Traditional fat-grafting practices were initially restricted to structural grafts, which were used for addressing injuries and scarring rather than improving appearance and shape. Through advancements in medical technologies, fat grafting has become a staple of the cosmetic industry.
Facial face grafting is a simple and effective way to fill in various signs of aging, such as moderate to deep wrinkles, crow’s feet and other shallow wrinkles, hollow areas, and scars. Fat grafts create new volume, and they also have the ability to cause healing and regrowth of tissues, since they contain stem cells.
The fat that is used is autologous (meaning taken from the patient’s own body) and thus is completely safe for use. Additionally, grafts are typically performed in regions where there are ambient fat deposits, allowing for natural adjustment and merging of the grafts.
Facial Fat Grafting
As the name suggests, fat grafting is harvesting fat (adipocyte tissues) from one part of the body through liposuction, cleansing and purifying the fat, and injecting it into affected regions of the face.
Selecting a Donor Site
For facial fat grafting, liposuction is first performed to harvest donor fat. The areas that may be targeted with liposuction include the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. Gentle liposuction is key, as this will preserve the health of the donor fat cells.
Purifying the Fat
When the harvested fat is being purified, it flows through filters that separate the aspirate and the damaged adipocyte tissues and lipids from the healthy living cells. This cleansing not only ensures the quality of fat that is being grafted, it also improves the chances of the grafts being accepted and absorbed completely.
Grafting
Grafting relies on separating the tissues from the blood vessels and allows for new blood channels to grow in place. Creation of this new network of blood vessels is crucial to the success of the grafting operation, as it provides support and helps in the survival of the new tissues. They rely on active availability of oxygen and nutrients, which are transported by blood and surrounding tissues.
Achieving the right particle size for depositing fat is crucial to the success of fat grafting. If the fat particles are too large, the innermost cells will not receive any oxygen and nutrients, which will lead to necrosis and cellular death. Fat particles need to be small enough to maintain a high surface-to-volume ratio for proper nourishment, ensuring the survival of the new cells.
Good Candidates
Since the fat cells require oxygen and nutrients to grow, the first thing that should be considered before going for a facial fat graft is the health and weight of the patient. The diet also matters, primarily after the operation, as the fat cells need to remain healthy. Any major weight gain after a graft can have additional effects on the final results.
Finding Out More About Facial Fat Grafting
Contact our office if you would like to arrange an informative consultation regarding facial fat grafting. Dr. Michael Somenek, a respected double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, will be happy to meet with you for a consultation.
