Fat or Fillers: Recognizing the Differences
As we grow older, we gain a lot of wisdom. That’s the upside of aging. The downside is that we may gain a few adversaries, too. One example is gravity. Looking at your 40- or 50-year-old reflection reveals the effects of time and nature. Skin naturally loses its elasticity and tightness. It becomes thin and loose and wrinkled, and this is problematic for many people. To restore a more youthful, vibrant appearance doesn’t take much, just the right approach to volume replacement.
Filling and Fine-Tuning
The large majority of facial rejuvenation treatments involve some dermal fillers. These products are well-known for their ability to smooth lines, plump lips, and cheeks, and fill in areas that have become hollow. Natural and synthetic fillers differ slightly in their overall performance, though the end goal is the same, to add structure where needed. Synthetic fillers such as Sculptra tend to last longer due to the formation of new collagen fibers, but they are receiving a good amount of competition from the new kid on the block: fat.
Fat: Making a Grand Entrance
Fat is usually something that frustrates people. “If only . . .” So many people we meet have uttered these words. If only fat could be taken from one area and put into another to make it more look better. At one time, this may have seemed like a pipe-dream, but not anymore. Fat injections are making a big impact in the field of aesthetic medicine, treating more than 50,000 patients each year at this point.
Fat injections offer certain advantages that cannot be attained with dermal fillers. The cells that are purified and separated out from a patient’s blood are a life force that does more than fill in lines, furrowed brows, and scars. The life force of these cells also creates a beautiful glow as newly introduced fat integrates with tissue in the treatment area. Above all, though, the longevity of this integrated fat is what truly makes this treatment special. Once assimilation has occurred, the results achieved with fat injections last permanently, affected only by the natural progression of age.
Fat transfer is not limited to facial rejuvenation. In our Bryn Mawr office, autologous fat provides an excellent substance for breast augmentation. Learn more about this innovative technique when you call 610-527-4833 for a consultation visit.
