Facial Lipofilling – Fat Tissue Transfer
What is facial lipofilling and what is it used for?
Lipofilling, or autologous fat transfer, is a technique used to harness excess fat tissue to add volume in aesthetic or reconstructive surgery.
Facial lipofilling (also known as facial fat grafting) is a cosmetic procedure used to enhance the appearance of the face, filling wrinkles and other skin imperfections, and can also improve skin tone and texture. In lipofilling, the patient's own fat tissue is used, typically harvested from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks, which is then injected into specific areas of the face. This technique can also be used to correct sunken scars or soft tissue deformities resulting from trauma or surgery. Additionally, lipofilling can be used to correct congenital or acquired soft tissue deformities, minor facial asymmetries, or it can be combined with bone surgery for deformities.
How is facial lipofilling performed?
Fat is harvested using liposuction cannulas, and after special filtration and centrifugation, the isolated fat cells are injected back into the desired area. In addition to fat cells, lipofilling also includes the injection of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) stem cells, which help in skin regeneration. The most common areas from which fat is harvested include the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, knees, inner upper arms, or neck.
The advantage of facial lipofilling is that it uses the patient’s own natural material, meaning that the likelihood of allergic reactions or rejection is much lower. The procedure is most often performed under local anesthesia, although general anesthesia may be used depending on the size of the area being treated. The length of the procedure depends on the region being treated.
Results after facial lipofilling
It is important to emphasize that approximately 30-75% of the fat cells survive the procedure, which means that several treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired result. The number of treatments depends on the quality of the tissue being treated, so fat cell survival is lower when applied to scar tissue or irradiated areas.
As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important to discuss your expectations and potential risks with your surgeon before deciding on facial lipofilling correction.
