Where does facial fat disappear to and why does everyone want it back

More and more often we see "slimmed down" faces: thanks to surgery, crash diets or Ozempic, a drug that causes rapid weight loss. Because of this, more and more people are considering not losing weight but regaining the lost volume through fat grafting, reports Harper's Bazaar India.

Why facial fat is important

Facial fat is not just 'extra centimetres'. It supports the skin, makes it smooth, and hides age-related 'hollows' and bone structures. According to plastic surgeon Katherine Chang, after 30 years of age, a person loses about 3 cubic centimetres of fat per year, which affects the elasticity of the skin. And while at 40 many women feel "at the peak of beauty" thanks to a slight sculpture, by the age of 50 the face can become noticeably "hollow".

The fashion paradox: removing and regaining fat

Interestingly, patients today who are having Bisch fat removal are simultaneously asking for... fat to be returned to the cheekbones or temples. According to Jennifer Hollander, a nurse at an aesthetic clinic in Beverly Hills, more and more people are abandoning fillers in favour of "natural" fat. Doctors confirm: clients include not only mature women, but also young people in their 20s and 30s.

Fat in the face is at different levels - from superficial (gives the skin mobility) to deep "pillows" responsible for the structure. With age, the transitions between facial areas lose smoothness: "bags", hollows and hard lines appear.

Ozempic and loose skin

Popular weight loss products like Ozempic also affect the face. "Up to 30 per cent of my patients complain of sagging skin and a 'devastated face' after rapid weight loss," says Chang. Deprived of support, the skin loses elasticity and the face loses volume.

However, fat isn't just useful as a "filler." It is rich in stem cells and growth factors. Fat transplantation after radiotherapy, for example, helps to restore skin elasticity. And in normal patients, it improves texture, pigmentation and radiance.

How fat grafting works

Fat is usually taken manually from the body (abdomen, thighs) to preserve the maximum number of living cells. It is then purified and separated into microfat (for volume) and nanofat, a liquid with a high concentration of stem cells that improves the skin around the eyes and mouth.

Injections are made in the cheekbones, temples, and under-eye area. In the lips and neck - extremely carefully, due to the risk of lump formation. Unlike fillers, fat cannot be precisely "moulded", it is less predictable in small areas.

Fat or fillers?

Although fillers are more precise in detail, fat gives a more natural effect and lasts longer. "Filler is a spot correction, fat is an even tissue work," explains surgeon Jason Rustaen. About 50 per cent of transplanted fat takes root permanently. Repeat procedures are done every seven to eight years.

Plus: fat does not accumulate water like hyaluronic acid, does not cause swelling. Minus: with weight fluctuations can increase in volume.

Risks and limitations

Complications - cysts, inflammation, uneven distribution. It is important to seek certified surgeons, as it is difficult to "roll back" fat, unlike filler. Ideal patients are healthy non-smokers with pronounced volume loss. Young people with a rounded face can only be harmed by the procedure.

In case of severe skin laxity, fat transfer will not save - a lift will be required. But in case of slight sagging, fat in the right places really rejuvenates.