Facial Fat Grafting
- Utilizes the patient's own cells to help improve facial volume and/or skin quality in a natural-appearing way
- Minimally invasive procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation
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What is the Procedure?
Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure intended to add volume and/or induce changes to the skin where it is placed on the face. Fat is removed from the body through a small incision using a blunt-tipped cannula. It is harvested from the abdomen, flanks and/or inner thighs. The fat is then purified. There are multiple methods for purifying fat including centrifugation, filtration, and washing. Purified fat is then transferred through instruments that make it smaller and more uniform in preparation for placement in the face. Depending on the thickness of the fat transferred, a blunt-tipped microcannula or needle can be used to perform fat grafting. Common areas of fat grafting include the temples, lower eyelids, cheeks, and the skin around the mouth.
What Conditions Does the Procedure Address?
A youthful-appearing face demonstrates a soft volume with smooth transitions between different anatomic regions. For example, youthful volume in the temples helps smooth the transition to the area around the lateral eyebrows. Also, youthful volume in the cheeks helps smooth the transition to the volume in the lower eyelids. Facial fat grafting helps address conditions related to a lack of volume in one or multiple areas of the face as well as skin changes that occur due to aging, chronic, excessive sun exposure, and other environmental factors than can harm the skin.
Why Choose Dr. Harmon
The desire for youthfulness is understandable. There is no area more important than the face. After all, the face cannot be hidden. It is how we present ourselves to the world. Dr. Harmon works with a refined eye and trained hands to develop a personalized treatment plan with you, utilizing advanced techniques in surgical and non-surgical care of the face, nose, eyes, neck and hair.
Fellowship trained facial plastic surgeons have a unique specialized skill set in performing surgical and non-surgical procedures on the face, nose, eyes, neck and hair. The pathway to becoming a facial plastic surgeon begins with five years of rigorous training in head and neck surgery. This training is focused on all aspects of surgery for the head and neck, in addition to aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.
A small pool of top performing graduates from head and neck surgery programs are then selected to complete sub-specialty training as a fellow in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).
Dr. Harmon completed his fellowship in facial plastic surgery through the AAFPRS with the world-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono on Park Avenue in New York City. Dr. Jacono is world renowned for developing the extended deep plane facelift technique. Dr. Harmon is one of the few surgeons in the world, and the only surgeon in the Cincinnati area, fellowship trained in this technique by Dr. Jacono.
Quad A Accredited Surgery Suite
Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is proud to have a Quad A accredited operating room and facility in our office. Our single-physician, single-specialty facility meets or exceeds the strict guidelines and high standards set forth by Quad A, demonstrating our strong commitment to patient safety and excellence in surgical care. We utilize the services of board-certified anesthesiology physicians only as well as our own personal clinical support staff to ensure the most comfortable, safest experience for our clients.
Types of Facial Fat Grafting Procedures
Broadly, there are two methods of facial fat grafting, microfat grafting and nanofat grafting. The differences between the methods include the number of steps taken to purify the fat and the intended effects of the procedure.
Microfat Grafting
Microfat grafting involves the processing of fat into a uniform material for the primary purpose of increasing the volume and, therefore, improving the contours of the area(s) injected. Areas that are commonly volumized include the temples and the cheeks.
Nanofat Grafting
Nanofat grafting involves the processing of fat, through additional steps, into a thinner material than microfat. As a result, nanofat can be injected more superficially than microfat. The primary purpose of nanofat grafting is to induce changes in the skin to improve its thickness and, therefore, fine lines, wrinkles, and textural abnormalities. Areas that are commonly injected with nanofat include the skin around the mouth and the lower eyelids.
Overview of the Procedure
The team at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery works tirelessly to prepare patients well for their procedure. The time spent with patients and resources provided facilitates a smooth transition from the procedure through recovery. The following overview is a broad summary of the information provided to patients:
Procedure Consultation
Expect a detailed, informative discussion with Dr. Harmon about your concerns and aesthetic goals. He will develop a personalized treatment plan to address these concerns and goals.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Patients receive a packet with detailed pre-operative instructions prior to surgery. This packet includes information on what supplements and medications to hold prior to surgery, activity restrictions, and what supplies are necessary for post-operative recovery. Prescriptions are sent prior to surgery with instructions on their use. Finally, if medical clearance is required, a form detailing the necessary clearance and testing is provided to present to their primary care provider.
