Facial fat injections rely on the use of own body fat to provide an innovative and unique solution to rejuvenate the skin and restore lost volume in different areas of the face. Follow this article with us. We will shed light on the facial fat injection process, starting from its basic principles and multiple benefits, all the way to the procedural steps at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and the expected results. 

What is facial fat injection?

It is one of the cosmetic procedures that relies on transferring fat from a specific area of ​​the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and then injecting it into the face to restore volume, improve features, and rejuvenate facial skin.

Facial fat injection sites

There are several places for fat injection in the face, as the technique targets different areas with the aim of restoring lost volume, filling wrinkles, and improving features. The most prominent places include the following:

• Cheeks, to restore volume and fullness.
• Under the eyes in the area of ​​dark circles, to fill the spaces and cavities that cause the appearance of circles.
• The temples, to fill the gaps that make the face appear thin.
• Chin and jaw, to improve the appearance and highlight the jaw line.
• Forehead, to fill pits or deep horizontal wrinkles.
• Lips, to increase their size.
• Sunken scar areas, to fill scars resulting from acne or wounds.
• Smile lines or nasolabial folds, to fill deep wrinkles extending from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• Nose, to correct minor defects in the shape of the nose in some cases.

You can learn about: Everything you need to know about rhinoplasty

Benefits and advantages of facial fat injections

There are many benefits to facial injections with fat, which makes it an attractive technique for rejuvenating the face and improving its features. The most prominent of these benefits include the following:

• Natural results in appearance and texture, as the fat used is from the person's own body, so the results appear very natural and harmonious with the rest of the facial features.
• There is no risk of any allergic reaction or body rejection of the injected substance because it is from the person’s own fat.
• Long-term results: Although part of the injected fat is absorbed by the body in the first months, the fat that remains and stabilizes can provide long-term results, and in some cases they may be permanent.
• Filling and improving the volume of facial areas, because it compensates for the loss of volume that occurs as a result of aging in areas such as the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes, giving a youthful appearance.
• Filling wrinkles and fine lines, such as smile lines and wrinkles around the mouth and forehead, making the skin appear smoother.
• Improving and defining facial features, such as defining the jaw line and chin, filling the lips to increase their size, and slightly modifying the shape of the nose.
• Skin rejuvenation because the transferred fats contain stem cells and growth factors, which improves the quality of the skin in the injected area and makes it appear brighter and fresher.
• The double benefit, as excess fat is eliminated from a donor area of ​​the body such as the abdomen or thighs while improving the appearance of the face at the same time.
• Less likely to have complications, compared to synthetic fillers, such as clumping or unwanted movement of the injected material.
• The results are adjustable, as the doctor can inject different amounts of fat into different areas of the face to achieve the desired balance and harmony in facial features.
• Improving the appearance of sunken scars resulting from acne or wounds, making them less noticeable.

Do you want to restore the beauty of your face? Learn about: Facial plastic surgery

How to inject fat into the face

Facial fat injection is a delicate cosmetic procedure that requires experience and skill from the doctor, which is what the doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital possess. The basic steps of how to perform facial fat injection in the hospital include the following:

• Consult a specialist plastic surgeon to evaluate the facial structure and areas of volume loss or wrinkles, as well as the areas of the body from which fat can be taken.
• Determine goals and discuss expectations from the procedure to determine the areas where facial fat will be injected and the appropriate amount.
• Anesthetizing the patient. The injection sessions begin by anesthetizing the patient locally in both the donor area from which the fat will be suctioned and the recipient area of ​​the face. General anesthesia may be used in some cases depending on the volume of fat to be suctioned and the patient’s preference.
• Liposuction, from an area of ​​the body that contains abundant and stable fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips, where very small incisions are made in the donor area, and then a fine tube cannula is inserted to gently suction out the fat using a syringe or special suction device, while using special techniques to ensure that healthy and viable fat cells are obtained.
• Treatment and purification of fats. After collecting the extracted fats in sterile containers, they are processed to purify the fat cells and separate them from other fluids such as blood, oils and impurities. Common purification methods include using a centrifuge to spin the fats at high speed and separate the different components, or using filtration and washing methods.
• Facial fat injection: The doctor uses small syringes equipped with very fine needles to inject pure fat into the face. The doctor carefully and accurately injects small amounts  into different layers of skin and fatty tissue in the targeted areas of the face. The injection is done using a multi-layer technique to ensure equal distribution of fat, improve its survival rate, and produce natural results.
• After completing the fat injection in calculated quantities in each area to achieve the desired size and filling and define the features, the doctor evaluates the results and ensures the consistency of the fat distribution in all treated areas, and performs a gentle massage of the injected areas to help distribute the fat evenly.
• Small bandages or adhesive strips are placed over the injection areas and small incisions in the donor area. 
• The doctor provides all necessary instructions to the patient on how to care for the face and donor area after the procedure, including how to deal with possible swelling and bruising, as well as the medications prescribed, and the activities that should be avoided.

