In short
- Buccal massage is a cosmetic facial: gloved work inside the cheek alongside work on the outside of the face.
- Buccal fat removal is surgery: part of the fat pad in the cheek is removed through an incision, under sedation or anesthesia.
- Massage does not remove fat or permanently reshape the face. Any change in how the face looks is temporary.
- At RRYL, buccal work is offered in the 60-minute Signature Buccal Lift ($350) and the 90-minute Gua Sha Buccal Facial ($450), one-on-one with Bouchra.
Why the two get confused
Both names come from the same word. “Buccal” simply means relating to the cheek. Both also involve the inside of the cheek, and some beauty coverage calls the massage a “buccal fat massage”, which makes it sound as if it does something to fat. It does not.
One is a facial. The other is surgery. They answer different questions, and it helps to know which one you are actually asking before you book anything.
Buccal fat removal: a surgical procedure
The buccal fat pad is a natural pad of fat in the hollow of the cheek. Its size varies from person to person, and it can differ between the two sides of the face. Buccal fat removal is a surgical procedure to take out part of that pad and thin the cheeks.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it is usually done through an incision on the inside of the cheek, under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, and the incision is closed with sutures. It is performed by a surgeon, not in a facial studio.
It is not right for every face. The Society notes that it is typically not performed on people with thin, narrow faces, because removing the fat may make the face look gaunt with age. A plastic surgeon interviewed by the Society in 2024 made a related point: fullness in the face tends to read as youthful and hollowing as aging, so the decision deserves care (ASPS, “Hollow cheeks”). If this is the change you are considering, the right conversation is a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Buccal massage: a facial, done partly inside the mouth
Buccal massage involves no incision, no anesthesia and no removal of anything. The practitioner works on the outside of the face and, wearing gloves, on the inside of the cheek, so the cheek and jaw area can be reached from both sides. It is usually part of a longer facial rather than a treatment on its own.
People choose it because they enjoy deeper hands-on facial work, or because the jaw and cheeks feel tight. It is a cosmetic and relaxing treatment.
What massage can and cannot do
Massage does not remove buccal fat and does not permanently reshape the face. Facial plastic surgeons interviewed by Fortune in 2023 put it plainly: any slimmer or less puffy look after a buccal massage is temporary, and a lasting change to the fat pad would take a procedure.
That is the honest frame for any facial, however it is named. RRYL does not promise specific or lasting results, and individual results vary. What a buccal facial does offer is an hour or more of careful, unhurried work on the face, inside and out, with nothing for you to do but rest.
Side by side
| Buccal massage | Buccal fat removal | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A cosmetic facial | A surgical procedure |
| What happens | Gloved massage inside the cheek, with work on the outside of the face | An incision inside the cheek and removal of part of the fat pad |
| Anesthesia | None | Intravenous sedation or general anesthesia |
| Who does it | A practitioner trained in buccal work | A surgeon |
| Effect on the fat pad | None | Part of it is removed |
| How long any change lasts | Temporary, and varies | A question for your surgeon |
Which question are you asking?
- You want a permanent change to the shape of your cheeks: that is a surgical question. Speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon. RRYL does not perform or advise on surgery.
- You want hands-on work on the cheeks and jaw, inside and out: the Signature Buccal Lift (60 minutes, listed at $350) or the Gua Sha Buccal Facial (90 minutes, listed at $450), both one-on-one with Bouchra.
- You would rather have no work inside the mouth: the Gua Sha Facial (60 minutes, listed at $250) is done entirely on the outside of the face.
- Your jaw hurts, clicks or is hard to open: see a dentist or doctor first. These can be signs of a temporomandibular disorder, which the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains. A facial is not a substitute for that care.
For a fuller picture of the appointment itself, read Buccal massage: what to expect before you book.
Before you book
- Please mention any recent Botox, filler or other injectables, and any recent dental work, when you book.
- If you have had surgery on your face or mouth, tell Bouchra when you book, and ask your surgeon when facial massage over that area is appropriate.
- In the calendar, choose the facial by name; nothing is preselected.
Frequently asked questions
Can buccal massage get rid of buccal fat?
No. Massage does not remove fat. Any change in how the face looks afterwards is temporary.
Is buccal massage a non-surgical alternative to buccal fat removal?
Not in the sense of producing the same result. It is a different kind of treatment: a facial that some people enjoy for its own sake, not a replacement for surgery.
Does buccal massage hurt?
It should not be painful. The pressure can feel firm, and work inside the mouth feels unfamiliar at first. Tell Bouchra at any point if you want less pressure or a pause.
Is this medical treatment?
No. RRYL Skin Spa provides cosmetic skincare services and does not diagnose or treat medical conditions. Individual results vary.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “Buccal fat removal” and its procedure page.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “Hollow cheeks: a focus on buccal fat removal”, 2024.
- Fortune Well, “Does buccal massage work? Experts weigh in”, 2023.
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)”.