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Fillers compete with a natural substance that offers long-lasting results – fat cells from the person’s own body, says Dr. Joel Aronowitz. While Botox and Juvederm need touch-ups every six months or so, a facial fat graft lasts about seven years before needing a touch-up.
The Wonders of the Body’s Own Fat
Fillers offer a quick fix, but doctors now recommend them for spot use, according to Harper’s Bazaar. Using a person’s fat cells to fill their face lasts longer and causes fewer problems. Fat won’t shift or bloat once injected, a possibility with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. It provides natural volume that can restore a more youthful appearance, filling hollow cheeks and facial skin firmness.
A Solution for Those Experiencing Early Aging
A new drug that treats diabetes and spurs weight loss, semaglutide, can cause a deflated appearance in the facial structure and laxity. Marketed under the names Wegovy and Ozempic, a doctor can reverse semaglutide’s facial side effects using fat grafts to the face.
Cancer patients also undergo this treatment to reverse the adverse effects of radiation treatment on the skin. Facial fat grafting promotes skin elasticity and vascularity.
It’s Not for Everyone
Joel Aronowitz MD counsels potential patients to consider their skin’s condition.
People as young as 30 undergo the procedure, which has no upper age limit. It won’t cure jowls or sagging skin. A person with moderate-to-severe skin laxity should not undergo a full face fat graft. Placing fat in a specific area, such as the upper eyelids, can create a more youthful, natural look.
Enjoy a Short Recovery Time
Because there’s no facial incision, a patient can wear makeup the day after the surgery. Avoid putting pressure on the face, though. Abstain from exercise for at least two weeks post-procedure.
The doctor does make a small incision elsewhere on the body to remove the fat used. This minor liposuction procedure removes the fat by hand, instead of using a vacuum procedure. The patient must practice careful wound care to prevent infection.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, patients who carefully follow all the aftercare instructions provided by their board-certified plastic surgeon experience the best outcomes.
Find Out if a Facial Fat Graft Could Help You
Contact your state’s board of plastic surgeons to find a board-certified surgeon near you, then schedule a consultation. Only your doctor can tell if a facial fat graft can help you restore your skin’s health.
