Facial Fat Transfer in Austin, TX – Dr. Malena Amato and Dr. Marie Somogyi
While changes in skin elasticity are often blamed for the cosmetic effects of facial aging, the loss of facial fat also plays a significant role in the formation of wrinkles, loose skin, and facial hollows. Dermal fillers can temporarily restore lost facial volume, but they aren’t the right choice for everyone. Some people prefer the long-lasting results, as well as the look and feel of natural adipose tissue, offered by face fat grafting. At Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, our expert surgeons offer facial fat transfer in Austin, also known as facial fat grafting or fat transfer to the face, to restore full, youthful facial contours.
Understanding the Role of Fat Loss in Facial Aging
Facial fat loss, like collagen loss, begins early in the aging process. By age 35, most people have already lost about ten percent of the fat in their face, even if they haven’t lost any weight. Another ten percent is typically lost every decade after that, and by age 60, many people have lost half of their facial fat. This occurs because the body stores fat in different ways as we age; instead of proportioning fat evenly across our core and extremities, fat cells begin to centralize around the abdomen.
Though having a slimmer face may sound appealing to some, the results of facial fat loss aren’t always flattering. As we lose facial fat, hollows start to form around the eyes and under the cheeks, giving the face a gaunt look. Remaining fat deposits often clump together and sag, creating undesirable features like heavy jowls. Finally, having less facial fat contributes dramatically to the formation of loose skin; as adipose tissue vanishes, the surface that it used to support sags. This sagging from loss of volume is accentuated by a loss of skin elasticity and gravity, unavoidable side-effects of the aging process.
Ready to book your procedure?
If you are ready to take the next step, or simply want more information about a procedure, please contact our team! Dr. Amato and Dr. Somogyi look forward to speaking with you soon!
How a Facial Fat Transfer Can Help
To perform a facial fat transfer, Dr. Amato and Dr. Somogyi first uses liposuction to remove fat from a donor site on the body. Usually, patients choose to have fat removed from their belly, back, or thighs, as this approach has the added benefit of shaping and slimming common problem areas.
After the fat has been harvested, it’s processed in a device called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the fat at high speeds, separating adipose tissue from other components that aren’t suitable for injection, like blood vessels and cellular debris. Finally, this purified fat is carefully injected into areas where facial fat loss is apparent. Because correctly processed fat cells are still healthy and viable, they’ll naturally integrate with the patient’s existing fatty tissue.
Facial fat transfer can be performed as a standalone procedure, or it can be combined with other non-surgical or surgical treatments for even greater overall rejuvenation. Combining facial fat transfer with dermal filler injections in the lips and Botox® injections around the eyes and brows, for example, can sculpt a fuller face while reducing crow’s feet, frown lines, and other creases. Facial fat transfer can be performed during facial surgery including eyelid surgery (