Lipofilling: which part of the face to treat, and why?

Facial lipofilling: definition and general information

Lipofilling, that is, the transfer of fat into the face, also known as facial lipostructure, is an innovative surgical technique used to make up for fat loss, to fill wrinkles and under-eye circles permanently, to mask the colour of dark circles and, in some cases, to regenerate the skin tissue. It is the treatment of choice for overall facial rejuvenation. The principle is to reinject fat into certain areas, using the patient’s own fat, harvested by liposuction and then treated.

Several types of facial lipostructure

There are different types of lipofilling, or lipostructure, depending on the indication. First there is volumising lipofilling, which uses autologous fat, taken from the patient, to restore facial volumes lost with age. The areas to be filled are decided case by case. They may include the under-eye circles, the temples, the cheeks or the cheekbones.

Facial fat injections can also be used to treat wrinkles. In this case, Dr Hayot injects the nasolabial folds, the wrinkles around the mouth and the crow’s feet. The procedure fills breaks in the skin for a lasting, natural result. Finally, your practitioner offers an innovative method: nano-lipofilling, also known as nano-lipostructure. Here, stem cells and growth factors are extracted and then reinjected into the dermis to restore volume.

The benefits of facial fat injection

The main advantage of facial fat injections is their safety, since the fat comes from the patient. This is different from hyaluronic acid injections which, although natural, still carry a certain risk of rejection. With lipostructure there is a very limited risk of allergy, and the results are far more harmonious.

What is more, when the technique is mastered by a specialist such as Dr Hayot, the effect is natural and discreet, something patients greatly value today. They do not have to cope with a swollen or puffy face for the first few days, particularly as the doctor limits bruising by using micro-cannulas that are gentle on the face.

Another major advantage over filler injections is that lipofilling gives a lasting result.

The main stages of facial lipofilling

Certain medicines must be stopped before the procedure: the anaesthetist and the surgeon will tell you which. The procedure takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, longer if it is combined with others, such as a blepharoplasty or a facelift of the jawline and neck.

A general anaesthetic is used. For facial lipofilling, the fat is generally taken from the abdomen or the inner knee. It is rinsed, filtered, defibrosed and broken up before being reinjected through a micro-cannula into the upper third of the face.

You must follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions.

Facial lipostructure: how long does recovery take?

After facial lipostructure it is advisable to rest for a few days, so as not to traumatise the grafted fat. Unlike a facelift, which involves a few days of downtime, facial lipofilling does not stop you returning to work straight away. Post-operative pain is virtually non-existent. You may simply notice slight bruising and swelling in the first few days.

Possible risks and complications after facial lipofilling

A distinction must be drawn between complications at the donor sites, which are similar to those of liposuction, and at the recipient sites. For the latter, the risks are the same as for any surgical procedure: infection, haematoma, bruising. It should also be noted that all anaesthesia carries risks and can lead to complications.

By choosing a surgeon qualified in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, you can minimise these risks. As a specialist in lipofilling, I will be glad to see you for a consultation at my Paris practice, in the 8th arrondissement, to reassure you and explain my techniques in detail. Please do not hesitate to contact me.