Aesthetic surgery has come a long way in the last few years. Especially in the UK, London, where the options to look younger and more rejuvenated are plentiful. In today’s practice, there are a number of injectable fillers, muscle relaxants, skin tightening options, and more to get the smoother, fuller face you desire.

One treatment in particular that continues to rise in popularity is fat transfer, similar to fat grafting but an advancement on it by reducing the size of the fat to milli and micro aliquots, or dispensing with the fat cells altogether to simply inject in the stem cells (nano fat) or even to prepare and concentrate the stem cells in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) or stromal vascular media (SVM) we heading into the Science of beauty here!

Whether you want to smooth wrinkles on your face, enhance without using HA fillers, rejuvenate and tighten skin, or just look younger, facial fat transfer serves many purposes.

Rozina Ali, a top-rated plastic surgeon highly qualified in aesthetic surgery and a pioneer of fat transfer procedures, shares with us some useful insights about the most important aspects you need to consider when deciding to undergo a facial fat transfer.

RECYCLE, your own tissues

Facial fat grafting uses your body’s own fat cells instead of exogenous HA so the risks of an adverse reaction or infection at the injection site are reduced. In most cases, the procedure can be performed using local anaesthesia on a day case basis unless combined with other larger procedures.

The harvested fat is washed, purified and filtered to remove oils, blood and any dead cells. The fat is then prepared using various devices to reduce the size of the fat particles. Small (3-4mm) scars at the harvest and even smaller fat injection sites (0.3, 0.7, 0.9) are used and these heal quickly and invisibly.

Weight loss myths

A question that pops up often during consultations from patients who are excited at the prospect of taking fat from one area of the body and putting it where they actually want it is, “How much weight will I lose?”

The amount of fat taken from the donor site will be small. SERIAL fat grafting procedures used for breast augmentation can require the transfer of several hundred MLS of fat per procedure from the donor site may help tone up the abdomen or inner thighs. Facial fat grafts, on the other hand, are typically used between 10 and 50 ccs of fat. That makes a lot of difference on your face...or the neck..or decollate...or the back of your hands. Not so much on your belly!

For this reason, a facial fat graft is no substitute for weight loss, nor will it take the place of more targeted body contouring measures. However, the procedure can be a great catalyst for a healthier lifestyle once your recovery is complete!

Long-Lasting results

Fat injections are a good option for natural-looking face enhancement. If performed carefully, they are long-lasting. The surgeon must ensure the fat cells survive and take up their own blood supply in order to thrive.

During facial fat transfer, a small amount of excess fat cells are taken from donor sites such as the thighs, hip or belly, and injected into areas of your face where you’d like to alter facial contours, add more volume, and tighten the overlying skin.

More fat cells are harvested and transplanted than needed because some will be reabsorbed and metabolized by your body. When your recovery is complete, the cells that survive the move become permanent in their new location. The processing of the cells for transfer is the critical step in this process. Employing the gold-standard approach in processing fat for transfer ensures the highest rate of survival for the fat cells and the best possible results.

fat transfer to face aesthetic clinic UK London

Qualification for facial fat transfer

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for facial fat transfer is to book an appointment with your plastic surgeon. During your consultation, you will discuss your cosmetic goals and recommend the best procedures for your needs. In general, facial fat transfers are recommended for the upper and lower eyelid area to soften hollowness and the deep-set look at the temple area, corner of the mouth, jawline, cheek creases, and thin lips.

Ask after the surgeon’s experience...look at their before and after photos – only you can determine if the risks are worth the benefits.

Traditional surgical rejuvenation procedures such as facelifts and blepharoplasty fail to add volume, often leaving patients with a tighter look but not a younger look. Facial fat transfer, or autologous fat transplantation, in conjunction with these procedures, can provide your face with a younger-looking, fresh contour.

book a consultation!