If you wish to aesthetically enhance the smooth, youthful appearance of your face, or possibly improve the overall symmetry of parts of your body, fillers and fat injections may be used for either procedure. When you initially consult with your Wellesley or Boston cosmetic surgeon and explain the outcome you are looking for, they can help you decide which procedure is best for you.
The decision to use fillers, or injections, is an extremely personal one. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of dermal fillers, or injections, are acceptable.
Severe complications from dermal fillers are usually quite uncommon. Potential risks vary depending on the specific filler used and the relative permanence of the filler substance and may include:
- Acne-like skin eruptions.
- Asymmetry and bruising.
- Bleeding from the injection site, or possible infection.
- Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring or lumps.
- Palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin
- Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow).
- Skin rash with itching, skin redness, or swelling (usually temporary).
In exceedingly rare cases, the filler may accidentally be injected into your blood vessels instead of under your skin. This can block blood flow. All these risks will be explained by your surgeon, and fully discussed before your consent is given.
The fat injection also carries risks, but also, they are usually short-term, minimal, and rare. Soreness and swelling are possible, but certainly not experienced by every patient. The most significant downside of the procedure is that your face or lips may simply reabsorb all or most of the fat injection itself. Usually, the chances of this happening can’t be predicted for a given individual, but it happens in up to half of all patients who receive fat injection treatments.
Another exceedingly rare but possible fat injection risk includes an allergic reaction to the local anesthetic, permanent discoloration caused by a ruptured blood vessel at the treatment site, calcification, or a distorted look if an overcorrection is done.
The benefits, however, of fat transfer via injection or fillers are well established, including:
- Correcting facial or body imperfections.
- Adding volume with a non-allergenic, autologous material (in the case of fat injection).
- Giving your face, or body, a smoother, more symmetrical, and youthful appearance.
It’s especially important though to consider the risks and benefits of fat transfer or use of fillers before electing to undergo any of these procedures. Consulting with your Wellesley, or Boston, cosmetic surgeon will help you decide what your physical appearance goals are, which procedure should be used, and if the outcome you wish for outweigh the risks.
What Are Some More Facts I Should Know About Fat Transfer Injections?
Fat injection used for cosmetic treatment is almost always natural, versatile, long-lasting, and safe. Fat injections, in most cases, have become a preferred method of facial volume enhancement for patients who are allergic to traditional dermal fillers such as bovine-derived collagen. One of the biggest benefits of volume enhancement via fat injection is that there is no chance of an adverse allergic reaction.
Another common and popular reason for choosing fat transfer/injection is the length of the procedure’s results. It’s commonly accepted that about 65 percent of the injected fat will be reabsorbed into the body within a few months of the fat injection, but the remaining 35 percent will usually last for many years to come. To prolong the results, you may choose to have several fat transfer treatments over a few months.
Remember, that it’s vital to explain to your cosmetic surgeon exactly what look you want to attain with the procedure. Only in that way, can you both decide which procedure will provide you with the best results.
What Are Some More Facts I Should Know About Fillers?
Dermal fillers or ‘fillers’ as they are more commonly known, are substances that are injected into the skin to restore volume or reshape the face, or a particular area of your body. Fillers are a minor surgical procedure and can usually be done by a simple injection. Many fillers can also simply be dissolved. So, if you don’t like the results or have an unusual reaction, the filler can be removed.
These fillers are made of substances such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-l-lactic acid, just to name a few. The types of fillers also have varying degrees of permanence of the procedure.
Once again, there are risks and benefits to both filler and injections, and only your Wellesley cosmetic surgeon can ethically and professionally decide which will get you the desired effect with the least risk.
Is It Possible to Use My Own Fat for Facial Rejuvenation?
Mother Nature, and time, are formidable opponents but it no longer holds that her processes can’t be slowed down. People who want to rejuvenate their faces that become gaunt or hollow as they age have more safe, easy, effective options than ever before, thanks to advances in injectable treatments like fat grafting and dermal fillers.
Fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is removing fat from one part of the body, and reinjecting it into another, including the face. The procedure begins with mini liposuction of an area with extra fat. The harvested fat is then purified and prepared for injection. As a final step, the fat is injected into the face to plump areas with lost volume and fill out wrinkles.
Fat transfers can be more versatile than other fillers because they can be injected safely anywhere on the face.
I Feel That Fillers or Fat Injections Will Get Me the New Look I Want; How Should I Proceed?
Obtaining the youthful, vibrant look that you desire can be vital to your confidence, and overall happiness. The Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery professionals have had excellent results in refining the beauty of their patients, by using these procedures with personal care and compassion. Consult with them first and safely move forward to attain the appearance you desire.