Heated treatment caused fat atrophy around side of my nose, cheek & above upper lip. Fat Transfer, Filler or facelift ? (Photos)

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin - Winnetka & Chicago. This is a great question. I'm really sorry you're going through this—fat atrophy from heat-based treatments (like radiofrequency or ultrasound) is a distressing and unfortunately not uncommon complication. When fat loss affects delicate areas like the sides of the nose (nasal sidewall), cheeks, and upper lip, restoring volume and symmetry becomes both an aesthetic and structural challenge. Each corrective approach—fat transfer, dermal fillers, and a mini facelift—has different strengths, and the best option often depends on your skin quality, age, extent of volume loss, and your goals. Fat transfer (autologous fat grafting) is often ideal in cases of fat atrophy, especially for long-term correction. It uses your own fat (usually from the thighs or abdomen) and transfers it to the depleted areas. Dermal fillers, particularly softer hyaluronic acid fillers, offer a non-surgical, precise way to restore volume. They're well-suited for areas like the nasolabial folds, upper lip, and cheek contours. Fillers are reversible and adjustable, making them a good first step if you're unsure about fat transfer. A mini facelift won't replace volume directly but could help reposition sagging tissues and improve contour around the midface and mouth if there’s been accompanying laxity or descent after the fat loss. It’s usually better suited for structural lifting rather than pure volume restoration, and is often combined with fat grafting or fillers for comprehensive results. I hope this helps and best of luck!