Facial fat grafting (also known as Coleman fat transfer or lipofilling) is a natural and long-lasting method of facial rejuvenation that uses your own tissue to restore volume, improve facial contours, and enhance skin quality. Unlike dermal fillers, which gradually dissolve and require ongoing maintenance, fat transfer uses living cells harvested from your body and carefully reintroduced into the face. The result is natural-looking volume restoration combined with regenerative benefits that can improve tissue quality over time.
What Is Facial Fat Transfer?
Facial ageing is not simply caused by wrinkles. Over time, the face undergoes gradual loss of fat, changes in skeletal support, and soft tissue descent. These changes contribute to:
- Hollow cheeks
- Temple hollowing
- Under-eye volume loss
- Loss of jawline definition
- Flattening of the midface
Fat transfer addresses these changes by restoring volume with your own living tissue rather than a synthetic implant or filler. Once established, transferred fat becomes integrated into the recipient tissues and can provide long-term volume restoration.
A Regenerative Approach to Facial Rejuvenation
One of the key advantages of facial fat grafting is that it offers more than simple volume replacement. Fat contains adipose-derived regenerative cells, stem cells, growth factors, and signalling molecules that may contribute to tissue repair and improved skin quality. As a result, many patients notice not only restoration of contour but also improvements in skin texture, skin quality and overall facial appearance.
This combination of volume restoration and regeneration distinguishes fat transfer from conventional dermal fillers.
In selected cases, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may also be incorporated into the treatment plan. PRP contains concentrated growth factors that may support healing and potentially improve fat graft survival, although the scientific evidence remains mixed. Current evidence suggests PRP may enhance graft take and reduce recovery time.
Microfat and Nanofat: What’s the Difference?
Microfat
Microfat consists of carefully processed fat containing living adipocytes. It is primarily used to restore facial volume and improve contour.
Common applications include:
- Cheek augmentation
- Temple rejuvenation
- Midface volume loss
- Jawline and lower-face contouring
- Facial asymmetry
Microfat is best thought of as a natural, biological alternative to dermal fillers.
Nanofat
Nanofat undergoes additional processing to create a much finer regenerative graft. It contains few intact fat cells but remains rich in regenerative components.
Nanofat is typically used to improve:
- Under-eye skin quality
- Fine lines
- Crepey skin
- Acne scars
- Sun-damaged skin
Rather than adding volume, nanofat primarily targets tissue quality and regeneration.
For optimal facial rejuvenation, microfat and nanofat are frequently combined, allowing both structure and skin quality to be addressed during the same procedure.
Why Choose a Consultant Facial Surgeon?
Successful fat transfer depends on far more than simply moving fat from one area to another.
Long-term outcomes are influenced by:
- Careful harvesting techniques that preserve cell viability
- Appropriate processing of the fat
- Precise placement within the correct tissue planes
- Detailed understanding of facial anatomy and ageing
As a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr Tom Pepper combines extensive experience in facial surgery with a detailed understanding of facial proportions, ageing and soft tissue anatomy. The goal is not simply to add volume, but to restore facial harmony and achieve natural-looking rejuvenation.
Treatment Areas
Fat transfer can be used throughout the face to restore volume and improve contour, including:
- Cheeks and midface
- Temples
- Tear troughs and under-eye hollows
- Jawline and lower face
- Chin
- Lips
- Areas of contour deficiency or asymmetry
Treatment is tailored to the individual’s anatomy, ageing pattern and aesthetic goals.
The Procedure
Fat is typically harvested from the abdomen, waist or thighs using a gentle liposuction technique. The harvested tissue is then processed and purified before reinjection using specialised cannulae.
Most facial fat transfer procedures are performed under general anaesthetic, depending on the extent of treatment.
Recovery and Results
Swelling is expected initially and gradually improves over the following weeks. A proportion of transferred fat is naturally resorbed during the healing process. The remaining cells establish a blood supply and become integrated into the surrounding tissues.
Patients typically benefit from:
- Soft, natural volume restoration
- Improved facial contours
- Better tissue quality
- Long-term rejuvenation
- Natural facial movement and expression
Because the treatment uses living tissue, results can be exceptionally long-lasting.
Fat Transfer vs Dermal Fillers
Both fat transfer and dermal fillers restore volume, but they achieve this in different ways.
| Feature | Dermal Fillers | Fat Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Injectable product | Your own body |
| Volume restoration and durability | Immediate but temporary | Immediate with long-term integration |
| Regenerative effects | Minimal | Present |
| Repeat treatments | Usually required | Less commonly required |
| Large-volume correction | Limited | Excellent |
Dermal fillers remain an excellent option for precise correction and smaller-volume treatments. Fat transfer is often particularly attractive for patients seeking larger-volume restoration, long-term results, or a more biological approach to facial rejuvenation.
Consultation
A detailed consultation allows assessment of facial volume loss, skin quality, facial ageing patterns, previous treatments, and suitability for fat grafting. Alternative treatments, including dermal fillers, regenerative skin treatments, and facelift surgery, can also be discussed where appropriate.
Book Your Consultation
For facial fat transfer in London, including microfat grafting, nanofat, under-eye fat transfer, and facial rejuvenation with fat grafting, arrange a consultation with Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr Tom Pepper at Harley Street or Cromwell Hospital. A personalised assessment will determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
