Face contouring
Apart from minor injuries, all wounds can leave scars. Depressed facial scars can not only cause physical problems but also psychological ones such as emotional deterioration, shame, low self-confidence, and social isolation.
Several treatments are available for repairing depressed facial scars, such as subcision, dermabrasion, chemical peels, laser techniques, fat grafting, and fillers. However, each technique has varying degrees of effectiveness and possible adverse effects.
Studies have revealed that micro-fat injection can aid in the remodeling of atrophic facial scar tissue. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can also help with wound healing. Researchers have suggested that the combination of PRP and micro-fat grafting may enhance the appearance of scars and improve the survival rate of micro-fat grafts.
Micro-fat grafting is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure designed to rejuvenate the face and restore its youthful appearance. This technique is performed under local anesthesia and can be utilized to address various facial issues. Fat is harvested from one area of the body and then transferred to another area. Since the fat cells used are entirely from the patient's own body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction, and the outcomes are natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a natural filler technique that can give the skin a more youthful appearance with minimal downtime. Since PRP is derived from your own blood, there is very little risk of allergies or intolerance. PRP contains a high concentration of platelets that activate stem cells and promote rapid regeneration and repair within the body.
PRP has several benefits for the skin, including improving overall skin texture, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips and eyes, and filling in hollow areas like the cheeks, temples, and tear troughs. PRP can also be used to reduce the appearance of surgical and acne scars.
Clients who have undergone this procedure have reported numerous benefits. It can effectively erase wrinkles, acne scars, lines, stretch marks, and other types of scars while also stimulating the body's production of new collagen and elastin. A facial PRP treatment can also produce noticeable benefits by improving skin tone and texture.
PRP experts use a variety of microneedling tools to perform the therapy quickly and comfortably. The micro-needling device creates tiny punctures in the skin, which stimulates the body's natural healing response. The skin responds by producing more collagen and elastin, and the platelet-rich plasma is used by the body to create even more collagen and elastin.
Micro-fat grafting is a cosmetic procedure suitable for both men and women who have noticed a loss of facial volume in specific areas. The cheeks and temples are the most frequently affected areas where fat loss is evident, resulting in gravity's pull and the sagging of facial features. Injecting fat into these regions can help lift the lower face and restore its youthful appearance.
The following areas are commonly treated with micro-fat grafting:
Larger fat injections can also be utilized for body contouring, such as shaping the buttocks and breasts. Micro-fat injection can be performed alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery to enhance outcomes.
Little to no overall body fat: Micro-fat grafting may not be a suitable option for individuals who have little to no body fat. This is because the procedure involves the removal of fat from one area of the body and injecting it into another area that requires volume. If there is not enough body fat available for harvesting, the procedure may not be successful.
Multiple medical problems and/or poorly controlled medical problems: Individuals with multiple medical problems or poorly controlled medical conditions may not be good candidates for micro-fat grafting. It is essential to have good overall health and well-controlled medical conditions to ensure a safe and successful procedure.
Use of tobacco or tobacco products: Smoking or using tobacco products can have adverse effects on the body's healing process. Therefore, individuals who smoke or use tobacco products may not be suitable candidates for micro-fat grafting.
Unrealistic expectations: Having realistic expectations about the outcomes of micro-fat grafting is crucial. Individuals who have unrealistic expectations may not be satisfied with the results of the procedure. It is important to have a thorough consultation with a qualified professional to understand the potential benefits and limitations of the procedure before making a decision.
During a fat transfer procedure, there is always the potential for some of the transferred fat to be lost. By including PRP in the fat grafting treatment, patients can expect to see more significant and longer-lasting results. PRP harnesses the body's own healing power, avoiding the use of any artificial substances.
The procedure involves removing excess fat from one area of the body and transferring it to another area where it is needed, such as the face or hands. The transferred fat can help to restore volume and fullness to the targeted area, providing a natural and youthful appearance.
PRP is derived from the patient's blood, and it contains a high concentration of platelets that can help to stimulate healing and regeneration. Concentrated injections of PRP are administered to the treatment area following the fat transfer, which can further enhance the results and improve skin texture and tone.
