The main feature of facial aging is volume reduction in various facial regions. This volume loss shows up at every level of the structure, from the atrophy of subcutaneous fat to the thinning of the skin and the shrinking of the bones through resorption.

Injections of hyaluronic acid have replaced dermal fillers as the leading anti-aging aesthetic medicine treatment available today. However, patients seeking more durable outcomes have been resorting to fat transfer or reinjection procedures in recent years.

One of the developments that has characterized cosmetic surgery in recent years is facial fat transfer techniques. They produce a very natural effect and aid in restoring volume loss with aging.

The ideal candidate for fat transfer, fat grafting, or lipo-filling is not sagging but whose face fat volumes have decreased. When performing lipo-filling during the same treatment, if the skin is loose, it needs to be pulled firm with a facelift. The choice of technique is determined by a number of factors, thus the consultation is crucial in order to define the therapeutic project and highlight the surgical options.

A fat transfer or fat grafting: what is it?

A surgical technique called fat transfer, or lipo-filling involves sucking fat out of one part of the body and reinjecting it into another that needs more volume.

In Korea, this process is frequently used to enhance the volume of soft tissue or modify it for aesthetic reasons. Reconstructive uses are also possible for it.

Areas of application:

Breast fat grafting: in addition to being a viable substitute for breast augmentation with an implant, breast lipo-filling can also be recommended to achieve an even more natural-looking outcome, especially in patients who are extremely thin.

Buttock fat grafting, also known as buttock lipo-filling, is a procedure used to restore volume to drooping or hollow buttocks and rebuild the arch to create a more harmonious appearance.

Hands fat grafting: in order to restore younger-looking hands, lipo-filling is used to fill up the bumps and hollows caused by aging skin and hands.

Face fat grafting: the all-natural and long-lasting substitute for hyaluronic acid injections is facial lipo-filling. Similar to the latter, they increase the skin's condition while also adding volume to the face and filling in wrinkles and hollows.

Facial fat grafting

Injections of fat are frequently used to fill in parts of the body that need volume and to counteract the effects of aging. In addition, it works marvelously to remove sagging and soften skin scar tissue. Age-related deep facial creases and facial fat pads are where volume losses mostly happen. With fat injections, wrinkles and scars can also be lessened or completely eliminated. It can be used on the forehead, nose beneath the eyes, and nasolabial fold. Areas like the chin and cheekbones get more volume.

Due to the considerable loss of collagen, the lower portion of the face will show the most signs of drooping skin. By restoring necessary skin volume, a face fat transfer can address mildly sagging skin without the need for surgery.

Which facial regions are targeted during the face fat grafting procedure?

- Fill up the black circles that are present in the lower eyelids. (eyes bag)

- Boost hollow cheekbones.

- Restore the cheekbones' natural curvature.

- Diminish the nasolabial folds.

- Lip corners and the chin.

Who is the ideal candidate for facial fat transfer (fat grafting)?

You might be a candidate for facial fat grafting if you have any of the following concerns:

- The brow has deep horizontal lines.

- Deep creases separating the eyebrows

- The eyes are surrounded by lines and wrinkles

- Areas surrounding the eyes that are hollow and give a sad look

- Receding temple

- Deep furrows surrounding the nose and mouth

- Crawls

- Limited Lip Definition

- Tiny or hollow lips

- A diminished cheek volume

- A tiny little chin

When is the right moment to undergo facial fat grafting or lipo-filling

For individuals between the ages of 35 and 50, a facial fat grafting or lipo-filling procedure can make up for the initial phases of facial aging, which are characterized by hollowing around the cheekbones, dark circles, and temples. In this instance, fat grafting is frequently used on the entire face to rejuvenate the skin and bring back its shine.

Fat grafting or lipo-filling can be performed with a facelift or cervicofacial lift for individuals over 50 who have more defined faces.

What is the difference between facial fat grafting or lipo-filling and hyaluronic acid injections?

Lipofilling is distinct from other synthetic products and hyaluronic acid injections in two key ways:

Because no foreign body is injected and the patient's cells are used, truly an autograft rather than a filler, the outcome is satisfactory (hyaluronic acid only has a temporary impact). Any allergy or rejection risk is eliminated.

Advantages of facial fat grafting

Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer or lipo-filling, is a procedure that has many advantages. It can be used to alter certain parts of the face and treat many elements of facial aging that other procedures neglect.

Rejuvenate the face naturally

Filling in the different wrinkles on the face is made feasible by the injection of fat cells:

Horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, frown lines between the eyebrows, crow's feet lines at the outer corner of the eyes, nasal folds from the nose to the mouth, and bitterness lines from the corners of the lips to the chin are all examples of wrinkles.