Day of Treatment
Patients are instructed to arrive at the office in comfortable clothes. The surgical plan is discussed with the patient in detail. Paperwork is completed. Photos are usually taken pre-operatively. Finally, the patient meets the surgical team, which may include nurses, anesthesiologists, and or scrub technologists, depending on the procedure(s) and type of anesthesia used.
Follow-Up Appointment
Patients usually follow up seven (7) to ten (10) days after facial fat grafting. Sutures at the location(s) of fast harvesting are few and dissolve on their own. Subsequent follow-up appointments can vary and depend on multiple factors.
Social Readiness
The procedure involves only small incisions in the area(s) where fat is harvested and no incisions in the area(s) where fat is placed. The time to resolution of bruising and swelling varies and depends on multiple patient-specific factors. The incision(s) can take months to heal completely. However, many feel ready to socialize approximately seven (7) to ten (10) days after surgery.
Ideal Candidates for Facial Fat Grafting
Ideal candidates for facial fat grafting include patients who:
- Have lost volume in their cheeks with age
- Have lost volume in their temples with age
- Who have demonstrated a lack of volume in their cheeks from an early age
- Who have demonstrated a lack of volume in their temples from an early age
- Have developed thin skin around the mouth with fine lines and wrinkles
- Have developed thin skin around the lower eyelids with fine lines and wrinkles
Most candidates for facial fat grafting range in age from thirties (30s) to seventies (70s). A consultation is essential to determine candidacy for the procedure, because there may be factors that preclude this procedure for certain individuals. Reasonable expectations must be established about what facial fat grafting can and cannot accomplish as with all plastic surgery procedures. As with all facial plastic surgery procedures, results can vary.
Benefits of Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting helps address many age-related changes to the face. The procedure can help:
- Increase volume in areas of the face where it has been lost
- Increase volume in areas of the face where it is insufficient
- Improve the youthful contours of the face
- Improve skin quality and texture
Risks of Facial Fat Grafting
The risks of facial fat grafting include, but are not limited to:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Infection
- Partial or complete resorption of fat
- Lumpiness or other surface imperfections
Combine Facial Fat Grafting with Other Facial Enhancements
Facial fat grafting complements other surgical and non-surgical procedures well. It complements other surgical procedures that lift drooping tissue (e.g. deep plane facelift, brow lift) by further emphasizing an elevation of the focal areas of facial aesthetics. It complements other non-surgical procedures by addressing age-related changes that develop concurrently but that they do not address.
Deep plane facelift
Combining facial fat grafting with a deep plane facelift may enhance both structure and volume, lifting deeper tissues while restoring youthful fullness. Together, they help create comprehensive, long-lasting facial rejuvenation with a natural softness and contour.
Brow lift
A brow lift can elevate and open the upper face, while facial fat grafting helps restore volume to hollowed temples and upper eyelids. This combination may refine the upper third of the face with youthful proportion and balance.
Blepharoplasty
While blepharoplasty refreshes the eye area by removing excess skin, facial fat grafting helps soften under-eye hollows and replenish volume around the tear troughs.
Laser skin resurfacing
Laser resurfacing supports improvement in skin tone, texture, and clarity. It may complement the volume restoration from fat grafting. Together, they help with surface renewal and structural rejuvenation for a glowing, youthful finish.
Botox©
Botox© help enhance the smoothing effects of fat grafting by targeting expression lines in dynamic areas like the forehead and around the eyes. It helps create a softer, refreshed appearance.
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Take the first step toward your aesthetic goals with a personalized consultation. Dr. Harmon will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you through your options. Schedule your consultation today and discover how expert care can make a difference.
Read More About
Fat Grafting Versus a Cheek (Midface) Lift: Which Procedure is the Most Appropriate for Me?
