Why is it beneficial to use fat as a facial filler?

The loss of fat in the face is one of the main signs of aging.  Thus, fat transplantation is a better option at times than the traditional face lift, which targets the stretching of the skin.  When one gets older, the fat in the face thins out, causing the skin to sag and wrinkle.  In the face, there is a layer of fat between the muscle and the skin.  Over time there is a gradual dissipation of fat which allows the skin to come in closer proximity with the muscle below.  Contractions of the muscle directly on the skin are a major cause of breakdown in the skin which is manifested through small lines and creases.

Fat transplantation can also be used to correct deformities caused by trauma, and occasional reaction to an improperly injected medication, or a birth defect.  The technique can also be used to enhance certain facial features, like the hips.

How does Autologous Fat Transplantation work?

The fat is harvested from the chosen donor site (neck, abdomen, or inner thighs) through a modified liposuction technique using a tiny incision.  The fat is then spun, filtered, and re-injected into the chose recipient area of the face.  Because the fat is re-injected in the form of free cells, it must be re-vascularized (obtain a blood supply) in order to survive.  Fat that is not re-vascularized will eventually die and be absorbed by the body. 

Fat transplantation has obvious benefits over collagen or Restylane, which are eventually reabsorbed by the body because they cannot be re-vascularized (it is recognized by the body as a foreign substance).  But the body does not physiologically reject its own fat, and is thus a better transplantation material because it lasts indefinitely.

The operation varies in duration depending on the transplant site.  Autologous fat transplantation can be done in combination with a face lift or blepharoplasty.