Most patients undergo volume loss in certain areas of their face as they age, most commonly in the temples, cheeks, and low face. The loss of volume in the cheek is perhaps the most significant, leading to a noticeable demarcation between the lower eyelid and the cheek. This area is called the “lid-cheek junction,” which in youth has a smooth transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek.
In addition to losing volume, the volume that remains often drifts lower on the face creating folds.
There are different ways to correct loss of facial volume, through both surgical and non-surgical treatments. There are benefits and trade-offs to each. Non-surgical treatments usually involve injection of fillers. Many different fillers are on the market today, each designed to achieve a certain goal of volume restoration.
An alternative to filler injections is fat transfer. The process of fat transfer involves liposuctioning fat from one area and transferring the fat to a different location. In the case of facial volume restoration, Dr. Lee usually harvests a small amount of fat from the abdomen or thigh and then grafts that fat to areas needing volume. Fat transfer has the advantage of using the patient’s own tissue to restore their lost facial volume. Not only does fat transfer help restore volume but fat also possess additional rejuvenation properties because of stem cells.
