Fat Injections for Facial Rejuvenation: What to Expect

Monday, April 15th, 2019

The idea of using fat from one part of the body to enhance another used to be tossed around in a humorous way. Through innovation in medicine, we can now look at this concept much more seriously. Fat injections, or fat transfer, is now commonly used to restore youthful contours to the aging face. Fat cells can also be injected into the lips to make them fuller, or into deep creases around the nose and mouth. Fat can be used like other fillers, but the results are, essentially, permanent.

What Happens During Treatment

Fat injections require two different processes. First, the skin in the donor and recipient sites is cleansed and treated with local anesthesia. Then, a syringe and cannula (the hollow tube instrument used during liposuction) are used to remove a predetermined amount of fat. This process is slightly different than traditional liposuction and does not typically result in a major change in the appearance of the donor area. After removing fatty tissue, cells are processed to separate the purest fat for injection into the face. The recipient site may be slightly overfilled at the time of treatment to account for natural fat absorption. The entire process can take a few hours.

After Fat Injections

There is very little downtime needed to recover from fat injections. Most patients feel well enough to immediately resume normal activities. However, we do suggest avoiding more strenuous activities and exercise for up to one week. The intensity of effects like redness, swelling, and bruising typically relate to the location and size of the treatment area. Usually, these fade over the course of several days. If a larger volume of fat is extracted, the donor site may be slightly swollen for a few weeks. At about four months post-op, we expect the final results of treatment to be apparent and long-lasting. The renewed facial contouring after fat injections can last a lifetime.

Learn More

Get the full details on fat injections and how they can correct the signs of aging on your face. Call our Highlands, NC office at (828) 526-3783.