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Facial Liposuction: A Complete Guide to Sculpting Your Face
Home / Articles
Facial Liposuction: A Complete Guide to Sculpting Your Face
Think of your face as a sculpture: every contour and shadow can either highlight your features or soften them. Facial liposuction is like an artist’s finishing stroke, removing pockets of excess fat that resist diet and workouts. Some common motivations include:
Slimming the jawline and lowering facial puffiness—many patients tell us they feel like their face “hides” what they really look like.
Refining the chin and neck—whether they struggle with a double chin or sagging jowls, people often want that sharper, youthful profile.
Removing buccal fat—this is the fat pad in the cheeks, cherished in childhood but, when overly emphasized, can detract from an elegant, defined look.
Supporting other facial contours—combining with jawline contouring, chin augmentation, or Botox for more refined results.
In Korean beauty culture, the ideal isn’t a sharp, exaggerated contour—it's subtle enhancement of one’s inherent harmony. At SoonPlus, we often reassure patients: “Your face is already beautiful; we’re just guiding it to its most sculpted version.”
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure. Here’s what’s involved:
Facial analysis—We look at your facial proportions and skin elasticity. Too much volume? Skin laxity? That shifts your treatment plan.
Medical review—Blood tests and overall health checks are essential.
Realistic outcome discussion—We use MRIs or 3D imaging to forecast results, avoiding inflated expectations. To be honest, patients often ask us, “Will this make me look like a celebrity?” We say: “We’re enhancing you, not turning you into someone else.”
Performed under local anesthesia, sedation, or light general anesthesia (depending on case complexity), the process involves:
Tiny incisions—usually less than 2–3 mm, hidden discreetly under the chin or behind the ears.
Tumescent fluid injection—a mixture of saline, adrenaline, and lidocaine eases fat removal and minimizes bleeding.
Microcannula liposuction—delicate tubes suction excess fat from the subcutaneous layer. Precision is key: too aggressive and you risk surface irregularities; too conservative and the effect may be mild.
Sculpting, not depletion—experienced hands (like those of Dr. SoonDong Kim) sculpt the facial fat to create graceful contours, especially along the jaw and under the chin.
Compression garments—light neck/chin wraps accelerate healing while reducing swelling.
Healing timeline—Expect mild soreness or bruising for 5–7 days. Most swelling subsides within two weeks, but subtle definition often continues refining for up to three months.
Aftercare—lymphatic massage and skin-tightening therapies (like RF treatment) encourage smooth recovery and support contouring.
Ideal candidates typically have:
Good skin elasticity (able to spring back).
Discrete areas of fat rather than generalized facial fullness.
Realistic expectations about defining—not overhauling—their look.
For those with primary issues of skin laxity, liposuction might be paired with laser resurfacing or a lifting procedure for optimal harmony. In some cases, simultaneous buccal fat removal delivers the dual benefit of midface and lower-face refinement.
“Is it painful?”
With modern anesthesia and effective pain control, most patients report only moderate discomfort. By day two or three, it’s usually manageable with over-the-counter medications. And frankly, our priority is your comfort—from the moment you walk in until the final follow-up.
“Will there be scars?”
Virtually invisible. Tiny incisions are tucked where natural creases or shadows conceal them—even up close, they’re barely noticeable. One of our behind‑the‑scenes surgeon secrets: we use ultrafine sutures and meticulous techniques to make sure your silicone chin won’t become a wardrobe rival.
“How soon before I can return to daily life?”
Office work? Usually within a few days. Heavy workouts or face-down yoga? Best to wait 2–3 weeks until the swelling subsides. Most patients feel confident resuming social activity within 10–14 days.
Subcutaneous fat vs buccal fat—you might see a slimmer jawline but still feel "chubby" in the cheeks if buccal fat isn't addressed. Zygomatic (cheek) contouring and cannula mobility also matter; microcannulas must delicately navigate cheekbones for smooth outcomes.
2‑stage rejuvenation can be best—first stage addresses deeper fat, second stage addresses superficial fat. This protects skin tightness and ensures more controlled results.
Asian skin characteristics—denser and more elastic than Caucasian skin, which means it generally heals well—but it’s more prone to melasma or pigmentation with laser therapies. Pre‑treatment sunscreen and pigment monitoring is crucial.
Jowly jawline—Patient in her 40s with mild jowling. We combined lower-face liposuction with light RF skin tightening around the jaw. Result: a smoother jawline with lifted contours, 80% reduction in volume, skin two‑tone less saggy.
Full lower face + neck—Man in his 50s. Neck liposuction alone wouldn’t define his profile, so we did both cervicofacial liposuction and targeted neck platysma tightening. Result: clear jawline emergence and a slimmer overall presence.
Buccal fat removal in younger patient—20s female with full cheeks. We removed buccal fat & did mild submental liposuction. Result: cheek hollows acquired structure, and her personality looked more refined—but still authentically her.
Though uncommon, potential risks include:
Asymmetry or irregularity—reduced through microcannulas and 3D facial mapping.
Contour depressions—avoided with conservative fat removal and post‑op massage.
Nerve injury—facial nerve branches are delicate; an experienced surgeon’s understanding of facial anatomy is critical.
Skin laxity—minimized through patient selection and concurrent skin-tightening methods.
At SoonPlus, safety and confidence go together: same‑day discharge, 24/7 patient support, and structured follow-up appointments ensure you’re never alone during recovery.
17 years of dedication—with Dr. SoonDong Kim, Dr. EungSam Kim, and Dr. InSoo Seo pioneering techniques in eyelid and facial contouring.
Balance of artistry and technology—FDA-approved devices, plus an artistic eye for proportion and harmony.
Multilingual care—Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese—as a premier destination for both domestic and international patients.
Luxury aftercare—spend an overnight or two in recovery suites, with massage and skincare from our language‑fluent team.
If you:
Want a sharpened jaw/chin
Have persistent facial fullness
Desire discreet, natural-looking refinement
Then facial liposuction could be an ideal step—especially when paired with the comprehensive, sculptural expertise we offer.
Book a private, no‑pressure consultation at SoonPlus.
Bring photos, your concerns, and aesthetic inspirations.
We’ll create a surgical roadmap tailored to your face, goals, and lifestyle.
Facial Liposuction isn’t about hiding your identity—it’s about unveiling it. Whether it’s defining a jawline or releasing a double chin, precision liposuction can subtly elevate the artistry inherent in every face.
If you’re exploring options for natural, precision‑driven aesthetic procedures, book a private consultation at SoonPlus Plastic Surgery in Seocho‑gu, Seoul. We’d be honored to partner on your journey toward your most confident self.