Digital Clinic for Skin & Hair Care That Works!

Menu
  • Home
  • Skin Care
  • Beauty
  • Health
Home
Beauty
What Is Buccal Fat Removal? What to Expect With the Cosmetic Procedure
Beauty

What Is Buccal Fat Removal? What to Expect With the Cosmetic Procedure

13 January 2025


What Is Buccal Fat Removal? What to Expect With the Cosmetic Procedure




If you spend any time on social media checking out the latest beauty trends, you’ve probably heard of buccal fat removal, clinically called a bichectomy or bichectomia.



Posts about #buccalfatremoval — a cosmetic procedure that removes fat in the cheek hollows to give the face a more sharply contoured appearance — have recently topped almost 140 million views on TikTok alone. The topic is also hot on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, fueled in part by a slew of unconfirmed rumors about celebrities who’ve done it, including Sophie Turner, Bella Hadid, Zoe Kravitz, Dove Cameron, and Lea Michele. No wonder this cheek-thinning procedure is also nicknamed “Hollywood cheek.”




Buccal fat pads rest between your jaw bones and your cheekbones and help create the shape of your face, per Cleveland Clinic. In-office cosmetic procedures to remove the buccal fat pads can help to emphasize the bone structure in your face by making your cheekbones look more prominent.



Read on to find out what else you need to know about buccal fat removal.




What Is Buccal Fat Removal?



Everyone naturally has buccal fat, as the Cleveland Clinic notes. The exact size of the buccal fat pad can vary, and may appear larger or contribute to a more rounded appearance in some individuals but not in others. People who get buccal fat removal may feel that their face is too rounded and desire a more chiseled appearance.




When people get buccal fat removed, their goal is to thin the cheeks and make the bone structure in the face look more pronounced, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Also called cheek reduction, this type of plastic surgery helps emphasize the contours of the jaw bone and cheek bones.



“Patients seeking out this procedure are often looking for a slimmer jawline and reduced fullness in the cheeks,” says Mohiba Tareen, MD, medical director and founder of Tareen Dermatology in Roseville, Minnesota. “The benefits are a more contoured face.”




How Does Buccal Fat Removal Work?



Buccal fat removal typically is done as an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic to numb the skin on the face and surrounding areas, per Cleveland Clinic. Patients typically don’t need general anesthesia unless they’re doing other more complex procedures at the same time.




To do this work, a plastic surgeon makes a small incision on the inside of the mouth on both sides of the face to access the buccal fat pads. Then the surgeon presses on the pads to expose more of this fat tissue and make it easier to cut out and remove either all of the buccal fat pads or a portion of them. After this, the surgeon will place sutures to heal the incision, which may be dissolvable or may require a follow-up visit for removal.



Who Might Consider Buccal Fat Removal?




If you’re thinking about buccal fat removal, know that there are certain things that can make you a good candidate for this procedure, as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes. Ideally, you wouldn’t have any serious underlying health problems and you would be at a stable weight. You would also be a nonsmoker.

And if your goal is to achieve results that still look somewhat natural, you may be a better candidate for this procedure if you have a rounder face than if you naturally have a long, thin face. That’s because removing fat on a face that’s naturally thin can make people look unnaturally hollowed out, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

This cosmetic procedure is also a better option for younger adults, Dr. Zeichner adds. That’s because middle-aged and older adults naturally lose fat in this part of the face and are less likely to achieve the results they seek by removing buccal fat.

“The procedure gives the face a more gaunt appearance, which many people prefer when they are in their twenties or thirties,” Zeichner says. “However, with age, in the forties, fifties, and above, the face naturally loses its fat. People who have had this procedure tend to develop a skeletonized appearance, much more so than people who left their buccal fat pads alone.”

In fact, many of the patients who undergo buccal fat removal come in later in life for injectable filler procedures to restore volume in the very area where they previously had buccal fat removed, Zeichner says. This happens in everyone, but may be most prominent in people who are thin to begin with.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Buccal Fat Removal?

