Fat injections are a cosmetic procedure to treat wrinkles and depressed areas of the skin. Fat augmentation is done by taking fat from one part of the body and transferring it somewhere else. Fat transfer can be used be men or women, on the face or body. Fat grafting is not for everyone, though, so make sure you get all the needed information if you are considering it.

Information on Fat injections

Fat injections are a more complicated cosmetic surgical procedure than dermal fillers for skin augmentation. In fat augmentation, the surgeon is using your own fat from one donor area and putting it someplace else. For example fat from the thigh, hip, back, stomach or butt could be used to augment skin on the face or hands. Sometimes the procedure is combined with other types of cosmetic surgery.

Fat transfer or lipoinjection to the hands can plump up the skin of the hands, which thins as we get older. The fat is extracted using a type of liposuction procedure, purified, then injected. This can be done for fine lines, or to fill in larger depressed areas or places where there are scars. Fat augmentation can also help plump up the lips, the cheeks, even the jaw. Fat transfer can also be used around the eye area, for example around the brow area. Fat injections can help areas that are depressed due to scars such as acne scars. Fat injections can range from $1000 to $5000 per procedure. You would need either local or general anesthesia. It is essential you see a qualified cosmetic surgeon.

Fat transfer

Some of the more common areas where fat transfer can be done are:

• hands - fat can be transferred to fill in wrinkled hands with thin skin.
• eyes - fat transfer can be used to correct hollow or sunken bags under the eyes, and dark circles. Fat grafting won't help with hooded eyes, which would require an eye lift.
• cheeks - fat grafting can fill in above the cheekbones or be used to correct hollow or sunken cheeks
• chin and jawline - fat augmentation can help fill in or correct a so-called weak chin. Sometimes cosmetic chin surgery is combined with a nose job or rhinoplasty for an overall change in profile.
• lips - fat grafting can fill in lips and make lips fuller. Lip enhancement or lip augmentation can also use dermal fillers.
• forehead and brow - fat transfer can fill in the forehead area. If there is excessive wrinkling, other procedures such as Botox may be used. A brow or forehead lift can also lift and re-drape the skin of the forehead.
• buttocks - fat can be transferred to the butt or rear end in a Brazilian butt lift

Fat grafting results

After the fat is removed, it is spun in a centrifuge to remove excess fluid, and then injected into the area it is supposed to go. This may not be considered major surgery but it is a big undertaking. So give a lot of thought to whether or not you really need this

Fat grafting or injections can help fill in lines and wrinkles such as crow's feet around the eyes; laugh lines, frown lines, smile lines around the mouth (also called parenthesis lines or marionette lines); glabellar lines in between the eyebrows. Some people feel that fat transfer isn't permanent, but it is often considered permanent.

Other cosmetic procedures can also be used for wrinkles and lines. Dermabrasiona and microdermabrasion sands or removes the upper layers of skin. Laser resurfacing uses high power light to remove the top layers of skin. Chemical peels are also used by those seeking younger skin. You need to choose a qualified surgeon for all of these as well.

Your particular fat grafting results will depend on several things, such as the condition of your skin and your overall health. The quality of your cosmetic surgeon is paramount. Ask to see before-and-after photos of people with procedures similar to yours. Make sure you compare surgeons. Do not consider fat augmentation if you have any health or medical problems. Do not try this is you are taking medications. This is done under anesthesia, so there are the potential complications of that to consider, plus allergies and infections. Be realistic about the results you hope to achieve. Remember you will need to rest for several weeks after the procedure and wear a pressure garment if you are told to. There will be bruising, swelling and pain or discomfort.