Facial volume loss can be influenced by ageing, weight loss or weight fluctuation, genetics, and individual anatomy. Facial changes can also involve skin laxity and tissue descent. A facelift can reposition descended tissues, while facial fat transfer (autologous fat grafting) may help restore volume in areas that appear hollow. Used together, these approaches may address different factors contributing to a patient’s concerns.
In Melbourne, Dr Rodrigo Teixeira emphasises the importance of an in-person consultation to identify the key factors behind a patient’s concerns and develop a personalised plan focused on restoring anatomy, while maintaining a natural appearance. For more detail on facelift surgery, see the facelift surgery page.
Why Is Facial Fat Transfer Used in Facial Rejuvenation?
Volume loss often affects the cheeks, temples, and around the eyes. This can create hollowing and deeper shadows that repositioning alone may not fully address. Revolumisation aims to replace lost volume so facial contours look more balanced.
Facial fat transfer is one option for revolumisation because it uses the patient’s own tissue. Fat can be placed in small, layered amounts to rebuild volume where it is needed and to blend transitions between facial subunits. In suitable patients, a portion of the transferred fat may persist long term, although retention varies and changes over time are expected.
Why combine fat transfer with a facelift?
A facelift repositions descended tissues (including the SMAS) to improve contour in the lower face and neck. Fat transfer complements lifting by restoring volume in areas affected by deflation, including areas less influenced by lifting (such as the temples and under-eyes). When both descent and deflation are present, lifting and revolumisation work best together. Addressing volume without repositioning can overfill the face in an attempt to create lift, whereas the combined approach typically uses less volume for a more natural result.
How Does a Facial Fat Transfer Restore Volume?
Fat transfer involves harvesting, processing, and placement. Fat is removed with mini liposuction, then refined (for example, washed and/or filtered to remove excess fluid and oil). It is placed with microcannulas in tiny parcels across multiple layers to support even integration. In the first weeks, the graft relies on diffusion of nutrients from surrounding tissues until new blood vessels grow in (revascularisation). Some resorption is expected, and long-term retention varies between individuals. Retention can be influenced by patient factors, the area treated, and technique.
Other uses of facial fat transfer
Facial fat transfer may be performed on its own for patients whose main concern is volume loss, without significant skin laxity. It may also be combined with other facial procedures where volume balance matters, such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, midface procedures, chin surgery, or facial scar and contour refinement. The goal is typically to improve transitions between facial areas and restore facial balance.
While transferred fat can persist long term, changes occur gradually, and outcomes may vary. It is important to note that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are an area of ongoing research, and no regenerative or rejuvenating claims can be made.
Who May Consider a Facial Fat Transfer?
It may suit patients with visible deflation of the facial fat pockets, and who are in good health, do not smoke, have suitable donor fat, and have realistic expectations. A consultation helps differentiate true volume loss from shadowing caused by descent, and clarifies whether non-surgical options (including tear trough fillers) or surgical alternatives are more appropriate.
Risks and recovery
Swelling and bruising are expected. Temporary lumpiness, asymmetry, infection, or fat necrosis can occur. Rare but serious complications are possible, including vascular occlusion (blockage of a blood vessel), which can lead to skin injury and, in very rare cases, vision-threatening complications. Your surgeon will discuss individual risks, safety measures, and aftercare.
Book a Consultation with a Melbourne Facelift Specialist
Decisions about facelift surgery and facial fat transfer should be made following an in-person consultation with a qualified surgeon. Dr Rodrigo Teixeira offers individualised assessments in Melbourne to determine whether a combined approach may be appropriate. Contact our clinic to arrange an appointment.