How to Recognize & Transform a Flat Face (At-Home & Cosmetic Procedures)

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Find out if flattened facial features are common & what causes them

Co-authored by Edward S. Kwak, MD and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: June 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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Definition

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Causes

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Non-Surgical Options

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Cosmetic Procedures

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Are flat faces attractive?

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Final Thoughts

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Video

Some people have flat faces, and that's okay. We can't all have razor-edge jawlines and cheekbones you could cut yourself on, nor should we try. But if your cheeks are looking a little too flat, saggy, or ill-defined for your liking, you have options to fix it. Keep reading to learn what causes flattened facial features, at-home fixes you can try, cosmetic procedures that can provide more facial dimension, and whether flat faces are attractive.

What does a flat face look like?

A flat face lacks definition, with no angles or curves. Typically, the cheekbones aren't prominent, the jawline blends into the neck, and the chin is recessed into the face instead of sticking out. Some people with flat faces also have a flattened nose bridge.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a flat face?

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A person with a flat face has flat cheeks with no prominent or visible cheekbones. Their jawline often blends into their neck, and they may also have a weak chin, meaning their chin is recessed into their jaw. Although this isn't a requirement to have a flat face, some people also have a wide nose with a flattened bridge.

Section 2 of 6:

Causes of a Flat Face

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Genetics The most common cause of a flat face is genetics from your ancestors. This means you inherited your flat facial features from your mom or your dad's side of the family.
- Certain ethnicities are more likely to have flattened facial features than others. For example, research shows that people native to sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Asia tend to have flat noses.^{[1]
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- However, it's important to note that anyone can have a flat face and nose, no matter where their ancestors came from.
Some people's faces get flatter as they age. This is because over time, humans lose skin elasticity, which is the quality that lets our skin hold its shape. The fat in the upper part of our face also tends to migrate down toward our chin and neck. It's a natural part of life, but it can make your cheeks, jaw, and chin look flatter and saggier than they did when you were younger.^{[2]
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Harvard Medical School
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As you gain weight in your face, your facial features start to lose definition. Some people reach a point where the lines of their cheeks, jaw, and chin are soft or even invisible. With healthy lifestyle changes and exercise, you can often reverse this effect.^{[3]
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When you lose a lot of weight at a fast rate, like after bariatric surgery or taking Ozempic, your facial features may look flatter. This happens because of a loss of fat and skin elasticity. Essentially, these procedures speed up the aging process in your face.^{[4]
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People with certain genetic disorders are predisposed to having flat features. You might notice flat cheeks and nose bridges, as well as weak chins in people with Down syndrome, Char syndrome, and Stickler syndrome. These disorders develop in babies when chromosomes in their DNA mutate (change), go missing, or are too numerous.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 6:

DIY Ways to Fix a Flat Face

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Contour makeup Contouring is a technique that makeup artists use to create the illusion of shadow and depth on your face. This is an easy, non-surgical way to make your facial features look less flat. As a general rule, makeup artist Nini Efia Yang suggests applying contour to areas of your face that you want to look smaller and more defined. For example, she says, you can "contour your cheeks to make [them] pop a little bit more." Add dimension to a flat nose and weak jaw in the same way.^{[6]
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Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview}
- To contour flat cheeks: Suck in your cheeks to determine where your cheekbones are (or identify where you want them to look like they start). Using a medium-sized contour brush, apply the contour along the real or imaginary line of your cheekbone, starting at the middle of your ear and going halfway down your cheek. Then blend it out into your skin with the same brush or a beauty sponge.^{[7]
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- To contour your jawline: Apply contour in a downward stroke on top of your jaw where it starts closest to your ear. Then apply a second stroke of contour along the side of your jaw. Finally, blend it out with your makeup brush or sponge.^{[8]
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- To contour a flat nose: Apply contour to either side of the tip of your nose in two straight lines with a small contour brush, then blend them out. Next, apply more contour to the inner corners of your eyes to make it look like the bridge of your nose is higher than it really is. Blend the contour around your eye sockets and above the lids to finish the look.^{[9]
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If the flatness in your face is due to weakened facial muscles or too much fat, focus on changing your lifestyle to correct it. Eat a more well-rounded diet with plenty of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Reduce your intake of alcohol and sugar. Finally, remember to exercise! Exercising your whole body with cardio is one of the most effective ways to lose weight in your cheeks, jowls, and neck (as well as everywhere else if that's your goal).^{[10]
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Facial exercises Facial exercises won't help you lose weight in your face, but some experts say they might tighten your cheek and jaw muscles. They may also help prevent the fat higher up in your cheeks from migrating downward and giving you a saggy look as you age. However, you probably won't see dramatic results like you would if you used dermal fillers.^{[11]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source} If you're interested in facial exercises, try these 2 options daily:
- Exercise #1: Place the reverse sides of your thumbs against the apples of your cheeks and gently press upward on your cheekbones for 2 seconds. After 2 seconds, release, then immediately press upward again. While you're doing that, open your mouth, but avoid smiling. Repeat this exercise for at least 1 minute or 30 repetitions.^{[12]
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- Exercise #2: Press your hands flat against either side of your face, by your temples and cheekbones. Gently pull the skin in these areas so that they feel taut (but not painfully tight). Next, open your mouth and stretch your lips forward, like you're making an exaggerated "O" sound. Hold this position for 5 seconds, release, then repeat.^{[13]
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  - Repeat this exercise at least 10 times if you're a beginner. Once you become used to the form, aim for 30 repetitions.

