Lipofilling (Fat Transfer to the Face and Hands)

Lipofilling, also called autologous fat transfer or fat grafting, uses the patient’s own fat to restore areas of lost volume. Fat is harvested by liposuction from a suitable donor site, processed, and injected into the face, hands, or other areas requiring soft tissue support.

Ageing, weight change, or natural anatomy can lead to hollowing, fullness loss, or more visible underlying structures. The aim is proportional restoration rather than an overfilled result.

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Where Volume Loss Reveals the Framework Beneath

Facial ageing is not only about skin. Changes in fat and deeper support can create flatter cheeks, hollow temples, deeper transitions around the eyes or mouth, and reduced midface definition.

In the hands, thinning tissue can make veins, tendons, and bony contours more visible. Dr. Mishal Al Shammari assesses skin quality, tissue thickness, and surrounding anatomy to decide if fat transfer can restore support without creating heavy or unnatural-looking areas.

Areas That May Benefit From Autologous Volume Restoration

Lipofilling may be considered for hollow temples or cheeks, loss of midface fullness with age or weight loss, uneven facial contours, asymmetry, depressions from surgery or trauma, and visible tendons or veins on the back of the hands.

It is not the answer for every concern. Significant skin laxity, strong muscle activity, or very superficial lines may require a different treatment or a carefully planned combination.

Areas Commonly Discussed for Lipofilling

Commonly discussed concerns during consultation include:

Hollowing of the temples or cheeks
Loss of midface fullness with age or weight loss
Uneven facial contours or asymmetry

Depressions from prior surgery, trauma, or scarring
Visible veins and tendons on the back of the hands
Generalized thinning of the soft tissues over the hands

The best approach depends on the recipient area, skin quality, and whether another treatment is needed alongside fat transfer.

Linking Donor-Site Anatomy to the Recipient Area

Planning starts with assessment of both the receiving area and the site where fat will be collected. Common donor areas include the abdomen, waist, or thighs depending on available tissue and the overall surgical plan.

During consultation in Riyadh, Dr. Mishal Al Shammari considers the amount of correction required, skin quality, existing asymmetry, and the capacity of the recipient tissues. The plan also reflects that not every transferred fat cell will survive.

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Harvesting, Purifying and Redistributing Fat

A technique is used to preserve viable cells while fat is removed through small liposuction access points. The harvested tissue is then processed to remove unwanted fluid before re-injection.

The processed fat is placed in small amounts and across multiple layers. In the face it provides delicate support, and in the hands it creates more even coverage over visible tendons and veins.

Why Retention and Symmetry Continue to Evolve

Some transferred fat is naturally absorbed during healing, while some develops a blood supply and becomes part of the treated area. For this reason, the final retained volume cannot be judged immediately.

Potential risks include swelling, bruising, infection, asymmetry, contour irregularity, firmness, small cysts, or areas of fat necrosis. Small scars may remain at donor-site access points, and further correction may sometimes be considered after results stabilize.

Recovery Across Two Treatment Zones

Both donor and recipient areas may swell, bruise, and feel tender. The face or hands may initially look fuller because of swelling and planned early volume, and a compression garment may be recommended for the liposuction area while direct pressure on transferred fat is limited.

Normal activity is resumed gradually. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Mishal Al Shammari to monitor healing, donor-site recovery, symmetry, and how the transferred fat is settling.

Subtle Restoration That Moves With the Patient

Lipofilling aims to replace lost volume using the patient’s own tissue while preserving natural mobility and proportion. Facial results should blend with nearby features, and hand treatment should soften structural prominence without creating excessive fullness.

The outcome becomes clearer as swelling decreases and fat retention stabilizes. Ageing and future weight change can still affect the treated areas, so careful planning and measured volume replacement remain important.

What our clients say

Read about the experiences of patients who received plastic and aesthetic treatments from Dr Mishal Al Shammari.

Honestly, I didn't follow my own advice and looked around. I saw my friend's amazing results with him, so I immediately went to him for a consultation. My arms were bothering me, and he did it for me. The result was perfect.

Maram 6 month ago