![Breaking down the buccal fat fixation](https://cdn.magzter.com/1617717947/1672963298/articles/jB9_1Kjri1672970742210/BREAKING-DOWN-THE-BUCCAL-FAT-FIXATION.jpg)
NEW YORK - Buccal fat became the talk of some corners of the Internet in December after social media users started speculating about celebrities who might have removed some for an extrachiselled look.
Buccal (pronounced "buckle") fat is a type of fat found in the midsection of the face that can, in some people, make a face appear more rounded. Surgically remove some of that fat, and the face will immediately look more sculpted.
Well, almost immediately. Initially, most patients experience some swelling, but once that goes down, it is "hello, cheekbones".
What exactly is buccal fat?
"There are facial compartments that define the shape of the face, and there are superficial ones and deep ones," said Dr Andrew Jacono, a New York plastic surgeon best known for giving American fashion designer Marc Jacobs a facelift.
"Buccal fat is one of the deep facial fat compartments that kind of give structure to the cheek area."
It is not affected by weight fluctuation, he said. "We're born with how much we have."
He added: "There are some people who have faces that are very sculpted, whether they're cheekbones or more highlighted. There are some people who have more cherubic faces. Some people call it chipmunk cheeks."
Dr Jacono pointed to the faces of two cherubs, the round-faced angels on the bottom of the Sistine Madonna by Italian painter Raphael, as examples of prime candidates for buccal fat removal.
Why are we talking about this now?
Blame Twitter and TikTok - and, inadvertently, Lea Michele.
This story is from the January 06, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 06, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![KEEPING FAITH PAYS OFF WITH BIG RETURN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/GLC571th9tXrctkcYDssys/KEEPING-FAITH-PAYS-OFF-WITH-BIG-RETURN.jpg)
KEEPING FAITH PAYS OFF WITH BIG RETURN
Tardy start cooled Hong Kong buyers off, third-up win may make them regret
![MOREIRA SHOWS HIS MAGIC AGAIN IN JAPAN SERIES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/k3DiXMWsuYiy6Z3VupJsys/MOREIRA-SHOWS-HIS-MAGIC-AGAIN-IN-JAPAN-SERIES.jpg)
MOREIRA SHOWS HIS MAGIC AGAIN IN JAPAN SERIES
Last-leg win hands Brazilian superstar title in annual World All-Star Jockeys contest
![Meritocracy needs to be managed to ensure a level playing field](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/q1sA0DrzDttQrVIj7Phsys/MERITOCRACY-NEEDS-TO-BE-MANAGED-TO-ENSURE-A-LEVEL-PLAYING-FIELD.jpg)
Meritocracy needs to be managed to ensure a level playing field
As we uphold meritocracy in Singapore's new social compact, let's not be misled and remember the often hidden aspects of meritocracy that can conflict with its true essence.
The science of saying no at work
Researchers who put themselves under the microscope made some important discoveries.
!['Cruisezilla' is a greener holiday than you'd think](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/wcCGRKcyrz2iaDaaqTJsys/CRUISEZILLA-IS-A-GREENER-HOLIDAY-THAN-YOUD-THINK.jpg)
'Cruisezilla' is a greener holiday than you'd think
The ballooning size of the vessels is not the real problem.
![Make the new hire feel welcome and valued](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/7bwGJBknOmvmxgqPxGLsys/MAKE-THE-NEW-HIRE-FEEL-WELCOME-AND-VALUED.jpg)
Make the new hire feel welcome and valued
What is it about employers, company culture or attitudes that lead to younger workers' bubbles being burst?
![If a China and America war went nuclear, who would win?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/A33emSMbQAa2cUh3zb4sys/IF-A-CHINA-AND-AMERICA-WAR-WENT-NUCLEAR-WHO-WOULD-WIN.jpg)
If a China and America war went nuclear, who would win?
After 45 days of conventional fighting, nukes would be tempting, wargamers suggest.
The danger is not a new Cold War but a grinding collapse of the world order
Parallels are to be found in the 1930s when powerful forces reshaped economies, societies and political beliefs.
![Why the US should welcome FDI from China](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/24723/1811540/YMktgcRW6TRL3jFmaPFsys/WHY-THE-US-SHOULD-WELCOME-FDI-FROM-CHINA.jpg)
Why the US should welcome FDI from China
Heretical as it sounds, the next administration should seize such an opportunity.
S-E Asia's super rich bank on family offices to manage wealth
These offices make up a third of the region’s investors as at June, up from a fifth in 2020