It can be easy to feel discomforted with common signs of aging such as wrinkles and uneven skin texture. More and more people across the country are looking for means of rejuvenating their skin without surgery and minimal to no downtime. Many people have looked to Micronized Fat Grafting, a revolutionary means of rejuvenating the skin and helping you turn back the clocks on your image.
Advanced Aesthetics in Las Vegas aims to provide all patients with a compassionate, safe, and fulfilling treatment experience. We now offer Fat Grafting as a technologically advanced means of rejuvenating the skin for a youthful appeal. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out if Fat Grafting may be right for you!
What is Micronized Fat Grafting?
Fat grafting is a cutting-edge procedure that uses your body’s own tissue to replenish volume, tone, and texture in the skin. By repairing and restoring damaged tissue, this procedure can help you achieve a youthful, energetic look. During micronized fat grafting, fat is harvested from your body and then injected into the desired area. We use special processing techniques to make the injected fat smooth under the skin and to retain the natural regenerative properties of the grafted material.
How Is Micronized Fat Grafting Different From Traditional Fat Grafting?
Traditional fat grafting, such as procedures used for breast or buttock augmentation, involves transferring larger amounts of fat from the donor area into the target area. This may include larger fat particles and different processing techniques to isolate the fat cells. During micronized fat transfer, less fat is harvested and it is processed differently to preserve regenerative cells. The goal of micronized fat transfer is increased volume, increased collagen production, and facial regeneration.
How Is Micronized Fat Grafting Different From Dermal Fillers?
Both micronized fat grafting and dermal fillers seek to bring back volume and improve the appearance of wrinkles, but they work in different ways. Dermal fillers use biocompatible but synthetic ingredients to instantly restore volume. Results can usually last for up to a year. Microneedling uses completely autologous substances (taken from your body) and can offer longer-lasting benefits along with additional regenerative benefits. The choice between the two can depend on the results you want, your budget, and other factors.
Why consider treatment with Fat Grafting?
- All-natural procedure that does not risk any severe allergic reactions
- Procedure is often completed within 45 minutes
- Non-surgical means of rejuvenation
- Patients are granted minimal to no downtime following their procedure
- There is less swelling after the treatment
What Can We Treat With Micronized Fat Grafting?
Hollow Cheeks
When the cheeks lose volume due to aging or weight loss, they can take on a hollow or sunken appearance, making the face look tired or older. Micronized fat grafting can gently restore volume in the cheeks by adding natural fullness. This not only enhances your facial contours but also softens the transition between the midface and lower face for a more youthful appearance.
Undereye Hollows
Micronized fat grafting can also be helpful for the under-eye area. Hollows under the eyes can make you look constantly fatigued or older than you feel. The smaller fat particles allow for smooth and precise application and can reduce the appearance of dark shadows.
Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial folds are lines of lost volume that go from your nose to the corners of your mouth. They are caused by a combination of lost volume and increased skin laxity. Micronized fat grafting can soften these lines by replenishing the lost volume underneath and encouraging more collagen and elastin in the area.
Lips
If you’re looking for a way to enhance your lips while keeping a natural feel, micronized fat grafting can be a great option. It’s ideal for adding soft, subtle volume to thin or aging lips while also improving lip symmetry. Since the fat is your own, it’s a biocompatible solution that can provide long-lasting enhancement without synthetic fillers.
Jawline Contouring
A well-defined jawline is often associated with a youthful and balanced face. Micronized fat grafting can contour the jawline by filling in areas where definition has been lost due to aging or other factors.
Hollow Temples
Hollow temples are a lesser-known sign of aging, but they can greatly impact how your face looks overall. Loss of volume in the temples can make the upper face appear narrower or more angular. Micronized fat grafting provides a subtle lifting effect to the surrounding areas.
Step-By-Step Through the Treatment Process
Determining the Right Treatment for You
The first step is sitting down with you to determine if micronized fat grafting is the best option for you. We will talk to you in detail about all of the options we offer, what you are hoping to get from your treatment, and the pros and cons of each treatment. We will also evaluate your overall health and make sure you are a suitable candidate for fat grafting.
Donor Area Selection
We’ll need to identify a donor area where we can gently harvest the fat. Common donor areas include the abdomen, thighs, or flanks since these areas tend to have more fat reserves. We’ll choose a location that allows for the easiest recovery and the best donor tissue.
Harvesting the Fat
The fat is harvested using either small-volume liposuction or a syringe, depending on the amount of fat needed and the area we’re treating. Both techniques are minimally invasive and performed with techniques to collect high-quality fat. If liposuction is used, we use small instruments and make tiny incisions, which typically heal quickly. The goal is to collect enough fat while being as gentle as possible to maintain the integrity of the fat cells.
Processing the Fat
Once we’ve collected the fat, it’s processed through a specialized method that makes the donor fat as smooth as possible while maintaining regenerative properties and removing any impurities. Then the fat is placed in a syringe to prepare it for the next step.
Injecting the Fat
The final step is carefully injecting the processed fat into the areas we’re treating. We use fine instruments that promote smooth, natural-looking results while keeping the process as comfortable as possible. You will receive several injections throughout the treatment area to evenly disperse the new fat cells.
What Results Can I Expect From My Micronized Fat Grafting Treatment?
