Does Buccal Fat Removal Age You?

Summary

Buccal fat removal doesn't automatically age everyone who gets it. When performed on the right candidate with proper technique, it can slim the lower cheeks and enhance facial definition beautifully. However, the procedure requires careful consideration because facial fat naturally diminishes as we age; removing too much now could lead to premature hollowing years down the road.

The key factors that determine success are candidacy, surgical technique, and long-term planning.

How Aging Affects Your Cheeks

As we grow older, our facial structure undergoes predictable changes. Deep fat compartments deflate and shift downward, while superficial layers descend, creating a more hollow appearance in the midface. The buccal fat pad is a distinct, deep compartment, so removing it reduces fat reserves you'll naturally lose later in life, making patient selection absolutely critical.

Understanding these age-related changes is essential before deciding whether this procedure is right for you.

What Changes With Age?

Deep vs. Superficial Fat: The Aging Process

Your facial fat isn't just one uniform layer; it's organized into distinct compartments that age differently:

• Deep midface compartments tend to deflate and lose volume over time
• Superficial compartments descend (sag) or sometimes hypertrophy (enlarge)
• Together, these changes create the characteristic hollowing and drooping associated with aging

Where the buccal fat pad fits in: The buccal fat pad is a distinct deep fat compartment located in the lower cheeks. Removing it reduces a volume source that may actually be helpful later in life as other deep fat compartments naturally deflate. This is why preserving some facial fat reserves is important for long-term facial aesthetics.

Is the Procedure Itself "Aging"?

Not inherently. When performed on someone with fuller, rounder lower cheeks and with conservative fat removal, results can look elegant and refined without causing premature gauntness. The outcome depends heavily on your starting anatomy.

However, in people with thin or narrow faces, buccal fat removal can accentuate hollowing as natural aging progresses. This is why the decision should be based on your individual facial structure, not social media trends.

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

Ideal candidates typically have persistently full lower cheeks despite maintaining a stable weight, and they understand the long-term trade-offs. This procedure works best for people whose facial fullness is structural rather than weight-related.

• Fullness is concentrated in the lower cheeks and persists at a healthy, stable weight
• Cheek roundness is structural rather than primarily weight-related
• You want subtle, lasting definition and you understand the long-term trade-offs
• You are in good general health and a non-smoker, or willing to stop before and after surgery

Who Is Not a Good Candidate (or Should Consider Alternatives)?

• Naturally narrow, angular, or elongated faces
• Existing midface deflation, flat cheeks, or early hollowing
• Older patients with age-related fat loss or thin skin
• Anyone planning significant weight loss or with frequent weight fluctuations
• Very low body fat, where further reduction may look gaunt
• Unrealistic expectations or uncertainty about a permanent change
• Active smokers or uncontrolled medical conditions that raise surgical risk
• Patients with lower face fullness due to other reasons (masseter hypertrophy, jowls, skin laxity)
  
  

What are the Alternatives to Buccal Fat Removal?

Key Takeaway Unlike buccal fat removal, most alternatives are reversible or don't permanently remove facial volume, offering more flexibility as your face changes over time.

Is the buccal fat removal permanent?

Yes, the result is lasting because the removed fat cells do not come back. That permanence can be a positive when you want a slimmer contour. Over time, though, your face will still age, and your weight may change. If too much is taken, the cheeks can look a bit hollow later. The goal is a conservative, tailored reduction that keeps definition now and preserves natural softness as you age.

Long-Term Outcomes: What the Research Shows

In carefully selected patients, results can remain balanced over time. However, poor candidate selection or aggressive fat removal may lead to exaggerated hollowing in the 40s and 50s as natural facial fat continues to diminish.

Framed simply, it offers sharper definition in the present, with some decrease in natural volume down the road.

What are the risks of the procedure?

While "looking older" gets the most attention, buccal fat removal carries standard surgical risks:

Potential complications include infection, bleeding, facial nerve irritation or temporary weakness (rare), salivary duct injury, seroma formation, and facial asymmetry. Most complications are uncommon when performed by experienced surgeons, but patients should receive explicit counseling about all risks.

The Bottom Line

Buccal fat removal can deliver beautiful, natural-looking results, but only when performed on appropriate candidates with realistic expectations. The procedure isn't universally "aging," but it does require careful thought about how your face will change over the next 20-30 years.

Before moving forward:

• Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon
• Discuss your facial anatomy and how it may age
• Consider conservative removal rather than aggressive resection
• Ask about alternative procedures if you're not an ideal candidate

Your face is an investment that lasts a lifetime. Making sure any changes you consider today will still look balanced decades from now requires expertise, precision, and a commitment to long-term aesthetic planning.

At Aesthetx, we specialize in facial contouring procedures with a focus on natural, age-appropriate results. Our board-certified surgeons take the time to assess your unique facial anatomy, discuss how your features will evolve over time, and create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals, both now and in the future.

Conveniently located in Bay Area locations: Los Gatos | Marin County | Menlo Park 

Whether you're exploring buccal fat removal, considering alternative procedures, or simply want expert guidance on facial rejuvenation, our team is here to help you make informed decisions with confidence. Schedule your consultation.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Bao Tran

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Bao Tran is a leader in aesthetic surgery, known for her expert skill and deep understanding of timeless beauty. With a focus on personalized care and artistic precision, she delivers transformative results, helping patients feel confident and empowered throughout their aesthetic journey in Marin County.