Facial Fat Fills
Human fat has been used for many years. It was first used in the late 19th century, but did not become common practice until after the invention of liposuction in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Currently facial fat fills have gained major popularity in the use of facial rejuvenation.
Fat grafting is a procedure in which fat is removed from one area of the body and transferred to another. The fat is harvested by liposuction in an area of unwanted or excess fat e.g. the belly, love handles or thighs. It is then carefully injected into an area where the main aim is correct a volume deficit.
Fat grafting is used for volume replacement and correction of contour deformities much as we use hyaluronic acid fillers. Aging results in the triangular youthful appearance of face being replaced by a rectangular sagging form. With fat we are able to restore the youthful appearance. 60% of the transferred fat will remain permanently unlike fillers. Recent literature suggest that fat has numerous added advantages. Fat is rich in pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and stem cells. These stems cells stimulate the growth of new cells which regenerate the underlying skin matrix and form new collagen. The skin appears healthier. Dull, powder-looking skin is restored to youthful healthy glowing skin. The facial rejuvenation allows the softening of fine lines and wrinkles, lightning of dark circles around the eyes and improves pigmentation.
The fat fills do not make you look fat it restores volume with a 60% permanent effect just like, and better than hyaluronic acid fillers. However should you gain weight there will be a growth in the transferred fat.
Fat grafting is most commonly performed as a day procedure with local anaesthetic and sedation or in theatre under a general anaesthesia.
Postoperatively there will be significant swelling and bruising which may remain for 3 to 6 weeks thus the procedure should not be performed near an upcoming event.
In Conclusion
Facial rejuvenation involves a combinations of procedure starting early in life. The ultimate goal is to avoid or at the very least delay a facelift as much as possible. The advantage is the ability to age gracefully, unfortunately at a considerable cost.