Facial Fat Transfer: Restoring Volume With Your Own Tissue

With ageing, the face may show not only sagging skin but also volume loss in the cheeks, temples and around the eyes. Fat transfer (fat grafting) means taking fat from another area of a person’s own body, processing it and transferring it to areas of the face that have lost volume. In this article we cover facial fat transfer in general terms.

How is it done?

Fat is usually harvested with fine cannulas from an area with fat tissue, such as the abdomen, flanks or thighs. It is processed to separate it from fluid and blood components and then placed in small amounts in different layers of the planned areas of the face. It can be performed on its own or planned together with procedures such as a facelift, neck lift or eyelid surgery.

When may it be considered?

• volume loss in the cheeks and cheekbone area,
• hollowing of the temples,
• a pronounced hollow at the transition between lower eyelid and cheek,
• cases where volume support is planned alongside a facelift.

Suitability is decided at the consultation based on facial structure, degree of volume loss, general health and the amount of fat that can be harvested.

How does it differ from fillers?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are ready-made products that the body absorbs over time. Fat transfer uses the person’s own tissue; part of the transferred fat can survive where it is placed and remain for longer. However, how much of the fat will persist cannot be known in advance and varies from person to person, so some people may need an additional session. As fat transfer is a surgical procedure, recovery takes longer than with fillers.

Recovery

Swelling and bruising can occur on the face and at the harvest site. Initially the face may look fuller for a while, as the planned volume accounts for the fat that will be lost. Swelling usually decreases over weeks and the result settles over months. Follow-up visits are important for monitoring the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fat transferred to the face permanent?

Part of the transferred fat is absorbed by the body, while the rest may remain in place for a long time. How much persists varies and cannot be predicted precisely.

Can fat transfer be done in very slim people?

Although small amounts of fat are usually enough for the face, the amount that can be harvested is assessed at the consultation. If it is not suitable, other options are discussed.

Does weight change affect the result?

Transferred fat can respond to weight changes like other fat cells in the body, so keeping a stable weight is recommended.

For more information, visit our Face and neck lift page and our article on why fillers are temporary, and reach us via our contact page.

This article is for informational purposes only; a medical examination by a physician is required for diagnosis and treatment.