Micro Fat Grafting - is it reliable? (Photos)

Question

Hello, I have moderate facial volume loss due to weight loss and I do not want to keep using syntheyic fillers. Is micro fat grafting reliable? I was told it’s 50/50 as far as if the fat will survive. I was interested in AlloClae but was told it’s more expensive than fat grafting and that it’s not for the face. Is micro fat grafting a waste of money or does most of what’s injected stay? Is AlloClae not an option then?

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Fat transfer is definitely reliable.  Alloclae is not really available yet and still undergoing trails but looks like a promising product.  Fat transfer is safe and can provide permanent, natural looking results. If you plan to have a fat transfer procedure, you should seek out plastic surgeons who do a lot of it since it is a rather very specific field, not unlike rhinoplasty.  In experienced hands, you should have an excellent result.

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD · Answer

Great question! I would recommend the micro-fat transfer to the face.  Here’s a simple breakdown of the key differences between Micro Fat, Alloclae, and Renuva:

Micro Fat
This is fat taken from your own body and then processed into very small particles. Because of its size, micro fat can be placed more superficially, making it ideal for facial areas. One of the biggest benefits of using your own fat is that it contains stem cells, which may help improve skin texture and overall skin quality in the treated areas.

Alloclae
Alloclae is processed donor fat (from another individual). It’s a thicker, firmer product and is not designed for use in the face. It does not inject smoothly and is better suited for larger-volume areas like the body—not for creating natural, refined facial contours.

Renuva
Like Alloclae, Renuva is also derived from donor fat but is processed to be smooth and injectable for facial applications. However, unlike your own fat, Renuva does not contain live cells or stem cells, so it won’t provide the regenerative benefits associated with your own micro fat.

In summary, if you're looking for skin quality improvement and natural facial volume, micro fat is typically preferred due to the presence of your own stem cells. Renuva is a good alternative if you’re not a candidate for fat harvesting, while Alloclae is better for body contouring—not the face.

Micro Fat Grafting - is it reliable? (Photos)

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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

Micro Fat Grafting - is it reliable? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

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