Graves disease is a condition that is known to affect the appearance of the eyes. What many people miss is the fact that this condition has a more widespread impact on facial anatomy than may be expected. Patients are not expected to know the extent to which Graves disease may change their face. In fact, many doctors miss this. Not Dr. Fante. In his years of treating this condition, he has become acutely aware of its nuances. Here, we discuss how the brows, cheeks, and the lower face all morph in response to Graves disease.
The Brows
Some patients with Graves disease develop an accumulation of fat beneath the brow area. This can make the brows appear very full, almost as if they protrude somewhat. It is quite a challenge to remove fat from this part of the face. However, a bulky brow can be sculpted using dermal filler. The precise use of a volumizing filler can disguise brow fullness and restore more symmetry to the face.
The Undereye Area
The area under the eyes is one of the most prominently affected by Graves disease. Here, fatty tissue seems to protrude forward. The problem stems from the body’s immune system attacking the muscles and tissue in the orbital socket. Initially, it may be possible to disguise the appearance of undereye bulging using dermal fillers. However, this problem may ultimately require orbital decompression surgery to create more space in front of the eye. Both injectable treatment and surgical treatment performed for Graves disease or thyroid eye disease should be conducted by a specialist with specific experience with and understanding of this condition.
The Lower Face
Research has yet to discover exactly why the lower face changes somewhat in patients with Graves disease. It has been speculated that the problem results from the same fat-attacking that occurs in other areas such as around the eyes. Primarily, it is the lower cheek area that seems to gain fullness and width. While some patients undergo buccal fat pad removal to address this issue, some degree of improvement may be achieved by refining the contours of the cheeks using dermal fillers.
Schedule Your Consultation
Many patients with Graves disease wonder why their face is changing. With this first step of recognition comes the next step of getting help. Ultimately, Dr. Fante’s objective is to help patients feel like themselves again. As much as possible, this includes nonsurgical techniques. If you have experienced the facial changes common to Graves disease, contact our Denver office to explore ways you can feel like yourself again.
