Facial fat injection is the process of taking fat tissue from other parts of the body (usually abdomen, hips, or thighs), purifying it, and injecting it into various areas of the face to correct volume loss, reduce wrinkles, and achieve a younger, fuller appearance. This aesthetic procedure is preferred to provide natural fullness and reshape facial contours.
What is Facial Fat Injection?
Facial fat injection is the process of injecting fat taken from the person's own body into specific areas of the face with the help of thin cannulas after special processing. This method is used to correct volume deficiencies in the face, alleviate deep wrinkles, fill sunken areas, and generally provide a younger and more vibrant appearance.Before undergoing facial fat injection, patients can decide in which areas of their face they want fullness. In consultations with the surgeon, the areas where fat will be harvested and injected, expected results, and the recovery process are planned in detail.
Why is Facial Fat Injection Preferred?
Facial fat injection is generally preferred for the following reasons:- Volume Loss: It can be preferred to correct volume loss in the face due to aging, weight loss, or genetic factors. Especially sunken areas in the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes can be filled with this method.
- Wrinkles and Lines: Fat injection can be used to alleviate fine lines and wrinkles on the face (e.g., nasolabial folds, marionette lines).
- Desire for Natural Fullness: As an alternative to synthetic fillers, it is ideal for those who want to achieve a more natural fullness because the person's own tissue is used.
- Improving Facial Contour: It is possible to make the facial contour more prominent by adding volume to specific areas such as the chin, cheekbones, or lips.
- Improving Skin Quality: Since the injected fat tissue contains stem cells, it may also have an effect of improving skin quality and vitality.
- Low Allergy Risk: Since the person's own tissue is used, the risk of allergic reaction is minimal.
How Does the Pre-Facial Fat Injection Selection Process Work?
Facial fat injection surgery should be performed by an experienced aesthetic surgeon. Each surgeon's application method may differ, but the general process consists of the following steps:- Consultation and Evaluation: Before facial fat injection, a consultation is held with the surgeon. At this stage, the patient's general health status, expectations, facial structure, and areas with volume loss are evaluated. Suitable donor areas for fat harvesting are determined.
- Anesthesia Application: Facial fat injection is usually performed under local anesthesia. Local anesthetic drugs are applied to the area where fat will be harvested and to the face. In some cases, sedation may also be applied according to the patient's preference or the surgeon's discretion.
- Fat Harvesting (Liposuction): Fat is usually harvested from areas such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs using the liposuction method with thin cannulas through small incisions.
- Fat Preparation: The harvested fat is subjected to a purification process. In this process, excess fluid and other tissues are separated to make it suitable for injection.
- Fat Injection: The prepared fat is injected in layers into the designated areas of the face using thin cannulas. The surgeon carefully places the fat to achieve the desired fullness and contour.
- Recovery Process: Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness may occur after the operation. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within a few days to a week. It is important to follow the surgeon's recommendations to speed up the recovery process.
What are the Types of Facial Fat Injection?
Facial fat injection may differ according to the injected areas.- Cheek Filler: It is done to correct volume loss in the cheeks and provide a fuller, younger appearance.
- Under-Eye Filler: It is applied to alleviate sunken areas and dark circles under the eyes.
- Lip Filler: It is done to give volume to the lips and achieve a fuller appearance.
- Temple Filler: A younger facial contour is created by correcting volume loss in the temples.
- Nasolabial Filler: It is used to alleviate the lines extending from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth (nasolabial folds).
- Chin and Jawline Filler: It can be applied to define the chin tip and make the jawline sharper.
- Forehead Filler: It is done to correct volume loss in the forehead and provide a smoother appearance.
Can I decide how I want my face to look before facial fat injection?
Before undergoing facial fat injection, patients share in detail with the surgeon in which areas of their face they want fullness and what kind of result they expect. The surgeon plans the most suitable injection areas and amount by evaluating the patient's wishes, facial structure, and existing volume loss. The possible appearance can be evaluated by discussing over photographs before the surgery.
How many hours does facial fat injection take?
Facial fat injection usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. The duration may vary depending on the width of the area from which fat will be harvested and the number of areas to be injected.
Are there risks in facial fat injection?
Facial fat injection is generally a safe procedure. However, as with any surgical operation, there may be risks such as infection, bleeding, anesthesia-related complications, or wound healing problems. Temporary swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the injection area are common. Absorption of some of the fat is also possible, so additional injections may be required to achieve the desired result. Rarely, serious complications such as fat embolism can also occur.
For what age range is facial fat injection suitable?
