Juvederm or Fat Transfer for Mild Nasolabial Folds?

asked 2 years ago by KF in Denver, CO
Latest answer by Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
Question viewed 6,310 times
Tags: nasolabial folds

To fill in mild nasolabial folds, what will work better; look and feel more natural; last longer; and have less possible complications: Juvederm or a Fat transfer from another part of my body?

8 answers to Juvederm or Fat Transfer for Mild Nasolabial Folds?

Mild nasolabial folds treatment with Juvederm or Fat Transfer

Then answer depends on how mild the nasolabial folds are and what your goals are. A. Juvederm Pros: Quick and easy, cheaper than fat grafts Immediate results Cons: Lasts only 6-18 months. If you have deep folds, it is not cost effective. Over a period of time, as you get repeated injections, more expensive than fat grafts B. Fat Grafts Pros: Can be permanent with the right surgeon. Can correct large areas. It is your own tissue Cons: 3 week period of swelling More expensive Need to... more

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Which is best between fillers and fat transfer?

Most physicians will agree that fat transfers may offer a much longer result and prove to be quite cost effective in the long run. However, fat transfers requires another invasive procedure in order to harvest the fat with technique being crucial. Even with the most advanced techniques and instruments, there is a higher percentage of unpredictability with fat transfers than with the use of hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, etc. Being able to reach for a cosmetic dermal... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Injectables vs. fat transfer

It depends on the type of fold. If it is very thin and superficial then Juvederm would be much better. If it is wide and deep then fat injections might give you a better result. Fat transfer results are not consistent. Some patients achieve long lasting results after a few sessions (rarely is one treatment enough for the smile folds…little by little is better than a lot at one time) but others never see their augmentation maintained more than a few weeks as the fat dissolves. The... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Fat transfer

Mild nasolabial folds can be treated by many methods. But overall it's best to treat any problem with something that will fix the problem on a more permanent basis. Fat transfer has come a long way. Our knowledge of what allows that fat to survive once it has been grafted has increased substantially. Grafted fat needs blood supply. So if a large amount of fat is placed in an area in the same plane of tissue it is impossible for the center most fat to get new blood vessels before it... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Juvederm vs Fat Transfer

Both are good for filling in the nasolabial folds. Fat transfer is a bit more involved and has a bit longer recovery time. Some percentage of the fat becomes permanent but some goes way. Juvederm or other HA fillers are not permanent and will go away about 6-9 months time. Fat can become permanent but requires several injections over time to get the result to stay and become permanent. Make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon for your plastic surgery needs, even if it is... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Fat for volume, Restylane/Juvederm for nasolabial folds

Fat grafting is a very good and predictable solution for adding volume to the cheeks, and for filling in the "tear trough" below the eyelid. Areas with little motion like these tend to do well with fat grafts. Mild nasolabial lines are best treated with injections into the skin, rather than under it as we do with fat. Restylane, Juvederm, and Evolence are all good options there.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Fat vs Restylane as a Filler

Both will give excellent correction with a natural feel. Restylane lasts 9 months to one year, but fat's persistance is less predictable. If you are younger, fat has a better chance of "taking" as a living graft, in which case it may last for years. However, most practitioners will tell you that persistance of fat varies from 20-50% in most studies. Many physicians will take a little more fat than required for the correction and freeze the remainder for later touch ups if... more

Stephen Mandy, MD
Miami Dermatologist

Fat transfer is superior

Fat transfer is the superior choice, more natural feel and more suitable for volume restoration. Fat is more economically available! There is a longer recovery period for fat grafting vs Hyaluronic acid fillers.

Reza Nabavian, MD
Santa Monica Plastic Surgeon

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