Buccal Fat Removal: Dr. Babak Azizzadeh Explains the Reality Behind the Trend
Over the past year, buccal fat removal has gained massive attention on social media, with countless celebrities and influencers showcasing more sculpted, defined cheeks. But what’s really behind this aesthetic trend? Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, recently shared his professional insights in ELLE, providing much-needed clarity about this increasingly popular procedure.
Buccal fat removal involves removing a naturally occurring fat pad from the lower cheek area to achieve a slimmer, more contoured appearance. According to Dr. Azizzadeh, while the surgery can produce beautiful results for the right candidate, it isn’t for everyone. “This procedure must be tailored to the patient’s anatomy and long-term goals,” he emphasizes. Removing too much volume can lead to hollowness as patients age, giving a prematurely gaunt or hollow appearance.
As Dr. Azizzadeh points out, achieving a youthful, harmonious appearance entails more than simply following passing beauty trends. His complete approach emphasizes maintaining balance and proportion, frequently combining surgical precision with non-invasive adjuncts. In other circumstances, he may advocate mild fat redistribution or a mid-face lift over dramatic volume reduction.
Patients interested in buccal fat reduction should consult with a trained, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who understands facial anatomy and the aging process. The goal isn't only to look slimmer; it's to improve the natural architecture of the face while retaining vitality for years.
To learn more about Dr. Azizzadeh’s personalized facial rejuvenation approach or to schedule a consultation, visit our Contact Page.
Read the full feature here:
Everything You Need To Know About Buccal Fat Removal – ELLE
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Dr. Babak Azizzadeh Weighs In on Teen Rhinoplasty and Emotional Well-Being
In a New York Post feature, a Las Vegas mother shared her family’s deeply personal decision to pursue rhinoplasty for her teenage daughter after years of bullying and emotional distress. The story highlights the complex intersection of self-esteem, mental health, and cosmetic surgery in adolescents, with Dr. Babak Azizzadeh performing the procedure.
The article follows Asher, who experienced persistent bullying at school focused on the appearance of her nose. Over time, the harassment significantly impacted her confidence and emotional well-being, leading her to rely heavily on makeup to conceal her appearance and withdraw socially. Her mother, Loren Lahav, emphasized that the decision to pursue surgery was rooted not in vanity, but in concern for her daughter’s mental health and long-term self-image.
After careful consideration and two years of saving, the family traveled to Beverly Hills, where Asher underwent rhinoplasty with Dr. Babak Azizzadeh shortly after her 14th birthday. Dr. Azizzadeh, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, is known for his emphasis on facial harmony, conservative surgical planning, and patient-specific evaluation—particularly in younger patients whose facial structures are still developing.
The feature also places the story within a broader cultural conversation, referencing similar scrutiny faced by public figures and their families when cosmetic surgery is performed at a young age. Loren Lahav pushed back against public judgment, stressing that each situation is unique and should be evaluated with empathy and professional guidance.
Following surgery, both mother and daughter reported significant improvements in Asher’s confidence, social comfort, and overall happiness. The story underscores the importance of individualized care, thorough consultation, and emotional readiness when considering facial procedures for adolescents.
Read the full New York Post feature here:
I Started Saving for My Daughter’s Nose Job When She Was 12 — and It Was Worth It
Related Resources from The Facial Paralysis Institute:
- Teenage Rhinoplasty: What To Know
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Dr. Azizzadeh mentioned in Business Insider - Why Patient Safety Sometimes Means Saying No
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — In a feature published by Business Insider, world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Babak Azizzadeh shared why he declines certain facial procedures, even when patients request them. His reasoning comes down to one principle: patient safety and natural-looking results should always come first.
Dr. Azizzadeh, who trained at Harvard and leads the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, revealed that he avoids performing lip implants, jaw implants, and facial liposuction. According to the article, both lip and jaw implants carry a higher risk of infection. For lip enhancement, Dr. Azizzadeh prefers dermal fillers because they deliver a more natural appearance compared to implants.
Facial liposuction is another procedure Dr. Azizzadeh won't perform. The treatment, which involves removing fat from the face to address chin fullness or drooping skin, can lead to nerve damage, scarring, and facial deformities. Dr. Azizzadeh noted that he has seen patients come to him after experiencing complications from the procedure performed elsewhere.
Beyond specific treatments, Dr. Azizzadeh also considers the mental state of potential patients. He estimates that he turns away about 10% of individuals who show signs of body dysmorphic disorder, a condition that causes people to become overly fixated on perceived flaws in their appearance. He explained that when patients point out details that most people would never notice, or when they arrive using highly technical medical terminology for cosmetic concerns, it can signal deeper issues that surgery won't resolve.
His approach reflects a broader commitment to thoughtful, patient-centered care, where achieving a balanced and natural result matters more than saying yes to every request.
Read the full article here:
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Dr. Babak Azizzadeh Featured in The Zoe Report: Expert Insight on the Rise of Buccal Fat Removal
Beverly Hills, California – October 2025 – With the rise of aesthetic trends on social media, such as buccal fat removal, it's important to approach these changes thoughtfully. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, a prominent facial plastic surgeon and founder of the Facial Paralysis Institute, emphasizes the need for caution. His expertise in facial aesthetics serves as a reminder to consider the implications of such procedures carefully. In a recent article by The Zoe Report titled “Everything to Know About Cheek Reduction Surgery — AKA Buccal Fat Removal,” Dr. Azizzadeh offered his insights. He discussed how to attain facial balance while preserving one's natural beauty. His expertise sheds light on this cosmetic procedure's nuances.
Buccal fat removal, also known as buccal fat pad excision, involves reducing fat in the lower cheeks to create a more sculpted look. While the procedure has existed for decades, Dr. Azizzadeh emphasizes that it must be performed with restraint and precision.
