Loss of facial volume, a natural part of the aging process, can be treated with facial fat transfer. Surgical procedures such as facelift and mini-facelift reposition sagging tissues and remove excess skin, but in some areas of the face do little to restore youthful volume.
Facial fat transfer is the harvesting of fat cells from one part of the body and transplanting these cells to volume-deficient areas of the face, restoring natural youthful contours and improving skin texture.
Good candidates for this procedure to the face have lost facial volume whether from the aging process or trauma. If you have facial areas that are concave or would look better with additional volume, you may be a candidate.
During your consultation at Facial Cosmetic Surgery Associates we will advise you if you are a candidate for fat transfer to the face, as a standalone procedure or in conjunction with other facial procedures.
Transplanted fat cells are living cells that need to survive in their new environment. Survival of the transplanted fat cells depends on developing a new blood supply where they have been placed. Because of this, transplanted fat cells are not placed superficially under the skin, but are placed deeper under the skin, closer to the muscles, where the blood supply and fat cell survival is better.
The donor fat typically is taken from the abdominal area, but can come from other areas of the body such as the thighs and hips. The harvested fat cells are processed to isolate the fat cells and transferred to small syringes. The prepared fat cells are placed in small aliquot with a small cannula through tiny incisions to volume deficient areas of the face.
Typically 75 – 80% of transplanted fat cells survive. Those that do not survive are broken down and eliminated by the body. Transplanted fat cells will last 5-6 years, depending on multiple aging factors.
Recovery takes several days for the swelling and bruising to improve. Make-up can be worn after just a few days. Pain is minimal after this procedure.
Fat Transfer FAQs
Patients travel from throughout northern California to Facial Cosmetic Surgery Associates for facial fat transfer. Board-certified facial plastic surgeons at Facial Cosmetic Surgery Associates have the expertise and artistry needed for successful results.
This procedure can restore sunken temples, flatten cheekbones, hollow cheeks, nasolabial grooves, weakness of the jaw bone to name a few of the most popular areas. In addition to restoring youthful volume, many patients note their skin has a healthier glow.
The advantages of this procedure include lasting longer than traditional off the shelf dermal fillers, no risk of reaction to your own fat, the ability to customize the fat injection to accommodate asymmetries of the face, and lower risk of infection compared to cheek implants. Another advantage of fat transfer to the face is the ability to treat multiple areas of volume loss at one time.
Microfat and nanofat transfers refer to fat cells that have been passed through various filters to break down the fat cells, releasing the signal factors within the fat cell. Micro fat and nanofat injections are placed more superficially helping to improve superficial lines, contour irregularities and skin quality. Microfat and nanofat are more aggressive refinements of harvested fat that can improve superficial lines and contour irregularities.