Facial fat transfer, also known as fat grafting or lipofilling, is a cosmetic procedure that involves harvesting fat from one area of the body and injecting it into the face to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and rejuvenate the overall appearance. This technique has gained popularity due to its natural results and minimal risk of allergic reactions, as it uses the patient's own fat.
Understanding Facial Fat Transfer
As we age, the face naturally loses volume, leading to hollowing, sagging, and the appearance of wrinkles. Facial fat transfer addresses these concerns by replenishing lost volume and restoring a more youthful contour. The procedure can be performed on various areas of the face, including the cheeks, temples, under the eyes, and around the mouth.
Common Concerns Addressed by Facial Fat Transfer
Patients seek facial fat transfer to address a variety of concerns related to facial aging and aesthetics. Some of the most common include:
- Hollowing Cheeks: Many individuals are bothered by hollowing of their cheeks, which can make them look tired or gaunt. Fat transfer to the cheeks can restore volume and create a fuller, more youthful appearance. One example is a 32-year-old female patient who was always bothered by the hollowing of her cheeks and felt she looked tired even with makeup.
- Under-Eye Bags and Hollowness: Fat transfer can be used to address under-eye bags and hollowness in the tear trough area. By adding volume to these areas, the procedure can reduce the appearance of dark circles and create a smoother transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. A 36-year-old male was also concerned with under eye hollowness.
- Facial Wrinkles and Loss of Volume: As we age, the face loses volume and elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Fat transfer can help to fill in wrinkles and restore volume to areas such as the nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth) and marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin). A 67-year-old female was concerned with facial wrinkles and the loss of volume to her face.
- Sagging Skin: In cases of facial and neck sagging due to massive weight loss, fat transfer can be combined with other procedures such as a facelift or neck lift to restore volume and improve the overall contour of the face. A 44 y.o female who had facial and neck sagging from massive weight loss.
The Facial Fat Transfer Procedure
The facial fat transfer procedure typically involves three main steps:
- Fat Harvesting: Fat is harvested from a donor area of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, using liposuction.
- Fat Processing: The harvested fat is then processed to purify and concentrate the fat cells.
- Fat Injection: The purified fat is injected into the targeted areas of the face using small needles.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, local anesthesia with oral sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the treatment and the patient's preference.
Read also: Achieving a smooth derriere
Combining Facial Fat Transfer with Other Procedures
Facial fat transfer is often combined with other cosmetic procedures to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Some common combinations include:
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): Fat transfer can be combined with blepharoplasty to address both under-eye bags and hollowness. Lower blepharoplasty can be performed to remove excess skin and fat from the lower eyelids, while fat transfer can add volume to the tear trough area. A 33 y.o female who was bothered by fat bags under her eye underwent transconj (no visible scar) lower blepharoplasty along with facial fat transfer.
- Facelift and Neck Lift: Fat transfer can be combined with a facelift and neck lift to restore volume and improve the overall contour of the face and neck. The facelift addresses sagging skin and tissues, while fat transfer replenishes lost volume in areas such as the cheeks and temples. The patient is a 60 y.o female who underwent Deep Plane Facelift, Extended Deep plane Neck Lift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Lower Blepharoplasty, Facial Fat Transfer and CO2 laser to face under local anesthesia with oral sedation. A 58 y.o female is 6 weeks out from Deep Plane Facelift, Necklift and Facial Fat Transfer.
- Laser Resurfacing: Laser resurfacing treatments, such as CO2 laser, can be combined with fat transfer to improve skin texture and tone. The laser removes the outer layers of damaged skin, while fat transfer restores volume and improves facial contours.
Before and After Examples
The results of facial fat transfer can be dramatic and long-lasting. Here are a few examples of patients who have undergone the procedure:
- Patient 1: A 53-year-old patient underwent a facelift, upper blepharoplasty, FX laser full face and forehead, and fat injections to the cheeks, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds.
- Patient 2: A 65-year-old patient underwent a facelift, skin excision lower eyelids, FX laser cheeks, glabella, and lateral brow, bilateral earlobe reduction, and fat transfer.
- Patient 3: A 75-year-old female chose to undergo a Cheeklift, Fat Grafting to cheeks, marionette lines, nasiolabial folds, upper lip, lower lip, peri-oral, and more.
- Patient 4: A 65-year-old female chose to undergo a facelift, lower blepharoplasty, fat pad removal upper eyelids, rhinoplasty, bilateral earlobe reduction, and fat transfer.
- Patient 5: A 60-year-old female concerned with facial aging and hollow cheek area underwent fat transfer. She was particularly concerned about skin laxity along the cheeks.
- Patient 6: A 67-year-old female concerned with facial wrinkles and the loss of volume to her face chose to undergo CO2 Laser to perioral and Restylane treatments.
- Patient 7: A 75-year-old female who underwent a full facelift years ago noticed skin laxity to her cheeks, wrinkles peri-oral and loss of volume to her general appearance and underwent fat transfer.
- Patient 8: A 65-year-old patient concerned with wrinkles and the loss of volume to her face chose to have fat grafting to the perioral, cheeks.
- Patient 9: A 68-year-old patient concerned with her aged appearance chose to undergo a facelift, lower blepharoplasty, fat pad removal upper eyelids, and fat transfer.
- Patient 10: A 72-year-old female concerned with wrinkles and the loss of volume to her face underwent fat transfer.
These examples demonstrate the versatility of facial fat transfer and its ability to address a wide range of concerns related to facial aging and aesthetics.
Recovery and Results
The recovery period after facial fat transfer typically involves some swelling and bruising, which usually subsides within a few weeks. Patients may also experience some temporary numbness or tingling in the treated areas.
The results of facial fat transfer can be seen relatively quickly, although it may take several months for the final results to become apparent as the fat cells settle and integrate into the surrounding tissues.
Read also: Understanding PRP Facials
Choosing a Qualified Surgeon
It is important to choose a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to perform facial fat transfer. Look for a surgeon who is board-certified and has extensive experience in facial rejuvenation procedures. During the consultation, be sure to discuss your goals and expectations, and ask any questions you may have about the procedure.
Read also: Ultrasound facial: What to expect