Facial Fat Transfer in Southwest Florida

Fat Transfer

Only your doctor knows for sure.

Skin Secrets Cape Coral, FL

What is a Facial Fat Transfer, Fat Grafting, or a Fat Rejuvenation Procedure?

Fat transfer to the face is quickly becoming the #1 treatment to rejuvenate aging skin replace lost volume, restoring fullness, and smoothing wrinkles.

The quest for the ideal filler material is ongoing, but intradermal fat injections can serve as an inexpensive and safe alternative to classic intradermal fillers. Because fat comes from your body, it is the most natural filler possible. This safe, long-lasting, well-tolerated procedure produces natural-looking results.

Every year, thousands of people undergo successful fat grafting and are pleased with the results. Autologous fat (from your own body), as opposed to dermal fillers, replaces “like with like,” reducing the chance of allergic reactions to foreign substances.

You might have too much fat in your abdomen or flanks. Wouldn’t it be great if you could remove that fat to become leaner, but then use it to smooth or plump up an area that needs it, like your face, under eye region or lips?

Why is autologous fat transfer so popular?

Fat Transfer to Full Face - After After
Fat Transfer to full face - Before Before

Autologous fat injections are re-injected to enhance facial fullness, fill creases or build up shallow contours especially in the cheeks and temple area. It is also used to smooth thinning lips and erase under-eye bags and dark circles. When a facial fat grafting procedure is performed, fat is moved to the face from another part of the body.

The procedure may also be called autologous fat transfer or AFT, autologous fat grafting, micro-lipoinjection, facial fat rejuvenation, or nanofat injection or lipofilling. It is less expensive than fillers in the long run because results can last for many years or be permanent. It is simple, safe, and done while awake in an office setting.

Is the fat lumpy? Why are 3 fat size particles important to a physician who specializes in fat transfer?

An experienced physician like Dr. McLaren will make 3 different fat particle sizes. 

The fat straight from your body is called Millifat. After purified, it is around 2 mm in size and used for deep volume enhancement in cheeks, temples, jawline, lips and deep wrinkles needing support.

The second fat particle made is called Microfat and is around 1 mm in size. This particle can fit through a needle and can be used like a filler in laugh lines, forehead wrinkles etc. This procedure is called SNIF or sharp needle intradermal fat grafting, where the fat is injected right into the skin, like a dermal filler.

The third fat made is called Nanofat. This is made when the fat is emulsified and screened into a thick liquid, high in growth factors and stem cells. It is used to improve skin texture and tone. Skin rejuvenation with microneedling is called the nanofat facial. It has many healing properties for scars or wounds.

Dr. McLaren takes the time to make and use all three types of fat as she feels this gives the overall best results.

Skin Doctor in Southwest Florida

Dr. Greta McLaren

Dr. McLaren is the founder and owner of “Skin Secrets by Dr. McLaren” where her philosophy is that “only your doctor knows for sure…”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Using the SNIF procedure described above, the fat can be used similar to a filler like Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane or Radiesse.

Yes! Dr. McLaren performs fat transfer to the face and hands using a microfat injection technique. This does not require surgery and only requires the removal of fat from one area with a syringe. The fat is purified then reinjected into the select areas of your face with a tiny cannula.

The last thing Dr McLaren wants is to have people point at you and say, “You’ve had plastic surgery done.” Her goal is natural looking results, that “only your Doctor knows for sure…   It is all about bringing your face back into proportions of youth. Your facial features will look lifted, fuller, and rejuvenated. All without a foreign material in your body!

Dr. McLaren takes great care to use the purest fat possible. The harvested fat is processed to obtain the purest fat that is rich in stem cells, growth factor and healing cells. Dr. McLaren often uses the PURE Graft system to process the fat. The injections take time as the smallest the amount placed in each area, the more likely the fat will have a good vascular supply and survive. Rushing the procedure will backfire as the fat may not TAKE. If done right, the results should last for years or be permanent. On average, about 60% of total volume injected survives according to the studies.
Fat is placed in the same areas as dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm, Voluma, Restylane and Radiesse, as well as Sculptra, a collagen stimulator. To offer a more youthful appearance, fat is commonly transferred to the folds that go from the corners of the mouth to the nose known as the nasolabial folds or wrinkles. Other areas that can be injected include: marionette lines from the corners of the mouth to the jaw; pre jowl region; the under-eye areas; under brows; temporal hollows known as the hollowed out area above the crow’s feet; lips; and the cheeks. Fat transfer to the hands will provide excellent hand rejuvenation. On average 50 to 80 cc’s of fat is grafted. This would be like putting up to 80 syringes of filler in the face, which would be cost prohibited for most patients.

