Buccal fat — the rounded fat pad inside the mid-cheek — can make the lower face appear fuller, rounder, or less defined. While buccal fat removal surgery has become globally popular, many people visiting Korea prefer non-surgical options that offer facial slimming without incisions or downtime.

Korea offers both surgical buccal fat removal and non-surgical injections that mimic a similar slimming effect, allowing patients to choose the method that fits their goals, anatomy, and recovery preferences.

This guide compares injections vs surgery, Korean-style, and explains who each option is best for.

What Is Buccal Fat?

Buccal fat sits deep within the mid-cheek, below the cheekbone. In some people, this fat pad is naturally larger, creating:

• Round or “baby face” appearance
• Heaviness in the lower cheeks
• Soft jawline definition
• A wider facial silhouette

Slimming this area can create:

• Sharper cheekbones
• More V-shaped lower face
• Improved jawline definition
• A slimmer, lifted appearance

Option 1: Non-Surgical Buccal Fat Slimming (Korean Fat-Dissolving Injections)

Korea specializes in precision facial contouring injections designed to reduce soft fat in the lower cheeks. While injections do not remove the deep buccal fat pad itself, they reduce surrounding superficial fat, which still produces a slimmer and more contoured lower face.

How It Works

• A fine needle delivers a fat-dissolving formula into the lower cheek area.
• The solution breaks down fat cells.
• The body gradually removes the fat over 2–6 weeks.

Benefits

• No incision or surgery
• Minimal swelling or downtime
• Great for subtle, natural slimming
• Works well for people with mild–moderate lower cheek fullness
• Very customizable — only the desired area is treated
• More affordable than surgery
• Ideal for people visiting Korea for a short trip

Limitations

• Cannot remove deep buccal fat pads
• Best for soft, superficial fat
• Multiple sessions (2–3) often required
• Not ideal for hollow or angular faces

Best For

• People with rounded cheeks or “puffy” lower face
• Patients wanting a slimming effect without surgery
• Those who want subtle contouring rather than dramatic change
• Younger people with good skin elasticity

Option 2: Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

Buccal fat removal is a surgical technique that removes the deep buccal fat pad, located deeper than the fat dissolving injections can reach.

How It Works

• A small incision is made inside the mouth.
• Deep buccal fat pads are partially removed.
• The inner cheek incision is closed with dissolving sutures.

Benefits

• Permanent fat reduction
• More dramatic slimming effect
• Sharpens cheekbones and lower face contour
• Only one procedure is needed

Limitations

• Downtime: swelling, tenderness, and dietary restrictions
• Over-removal can create a hollow face, especially with aging
• Not suitable for people with already slim faces
• Requires careful surgeon selection for natural results

Best For

• People with pronounced buccal fat fullness
• Those wanting a dramatic change or long-term slimming
• Men or women with thick, heavy cheeks that do not respond to injections
• Older patients with stable facial volume

Side-by-Side Comparison

Amount of Slimming

• Injections: Mild to moderate reduction
• Surgery: Moderate to dramatic reduction

Downtime

• Injections: Minimal
• Surgery: 5–14 days of swelling

Pain Level

• Injections: Mild burning sensation
• Surgery: Moderate soreness

Permanence

• Injections: Permanent for treated cells, but subtle
• Surgery: Permanent structural change

Suitability

• Injections: Best for mild puffiness in younger patients
• Surgery: Best for deep, thick buccal fat pads

How Korea Combines Treatments for Better Results

Korean clinics often design multi-layered contouring plans, such as:

✔ Injections + HIFU

Slim fat + lift the cheek to create a sharper contour

✔ Injections + RF Tightening

Slim lower face + improve skin tone and firmness

✔ Surgery + Device Lifting

Post-surgery HIFU helps refine cheek lift and reduce swelling sooner

This layered approach creates a balanced, natural slimming effect without making the face look hollow.

Which Should YOU Choose?

Choose Injections if you want:

• Subtle, natural slimming
• No downtime
• A budget-friendly option
• Improvement in puffy or rounded cheeks
• A non-surgical solution
• A refined lower face, not a dramatic change

Choose Surgery if you want:

• A stronger, more defined cheekbone-to-jawline contour
• Permanent removal of deep buccal fat
• Noticeable change from one procedure
• Slimming for heavy or thick lower cheeks

Avoid Both If:

• Your face is already slim or hollow
• You have significant skin laxity
• You prefer volume over definition

Final Verdict

Both injections and buccal fat surgery can slim the lower face, but they serve different purposes:

• Injections are perfect for people who want gradual contouring, minimal downtime, and a natural slimming effect.
• Surgery is the better choice for those seeking a dramatic, permanent reduction of deep cheek fat.

Korea’s strength lies in offering customized treatment mapping, allowing patients to combine the two approaches with lifting devices, RF tightening, or jawline sculpting for the most balanced full-face contour.