Buccal fat removal is THE hot new cosmetic surgery trend: Here’s everything you need to know

Buccal fat removal has become the most talked-about cosmetic procedure in recent months – thanks to the soaring popularity of the angular, sharp-cheeked look made famous by the likes of Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, and Lea Michele. 

Described by surgeons as a kind of ‘permanent contour’ that helps to enhance your cheekbones and sculpt your face, the plastic surgery procedure has become the hottest cosmetic surgery of late… despite the fact that very few A-listers have actually confessed to having undergone it. 

In September 2021, former model Chrissy Teigen helped to launch buccal fat onto the world stage when she candidly revealed that she’d undergone a procedure to remove fat from her face, while waxing lyrical about the results of the surgery. 

But while Teigen, 37, was full of praise for the buccal fat removal procedure, in reality, surgeons are quick to warn that the surgery may not be for everyone – and carries with it a host of risks, a significant cost, and potential long-term consequences. 

Here, three professional surgeons reveal everything you need to know about the trendy procedure – from how to find out if you’re an ideal candidate to the long-lasting negative effects that could permanently age your face should you undergo it.