The Facial Fat Injections Procedure

As we get older, the aging process takes an inevitable toll on our appearance. One of the areas that is most often affected first is our face. Changes to the elasticity of our skin as well as natural fat loss can cause people to develop a sallow expression, lines and wrinkles, deep set eyes and thin, dry-looking lips. Unsurprisingly, many people feel frustrated at these changes, particularly if they cause them to look older than they really are. Fortunately, there are cosmetic options available that can turn back the clock and enable patients to enjoy a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. One of these is facial fat injections.

What are facial fat injections?

Facial fat injections are a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure designed to take fat from your own body and use it to restore volume to areas of the face that have been affected by the aging process.

Although the process is more intensive than simply getting dermal fillers, the effect of facial fat transfer can last for several years, compared for just a matter of months for dermal fillers. This makes them a preferred option for people looking to make a sustained improvement in their appearance.

What issues can facial fat injections be used to treat?

Facial fat injections are designed to add volume to the face, and in doing so, they can address a variety of cosmetic concerns that you have with your appearance. These include:

• Plumping cheeks that have become hollowed or sunken due to advancing age or weight loss.

• Adding volume to hollows beneath the eyes that could be causing you to look tired or older than you really are.

• Augmenting thin lips so that they look plumper and more luscious.

• Filling scarring and indentations.

• Adding volume to laughter lines and the nasolabial folds.

• Giving the face more structure and definition.

• Smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles that could be causing you to look older than you really are.

If you aren’t sure if facial fat injections will be right to treat the concerns that you have, don’t hesitate to ask our cosmetic surgery team.

What is involved in a facial fat transfer procedure?

The procedure for facial fat injections is just like any other fat transfer technique. Firstly, using local anesthetic fat is taken from a pre-determined area of the body. This will be a fatty area such as the abdomen, hips or thighs. The harvesting process is done using liposuction, during which a small cannula is passed into the body which sucks out the fat using a vacuum.

Once the fat has been removed, it is passed through a centrifuge which will prepare it for reinjection back into your body – in this case, your face. Since only micro adjustments will need to be made to your appearance, very small amounts of fat are injected back into your face in line with the changes that your cosmetic surgeon is making. You’ll be able to have topical anesthetic ahead of this part of the process if you feel it is necessary.

Recovering after facial fat injections

Although facial fat transfer is minimally invasive, it’s normal to experience a little swelling, discomfort and bruising following your procedure. This may occur both in the area where you had liposuction to remove the fat, and in those areas of the face where you have had it replaced.

Your surgeon will advise you spend at least a few days resting, during which time you should keep your head elevated to help minimize the swelling. You can take over the counter pain relief if you feel that you need to.

Most patients are recommended to take a week off of work and exercise, after which time most of the bruising and swelling will have gone and you’ll be able to resume your usual activities.

If you would like to learn more about facial fat injections and how they can transform your appearance, please schedule an appointment with our discreet and friendly cosmetic surgery team.