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Autologous fat transfer for nasolabial folds

Treatment Effect

Immediate Results

After surgical treatment, nasolabial folds will be significantly improved, the skin will become smoother, and the overall facial appearance will look younger.

Long-term Results

Once the fat grafts survive, the results can be permanent, but this does not mean they remain unchanged. The transplanted fat changes in sync with the fat at the donor site, such as the abdomen or thighs. If you gain weight in these areas, the treated area may become fuller; if you lose weight, it may slightly shrink. Generally, 2-3 sessions are needed to achieve a stable and satisfactory outcome. The longevity of these results is closely related to your daily facial care routine and the natural aging process of your face. If proper maintenance is neglected, facial fat loss may occur more rapidly, causing nasolabial folds to deepen noticeably again within one to two years. However, with consistent care and firmer skin, the results can last longer.

Is this suitable for me?

This treatment is suitable for individuals with sunken soft tissue and noticeable nasolabial folds caused by fat loss. It is particularly ideal for those who are concerned about foreign body fillers and prefer using their own tissue for augmentation, seeking a natural feel and long-lasting results. However, individuals with certain medical conditions (such as severe cardiovascular disease or diabetes), those taking medications that may affect blood clotting, or people with a history of allergies may require special consideration or may not be suitable candidates for this procedure.

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Equipment Selection

Select certified and advanced equipment for liposuction and fat injection. Professional liposuction devices enable more precise and safe fat extraction, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Meanwhile, appropriate injection instruments ensure uniform fat grafting into the nasolabial folds, thereby improving fat survival rates. For instance, cannulas and needles designed for fine manipulation allow better control over the volume and area of both extraction and injection.

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Selecting Equipment

Choose certified and advanced liposuction and fat injection devices. Professional liposuction equipment enables more precise and safe fat extraction, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Meanwhile, appropriate injection devices ensure uniform fat filling in the nasolabial fold area, thereby improving fat survival rates. For instance, liposuction and injection cannulas with fine control features allow for better regulation of the volume and scope of extraction and injection.

Price

Price

The cost of autologous fat grafting for nasolabial folds varies depending on several factors, including region, hospital tier, physician experience, and procedural complexity. Generally, prices range from a few thousand to over ten thousand yuan. In large plastic surgery hospitals in first-tier cities, prices tend to be higher, whereas they may be lower in smaller cities or general medical institutions.

Expected Outcome

Expected Results

Nasolabial folds are significantly improved, making the face appear more youthful and voluminous.

The skin feels natural to the touch after filler treatment and blends well with surrounding tissues.

The results are relatively long-lasting; however, as aging progresses and facial衰老 occurs, nasolabial folds may reappear, requiring appropriate maintenance and retreatment.

Combination Therapy

It can be used in combination with hyaluronic acid injections, thread lifts, and botulinum toxin injections. For instance, when combined with hyaluronic acid injections, it can further supplement and fine-tune the filling effects on the basis of autologous fat grafting. When combined with a thread lift, it lifts sagging skin tissue and repositions descended fat pads; integrating this with autologous fat grafting provides a more comprehensive improvement for nasolabial folds and facial laxity. When combined with botulinum toxin injections, it reduces dynamic nasolabial folds caused by muscle movement and skin traction, which, together with autologous fat grafting for static nasolabial folds, achieves superior overall results.

Adverse Effects and Complications

Side Effects and Complications

Common side effects: Temporary swelling and bruising may occur, typically peaking 2–3 days after the procedure and gradually subsiding, with basic recovery achieved in approximately ten days.

Complications: In rare cases, serious complications such as fat embolism or infection may occur. Fat embolism can lead to local tissue ischemia and necrosis, and may even be life-threatening. Infection may cause symptoms such as local redness, swelling, pain, and fever, requiring prompt treatment. Additionally, overcorrection may result in induration in the filled area.

Side Effects

Besides the aforementioned side effects such as swelling, bruising, fat embolism, infection, and induration, uneven fat absorption may occur, leading to an irregular surface in the treated area. Furthermore, since the grafted fat must establish a blood supply with surrounding tissues to survive, some fat cells may die during this process, potentially affecting the final outcome.

Select Instrument

Select officially certified liposuction and injection devices approved by relevant national authorities. When choosing a device, review information such as the manufacturer, model number, and certification marks to ensure quality and safety. Additionally, understand the device's performance and features to select one that best suits your surgical needs.

Project Contraindications

Contraindications

- Patients with severe systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or coagulation disorders who cannot tolerate surgery.

- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

- Individuals with active facial infections, such as acne or boils.

- Those with unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes.

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Contraindications

- Patients with severe systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or coagulation disorders who cannot tolerate surgery.

- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

- Individuals with active facial infections, such as acne or boils.

- Those with unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes.

Side effects

Side Effects

In addition to the aforementioned side effects such as swelling, bruising, fat embolism, infection, and induration, uneven fat absorption may occur, leading to an irregular or lumpy appearance in the treated area. Furthermore, since the grafted fat must establish a blood supply with the surrounding tissues to survive, some fat cells may die during this process, potentially compromising the final results.

Self-Symptom Check

Symptom Self-Assessment

If you notice prominent nasolabial folds caused by depression of soft facial tissues and fat loss, and do not have any of the contraindications mentioned above, you may initially consider yourself a candidate for autologous fat grafting to treat nasolabial folds. However, final suitability must be determined through a detailed examination and assessment by a qualified physician at a reputable medical institution.

Select treatment plan

Selecting a Treatment Plan

Doctors will develop personalized treatment plans based on factors such as the severity of nasolabial folds, overall facial condition, and physical health. For mild nasolabial folds, a single autologous fat grafting session may yield satisfactory results; however, deeper folds or lower fat survival rates may require multiple sessions. Additionally, doctors may consider combining other therapeutic methods to enhance treatment outcomes.