@chrissyteigen
Two words: Permanent contour.
According to Google Trends and CNN, searches for "buccal fat removal" started peaking around mid-December. The cosmetic procedure is gaining rapid popularity and offers a permanent contoured effect by removing fat from the cheeks' buccal fat department.
More and more celebrities appear to have tried the treatment. Among them is Chrissy Teigen who shouted out her doctor in an IG story. "I did that Dr. Diamond buccal fat removal thing here," she said. "And since I quit drinking, I'm really seeing the results."
It's no surprise that this is becoming a *thing* since makeup trends often dictate surgical ones. "Fox eye" makeup paved the way for thread lifts and centuries of over lined lips set the stage for the more-common-than-ever lip augmentations.
The issue is the popularity the procedure is among young women who may naturally have fuller cheeks because they're, well — young. (We just call it baby fat in my family.) Instagram filters no doubt play a role in the burgeoning trend, often adding plumper lips and slimmer cheeks. Should teens and young women opt for the surgery? Well, the jury's out.
As with any enhancement, buccal fat removal comes with its fair share of risks. Cosmetic dermatologist Ellen Gendler told CNN, "When you take out an underlying structure in a permanent procedure and you age around it, you don't know how it's going to look. I feel that it is not a procedure that you should go into without understanding this very real risk."
To put it simply — once that fat is gone there's no way to get it back. And too sculpted of a face will start to appear gaunt with age, she warns. The solution? Putting filler back where the fat was removed. Seems silly, right?
Whether you choose to find the perfect surgeon to artfully sculpt your cheeks or embrace your cherub-like features is a personal choice, but proceed with caution. Would you consider getting this treatment? Sound off below.