Facial fat loss is a common issue that occurs as we age. As we get older, our faces naturally lose some of their youthful plumpness and volume. This is largely due to the gradual loss of facial fat and collagen. Some areas of the face, like the cheeks, are especially prone to thinning out over time. The result is often a more hollow, sunken-in, or sagging appearance in the face and cheeks. Many people want to know if there is any way to restore this lost facial fat and regain a more youthful facial appearance. In this article, we’ll dive into the question of whether facial fat can grow back after it has been lost.
What causes facial fat loss?
There are a few key factors that cause us to slowly lose facial fat overtime:
- Aging – As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, which are proteins that help keep skin firm and supple. This leads to a loss of facial volume.
- Genetics – Some people are just genetically predisposed to losing facial fat more quickly and noticeably than others.
- Weight loss – Losing weight, especially in the face, can lead to an accelerated loss of facial fat.
- Lifestyle factors – Things like smoking, sun exposure, and high stress can also degrade collagen and contribute to facial fat loss.
The face has several compartments of fat that sit on top of the facial muscles. This fat helps give the face its smooth, rounded, youthful appearance. But as we age and lose facial fat, the cheeks can start to appear more sunken and hollow. The area around the eyes may also take on a more hollow look as fat pads in this delicate area atrophy. Even the lips can lose their plumpness and definition as fat is lost. These changes happen subtly and gradually over time. Most people start to really notice facial fat loss in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Can you regain lost facial fat?
The big question is – once facial fat is lost, can it ever be restored? The answer is YES, facial fat can be regained, but it depends on the method used. Here are some ways people attempt to restore lost facial volume:
Gain weight
Gaining weight overall can sometimes lead to regaining some fat in the face. However, this is not very feasible or medically advisable for most people. When we gain weight typically, facial fat is the last place the extra pounds go. And even substantial weight gain won’t necessarily lead to a noticeable difference in facial fullness.
Facial exercises
Doing focused facial exercises, like cheek lifts and puffing out the cheeks, likely provides minimal results. While exercising and toning the facial muscles is beneficial for appearance and strength, it does not directly replace lost facial fat.
Topical creams
Using moisturizers and topical treatments containing compounds like hyaluronic acid that help your skin retain moisture can make the face appear a bit more plump and hydrated. But the effects are temporary and do not truly restore lost facial fat.
Facial fat transfer
One of the most effective methods for restoring lost facial fat is a cosmetic procedure called fat transfer, also known as fat grafting. This treatment involves taking fat from another part of your body, like your thighs or abdomen, and injecting it into areas of the face that have lost volume, like the cheeks or around the mouth. The transferred fat cells graft into the treatment areas and provide lasting, natural-looking volume. Over time, the body naturally reabsorbs some of the grafted fat, so touch-up procedures are sometimes needed to maintain the desired effect. But overall, facial fat transfer can successfully increase facial fat volume in areas that need it.
Benefits of restoring facial fat volume
Some of the benefits of restoring lost facial fat include:
- Reversing visible signs of aging and rejuvenating facial appearance
- Reducing the sunken, hollow look in the cheeks and eyes
- Restoring youthful contours to the face
- Bringing back volume and fullness to the lips
- Improving facial symmetry
- Boosting self-confidence
Correcting the loss of facial fat can give your face a more rested, smooth, and youthful look. Areas that often show the most improvement after fat grafting are the midface, cheeks, and around the mouth and eyes. Many people who undergo this treatment are extremely satisfied with their refreshed facial appearance and feel like they’ve turned back the clock.
Who is a good candidate for facial fat transfer?
Some good candidates for facial fat grafting include:
- Men and women who have lost facial fat volume due to aging
- People with sunken or hollow-looking cheeks, eyes, or lips
- Those who have good overall skin tone and elasticity
- Healthy individuals who do not smoke or have medical conditions that impair healing
- People who are at or near their ideal body weight
Having enough donor fat to harvest is necessary for this treatment, so being near your optimal weight is ideal. Your surgeon will assess your unique facial concerns and structure and help determine if you are a suitable candidate. They will also take into account your health, skin condition, bone structure, and goals.
How is a facial fat transfer performed?
A facial fat transfer is a safe outpatient procedure performed under anesthesia. The basic steps include:
- Liposuction is done on an area with excess fat, like the stomach or thighs. This harvested fat is purified and prepared for transfer.
- Small injections of the prepared fat are precisely placed in different areas of the face needing increased volume.
- The treatment areas are contoured for smooth, natural-looking results.
The procedure takes 2-4 hours depending on the extent of the treatment. There is minimal downtime afterward. Patients can expect some swelling and bruising that resolves within a couple weeks. Most people see the final results about three months after treatment. Results are long-lasting, typically about two years or more. Maintaining a stable weight also helps prolong your results.
Are there risks or side effects?
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are some risks and potential side effects to consider with facial fat grafting. These include:
- Infection
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Scarring
- Asymmetry or irregular contours
- Damage to facial nerves
- Fat necrosis (death of grafted fat cells)
- Cysts or granulomas
- Overfilling resulting in an unnatural look
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic facial surgery reduces these risks and gives you the best chance for natural-looking, long-lasting results.
What is the recovery like?
Recovery from facial fat transfer is fairly quick. Typical recovery steps include:
- Resting for the first 24-48 hours
- Using cold compresses to help reduce swelling
- Taking prescribed medication for discomfort
- Sleeping on your back with your head elevated
- Avoiding strenuous activity for about two weeks
- Gradually returning to normal activities after the first week
- Most swelling and bruising resolves within 2 weeks
- Final results are visible after about 3 months
Patients can cover up bruising with makeup after about 10 days. Most people feel comfortable returning to work or school after about 1 week.
Results timeline: What to expect
Here is a general timeline of what to expect from a facial fat transfer procedure:
- Day 1: Swelling and bruising from the procedure. Rest and relax.
- Week 1: Bruising starts fading, swelling decreases. Can return to light activities.
- Week 2: Less bruising and swelling. Can return to normal routine.
- Week 3: Continued improvement with subtle bruising possible.
- 1-2 Months: Noticeable improvements but still some residual swelling.
- 3 Months: Optimal results are visible but may continue improving.
- 1 Year: Long lasting, natural-looking results.
It’s important to be patient through the full recovery process to see your final facial rejuvenation results.
How much does facial fat transfer cost?
The average cost of facial fat transfer is $3,500 – $12,000. However, costs can vary based on factors like:
- The surgeon’s expertise and experience
- Geographic location
- Extent of treatment needed
- Whether it is part of other procedures
Many plastic surgeons offer financing options to help patients budget for treatment. The cost is often comparable or less than repeated injections of facial fillers over time. For longer lasting, youth-restoring results, facial fat grafting is a worthwhile investment.
Conclusion
While losing facial fat is an inevitable part of aging, you don’t have to accept a hollow, depleted look. Facial fat grafting offers a solution to plump up fat loss in the cheeks, around the eyes and mouth, and restore a more rested, youthful appearance. When performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, transferring your body’s own fat cells can produce extremely natural-looking results that last for years. Candidates need to be in overall good health and have adequate fat deposits for harvesting. Recovery is fairly quick with minimal downtime. While no surgery is without risks, facial fat transfer has a strong safety record and high patient satisfaction. Most people find this treatment to be life-changing, giving them renewed confidence in their looks. Considering all it has to offer, facial fat grafting delivers great value for those seeking to turn back the clock and regain their facial fullness.