Buccal Fat Removal – Am I Too Young?

Do you long to get rid of “baby face” or persistent chubby cheeks that just won’t go away? Even with diet and exercise, our face may not always tone in the same way our bodies do. Our desire for more prominent cheekbones and a sleek jawline can’t always be achieved with just calorie counting and Bootcamp classes. 

If this sounds like you, you may have considered buccal fat removal. But can this procedure be done too early? How long should we wait for our baby fat to go away, especially as we move past our teens and early twenties?

What is Buccal Fat?

Buccal fat, also known as the buccal fat pad, is the fat we keep right in the middle of our faces, between our cheekbones and our jaw. 

As buccal fat sits in the area just below your cheekbones, our buccal fat pads can impact our overall face shape, face symmetry and as a result, the appearance of our face to the rest of our features.

When Does Buccal Fat Appear?

Usually, there is a significant increase in buccal fat between the ages of 10-20, and then a slow, ongoing reduction until about 50.

With that said, everyone is different. While we tend to mature to our adult faces by our twenties, some people may experience weight loss in their buccal pads going into their early 30s, as well.

What’s the Right Age for Bucca Fat Removal?

Because the fat pad continues to grow until our twenties, it’s usually recommended to wait until after 20 for buccal fat removal surgery. 

Why? While these same baby fat cheeks give us a more chubbier-looking face, this same buccal fat can also naturally reduce with age. 

As the name suggests, our baby fat can give us a more youthful appearance, so removing buccal fat too early may result in changing your skin behaviour too early. 

Factors like sun exposure, diet and overall health can impact skin aging. However, we might also age from the result of involution, which is known as the shrinking of bones as you age. This can cause your skin to sink into your bone structure. 

If you already have a strong bone structure, buccal fat removal could give you a more mature-looking face. While a top plastic surgeon will give you insight during your consultation, removing buccal fat too early could mean looking older than intended. With cosmetic surgery usually intended to stop signs of aging, this may not be the results you desire!

Am I Too Old for Buccal Fat Extraction?

If you are over 30, you may still be eligible for buccal fat removal. As the fat continues to decrease between the ages of 20-50, you have a better idea of how much fat to remove the older you are. 

While certain cosmetic procedures rely on age to ensure fast healing and enough skin elasticity for the desired healing results, buccal fat removal may be better suited for older patients, who already know that their buccal fat pads won’t change much further.

However, other considerations can still be a factor as you get older. For example, much like a face that is holding baby fat that could go away with age, older faces that are already quite thin and narrow wouldn’t be a good candidate for buccal fat extraction. This cosmetic procedure could result in looking overly gaunt or emaciated.

Also, like many other facial cosmetic procedures, the better your health means the better the results. Unhealthy habits like smoking, for example, can have a negative impact, particularly during recovery. No matter the age, a healthy patient will heal faster and see fewer complications after surgery.

Buccal Fat Removal At Any Age

Looking to emphasize your already beautiful cheekbones and accentuate your jawline further? Buccal fat removal is a great cosmetic option for those who have a naturally fuller face and want to define their facial symmetry further.

A top facial plastic surgeon will determine if you’re the right candidate for this procedure, taking into consideration good physical health, a healthy weight, as well as age to ensure positive results after surgery, and results that age as well as you do. 

Get in touch today to book your initial consultation.