Cheekbone reduction — also called zygoma reduction — narrows the width of the midface by repositioning the cheekbone. It suits patients whose cheekbones sit high and wide, giving the face a broader outline than they’d like, and who want a softer, slimmer contour.
There’s no single ideal here. Prominent cheekbones read as striking and desirable to many people, and plenty of patients come to us wanting more projection rather than less. What matters is whether your cheekbones sit in balance with the rest of your face and whether you’re happy with them..
A Good Candidate
You may be a good candidate if you have:
- Prominent front cheekbones or a wide zygomatic arch
- Facial proportions that feel unbalanced or wider than you’d like
- Asymmetry between the two sides
- Good general health and realistic expectations
The procedure can reduce bone projection and width to create a slimmer, softer facial outline. Your surgeon will assess your bone structure and advise whether it’s the right approach for your goals.
Preparation
You’ll consult with the surgeon first to discuss your goals and how best to achieve them.
- Complete a physical examination including a blood test and chest X-ray. Patients over 40 also need an ECG to assess cardiac risk.
- A facial X-ray or CT scan to analyse your bone structure and select the most suitable technique.
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery.
- Stop anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen for at least two weeks, and avoid herbal supplements and vitamins that may increase bleeding.
The Procedure
Our technique is an L-shaped osteotomy with two-site cutting and rotation.
The procedure uses two incisions. The first is inside the mouth, giving access to the zygomatic body. The second is a small incision in front of the ear, concealed behind the sideburn, giving access to the zygomatic arch. Both are kept as small as possible to minimise scarring.
At the front, the zygomatic body is cut in an L-shape. At the back, the zygomatic arch is cut (posterior osteotomy). The cheekbone is then rotated inward and fixed in its new position with a mini-titanium plate and screws, which prevents any later movement. The surgeon smooths the bone edges so the transition is even and no step is palpable.
The intra-oral incision is closed with absorbable sutures; the external incision is closed with fine sutures.
The procedure takes 1–2 hours under general anesthesia, with a hospital stay of 1–2 nights.
Post-operative Care for Cheekbone Reduction
Keeping the mouth clean matters — use mouthwash frequently to prevent infection. Keep your head elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling, and wear the compression bandage continuously for the first three days, then overnight for one month.
- Avoid strenuous activity for one month after surgery.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least two weeks after surgery.
- Dissolvable sutures are used inside the mouth; any external stitches are removed after 7 days.
- Attend all follow-up appointments so healing can be monitored.
Recovery
Most patients return to work 7–10 days after surgery, though some swelling usually persists beyond that. Exercise can resume at around four weeks. Swelling continues to settle over the following months, with the final contour visible at roughly 3–6 months.
Risks and Complications
Cheekbone reduction, like other facial reduction procedures, is low risk; however, the risks associated with it are:
- Numbness
- Decreased skin sensation over the surgical area
- Asymmetry cheekbones
- Tightness when opening the mouth
- Zygomatic arch fracture
- Unstable zygomatic bone
- Zygomatic bone and arch malposition after surgery
- Revision surgery may be required
Before & After for Cheekbone Reduction, Zygoma Reduction
Reviews for Cheekbone Reduction, Zygoma Reduction
Video : Cheekbone Reduction, Zygoma Reduction
Cheekbone Reduction and the V-Shaped Face
Reducing cheekbone width is frequently performed as part of broader facial contouring aimed at a slimmer, more tapered outline — often described as a V-shaped face, characterised by a narrower midface, a defined jawline, and a tapered chin.
Narrowing the zygomatic arch reduces the widest point of the face, which changes the whole outline rather than just one feature. It can also make the eyes appear more prominent, since the cheekbones no longer dominate the midface.
For most patients seeking this outcome, cheekbone reduction is combined with other procedures — jaw reduction, chin surgery, or a fuller facial contouring plan. Planning them together produces a more coherent result than treating any one feature in isolation, and means a single recovery period.
It’s worth saying plainly: a tapered face is one aesthetic among many, and it isn’t universally preferred. Your surgeon should be planning around your proportions and your goals, not a template.
Why Choose Kamol Hospital in Bangkok for Cheekbone Reduction
- Surgeons who perform facial bone surgery routinely: Cheekbone reduction is part of our wider facial contouring work, alongside jaw, chin and forehead surgery. Our surgeons plan each case around the proportions of the whole face.
