One of the markers of a youthful face is volume and fullness in the cheek and mid-face area. Unfortunately, it is common to lose facial fat and fullness over time, due to the body’s age-related changes. People with little body fat will start to see this change in their face sooner. If you yearn for the suppleness and plumpness of your youthful visage, Dr. George Sanders can help. Here, he discusses two solutions to reverse age-related atrophy of facial fat.
Injectable Fillers
The most minimally invasive way to restore volume and fullness to the face is with injectable filler products such as Radiesse or Sculptra. Voluma is a product within the Juvederm family that is specifically designed to restore volume to the cheeks. Specially formulated with hyaluronic acid or poly-l-lactic acid, these fillers act as a cushion when injected into strategic points around the face. Some products are also designed to build collagen for smoother and suppler skin.
While these products do deliver beautiful and natural looking results, the improvement lasts temporarily and regular maintenance is required. Repeat treatments are usually scheduled every few months to maintain the effects of the fillers.
Fat Transfer
If you are seeking a more permanent solution for facial fat atrophy, fat transfer may be the more appropriate solution. During a fat transfer procedure, unwanted fat is harvested from your abdomen or thighs via liposuction techniques, and the fat is purified and injected into your face to add youthful fullness and volume. Once the fat establishes its own blood supply in the face, it can survive permanently. Many people feel that the fat looks and feels soft and natural.
However, the drawback of fat transfer is that it is more invasive than filler treatment; also, not all of the fat survives, so the results are less predictable than using dermal fillers. Also, fat transfer procedures can cost more.
Contact Dr. George Sanders Today
If you would like to discuss these options with our board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. George Sanders, please call (818) 981-3333 and request an appointment today. Dr. Sanders can evaluate your specific cosmetic needs and recommend the approach to give you the best results.
