FACIAL REJUVENATION WITH FAT INJECTIONS - WHICH ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE?

 FACIAL FAT GRAFTING - ARE STEM CELL ENRICHED FAT INJECTIONS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PURE FAT INJECTIONS? 

As we age, our skin loses elasticity, volume, and hydration, leading to wrinkles, skin laxity, and hollowing across the face. Over time, these changes can make us look older than we feel. There are several treatments available to address these age-related developments, including injectable fillers such as fat injections and fat injections enriched with stem cells.

Fat injections, also known as autologous fat grafting or fat transfer, involve the removal of fat from one area of the body which has excess available, such as the abdomen or thighs, and injecting it into the face to restore volume and reduce wrinkles and laxity. The procedure is relatively simple and involves minimal downtime. It is a very effective procedure but it is important to note that a small percentage of the fat will not survive meaning that multiple treatments may be required to achieve the desired result.

Fat injections enriched with stem cells, on the other hand, involve the same procedure as fat injections but with an additional step. The fat is first processed to extract stem cells, which are then combined with the fat before being injected into the face. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various types of cells, including skin cells, and help promote tissue regeneration and healing. 

before (left) and after (right) facial fat grafting

What are stem cells and how do they work? 

Stem cells are unique cells in the body that have the ability to differentiate into a variety of different cell types, and they also have the ability to self-renew. This makes them an important tool for tissue regeneration as they can potentially be used to replace damaged or diseased cells in our bodily tissue.

When stem cells are transplanted into a damaged tissue, they can differentiate into the specific cell types needed to repair that tissue.

Stem cells can also promote tissue regeneration through the secretion of growth factors and other signalling molecules that can help stimulate the growth and differentiation of surrounding cells. These signals can help to recruit other stem cells and progenitor cells to the site of tissue damage, and can also help to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to supply nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissue.

This has led some to suggest that enriched fat injections with stem cells may have a greater effect on repairing age-related changes on the face than pure fat injections.

So, what does the evidence say about the effectiveness of these treatments?

A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal compared the effectiveness of pure fat injections and enriched fat injections with stem cells in treating facial volume loss in 20 patients. The results showed that both treatments led to significant improvements in volume and contour, but there was no significant difference between the two treatments. Another study published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery compared the two treatments in 32 patients and found similar results. Both treatments led to significant improvements in volume and contour, but there was no significant difference between the two treatments.

However, other studies have suggested that enriched fat injections with stem cells may have some advantages over pure fat injections. For example, a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared the effectiveness of pure fat injections and enriched fat injections with stem cells in treating facial wrinkles in 30 patients. The results showed that enriched fat injections with stem cells led to greater improvements in wrinkle severity and skin quality than pure fat injections. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology compared the two treatments in 21 patients and found that enriched fat injections with stem cells led to greater improvements in skin texture, thickness, and elasticity than pure fat injections.

The Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery in 2013 study found that enriched fat injections resulted in better long-term outcomes compared to traditional fat injections. The researchers followed 10 patients who received enriched fat injections and found that they had more stable and longer-lasting results compared to patients who received traditional fat injections.

The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy in 2017 published a study that compared enriched fat injections to traditional fat injections in 20 patients. The researchers found that enriched fat injections resulted in better improvement in skin texture and quality compared to traditional fat injections. 

A 2021 study published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery journal compared the outcomes of enriched fat injections with stem cells to traditional fat injections for facial rejuvenation. The study found that the enriched fat injections produced superior results, with better retention of volume and a more natural appearance.

Another 2021 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared the use of enriched fat injections with stem cells to hyaluronic acid fillers for facial rejuvenation. The study found that the enriched fat injections produced longer-lasting results with fewer side effects.

The National Library of Medicine published study results that looked at 80 patients with facial contour deformities associated with pigmentary changes. The patients who received enriched fat injections were significantly more satisfied as compared with patients treated with conventional fat grafts.

It is important to note that the results may vary depending on the individual patient and the specific technique used in the procedure.

While these studies suggest that enriched fat injections with stem cells may have some advantages over pure fat injections, more research is needed to fully confirm this, as well as understand the benefits and potential risks of this procedure. It is important to consult with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for your individual needs and goals; contact Ocean Clinic’s highly experienced team to find out more about your facial fat grafting options.