According to Cleveland Clinic, some common side effects after surgery can include swelling and bruising on the face and numbness at the incision sites. People typically heal after about three weeks, but it can take several months to see the final results in the shape of the face.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Some risks that can happen with buccal fat removal include:

Infection at the incision site

Injury to facial nerves or salivary duct injury

Numbness or sensation changes

Asymmetry

You should contact your healthcare provider if you experience excessive bleeding, a fever or any other signs of infection, any changes in your sense of taste, or any signs of asymmetry in your face that might mean you’re not healing properly.

While buccal fat removal is generally considered safe, rare serious complications can include shortness of breath, chest pain, or an abnormal heartbeat. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately seek medical attention or call 911.

Buccal Fat Removal Cost

If you have insurance, your plan isn’t likely to cover buccal fat removal. That said, you may consider shopping around with different board-certified plastic surgeons for the best price. Their experience level, facility fees, and similar factors may affect the cost, which GoodRx estimates is between $5,000 and $20,000.

Alternatives to Buccal Fat Removal

For people who want to achieve a more contoured face without cutting into their cheeks to remove buccal fat, there are some nonsurgical options that can help create a more defined jawline and slim down the appearance of chubby cheeks, Dr. Tareen says.

Many of Tareen’s patients opt for facial injections containing onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) or abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), Tareen adds. When injected into the masseter muscles that run along the cheek and jaw on the sides of the face, this can help create a more sculpted appearance. Others opt for hyaluronic acid facial fillers to define the jaw line and lift the cheek to give an illusion of fullness in that area.

“There are very few risks involved in injectables versus surgery if performed by board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon,” Tareen says.

How to Find a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

To ensure that your surgeon is well versed in the most techniques to safely and effectively perform buccal fat removal, look for a board-certified plastic surgeon, Tareen advises.

You can find a qualified surgeon by city, state, or country on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
Share
Tweet
Email
Prev Article
Next Article

Related Articles

Symptoms, Causes, and Care for Sensitive Skin

Symptoms, Causes, and Care for Sensitive Skin

Polyphenols In Skin Care Products

Polyphenols In Skin Care Products

Recent Posts

  • Understanding Melasma: Causes, Skincare Tips, and Treatment Solutions
    Understanding Melasma: Causes, Skincare Tips, and Treatment …
    5 June 2025 0
  • Marula Oil: A Skincare Secret for Radiant, Youthful Skin
    Marula Oil: A Skincare Secret for Radiant, …
    5 June 2025 0
  • Kangaroo Paw Flower: Natural Skincare’s Powerful Anti-Aging Secret
    Kangaroo Paw Flower: Natural Skincare’s Powerful Anti-Aging …
    5 June 2025 0
  • Jade Rolling: Ancient Skincare Ritual for Modern Facial Beauty
    Jade Rolling: Ancient Skincare Ritual for Modern …
    5 June 2025 0
  • The Essential Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Skin Care
    The Essential Role of Hyaluronic Acid in …
    5 June 2025 0

Popular Posts

  • Bakuchiol Benefits: Natural, Gentle Alternative to Retinol for Skin
    Bakuchiol Benefits: Natural, Gentle Alternative to Retinol …
    4 June 2025 0
  • Multimasking Is the Skincare Hack Your Face Has Been Waiting For
    Multimasking Is the Skincare Hack Your Face …
    6 May 2025 0
  • Pumpkin for Skin and Hair: The Fall Superfood You Should Use Year-Round
    Pumpkin for Skin and Hair: The Fall …
    6 May 2025 0
  • Skincare Personalization Reviewed: Are These Brands Worth It?
    Skincare Personalization Reviewed: Are These Brands Worth …
    7 May 2025 0
  • Clearer Skin Ahead: How to Deal with Blackheads Safely
    Clearer Skin Ahead: How to Deal with …
    7 May 2025 0

Digital Clinic for Skin & Hair Care That Works!

Copyright © 2025 Digital Clinic for Skin & Hair Care That Works!
Theme by MyThemeShop.com

Ad Blocker Detected

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.

Refresh