How to avoid cannula marks after fat transfer?

In our experience, cannula marks just have not been an issue.  A small needle opening is used for harvesting and for placing the fat.  The needle is typically no larger than one used to draw blood for routine blood tests.  Fat grafting of the face continues to be one o the most popular procedures done not only in our office but throughout the world. 

Most cannulas that are used for fat grafting are very small and should leave only pinpoint scars at the most.  If this is a major concern, discuss it with your surgeon so that the smallest possible cannula can be used.  Good luck.

There will certainly be very small and temporary puncture marks where the cannula is inserted into your face for fat injections however, permanent marks or tracks from the injections should not be an issue.  The fat is grafted into the deeper facial tissue well beneath the skin.  The fat and muscle of the face should protect the skin from permanent changes from cannula trauma.  

The cannulas used are extremely small and there is little risk for permanent marks. Keep in mind, harvesting is important for successful fat transfer for the face. I recommend water-assisted fat harvesting which gives pure fat to transfer and combine with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to get the most viable and sustainable fat cells. I combine with Sculptra (depending on area) to improve final results. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

The cannulas used on the face are in the order of 1 mm in diameter.  These should not leave any marks.  It is equivalent to having a small needle puncture.  

 There should be no bigger than an 18 gauge needle used to open the access points on the face.  When used in a beveled fashion, it is very rare to have a permanent scar. However, close follow up should be done in very small quantities of Kenalog utilized if scar formation occurs. Additionally, I always tell my patients to use dermatix ultra twice daily in order to reduce the appearance of scars. Then of course there are laser based resurfacing treatments that can be done to mitigate scar formation

hello, thanks for your question and provided information. I have to say that this is very unnusual to happen. Consult with your board certified plastic surgeon first, but it is nor something that can happen very easily, your surgeon has to be very gently during the process. 

I have not seen cannula marks after facial fat grafting. To be sure, at the national meetings, we often discuss techniques to maximize our grafting results, and minimize a poor result. Cannula marks have not been a topic in our discussions. Attention to tricky areas, symmetry, recommended volumes, these are more of a concern. You might look up Sydney Coleman, M.D. to see what he says. He is the father of fat grafting, despite all the rest of us scoffing for years. Now he is our mentor.

There can be numerous issues with facial fat transfer, but needle marks have not been an issue in the 18 years I have performed the procedure. Regards.
Dr. Kiener

Good Day. Thank you for your question and narrative.Facial fat transfer does not create any cannula marks, because the injection cannulas are 0.8 to 1.2 mm in diameter. Theft is placed between the muscles of the face and the skin, except for the area directly below the lower eyelid (tear trough), where it is placed below the muscle of the eye (orbicularis oculi).The incisions are made with a 1.0 mm round knife surface (dermal punch), which are too small to even produce a scar.The key to a successful injection is the anatomical sites format placement are reviewed with you, the patient, prior to fat administration to confirm your desires. Usually about 10-15% more fat is placed than the final desired amount of fat due to some fat cell loss (about 20%) and about 15% of the grafted material is salt water, completely absorbed by the body.In summary, there should be no cannula marks or observed incisions. The final swelling resolution takes about 3-5 weeks.Best of luck.