It is the cosmetic surgery trend that has taken over social media feeds across Australia. Buccal fat removal involves surgically snip-sniping the naturally occurring pads of fat in your lower cheeks to create a more contoured, chiseled appearance.
While the immediate results can look striking, Madeline Calfas warns that what looks good in your twenties might not age quite so gracefully as you move into your thirties and beyond.
The Role Of Facial Fat
The fat in our cheeks is actually a bit of a youth serum. It provides the volume and structure that keeps our skin looking plump and healthy. As we age, we naturally lose facial volume, which is what leads to sagging and a more hollowed out appearance.
"Buccal fat is a structural fat that we actually want to hang onto as we get older," Madeline explains. "By removing it permanently while you are young, you are essentially fast tracking the ageing process. What looks contoured now can quickly turn into a gaunt or sunken look in just a few years."
The Irreversible Nature Of Surgery
Unlike dermal fillers, which can be dissolved or naturally wear away, buccal fat removal is permanent. Once that fat is gone, it is gone for good.
Madeline notes that trying to "fix" a hollowed out look later in life often requires expensive and ongoing fat grafting or filler treatments to restore the volume that was taken away.
Potential Clinical Complications
As with any surgical procedure, there are real risks involved. Because the buccal fat pads sit close to vital facial nerves and salivary ducts, the surgery requires a high level of precision.
"You are dealing with a very delicate area of the face," Madeline warns. "Complications can include nerve damage, which affects your facial expressions, or damage to the parotid duct, which can lead to ongoing issues with saliva production."
The GMC Alternative
At GMC Cosmedical, we prefer a more conservative and holistic approach to facial contouring. We look at ways to enhance your natural bone structure without compromising the long term health and volume of your skin.
Think Before You Snip
Madeline and the team at GMC Cosmedical are all about helping you achieve your aesthetic goals while prioritising your future self. If you are keen to get a more contoured look, come in for a yarn. We can discuss non invasive options like professional grade skin tightening or strategic filler that won't leave you regretting your decision in a decade.
