Anaesthesia
For this facial treatment, local anaesthesia is sufficient for the patient's comfort.
Face Surgery
Fat Transfer to the face
A natural method to add volume and a youthful appearance where you need it, using fat from your own body.
ResultNatural in appearance and feel
MethodMinimally invasive & well tolerated
SafetyAutologous (your own) fat
HospitalisationNot required
Overview
Natural volume and rejuvenation with the power of autologous fat
Over time, the natural amount of fat beneath the skin of the face gradually decreases. This causes the skin to lose its internal support, to loosen and to "sag". Fat transfer (or the use of autologous fat) is a natural method that utilises fat from the patient's own body, acting as a biological filler.
This technique fills the voids, restores lost volume and re-establishes geometric harmony. It is a treatment that does not simply add volume, but may also help renew the skin (as the fat also contains regenerative cells), delivering long-lasting and immediately visible results in radiance and firmness.
Fat
Transfer
Transfer
What it corrects
When can autologous fat transfer help?
Fat transfer offers a safe approach to facial rejuvenation. It offers significant benefits in the following cases:
- Restoration of lost volumeFills areas that have "hollowed out", such as the cheekbones, temples and under-eye tear troughs.
- Natural Lifting & Anti-AgeingAddresses pronounced ageing, smooths deep static wrinkles and firms the facial contour (oval).
- Correction of contour irregularitiesVisibly improves asymmetries and deep scars caused by acne.
- Skin qualityProvides not only volume but may contribute to overall rejuvenation, improving skin texture, elasticity and radiance, as the autologous fat also contains regenerative cells.
Beauty by Design
Natural volume, from your own body.
Facial fat transfer restores lost volume using fat harvested from your own body, for a subtle, long-lasting result.
Treatment areas
The main treatment areas for facial fat transfer
Autologous fat can be placed with precision at many points, such as:
- Upper and lower eyelid
- Cheekbones and nasolabial grooves
- Marionette lines (at the corners of the mouth)
- Lips and glabella
- Lower jaw contour
- Dorsal surface of the hands (full hand rejuvenation)
The same technique can also be applied to the backs of the hands, where it restores volume and improves skin quality, reducing the visibility of tendons and veins, and to the body for contouring specific areas or improving depressions and asymmetries.
Preparation before the procedure
Preparation before the procedure
Preparation begins with a detailed consultation, during which the appropriate "donor" areas for fat harvesting are identified and evaluated. The patient informs the plastic surgeon of any medication they are taking. Strict avoidance of anti-inflammatory medications and cessation of smoking before the procedure are recommended, in order to support adequate blood supply and good survival of the transferred fat cells.
Technique
How facial fat transfer is performed step by step
Fat Harvesting
The plastic surgeon removes a small amount of fat from areas of the body where there is an excess (usually the abdomen, thighs or buttocks) using a specialised syringe.
Processing
The harvested fat undergoes specialised processing and purification (centrifugation) to remove excess fluids, blood and non-viable cells and isolate the healthy fat cells. In selected cases, the graft can optionally be enriched with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) to support the survival of the transplanted cells.
Injection (Placement)
Using micro-cannulas, the purified fat is injected with precision into the target areas of the face.
Information
Fat transfer at a glance
- Duration
- Approximately 1 hour for fat harvesting and 30–45 minutes for the injection procedure.
- Anaesthesia
- Local anaesthesia.
- Hospitalisation
- Not required, the patient leaves immediately.
- Pain
- Performed under local anaesthesia; mild discomfort is possible afterwards.
- Suitable season
- Can be performed safely throughout all seasons of the year.
- Result
- An initial result is visible immediately. It begins to stabilise within 24 to 72 hours, and the final appearance develops gradually over about 3–6 months, as part of the transferred fat is reabsorbed.
- Age range
- Suitable for all adults over 18 years of age.
After Surgery
What to expect after fat transfer – Recovery
Return to daily life
You can immediately return to your daily activities.
Normal reactions
Mild redness (flushing) or slight swelling may appear in the injection areas (face) — normal phenomena that subside within a few hours or days.
Restrictions
Only strenuous exercise should be avoided on the day of treatment.
Gradual stabilisation
The result stabilises gradually over about 3–6 months. Part of the transferred fat is reabsorbed in the first weeks, so the initial appearance may look slightly fuller than the final result.
Personalised
Approach
Approach
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about fat transfer.
Yes. The body will incorporate and "retain" a significant proportion of the transferred fat, although part of it is reabsorbed and results vary from person to person. To achieve the final desired volume, a specific number of sessions is usually recommended.
The transferred fat, once it has properly integrated and developed a blood supply in the face, behaves exactly like the adipose tissue in the rest of the body. This means that if your weight increases or decreases significantly, the fat cells in the face will follow this change (they will enlarge or shrink accordingly). For this reason, the treatment is usually recommended when you are close to your stable, normal weight, so that the harmonious result and volume are preserved over time.
Yes. The same philosophy of using autologous fat is applied with good results in selected cases for breast augmentation or buttock augmentation (Brazilian Butt Lift), providing harmonious contouring throughout the body.
Start with a personal consultation.
We assess your facial rejuvenation needs and design a personalised fat transfer plan.
Results vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. Suitability for any treatment is determined by the doctor after a personal consultation.