Facial fat grafting

About facial fat grafting

Dr. Law utilises micro and nanofat grafting techniques for facial rejuvenation, tailoring the approach to each individual.

What is facial fat grafting?

  • Facial fat grafting is a procedure where your own fat is used to restore volume to areas of your face. If you have extra fat in areas like your abdomen or thighs, it can be carefully removed and re-injected into the face to achieve a more youthful or balanced appearance. This technique is a natural alternative to synthetic fillers.

  • Unlike fillers, fat is living tissue and needs to develop a blood supply to survive after it's moved. Some of the transferred fat may be absorbed by the body, but the rest can remain long term, especially if you maintain a stable weight.

  • Unlike fillers, your own fat is compatible with your body, and the risk of forming long-term nodules, granulomas and having infections is much lower.

  • Dr. Law uses both micro and nano fat grafting techniques for facial rejuvenation, depending on your specific needs. Your options will be fully discussed with you during your consultation.

About facial
fat grafting

  • You might be interested in this treatment if you have:

    • Loss of facial volume due to ageing.

    • Hollowing under the eyes (tear troughs).

    • Hollowing around the upper eyelids and eyebrows.

    • Sunken temples.

    • Thin lips that you’d like to enhance.

    • Deep lines or wrinkles (nose-to-mouth groove, and other deep grooves around the mouth).

    Facial fat grafting is often combined with procedures like a facelift or eyelid surgery.

  • Some facial volume treatments (fillers) use synthetic substances, which may carry a small risk of reaction for some patients. On the other hand, because fat grafting uses your own fat, your body is less likely to react negatively or reject your own tissues.

    In some areas such as around the eyes, using your body’s own fat to restore volume lasts longer compared to using synthetic fillers - which needs topping up at regular intervals.

Procedure Information

  • You may be suitable for facial fat grafting if you:

    • Have enough fat available in another part of your body for fat harvest.

    • Prefer a long-term solution to restore facial volume without synthetic fillers.

    • Are in good health and do not smoke.

    • Have realistic expectations, understand the likely results and how they may change over time.

    • Are having other facial procedures and want to address multiple concerns at once.

  • Facial fat grafting involves the following steps:

    • Fat Harvesting: Fat is removed from another part of your body (often the tummy or thighs) using a liposuction method.

    • Processing: The fat is cleaned and prepared using specialised techniques.

    • Injection: The fat is injected into the chosen areas of your face to enhance volume and contour.

    This can be done as a standalone treatment or alongside other facial procedures.

    • Swelling, discomfort, bruising are common in both the donor and treated areas and usually last about a week.

    • You can resume work after 1-2 weeks, depending on your job.

    • You can return to your regular exercise routine after 4 weeks.

    • The fat tends to stay around the eye area, but does not tend to stay or “take” as well around mobile areas such as the lips where there’s a lot of movement. In mobile areas, the fat grafting procedure often needs to be repeated.

  • An alternative is to use fillers to restore volume loss in the face.

Risks & complications

    • Drug reactions: You can have reactions to anaesthesia. However a fully qualified anaesthetist will speak to you before surgery to ensure your anaesthetic will be as safe and smooth as possible.

    • Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to materials such as sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions are possible. We will ask about any known allergies beforehand to help avoid exposure during surgery.

    • Infection: This is a rare complication. You will be given antibiotics at the start of your surgery (as you go to sleep), as well as a course of oral antibiotics afterwards, to help minimise this risk. 

    • Bleeding and haematoma (blood clot): a bit of bleeding onto the dressing is common and usually stops on its own. There is a very small risk of blood clots, requiring drainage.

  • Potential complications include:

    • Fat embolism

    • Fat necrosis

    • Poor fat retention in the grafted area

    Choosing a specialist plastic surgeon with proper anaesthetic support helps minimise these risks.

Book your Appointment

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