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Buccal fat removal: what is it and why is everyone talking about it?

Dr. Sophie Shotter explains what we need to know about the procedure

buccal fat
Natalie Salmon
Fashion Digital Editor
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If you haven't heard of buccal fat removal yet, you're about to. 

The procedure has skyrocketed in popularity in the last few months and is gaining traction on social media. "With celebrities including Lea Michele and Bella Hadid rumoured to have undergone the treatment, it's now gone viral with searches for 'buccal fat removal' up 200% according to Google Trends," explains Hello! Fashion's beauty editor Emma North.

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Buccal fat removal creates the effect of hollowed out cheekbones

Back in October 2022 Chrissy Tiegen admitted to having Buccal fat removal surgery, "I did that Dr. Diamond buccal fat removal thing here," the  model explained on her Instagram story at the time, "And since I quit drinking," she added, "I'm really seeing the results, and I like it."

The plastic surgery is ‘trending’ but that comes with its share of problems, "Buccal fat removal is an excellent procedure in the right candidate, but is also one we should use with caution,” explains multi award-winning aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sophie Shotter, "surgical procedures should never be trends."

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What is buccal fat removal?

"Buccal fat removal involves a surgical procedure to remove fat from the cheeks," explains our beauty editor, "The end result is a sculpted, chiselled look to the face and enhanced cheekbones - it's essentially irreversible contouring."

Who is appropriate for buccal fat removal?

"If someone has real fullness in the buccal area, then surgical removal can be an excellent option for making the face appear slimmer and more contoured," says Dr. Sophie Shotter, "However, as we age we lose facial fat. The buccal area is an area where many people begin to look gaunt in middle and older age, and it may mean they then decide to seek procedures to either replace volume in that area. I would recommend careful consideration, and choosing an accredited plastic surgeon who will assess your appropriateness for this procedure in the long term."

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