Your facial shape and appearance change in many ways as you get older. Lines and wrinkles settle in as the skin loses collagen, elasticity, and hyaluronic acid, and fat deposits in the face shrink and sink lower, causing jowling. Your cheeks and under-eyes may appear hollow or gaunt while your jawline loses its definition. Dr. Erwin Bulan is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Milburn offering facial fat transfer to restore lost facial volume and restore a youthful facial shape.
WHAT IS FACIAL FAT TRANSFER?
Fat transfer is also called fat grafting or fat injections. Facial fat grafting works like injectable dermal fillers, smoothing wrinkles and replenishing facial volume. However, injectables are made with synthetic ingredients. Fat transfer uses your own purified fat cells to plump up specific facial areas so there’s no risk of allergic reaction. The procedure provides for a natural-appearing fullness. Another advantage of fat transfer is that because it harvests the fat from a stubborn body part, such as the abdomen, it provides both a slimmer midsection and increased facial volume. Facial fat transfer provides long-lasting results compared to short-term outcomes with injectables that may last one year or less.
Facial fat transfer can improve:
- Sunken or gaunt cheeks
- Under-eye hollows
- Skin depressions beneath the eyebrows
- Jawline shape and definition
- Lip size and shape
- Facial scarring from acne or previous trauma
- Unwanted dimples
- An uneven appearance
HOW IS FACIAL FAT TRANSFER PERFORMED?
Fat transfer begins with harvesting the fat cells from a donor location. Liposuction is typically performed on the flanks (love handles), thighs, hips, or abdomen to collect the fat. Dr. Bulan numbs the donor area and injects a tumescent fluid containing sterile salt water, lidocaine, and epinephrine. The fat cells are purified and prepared for transfer to the face or another area, such as the buttocks or breasts.
Dr. Bulan carefully injects the purified fat cells into the target area with a small syringe for facial fat transfers. He takes a gradual and meticulous approach to facial fat grafting to ensure natural-looking facial contours. The fat is injected into the deeper tissue layers to avoid visible lumps.
The final results from facial fat transfer may take three to six months, and not all transferred fat cells will survive. An estimated 60% of the fat will remain in the facial area three months after the procedure. Some patients may need additional fat transfers to reach their desired appearance.
Facial fat grafting is an excellent complementary procedure for facelift, eyelid surgery, and brow lift patients.
DO YOU QUALIFY FOR FAT TRANSFER TO THE FACE?
Patients interested in fat injections or fat transfer to the face should be in good overall health with no medical conditions that may complicate healing or safety. You must have enough fat to harvest for the procedure, which is typically not an issue for facial fat transfers because less donor fat is required compared to the breasts or buttocks. You may qualify for facial fat grafting if you have sunken or creased facial area, volume loss, facial scarring, and other volume-related skin concerns. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to volume loss and lines and wrinkles, facial fat transfer may be the ideal way to improve your facial shape.
Contact Bulan Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bulan and discuss your fat transfer options. Call our Milburn, New Jersey office at (973) 467-9744.