Who is suitable for facial fat injections?

There are some criteria that people must meet to undergo facial fat injections. In general, good candidates for facial fat injections include:

• Individuals who suffer from a loss of facial volume as a result of aging, resulting in sunken cheeks and temples, dark circles, and thinning of the lips.
• Individuals who have a sufficient amount of fat in other areas of the body from which fat can be safely extracted, such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips.
• Individuals who have skin with good elasticity, to help achieve better results after fat injection, as a significant loss of skin elasticity or severe sagging of the face may require more difficult surgical procedures. 
• Individuals who have wrinkles and fine lines, such as smile lines and lines around the mouth and forehead.
• Individuals who wish to improve facial features by defining the jaw line and chin, increasing lip size, and correcting some minor defects in the shape of the nose.
• Individuals who have sunken scars caused by acne or injuries.
• Individuals who are in good general health and do not have uncontrolled chronic medical conditions.
• Individuals who do not smoke or are ready to quit smoking because it negatively affects blood flow and reduces the survival of the injected fat.
• Individuals who want a natural and long-lasting solution.

You can book a consultation now at Al-Mousa Center through Dermatology and beauty center If you are thinking about facial fat injections for more beautiful skin

How long do facial fat injections last?

The length of stay for facial fat injections varies greatly from one person to another and depends on several factors, including:

• Injection technique, this includes the skill of the doctor and the way in which the fat is extracted, processed and injected, as precise injection of small quantities in multiple layers increases the chances of the fat to survive.
• Injection area, where fat may remain in the cheeks and temples for a longer period compared to the lips and area under the eyes.
• Characteristics of the injected fat, the quality of the extracted fat cells, and how to process them. 
• The nature of the individual’s body, as the rate of fat absorption varies from one person to another.
• A person's lifestyle, where maintaining a stable weight, a healthy diet, and not smoking  helps fats remain for a longer period.
• Age: Younger people retain the injected fat better than older people. 

 But in general, the duration of facial fat injections can be divided into:

• The initial residence time of fat

 Initial absorption occurs during the first three to six months after injection, and the body usually absorbs between 30% and 70% of the injected fat. This is a normal stage where part of the fat settles and merges with the surrounding tissue, while the other part is eliminated.

• Long-term survival

The fat remaining from the initial absorption stage stabilizes and becomes a relatively permanent part of the tissue. These fats can last for many years, and in some cases they may be permanent throughout a person’s life.

Side effects of facial fat injections

There are some side effects of facial fat injections, and most of these side effects range from temporary and mild to moderate in severity, and individuals must be aware of them before undergoing the procedure. The most prominent side effects of facial fat injections include the following:

• Swelling and bruising in both the liposuction area and the receiving area of ​​the face. This is a very common symptom and is noticeable in the first few days and continues for several weeks until it disappears completely.
• Feeling mild to moderate pain and discomfort in the treated areas, which can be controlled using pain relievers.
• A feeling of temporary numbness or numbness in the treated areas, and it usually goes away gradually.
• Hardening or small lumps appear under the skin in the injection areas, and they disappear in most cases over time with gentle massage.
• A small amount of fluid mixed with blood leaks from the small incision sites in the donor area during the first few days.
• Infection at injection or suction sites but is rare with  aseptic procedures followed.
• Scarring occurs due to the small incisions used in liposuction and injections. They are usually very small and fade over time, but in rare cases noticeable scarring may appear.
• Changes in skin color, as a result of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in the injection or suction areas, and are usually temporary.
• Slight asymmetry in the size or shape of the injected areas, and this may require additional corrective sessions.
• A smaller amount of injected fat remains. The body may absorb a large amount of the injected fat, which leads to less than expected results and may require additional sessions.
• Oily cysts form under the skin, in rare cases, as a result of the death of some fat cells.
• Damage to nerves or blood vessels during the suction or injection process, which is a rare effect. 

The most important tips after facial fat injection

After performing facial fat injections, it is necessary to carefully follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure proper recovery, achieve the best results, and reduce the risk of complications. The most important of these tips include the following:

Tips for the first 48 hours immediately after the procedure:

• Rest and avoid physical stress.
• Apply cold compresses or ice bags covered with a clean cloth to the injection areas and suction areas to reduce swelling, bruising and pain. They should be applied for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
• Elevate the head when lying down or sleeping to help reduce swelling.
• Avoid touching, pressing, or massaging the injection areas directly unless the doctor recommends doing so.
• Do not  apply makeup or any other products to the face for at least the first 24 hours.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids to keep the body hydrated to facilitate the healing process.
• Commitment to taking prescribed medications according to instructions.

