Male and female midface implant strategies differ less by implant type and more by shape, vector, and projection philosophy. The goal is to reinforce sex-specific skeletal cues rather than simply “add volume.”
Core Aesthetic Differences
|
Feature |
Male Strategy |
Female Strategy |
|
Dominant cue |
Structure & angularity |
Soft contour & curvature |
|
Projection emphasis |
Lateral / horizontal |
Anterior / vertical |
|
Cheek highlight |
Flat, straight plane |
High, rounded apex |
|
Width |
Maintained or widened |
Avoid excess width |
|
Aging correction |
Structural support |
Volume restoration |
Male Midface Implant Strategy
Primary goals
- Strengthen zygoma and lateral cheekbone
- Maintain a flatter anterior cheek
- Avoid a “puffy” or feminized look
Implant design principles
Malar-focused, minimal submalar volume- Emphasis on lateral projection, not forward roundness
- Straight-line contours from zygoma to mandible
- Raise implant height to avoid cheek “apple”
Malar-focused, minimal submalar volume
Emphasis on lateral projection, not forward roundnessCommon mistakes
- Too much anterior projection ? soft/feminine cheek
- Submalar overfill ? “inflated” look
- Excess medial width ? effeminate midface
Ideal candidates
- Men with flat or underdeveloped zygomas
- Masculinization procedures
- Combined with jaw/chin augmentation cases
Female Midface Implant Strategy
Primary goals
- Create a high, soft cheek apex
- Restore youthful volume
- Smooth lid–cheek and nasolabial transitions
Implant design principles
- Anterior malar + submalar blend
- Vertical lift illusion rather than width
- Higher cheek apex placement
- Curved contours and gentle transitions
Anterior malar + submalar blendCommon mistakes
- Too much lateral width ? heavy midface
- Over-projection ? unnatural “done” look
- High-volume implants without soft tissue support
Ideal candidates
- Midface volume loss or flattening
- Facial rejuvenation patients
- Those seeking cheek highlight rather than structure
Stock vs Custom Midface Implants by Sex
Men
- Stock implants can work for mild enhancement
- Custom preferred for:
- Precise lateral projection
- Symmetry control
- Avoiding anterior fullness
Custom preferred for:
Women
- Stock implants work well for volume restoration
- Custom favored for:
- Subtle contour control
- Tear trough / lid-cheek support
- Revision cases
Custom favored for:
Adjunct Procedures (Sex-specific)
Men
- Jawline implants
- Chin widening/lengthening
- Brow ridge or orbital rim augmentation
Women
- Lower blepharoplasty
- Fat grafting
- Facelift or midface lift
Bottom line
- Male midface augmentation = structure, angles, restraint
- Female midface augmentation = contour, apex, softness
- Implant shape and placement matter more than size
- Overcorrection is the #1 cause of sex-incongruent results
Dr. Barry Eppley
World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon