Facial fullness is usually a feature of youth. The aging process can lead to loss of this fullness. Hollowing of the temples, cheeks and lips can contribute to a gaunt, aged appearance. Fat grafting has increasingly been used for facial rejuvenation. Fat has several advantages over other soft-tissue fillers in that it is completely natural and long-lasting.
When performed in the face fat transfer can plump the lips, improve facial contours and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is also frequently performed with facial surgery to enhance the overall results. Discover the many ways fat transfer is used for facial rejuvenation with the following treatment guide.
Enhance Your Lips
Full, symmetrical lips can beautifully complement the face, but lips tend to lose volume over time. Some patients feel that their lips never had ideal volume to begin with. While many people want to enhance their lips to address these concerns, permanent implants aren’t always the best option. Fat taken from the patient’s own body provides a natural and long-lasting alternative.
Transferred fat establishes a blood supply in the lips and will remain long term. Lip enhancement through fat transfer can also be customized to your desired aesthetic, whether you’re seeking a subtle or more dramatic enhancement.
Restore Volume and Sculpt Your Face
Facial fat droops downward over time, causing the face to lose volume. These age-related changes eventually create a hollowed-out look, especially on the cheeks and temples. Fat transfer can restore facial volume and replenish these areas with healthy-looking fullness. This helps correct the gaunt appearance that sometimes occurs with age.
The distribution of subcutaneous fat also plays an important role in the creation of facial contours. If your face lacks pleasing definition, fat can be used to sculpt the face and create more pleasing contours. This procedure is also adapted to highlight your natural features.
Smooth Away Wrinkles and Surface Irregularities
Marionette lines and nasolabial folds are some of the most bothersome signs of aging, and they can worsen the appearance of drooping facial tissues. It’s common for these cosmetic concerns to make people look upset or tired, even when they feel great. Fat transfer can soften this visual downward pull, allowing you to look refreshed and rejuvenated.
In addition to wrinkles, surface irregularities are also a concern for many patients. Unlike hyperpigmentation and other skin imperfections, skin indentations can’t simply be covered with makeup. Fat grafts can help even out these areas. This results in even skin texture that looks smooth, plump and youthful.
Combine with Facial Surgery
Blepharoplasty
Dr. Pugash frequently uses fat transfer while performing other facial surgeries such as blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift surgery) is designed to remove excess eyelid skin and eliminate eye bags. Patients seeking this procedure may have hollowing under the eyes. While blepharoplasty can’t address this issue, fat transfer can effectively restore volume to the under eyes. This helps rejuvenate the eye area and improves skin texture for a more fully rejuvenated appearance.
Facelift
Facelift surgery is another procedure that is often performed with fat transfer. Facial fat and other tissues are usually repositioned during a facelift to restore volume loss, but this doesn’t always meet patients’ cosmetic needs. Fat transfer provides comprehensive rejuvenation by directly replenishing volume where it is needed most. It is commonly injected into the temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds and jawline during a facelift. This helps the overall results look natural and allows them to last for years to come.
How Is Fat Transfer Performed?
At your consultation, you and your surgeon will identify possible areas to serve as donor sites. Donor sites usually include the abdomen and thighs.
During the procedure, fat will be gently suctioned from these areas using liposuction. The fat is then processed to remove any fluids or impurities that may have been harvested along with the fat. The fat is then carefully injected into the treatment area with a cannula until the ideal volume is achieved.
If you’d like to see if this procedure is right for you, Dr. Eric Pugash would be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. He also offers a full range of face and body procedures to attain your ideal look. Contact him today to schedule a private consultation in Vancouver, BC.