Tips during the first week of the procedure:

• Continue cold compresses several times a day to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Avoid exposure to extreme heat such as steam baths, saunas, and direct exposure to sunlight.
• Refrain from strenuous exercise and any activity that increases blood flow to the face.
• Eat soft foods that do not require a lot of chewing, because chewing food may be difficult in the first few days due to swelling.
• Commit to sleeping on your back, to keep the least amount of pressure on your face.
• Follow up with the doctor to evaluate the healing process and ensure that there are no complications.

General advice and lifestyle after facial fat injection:

• Avoid putting pressure on the face when washing and drying it, and avoid any other facial cosmetic procedures except after consulting a doctor.
• Permanent protection from the sun. You must use sunscreen with a high protection factor when going out to protect sensitive skin.
• Gradually return to activities, such as doing light exercise after your doctor approves, and avoiding sports that may expose your face to injury.
• Be patient with the results, as the final results of fat injections take several months to appear completely after the swelling subsides and the fat stabilizes.
• Gentle massage, if recommended by the doctor, of the injection areas after a certain period to help distribute the fat and reduce lumps.
• Inform your doctor immediately if any complications or unusual symptoms appear. 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, follow a balanced diet and drink enough water.  

Recovery period after facial fat injection

The recovery period after facial fat injection varies from person to person, but in general most people can notice a significant improvement in swelling and bruising within one to two weeks.

FAQ:

Which is better, filler or fat injection for the face?

There is no definitive answer to this question, because the choice of filler or facial fat injection depends mainly on the individual needs, goals, preferences, and circumstances of each individual. 

Fillers and facial fat injections are common cosmetic procedures to rejuvenate the face and restore volume, and the differences between them are the following points:

• Injected material: In filler, synthetic or natural materials such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, or calcium hydroxyapatite are injected under the skin, while fat injections are natural fat injections extracted from another area of ​​the body. 
• The filler procedure is simple and quick. It is done in the doctor’s office and usually takes less than an hour, while fat injection is more complicated, requires surgical incisions and includes liposuction, purifying the fat and injecting it into the face. It is usually done under local or general anesthesia and may take one to two hours, and requires a longer recovery period. 
• The results are immediate or appear within a few days in the case of fillers, while fat injections appear gradually over weeks and months after the swelling subsides, and part of the fat may be absorbed, but the remaining part may be long-term or permanent.
• The length of stay is temporary in the case of fillers, ranging from 6 months to two years or more depending on the type of filler and the place injected, but it requires re-injection to maintain the results, while fat injections are long-term or partially permanent for fat that has stabilized, as it does not require repeated re-injections at the same rate in the filler. 
• Targeted areas, fillers are effective for filling wrinkles and fine lines, increasing lip volume, filling dark circles, and precisely defining some facial features, while  fat injections are effective for restoring significant lost volume in the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes, filling deep wrinkles, and improving facial features naturally.
• The risk of experiencing a facial allergic reaction to the injection material is reduced in the case of facial fat injection because it is a natural material while filler is a synthetic material. 
• Facial injection with fat improves the quality of the skin in the injected area due to the stem cells and growth factors contained in the fat.

Therefore, fillers are the best choice for you if you are looking for immediate results, simple corrections of specific areas, a quick and non-surgical procedure with a short recovery period.

بينما حقن الدهون هو الخيار الأفضل لك في حالة كنت تبحث عن نتائج طويلة الأمد أو دائمة، مع استعادة حجم كبير مفقود في الوجه بشكل طبيعي، وحل طبيعي باستخدام مواد من جسمك، وعلى استعداد لفترة تعافي أطول وإمكانية الحاجة لجلسات إضافية.

Is your face too full after fat transfer?

The face does not necessarily have to be very plump after fat transfer, and this depends on several factors including the amount of fat injected, the areas of injection, the technique used for the injection, and the rate at which the body absorbs the fat. 

Can fat move after being injected?

Yes, fat can move after being injected into the face, but to varying degrees and due to strong massage or strong pressure on the injection areas in the first days after the injection. 

There are also some natural factors that move fat after injection, such as the effect of gravity over time, aging, or significant weight changes. 

In conclusion, facial fat injection is considered a promising cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of the face and restore its youth in a natural and safe way, especially when performed in a prestigious medical institution such as Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

It is considered a pioneering medical institution that includes an elite group of doctors specializing in plastic surgery. It also possesses the latest technologies and medical devices to strive to achieve the best cosmetic results to meet the patient’s expectations.

If you are considering facial fat injections, you can call the numbers listed on the website for more details, reservations, and inquiries. 

Sources and references

Modern Fat Grafting Techniques to the Face and Neck – pubmed

What Causes a Gaunt Face, and How Can It Be Treated – healthline