Boost the volume and plump

Plump the face's oval

By adding volume to certain areas of the face, such as the temples, cheekbones, or cheeks—which tend to get deeper with age—lipo-filling can help revitalize the oval of the face.

To revitalize the appearance, treat dark circles.

An intriguing treatment for removing the shadow or hollow part of dark circles and revitalizing the valley of tears is fat injection. This method can be used to update the appearance at any age.

Lips enlargement or augmentation

Lips may be overly thin or may have thinned with age. Lipo-filling gives you the option to regain volume. Depending on the needs, the injection can be given to both lips or just the upper or lower lip. The process of lip fat transfer entails taking out a patient's undesirable fat cells and putting them into their lips. Compared to dermal filler injections, the results of this procedure are more durable and may persist for several years.

Enhance the quality of your skin

Lipofilling also gives the skin a radiant appearance because the fat cells, or adipocytes, contain growth factors that encourage the dermal cells to produce more collagen, which makes the skin more hydrated and supple. skin in the place that was transplanted. Fat injection is another treatment option for some scars, such as acne.

The nose and chin reshaping

Fat transfer helps in modifying the nose and chin to some degree. A drooping or flat chin can be improved with fat transfer to the chin. The surgeon will inject fat cells to enhance the jawline and provide extra volume.

Cheeks

Dermal filler application into the cheeks can lead to unnatural outcomes. Fat transfer can produce an appearance that is natural. Furthermore, there is no chance of rejection because the patient's own fat cells are extracted by the surgeon.

How is facial fat transfer performed?

Any part of the body with a sufficient quantity of extra fat will be used to harvest fat for the facial fat transfer procedure. Patients usually select to have fat removed from the thighs, hips, or abdomen, but fat can also be taken from other regions, such as under the chin, the upper arms, or anywhere else where fat reduction and contouring is wanted. The doctor uses an advanced filtration system to handle the harvested supply of fat after the proper amount has been obtained. By ensuring that only the healthiest cells are reinjected throughout the grafting process, this technique aids in the purification of the fat. The best and longest-lasting results can be obtained with healthy fat and stem cells. Depending on the required level of volume enhancement and the areas to be injected again, the purified fat is then reinjected into the face using a range of specialist procedures.

The process in a nutshell is: 1. Harvesting  2. Centrifugation  3. Fat transfer

What are the potential risks and complications of facial fat transfer or fat grafting?

Although there is always a chance of bleeding, infection, and scarring after surgery, the risk associated with fat transfer is minimal. The patient's bodily fat cells are harvested by the surgeon. This indicates they won't be rejected or attacked by their immune system. On the other hand, it could appear unnatural if too much fat is shifted to one location. With years of experience, a very skilled and experienced plastic surgeon can precisely determine how much fat needs to be removed to give you the desired appearance.

FAQ
When do I have to expect to see results following a facial fat transfer (fat grafting)?

The results are immediate, but it's normal to experience some swelling and bruises as well as some fat cells that don't graft. It will therefore take a few months to see the complete findings. There is usually a noted improvement in the texture of the skin, and your face should look softer and fuller.

How does facial fat transfer (fat grafting) cost?

The quantity of fat that must be harvested from the targeted areas, the number of injections required to achieve the desired facial appearance, and any additional treatments that will be added will all affect how much your facial fat transfer will cost. You will receive an estimate for your customized treatment plan following your initial consultation with the doctor when you will discuss your aesthetic goals.

What about facial fat transfer (fat grafting) recovery?

Most frequently, facial fat transfer (fat grafting) is performed in conjunction with another facial procedure. The peculiarities of the previous procedure mostly dictate the recovery in these circumstances. Merely recovering from this treatment may require two weeks of moderately restricted heavy activity and possible bruising and swelling. Most patients will resume their regular activities with a gradual increase after two weeks.

What are the main benefits of facial fat transfer (fat grafting)?

- Long-term results

- Results that seem natural

- Slims and reduces the area of the donor

- Firms and plump up the skin

- Gives an impression of youth

- Improves cheeks that appear hollow

- Fills in the gaps left in tears through

- Boosts one's confidence

Related reading:

What is Under Eye Fat Repositioning & Grafting?

Anti-aging procedures with docfinderkorea

Restore your youthful appearance by delaying the aging process. One minimally invasive way to give your face back its volume is by facial fat transfer (fat grafting). For certain individuals, this process may serve as an alternative to a conventional facelift. Book for your online-consultation now with Docfinderkorea.