Want to fix nasolabial folds - Would fat grafting be the best solution? (photos)

Yes, fat grafting is a great and long-lasting way to reduce nasolabial folds, and based on your photograph you look like you would be a good candidate for this. Whether you would be benefit from a facelift in addition to fat grafting depends on what your other facial concerns are in addition to the nasolabial folds.

Just a couple of words of advice--nothing is permanent when it comes to facial aging. You continue to lose facial fat with age, so at some point down the road, nasolabial folds will deepen again and you may want further treatment to these areas. Furthermore, the goal is always to reduce nasolabial folds, not eliminate them completely. Completely eliminating a nasolabial fold would leave you looking very strange and not like yourself.

Thank you for your inquiry! Fat grafting is a good alternative to fillers. But if you lose weight or gain weight, that same effect can be seen anywhere you put fat. A lower face lift can get the result you are looking for, but nothing is permanent. As you age gravity and skin laxity will take it toll. Schedule a consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

Hello and thank you for your question! By doing fat grafting to the cheeks you could get a subtle lift in the mid and lower face, thus smoothing out the nasolabial folds to an extent. This is absolutely a good option to take, alternatively you could have the fat graft placed directly in the area of the nasolabial folds to smooth them out without effecting the rest of the facial structure. Based on the picture you provided, a face lift would be premature if the only issue you are having is with the nasolabial folds. As always, it would be best to seek out an in-office consult with a plastic surgeon to best evaluate what procedures and techniques would best work for you and your desired aesthetic goals. Hope this helps!

Facial fat grafting, also known as facial fat transfer, is a cosmetic procedure where fat is harvested from one part of the body and then injected into specific areas of the face to enhance volume and contour. It is an excellent option to address the nasolabial folds as well as provide full facial rejuvenation.
Since we are injecting your own fat cells, facial fat grafting leads to a natural-looking outcome as the transferred fat integrates with the surrounding tissues. Compared to certain dermal fillers that might need to be repeated every few months or years, properly integrated fat grafts can provide long-lasting results. While not all of the transferred fat may survive, a significant portion can become a permanent part of the treated area. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that fat grafting can improve the quality of overlying skin. The regenerative properties of fat stem cells often contribute to better skin texture and appearance in the treated area. Finally, facial fat grafting offers a holistic approach. Instead of simply addressing a single concern, facial fat grafting offers a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. It can address multiple aspects of facial aging, such as volume loss and wrinkles, in one procedure.
From your photo, I think facial fat grafting would offer a natural, long term solution to address your nasolabial folds as well as volume loss in the cheeks and around the mouth. However, it is important to see a provider in person for a full consultation and to see if this procedure is truly right for you.
-Dr. Maggie Kober

At the time being it does not look like we have solved a problem of NLF. Dynamic nature of this condition, constant movement of perioral muscles and lips, resorption of bones underneath, loss of fat volume, are some of the reasons for NLF occurance. In our experience, fat grafting is not any better or longer lasting than fillers which are our gold standard. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your questions. I think that in general, be careful about "fixing" NL folds. Having a NL fold in natural and normal and to remove it or obliterate it is unnatural and should not be a goal. Google a young face and you will notice that the NL fold is softer or less heavy but it is not gone. I think that your NL fold in the photo is soft and I would not chase filling it with filler or fat. I think that filling the area around the nose would be helpful to make that area less depressed. And I think that rather than fill the fold itself, I would recommend working on either volumizing the cheek, or even better, consider a surgical procedure to lift the cheek and jowl and create a more natural improvement in the NL fold.
Hope this helps!
Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

Fat grafting can help restore volume and smooth out the folds. It is a natural option as it uses your body's own tissue. However, the success of fat grafting can vary, as some of the transferred fat may not survive in the new location. It's important to consult with a skilled surgeon who has experience with fat grafting to ensure the best possible outcome.

Renuva can also be a good option to treat the nasolabial folds. It is an injectable (and semi-permanent, lasting more than 10 years) treatment that aims to restore volume and improve contour irregularities in various areas of the body. It is made from processed and sterilized human adipose tissue, which is derived from donated fat tissue. When injected into targeted areas, it aims at stimulating the body's natural regenerative processes and enhance volume restoration.

While a face lift can greatly improve the overall appearance of the face, including the nasolabial folds, its primary purpose is to lift and tighten the underlying facial tissues and remove excess skin.


I hope this helps,
best of luck !

I hope this helps,
best of luck !

Nice 1 posted photo. All "fixes" are temporary since you will continue to age.You desire options that last over 3 years. So rule out HA fillers, PDO threading. Fat grafting with mini face/neck lift + SMAS plication is the better option. Expect fees in the $6,000+ ranges. Best to virtual consult with....

Fillers are far superior to grafted fat for areas like nasolabial folds.
That could work while to give diffuse overall volume but it’s not particularly good at giving very precise, volume so close to the skin like what’s needed in the nasal labial fold.
I suggest having multiple in person, consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons to get an overall assessment and better understanding of treatment options. Facial fat transfer is inherently, unpredictable and precise, and can be unforgiving if patients don’t like the outcome. The learning curve for this procedure is long and steep. Anybody considering facial fat transfer should move forward with caution being extremely selective of providers. When reviewing before, and after pictures, recognize that early fat, transfer results can look very impressive but do not in anyway represent final results which take at least 3 to 6 months. When reviewing before and after pictures, always confirm the timeframe of when pictures were taken.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD