Is fat better than dermal fillers for cheek augmentation?

Facial fat grafting and dermal fillers are both valid alternatives for enhancing cheek volume and contour. Dermal fillers have the advantage of being minimally invasive and can be applied in the doctor’s office. Additionally, there is little to no downtime after the procedure. On the other hand, facial fat grafting requires a journey to the operating room and, in most cases, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. However, fat grafting does offer significant advantages over dermal fillers. Fat carries stem cells that induce a sustained improvement in tissue quality. Further, it functions as a living source of volume that allows the surgeon to revert cheek atrophy and restore long-term facial harmony. Lastly, fat grafting offers a more comprehensive improvement in facial appearance that is difficult to obtain with dermal fillers.