A beautiful, youthful face is characterized by smooth contours, with defined lines. As we age, our faces naturally begin to lose volume creating hollows that cast shadows about the face make it seemed aged. Over time, the inevitability of maturity takes hold and as structure-giving collagen decreases, skin begins to sag, and the fat deposits that give our features definition begin to slip away. Common complaints during aging include hollow cheeks and sunken eyes, in addition to the wrinkles that accompany this decrease in facial volume.
Although aging is inescapable, it doesn’t mean we are out of choices for correcting the effects. One of the most exciting developments in esthetics,facial fat grafting, involves harvesting fat from another body area, purifying the fat cells, and carefully injecting the cells as a filler into various facial areas providing a natural solution to restoring that supple, youthful volume throughout the face to smooth, plump, and rejuvenate.
Fat transfer re-volumizes and plumps up areas of the face with our own fat to eliminate wrinkles and re-contour your face providing definition and re-
contouring the dark circles and hollows under your eyes, plump up thinning lips, accentuate your jawline, lift up your sagging cheeks and bring a
more youthful appearance around your mouth.
WHY CHOOSE FAT GRAFTING
Fat grafting is a safe and effective method for eliminating signs of facial aging and restoring volume using your own fat. The process has several steps, the first of which is harvesting healthy fat cells from another area on your body, such as love handles, abdomen, thighs, or buttock. Once extracted, the cells are purified and then injected with a very fine needle into the facial areas that need plumping or restoration. Since fat transfer uses your own fat cells, there is essentially no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection.
Natural in both appearance and approach. Fat is the substance that naturally gives your skin its volume, shape, and contours. While other filler options seek to imitate the natural effects of fat, why not go for the real thing? Your surgeon will carefully inject the fat into your face in a way that imitates natural fat distribution for a completely natural look, unlike other techniques that can make it obvious a procedure has been performed. What’s more, although synthetic fillers are demonstrably safe and biocompatible, some of our patients are uncomfortable with the idea of introducing synthetic materials into their bodies – fat grafting is an all-natural alternative.
Permanent Results. Unlike temporary dermal fillers that are reabsorbed into the body, fat transfers, though not considered a permanent solution, result in long-lasting improvements. Injected fat cells are nourished by the body and become living, permanent tissue. By about three months after the procedure the results obtained can be considered permanent. Repeated injections may be necessary at times depending on the goals of treatment.
Stem cells and their benefits. Fat harvested from your own body has the unique advantage of containing revitalizing stem cells. Stem cells are capable of changing into different type of cells in the body, both replacing and repairing surrounding cells. These stem cells rejuvenate the face from the inside out for long-lasting, youthful results.
The “two birds with one stone” effect. Who hasn’t joked that they wished they could somehow take the fat from their thighs or stomach and place it somewhere else on their body? Well, now you can. The nature of the fat grafting process lends itself to dual benefits, as fat is both removed through liposuction or a similar procedure from the harvest site, and then used to restore volume where it has been lost to aging.
While many people choose to smooth lines and wrinkles or add volume to cheeks or other facial area with synthetic dermal fillers, this process involves the use of your own natural fat to achieve a younger, more rejuvenated appearance that can be permanent rather than only lasting months with traditional injectable fillers.
TYPICAL AREAS TREATED
• Thin lips
• Check Bones
• Dark circles under eyes
• Hollow orbits and tear trough
• Smile & Marionette Lines
• Temporal hollows
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PRODUCE THE AESTHETIC RESULT OF FACIAL FAT GRAFTING?
The recovery following facial fat grafting involves some swelling and bruising, which diminishes within approximately one week. After six months, the fat transferred to the facial area such as cheeks, temples or other area remains for the long term as part of your natural facial structure.
WILL FACIAL FAT TRANSFER BE PAINFUL?
The discomfort involved in facial fat grafting is minor and easily managed with oral pain medication. The area from which the fat has been extracted and the area of the face into which the purified fat is injected will both feel tender for a few days after the procedure.
WILL I BE PUT UNDER ANESTHETIC?
Every patient has a different response to pain. Typically, the facial fat grafting involves intravenous sedation in conjunction with local anesthetic. We discuss your individual thoughts about how you respond to minor pain or fear of pain to determine how to make the procedure comfortable for you.
WHY IS FACIAL FAT TRANSFER CONSIDERED SUPERIOR TO DERMAL FILLERS?
Many patients are looking for a longer-term solution. Dermal fillers will eventually be reabsorbed by the body. In the facial fat transfer procedure, the transferred fat cells become part of your body and will flourish for the years ahead in the new location.
HOW IS THE FAT HARVESTED FOR FACIAL FAT GRAFTING?
To harvest fat during facial fat grafting, a specialized cannula (tiny hollow needle) is employed. The size of the parcel of extracted fat cells is an important point in future viability when transferred to the new location. The suction used in the process is very gentle so fewer cells are damaged in the extraction process. It will be harvested from an area of the body with excess fatty deposits, such as thighs, buttocks, or love handles.
