A fat transfer to the face is a cosmetic procedure that takes unwanted fat from various parts of the body and injects it into the face. Doing so restores volume and creates a younger appearance, filling in wrinkles and contouring areas that have become hollow with age. The procedure is sometimes referred to as facial fat grafting or facial fat augmentation.
Many people opt to correct facial issues with a fat transfer to the face because the surgery is minimally invasive and requires no dermal fillers, implants, or man-made materials of any kind. The outcome is also considered permanent, although, as always, a major shift either up or down in your weight can change the size of your fat cells and alter your results. If you maintain a stable weight, however, your grafted fat cells will deliver an improved appearance for life.
Transferring fat to the face can provide several advantages over other facial contouring procedures. Facial fat grafting:
When you opt to transfer fat to the face, you have a plethora of options regarding where to place it. If necessary, your plastic surgeon can employ fat grafting techniques in all of these places:
A fat transfer to the face is a multi-step process that actually involves two procedures: liposuction and then facial fat grafting. Here is how it works. First, gentle liposuction techniques are used to harvest donor fat. This fat is often taken from the abdomen or thighs but can be removed from almost anywhere you have unwanted excess fat.
Once harvested, the fat is purified and processed to isolate the healthiest fat cells for transfer. These cells are loaded into a small syringe that your plastic surgeon uses to carefully and precisely inject them into the desired parts of your face. Your surgeon will use the fat to smooth out wrinkles and fill in hollow areas, creating a smoother, more youthful contour wherever you need it.
If you've been researching facial contouring options, you know that sometimes dermal fillers can achieve very similar results as compared to a fat transfer to the face. There are important differences between the two, however, and these distinctions are important to consider when choosing the best option for you. Here are some key differences:
This table summarizes the differences between the two procedures.
| Feature | Fat Transfer | Dermal Fillers |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Your own body fat | Man-made |
| Longevity | Years | Months |
| Cost per Treatment | Higher | Lower |
| Allergy Risk | None | Low |
| Maintenance | Rare touch-ups | Frequent top-ups needed |
Not everyone is a good candidate for this (or any) procedure. If you're considering a fat transfer to your face, it's best if you:
A facial fat augmentation procedure does require some rest and downtime, largely to help heal your liposuction incisions. After fat is transferred to your face, you should expect swelling and bruising for a week or two. Mild tenderness at both your donor fat harvesting sites and fat grafting injection sites is also common. Most patients can return to light activities, including desk jobs, in three to five days, but your normal exercise routine will likely have to wait six to eight weeks.
You will see a visible improvement in areas where fat was grafted three to four weeks after surgery. It will be three months, however, before all of the residual swelling goes away and your face fully settles into its new contours. Some of the implanted fat cells will die, but most people lose only 30 to 40% of the transferred fat. Plastic surgeons are aware of this and compensate for it during the fat grafting procedure.
If you have a fat transfer to the face, you can expect some pretty impressive, albeit subtle, results. Most patients keep 60 to 80% of the fat cells that were transferred, resulting in a natural look and feel that softens the overall face. If you maintain a steady weight and engage in good skincare practices, your results can last for many years.
Side effects are normal and expected events that occur after a surgery or treatment. They are not cause for alarm and, if necessary, your surgeon will tell you how to manage them. In the case of a facial fat transfer, common side effects include:
Like all procedures, a fat transfer to the face comes with a few risks. These risks are by no means common, and choosing a skilled plastic surgeon goes a long way toward mitigating them. Infection is always a possibility, but sterile practices in the clinic as well as good wound care at home greatly reduce the likelihood of this.
Fat necrosis is possible, but rare. Avoiding it involves utilizing surgical techniques that minimize tissue trauma during the procedure. Overcorrection is also possible but is highly unlikely when you choose a well-qualified plastic surgeon. If overcorrection does become an issue, however, it can be corrected.
A facial fat augmentation can be combined with other procedures. It can be combined with any procedure, really, so long as your plastic surgeon deems the combination safe. Combining procedures often makes sense as it allows for a single recovery period. It's also more cost-effective, requiring that you pay anesthesia, surgical facility, and other fees only once. You will also get more harmonious results by improving multiple problem areas all at once. Most commonly, facial fat transfers are combined with a/an:
At Mia Aesthetics, we strive every day to earn the trust of our patients. We encourage you to choose us because we have:
We encourage you to reach out and schedule a free virtual consultation with us so we can offer you personalized advice and answer your specific questions about facial fat augmentation.
Facial fat transfer can last several years, with many patients retaining 60–80% of their new volume long term. It is possible that you could continue to experience some mild fat loss as the aging process marches on, but this is usually minor. It’s also important that you maintain a steady weight. A very large gain or loss will change the size of your fat cells and potentially alter the results of your surgery.
A transfer of fat to the face does require a surgical procedure (liposuction), and that means recovery time. Facial fat augmentation also has a higher initial price tag than fillers, but remember that the cost of ongoing maintenance for fillers does add up over time. If your body reabsorbs some of the fat cells unevenly, you could need a touch-up after your initial surgery.
The best age to transfer fat to the face is whenever you start to see signs of aging that bother you. There is no magic number, and we see patients between 30 and 60 frequently for this procedure. Timing comes down to when you experience facial volume loss more than a specific number.
Yes. When performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, results are subtle and mimic natural facial fullness. The results look natural because, in essence, they are. The procedure uses your own body fat to enhance the face, so you get a natural look and feel.
Absolutely. Facial fat transfer augmentations are highly effective at restoring under-eye and tear trough volume. This makes you look more awake, refreshed, and youthful while eliminating dark circles.
The exact amount of fat needed depends on your specific needs. Generally, however, only a few teaspoons of fat are necessary to get the job done. Your plastic surgeon will harvest more fat than they need because not all of the removed fat cells will be healthy enough to make transferring them viable. Only the healthiest cells are chosen for injection.
Most plastic surgeons require their patients to refrain from wearing makeup for five to seven days after surgery. All of the injection points should be fully healed and post-op swelling reduced before you go back to wearing makeup.
Facial fat transfers restore volume, while facelifts reposition tissue. They’re often used together for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. A fat transfer won’t remove deep-set wrinkles or address loose, sagging skin. Only a facelift can correct these issues.
Yes, and sometimes it needs to be. If the body reabsorbs too much fat, or if you simply want more refinement, a second surgical session can build on the initial surgical foundation.