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Do Fat Injections Change Skin Quality More Than Sculptra?

asked 2 years ago by camile in california
Latest answer by Michael Law, MD
Question viewed 707 times
Tags: skin, stem cell

I have read that fat injections actually increase the thickness of the skin, as does Sculptra. But I have also read that injected fat carries stem cells, which change the quality of the skin. Is there a noticable difference in the quality of the skin when fat is injected as opposed to Sculptra?


8 answers to Do Fat Injections Change Skin Quality More Than Sculptra?

+2

Positive changes on skin texture after Fat Injections and Sculptra and Radiesse

I have noted a healthier glow of the skin after all volume replacement techniques in many patients.  I can not say, however, that there is a greater improvement with one vs. the other. The theory of stem cell transfer in the fat injections is intriguing but not proven.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+2

Fat injections do appear to improve skin quality

I can only speak from personal experience and not from scientific data. On a clincal basis, it does appear that the skin does achieve improvements from fat injections that exceed the volume issues. The improved quality of the skin has been attributed to stem cells or growth factors in the fat as you have stated. In regards to the sculpra this tends to be a foreign body reaction which eventually needs to be repeated for persistent results.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stem Cells for Improved Skin Quality

Many plastic surgeons who perform structural fat grafting report that patients often describe a variety of improvements in their facial skin following fat grafting surgery. This observation has led to the use of fat grafting in reconstructive surgery, for instance in the management of chronic wounds such as those seen in some patients following radiation treatment for cancer. Fat grafting into the tissues below a chronic, non-healing wound has been shown to stimulate successful wound healing... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+1

Sculptra probably has a bigger impact on skin quality

Sculptra by definition of how it works will definitely thickened and strengthen the dermis which in turn will impact the appearance and quality of the skin. I hope you find this helpful.
Steven E. Rasmussen, MD

Austin Dermatologist
+1

Fat transfer

What is known right now about fat transfer improving the quality of the skin is baseed on personal observations and speculations. It is noted by some reputable Plastic surgeons that when fat was transfered to radiated skin of the breastfor treatment of breast cancer, the quality of the skin has improved. We think this is because of the stem cells in the fat we transfer. No concrete scientific evidence yet.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fat Transfer and Skin Changes

I am not convinced that fat transfer changes skin quality that much. I do see the skin looks better but I attribute the changes to the play of light on the skin since there is better illumination on the skin. Who knows maybe there is a stem cell change. I think we are too dogmatic about these theoretical changes. Simply put however is that after a fat transfer (which can truly hit all the small areas of the face unlike sculptra that has to be avoided in sensitive areas that have high... more
Samuel Lam, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.lamfacialplastics.com

+1

Fat injections and skin quality

I absolutely agree with Dr Placik. It is the stem cells that help improve not only the appearance but the skin quality also. Especially the 'hot' topic is Stem Cell Enhancement to fat grafting. Regards.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin quality improvement is not predicatable after injections

Although you may get some skin quality improvement after both fat injections or Sculptra, it is not predicatable or usually impressive. However, we regularly combine either Sculptra or fat grafting with Mixto laser at the same session to achieve really impressive results. We could not equal this when we tried Fraxel or other fractionated lasers we tried. The "Combi" therapy is easy to do because the Sculptra or Fat has local anesthesia in it which prepares the face for the Mixto.... more
Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

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