By combining PRP with fat grafting, patients can achieve more dramatic and long-lasting outcomes without the use of artificial substances.
After the age of 25, the body's collagen production decreases significantly, resulting in unhealthy skin with decreased quality. A PRP facial can improve skin texture and address fine lines, wrinkles, folds, and other visible skin issues by stimulating collagen production. During the microneedling phase of the procedure, the tiny needles penetrate the skin's top layers, triggering collagen production in damaged skin cells.
Following the microneedling phase, the underlying collagen begins to repair the skin, producing fresh, stronger, and healthier collagen. While it takes a few weeks for this high-quality collagen to develop fully, patients will experience skin tightening immediately. It is important to note that the results of the treatment will continue to improve for several weeks afterward.
Lines and wrinkles are typical signs of aging that can be addressed with a PRP facial. The treatment increases cellular turnover, generating new skin cells, collagen, and elastin while eliminating old skin cells. The micro-injuries caused by the procedure cause the skin to tighten spontaneously, resulting in the removal of fine lines and wrinkles. As a result, the appearance of deeper wrinkles is minimized as hollow areas of the face are filled in, providing a smoother and more youthful appearance.
Collagen is essential for tight, firm skin, which can sag with age. As the facial skin spreads with age, some parts of the face, such as the lips and cheeks, may appear visibly long and thin. Collagen can help extend the skin and add volume to areas such as the lips or cheekbones. Some people choose a PRP facial to increase lip volume or sculpt their cheekbones without undergoing invasive surgical treatments.
Whether you have concerns about wrinkles, volume loss, or skin laxity, a PRP facial can help you achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
As the skin becomes stronger and thicker, the deeper layers of the skin are better protected from external irritants. A strong skin barrier also helps to retain moisture, which is essential for healthy, hydrated skin. Additionally, the process of a PRP facial can help to reduce the appearance of pores, making the skin more susceptible to prescription moisturizers and other beauty products. Smaller pores and unclogged pores can improve the skin's ability to absorb these products, leading to enhanced moisture retention and a more youthful appearance.
PRP facial augmentation can be beneficial for individuals with a variety of skin concerns, such as stretch marks, discoloration, acne scars, surgical scars, trauma scars, and uneven skin texture and tone. After a PRP facial, patients can expect a remarkable transformation in the appearance of their skin in just a few days, as old skin cells are replaced with new, healthy ones. The procedure can help to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin, leaving it smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking.
Micro-fat transfer is a highly skilled and precise procedure where fat is added droplet by droplet to achieve the ideal level of volume and a natural-looking outcome.
The substance used as a filler is entirely natural as it is sourced from the patient's own body fat, which has the appropriate texture and movement. This natural approach avoids introducing any foreign or synthetic materials into the body and simply involves returning fat to the areas where it already existed.
One significant advantage of using transplanted fat over cosmetic fillers is that it is a permanent solution. Unlike fillers, which are absorbed by the body and require replacement every 9-18 months, transplanted fat is permanent and only deteriorates naturally due to aging. This offers a more long-term solution for individuals seeking a natural and permanent way to restore facial volume and address skin concerns.
The processing method of micro fat is crucial for its effectiveness in rejuvenating skin cells. Rather than filtering out all non-fat cells, the micro fat is processed to protect stem cells, which carry essential growth factors that assist in kick-starting collagen synthesis. This approach addresses the root cause of wrinkle growth and aging, making the final micronized fat injection more effective in addressing skin concerns.
In addition to stimulating collagen production, micro fat provides several benefits that synthetic injections or cosmetic surgery cannot. By utilizing the patient's own natural fat, the procedure offers a more natural and long-lasting solution for restoring volume and addressing skin concerns. This approach also avoids the use of any foreign or synthetic materials, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or other adverse effects. Overall, micro fat grafting offers a safe, effective, and natural approach to rejuvenating the skin and restoring a more youthful appearance.
While a fat graft offers longer-lasting results than fillers, some patients may require fillers a few weeks following the procedure to achieve perfect symmetry.
