Facial Fat Transfer in Nashville, TN

Facial fat and volume loss are natural parts of the aging process. Over time, the body produces less collagen and elastin, leading to decreased skin elasticity and structure. Fat that once provided youthful plumpness in areas like the cheeks and under the eyes starts to diminish, resulting in hollowing, sagging, and more pronounced wrinkles. Other factors such as sun exposure, weight fluctuations, and genetics can also accelerate volume loss in the face. This is why many people experience a thinner, less youthful appearance as they age. Facial fat transfer is an excellent solution for restoring this lost volume and rejuvenating the overall appearance.

The facial fat transfer procedure typically takes between one and two hours, depending on the areas being treated and the amount of fat being transferred. The process involves harvesting fat from a donor site, purifying it, and then injecting it into the targeted areas of the face. While the procedure is longer than standard dermal filler injections, the results can be more long-lasting.

Fat transfer is highly versatile and can rejuvenate multiple areas of the face. Common areas treated include:

• Cheeks: Restores volume to sunken cheeks and lifts the mid-face.
• Nasolabial folds: Softens the deep lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• Under-eye hollows: Adds volume to hollow or tired-looking under-eye areas.
• Lips: Enhances lip volume and defines lip contours.
• Jawline and chin: Improves definition and addresses volume loss in the lower face. Fat transfer can also smooth wrinkles and provide overall facial rejuvenation by restoring youthful contours.

The results of facial fat transfer are long-lasting, with many patients enjoying improvements for several years. Unlike dermal fillers, which are absorbed by the body over time, the transferred fat cells integrate into the tissue. While some of the fat may be reabsorbed by the body, the majority will remain, providing lasting volume restoration.

Both facial fat transfer and dermal fillers are effective for restoring facial volume and reducing wrinkles, but there are key differences:

• Longevity: Fat transfer offers longer-lasting results compared to fillers, which typically need to be refreshed every six to 18 months.
• Natural substance: Fat transfer uses your own fat, making it a more natural alternative, while fillers use hyaluronic acid or other substances.
• Customization: Fat transfer allows for more precise contouring and can address larger areas of volume loss.
• Downtime: Fat transfer may involve more recovery time compared to fillers, which offer quicker results with minimal downtime.

You will see immediate improvements in facial volume after the procedure, but some swelling is normal and may take some time to subside. As the swelling diminishes, the final results will become more apparent over the course of several weeks. Since some fat may be reabsorbed by the body, the final outcome will typically be visible after about three to six months.