Face Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer

Face Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer

Face Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer (Facial Fat Grafting) is one of the most popular and effective facial rejuvenation methods. By injecting autologous fat that has been harvested, processed, and selected from the patient's own body, this method helps restore volume and eliminate wrinkles while ensuring minimal invasiveness.

Client before and after Fat Grafting at the Cheek and Temple areas

Before and after images of client undergoing Facial Fat Grafting, alarplasty, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and brow lift.

One month after Fat Grafting to fill the temple, midface, and lower eyelid hollows.

Client before and after undergoing the Periorbital Fat Grafting

70s client before and after undergoing Fat Grafting to treat the nasolabial fold, facelift, browlift, and lower eyelid surgery  

U70 client's transformation after undergoing FaceLift, BrowLift, and Lower Eyelid Surgery

60s client underwent Fat Grafting to treat nasolabial fold, blepharoplasty, and threadlift. 

ThreadLift - The safe and effective rejuvenation secret method revealed by Dr Thai

Facial aging process

A full, rounded face with firm, youthful skin has been proven to be a key factor in enhancing physical attractiveness in both men and women. However, over time, these features gradually diminish due to the effects of aging on the soft tissue layers of the face.

• Degradation of the elastin and collagen network: Reduces skin elasticity, causing the skin to sag, droop, and form wrinkles in various facial areas such as the forehead, crow's feet, and nasolabial folds.
• Loss of subcutaneous fat and dehydration: Reduces facial volume, creating a hollow, gaunt appearance, particularly noticeable in the cheeks, temples, and under-eye area.
• Weakening of facial muscles and ligaments: Causes facial soft tissues to sag, lower eyelid fat pads to protrude forming under-eye bags, and the jawline to lose its definition.

Facial aging process simulation

Overview of facial aging treatment methods

There are two main groups of facial rejuvenation methods:

1. Facelift methods: The surgeon removes excess skin and tissue while lifting and securing these structures into a new, more youthful position. For patients in the early stages of aging or those who wish to avoid scarring, minimally invasive or non-invasive facial lifting options may be applied.

2. Volume restoration and augmentation methods: The surgeon replenishes volume-deficient areas through filler injections, implant placement, or autologous fat grafting. Among these methods, autologous fat grafting is considered the superior solution as it uses the patient's own tissue, delivering natural and long-lasting results.

Benefit of Facial Fat Grafting

The face contains multiple fat pad that support and elevate the underlying structures, defining facial contours. Facial fat grafting restore volume to these fat pads by filling the voids left by diminished fat cells with healthier fat cells, thereby reversing signs of aging.

Treatment Planning

The face contain two main fat layers: the superficial fat layer (subcutaneous) and the deep fat layer. These two layers have different roles and aging processes; understanding the characteristics of each layer helps patients identify the appropriate treatment approach:

- The superficial fat layer comprises small fat compartments located just beneath the skin, distributed evenly across the face. With aging, the atrophy of this fat layer combined with collagen and elastin degradation weakens the outward push against the skin, while the inward pulling force of facial muscles remains, creating force imbalance and forming deep wrinkles. Fat injection into the superficial layer helps treat nasolabial folds, forehead wrinkles, and the brow region. This method can be combined with B.o.t.o.x to reduce muscle activity and improve dynamic wrinkles.

- The deep fat layer consists of fat compartments located primarily in the cheek area and periorbital areas, serving as the foundational support for the entire facial structure. When this fat layer atrophies due to aging, the face becomes gaunt, hollow, and loses its youthful fullness.

Due to the complexity of fat compartment distribution in the facial region, the surgeon will conduct a thorough examination and assessment of the facial condition to determine priority treatment areas, while performing measurements and estimating the amount of fat that can be grafted to these selected regions. This selective approach helps patients achieve optimal aesthetic results at the most reasonable cost.

Facial Fat Pads Locations

Treatment Process

Facial fat grafting is a short procedure, lasting approximately one hour, and can be combined with other cosmetic surgeries such as facelift or midface lift. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and consists of three main steps:

• Fat harvesting: Fat is gently harvested through liposuction from the abdomen or thighs.
• Fat processing: The harvested solution is processed to select the healthiest fat cells for grafting.
• Fat grafting: The surgeon injects the fat into the fat compartments within the pre-planned treatment areas. To increase fat cell survival rate, the surgeon may combine the injection with stem cells or platelet-rich plasma and fibrin to enhance the success of the procedure.

The process of Fat Grafting

Postoperative Care and Recovery

To ensure a smooth recovery, patients should follow the surgeon's instructions:

- Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and attend all follow-up appointments.

- Take prescribed pain medication for a comfortable recovery.

-  Sleep with the head elevated.

-  Apply cool compresses (not cold) during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling; note that excessively low temperatures may affect fat cells.

- Wear compression garments continuously (24/7, except when bathing) for the first 2 weeks to stabilize the fat layer and support new blood vessel formation.

Risk

Due to the complexity of the vascular network, nerves, and fat compartment locations in the facial region, facial fat grafting carries various potential risks. These risks include damage to blood vessels and nerves, as well as aesthetic issues from over- or under-grafting, which may lead to revision surgeries. However, these risks can be significantly minimized when the procedure is performed by a highly skilled and experienced surgeon.

* The final results also depend on individual's physiology.