Fat grafting and a cheek lift procedure each address specific concerns about the cheek and the cheek-eyelid interface. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck. The Extended Deep Plane Facelift Can Provide a Cheek Lift The extended deep plane facelift and deep plane facelift are unique among facelift procedures, because these procedures can lift the cheeks up to a more youthful position. The effect of a cheek lift can be an improvement in the folds around the upper lip (melolabial folds) and lower eyelids (tear troughs) and a more heart-shaped appearance to the face. In fact, a cheek lift can enhance the effects of lower eyelid surgery by smoothing the transition from the lower eyelid to the cheeks. Fat Grafting Can be Used Selectively Fat grafting, also called fat volumization or fat augmentation, involves the isolation of fat from other areas of the body that is then injected into different layers of the face to improve the appearance of the melolabial folds and tears troughs and to restore a more heart-shaped appearance to the face. Fat grafting can be an excellent option for patients who have lost volume in their face with age. It can also be a good option in small volumes to enhance the effectiveness of the cheek lift. A Cheek Lift is Superior to Fat Grafting for Most Individuals However, fat grafting the face without performing a midface lift in an individual with adequate facial volume can make the face look overly inflated and unnatural. This is because of the persistent volume in an area of the face that normally has less with age. As a result, adding volume around the drooping cheeks can make the face look unnaturally large. Also, the fat grafted to the face can be unpredictably absorbed. The larger the volume added the higher the risk of lumps and other contour irregularities developing, especially if the fat is placed close to the surface of the skin. Fat placed deeper is much less like to result in such abnormalities. A a detailed history and physical exam should always be performed prior to making the decision as to whether fat grafting or a cheek (midface) lift is most appropriate. Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon It is important to seek a fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your cheeks. Why Choose Dr. Harmon The mission of Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people along their journey towards self-confidence, to feel good about feeling good. Dr. Harmon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Harmon values making patients feel welcomed, listened to, and respected. Dr. Harmon graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology. Dr. Harmon earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Harmon underwent five years of extensive training in head at neck surgery at the prestigious residency program at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Harmon then underwent focused fellowship training in cosmetic facial plastic surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) with the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, on Park Avenue in New York City. Request a Consultation Request a consultation with Dr. Harmon at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati. Visit our clinic. You will learn more about Dr. Harmon's credentials, style and approach. Build a relationship with our dedicated team. Do not stop at searching "plastic surgery near me." Get in touch with us today to learn more! Contact Us
What are Common Areas to Receive Fat Augmentation in the Face?
Some individuals lose volume (i.e., fat) in their face as they age. Other individuals are born with poor volume and/or poor projection of their facial bones. Both individuals may benefit from fat augmentation. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck. Fat Augmentation is a More Permanent Alternative to Dermal Filler for the Face Fat augmentation involves the transfer of fat cells from other areas of the body (e.g., thigh, abdomen) to the face in areas with poor volume. The fat cells are carefully distributed evenly and at an appropriate depth to increase the volume of the target area. There are two areas of the face that are commonly augmented with fat. Temples The temples can hollow with age. Fat transfer to this location can restore some of that volume, in effect balancing out the volume in the lateral eyebrows. That is why fat augmentation of the temples can serve as a nice complement to the lateral temporal brow lift procedure. It is important to place the fat at the proper depth to maximize how smooth the contour of this volume is. It is a bit like adding a thick, viscous liquid to a balloon. The lining of the balloon stretches but tends to remain smooth because the liquid is distributed under the surface area of what is thick balloon material more evenly. In contrast, placement of the fat more superficially is more likely to lead to contour irregularities. Cheeks Some lose significant volume in their cheeks with age. A midface (i.e., cheek) lift through the extended deep plane facelift may be inadequate to re-approximate the youthful heart-shaped appearance to the face in those select circumstances. It is important to understand that the cheek is composed of multiple subzones, each of which volume can be lost in variably. Therefore, it is important to consider all subzones when adding volume, whether with fat or hyaluronic acid filler. Fat Augmentation is Generally a Poor Replacement for a Cheek Lift Fat augmentation can sometimes be a useful adjunct to but is generally a poor replacement for a cheek lift with the extended deep plane facelift. Augmenting the cheeks with large volumes of fat to mask drooping cheek fat can make the face appear overly rounded and unnatural, because the drooping cheek fat remains in an area that typically has a lower volume in youth. High volume fat augmentation also increases the risk of contour irregularities and asymmetries. Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon It is important to seek a fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about volume loss in the face. Why Choose Dr. Harmon The mission of Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people along their journey towards self-confidence, to feel good about feeling good. Dr. Harmon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Harmon values making patients feel welcomed, listened to, and respected. Dr. Harmon graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology. Dr. Harmon earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Harmon underwent five years of extensive training in head at neck surgery at the prestigious residency program at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Harmon then underwent focused fellowship training in cosmetic facial plastic surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) with the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, on Park Avenue in New York City. Request a Consultation Request a consultation with Dr. Harmon at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati. Visit our clinic. You will learn more about Dr. Harmon's credentials, style, and approach. Build a relationship with our dedicated team. Do not stop at searching "plastic surgery near me." Get in touch with us to learn more! Contact Us
Addressing Smoker’s Lines (Peri-Oral Rhytids)
One of the most common concerns people express about their face as they age is the presence of smoker's lines, or peri-oral rhytids, around the mouth. These stubborn lines are difficult to treat. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck. I Utilize a Dual-Pronged Approach: Resurfacing and Nano-Fat Transfer Dr. Harmon often utilize a dual-pronged approach to treating peri-oral skin, including rhytids. The first prong involves the use of a refined form of an individual's own fat, called nanofat. Nanofat is placed under the skin around the mouth. The second prong is a fractional CO2 laser, which is used after injecting nanofat. This laser resurfaces the skin which, along the with nanofat components, can encourage more organized collagen deposition, thereby improving the appearance of wrinkles and overall skin quality and texture (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). This approach can better address the actual changes going on in the skin – called histological changes – when compared with utilizing only one of the two prongs or hyaluronic acid filler to simply fill in the lines. This 58-year-old patient came to Dr. Harmon to address sagging cheeks and jowls, loose tissue in her neck, facial wrinkles, and a lengthened upper lip. An extended deep plane facelift, neck lift, and lip lift were performed. Lip filler was added to balance out her bottom lip with her top lip. Finally, the patient underwent treatment with a fractional CO2 laser in addition to nano-fat grafting of the wrinkles around her mouth. The patient is thrilled with her results only a few months after surgery. Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon It is important to seek a double board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your face or neck. Why Choose Dr. Harmon The mission of Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people along their journey towards self-confidence, to feel good about feeling good. Dr. Harmon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Harmon values making patients feel welcomed, listened to, and respected. Dr. Harmon graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology. Dr. Harmon earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Harmon underwent five years of extensive training in head at neck surgery at the prestigious residency program at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Harmon then underwent focused fellowship training in cosmetic facial plastic surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) with the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, on Park Avenue in New York City. Request a Consultation Request a consultation with Dr. Harmon at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati. Visit our clinic. You will learn more about Dr. Harmon's credentials, style and approach. Build a relationship with our dedicated team. Do not stop at searching "plastic surgery near me." Get in touch with us today to learn more! Contact Us References Akbari F, Hadibarhaghtalab M, Parvar SY, Dehghani S, Namazi MR. Toward facial rejuvenation; A clinical trial to assess the efficacy of nano fat grafting on wrinkles. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Feb;23(2):600-606. La Padula S, Ponzo M, Lombardi M, Iazzetta V, Errico C, Polverino G, Russo F, D'Andrea L, Hersant B, Meningaud JP, Salzano G, Pensato R. Nanofat in Plastic Reconstructive, Regenerative, and Aesthetic Surgery: A Review of Advancements in Face-Focused Applications. J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 28;12(13):4351. Tonnard P, Verpaele A, Carvas M. Fat Grafting for Facial Rejuvenation with Nanofat Grafts. Clin Plast Surg. 2020 Jan;47(1):53-62. Tonnard P, Verpaele A, Peeters G, Hamdi M, Cornelissen M, Declercq H. Nanofat grafting: basic research and clinical applications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Oct;132(4):1017-1026. Tran VVT, Jin X, Hong KY, Chang H. Effects of Nanofat in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Systematic Review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Sep 1;154(3):451e-464e. Uyulmaz S, Sanchez Macedo N, Rezaeian F, Giovanoli P, Lindenblatt N. Nanofat Grafting for Scar Treatment and Skin Quality Improvement. Aesthet Surg J. 2018 Mar 14;38(4):421-428.
Written by Dr. Harmon
Discover the expertise and compassionate care of Dr. Jeff Harmon, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community. A former collegiate athlete and Cornell University graduate, Dr. Harmon brings discipline, precision, and a global perspective to his surgical practice—refined through elite fellowship training in New York City.
Located in Hyde Park, Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients throughout the Cincinnati area offering personalized facial aesthetics with world-class skill and a hometown heart.