Facial Fat Transfer

When choosing a reputable clinic, make sure the staff are properly licensed and certified by recognised organisations, such as the GMC or BAAPS in the UK. They should also take part in regular training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. A good clinic will always put the patient first.

This means clearly explaining the procedure, the risks, the alternatives, and what results to expect. They will give you time to think things over, ask questions, and will not use pushy sales tactics. You should also be given a written consent form that’s specific to the treatment you are having.

During the consultation, your surgeon will discuss the donor sites in which you’d like to remove fat. Common areas include the stomach, arms, buttocks and thighs. A facial fat transfer can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation within our safe and sterile clinic facilities.

The surgery involves removing the fat via a cannula (liposuction) to extract fat and stem cells (progenitor cells). The unwanted matter is separated to create a stem cell and growth factor solution that promotes healthy skin cell growth.

Using fine needles, the surgeon will inject the fat and stem cells where you see areas of fat depletion and a sunken appearance. The surgeon will inject more fat than necessary as some of it will be reabsorbed by the body. Around 50-70% of the cells will survive and remain in place.

A facial fat transfer is suitable for those seeking anti-ageing benefits from surgery. The procedure will help to smooth the surface of the skin and improve facial contours for rejuvenation. You may also be looking to eliminate a small amount of fat in stubborn areas.

Unlike other fat grafting techniques, we don’t wash the cells. Instead, we separate the oil and blood from the fat using a technique that doesn’t cause damage. This process improves overall skin cell behaviour and health, resulting in facial plumpness and a more youthful appearance.

The results can be seen immediately. You should expect approximately 30-40% of fat reabsorption, and as the fat begins to settle, you’ll have a final indication after around twelve weeks. The restorative effect of fat stem cell rejuvenation will last for many years.

Healing is a gradual process that varies from patient to patient. You might notice a little bruising around the treated areas which should subside within one-two weeks. If we use sutures, we will remove them seven to ten days after your surgery, depending on your rate of recovery.

A fat transfer to the face takes approximately one hour. We may recommend combining the procedure with a facelift to optimise results.

The operation is minimally-invasive, and the incisions are minimal. You usually won’t require stitches, and it’s uncommon to develop any significant scarring. Using stem cells also improves skin quality to reduce the risk of scarring.

• Bruising
• Loss of sensation at the treatment site
• Swelling
• Scarring
• Reabsorption of fat
• Poor wound healing
• Hematoma
• Fat necrosis

At 111 Harley St. in London, we provide aftercare instructions that you should follow closely. These include gentle cleansing, proper hydration, avoiding active ingredients initially, using medical-grade skincare to support healing and collagen renewal, and applying broad-spectrum SPF daily to protect your results.