Facial Fat Grafting

Facial Fat Transfer: A Solution for Restoring Youthful Volume

Facial fat transfer, also known as fat injections or fat grafting, is a cosmetic procedure that involves transferring fat from one area of the body to another to address volume loss and rejuvenate the face. This innovative technique has gained popularity for its ability to restore a youthful, vibrant appearance.

Why Should I Consider Facial Fat Transfer?

As we age, it’s common to experience a gradual loss of facial fat. This natural aging process affects everyone, typically becoming noticeable in the mid-thirties and progressing over the years. The loss of facial fat can make the face appear gaunt, tired, and aged.

Facial fat transfer is designed to combat this volume loss and revitalize your facial contours. It’s effective for both men and women looking to achieve a more youthful appearance by eliminating hollows and depressions in the face.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Facial Fat Transfer?

Aging Adults desiring treatment of facial hallows to improve restore a more youthful appearance.

Younger Patients with genetic volume loss patterns, particularly around the eyes. They may choose this procedure to enhance their facial balance and attractiveness.

Those with Volume Deficiencies: Patients who lack full and youthful cheeks, resulting in a narrow or flat facial appearance, can benefit from fat transfer to create fuller cheeks.

How Does Facial Fat Transfer Work?

Facial fat transfer is a highly effective procedure because it replaces lost facial fat with your body’s own natural fat. It is considered a permanent “filler”.

How is Fat Transferred to the Face?

• Fat Harvesting: Dr. Satterfield will carefully harvest excess fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs using gentle liposuction techniques. The area will be discussed and decided on before the procedure.
• Purification: The harvested fat is purified to remove impurities, ensuring that only healthy fat cells are used using the most advanced technology.
• Injection: The purified fat, called microfat, is then strategically injected into the areas of the face that require volume restoration. This can include the cheeks, under the eyes, or along the jawline.

What is Microfat, Nanofat? What’s the Difference?

Microfat, as the name suggests, refers to small fat particles. These particles are between 0.5mm and 1.2mm in size, roughly the size of a pencil tip. By filtering and refining the fat to this size, the fat that is transferred is not only more likely to survive, but also less likely to cause complications such as lumps or inflammatory reactions. This size of fat is excellent for facial rejuvenation by restoring facial volume loss, addressing deep wrinkles, and improving contour irregularities. This fat also rich in stem cells, which may also help to improve the health and appearance of the skin.

Nanofat is an even more refined form of fat, where the fat is filtered further and broken down into something called a stromal vascular fraction, rich in growth factors and stem cells. This type of fat is smaller than 0.5mm and can be used more superficially in the skin the improve fine lines and wrinkles, brighten dark circles under the eyes or even improve the appearance of scars.

How Long Does Facial Fat Transfer Last?

Facial fat transfer offers long-lasting results. Once the transferred fat establishes a blood supply in its new location, it becomes a permanent part of your facial tissue. While you may experience some initial volume reduction in the first few months, the final results typically stabilize within a year and can last for many years.

Will All of the Fat Transferred Survive?

It’s important to know that the amount of fat that survives once transferred is variable from person to person, but usually stabilize at about 1 year. To improve chances of successful transfer, patients are advised to stop smoking, get regular exercise, and make sure they are getting sufficient protein in their diet.

What Happens If I Gain Weight After Facial Fat Transfer?

Fat transferred to the face from other parts of the body will continue to behave like the original location of the fat. So if someone gains weight around their abdomen, then the transferred fat will also likely increase in size, which may cause facial puffiness. Due to this, patients who are not at a stable consistent weight for more than a year are not candidates for this procedure.

What is Recovery After Facial Fat Transfer Like?

All patients should expect swelling and occasional bruising, with the greatest swelling occurring between days two and four post-surgery. Most patients can resume normal activities within two to three weeks as swelling and bruising subside. Many patients take four to five days off work for recovery, though some may return sooner depending on their job.

Restore Your Youthful Volume Today

Facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive procedure that offers natural and long-lasting results, making it an excellent choice for those looking to restore lost facial volume and achieve a more youthful appearance.