Fat Grafting to the Face: What Is It? How Is the Procedure Done?

Facial fat injection, also known as facial fat grafting, involves injecting small layers of fat into areas of the face that require volume, fullness, and vibrancy. The necessary fat is harvested from the body's abdominal or hip region. Using a millimetric entry point, a cannula (a round-tipped needle) attached to a syringe is used to extract the fat. The volume of harvested fat does not exceed 20 – 30 cc (approximately the size of a matchbox), so it does not create any noticeable difference, thinning, or irregularities in the harvested area. After undergoing washing and centrifugation processes, the fat is transferred to special cannulas that enable finer and more careful injection, making it possible to apply without leaving visible marks or stitches on the skin.

How is the Face Prepared Before Facial Fat Injection? Where is the Fat Extracted From?

Facial fat injection can be performed as a 15-minute part of a longer surgery under general anesthesia, such as rhinoplasty or facelift. It can also be done alone under local anesthesia. Especially abroad, it is often performed as a standalone procedure with mild sedation and local anesthesia. The fat is extracted from the abdomen or hip area, where the lack of fat will not be noticed.

Is Facial Fat Injection Permanent? What is the Percentage of Permanence in Fat Injection?

The widely accepted rate is 60%. Repeat fat injections may be required. To avoid extracting fat each time, the fat taken in one session can be stored at -20 degrees Celsius and used for subsequent injections. For example, if you need a total of 10-12 cc of fat injection on your face, 20 cc can be extracted, and 10 cc can be injected while the remaining 10 cc is stored at -20 degrees Celsius. Approximately 6 cc of the injected 10 cc will be permanent. In the second session, the previously stored 10 cc of fat injection is added, resulting in a total of 10-12 cc of permanent fat added to your face.

Is there Swelling or Edema After Facial Fat Injection? How Long Does it Last?

Due to the 60% permanence of the fat, initially, more fat injection than necessary is performed. This may cause temporary swelling. This swelling can be controlled and reduced with the help of medications.

Recovery Period After Facial Fat Injection

The recovery period after facial fat injection is relatively easy. Why? Because there are no incisions, no stitches, so there is no need to remove stitches. There are rarely any bruises because the procedure is done with special instruments called cannulas. Swelling and edema in the injected area may be widespread or localized (region-specific). In some cases, your doctor may recommend massaging the area in the direction he/she directs.

Which Areas are Suitable for Facial Fat Injection?

Cheekbone enhancement, cheek area, chin fat injection, and nasolabial folds are common areas for fat injection.

Chin Fat Injection – Chin Fat Grafting

Especially in patients with insufficient chin size when viewed from the side profile, chin augmentation surgery such as mentoplasty or genioplasty yields good results. However, for patients who do not prefer foreign implants and do not want surgery involving incisions under the chin or inside the mouth, injecting fat from the patient's own body into the chin and enlarging it with fat grafting is an option.

The relative immobility of this area increases the permanence of the fat. The procedure does not require any incisions or stitches. The advantages of this procedure include progress without hospitalization, allowing for early return to work. Forward progress of approximately 3 to 5 mm can be achieved with fat injection."