There are a wide range of facial rejuvenation options available to help you turn back the clock and restore a more youthful appearance. It’s important to understand that these options are all slightly different and address a unique set of aesthetic concerns. Therefore, it’s crucial that you understand the subtle differences between these options to ensure you choose the right solution for your needs.
If your primary concern involves restoring lost facial volume and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, dermal fillers and fat transfer procedures both deliver excellent results. However, each option offers unique benefits which may make one more effective for you than the other.
Dermal Fillers
- Marionette lines
- Nasolabial folds
- Vertical lip lines
- Sunken cheeks
- Thin lips
- Poorly defined chin or jawline
You’ll experience the following benefits with dermal fillers:
- Minimally invasive treatment with virtually no downtime
- A variety of filler options exist, providing greater customization to address your unique aesthetic goals
- Can be administered using only topical anesthetic
- Bruising and swelling is minimal
- Results appear quickly
The main drawback of choosing dermal fillers is that they provide temporary results. Depending on the filler used, your results may last anywhere from six months to two years. In order to maintain your results for a longer period of time, you’ll need to return for ongoing maintenance injections. As a result, the long-term costs of dermal fillers can often be higher than the cost of fat transfer treatments, even though the per-treatment cost is less for fillers.
Fat Transfer Treatments
Fat transfer is a great way to put your own natural fat to use in achieving your facial rejuvenation goals. During the procedure, Dr. Jean will perform liposuction to harvest fat from a donor site such as your abdomen, back or thighs. This fat is then purified and re-injected into the face to restore lost volume, improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Benefits of choosing fat transfer include:
- The use of your own body fat provides the safest way to restore lost facial volume
- You’ll experience an improved body contour in the donor region in addition to a more youthful facial appearance
- Long-lasting results that don’t require ongoing maintenance treatments
While the cost of a fat transfer procedure is higher than the cost of a single dermal filler treatment, you won’t need follow-up procedures every couple of years. As a result, fat transfer often provides a more cost-effective solution in the long-term.
The primary drawback of fat transfer is that you must undergo a surgical procedure to harvest the fat from the donor area. As a result, you’ll experience slightly more downtime than with fillers. In addition, your bruising and swelling may be greater with fat transfer, and it may take longer for you to experience your final results.
Contact our Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
The right solution for you will depend on your unique needs and goals. During your initial consultation, Dr. Jean will explain each option in detail and answer any questions you may have to ensure you feel comfortable with the recommended treatment plan before moving forward.
Please contact Main Line Plastic Surgery using the form on this page or call 484-222-0010 today to schedule your facial rejuvenation consultation. We serve patients in Bryn Mawr, Villanova and throughout the Main Line of Philadelphia.
