The idea of altering appearances in the name of beauty has been around since, well, humanity could look itself in the mirror. Nowadays, it seems like a trendy new cosmetic procedure is popping up every other day – and lately, TikTok For You Pages have been buzzing with hot-blooded takes on buccal fat removal, sparked by recent photos of Lea Michele and Amelia Gray Hamlin with seemingly dramatic facial changes.
Also known as a “buccal lipectomy” or “cheek reduction surgery,” buccal fat removal refers to a plastic surgery procedure that eliminates “a naturally-occurring pad of fat in the cheek hollow area,” according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Those who undergo the procedure often aim to achieve a “slimming” effect in their midfaces, and to make their cheekbones and jawlines appear more prominent.
