Can the loss of volume in the face that comes with aging be restored with fat grafting?
The subject of aging is one of those areas where we certainly have contradictory feelings: a true love and hate relationship. We all want to age or live for as long as possible, but we don’t want there to be any clues left behind in our appearance about just how long we’ve been doing it.
The effects of aging begin leaving bits of evidence far earlier than most of us are aware. As soon as we leave our teenage years, the baby fat of childhood begins to subside, and our first facial lines and creases start to appear. These are sometimes referred to as motor wrinkles, which are the result of repetitive movements of facial muscles.
By the time we are into our 30s, that freshness of youth is rapidly leaving, and the skin on the face is beginning to become less radiant and to look tired. This trend continues, and, by the time we hit our 50s and 60s, gravity has taken over. The lines and wrinkles that deepened through our 40s due to the loss of collagen are now accompanied with skin that is loose and sagging.
Granted, this is a natural process and there are those who weather it far better than others. This may be because of lucky genes or the exceptional care they took to avoid the sun and other types of damage through the years. For others, though, this does not paint a pretty picture.
When you feel younger than you look and still look forward to many active, vital years, it can be discouraging to look in the mirror and wonder who is looking back at you. It’s not a matter of wanting to lie about our age but more of wishing to look the way we feel.
Fortunately, there are a number of techniques available today that are proving very successful in erasing many of the signs of aging. One of the most effective of these restores youthful volume to the face through fat grafting.
Volume Restoration with Fat Grafting
Fat grafting, also referred to as fat transfer, liposculpture, autologous fat transfer or fat injection is the process of transferring fat from one area of the body, usually the abdomen or thighs, to specific locations in the face. It has become popular for restoring volume in several areas on the face, especially lines around the eyes and mouth, sunken cheeks, acne scarring and sun-damaged lips, and other areas.
The process consists of basically three steps. First, the fat is extracted using a thin tube called a cannula. Second, the fat goes through a purification process in a centrifuge. Finally, the purified fat is injected into the target areas on the face.
Whenever any sort of substance is injected into the body, there is always the concern of rejection by the immune system. Unlike other methods that use synthetic fillers, with fat grafting, the fat comes from the individual and does not come with the same risk of negative reaction.
Fat grafting can be an excellent tool for restoring a more youthful look to your face, but it is important to seek out an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon. When it comes to your face, or your health in general, cutting corners is never a good idea.
Dr. Brian D. Cohen is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive training in cosmetic/reconstructive plastic surgery and has had years of experience performing a wide array of cosmetic surgery procedures, specializing in procedures of the face, eyes, nose, breast and body and is known for his exemplary and compassionate care by his patients. Knowing that Dr. Cohen has been selected by his peers in Super Doctors for 9 years in a row in 2021 gives you the confidence that he is highly respected for his performance in his specialty.
Information on locations and office hours for Cohen Plastic Surgery can be found by clicking here.