Fat harvested from areas such as the abdomen or thighs can be injected into the face to fill out furrows, wrinkles, or areas of cheek atrophy or thinning. The fat is removed in an office or surgical procedure under local anesthesia. (Usually one hour) With tiny metal cannulas or hallow tubes attached to a syringe, the fat is removed. After removing the purified fat, a small needle is attached to the syringe to inject the fat into the facial areas. Fat can also be used to fill in areas of indentation from prior liposuction (lipofill). The benefit is that the patient is utilizing their own adipose or fat cells to fill the creases or furrows. Excess fat not used at the visit can be frozen and used for that specific patient at a later date.

Not all the fat survives, so Dr Mandell-Brown usually recommends a series of fat injections spaced 3 months apart. Typically 3 to 4 injections are required and then yearly touch-ups may be recommended. There is some data that suggests the fat transfer may include fat stem cells which will help initiate further filling out of the injected area. Unlike the manufactured fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvaderm, Sculptra, Prevelle, and Artefill, the patient must undergo a procedure to obtain the fat.