“Volume needs to be in the right place—that’s the art of the procedure,” says Dr. Azizzadeh.
Dr. Azizzadeh is known for his unique, patient-centered treatments, and he frequently uses a cautious approach, removing only a tiny amount of fat and repositioning it to improve cheek definition without creating long-term hollowing. His knowledge of facial anatomy guarantees that aesthetics and function are well balanced.
Dr. Azizzadeh also stresses that buccal fat removal isn’t suitable for everyone. Instead, he often recommends customized treatments such as facial fat grafting, fillers, or facelift techniques to achieve natural and lasting results.
Read the full article here: https://www.thezoereport.com/beauty/buccal-fat-removal
For those interested in learning more about achieving facial balance and rejuvenation, explore these related resources:
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Dr. Azizzadeh Featured in The New York Times on the Evolution of Rhinoplasty
The New York Times featured Dr. Babak Azizzadeh in its August 12, 2020 Style section article, “The New Nose: Is the Bump Back?” The story explores a major shift in modern rhinoplasty—away from cookie-cutter, ski-jump noses and toward artistic, individualized, and structurally sound nasal surgery.
The article highlights how today’s rhinoplasty patients are seeking subtle refinements rather than dramatic transformations, often choosing to preserve defining features such as a natural bridge or inherited characteristics. This evolution reflects broader cultural changes, including a growing appreciation for authenticity, ethnicity, and facial harmony.
Dr. Azizzadeh is cited for his innovative approach to structural rhinoplasty, particularly his use of fascia grafting—connective tissue taken from above the ear—to soften sharp angles and recreate the appearance of thicker, more youthful nasal skin. He describes the technique as a “game changer,” noting its ability to restore softness, durability, and natural aging to the nose without erasing a patient’s identity.
The article also addresses the rise of nonsurgical rhinoplasty using injectable fillers, while emphasizing the importance of experience and caution due to the nose’s complex vascular anatomy. Throughout the piece, experts agree that long-term safety, structure, and personalization—not trends—should guide nasal surgery decisions.
Dr. Azizzadeh’s inclusion reinforces his reputation as a leader in natural, anatomy-driven rhinoplasty, and underscores why he is frequently sought out by major national publications to comment on the future of facial plastic surgery.
👉 Read the full article in The New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/12/style/rhinoplasty-the-new-nose-is-the-bump-back.html
Dr. Babak Azizzadeh Discusses Changing Attitudes Toward Rhinoplasty and Cultural Identity
In a Tablet Magazine feature, shifting beauty standards and evolving cultural attitudes are explored through the lens of declining rhinoplasty rates, particularly among Jewish patients. Once considered a common rite of passage, nose jobs have become less prevalent as definitions of beauty broaden and ethnic identity is increasingly embraced.
Citing data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the article notes a significant decline in rhinoplasty procedures over the past decade, even as cosmetic surgery overall has remained popular among other demographic groups. While economic factors played a role, the trend also reflects deeper social changes regarding self-acceptance and representation.
Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, a Beverly Hills–based facial plastic surgeon, shared insight on how motivations for rhinoplasty have evolved. He explained that he no longer sees the same pressure from families for teenage patients to undergo nose surgery, a contrast to earlier generations when conformity to narrow beauty standards was more common.
According to Dr. Azizzadeh, patients today are increasingly focused on preserving their natural features rather than erasing them. Many individuals seeking rhinoplasty are interested in subtle refinements or revision procedures that restore balance while maintaining ethnic characteristics. This marks a departure from the “cookie-cutter” aesthetic that dominated cosmetic surgery in previous decades.
The article places these changes within a broader cultural context, noting increased diversity in media representation and a growing rejection of assimilation-driven beauty ideals. As society becomes more inclusive, patients are redefining what it means to look—and feel—beautiful.
Dr. Azizzadeh emphasized that modern rhinoplasty prioritizes facial harmony, individuality, and self-confidence. Rather than chasing a singular ideal, today’s approach recognizes that beauty is diverse and deeply personal.
Read the full Tablet Magazine feature here:
A Nose Dive for Nose Jobs – Tablet Magazine
Related Resources from The Facial Paralysis Institute:
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Oprah Feature Spotlights Dr. Azizzadeh’s Reconstructive Breakthrough for Mary Jo Buttafuoco
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Oprah Feature Highlights Dr. Babak Azizzadeh’s Life-Changing Reconstructive Work for Mary Jo Buttafuoco
In a powerful revisit to one of the nation’s most publicized trauma stories, Oprah.com featured Mary Jo Buttafuoco’s long journey of recovery after surviving a gunshot wound to the face. The coverage spotlighted the life-altering reconstructive care she received from Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
Mary Jo sustained severe facial paralysis and ear damage when she was shot by Amy Fisher in 1992. Years later, during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, she described her ongoing challenges—an interview that caught the attention of Dr. Azizzadeh. Recognizing the complexity of her condition, he recalls his immediate reaction: “I said, ‘This is someone I could definitely help.’”
He assembled a multidisciplinary team and developed a three-part surgical plan tailored to Mary Jo’s unique needs. The approach included an asymmetric facelift to restore facial balance, ear canal reconstruction to improve hearing, and targeted facial physical therapy to support nerve recovery and muscle function. The goal extended beyond aesthetics—true restoration of mobility, symmetry, and day-to-day comfort.
Mary Jo embraced the process with resilience and optimism. Reflecting on her transformation, she shared her gratitude and confidence in the results: “I love the results!” Her success story continues to serve as an example of how modern facial nerve surgery can change lives, even decades after trauma.
Read the full Oprah feature here:
https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/ultimate-betrayals/all
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