Facial Fat Injection

What Is Facial Fat Injection?

Aging is a completely natural process that leads to various changes in the face and other parts of the body. The effects of aging are most prominently observed in the facial region, where the soft tissues of the face slide down over the underlying bone structure. Additionally, there is a loss of volume in the fat tissues that provide support under the skin.

To address the changes caused by aging and other contributing factors like volume loss, lines, wrinkles, and other alterations, various methods can be used. One of the effective and natural methods for facial rejuvenation is fat injection. Also known as autologous fat transfer, this procedure involves harvesting fat from the patient’s own body to correct deformities and volume loss in various areas.

Fat injection is currently one of the most preferred procedures with a wide range of applications. Fat is known to be one of the body’s most well-tolerated filling materials. Particularly for rejuvenating the hands and face, using fat cells as a filling substance is a common choice. One crucial feature of fat cells is their ability to survive and fulfill their filling function once injected into the target area. However, if the injected fat cells die, the filling effect diminishes.

While there are different methods for harvesting fat in fat injection procedures, the primary goal is always to minimize damage to the fat cells.

When Is Facial Fat Injection Applied?

Even with regular and effective moisturization, sun protection, and other preventive measures, the effects of aging become noticeable over time. Facial fat injection becomes a suitable solution when the signs of aging begin to manifest in the facial area.

Facial fat injection is suitable for the following conditions:

– Development of deep lines on the face
– Hollowing in the cheeks and under the eyes

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of fat injection diminishes when the lines on the face deepen, resulting in permanent scarring and folding. In such cases, interventions that provide subdermal support become crucial.

How Is Facial Fat Injection Performed?

In the facial fat injection treatment, fat is harvested from a suitable area of the patient’s body using special liposuction injectors. While the abdomen is often preferred due to the concentrated fat deposits, fat can also be harvested from areas like the waist and hips. If there is insufficient fat storage in the patient’s body, fat from the arms or legs may be used.

Facial fat injection is typically performed under local anesthesia, although general anesthesia might be considered if fat injection is part of another surgical procedure, such as facial rejuvenation. The harvested fat undergoes washing and centrifugation processes to purify the fat cells and make them ready for injection. The specific processing steps may vary based on the target area for injection.

In areas with thin skin, such as under the eyes, a nano-graft method is used, while micro-graft applications might be suitable for other facial areas. After preparing macro, micro, or nano grafts, they are injected into the target area.

What Are the Effects of Facial Fat Injection?

The face is the most common area for fat injection. It can be used to thicken the lips, define cheekbones, and fill deep wrinkles. The injected fat partially gets absorbed by the body, but the remaining portion retains its permanency. Fat injection stimulates collagen production and revitalizes the skin, offering a rejuvenating effect.

Who Is a Candidate for Facial Fat Injection?

Facial fat injection is suitable for individuals who are over 18 years old and do not have any health issues that would prevent the procedure. Those seeking lip thickening, cheekbone definition, improvement in the lower jaw’s aesthetic appearance, or nasolabial filling are ideal candidates.

Which Areas Can Facial Fat Injection Be Applied?

Facial fat injection can be applied to various areas, including temples, upper eyelids, mid-face region, tear troughs, marionette lines, chin tip, eye surroundings, under-eye area, upper cheekbones, nasolabial folds, lips, and along the edges of the lower jawbone.

Is Facial Fat Injection Permanent?

When properly performed, facial fat injection is considered permanent. While some of the injected fat may die, the remaining portion sustains its permanence.

Swelling and Bruising After Facial Fat Injection

Post-procedure, swelling and bruising may occur on the face and the area where fat was harvested. The effects of facial fat injection typically last for about 7 to 10 days. After this period, swelling rapidly diminishes, and the fullness becomes visible.

Techniques for Facial Fat Injection Transfer

The technique used for facial fat injection is determined based on the individual patient.

Structural Fat Grafting (Coleman Technique)

Fat is harvested with 2.4mm punches and injected with 1.2mm cannulas. The longevity of the fat is around 30% to 40%. Larger fat particles may lead to irregularities in areas with thin skin, such as cheeks and eyelids.

Microfat Grafting

Using 1.4mm cannulas for harvesting and 0.7mm cannulas for injection, microfat grafting allows for greater precision. This technique is ideal for applications in delicate areas like under the eyes, temples, and forehead.

Nanofat Grafting

In this method, fat is emulsified and then passed through a very fine filter, leaving only live stem cells. The resulting tissue is injected into the skin using fine needles, addressing superficial issues, fine wrinkles, and surface color problems.

Multiplanar Fat Tissue Transfer

In advanced aging, facial volume loss becomes more pronounced but varies for each individual. Multiplanar fat tissue transfer involves transferring tissues at different layers based on the specific needs of each area.

Alternatives and Complementary Procedures to Facial Fat Injection

An alternative to facial fat injection is the use of synthetic filler materials to add volume to the face.

Facial Fat Injection Prices

The cost of facial fat injection depends on factors such as the area of fat harvest, the area of injection, the technique used, the type of anesthesia, the surgeon’s expertise, and various other influencing factors.