cheeks and lower eyelids. They can give the appearance of puffiness or sagging in these areas and can be caused by a combination of factors, including sun damage, genetics, and medical conditions.
What are Malar Fat Pads?
Malar fat pads, also known as “festoons,” are collections of fat and skin that occur on the upper cheeks and lower eyelids and can give the appearance of puffiness or sagging in these areas.
The malar fat pads are formed by fatty tissue that accumulates in the malar (cheek) area and can be caused by a combination of factors, including sun damage, genetics, and medical conditions. These pads can be congenital or acquired.
The malar fat pads are located in the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and submalar fat compartments. The SOOF is the fat that sits on top of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which surrounds the eyes and the submalar fat is the fat that sits below the muscle.
The malar fat pads can be caused by various underlying medical conditions, such as lymphatic obstruction, which can lead to fluid accumulation in the face, exacerbating the appearance of malar fat pads. Other underlying medical conditions such as certain autoimmune disorders, chronic sinusitis, and allergies can also cause malar fat pads.
In some cases, malar fat pads can be treated with a variety of cosmetic procedures, including laser resurfacing, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or other cosmetic procedures. However, it’s best to consult with a specialist facial plastic surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for your individual case, as underlying medical conditions must be ruled out and treated before any cosmetic procedure is considered.
It’s also important to take care of your skin and maintain a healthy lifestyle, including protecting your skin from sun damage, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption to maintain the healthy appearance of your skin.
What causes Festoon Eye Bags?
Festoons are caused by a combination of factors, including:
- Loss of volume in the mid-face: As we age, we lose volume in the cheeks and mid-face, which can cause the skin to sag and create a hollow appearance.
- Sun damage: Sun damage can cause the skin to lose elasticity and become thinner, contributing to the development of festoons.
- Genetics: Some people may be predisposed to developing festoons due to their genetic makeup.
- Facial nerve damage: Damage to the facial nerve can cause the muscles in the lower eyelids and cheeks to weaken, leading to sagging skin and festoons.
- Sinus issues: Sinus issues can cause fluid to build up in the lower eyelids and cheeks, leading to puffiness and bagginess.
What happens to Festoons as we age?
As we age, the skin on our upper cheeks and lower eyelids can sag and wrinkle, creating folds of skin called festoons. This can be caused by a combination of factors, including sun damage, genetics, and loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. Festoons can also be caused by fluid accumulation in the area due to a medical condition such as lymphatic obstruction. In some cases, festoons can be treated with various cosmetic procedures, including laser resurfacing and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). However, it’s best to consult with a plastic surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for your individual case.
What can worsen the appearance of Malar Fat Pads?
Malar fat pads, also known as “festoons,” are collections of fat and skin that occur on the upper cheeks and lower eyelids and can give the appearance of puffiness or sagging in these areas. Several factors can worsen the appearance of malar fat pads:
- Sun damage: Long-term exposure to UV rays can cause the skin to lose elasticity and collagen, leading to sagging and wrinkles.
- Genetics: Some people are more prone to developing malar fat pads due to inherited facial structure or genetics.
- Weight gain: Gaining weight can cause an increase in fat deposits in the face, exacerbating the appearance of malar fat pads.
- Ageing: As we age, our skin loses elasticity and collagen, leading to wrinkles and sagging, which can worsen the appearance of malar fat pads.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions can lead to fluid accumulation in the face, exacerbating the appearance of malar fat pads. These include lymphatic obstruction, certain autoimmune disorders, and other underlying health conditions.
- Smoking and Alcohol consumption: Smoking and alcohol consumption can lead to poor blood circulation and contribute to the formation of festoons.
A plastic surgeon can determine the best course of treatment for your individual case. Treatment options may include laser resurfacing, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or other cosmetic procedures.
It’s also important to take care of your skin and maintain a healthy lifestyle, including protecting your skin from sun damage, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption to maintain the healthy appearance of your skin.
What are the best surgical treatments for malar fat pads?
There are several surgical treatments that can be used to improve the appearance of malar fat pads, including:
- Blepharoplasty: Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty can be used to remove excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. A lower blepharoplasty is particularly effective in treating malar fat pads that occur on the lower eyelids.
- Facelift: A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, can be used to lift and tighten the skin on the face, including the malar area. A mid-facelift or cheek lift can be particularly effective in treating malar fat pads that occur on the upper cheeks.
- Liposuction: Liposuction is a procedure that uses a thin tube called a cannula to suction away excess fat. This can be particularly effective in treating malar fat pads that are caused by excess fat deposits.
- Malaroplasty: This is a specific procedure to address malar fat pads, it’s a procedure that can be done through a small incision in the lower eyelid or the cheek, and it’s performed to remove or redistribute the excess fat to give the cheek a more defined and youthful appearance.
It’s important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon or a facial plastic surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for your individual case. The best surgical treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your malar fat pads, as well as your individual preferences and goals.
What are the best non-surgical treatments for festoon eye bags?
Several non-surgical treatments can be used to improve the appearance of festoons, including:
- Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid or facial fat transfer can be used to add volume and lift to the malar area, helping to smooth out the appearance of festoons.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): PRP therapy involves injecting a patient’s own blood plasma, which is rich in platelets, growth factors, and other biologic agents, into the skin to promote collagen and elastin production. This can help to improve the appearance of festoons by tightening and firming the skin.
- Laser skin resurfacing: laser resurfacing can be used to tighten and smooth the skin and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Microneedling: This procedure uses tiny needles to create controlled injuries in the skin, which triggers the body’s healing response and promotes collagen and elastin production. It can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Morpheus8: This is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment that delivers heat energy to the deeper layers of the skin to tighten and firm the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Topical Skincare: There are many topical skin care products available that can help to improve the appearance of festoons, such as creams and serums that contain retinoids, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid. These products can help to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin by promoting collagen and elastin production and by protecting the skin from further damage.
It’s best to consult with a qualified skincare professional or a dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for festoons. The best non-surgical treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your festoons, as well as your individual preferences and goals.
It’s important to note that non-surgical treatments may not be as effective as surgical treatments such as blepharoplasty, and the results may not be permanent. Also, some of these treatments may have side effects such as redness, swelling, and pain, and they may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results.
Festoon Eye Bag Treatments at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery in London is considered one of the best clinics for facial rejuvenation in the UK. Our surgeons and aesthetic practitioners have specialist expertise in treating the ageing face. Festoons and mailer bags are one of the most recognised features of the ageing face, and we have the full range of surgical and non-surgical treatments to get rid of festoons. Please schedule a consultation by calling us on 020 7993 4849 or completing the contact form below.
