Chances are, you’ve likely tried almost everything to achieve your ideal facial aesthetic. For instance, maybe you’ve attempted temporary strategies, like applying make-up, to give off a slimmer-looking face. Or, it’s possible that you’ve tried weight loss options, such as dietary changes and increased physical activity, for more lasting results. However, where do you turn when neither of these techniques delivers the face-slimming results you want?
There are many myths surrounding face-slimming approaches, especially those related to weight loss and cosmetic procedures like buccal fat removal. While losing weight can be a healthy step, it’s not exactly a promising solution for someone wanting a leaner, less round face. Therefore, we will explore the myths surrounding buccal fat removal vs. weight loss so you can make an informed decision.
Buccal Fat Removal vs. Weight Loss Myths
As you probably already know, there is a lot of misinformation about health, wellness, and cosmetic procedures. New patients commonly share what they’ve heard with Dr. John Mesa, a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 10 years of experience on buccal fat removal. Because of this, he often finds himself re-educating patients on some of the mistaken beliefs we’ll reveal below.
Buccal Fat Removal Myths About Facial Slimming
There are a lot of rumors circulating about buccal fat removal right now, which has a lot of people on the fence about whether this service is right for them. We’ll address a few of those misconceptions about its role in facial slimming so you can better assess if it makes sense for you.
1. Removing Buccal Fat is Ineffective
Buccal fat, also called Bichat’s fat, is an anatomical structure located in the cheek that helps define the shape of the face. It sits right between the cheeks and jaw bones and aids with facial movements.
Some people have larger buccal fat pads than others, causing what some might call chubbiness or facial fullness. In cases where the fat pads are fuller, research suggests that buccal fat removal can be effective. This procedure helps you achieve a more contoured, sculpted face that highlights your cheekbones.
2. Buccal Fat Removal Gives You a Hollow Appearance
One of the greatest concerns new patients have is that their cheeks may appear sunken after buccal fat removal. While this outcome is ideal for some seeking a (“Bella Hadid-like”) supermodel look, it may seem like overcorrection for others. That’s why the amount of fat we remove is carefully tailored to each patient’s needs, especially when the goal is a subtly thinner cheek look rather than a sunken appearance.
An experienced and recognized plastic surgeon, like Dr. Mesa, will work with you to determine the correct amount of fat to remove based on your unique facial structure and desired facial shape.
3. Buccal Fat Removal Makes You Look Older
To many, facial fat is associated with a younger-looking appearance. As a result, it’s believed that extracting deep facial fat from one’s cheeks could make them appear older or even accelerate the facial aging process. However, that’s not necessarily true.
In fact, reducing the conservative fat pad on someone with a full, round face may make them look more youthful. By keeping larger buccal fat pads in place, you risk them pulling downwards on the mid-face, making you look older than you are.
Considering this, though, some patients are at an increased risk of looking older after removing their buccal fat pads if they don’t have high cheekbones. For instance, someone with a thinner face and a smaller cheekbone structure could appear more gaunt.
A skilled surgeon can determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure and whether another service, such as cheekbone augmentation, it is necessary for your long-term goals.
RELATED: Will Buccal Fat Removal Age You?
Weight Loss Myths About Facial Slimming
Many people believe that losing a significant amount of weight is the key to achieving a slimmer face, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, weight loss can lead to unanticipated and undesirable facial changes, which we’ll explore below.
1. Weight Loss Can Shrink Buccal Fat Pads
According to research, buccal fat pads keep a consistent volume over the course of one’s life and are less likely to change when someone loses or gains weight. Therefore, if you have a fuller face and are hoping that shedding some pounds will give you the facial aesthetic you want, it likely won’t.
Many patients who visit Dr. Mesa’s offices in New York City, New Jersey, and Miami come to us frustrated after losing weight. They’re often surprised that losing 10 to 30 pounds didn’t dramatically change their face. As a result, other interventions may need to be performed to get you the outcome you’re looking for.
2. You Can Target Weight Loss in the Face
Contrary to popular belief, you cannot control where your body loses weight. As convenient as spot reduction would be, which is the idea that you can pull fat from specific areas of the body when exercising, it hasn’t proven to be effective. This is because we have fat stores throughout the body, so when we exercise or diet, it causes overall body fat loss.
In addition, where you lose fat is primarily based on your sex and genetics. For example, one study found that men lose a higher percentage of weight in their trunks than women.
Ultimately, if you’d like to lose weight on your face only so you can have a more sculpted look, diet and exercise alone will very unlikely not achieve this.
RELATED: Who is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
3. Losing Weight Will Tighten Your Face
Losing a significant amount of weight may alter your face, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll give you a taut, more youthful appearance. Sometimes, dramatic weight loss leads to facial sagging due to the stretching of the skin from excess subcutaneous fat. This often causes permanent damage to the elastin and collagen, making it difficult for the skin to return to its usual level of tightness.
For instance, if you lose weight rapidly, as what occasionally occurs when using GLP-1 medications, the face may not be able to adjust as quickly. For some people, it’ll take time for the face to regain its shape, but it’s also possible that it won’t do so without cosmetic intervention. This is often the case for older adults, as people tend to produce less collagen as they age.
It’s common for several patients to come to Dr. Mesa after noticing additional folds and wrinkles on their face following weight loss, likely from the lack of underlying facial skin.
Buccal Fat Removal and Weight Loss Myths Revealed
As you can see, there are many myths surrounding these two popular face-slimming approaches. Because many of our patients come in with these beliefs, it was necessary to debunk some of these mistruths so you can realistically achieve a facial aesthetic that meets your standards.
If you’re interested in learning more about buccal fat removal nyc, nj, or miami, contact us today at any of our three locations. Our knowledgeable and caring team can’t wait to help you enhance your facial contours and natural features so you can feel more confident in the skin you’re in.