With micronized fat grafting, you can expect natural-looking improvements in volume and contour in the treated areas. The fat integrates smoothly with your existing tissue, creating a soft and seamless enhancement. Over time, you may notice improvements in skin texture and quality because of the regenerative properties of the growth factors. While some initial fullness may subside as swelling reduces, the results that remain are long-lasting and uniquely your own, as the treatment uses your body’s natural tissue for rejuvenation. Ultimately, results will vary from person to person.
How Should I Care for My Skin After Treatment?
Keep the Treated Areas Clean
Once you are home after your treatment, it’s important to keep the treated areas clean to prevent any irritation or infection. We recommend that you gently cleanse your skin with a mild, non-irritating cleanser. Avoid scrubbing or using exfoliating products in the days after your facial fat graft treatment. Your skin needs time to heal, and a gentle approach is important.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Your skin may be more sensitive after injections. Because of this, sun protection is even more important than usual. Make sure to apply sunscreen every morning and reapply as needed if you have to spend time outside. You can also wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat and stay in the shade when possible.
Avoid Heavy Makeup
Light, breathable makeup is fine after the first 24 hours. Waiting for a day gives the tiny injection points time to heal. You should consider avoiding heavy or full-coverage products for a little while to keep pores from clogging or irritating the skin as it heals.
Avoid Heavy Exercise
It’s best to skip any intense workouts or strenuous activity for the first week. Increased blood flow and movement can cause unnecessary swelling or impact the healing process or results. Sweat can also irritate the injection areas. Light exercise like walking is fine, but save the heavy lifting and high-intensity workouts for one or two weeks after your treatment, based on what we recommend during your consultation.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Hydration and a nutrient-rich diet can support your recovery and help your body heal more efficiently. Drink plenty of water and eat foods packed with vitamins and antioxidants to give your skin the nourishment it needs to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Micronized Fat Grafting
How Long Does the Treatment Take?
A face fat transfer typically takes one hour or a little less depending on the areas we are treating. This time includes harvesting the fat, processing it to refine the particles, and carefully injecting it into the desired areas. We will let you know what to expect during your consultation so you can plan your day.
Is the Process Painful?
The process can come with some discomfort but we make it as comfortable as possible. The donor and treatment areas are numbed with a local or topical anesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. You may experience mild swelling or tenderness afterward, but this is temporary and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. We’ll provide aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable while you heal.
What Are the Risks or Side Effects of Micronized Fat Grafting?
Micronized fat grafting is a good option for many people because no foreign materials are injected into the body. This means that there is virtually no risk of allergies or reactions. However, there are potential risks such as swelling, bruising, or discomfort at the donor and treatment sites. In rare cases, there may be uneven results or small areas where the fat doesn’t survive the transfer.
How Long Do Results Last?
Facial fat grafting offers long-lasting results because the transferred fat integrates with your tissue. Some of the fat cells will naturally be reabsorbed by the body in the weeks after the procedure, but the fat that remains is permanent. Maintaining a stable weight can help preserve your results for years to come.
How Much Fat Survives the Transfer Process?
On average, 50% to 70% of the transferred fat survives, although this can vary from person to person. We account for this during the treatment by slightly overfilling the treated area to promote final results that meet your expectations. The fat that successfully integrates with the tissue becomes a lasting part of the area.
Will I Have Any Scarring?
If liposuction is used, the tiny incisions made during fat harvesting are very small—just a few millimeters—and heal quickly without noticeable scarring. If a syringe is used to manually harvest the fat, incisions will not need to be made. We’ll advise you on how to care for the donor area to promote the best healing.
What Should I Do to Prepare for My Treatment?
Stop taking blood-thinning medications or supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, or vitamin E about a week before your treatment to minimize bruising. If you smoke, stop at least two weeks before the procedure since smoking can affect healing and fat survival. We’ll also ask you to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing on the day of your treatment, and avoid lotions or oils on the donor or treatment areas.
What Happens if I Gain or Lose Weight After Treatment?
If you gain or lose a significant amount of weight after micronized fat grafting, it can impact the treated areas since the transferred fat behaves like natural fat in your body. Weight gain may cause the fat in these areas to expand, while weight loss could lead to a reduction in volume. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve the balance and contours created during your treatment for longer-lasting results.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Micronized Fat Grafting Procedures?
You may be a good candidate for fat grafting if you are looking for an all-natural, non-surgical treatment to rejuvenate your skin. Additionally, if you are looking for a fast treatment with minimal to no downtime, fat grafting may be an option to consider. Potential candidates for fat grafting will need to be in good health and have realistic expectations toward their treatment.
About Your Provider
We’ve been proudly serving the Las Vegas and Henderson area for over 20 years, earning a reputation for exceptional care and expertise in cosmetic treatments. We are led by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Tracy Hankins and Dr. Samuel Sohn and we bring over 40 years of combined experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery. We also have a skilled staff of injectors, including registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. With a top-ranked skincare department and one of the broadest ranges of laser treatments and facials in the country, we’re here to address your aesthetics while also prioritizing your health.
Learn More About Micronized Fat Grafting Today!
Don’t let common signs of aging on your skin affect your self-esteem. Wrinkles, skin texture, and sunspots have never been easier to treat with fat grafting. With this treatment at Advanced Aesthetics in Las Vegas, NV, you can immediately restore volume while enjoying improved texture and tone as your skin regenerates over time. Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment and find out if Micronized Fat Grafting may be your key to youthful skin! We look forward to hearing from you! Give us a call at (702) 838-4644 to learn more or schedule an appointment by filling out an online form.
