Fat Injection to the face

Fat Injection to the face

In facial fat grafting, fat is moved to the face from another part of the body. The procedure may also be called fat transfer, micro-lipoinjection, facial fat rejuvenation, autologous fat grafting or transfer, or fat injection.

It offers a more youthful appearance and can also correct problems like scars. It is commonly used in the lips, the folds that go from the corners of the mouth to the nose, the under-eye areas, and the cheeks.

Facial fat grafting is commonly performed at the same time as other facial-rejuvenating procedures such as a facelift or an eye lift.

What to expect during facial fat grafting

Facial Fat Transfer (microlipoinjection – autologous fat transfer) is a procedure in which an individual’s own body fat is used to plump up sunken or emaciated areas of the face or to add volume where desired. The word “autologous” simply refers to the use of one’s own tissues or fat. Because the patient’s own fat is used, facial fat transfer requires three steps. The first step involves the gentle liposuction of some excess fat from the jowls, abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. The second step involves the isolation and cleansing of the fat cells. The third and final step involves the injection of the fat cells into the targeted facial areas.

The facial areas that can be improved with fat transfer include creases in the forehead or in between the eyebrows, and hollows under the eyes. Facial fat transfer can also plump up or improve the contour around the nose, the area between the upper lip and the nose, the jawline, and the temples. Indeed, facial fat transfer can correct scars, sunken or hollow areas, and any place on the face or neck where fat has been lost.
Some of these facial areas need only one fat injection for noticeable and long-lasting improvement, whereas others will require more than one fat transfer to be adequately corrected.

Recovery from facial fat graft surgery

Your doctor may prescribe pain medication for a few days after procedure. You may also be told to stay still for a few days after the procedure. There may be bruising and you will likely have some swelling. Both generally go mostly away in a couple of days and the swelling should be completely gone within four weeks.