Liposuction of the face is generally frowned upon. This is because the face is traversed by multiple facial nerves that control the muscles of the face. Since the muscle is thin, located throughout the entire face, and often superficial in location, generally liposuction of the facial soft tissues is avoided. This is because inadvertent injury to a motor nerve using traditional cannulas would be feasible. Also, removal of fat only from the facial soft tissues would result in increase skin redundancy and facial skin sagging. As such liposuction of the face has been typically reserved for the neck.
Liposuction of the neck is performed using smaller gauge cannulas typically measuring 2.5mm in diameter. The fatty layer in the neck unlike the face is isolated in the superficial plane located over the flat platysma muscle. Also, the motor nerves are located deeper making liposuction of this region safe.
Limited liposuction of the face can be considered today only to remove isolated areas of contour irregularities. Isolated liposuction is performed using micro-thin cannulas with girths measuring 1.0mm or less. They can be used to feather the most superficial plane located just under the skin and to eliminate subtle contour irregularities.
In summary, liposuction of the face is avoided because of fear of inadvertent injury to facial motor nerves. If you have a unique situation with localized fatty prominence on your face, please make a consultation with one of our liposuction experts to determine if you are a candidate for liposuction of the face.