While wrinkles often grab your attention the true signature of an aging face is often the subtle yet significant loss of volume when you talk about facial aging a lot of people think of wrinkles. But aging is way more than just lines on your face. One of the most noticeable changes that often gets ignored is the gradual loss of volume especially in the cheeks, temples and under the eyes. That is where the fat transfer to face comes in the picture. It is also known as grafting or lipo lifting. It is different from synthetic fillers as fat transfers uses your own body's fat to restore volume and smoothness to the face. It's a natural long lasting solution that doesn't just make you look young but it also helps you look like yourself again. In this guide you can learn everything about facial fat grafting, and how it works.
As you start getting older a lot of changes happen beneath the surface of your skin. The soft pads in your face start to shrink and shift downward because of gravity. This causes areas like the cheeks and temples to look hollow. Your facial bones also lose density with time; this weakens the underlying structure and leads to sagging.
The internal changes have a huge impact on how your face looks. Before you go for fat transfer for facial rejuvenation, with Dr. Jain at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeon Los Angeles, you need to understand how your volume loss impacts your appearance. The mid phase begins to collapse during a southern look. As fat disappears from the under eye circles the eyes can look tired. The lines from the nose to the mouth and the mouth to the chin become deeper.
Ideally fat grafting for the face, is a procedure where fat is taken from one part of your body and carefully placed into another part. It's completely natural because the filler is your own fat. It is all about harvesting the fat from areas like your abdomen or thighs and purifying the fat to keep only healthy fat cells. Then it is injected into specific areas of your face to restore volume and improve contours.
Harvesting is the first step of fat transfer facelift. It basically includes gentle liposuction usually from your tummy or thighs. A small incision is made and fat is removed using the thin cannula. It is important that the fat is taken gently to avoid damage to the cells.
The fat then goes through a special process to separate the good fat cells from the rest of fluids and blood. This includes centrifugation, filtration and decanting. It is because the healthier the fat the better the results.
Finally the purified fat is injected in your face using tiny amounts at a time and a fine cannula to heal facial volume loss. It's done in layers to ensure smooth event results first of the surgeon will carefully shape and contour the area so that the final look is natural.
Fat transfer can rejuvenate the face in several key areas. In cheek it rebuilds the fullness of youthful cheeks creating a subtle lift. Temples are all about filling the hollow spots that can make the face look narrow or aged. Under eyes is all about softening the dark hollows under the eyes for a fresher or a more aware look.
One of the best parts about anti-aging treatments is all about improving skin quality. Fat tissue is not just fat it contains stem cells and growth factors. The components can help you improve your skin texture and increase radiance. A lot of people also report that the skin feels soft and looks healthier after fat grafting thanks to the added benefit.
Recommended Read: Facelift Vs. Fat Grafting With Facelift: Which Is Right For You?
You can expect a natural look and feel because it's your own fat as the results look real and seamless and there is no risk of allergic reaction. The fat feels like your own facial tissue because it is.
One of the biggest advantages of facial aesthetics is that it lasts a long time. While about 30 to 40% of the fat might be reabsorbed in the first few months, the remaining fat usually becomes a permanent part of your face. This makes it a long term solution as compared to temporary fillers.
You might be a great candidate if you are noticeable volume loss and you want a more natural long lasting solution. You're generally healthy and you have enough fat available for harvesting then you can expect volume restoration.
Your journey starts with a detailed consultation. The surgeon will evaluate your facial volume and skin condition and identify suitable donor areas, discuss your objectives, expectations and whether you are a good candidate.
The procedure is generally an outpatient treatment. Local sedation is used and it can take around one to two hours depending on how many areas are treated.
Swelling and bruising are normal parts of natural facial rejuvenation . Most of the swelling peaks in the first few days and gradually fades over two to three weeks. Full results are generally visible after three to six months once the fact settles and integrates. You might even need to avoid intense activity for a week or so.
Just like any procedure that transfer also carries some risks like infections or over or under correction. But with skilled experts these risks are generally rare.
So above all you need to know that aging is a natural process but that doesn't mean you have to live with a face that doesn't reflect how youthful and vibrant you feel inside. Fat transfers offer a natural safe and long lasting way to bring back the softness and vitality of a younger face. By using your own fat this procedure restores the lost volume and also improves the skin quality.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF
SURGEONS
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH
CAROLINA
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF
COSMETIC SURGERY
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF
LIPOSUCTION SURGERY