Facial Fat Transfer
In the world of facial rejuvenation, facial fat transfer (lipofilling) has emerged as a highly effective procedure for restoring youthful volume to the face with natural-looking, long-lasting results. Using your body’s own fat as a filler, a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon can use this procedure to skillfully recontour your features.
What is facial fat transfer?
Facial fat transfer, also known as autologous fat grafting or fat injection, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses your own fat to restore volume, improve contours, and rejuvenate the face. The procedure involves harvesting fat from areas of the body where it is in excess—usually the abdomen, flanks, or thighs; purifying it with a centrifuge; and then injecting it into areas of the face that have lost volume (i.e. due to aging or weight loss). Not only does transferred fat physically fill and plump areas, but it also contains growth factors which are thought to further improve the appearance of the skin.
Facial areas treated with fat transfer
Fat transfer is commonly used to augment areas of the face that can become sunken or less plump with age, such as the cheeks and temples. This is an increasingly popular choice for facial rejuvenation due to its natural and lasting results, and it is also a popular add-on to procedures like facelift, neck lift, and eyelid lift surgery.
Transferred fat may also be used as a filler for tear troughs (under-eye hollows) and deep wrinkles like the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Additionally, the procedure can be used to enhance the lips, contour the jawline, and soften the appearance of indented or pitted acne scars.
The procedure
Facial fat transfer surgery typically involves three stages:
- Fat harvesting: Your surgeon performs liposuction on a donor site—usually the abdomen, thighs, or flanks—to harvest fat to inject into the face.
- Purification: The harvested fat is then processed to separate the fat cells from other components, i.e. in a centrifuge.
- Injection: Using a fine needle, your cosmetic surgeon precisely injects fat cells into the desired areas of the face.
Anesthesia options
Facial fat transfer may be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your preference and any combination procedures you may have at the same time. Local anesthesia has the benefit of shortening recovery time, while general anesthesia may be preferable if you are having a lengthier or more extensive procedure, or if you are having multiple procedures in one operation.
Complementary procedures
Facial fat transfer is often combined with other procedures to complete the facial rejuvenation process such as skin lifting or tightening and/or treatments that address the texture of the skin’s surface.
Facelift (rhytidectomy)
A facelift tightens loose skin and muscles in the mid- to lower face (and usually the neck), while facial fat transfer replaces lost volume. Together, these two procedures address two primary signs of aging in the face and may provide ideal results for certain patients who desire a younger-looking appearance.
Eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) or brow lift (browplasty)
An eyelid lift or brow lift can improve the appearance of sagging or drooping upper facial features, while facial fat transfer can restore volume and youthful contours to the mid and lower face for more balanced rejuvenation.
Laser skin resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing (and similar procedures, such as microneedling) promotes collagen production and leads to firmer, smoother skin and a more even complexion. Laser treatment may be an ideal complement to facial fat transfer for patients with fine lines and wrinkles or sun damage, helping to complete their results.
Good candidates
You may be a good candidate for fat transfer if you have lost volume in your face due to aging or weight loss, and you are at a stable weight without plans to lose weight in the future. It is important to be in good overall health, with a sufficient amount of fat on your body for transferring to the face. You should also have realistic expectations for the results that facial fat transfer can accomplish for you based on a thorough exam and conversation with your facial cosmetic surgeon. Many patients consider facial fat transfer as a more lasting and natural alternative to dermal fillers.
- Key Benefits
- Terms to Know
- Improved facial volume
- Natural alternative to facial fillers
- When combined with a facelift, you’ll see more comprehensive anti-aging results than a facelift alone can provide
- Compared with fillers, other benefits include:
- Because it uses your own fat, there is no risk of an allergic reaction
- The results are natural-looking and can be long-lasting, as the transferred fat cells integrate with existing tissue
- The areas from which the fat is harvested often benefit from the contouring effects of the procedure.
Facial Atrophy: Facial atrophy is a medical condition characterized by the loss of fullness or volume in the soft tissues of the face. This can include a reduction in muscle, subcutaneous fat, and connective tissue, leading to a gaunt, hollow appearance. With facial cosmetic surgery, targeted interventions may be employed to correct or mitigate the effects of facial atrophy by enhancing contours and restoring a fuller, more youthful appearance.
Microfat: Microfat refers to adipose (fatty) tissue that has been processed into small particles for the purpose of fat grafting in cosmetic surgery.
Nanofat: Nanofat is a refined form of adipose tissue that is processed for growth factors and other cellular elements that can promote healing and tissue regeneration.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL or gluteal fat grafting): A type of plastic surgery procedure which improves the size and shape of a person’s buttocks by transferring fat from other areas of the body, such as the hips, abdomen, and lower back, into the buttocks.
