Get rid of your wrinkles!
SMOOTHING OUT THE WRINKLES

Facial wrinkles and creases are part of the aging process. They begin to appear as the underlying collagen and elastin fibers break down and wear out. While this breakdown is part of the natural aging process, it can also result from excessive squinting, frowning and smiling.

Injectable bovine collagen and fat cells taken from your own body are the two most frequently used materials for filling facial wrinkles and frown lines.

While collagen can smooth out wrinkles, Injectable collagen isn’t for everyone. Some patients are allergic to bovine collagen or may develop an allergic reaction over time. If you are considering collagen injections to correct the early signs of aging, you will need to have a simple skin test prior to your treatment.

Fat transfer, also called autologous fat transplantation or micro-lipoinjection, plumps up facial features with a patient’s own fat and is a popular alternative to other wrinkle treatments. Fat transfer to the face is a safe, natural, non-allergenic procedure designed to recontour your face and can provide definition to your cheeks and chin. It can also be used to correct facial deformities. Since fat transfer uses your own fat cells, you can never have an allergic reaction, because it’s from your own body.

With fat transfer it is possible to have fat liposuctioned from your thighs and then transferred to any area of your body. Reinjected fat lasts longer in larger areas of non-movement, so it is very successful for the correction of sunken cheeks because this area does not move as often. Fat transfer can also correct atrophic aging of the hands, post-surgical and post-traumatic defects.

Fat transfered to the face can last over 9 years. Over 50% of the fat transfered remains in the facial tissues with the newer techniques now employed.

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE DONE?
Fat transfer is performed in our office on an outpatient basis. Both the area from which the fat is taken and the treatment site are anesthetized with a local anesthetic. Using a small needle attached to a syringe, fat is removed from a donor site where your fat is most tightly packed, such as your abdomen or your buttocks.

Once removed, your fat is processed to remove excess fluids and then reinjected using another needle, which is place just under your skin beneath the wrinkle. Usually one injection followed by a touch up, with the patients frozen fat from the initial procedure usually achieves excellent results.

Harvesting the fat cells for reinjection is often preformed in conjunction with other procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck or cosmetic breast surgery. When fat is harvested during another procedure, it is often possible for your surgeon to harvest a larger amount of fat, then freeze and store your fat for future injections when they become necessary.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FAT TRANSFER?
• Fat transferred to the face can last over 9 years.
• Fat transfer can be very cost effective when combined with another procedure.
• There’s no chance of an allergic reaction.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY FAT TRANSFER?
Patients are up and around immediately following fat injections. Any discomfort following the procedure can be controlled with medication. Some swelling at the treatment site may last up to 36 hours. There may be some bruising, which can be covered with make-up. Your initial injection of fat has a roughly 45% to 50% resorption rate, therefore it is partially overcorrected to compensate for the loss. After four months the fat transfered is stable and has lasted over 9 years in many patients. Reinjections may be scheduled to refine areas after four months.

If you have been wondering how to get rid of your wrinkles, fat injections may be the answer.

Call our office and arrange a private consultation.