Facial Fat Grafting: Using Your Own Fat for Fillers

When facing the inevitable fine lines and wrinkles of aging skin, as well as the deeper creases, folds, and hollows, most people think of dermal fillers, synthetic compounds designed to restore volume to the face and neck and “turn back the clock” on appearance.

Another option is fat grafting, taking fat from your body and injecting it into the areas that need a lift. It’s easy and comes with many benefits besides a younger-looking face.

At Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery, oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Dustin Heringer often incorporates fat grafting into facelift procedures and uses the fat as an “all-natural” dermal filler. Fat grafting is a more natural option for long-lasting results than other dermal fillers. Here’s what’s involved.

What is autologous fat transfer?

Autologous fat transfer is the harvesting of fat (adipose) tissue from one part of your body and using it to shore up another part of your body, in this case, your face.

The first “fat grafting” procedure dates back to 1893, when a German plastic surgeon, Gustav Neuber, transferred fat from his patient’s arm to the orbital (eye) region to correct scars formed from osteomyelitis (bone infection).

We’ve come a long way since then. Since the 1990s, plastic surgeons have reliably used fat grafting to improve and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the face, breasts, hands, feet, hips, and buttocks.

More recently, clinicians have also documented the therapeutic benefits of fat grafting in healing wounds and scars, in addition to fat’s ability to repair damage to breast tissue after radiation treatment.

Dr. Heringer uses liposuction to obtain fat from an area of your body where you have too much (e.g., thighs, buttocks), purifies it to remove dead cells and other contaminants, puts the solution into small syringes, and injects the purified fat into an area, such as your cheeks or lips, where you lack volume.

The amount of fat he injects depends on your individual needs and the aesthetic goal you’re trying to achieve.

Common areas that are ideal for a fat transfer include the cheeks, paranasal (around the nostrils) creases, nasolabial folds, forehead, lips, under-eye bags, and eye hollows.

Fat grafting enhances facial fullness and can help build up shallow contours like those in your cheeks. Unlike synthetic dermal fillers, fat transfers are a permanent solution. 

Once the fat is grafted into the new location, about 50% of the cells usually survive, and the ones that do last indefinitely. In some cases, though, multiple fat transfers may be necessary to achieve the desired results.

Another big benefit of the procedure is that since the fat cells come from your own body, they’re not rejected when transplanted. With synthetic fillers, there’s always a small risk of rejection.

Ready to learn more about how facial fat grafting can improve your appearance? Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery can help. Call us at either location to schedule a consultation, or book online with us today.