Wrinkles on the face and neck are often caused by muscular activity, and botulinum toxin is still required to relax the muscle and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Fortunately, fillers, fat grafts, and anti-wrinkle treatments can all be combined seamlessly to achieve the desired results. This allows for a personalized approach to address each patient's unique concerns and achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
During your consultation, your doctor will discuss your goals and expectations to develop a personalized treatment plan that suits your needs. If you are concerned about the signs of aging, you should bring in a close-up photo of your face from your late teens or twenties to provide a reference point for your doctor to observe how your face has changed over time.
Every micro fat grafting procedure is tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient, and your doctor will provide recommendations and information on how to prepare for the treatment and what to expect during your recovery. It is essential to be well-informed and comfortable with your decision to undergo this procedure to achieve a successful outcome.
To be a good candidate for elective surgery, it is crucial to maintain good health and follow a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise. Individuals with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes should follow the recommendations of their primary care physician for proper management.
It is critical to refrain from smoking or being exposed to nicotine-containing products for at least six weeks before and after the facelift surgery. Nicotine can impede the body's ability to heal properly, leading to complications such as infection and loss of fat grafts. Additionally, avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), and vitamins/homeopathic regimens, as they can increase bleeding during the procedure.
In most cases, micro fat grafting is performed by your doctor in their office under local anesthesia and oral sedation. If additional procedures such as a facelift are being done at the same time, a certified surgical facility may use deeper sedation or general anesthesia.
During the procedure, fat is harvested from one area of the body, purified, and then carefully re-injected into the desired contour areas using specialized needles. The process involves three steps, including harvesting, purification, and placement.
Your doctor will select a suitable location for fat removal and use a local anesthetic injection to numb the area. They will then make a small incision in the skin and insert a sterile cannula connected to a syringe to carefully remove fat. Several syringes of fat are typically collected.
The fat grafts are then purified and concentrated by gently spinning the syringes to remove any fluid or oil. The purified fat is then placed in small needles to allow for precise application.
The recipient site is prepared, and your plastic surgeon will numb the area where the grafts will be inserted. They will delicately implant the micro fat grafts through multiple passes and different tissue layers using a specialized cannula. With each withdrawal of the cannula, a line of fatty tissue packets is meticulously implanted to create a structural grid of grafted fat until the desired correction is achieved. The result is a smooth, natural-looking contour.
Your plastic surgeon may choose to inject small quantities of botox into certain places to reduce the resorption of freshly transplanted fat. If this is the case, you may see minor changes in muscle function. However, this is just temporary, and your plastic surgeon will not over-inject, resulting in total muscle weakness.
Fat grafting is often covered by insurance when used for reconstructive purposes. In these cases, it is deemed medically necessary for face reconstruction. However, when used for cosmetic procedures like face rejuvenation, fat grafting is considered a cosmetic treatment and is typically not covered by insurance. Therefore, if you are considering PRP micro fat grafting for cosmetic purposes, you will need to pay for the procedure out of pocket.
As we age, our face tends to lose volume due to the diminishing of fat pads that give us a youthful fullness, resulting in a deflated and drawn appearance, particularly around the eyes. Volume loss is one of the earliest signs of aging that starts to occur in the mid-'30s and progresses with time. Although it was previously overlooked, it is now recognized that volume plays a significant role in making us look younger, healthier, and more energetic.
Facial fat grafting is a surgical rejuvenation technique that involves liposuction to extract fatty tissue from an accessible area of your body, which is then processed and placed in tiny syringes for injection into specific facial areas that require volume replacement. These may include cheeks, paranasal (around the nostrils), nasolabial folds, forehead, lips, undereye bags, and eye hollows, which are common sites of volume loss related to aging.
Facial fat grafting is a form of permanent filler, but only about 60% of the injected fat is maintained. However, the simultaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from your blood may enhance fat survival, but this may incur an additional fee.
While facial fat grafting is deemed a cosmetic procedure, reconstructive purposes for fat grafting are usually covered by insurance, as they are considered medically necessary for face reconstruction.
Natural results of surgery
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