Facial Fat Grafting
Restore lost facial volume with your body's own natural fat.
Facial fat grafting transfers fat from one area of the body to restore volume in the cheeks, temples, under-eyes, and other areas for a fuller, more youthful appearance.
Performed by LCP-certified medical doctors.
Last updated: 8 July, 2026 • Written by RJ Clinic Content Team • Reviewed by Dr. Renee Law
FACE FAT GRAFTING
As we get older our fat content in the face – particularly the forehead, temples, mid-face and areas below the cheek – loses some volume, helping to draw the skin downwards. This can make our faces look rather sunken and little empty. A similar appearance is evident if one loses a significant amount of weight.
To regain the appearance of youth again one can volumize the mid-face by transplanting fat taken from different part of the body (typically the abdomen and thighs but we can utilize many other excess areas of body fat). This procedure also gives you a healthier glow and restore and rejuvenate what added years have been taking away.
6 months after 1 Face Fat Lipo Treatment
(RJ CLINIC was previously known as reneeclinic)
5 months after 1 Face Fat Lipo Treatment
(RJ CLINIC was previously known as reneeclinic)
Fats are harvested from the body and processed using sterile methods
Ectracted and purified fats are then carefully injected into areas to graft
WHO IS THIS TREATMENT FOR?
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Sunken Face features
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Require large amount of fillers to fill face volumes
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For facial rejuvenation
What is Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer, is a procedure that restores lost facial volume using your own body fat. Fat is carefully harvested from areas such as the abdomen or thighs through gentle liposuction, purified, and strategically injected into areas of the face that have lost fullness.
Unlike dermal fillers, fat grafting uses living fat cells from your own body, making it a natural option for facial rejuvenation. Besides restoring volume, transferred fat contains regenerative cells that may help improve skin quality and texture.
Common treatment areas include:
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Cheeks
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Temples
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Under-eye hollows
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Nasolabial folds
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Marionette lines
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Chin
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Jawline
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Lips
The treatment is personalised according to your facial anatomy, ageing pattern, and aesthetic goals following a comprehensive consultation with the doctor.
Facial ageing is not only caused by wrinkles but also by the gradual loss of facial fat and soft tissue. Simply tightening the skin may not restore a youthful appearance if the underlying volume has diminished.
Fat grafting addresses this by replacing lost volume with your own natural tissue.
Reasons patients choose fat grafting include:
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Uses your own body fat with no synthetic filler material
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Creates natural-looking facial contours
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Restores youthful facial proportions
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May improve skin quality due to regenerative cells within fat
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Long-lasting results after successful fat survival
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Multiple facial areas can be treated in a single procedure
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Lower risk of allergic reaction because your own fat is used
The doctor will determine whether fat grafting alone or in combination with other treatments provides the best outcome.
Why Choose Fat Grafting
Benefits of Treatment
Potential benefits include:
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Restores volume to sunken or hollow facial areas
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Creates softer and more youthful facial contours
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Enhances facial symmetry
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Improves cheek projection and facial definition
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Softens the appearance of deep folds
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Uses natural tissue from your own body
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May improve skin texture and overall skin quality
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Long-lasting improvement compared to temporary fillers
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Can be combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments
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Dual benefit of fat harvesting from donor areas
Individual results vary depending on fat survival, healing, lifestyle, and individual biology.
This treatment may be suitable for patients who:
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Have facial volume loss due to ageing or weight loss
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Want natural facial rejuvenation
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Prefer using their own body fat instead of synthetic fillers
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Have sufficient donor fat available
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Want long-lasting volume restoration
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Are medically suitable after doctor consultation
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Have realistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes
Not suitable for:
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Patients with unrealistic expectations
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Individuals with insufficient donor fat
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Active skin infection or untreated facial infection
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Certain medical conditions (doctor will assess individually)
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Heavy smokers may experience reduced fat survival
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Those seeking immediate surgical-level change
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A detailed medical assessment is essential to determine suitability and formulate an individualised treatment plan.
Who is Suitable for This Treatment
Common Misconceptions About Fat Grafting
❌ "All transferred fat survives permanently."
Not all transferred fat survives. A portion of the fat is naturally absorbed by the body during healing, which is expected.
❌ "One treatment works the same for everyone."
Every patient has different facial anatomy, donor fat quality, healing response, and aesthetic goals.
❌ "Fat grafting gives instant final results."
Some swelling occurs initially. Final results become clearer once swelling subsides and the surviving fat stabilises.
❌ "More fat injected always produces better results."
Overcorrection may not improve outcomes. Proper injection technique and careful volume planning are important.
In reality, successful fat grafting depends on careful patient selection, harvesting technique, fat processing, precise injection methods, and post-treatment healing.
Immediately after treatment, temporary swelling and bruising are common. As healing progresses, some transferred fat is naturally absorbed while the remaining fat integrates into surrounding tissue.
Typical timeline:
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Early improvement: 2–4 weeks
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Swelling gradually settles over several weeks
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Progressive improvement: 1–3 months
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Fat stabilisation: approximately 3–6 months
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Long-lasting results depend on fat survival and individual factors
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Factors influencing results include:
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Individual healing
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Fat survival rate
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Smoking status
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Overall health
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Weight fluctuations
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Doctor's technique
Your doctor will provide realistic expectations based on your facial condition and treatment goals.
What Results Can You Expect?
Recovery, Swelling & Aftercare
Most patients experience mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and tenderness for several days.
General aftercare includes:
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Sleep with your head elevated for the first few days
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Avoid excessive pressure on treated facial areas
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Avoid strenuous exercise for approximately 2–4 weeks
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Follow wound care instructions carefully
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Stay well hydrated
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Avoid smoking as it may reduce fat survival
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Attend scheduled follow-up appointments
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Take prescribed medications as directed
Recovery varies depending on the treatment area and the amount of fat transferred.
TREATMENT SUMMARY
Varies for harvested area
Procedure Time
2 days rest
Immediate
Back to work
Results
Anesthesia and sedation Provided
Anesthetic
1 week
Permanent
Downtime
Results Duration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fat grafting permanent?
Some transferred fat survives permanently while some is naturally absorbed. Long-term results vary between individuals.
Is fat grafting better than dermal fillers?
Both treatments have different indications. Your doctor will recommend the most suitable option based on your facial assessment.
Will I have scars?
Fat harvesting and injection require very small incisions that usually heal with minimal visible scarring.
Is the procedure painful?
Local anaesthesia or sedation is used depending on the treatment plan to maximise comfort.
How long is the recovery?
Most swelling improves within 2–4 weeks, while final results become more apparent over several months.
Can fat grafting be combined with other treatments?
Yes. It is commonly combined with laser treatments, skin tightening procedures, or other facial rejuvenation treatments depending on individual needs.
Medical Disclaimer
Surgical procedures are performed by qualified surgeons in accredited surgical facilities.
RJ Clinic provides consultation, treatment planning, and post-procedure follow-up care.
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