What Does Facial Fat Grafting Correct?
The main purpose of facial fat grafting is to restore areas that have become hollow and volume-deficient with aging. With age, the face does not only sag; it also loses volume. This volume loss can make the face appear more tired, harsher, and older.
Fat grafting may also be used:
- for mild congenital asymmetries
- for natural hollowness in a specific part of the face
- for volume loss caused by trauma, burns, or other conditions
- in younger patients, in the form of nanofat, to support skin quality and help delay visible aging
In Which Areas Is It Used?
The most common areas where age-related volume loss is seen are:
- the temples
- the midface
- the under-eye area
- the nasolabial hollows
However, it can also be applied to other areas depending on the patient’s needs. The important point is not to overfill the entire face, but to restore the missing volume in the right place and in the right amount.
Who Is It Suitable For?
It may be suitable for patients who have volume loss, a hollow appearance, or asymmetry in the face. It is especially a good option in:
- patients with age-related facial volume loss
- patients undergoing facelift or facial rejuvenation surgery
- patients with facial hollowness or tissue loss
I most commonly combine this procedure with facial rejuvenation surgery, because aging is not caused only by sagging; volume loss is also an important part of it.
What Is the Difference Between Fat Grafting and Filler?
The most basic difference is this: in fat grafting, the patient’s own fat is used. In other words, it is entirely the patient’s own tissue.
For this reason:
- it is a more natural material
- problems such as infection or tissue rejection are extremely rare
Filler, by contrast, is a foreign material. Although fillers are often described as dissolvable, in some patients they may leave residue or cause problems in the long term.
In my approach, fat grafting is often a more natural and more tissue-based option, especially in the logic of facial rejuvenation.
How Is Fat Grafting Performed?
The necessary amount of fat is usually taken from the abdomen or the inner thigh through a very small incision of about 3–4 mm. The fat is then processed so that blood and excess fluid are separated out. Suitable fat cells are selected and injected into the areas of the face that need them through very small entry points.
The goal is not to place the fat in one large deposit, but to distribute it with fine cannulas in the appropriate plane and in a controlled amount.
How Much of the Injected Fat Remains?
This can vary according to many factors, such as:
- the area treated
- whether the patient smokes
- how mobile the area is
- the amount injected
- the structure of the tissue
In general, about one-third of the fat we inject remains. After the part that resorbs has disappeared, the remaining fat can largely be considered permanent.
However, one thing must be remembered: injecting more fat does not mean better retention. On the contrary, if too much fat is placed, retention may decrease and problems such as irregularity or excessive fullness may develop.
Why Is It Beneficial Together with Facial Rejuvenation Surgery?
Because facial aging is not only sagging. Volume loss is also an important part of the process.
Facelift surgery repositions the tissues upward; fat grafting restores the lost volume. For this reason, when the two procedures are planned together, a more balanced and more natural rejuvenation can often be achieved.
Will the Result Look Natural? Can It Look Overfilled?
Yes, it can look natural. The most important thing here is not to overfill the face.
One of the most important points in fat grafting is to avoid giving excessive volume, especially in younger patients and in premenopausal women. Otherwise, as the years go by, the retained fat may create an overly full and heavy appearance.
My approach is to perform more limited and more controlled fat grafting, especially in younger patients and in the premenopausal period. The goal is a result that looks natural and will also remain appropriate in the long term.
Can Fat Grafting Be Repeated?
Yes, it can be repeated.
If the patient wants more volume, or if the amount of retained fat is less than expected, fat grafting can safely be performed again.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
In patients who undergo fat grafting alone, swelling and bruising usually improve quickly. Most patients can comfortably return to social life and work within 1–2 weeks. In some patients, recovery may be even faster.
However, when fat grafting is combined with other surgeries such as facelift, the swelling and bruising process may last longer.
When Will I See the Final Result?
The final result of fat grafting requires some patience. In general, the final result can be evaluated more clearly after about 6 months.
What Problems Can Fat Grafting Cause?
The main issues that may be seen after this procedure include:
- less retention than expected
- mild irregularities
- excessive fullness or swelling
To reduce these risks, it is very important to:
- use fine cannulas
- work with low volumes
- place the fat in the correct plane
- avoid overcorrection
What Are Microfat and Nanofat?
Microfat is the type of fat grafting we mainly use for volume restoration. The goal is to replace missing facial volume.
Nanofat has a different purpose. Here the goal is not to create volume, but to support skin quality, soften signs of aging, improve scarred or traumatized areas, and create a more vibrant appearance.
Nanofat contains a more emulsified fat derivative that contributes more to skin quality. For this reason, it may be considered on its own in:
- younger patients who do not need volume
- patients who want brighter, more vibrant, and better-quality skin
- scarred or damaged areas
In short:
- microfat = volume
- nanofat = quality / skin rejuvenation
What Should the Expectation Be?
The expectation from this procedure should be:
- a fuller but natural-looking face
- improvement of hollow areas
- a more rested and younger appearance
- and, when needed, support for skin quality
The goal is not to unnecessarily inflate the face, but to replace missing volume.
Short FAQs
Is fat grafting better than filler?
Not in every patient. However, in terms of facial rejuvenation and natural volume restoration, fat grafting is often a more biological and more natural option.
Is the injected fat permanent?
Not all of the injected fat remains. Usually some of it resorbs, while the remaining part can be considered permanent.
Will my face look very swollen?
When performed in the correct amount, the goal is not a swollen look but natural volume restoration. If too much fat is injected, unnatural results may occur.
Is it performed together with facelift?
Yes, very often. This is because both sagging and volume loss should be evaluated together in facial rejuvenation.
