What Is Fat Injection to the Cheeks?
Fat transfer to the cheeks — also known as cheek fat injection — is a surgical treatment that involves harvesting fat from another area of the body, processing it, and then re-injecting it into the cheeks. By placing this natural fat into the cheeks, the treatment adds volume to aging areas of the face while simultaneously rejuvenating the skin. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen — a protein that keeps our skin smooth and youthful. With reduced collagen levels, the skin loses elasticity, resulting in wrinkles and sagging. Cheek fat injection is an excellent way to fill facial depressions, improve facial contours, and restore volume, particularly in areas that have become sunken with age.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to facial aging and volume loss, fat injection provides more lasting results than non-surgical treatments like dermal fillers. Since the injected material is your own fat, fat transfer to the face is considered a more organic and biocompatible approach compared to synthetic fillers. Between 50% to 70% of fat cells survive the transfer process and establish blood supply, which means the results can be permanent. Fat transfer is also minimally invasive, allowing for a shorter recovery time. Additionally, facial fat injection can be combined with other procedures for enhanced results.
How Is Fat Injected into the Cheeks?
During facial fat transfer — which can often be performed under local anesthesia — the doctor begins by performing a specialized fat harvesting technique. This involves inserting a cannula through a small incision to remove fat. The donor site depends on where the patient has enough fat available, and the doctor carefully chooses incision locations that heal well and are easily hidden under clothing. The harvested fat is then processed using an advanced system that removes over 97% of impurities, leaving only the purest and most ideal fat cells for transfer.
Once the fat is purified and placed into syringes, the doctor injects it into the cheeks in thin layers, carefully massaging between each layer to ensure a smooth, natural-looking result. Patients can see a noticeable improvement in their facial appearance immediately after the procedure. However, swelling, bruising, and other temporary side effects may persist for about 1 to 2 weeks.
How Long Does Fat Injection to the Cheeks Last?
The longevity of fat injection results in the cheeks can vary from person to person, but most patients can enjoy freshly restored cheeks for several years before needing a repeat procedure. Patients should keep in mind that future weight fluctuations may affect their results. It is also important to remember that the aging process will continue, and volume loss may occur again over time. When this happens, a second fat injection or cosmetic filler treatment can help restore your desired appearance.
Benefits of Cheek Augmentation with Fat Injection
The cheeks play a crucial role in defining the aesthetics and symmetry of each person’s face, as well as influencing the width of the smile and even the shape of the eyes. For this reason, subtle changes in cheek shape through cheek augmentation surgery can significantly enhance the overall appearance of the face! Fat injection to the cheeks is typically performed for one or more of the following reasons:
- To define and contour the face
- To correct previous facial asymmetries, resulting in a more balanced appearance
- To rejuvenate the face as a countermeasure against aging signs that pull the cheeks downward, often causing hollow, tired-looking eyes and prominent lines and folds around the mouth
To ensure the best possible results, your cheek fat injection should be performed by an experienced surgeon who pays close attention to detail and understands how to create subtle changes that complement your facial features.
Does Fat Injection to the Cheeks Hurt?
Fat injection to the cheeks is not a painful procedure. During the treatment, you will be under the effect of a local anesthetic or fully sedated, so you won’t feel anything. Afterwards, you will be given pain medication to manage any mild discomfort you may experience. For patients who are concerned about pain, it is always possible to have the procedure done with full sedation or under general anesthesia.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Cheek Fat Injection?
In general, you may be a good candidate for fat injection to the cheeks if you:
- Are physically healthy with a stable weight
- Have realistic expectations
- Are a non-smoker
- Are dissatisfied with the appearance of your cheeks
- Have cheeks that are overly flat, thin, or sagging
If you are considering cheek fat injection, spend some time reviewing before-and-after photos and learn what to expect during recovery. Preparing ahead helps patients have reasonable expectations and a smoother healing process.
Pre-Care for Fat Injection to the Cheeks
Fighting aging is a lifelong battle, and perhaps no battlefield is more challenging than the face. As you age, you lose important structural proteins and subcutaneous fat that once kept your skin smooth and your facial contours full and healthy. This can make your skin more prone to wrinkles, sagging, fine lines, and hollow spots around the eyes and cheekbones. Before undergoing fat injection to the cheeks, avoid any kind of stress and be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking any medications.
Post-Care for Fat Injection to the Cheeks
During the first week, swelling and bruising will appear both in the cheeks and in the area where the fat was harvested. The skin in the affected areas may be gently massaged to help reduce swelling, which is usually not recommended with other dermal fillers. Discomfort and swelling can also be eased with cold compresses. Although pain is generally mild following fat transfer, your doctor will prescribe painkillers to use if needed. Bruising and swelling typically diminish significantly within 7 to 10 days after the cheek fat injection. By the second week, most bruising has usually disappeared, but some swelling may remain. Many people feel ready to return to work after the first week, while others may need more time to recover.
Which Is Better: Fat Injection or Dermal Fillers for the Cheeks?
Since fat injection can be used to enhance many areas traditionally treated with dermal fillers, many patients are unsure which treatment is more suitable for their specific concerns. While injectable fillers can deliver excellent results and have their own unique benefits, one of the most appealing aspects of fat injection to the cheeks is that it does not require synthetic materials or implants, making it a much more natural alternative to dermal fillers. This can be especially important for patients who are sensitive to some injectable products or those who simply prefer a more natural approach.
When deciding between fat injection and dermal fillers, several important factors should be considered, including:
- The severity of your concerns
- The treatment area
- The amount of fat available for harvesting
- The time you have for recovery
- Comfort and convenience
- Allergies or sensitivities
- Your personal goals
During your initial consultation, the doctor will thoroughly evaluate your concerns, discuss the various treatment options in detail, and recommend a treatment plan best suited to help you achieve your final goals. Your physician will also answer all your questions comprehensively.
Best Clinic for Cheek Fat Injection in Tehran
At Iranian Clinic, we provide patients with comprehensive advice about cheek fat injection. For more information on how we can help or to address any questions or concerns, please contact us via the form on our website. We also offer post-procedure care to ensure you remain comfortable and complication-free long after your treatment. Our specialists have years of experience developing and applying an integrated approach to health, wellness, nutrition, and aesthetic improvement. This philosophy distinguishes our practice from many profit-driven cosmetic surgery providers.
Our treatment philosophy goes beyond surface-level aesthetics, focusing on enhancing patients’ inner health and physical well-being while simultaneously refreshing and rejuvenating their outward appearance.
If you want to improve the appearance of hollow cheeks with fat injection or learn more about other facial beautification methods, please visit other sections of our website or contact Iranian Clinic today. Our experts will provide specialized recommendations on the surgical and/or non-surgical treatments needed to achieve your aesthetic goals.
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