The face is one of the first parts of the body to show signs of aging.
As time marches forward, the skin, fat tissue, and musculature of our faces gradually begin to lose their youthful contours and elasticity. This leads to fine lines, wrinkles, sunken features, and a lack of definition in our facial characteristics.
Traditionally, people concerned about losing facial volume and contour have turned to dermal fillers to provide a solution to their aesthetic concerns. While dermal fillers give very pleasing results, these results are temporary and require touch-ups twice or three times a year to get the best results.
Now, a more advanced technique, known as facial fat grafting, is available to give patients the youthful results they desire.
In this article, Dr. Jose Barrera looks at facial fat grafting vs. dermal fillers and helps you decide which is the better procedure.
What is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat grafting is a process of harvesting fat from a donor location on the body (generally the lower abdomen or the buttocks), purifying that fatty tissue, and injecting it into areas of the face to restore volume and contour.
The benefits of facial fat grafting manifest in the fact that no foreign bodies or substances are placed into the body. Additionally, some patients feel the results are more natural, as the fatty tissue is living tissue that grows naturally after some time.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are medical-grade products that are derived from naturally occurring substances in the body. They are entirely safe to use and are broken down and metabolized by the body over 3-6 months.
While still existent in the facial structure, dermal fillers provide immediate yet temporary volume to facial features. Many patients enjoy the rapid results from a 10-15 minute long visit, which is why dermal fillers remain an extremely popular procedure.
Facial Fat Grafting or Dermal Fillers?
Which procedure is better for you depends entirely on your desires and personal situation.
Facial fat grafting offers longer-lasting results; however, there are some things to consider, including:
- The process is over an hour long.
- The procedure is considered minimally invasive surgery.
- There is a certain amount of recovery time associated with the procedure.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, provide quicker results but may not be as long-lasting.
So, it really depends on your own lifestyle and requirements. If you’re looking for more of a quick, easy fix for the onset of aging, dermal fillers might be the right call. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a longer-lasting yet more intense solution, we recommend facial fat grafting.
Ready to Meet with Dr. Barrera?
Whatever your desires, Dr. Barrera in San Antonio, TX, will seek to find your best solution. If you’re considering fixing your signs of aging, call 210 468 5426 or fill out our online form to discuss how we can improve your life today.