Contrary to what some might believe, cheekbones, also known as the zygomatic bones, do not typically "grow" in a way that makes them more prominent or defined as a person ages. In fact, the opposite tends to occur in terms of their visible definition.
Understanding Cheekbone Definition Over Time
When people talk about cheekbones "growing," they often mean becoming more pronounced or visible. However, based on available information, this is not the case as we get older.
As highlighted by recent information, "Contrary to some beliefs, cheekbones do not become more pronounced with age." Instead of becoming more prominent, they often appear less so over time. The reference specifically states, "they tend to appear less defined over time."
This change in appearance is less about the bone itself increasing in size significantly after adolescence and more about the surrounding tissues.
Factors Influencing Cheekbone Appearance
While the cheekbone structure is largely set after facial maturity, several factors contribute to how defined they appear throughout life:
- Loss of Subcutaneous Fat: As we age, the fat pads in the face, including those around the cheeks, can diminish or shift. This loss of volume can make the overlying skin appear looser and the bone structure less prominent or "lifted."
- Decreased Skin Elasticity: The skin loses collagen and elastin over time, becoming less firm. This can lead to sagging, which further obscures the underlying bone structure.
- Changes in Bone Density: Although not "growth" in the sense of becoming larger, there can be subtle changes in bone structure and density over many years, but these typically don't result in increased definition of the cheekbones.
Therefore, while the bone itself grows during childhood and adolescence to form the adult facial structure, the perception of defined cheekbones in later life is more dependent on the condition of the surrounding soft tissues than on continued bone growth.
In summary, while bones grow during development, cheekbones do not grow to become more prominent with age; rather, they tend to appear less defined.
