Things to Know About Facial Fat Injection

What is Facial Fat Injection?

Fat injection is a non-surgical procedure performed to add volume to the face and various body areas. As the name suggests, it involves transferring fat to the target area through injection. In the facial region, main areas of application include the cheeks, cheekbones, nasolabial folds, forehead, jawline, lip lines, and lips.

Where is the Fat Used in Facial Fat Injection Taken From?

One of the first questions that individuals researching fat injection treatments have is where the fat injected into the face is obtained from. For fat injection, fat is typically extracted from areas with unwanted and stubborn fat deposits such as the abdomen, waist, upper arms and legs, and buttocks through the liposuction method. The most preferred area is the abdominal region. This allows patients to first get rid of excess fat from their bodies and then undergo aesthetic procedures using their own body fat.

How is Facial Fat Injection Performed?

If fat injection is to be performed alone, local anesthesia is preferred; however, if the procedure is to be part of a surgical intervention such as facelift, it is performed under general anesthesia.

The extracted fats are prepared by centrifugation method to become ready for the procedure. After this, the only thing left is to inject fat into the planned areas.

Fat injection, performed without making any incisions, is ideal for patients who want to accentuate their cheekbones, add volume to their cheeks, or shape their jawline. Additionally, fat injection is preferred to reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles for a period of time. Patients who are afraid of surgery or cannot allocate time to the surgery process due to their busy schedules tend to opt for non-surgical options such as fat injection.

How Long is the Recovery Time After Facial Fat Injection?

Since fat injection is a non-surgical procedure, patients are discharged immediately after treatment. Initially, there may be a fuller appearance than planned, as the skin may accumulate edema as a reaction to the injection. In addition, considering that approximately 30-40% of the injected fat will dissolve over time, more fat is injected during the procedure than required. This also contributes to swelling and edema. Swelling subsides within a week. Patients can comfortably resume their daily activities as soon as they are discharged.

What to Consider After Facial Fat Injection?

After undergoing facial fat injection, there is not much to be specially cautious about. Generally, it is recommended to avoid wearing makeup and going out in the sun without using sunscreen in the first few days.

Is Fat Injection Permanent?

Although fat injection yields successful results, it is a non-surgical treatment option. This means that its permanence is less than one year. Generally, a decrease in the results obtained with fat injection is observed after 6 months of treatment. Fat injection can be repeated twice a year according to the patient's request. The doctor performing the procedure takes this into account from the beginning, collects approximately twice the amount of fat needed, and uses the remaining fat in the second session.

Is Fat Injection a Risky Treatment? In medical and surgical aesthetic operations, especially when it comes to the facial area, patients are most concerned about potential risks and complications. Botox and filler procedures carry risks such as the skin rejecting or reacting to the injected substances, albeit rarely. However, since the fat tissue used in fat injection is the patient's own fat tissue, the occurrence of such risks and complications is unlikely. In this regard, fat injection is a more advantageous option.

The only risk that may be encountered in facial fat injection is the risk of infection. To avoid the risk of infection, make sure to ensure the cleanliness of the clinic where you will undergo treatment.