Age can take a toll on our looks. From decreasing skin elasticity to developing wrinkles, aging can significantly reduce the radiance and tightness of our skin. Other factors that can decrease the volume in our faces may include stress, major weight loss, exposure to the sun, etc. One highly effective way to bring back natural-looking volume and youthfulness is to get facial fat grafting procedures. It can easily give a plumped and fresh look and even lift the face. Continue reading to find out more about this organic facial enhancement procedure for voluminous skin.
🔬 Scientific foundation of facial fat grafting
The human facial anatomy contains bones, muscles, and fat pads. The skin is what covers all of this. As we age, our bones become thinner, our skin begins to sag, and the fat pads might move around, leading to reduced volume in certain parts of the face. Facial fat grafting is a great way to improve the contours of the face and add volume to targeted areas. This can also help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles on the skin in those areas.
The fat is taken from areas such as the abdominal area or inner thighs, where there is a high amount of fat, and then processed. After this, the fat is then injected where volume is needed, while the donor site becomes slimmer.
Fat harvesting techniques
One of the techniques used for fat harvesting in this procedure is liposuction. The tumescent liposuction technique is the ideal method where a cannula and a liposuction device are used.
Another technique for harvesting includes the use of a manual syringe attached to a cannula. This method is suitable for more precision during fat grafting.
Processing and purification
Before being injected, the fat has to be processed and purified. Decantation is one technique to help with this, where the fat is allowed to settle and gravity separates the fat from the oil and blood. Centrifugation is another method where a centrifuge spins the fat to purify it.
Injection technique for survival
Now, for natural volume restoration in the face, the fat is transferred to areas that lack volume. The method used for these autologous fat injections includes the Microdroplet technique, which involves injecting fat droplets in various tissue layers for detailed contouring. The fat cells have an improved chance of survival with this technique.
✨ Target areas and applications of facial fat grafting
Fat transfer can offer facial rejuvenation when added to parts of the face that need more lift and enhancement.
Cheek enhancement
Fat grafting can be used to give some lift to the upper cheek area. It can also be used to accentuate the apples of the cheeks. In this way, facial fat grafting can restore the lost volume and rejuvenate the face by giving it a natural fullness.
Temple hollowing correction
Age, weight loss, and other factors may cause temple hollowing. This makes the temporal bone and even veins more visible due to the loss of fat and skin thickness. Fat grafting is a great way to eliminate temple hollowing and volumize the area.
Nasolabial fold softening
Nasolabial folds or smile lines can develop because of a variety of reasons, but they can be easily softened using facial fat grafting. This procedure is ideal as it does not give one a “pillow-face” the way fillers do, and the stem cells in the fat help with better skin as well.
Lip augmentation
Using facial fat grafting for lip augmentation is the perfect way to get a fuller and more natural pout.
Under-eye rejuvenation
For those who have sunken under-eyes, fat grafting acts as a filler to plump and volumize the under-eyes.
👩⚕️ Fat vs. fillers comparison
Both dermal fillers and fat grafting are frequently used in facial aesthetics. Dermal fillers are minimally invasive, last between 6 and 24 months, and will eventually require reapplication. Fat grafting or transfer is also minimally invasive, however, the results last a long time and are considered semi-permanent to permanent.
Compared to fat, fillers are firm to the touch and, depending on the position, may appear artificial. Fillers also do not move as naturally as normal tissue with facial expressions. Fat, on the other hand, is more dynamic in movement and looks natural. Both fat and fillers have a low allergy risk and are compatible with facial tissues. Fat grafting may have a higher risk of post-surgical swelling, which eventually subsides with time.
Fat grafting requires multiple sessions, has a longer post-surgical recovery period, and may cost more upfront. However, due to the better longevity of the results, fat transfer may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Advanced techniques
The difference between advanced fat grafting techniques like Micro and Nano Fat Grafting is the size of the fat particles. Micrografting uses small pieces of fat (maintaining viable fat cells) that are suitable for volume restoration in superficial facial areas. Whereas, Nanografting uses emulsified fat deposits for skin rejuvenation, like treating fine lines, wrinkles, etc.
Enriched Fat Preparations aims to avail the restorative and regenerative properties of stem cells and growth factors. Examples include SVF-enriched fat, PRP-enriched fat, and ADSC-enriched fat.
Other techniques may combine fat grafting with procedures like fillers, laser therapies, Facelift surgeries, and PRP. Combined procedures work well in dealing with two issues at once; for example, by combining fat and fillers, surgeons can restore both facial volume and contours.
🔍 Expected results
During the early postoperative period, fat grafting gives a slightly fuller appearance to the face. There may be some swelling and bruising, which obscures skin texture, and the results may look asymmetrical. With time, some of the fat resorbs, the swelling and bruising subside, and facial symmetry is restored as the fat deposits settle and revascularize. Early results are visible after the first 3-6 months, however, the complete aesthetic outcome may take up to a year.
🔴 Multiple fat grafting sessions provide cosmetic surgeons with the opportunity to correct volume loss due to fat resorption, fine-tune some areas, and improve facial symmetry.
Although the results of fat grafting are considered semi-permanent to permanent, weight fluctuations, lifestyle changes, and diet may impact longevity. Spot reapplication may be necessary in some cases. Even with proper maintenance protocols, the aging process may eventually impact the fat grafting outcome. Therefore, touch-ups or other adjunctive procedures may be required by some patients. 💎 Our before-and-after photos of the impressive transformations carried out by our surgeons are a testament to our dedication to high-quality care. Contact us today to book your consultation with the best surgeons in Turkey!
