Fat Grafting

Fat grafting has evolved into a powerful tool for facial rejuvenation.

One of the most obvious signs of facial aging is the loss of fat volume resulting in a deflated appearance of the face.  As fat is lost, support of facial structures such as the skin, nose, and lips are reduced allowing for gravitational descent of the structures of the face.

Fortunately, volume may be restored and this is most commonly accomplished by the use of HA Fillers, surgical face lifting, or fat grafting.

When the concept of fat grafting was originally introduced, the fat was grafted in clumpy lobules resulting in a less predictable take of the grafts and contour irregularities.  The technique has now evolved into a procedure known as Micro-fat Grafting.  The realization that harvesting fat in smaller micro-lobules and gentler processing of the harvested fat now results in predictable fat grafting or transfer while minimizing contour irregularities.

Micro-grafting of fat is accomplished with a small blunt tipped cannula in an atraumatic manner.  Fat may be used to restore volume to the temporal area, the midface, around the eyes, or the troughs, and the areas around the mouth.  Fat grafting is a durable procedure lasting for years.  Essentially, one ages out of the results.  Refinements in the technique have led to predictable results.

Micro-fat grafts may be further processed in a technique known as Nano-Fat Grafting, and applied as Sharp Needle Intradermal Fat (SNIF) grafts to correct fine lines.

Fat Grafting may be used as an independent procedure for facial rejuvenation performed in the office under local anesthesia or in conjunction with other surgical procedures — such as face lifting.  As with many facial rejuvenating procedures, bruising and swelling are possible and usually resolve within 3-7 days.

An added benefit of fat grafting is the improvement of the overlying skin.  This is hypothesized to be the result of passive stretching of the skin as a result of volumization or the role of fat cells in modulating healing pathways (Bone Morphogenic Proteins or BMPs).

In order to determine whether you are a candidate for facial rejuvenation with fat grafting, please arrange a personal consult with Dr. Reddy at the Reddy Aesthetic Institute.