Section 4 of 6:

Cosmetic Procedures for Fixing a Flat Face

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Dermal fillers Dermal fillers are substances that dermatologists and plastic surgeons inject into your skin to add volume and hydration. The doctor injects the filler in strategic areas, like the apples of your cheeks, to lift them and make them look less flat. The results can last months and sometimes years, but at some point, you'll need more filler to maintain the full look you desire.^{[14]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Average cost: $715-$901^{[15]
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- How long do results last? 6 months to 2 years
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Cheek implants Cheek implants are made out of silicone or polyethylene. They can add definition and volume to your flat cheeks, permanently! During cheek implant surgery, a plastic surgeon makes an incision under your eye or inside your mouth. Next, they insert and secure the implant. Finally, they stitch the incision closed.^{[16]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Bruising is a common aftereffect of any plastic surgery. To minimize bruising and other discomfort, board-certified plastic surgeon Edward S. Kwak, MD, says to "follow the plastic surgeon's post-operative instructions, specifically regarding activities and diet."^{[17]
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  Edward S. Kwak, MD
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- Average cost: $3876 (plus fees for anesthesia, operating room facilities, and other associated services)^{[18]
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- How long do results last? Permanently
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Facelift A facelift can correct sagging skin in your cheeks, jowls, and neck, which may be contributing to the flat appearance of your face. During this procedure, the plastic surgeon makes incisions close to your hairline, so they can reposition your skin higher up your face.^{[19]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- After the surgery, you'll probably feel pain and swelling. You'll also notice some bruising and numbness. These sensations are normal and should go away if you follow your plastic surgeon's aftercare instructions carefully.
- Average cost: $11,395 (plus fees for anesthesia, operating room facilities, and other associated services)^{[20]
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- How long do results last? 10 years
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Fat grafting Fat grafting is a surgery that moves fat from another part of your body to your face. This can be a good alternative to cheek implants or even dermal fillers for bringing volume to a flat face. During the procedure, the surgeon uses liposuction to remove fat from your abdomen, buttocks, or thighs. Then they inject those fat cells into your cheeks.^{[21]
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- Following fat grafting surgery, avoid putting any pressure on your face where you were injected for at least 6 weeks. This will help it maintain the shape you want. It's also a good idea to avoid trying to lose a lot of weight afterward, as this could prevent the fat from attaching to your face.
- Only about 50% of the fat from fat grafting survives the transfer. Wait at least 6 months after the procedure to find out what your face's new normal looks like.
- Cost: $2500-$12,000
- How long do results last? Permanently (with a healthy lifestyle and weight maintenance)

Section 5 of 6:

Are flat faces attractive?

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Conventional standards of beauty say that slim faces with defined cheekbones and a defined jawline are most attractive. However, attractiveness is very subjective, meaning it depends on what each person personally finds appealing. Everyone is beautiful or handsome in their own way, regardless of whether their facial features are flat or prominent. Also, there are many factors that contribute to one's attractiveness aside from just their facial dimensions.

Section 6 of 6:

Final Thoughts

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In most cases, flat faces are caused by ancestral genetics, aging, or weight gain, but they can also be caused by rapid weight loss. People with certain genetic disorders, like Down syndrome, might have more obviously flat features. While you can certainly take steps to fix your flat face, either naturally or non-surgically, it's also not something that needs to be fixed. Instead, learn to embrace it as a part of your natural-born self.