- Precise, stable technique: We use an L-shaped osteotomy of the cheekbone body combined with repositioning of the zygomatic arch. The bone is fixed with mini titanium plates and screws, so it heals securely in its new position.
- Planning based on imaging: Facial X-rays are used to assess bone width and thickness before surgery, so the amount of reduction suits your anatomy.
- V-line planning in one operation: Cheekbone reduction can be combined with jaw reduction or chin reduction and planned as a single facial contouring procedure.
- Hospital-level safety: Surgery is performed under general anesthesia by a dedicated anesthesia team, followed by 1–2 nights of inpatient care, in a hospital accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI).
- Support for international patients: Multilingual coordinators and Kamol Trip help you plan your stay and recovery in Bangkok.
What Questions Do Patients Commonly Ask?
What is cheekbone reduction?
Cheekbone reduction, also known as zygoma reduction, is a surgical procedure that is designed to reshape the cheekbones, thus making them appear less prominent and more streamlined. It’s a popular option for individuals who feel as though their cheekbones are too wide, high, or angular, creating a more masculine or harsh facial appearance.
Cheekbone reduction surgery can help create a softer, more balanced, and feminine facial profile. It typically involves making incisions within the hairline or inside the mouth to access the cheekbones. The surgeon then removes a portion of the bone or reshapes it using techniques like bone shaving or bone grafts. This can help reduce the prominence of the cheekbones and create a more refined contour.
Will cheekbone reduction make my face look narrower from the front?
Yes, that’s the main effect. Moving the zygomatic arch inward reduces the width of the midface, which is most noticeable when you look straight at the mirror. Reshaping the cheekbone body also softens the forward prominence of the cheek. The exact change depends on your bone structure and the amount your surgeon recommends.
What are the benefits of cheekbone reduction surgery?
Cheekbone reduction offers several benefits, including:
- Softer, more feminine facial features: Create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing facial appearance.
- Reduced prominence of the cheekbones: Achieve a less angular and more streamlined look.
- Improved facial symmetry: Correct any asymmetry or unevenness in the cheekbones.
- Enhanced self-confidence: Feel more comfortable and confident with your appearance.
My cheekbones look more prominent since I lost weight. Do I need bone surgery?
Not necessarily. If your cheekbones have always been wide, bone reduction may be the right option. But if they look more prominent because you’ve lost fat or volume in your cheeks, for example after weight loss or with age, the bone itself hasn’t changed. In that case, restoring volume with fillers or fat grafting may give a softer, more natural result. Your surgeon will assess which applies to you at consultation.
Will my cheeks sag after the bone is reduced?
Some loosening of the soft tissue over the cheek can occur, because the bone supporting it is moved inward. The risk is higher in older patients or those with thinner skin. Your surgeon will take this into account when planning the amount of reduction, and may recommend combining it with a facelift in some cases.
Can cheekbone reduction be combined with jaw or chin surgery?
Yes. For a slimmer V-shaped face, cheekbone reduction is often combined with jaw reduction and chin reduction in the same operation. Treating the midface and lower face together gives a more balanced result than changing one area alone. See our Facial Contouring page for more on combined procedures.
Will I have numbness or nerve problems?
Temporary numbness of the cheek, upper lip or gums is common, because sensory nerves run close to the surgical area. Sensation usually returns over several weeks to a few months. The incision near the ear lies close to the facial nerve branch that moves the eyebrow. Injury to this branch is rare, and weakness, if it occurs, is usually temporary.
Why do patients travel to Bangkok, Thailand for cheekbone reduction surgery?
Bangkok has become one of the leading destinations for facial bone contouring, with surgeons who perform zygoma reduction routinely rather than occasionally. At Kamol Hospital in Bangkok, cases are planned from imaging, with JCI-accredited care from consultation through recovery, which is why many international patients choose Thailand over options closer to home.
How long should I stay in Bangkok after cheekbone reduction?
Expect to stay 1–2 nights in hospital, then plan to remain in Bangkok for around 7–10 days in total, until the stitches near the ear are removed and your surgeon has checked your healing. Thailand is one of Asia’s leading destinations for facial contouring surgery, and Kamol Trip can arrange accommodation close to the hospital while you recover.
