Fat Injectatbles

Fat Fillers

Class: Volumizer

Cosmetic uses: Fat injections can restore volume to the face and lips as well as other areas on the body.

Mode of action: Fat fillers are injected during a process called autologous fat transplantation or microlipoinjection. This is done as a two-step procedure. First, your doctor must harvest the fat from another area on your body where it is plentiful. It can be repurposed after liposuction or harvested with a small needle. The fat is then sterilized, processed and re-injected to fill in folds and restore volume to areas where it is lacking.

Results: Fat grafting results may appear gradually. It can take several weeks to see visible contour changes. Improvements last from three to six months.

Side Effects may include:

  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Fatty bumps under the skin

Fat grafting results are less predictable than those seen with off-the-shelf fillers. Some doctors overinject to compensate for the lack of predictability.

There is no risk of allergic reactions with fat because it is taken from your own body.

Cost: Fat injections can cost between $2,000 and $4,000 depending on how it is extracted, how much fat is needed, and often where the practice is located.

Injection Pain (1-5 scale, with 5 being the most pain.): 3

There may be pain at the site where the fat is taken from as well as where it is re-injected. Pain is subjective, and some people just report minor discomfort on day one.