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Is Nanofat the New Filler?

Is Nanofat the New Filler? featured image
peakSTOCK / Getty Images
This article first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of New Beauty. Click here to subscribe

Fat has long been heralded as a rejuvenating staple, providing volume to the face, breasts and other body parts. Recently, nanofat, a fresh take on harvesting and grafting fat, has been called a new version of filler, and it offers benefits beyond just volume. As patients lean toward nanofat due to its no-migration policy and more natural look, its reputation as the ultimate way to boost volume and improve the skin continues to grow.

Featured Experts

  • Paul Afrooz, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Miami
  • Daniel Hatef, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Nashville, TN
  • John Kang, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York
  • Mark Jewell, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Eugene, OR
  • Mokhtar Asaadi, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in West Orange, NJ

Nanofat > Filler?

Miami plastic surgeon Paul Afrooz, MD calls nanofat “the new filler” because it has regenerative properties and versatility in addressing volume loss and skin aging. “Fillers add volume and structure; nanofat contains a high concentration of stem cells that promote tissue regeneration and skin rejuvenation,” he explains. “It is effective for filling, contouring, and improving skin quality, texture and tone.”

Some dermatologists and plastic surgeons are shying away from hyaluronic acid and bioregenerative fillers, says Nashville, TN plastic surgeon Daniel Hatef, MD. “For years, we thought hyaluronic acid was the optimal choice because it is dissolvable,” he says. “Now, we know a large portion of it is resistant to dissolving and sticks around. Nanofat is autologous tissue, so we believe it is a more natural way to volumize.”

The nano technique is also less traumatic than traditional fat grafting. New York facial plastic surgeon John Kang, MD explains that nanofat uses the smallest diameter cannula in minute, aliquot amounts to lay down as much of the fat cells for maximum viability without the clumping that can occur with traditional fat grafting. Classic fat grafting also focuses on larger volumes for deeper structural augmentation.

5 Benefits of Nanofat

Doctors appreciate the natural-looking volumizing effect, but there are other upsides, too.

01. Its skin-rejuvenating capabilities.

“Nanofat has a rich stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell content, including mesenchymal stem cells,” Dr. Afrooz explains. “These stem cells secrete growth factors that stimulate collagen production, improve elasticity, skin quality and texture, reduce pigmentation, and promote overall skin health.”

02. It is safer and more predictable.

Nanofat is derived from the patient’s own fat, so allergic reactions are less likely. “It also involves minimal fat manipulation to preserve the viability of the stem cells and reduce the risk of complications associated with fillers,” Dr. Afrooz explains.

03. More natural-looking results.

When overdone or misused, fillers can create a bulky, heavy look. “With nanofat, we can turn back the hands of time by restoring lost volume in the perfect amounts,” Dr. Kang says.

04. It improves facial symmetry.

When facial symmetry affects self-esteem, nanofat can be a long-term fix. “I use it on patients in their 20s when I need to reconstruct inherent, yet more obvious asymmetries,” says Dr. Kang.

05. It makes for a better facelift.

Adding nanofat to a facelift can improve the results. “In my practice, structural nanofat grafting is no longer an adjunct, but rather an essential part of facial rejuvenation,” Dr. Kang says. “A facelift only addresses gravity, whereas structural fat grafting replaces lost fat and soft tissue to restore the ‘dimensional’ V-line.”

When to Choose Nanofat Over Filler

Nanofat has its place in the operating room, particularly for smoothing lines and wrinkles, restoring volume, and enhancing skin texture and tone. Suitable for treating the under-eyes, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, hands, neck and chest, doctors recommend nanofat over filler when regenerative benefits, immediate volumization and long-lasting results are a high priority.

Choosing nanofat over filler depends on whether volume alone is needed, or overall skin rejuvenation. But, nanofat isn’t a magic bullet for everyone. Dr. Afrooz says fillers may be more fitting for volume enhancement in younger patients, or those with minor volume loss and good skin quality. “Combining nanofat with fillers offers regenerative benefits and immediate volumization in older patients with significant skin laxity and volume depletion. This hybrid approach leverages both treatments for optimal rejuvenation.”

Nanofat is an excellent option to rejuvenate the skin and add volume. Nanofat devices have really simplified the process and help give smooth, predictable outcomes.

—Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD

The Results

“Immediately after nanofat grafting, you will look like a younger version of yourself,” Dr. Kang says. “Then, as the fat settles, you’ll look even younger.” The full results take a few months to become visible because the regenerative effects of nanofat take that long to surface. About 30 to 50 percent of the grafted nanoft remains indefinitely.

The effects of nanofat are impressive on their own, but when paired with a facelift, a CO2 laser or radiofrequency microneedling, they are even better. According to Dr. Afrooz, using nanofat in facelifts improves skin quality and promotes healing. “It restores volume while rejuvenating the overlying skin for more comprehensive and natural rejuvenation.”

To maintain improvement, Dr. Afrooz urges his patients to follow a diligent skin-care regimen and protect their skin from sun exposure. Also, consider touch-up treatments with nanofat or other complementary therapies to sustain the effects.

The Future of Nanofat

Nanofat may not be a household buzzword yet, but it will be if it continues on its current trajectory. Dr. Hatef expects nanofat to grow in popularity because it “is the ideal filler.” There is also anticipation for continued advancement in processing and application techniques. “Research into enhancing the concentration of regenerative cells and combining nanofat with other biological materials could further improve its efficacy,” Dr. Afrooz says. “As awareness and demand grow, nanofat will likely become a staple in facial rejuvenation procedures.”

To address this patient’s under-eye hollowness, West Orange, NJ plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD performed nanofat grafting in the lower eyelids and face.

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