Fat Transfer and Injection

Benefit

As we age, we lose facial volume due to loss of fat. Fat grafting allows us to take living fat cells from an area of excess and graft them into the face to recreate the youthful volum that has been lost. This works especially well around the eyes. Think of how a skin graft survives through a reestablished blood supply and you will understand how fat cells can survive grafting. The key is in removing the fat cells gently so as to not damage them and re-injecting them into the face in very small parcels that require very little blood supply to survive. New research shows fat is a rich source of stem cells that when injected can actually contribute to rejuvenating the skin over a period of time.

Think of how much younger and more refreshed you would look if you could fill in facial lines and creases, sunken cheeks, skin depressions, and smile lines. This procedure does that. It is similar to collagen injections, with one big difference: you’ll be injected with fat cells from your own body, rather than collagen. This eliminates any risk of allergic reaction and extends the life of the procedure. The drawback is that fat generally shrinks to 10% or less of its original volume, so a series of injections is needed for long-term correction.

How Is It Done?

• You will receive a local anesthetic in your donor and recipient sites.
• Fat cells are suctioned out of an area in your abdomen or thigh.
• They are then injected into an area in your face.
• Usually, we take out more fat cells than are used at one time. these are frozen and kept for touch-up injections if needed later. You can use the excess for additional injections any time within a year.

Recovery

• You’ll be slightly tender and may be bruised for 1-2 weeks where the fat was removed.
• The area where fat cells were injected will swell for 2-3 days and may bruise.
• There are no sutures.
• You can wear make-up right away to hide any bruising.
• Resume your full activities, but wait 1 day for strenuous exercise.

Collagen

Benefit

Look younger and more vibrant with the help of collagen, a natural skin protein. Collagen injections give your skin a smooth, softer look by filling out deep facial wrinkles, “sunken” cheeks, skin depressions, and scars. Treatments last 2-12 months, depending on the individual and where the collagen is injected. Collagen can also enlarge lips for a fuller, more sensuous look.

How Is It Done?

• A skin test is given 1 month ahead of time to check for collagen sensitivity if using bovine collagen. No skin test is needed if using human collagen.
• Using tiny needles, collagen is injected into facial lines and depressions.

Recovery

• The injection causes very mild discomfort.
• You may have redness and swelling for about 3 hours. Ice helps any bruising that might occur.
• You may wear make-up immediately and exercise lightly the day of your injection.
• Resume full activities the next day.

Radiesse

Benefit

This is the newest injection to fill out facial lines, sunken cheeks, and lips. It has all the benefits of fat transfer or collagen injections. Plus, its effects last 3-5 years. Radiance is made of calcium phosphate, as are bones and teeth, so your body does not form any immune reaction to it, and no skin testing is needed.

How Is It Done?

• You may receive a local anesthetic in the area to be treated.
• Using tiny needles, Radiance is injected into the facial site.
• Most common sites are the creases at the lip/cheek junction and creases at the outer lower lip.

Recovery

• The injection causes very mild discomfort.
• You may have redness and swelling for about 3 hours. Bruising is very rare; ice helps if it does occur.
• You may wear make-up immediately and exercise lightly the day of your injection.
• Resume full activities the next day.

Botox

Benefit

Botox injections can make you look and feel years younger by smoothing and preventing forehead creases, crow’s feet, and creases between the eyebrows. It temporarily, but safely, relaxes the muscles for 2-6 months.

How Is It Done?

• Injections are given in each facial area, as needed.
• You’ll see the Botox working within 1-7 days.

Recovery

• Redness and swelling usually disappear within 3 hours.
• You can use make-up immediately.
• Resume your normal schedule immediately, but wait 24 hours for strenuous activity.

Price generally ranges from $250-$650, depending on the number of areas treated and the volume of Botox used.