Local Anesthesia: A type of anesthesia that numbs a small, specific area of the body. The person remains conscious but will not feel any pain in the numbed area.
Fat Necrosis: The death of fat cells, often resulting in a firm, round lump. This can occur as a result of injury, surgery, or radiation.
Liposuction: A type of cosmetic surgery that involves removing fat from different parts of the body, typically the abdomen, thighs, neck, chin, upper arms, calves, and back. Liposuction can be used to sculpt the body’s contours and to harvest fat for transfer.
Volume Loss: In the context of aesthetics and aging, this refers to the loss of soft tissue fullness in the face, often leading to a sunken or hollowed appearance.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy): A surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck by removing excess skin, smoothing out folds or wrinkles, and tightening facial muscles and skin.
Collagen: A protein that provides structure to much of your body, including skin, hair, nails, bones, and ligaments. In the skin, collagen supplies strength and elasticity.
Elastin: A highly elastic protein in connective tissue that allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting; like collagen, it gives skin its elasticity.
Skin Elasticity: The skin’s ability to stretch and then return to its normal state once the need to stretch is gone.
Skin Laxity: Refers to a loss of skin elasticity or looseness of skin. It’s often a result of natural aging, sun damage, and lifestyle factors such as smoking.
Hyaluronic Acid: A naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps retain water to keep tissues well-lubricated. It’s often used in skincare products for its ability to draw and hold water, contributing to skin hydration and plumpness.
Recovery and downtime
In recovery after facial fat transfer, swelling, bruising, and redness are normal. These symptoms typically subside within about two weeks, yet you may be comfortable returning to work and many of your normal routine activities within a week.
It is important to avoid massaging or placing anything tight over the treated area to allow the fat time to integrate into your tissues. Follow your surgeon’s specific aftercare instructions you need to follow carefully, which will include a period of time away from strenuous activities or exercise to support a healthy healing process and beautiful results.
While the longevity of results varies from patient to patient, facial fat transfer generally offers more lasting results compared to synthetic dermal fillers. Once the transferred fat cells have integrated with existing tissues, they can last for many years.
Risks and complications
Facial fat transfer is a surgical procedure, and thus carries risks including infection, bleeding, unsatisfactory results, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Choosing a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon with proven expertise in fat transfer is an important step, as our surgeons have passed rigorous tests to demonstrate their safety and operate solely in accredited, fully equipped surgical facilities for your safety.
The risk of fat resorption
There is always a risk that the transferred fat will fail to “take” and, therefore, would not remain long-term in the treated area, making fat grafting a very delicate procedure that requires extensive knowledge of best practices for harvesting and purifying fat to increase its odds of survival. To help you achieve excellent results, it is key to find a facial cosmetic surgeon who is skilled in this particular anti-aging technique and who performs this procedure as a major part of their practice.
Cost
The cost of facial fat transfer will vary depending on factors like:
- The surgeon’s experience
- The geographic location of the practice
- The type of anesthesia used
- Any complementary procedures that are included in the surgical plan
Your surgeon should provide you with a detailed cost estimate during your consultation. Make sure this total includes all related fees, including operating room fees, surgeon’s fees, and anesthesia costs.
Many cosmetic surgeons offer financing options; be sure to ask about these options up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose weight after fat grafting?
If you lose weight after fat grafting, your transferred fat cells will shrink in proportion with the weight loss throughout the rest of your body. Thus, it is critical to be at a stable weight that you plan to maintain before proceeding with surgery.
Are you awake during fat transfer?
Fat transfer can be performed with either general anesthesia, in which case you are completely asleep, or with local anesthesia and sedation, meaning you are awake but sedated and may remember the operation.
Who can perform fat transfer?
Unlike dermal fillers, which may be offered by non-physician providers, fat grafting is a surgical procedure that must be performed by a qualified surgeon. While physicians from various backgrounds may legally offer this procedure, choosing a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon means that your surgeon is specially trained and experienced in facial aesthetics, dedicating all or a significant portion of their practice to cosmetic procedures of the head, face, and neck. We hold our members to high standards and verify that they operate in accredited, well-equipped facilities to promote patient safety. You may browse our surgeon directory here.
References
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Facial cosmetic surgeons certified by the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS) have undergone rigorous training and evaluation specifically in facial aesthetics. They are committed to maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and quality of care and staying up-to-date on the latest techniques and advancements in their field. Find a surgeon near you to schedule a consultation today.