Facial lipofilling, also known as lipostructure or autologous fat injection, is a surgical technique for facial rejuvenation that restores facial volume and corrects wrinkles, dark circles, and nasolabial folds. The goal is to improve the facial contour, reduce furrows and hollows, and give the face a more youthful and harmonious appearance.
What is facial lipofilling?
Facial lipofilling involves transferring autologous fat (the patient’s own fat) to specific areas of the face to restore lost volume and correct age-related imperfections. It can target various areas:
- Cheekbones: For a More Youthful and Balanced Face
- Dark circles and tear troughs: to reduce the “tired” look
- Temples: to soften the contours of the face
- Cheeks and lips: to restore volume and correct asymmetries
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines: to reduce deep wrinkles
- Chin and jawline: for a more defined face.
This procedure involves using the patient’s own fat, harvested from a donor site such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs. It thus helps rejuvenate the face without the use of synthetic products. In addition, the stem cells present in the fat stimulate skin tissue regeneration and improve skin quality.
Lipofilling is a permanent procedure, unlike synthetic fillers such as hyaluronic acid or collagen inducers, whose effects are temporary. The results are subtle, natural, and long-lasting; the face regains its youthful appearance while remaining harmonious and expressive.
What are our different techniques for facial lipofilling?
We offer several techniques tailored to each patient and their specific needs:
- Traditional lipofilling: to restore volume to the cheeks, cheekbones, and temples;
- Targeted lipostructure: to reshape the lips, chin, and facial contours;
- Microinjections of purified fat (nanofat): to improve the skin's texture, radiance, and firmness;
- Filling wrinkles and scars: to correct nasolabial folds, marionette lines, or acne scars.
The appropriate technique will be recommended to the patient on an individualized basis to ensure even fat distribution, seamless integration of fat cells, and a natural, long-lasting result.
Good to know: Lipofilling can also be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), or chin surgery, to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
What are the steps to take before your facial lipofilling procedure?
It is important to prepare thoroughly before undergoing facial lipofilling to ensure the safety and success of the procedure:
- Preoperative consultation: Your first appointment with your plastic surgeon allows him or her to thoroughly assess your face, the areas where volume needs to be restored, and your expectations.
- Photographs and Aesthetic Assessment: Photos are taken to plan the procedure and assess the desired rejuvenation. You may bring photos from your younger years to help guide the surgeon. Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be able to evaluate the results using before-and-after photos of facial lipofilling.
- Anesthesia consultation: Depending on the type of anesthesia chosen (enhanced local or general), you will need to schedule an appointment with the anesthesiologist prior to the procedure.
- Medical preparation: To minimize the risk of bleeding, it is recommended that you stop smoking at least one month before the procedure and discontinue the use of aspirin or anticoagulants.
What is the procedure for your lipofilling?
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the areas to be treated. The main steps are:
- Fat removal: Fat is harvested from a donor site (abdomen, hips, thighs, or stomach). The surgeon uses a non-traumatic microcannula that preserves the fat cells.
- Fat purification: The fat is washed and centrifuged to remove blood and impurities, leaving only healthy fat cells.
- Facial Fat Grafting: Fat is injected into the treatment areas through micro-incisions hidden in the face’s natural creases. The surgeon makes several passes to achieve uniform and natural-looking volume throughout the area.
- Contouring and massage: The surgeon massages the treated areas to ensure an even distribution of fat and to promote the integration of the fat cells.
- Light bandage: A light bandage can be applied to the injection and puncture sites to protect the areas from potential infection and promote healing.
What are the aftereffects of lipofilling?
After the procedure, the patient may experience:
- Edema (swelling) and bruising: These are common and usually resolve within a few days to a few weeks.
- Sensitivity and mild discomfort: easily managed with simple pain relievers.
- Recommendations: Avoid strenuous exercise, touching the treated areas, and sun exposure for 1 month.
- Final results are visible after 3 to 6 months, once the swelling has subsided and the fat has settled into the face.
- Follow-up procedures may be performed if necessary to correct asymmetry or undercorrection.
It is important to know that the injected fat will behave the same way as it does in 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
Explore our before-and-after photo gallery of facial lipofilling and see the results achieved on our patients’ cheekbones, under-eye circles, cheeks, temples, lips, and chins. Each procedure is tailored to preserve the harmony of the face and achieve natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.
Our Rates in Paris
The cost of facial lipofilling varies depending on the areas to be treated and the technique used:
- Estimated price: €3,000 to €4,500
- Customized quote following the preoperative consultation
- Pricing varies depending on the volume of fat injected, the targeted areas, and any additional procedures.
