As we get older, our faces lose volume, and the face thins. These changes can make the face look sunken and hollow, and many people turn to dermal fillers to restore facial volume.
Dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid are suitable for some patients, but facial fat transfer is all-natural, and the results last a long time.
Facial fat transfer involves removing fat from another part of the body with liposuction. The fat is washed and processed, then injected in small amounts into the face. The fact you can use your own fat is a significant advantage for people who are allergic to dermal fillers.
If you are thinking about facial fat transfer, below is essential information to consider, including whether facial fat transfer is permanent.
Facial Fat Transfer Benefits
The significant benefit of facial fat transfer is it fills in facial hollowness to make the face plumper and younger-looking. Also, the results usually last for years – unless you experience significant weight loss.
The transferred fat cells – usually taken from the abdomen or thighs – will integrate with native tissue and retain high volume for years. This makes your look consistent, and you won’t see significant facial volume changes for a long time.
Facial fat transfer also fills in loose skin and is a possible alternative to more invasive procedures, such as a facelift.
Facial fat transfer also is a minimally-invasive option that requires less recovery than a facelift and other procedures.
Further, facial fat transfer is a relatively low risk. Dermal fillers, for example, involve putting chemicals into the face to boost volume and collagen production. This procedure uses natural fat cells to make you look younger.
How Long Does Facial Fat Transfer Last?
One of the biggest questions people have is whether facial fat transfer is permanent. You can expect the results to last for many years, and for some, even for life.
The fat the surgeon puts in your face will stay there for years, which will make you look years younger with a fuller, fresher look. This is usually better than most dermal fillers, which typically need to be added every one or two years.
The transferred fat lasts longer because they are natural fat cells that live in the new environment. Once they settle in and develop their own blood supply, the tissue can last for many years.
While the transferred fat will stay indefinitely, it’s important to remember the aging process will continue. So, you may have facial volume loss in other parts of the face eventually.
Also, the surgeon will slightly overfill your face with transferred fat; not all of the transplanted tissue will survive. So, it will take a few months before you see the ultimate results.
Fat Transfer Or Dermal Fillers?
Some of the most popular nonsurgical facial procedures use dermal fillers such as Juvederm. These substances are injected into the face to increase volume, reduce hollowness, and smooth lines and wrinkles.
Many people prefer dermal fillers because they don’t require surgery, are affordable, and lasts for months.
However, dermal fillers only last between 12 and 24 months. But fat transfer can last for years. Fat transfer is more invasive than fillers because the transferred fat needs to be injected, but the results last longer.
Your surgeon will talk to you about dermal fillers vs. fat transfer so you can make the best choice.
Fat Transfer Or A Facelift?
Fat transfer works well over the long haul and can easily last 10 years or more. However, fat transfer won’t give the results of a facelift.
A facelift tightens the skin by removing lax tissue and pulling the remaining tissue higher on the face. A facelift can last up to 10 years and make you look up to 10 years younger.
Fat transfer may be preferable over a facelift in some patients if the significant issue is hollowness. Transferred fat fills hollows in the face, while a facelift tightens the skin and eliminates lines and wrinkles.
Your surgeon may combine a facelift and fat transfer to achieve the facial goals you want.
Facial Fat Transfer Recovery
After the procedure, you should avoid touching or rubbing your face for at least three to five days. Also, sleep on your back with your head elevated to reduce swelling. It’s also important to avoid strenuous workouts for one or two weeks.
Most patients go back to work after a week, and you probably can return to your regular activities at this time. Stick to light exercise for a few weeks, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.
It can take between seven and 10 days for the transferred fat to settle in the face. So you usually need to wait about two or three weeks before seeing the final results of the procedure.
If you have tried dermal fillers and got tired of having regular touch-ups, facial fat transfer could be for you. Fat transfer acts as a filler, but it removes fat from the body and puts it into the face to boost volume and smooth lines and wrinkles.
The procedure is often permanent, so talk to your surgeon about facial transfer today.
Request A Facial Fat Transfer Consultation Today
Interested in facial fat transfer in Dallas? Dr. Raja Mohan can help you obtain the results and look you want. He will go over the procedure with you and determine if fat transfer will work for your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
References
Facial Fat Grafting. (n.d.). Accessed at https://med.stanford.edu/cosmeticsurgery/aestheticservices/face/facial-fat-grafting.html
Facial Fat Grafting. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/plastic_reconstructive_surgery/services-appts/facial_fat_grafting.html