You may have noticed that after sleepless nights or illness, temporary hollows appear under your eyes, which eventually fade. However, with aging, many people develop permanent under-eye hollows. Fat injection can help address this issue. Generally, fat injection to the face or under the eyes corrects imperfections, adds volume to specific areas using non-allergenic materials, and restores a youthful, beautiful appearance to your face. Despite its many benefits, this method also comes with potential risks and drawbacks.
What Is Under-Eye Fat Injection and How Is It Performed?
Under-eye fat injection, also known as fat transfer, is a common cosmetic procedure for individuals troubled by under-eye hollows and seeking a solution to eliminate them. In this procedure, a doctor extracts excess fat from other parts of the patient’s body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and injects it into areas with low volume, such as the hands, feet, chest, buttocks, or face.
To transfer fat, the required amount is first extracted from donor areas, purified, and then transferred to the target area. The fat injection process can be divided into three stages:
- Fat extraction
- Purification of the extracted fat
- Fat transfer
In the first stage, a specialist doctor selects a donor site for fat extraction and applies local anesthesia to that area. Then, using a cannula attached to a sterile syringe, the fat is carefully extracted.
In the second stage, once the necessary amount of fat is extracted, the doctor processes the fat for transfer. The extracted fat may need to be spun in a centrifuge or filtered to remove impurities before injection.
In the final stage, once the fat is purified and ready for injection, the doctor transfers all the fat to the target area through multiple insertions and withdrawals of the syringe into the skin.
It’s worth noting that fat transfer is performed under local anesthesia and is considered a non-invasive procedure. The recipient area is cleaned with an antiseptic before the injection. Most individuals seeking under-eye fat injections are men and women over 30 years old who suffer from under-eye hollows.
What Are the Benefits of Under-Eye Fat Injection?
Fat injection is a cosmetic treatment that has gained popularity due to its high safety and long-lasting results. Many people experience allergic reactions or sensitivities to other cosmetic treatments, which can complicate the procedure and prevent achieving the desired results. However, since fat injection uses the patient’s own fat, the body does not exhibit any allergic reactions. Unlike collagen injections, which require a preliminary allergy test and a waiting period for results, fat injection poses no concerns regarding side effects or allergic reactions.
Another benefit and reason for the popularity of fat transfer compared to other cosmetic treatments is the duration of visible results and their longevity. Approximately 65% of the transferred fat is reabsorbed by the body, while the remaining 35% stays in the body for several years. Many individuals repeat the fat transfer procedure every few months to maintain its effects. Additionally, many people can combine fat injection with other treatments, such as Botox, to achieve better results, as fat transfer does not react with Botox or other treatments.
Recovery Period for Under-Eye Fat Injection
Although under-eye fat injection is a relatively simple and minimally invasive procedure, it has its own recovery period. Be sure to ask your doctor how long you need to rest and when you can resume daily activities. Also, inquire about the following:
- Drainage of the injected fat
- Normal symptoms you may experience
- Any signs of potential side effects
Your doctor will certainly provide you with information on how to care for and maintain the donor site for fat extraction.
Here are some methods that contribute to general recovery after fat injection:
- Swelling and bruising after fat transfer are completely normal in the first week following the procedure, and there is no need for concern.
- In the second week, bruising from the fat transfer will subside, but some swelling under the eyes may still be present.
- In most cases, significant improvement occurs between days 7 and 10, but it’s better to avoid public places, stay home, and rest. Most people who take adequate time to rest for two weeks will be able to resume work and activities much more comfortably.
- In the third week, when minimal signs of the fat injection remain, you can use makeup to cover or conceal any remaining bruising.
Your doctor will provide instructions regarding oral medications, as well as ointments and antibiotics to prevent infection. Try to avoid activities that may increase bruising under your eyes for the first two days after the fat injection. To help the fat distribute more evenly, sleep on your back. It’s also recommended to avoid touching the treated area after the injection. Swimming, applying makeup, engaging in heavy exercise, and consuming hot beverages can prolong the recovery period following fat transfer.
Follow your doctor’s instructions to recover as quickly as possible.
Side Effects and Risks of Fat Injection
Like any cosmetic procedure, under-eye fat injection comes with potential side effects. One common side effect experienced by all patients after the procedure is swelling and bruising, which may persist for up to two weeks before subsiding. There is also a possibility of uneven fat distribution, though this is rare and depends on the doctor’s experience and skill.
The most common side effects of fat injection include:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Infection
- Hematoma or blood pooling under the skin, which may require drainage
- Changes in sensation
- Scarring
- Allergic reaction to the fat injection
- Damage to underlying skin structures
- Unsatisfactory results
It’s important to note that choosing a skilled and experienced doctor significantly reduces the likelihood of these side effects. Follow the instructions and recommendations of the doctor performing the fat transfer to minimize the risk of complications.
Is Under-Eye Fat Injection Permanent?
Regarding the longevity of fat injection results, those who undergo touch-up fat transfer procedures multiple times a year will experience longer-lasting effects. However, fat injection cannot be considered a permanent cosmetic treatment for eliminating under-eye hollows, as aging is an ongoing process that cannot be stopped. That said, most individuals who have undergone fat injection report results lasting from 18 months to 3 years. Fat transfer requires advanced techniques and expertise, including decisions about which fat to use, the amount of fat to transfer, and how to properly place the fat under the patient’s eyelids.
By considering all the points mentioned by your chosen specialist doctor, the longevity of the effects of fat injection can be significantly enhanced.
