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Fat Grafting and Facial FillersThe face ages not only with the laxity of the skin but also with loss of volume. We see this most commonly in the drawn, pursed appearance around the aging lips or the hollowness in the aging cheeks. Filling these areas out with fat grafting or other facial fillers returns a nice, youthful plushness to the face and a healthier, more vigorous appearance. Many facial fillers are available to diminish facial lines or to add volume to specific facial features. Fat is one of these fillers. We harvest fat from the abdomen or hips and separate out the solid fatty portion. We then inject this solid fat through little tubes into the desired facial area. The lips, mouth and cheeks are all popular areas for fat injection. Because the tissue used is all yours, allergic reactions are avoided, and 20 to 40 percent of the injected fat remains permanently in the soft tissues of the face. Unfortunately, up to 80 percent of the fat will dissipate so multiple injections are needed to achieve permanent correction. For a lasting lip enhancement, we can insert a permanent synthetic product called Ultrasoft®. There are some disadvantages of these implants, including possible infection and extrusion or rejection by the lips. In addition, these implants can be felt through the skin. Other new fillers on the market that are human products — human collagen (Alloderm®) and a suspension of collagen particles (Cymetra®) — have a closer match to human skin. In some cases, skin testing is not required and these fillers can last up to a year. Because the collagen is treated to destroy any potential contaminants, the danger of contracting a virus from this substance is negligible. |
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