Fat Transfer vs. Dermal Fillers: What Are The Differences?

Older skin loses a significant amount of volume over time, and this is one of the main causes of the depressions, wrinkles, sagging, and hollow areas that are tell-tale signs of aging. The skin becomes thinner because it grows deficient in collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and fat. There’s no way to prevent time or gravity from affecting the skin, but there are treatments designed to help replace these substances and restore a youthful fullness. One of the most effective ways to restore volume and re-shape certain features is by injecting dermal fillers or with a fat transfer. The Philadelphia area’s Cross Medical Group team can help you decide which treatment is most suitable for your needs if you’re unsure. The best way of knowing for sure is to set up a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. Here are some of the basic differences and similarities between fat transfer and dermal fillers.

Fat Transfer

If, like many people, you’ve ever looked at your body and wished you could move excess fat from one area and add it to another part that can benefit from it, a fat transfer may be ideal. The fat is taken from another area of the patient’s body where there is excess volume and added strategically to certain areas of the face to correct depressions, wrinkles, creases, and shadows caused by a depletion of facial volume. An autologous fat transfer has the benefit of not only restoring a plump, youthful look to the face but also slimming down “problem areas” to create more pleasing body proportions. Facial fat grafting has similar advantages to facial fillers; along with smoothing wrinkles, it’s used for adding definition to the jawline, altering the shape of the nose, filling in the under-eye areas, cheek augmentation, and lip augmentation.

Facial Fillers

Facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers or soft tissue fillers, are the more well-known option for addressing cosmetic problems caused by aging or damage from the environment. These are composed of synthetic or naturally derived materials and are injected below the skin in certain areas of the face to enhance specific features or improve signs of aging. Many of the most popular fillers, such as the Juvederm® and Restylane® collections, contain hyaluronic acid.

How Do They Compare?

Fat transfers are surgical procedures, since they involve removing fat cells from the body, and that makes them more complex treatments than injectable fillers. Both fillers and fat transfers can be performed as outpatient procedures, with local anesthesia used as necessary to maximize comfort. Both are also associated with minimal discomfort and mild side effects, such as bruising and swelling. The recovery time for fat transfer is a bit longer, since the donor area where fat cells were removed also needs to heal.

In terms of the duration of results, fillers are temporary treatments that are eventually metabolized by the body. The thinner fillers may last for several months, while thicker, more robust fillers—such as the ones used for cheek augmentation—can last for up to two years.

Patients who want to maintain their dermal filler results need to return for periodic injections. The results from fat transfers are longer lasting, which means fat transfers might be the better option for patients who would prefer a more permanent treatment that is less high-maintenance.

Also, since the patient’s own fat is used, the body is less likely to react to it when compared to fillers.

The right treatment for a given patient depends on a wide range of factors, including the degree of correction required, the desired results, skin quality, and more.

Ready to get started on a face treatment? Explore facial fillers or fat transfer options with help from the Philadelphia area-based Cross Medical Group to learn more details about the procedures. Call them at (215) 561-9100, or submit a contact form to request a consultation.