Injecting Fat Graft Effects on Scar Tissue

Question

What are the effects of injecting fat graft into a scar tissue? I have heard that fat is being used to treat wounds and scars.

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat grafting beneath scars and damaged skin (after radiation treatments, for example) has been observed to improve overlying scar quality. Fat can also provide volume beneath a scar when it is released from its underlying attatchments.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Scars that are sunken (depressed) may benefit from fat grafting.  An example of this is acne scars.  It is important sometimes to release the scars (subcision) before injection the fat.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Fat grafting is a srugical technique of transferring fat.
You can make the analogy of trans"planting" a plant. Survival of the transferred plant depends on the health of the plant as well as the suitability of the area to which it is transferred. This means that a plant moved to a desert is less likely to survive than a plant transferred to a lush, fertile, moist, sunny environment.
The same goes for fat. Fat survives better when it is handled delicately, and then moved to a vascular (good blood supply) recipient site. Therefore the more the blood supply, the better the survival. Muscle has some of the best blood supply and fat does best when transferred to muscle. We use this principle when transferring fat to the buttocks. It does best when we implant it in the musclse of the buttocks.
Scar tissue often has a poor blood supply and may be stiff or resistant to enlargement. Fat garfting can help to eliminate depressed scars but the survival of fat in scars is generally suboptimal. However, when it works, it can be a very good result. Therefore it may be worth a try in many instances where a depressed scar is the primary priblem.

Robert M. Freund, MD · Answer

Fat Transfer can improve traumatic depressions and liposuction irregularities. It is also good for skeletonized breasts after breast augmentation in thin patients. It is also great for aging hands.

	I am not sure what it will do for a simple scar.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

Although it is possible to inject fat into scar tissue this procedure must be performed very very carefully. Keep in mind that this scar tissue is not normal tissue. It has much more fibrous connections and may not have the blood supply as other normal areas of your body. For this reason, the amount of fat that can safely be injected is limited and a good result may require several sessions. Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a great deal of experience with fat injection and scar revision techniques.

Injecting Fat Graft Effects on Scar Tissue

Answers (7)

Answer: Fat transfer can fill depressions

Answer: Fat transfer can fill depressions

Answer: Injecting fat into scar tissue

Answer: Injecting fat into scar tissue

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Injecting Fat Graft Effects on Scar Tissue

Answers (7)

Answer: Fat transfer can fill depressions

Answer: Fat transfer can fill depressions

Answer: Injecting fat into scar tissue

Answer: Injecting fat into scar tissue

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.