Natural Ways to Slim Your Face: Non-Surgical Buccal Fat Removal
TL;DR
- Surgically removing your buccal fat typically involves extracting all of the fat in that area, which can lead to hollow or gaunt cheeks as you age, giving an older appearance.
- Consider non-surgical treatments like Sofwave™, Ultherapy and Ultraformer MPT instead.
- These treatments lift and contour the face naturally while preserving enough fat to maintain a youthful fullness.
Table Of Contents
Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of subtle facial contouring to feel more confident.
If you’re looking to slim down chubby cheeks, buccal fat removal might seem appealing at first. However, it’s important to note that this surgical option is permanent and carries certain risks, including the potential for a hollowed look as you age.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from what buccal fat removal involves to whether it’s right for you and—most importantly—how to achieve similar results through safer, non-invasive methods.
If you’re looking to slim and define your face but aren’t willing to undergo surgery, these non-surgical options might be precisely what you need.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
*The above photos are not meant to be representations of before/afters and are solely to educate the reader on how buccal fat removal looks for celebrities who have been rumoured to have undergone this procedure.
Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure that involves permanently removing some or all of the buccal fat – a small pad of fat between your cheekbones and jawline.
This fat is partly responsible for giving the face its natural fullness and roundness – removing the buccal (cheek) fat helps the face develop a slimmer, more defined structure, highlighting the cheekbones and jawline.
However, the procedure is permanent and requires careful consideration and the thorough guidance of a trustworthy surgeon.
Do People Regret Buccal Fat Removal?
Although buccal fat removal can permanently sculpt and define the face, it is a procedure that many patients later come to regret.
For example, some patients may find that a chiselled look doesn’t suit their features as anticipated. Unlike non-surgical options, surgical buccal fat removal doesn’t allow room for adjustments after the procedure.
Of course, since buccal fat removal is permanent, the natural fullness these fat pads offer the face can never be regained.
With age, the further reduction of facial fat may also result in a gaunt or hollow look, potentially making the face appear older than it is; a sculpted look that appeals in your 20s or 30s might not have the same charm in later years when facial fullness becomes critical for a more youthful appearance.
Additionally, those who undergo buccal fat removal may experience side effects such as nerve damage, injury to the salivary glands or ducts, infection, and problems associated with general anaesthesia. These considerations make weighing non-surgical options all the more essential, allowing for facial sculpting without such risks.
Non-Surgical Buccal Fat Removal Alternatives
Several non-surgical treatments are highly effective for facial slimming, but Sofwave™, Ultherapy and Ultraformer MPT are particularly helpful for lower face slimming or reducing chubby cheeks. These procedures are especially suitable if you are already slim but retain fuller cheeks due to genetics.
Sofwave™
Sofwave™ is an FDA-cleared technology that utilises ultrasound waves to stimulate collagen production and lift the skin. While it is not specifically designed to remove buccal fat or directly target chubby cheeks, the collagen stimulation it produces in the deeper layers of the skin leads to a firmer, more lifted appearance.
Sofwave™ is considered a proper lunchtime facelift and offers the following facelifting and skin rejuvenating results:
- Improves skin elasticity and firmness for overall slimming and lifting
- Reduces skin laxity for a firming effect
- Lessens nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Lifts mildly to moderately sagging skin
- Tightens loose, crepey skin
Sofwave™ also has an internal cooling mechanism that protects the skin during treatment, making it a safe and seamless face-slimming and lifting solution that reveals a subtle yet appealing facial sculpting effect over time.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy utilises micro-focused ultrasound and works by delivering high-energy ultrasound waves to the subcutaneous fat layer, where the waves generate heat that disrupts fat cells. These cells gradually break down and are naturally eliminated through the body’s metabolic processes.
Additionally, the focused ultrasound energy promotes collagen production and tightening of the SMAS (the same layer targeting in surgical facelifts), leading to skin tightening in the treated areas and creating a firmer, more youthful appearance.
While results may not be as dramatic as surgery, Ultherapy provides a non-invasive way to subtly define the cheeks and jawline and most importantly comes with minimal risk and downtime.
Ultraformer MPT
Ultraformer MPT is an upgraded version of high-intensity focused ultrasound (ie. HIFU) that lifts and contours the face by reducing unwanted fat deposits and skin laxity. What’s special about Ultraformer MPT is it comes with a handpiece specific for targeting double chin, an area often resistant to contouring.
If you’re a slim individual with chubby cheeks, there’s a good chance you may also have a bit of a double chin. This makes the Ultraformer MPT even more beneficial, as it not only helps define your cheeks and jawline but also reduces any extra fullness under the chin, giving you a more comprehensive facial slimming and contouring effect.
Ultraformer MPT’s ability to also target the SMAS makes it an ideal face-slimming alternative for those not ready or willing to commit to permanent buccal fat removal.
| Treatment | Mechanism & best for | Session length | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofwave™ | Stimulates collagen in the skin to produce a lifting effect. Best for those with facial fat due to ageing and loss of skin firmness. | 40 minutes | Minimal |
| Ultherapy | Heats and disrupts fat cells. Best for those with heavy cheeks due to genetics. | 60-90 minutes | Minimal |
| Ultraformer MPT | Similar to HIFU, with extended treatment areas, and added skin rejuvenating abilities. | 20–30 minutes | Minimal |
Unlike surgical buccal fat removal, these methods do not alter the body’s underlying facial fat, offering a non-committal way to experiment with face-slimming effects while achieving long-term results.
When to Consider Reducing Buccal Fat Removal
As mentioned, if you are already quite slender but have disproportionately fuller cheeks, you might look into buccal fat reduction for more facial definition. This treatment may also be ideal if you’re satisfied with your overall physique but feel that your chubby cheeks don’t quite fit your aesthetic preferences.
Conclusion: Consider Non-Surgical Options First
Often, achieving a more contoured face can be as simple as strategically using non-invasive treatments.
Before deciding on surgery, we recommend exploring non-surgical options that can deliver your desired results with less commitment and lower risk.
Non-invasive methods like Sofwave™, Ultherapy, and Ultraformer MPT allow you to refine and slim down your appearance while maintaining control over your natural ageing processes.
We’re here to take that step forward with you—Contact us today.