Facial fat injection is generally suitable for adults who have volume loss or wrinkles on their face. Although there is no specific age range, it is important that the person's general health is good and that they have realistic expectations.
Am I a suitable candidate for facial fat injection?
If you have volume loss, wrinkles, or contour deficiency on your face, your general health is good, and you have realistic expectations about the surgery, you may be a suitable candidate for facial fat injection.
In which cases is facial fat injection not recommended?
- In case of active infection,
- In those with serious uncontrolled systemic diseases,
- In those with blood clotting problems,
- In very thin individuals who do not have enough fat tissue in their body.
Will I have loss of sensation in my face after surgery?
It is normal to experience temporary loss of sensation or numbness in the injection areas after facial fat injection. This condition usually resolves on its own within a few days or weeks. There may also be temporary numbness in the area where fat was harvested.
How much of the injected fat will be permanent?
Some of the injected fat (between 30-70%) may be absorbed by the body over time. The remaining fat is usually permanent. The surgeon may inject a little more fat initially, taking this into account. Multiple sessions may be required to increase permanence.
Does gaining or losing weight affect the results?
Fat tissue injected into the face can also be affected by weight gain or loss, just like other fat tissues in the body. If you gain weight, the fullness in your face may increase; if you lose weight, it may decrease.
Is a repeat procedure necessary after facial fat injection?
Multiple fat injection sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired result and increase permanence. Touch-up injections may also be performed due to the absorption of some of the fat.
What are the Advantages of Facial Fat Injection?
Facial fat injection offers many aesthetic advantages:- Natural Fullness: Since the person's own tissue is used, the results offer a more natural and soft appearance.
- Low Allergy Risk: Since it is the body's own tissue, the risk of allergic reaction is minimal.
- Improvement in Skin Quality: Since the injected fat tissue contains stem cells, it can improve skin quality and vitality.
- Permanent Results: The fat tissue remaining after the absorbed part is usually permanent.
- Applicability to Multiple Areas: It can be used to correct volume loss in different areas of the face.
- Donor Area Shaping with Liposuction: Thinning can also be achieved in the area where fat is harvested (abdomen, hips, etc.).
What does facial fat injection aim for?
The main goal of facial fat injection is to naturally correct volume loss in the face, alleviate wrinkles, improve facial contour, and achieve a younger, more vibrant appearance.- ✔ Natural Volume and Fullness: Volume deficiencies in various areas of the face are corrected.
- ✔ Reduction of Wrinkles: The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is alleviated.
- ✔ Improvement in Facial Contour: Areas such as the chin and cheekbones can be defined.
- ✔ Increase in Skin Quality: Stem cells contained in the injected fat can benefit the skin.
Can other procedures be performed during the operation?
Yes, facial fat injection can usually be performed alone, but in some cases, it can be combined with other aesthetic procedures such as botox, fillers, laser treatments, or facelift for more comprehensive rejuvenation. This depends on the patient's needs and the surgeon's evaluation.
Does the permanence of the injected fat vary from person to person?
Yes, how much of the injected fat is permanent can vary from person to person, depending on the injection technique, the injected area, and the person's metabolism.
Will there be a scar in the fat harvesting area?
Fat harvesting (liposuction) is performed with very small incisions, so usually a minimal scar remains. The scars become even less noticeable over time.
Will I feel pain during and after the surgery?
You will not feel pain during the surgery as local anesthesia will be applied. You may feel slight pressure during fat harvesting. After the surgery, mild to moderate pain, tenderness, and swelling may occur for the first few days. This condition can usually be controlled with painkillers and will decrease over time.
Will a drain be placed after surgery? When will it be removed?
A drain is usually not required for facial fat injection. The incisions made for fat harvesting are very small, and significant fluid accumulation is not expected. However, if fat is harvested from large areas, your doctor may deem it necessary. If a drain is placed, it is usually removed within 1-2 days.
Will my face feel very swollen after surgery?
It is normal to have swelling in the face and fat harvesting areas after surgery. Swelling is usually most prominent in the first few days and decreases over time. Applying cold compresses can help reduce swelling. It may take several weeks for the swelling in the face to completely subside.
Do I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
Facial fat injection is usually an outpatient procedure. After a short observation period post-surgery, you can usually be discharged on the same day if there are no problems.
How soon can I get up?
You can usually return to your normal activities on the same day after facial fat injection. However, it is recommended to avoid excessive facial expressions and situations that could put pressure on your face for the first few days.
When can I return to work after facial fat injection?
Most people can return to work 1-3 days after facial fat injection. However, this period may be longer depending on the extent of swelling and bruising. It is recommended that those in jobs requiring social interaction rest for a few more days.