Fat grafting into your hands is effective for adding volume, “plumping up” wrinkled areas, covering underlying vessels and tendons and improving the quality of your skin over time. If combined with the Forever Young BBL procedure, which is a laser like treatments, to rid age spots and red veins, you can truly “turn back the hands of time!”

The facial fat grafting procedure includes three steps. First Dr. McLaren removes unwanted fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs or even knees. Because Dr. McLaren already specializes in liposculpting for the whole body, she is an advanced sculptor and will contour the donor site.  The fat is then cleaned so that only whole, undamaged fat cells are used. Finally, the fat cells are injected into the targeted areas. The procedure takes around two hours and the patient is awake, but valium is given for relaxation, and lidocaine to local areas is used for numbing.

The main side effect is swelling, and some bruising is likely. Occasionally, patients may want to take pain medication for a few days after procedure, but many just use Tylenol. Bruising lasts approx. one week to 10 days in most patients, and swelling is 1 to 3 weeks. Individual results and side effects can vary. Patients can drive the next day and usually return to work within 2 to 3 days.
Because we all lose bone muscle and fat when we age, our skull and face is literally shrinking before our eyes. Our skin becomes loose, partially because the skin layer is now to0 large for the shrinking face below. A face lift will simply cut away and tighten the skin, but you will still have an aging face underneath. “You must grow the raisin back up to the grape.” The only way to help restore a natural appearance, is to replace lost volume with fat volume which will also helps to rebuild bone loss occurring with the aging process. The best candidates are those with good skin tone, but are experiencing loose, sagging skin. If you have facial creases, such as laugh lines, deep furrows, drooping brows, smile lines, crow’s-feet, thinning lips, sagging flattened cheeks, or a weakening jaw line with jowls, you should consult on this procedure, Fat grafting is ideal for someone who has already had a facelift will benefit greatly as fat transfer may provide a more natural appearance after a facelift and take away the “surgical look”.

It depends on how much fat is required to achieve your desired result. Even slender patients have enough fat to smooth away wrinkles or plump up their lips. Usually thin females have unwanted fat in their knee area.

Labia puffing refers to fat transfer to the labia. It is designed to smooth out wrinkles, reduce sagging, or correct asymmetry.

Autologous fat transfer or AFT means fat will be taken from your own unwanted fat areas. What could be more natural to replace volume in your face? The risks are minimal. There is not a risk of allergic reaction. Results are amazing, as well as natural looking and safe.

  • If it is time to feel your BEST SELF and take control of the aging process
  • If you have facial areas that appear creased and sunken
  • If you desire more permanent correction than is provided by temporary fillers and are sick of the expense of reinjecting every year.
  • If you need to, revise scars, or rejuvenate your hands and face
  • After a facelift for a more natural look.
Your only scars might result from the liposuction incisions used to remove fat from the donor site. Because liposuction incisions are small, the scars are also small and are placed in hidden areas. Most liposuction scars fade and are barely perceivable over time.

Why should I choose Dr. McLaren at Skin Secrets in Cape Coral to perform my fat transfer procedure?

Dr. McLaren was one of the first physicians in Colorado to perform dermal filler treatments in 1999. She opened the first aesthetic, cosmetic art clinic at the University of Colorado Health Center. She is a true artist and has a passion for sculpting and drawing. She was one of the first physicians in the U.S. to teach dermal filler classes to other physicians in early 2000. She has trained in advanced liposculpting, including Hi Definition sculpting.

Cape Coral, FL's Premier Medical Spa, and Anti-Aging Clinic

When you’re searching for a premier, upscale MedSpa experience, look no further than Skin Secrets in Cape Coral Florida. Our experienced team – led by Dr. Greta McLaren – specializes in minimally invasive, non-surgical procedures and treatments customized to your personal needs and goals.

For over 30 years, Dr. McLaren has undergone extensive training in both cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. She is a laser Surgeon and aesthetic medicine specialist who is considered an expert and has been invited to teach her aesthetic skills nationally to other physicians throughout the United States. She is a member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and American Society for Photodynamic Therapy.

Message Skin Secrets today or call us at 239-800-SKIN(7546) to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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