Facial lipofilling, also known as lipostructure or autologous fat injection, is a surgical technique for facial rejuvenation that restores facial volumes and corrects wrinkles, dark circles and nasolabial folds. The aim is to improve the oval of the face, furrows and hollows, and give it a more youthful, harmonious appearance.
What is facial lipofilling?
Facial lipofilling involves transferring autologous fat (the patient's own fat) to specific areas of the face to fill lost volume and correct age-related imperfections. It can target different areas:
- Cheekbones: for a more youthful, harmonious face
- Dark circles and tear troughs: reduce the "tired" look
- Temples: to soften facial contours
- Cheeks and lips: to restore volume and correct asymmetries
- Nasolabial folds and bitterness creases: to reduce deep wrinkles
- Chin and mandibular contours: for a better-defined face.
This procedure uses the patient's own fat, harvested from a donor area such as the abdomen, hips or thighs. In this way, the face can be rejuvenated without the use of synthetic products. What's more, the stem cells present in the fat stimulate skin tissue regeneration and improve skin quality.
Lipofilling is a permanent technique, unlike synthetic fillers such as hyaluronic acid or collagen inducers, whose effects are temporary. The results are subtle, natural and long-lasting, with the face regaining its freshness while remaining harmonious and expressive.
What are our different facial lipofilling techniques?
We offer several techniques adapted to each patient and their specific needs:
- Classic lipofilling: to restore volume to the cheeks, cheekbones and temples;
- Targeted lipostructure: to reshape the lips, chin and oval of the face;
- Micro-injections of purified fat (nanofat): to improve skin texture, luminosity and tone;
- Wrinkle and scar filling: to correct nasolabial folds, bitterness folds or acne scars.
The appropriate technique will be proposed to the patient on a personalized basis to ensure even distribution of fat, perfect integration of fat cells and a natural, long-lasting result.
Good to know : lipofilling can also be combined with other aesthetic procedures such as facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or chin surgery to achieve a complete rejuvenation of the face.
What are the steps before your facial lipofilling?
It is necessary to prepare well before facial lipofilling to ensure the safety and success of the procedure:
- Pre-operative consultation: the first appointment with your plastic surgeon enables him/her to analyze in detail your face, the volumes to be restored and your expectations.
- Photographs and aesthetic assessment: photos are taken to plan the procedure and evaluate the rejuvenation to be achieved. You can bring photos of your youth to guide the surgeon. Once the procedure is complete, you can analyze the results using before-and-after facial lipofilling photos.
- Anaesthetic consultation: depending on the type of anaesthesia chosen (local potentiated or general), you will need to make an appointment with the anaesthetist before the procedure.
- Medical preparation: to minimize the risk of bleeding, it is advisable to stop smoking at least one month before the operation, as well as taking aspirin or anticoagulants.
How does lipofilling work?
The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis and lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the areas to be treated. The main steps are :
- Fat harvesting: fat is harvested from a donor area (abdomen, hips, thighs, abdomen). The surgeon uses a non-traumatic micro-cannula to preserve the fat cells.
- Fat purification: the fat is washed and centrifuged to remove blood and impurities, leaving only healthy adipocytes.
- Re-injection into the face: fat is injected into the areas to be treated through micro-incisions concealed in the natural folds of the face. The surgeon performs several passes to create a homogeneous, natural volume.
- Modelling and massage: the surgeon massages the injected areas to even out the distribution of fat and ensure the integration of fat cells.
- Light dressing: a light dressing can be applied to injection and sampling sites to protect areas from potential infection and facilitate the healing process.
What happens after lipofilling?
After the procedure, the patient may observe:
- Edema (swelling) and ecchymosis (bruising): common, they resolve in a few days to a few weeks.
- Sensitivity and mild discomfort: easily controlled with simple analgesics.
- Recommendations: avoid intense sport, contact with injected areas and exposure to the sun for 1 month.
- Definitive result visible after 3 to 6 months: when the oedema is reabsorbed and the fat has integrated into the face.
- Touch-ups possible if necessary to correct asymmetry or undercorrection.
It's important to know that injected fat will survive in the same way as the rest of the body: weight gain or loss can alter the volume of the treated areas. The natural aging process will also affect the face over the years.
Before and after photos of our patients in Paris
Discover our Before/After facial lipofilling photo gallery and the results obtained on our patients' cheekbones, dark circles, cheeks, temples, lips and chins. Each procedure is individually tailored to preserve facial harmony and achieve natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.
Our rates in Paris
The price of facial lipofilling varies according to the areas to be treated and the technique used:
- Guide price: âŹ3,000 to âŹ4,500
- Personalized quotation after preoperative consultation
- Prices vary according to the volume of fat injected, the areas targeted and any additional procedures required.
