FACIAL REJUVENATION - THE FAT YOU WANT
By Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS

Dieting is part of our culture. Getting rid of fat is a part of our nomenclature. But not all fat is bad.

The loss of fat, especially in the face, can leave you looking older than you are or you feel. That’s because as we age, not only does the underlying collagen and elastin fibers in the skin break down, causing wrinkles on the face, But we also lose fat in the deeper layers of the face causing deeper groves and the appearance under the cheekbones appears hollow and sunken. The plump skin of your youth is gone and your face is generally the first thing people notice about you. It’s kind of like going from a grape to a raisin.

One solution is a fat transfer. A fat transfer is performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia to numb the areas from which the fat is harvested and where it is inserted. Once removed, your fat is processed to eliminate excess fluid and then is reinjected just under your skin beneath wrinkles and below the cheekbones.

The benefits are manifold. Fat transferred to the face can last several years. And there is no chance of an allergic reaction. Swelling can last up to 48 – 72 hours, so we recommend planning your fat transfer over a weekend.

Over the first few months some of the fat transferred can be absorbed by your body, the remaining fat can stay in place for several years. Plus, reinjected fat lasts longer in larger areas of non-movement so it is highly successful when used to correct sunken cheeks, an area that moves very little.

For best results, patients sometimes need a repeat treatment within 12 months.

Best of all, a fat transfer suits my philosophy that Less is More. Not everyone wants or needs a facelift to turn back the clock. Using the latest, proven techniques available today, like a fat transfer, you can opt for minimally invasive or non-invasive treatments that will keep your face looking fresh and youthful for many years.