NanoCells Fat Transfer: restoring facial volume with your own cells
Fat is taken from the abdomen or thighs, purified in the closed PureGrafts system and injected into the forehead, temples, under-eyes, nasolabial folds, cheekbones, chin or lips. The fat that survives stays with you long term, but survival is 30–80%, so a second session may be needed.
Why use your own fat
Fat is a filler from your own body, so there is no allergic reaction, and the cells that survive gain a blood supply and remain as your own tissue for the long term. It suits people whose face has hollowed with age or weight loss, who have sunken temples or under-eyes, who want several areas filled in one session, or who prefer not to inject a synthetic product every year. The NanoCells Fat Transfer – PureGrafts system is a closed system in which the fat is washed, filtered and purified in a sterile kit without exposure to air, keeping the cells in better condition than open centrifugation. Survival still depends on the blood supply at the recipient site, the injection technique and your aftercare, so no one can tell you in advance what percentage will remain.
The three stages on the day
Areas that can be treated
Forehead and temples
Gives the forehead a smooth curve and fills temples so hollow that the bone edge shows
Under-eyes and tear troughs
Very thin layers to reduce the dark shadow cast by deep hollows
Cheekbones and hollow cheeks
Restores mid-face fullness for a fresher look
Nasolabial folds and chin
Fills the base beneath the fold to make it shallower, or adds chin definition for those who do not want silicone
Lips and backs of the hands
Soft-looking fullness, and hands on which veins have become prominent with age
Fat transfer vs HA filler
| Aspect | Your own fat | HA filler |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Your own tissue, no allergic reaction | A synthetic product registered with the Thai FDA |
| Longevity | The surviving portion (30–80%) lasts for years; the rest is absorbed in the first 3 months | 9–18 months, then gradually absorbed |
| Precision | The final volume is harder to control; a second session may be needed | Finely adjustable, with the shape visible as it is injected |
| Correction | Excess must be removed by suction or left to settle | Dissolved with an enzyme within a day |
| Recovery | Noticeable swelling for 7–14 days and puncture marks at the harvest site | Mild swelling for 1–3 days |
Preparation
- Basic blood tests and clotting tests
- Stop aspirin, NSAIDs, fish oil, vitamin E and herbal supplements that increase bleeding for 2 weeks
- No smoking for 2–4 weeks before and after, because nicotine markedly reduces fat cell survival
- Keep your weight stable; you should not be actively losing weight
Afterwards and results
Possible risks include prolonged swelling and bruising, firm fat lumps or oil cysts, asymmetry, lower survival than expected, infection and, very rarely but seriously, fat embolism, the risk of which is reduced by using blunt cannulas and injecting slowly in thin layers. Contact the clinic immediately if the skin at the injection site turns pale white or develops dark patches, you have severe pain, your vision changes, or you have a fever with a red, hot wound.
Results from our patients
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does transferred fat last?
The portion that survives past 3 months, generally 30–80%, stays with you long term like any other fat in the body, although it changes with weight and age. The portion that does not survive is absorbed within the first 3 months, which is why the clinic does not promise a specific take rate.
Will I need a second session?
Around one in three patients chooses a second session after 3–6 months, once they can see their own survival rate. The second session usually uses less fat and causes less swelling.
I am very slim. Is there enough fat to harvest?
Only 30–100 cc is needed, which can usually be found in the lower abdomen or inner thigh even in slim people. If you are extremely slim, the doctor may recommend HA filler instead.
How long will my face be swollen? How many days off work?
Swelling is noticeable for 5–7 days and the face looks slightly over-filled for up to 2 weeks. Most people take 5–7 days off, or work from home from day 3.
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