What Is Stem Cell-Enriched Fat Injection?
Stem cell-enriched fat injection is a rapidly growing technique in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. It involves harvesting the patient’s own fat cells, enriching them with stem cells, and reinjecting them into targeted areas of the body. Compared to traditional fat grafting, this method provides more lasting and regenerative results.
Stem cells are unique cells with the ability to transform into various other cell types. Fat tissue is one of the richest sources of these cells, making it ideal for aesthetic purposes like increasing volume and enhancing skin quality.
How Is It Performed?
1. Fat Harvesting
First, fat is harvested from donor areas like the abdomen, waist, or thighs using liposuction. This step is typically performed under local anesthesia or sedation.
2. Processing the Fat Cells
The harvested fat is processed using special centrifugation methods to isolate and concentrate the stem cells. During this purification step, dead cells, blood residues, and excess fluid are removed.
3. Injection
The stem cell-enriched fat is then injected into the target area using very fine cannulas. Injection points and amounts are customized by the surgeon depending on the individual’s needs.
Where Is It Applied?
Stem cell-enriched fat injection can be used not only for aesthetic purposes but also for functional and reconstructive applications:
Facial Aesthetics
- Cheek and midface augmentation
- Treating under-eye hollows
- Improving skin quality and reducing wrinkles
Breast Aesthetics
- Natural breast enhancement
- Correcting breast asymmetry
- Volume restoration post-reconstruction
Body Aesthetics
- Buttock augmentation (as a Brazilian Butt Lift alternative)
- Leg contour correction
- Hand rejuvenation
Reconstructive Purposes
- Treating scars and post-radiotherapy tissue damage
- Improving scar tissue quality
- Enhancing skin after burn injuries
What Are the Advantages?
The main advantages of stem cell-enriched fat injection include:
- Natural look and feel
- Long-lasting results
- Skin rejuvenation through regenerative effect
- No allergic risk, since it uses your own tissue
- Multiple areas can be treated in a single session
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
This method is generally suitable for individuals who:
- Have sufficient fat reserves
- Seek natural and long-lasting results
- Want to improve skin quality
- Want to slow down signs of aging
- Have asymmetry or volume loss in the breast or body contours
However, it is not recommended for those with active infections, serious systemic illnesses, or during pregnancy. A thorough medical evaluation is necessary before the procedure.
Procedure Time and Recovery
The procedure typically lasts 1 to 2 hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. Mild swelling, bruising, and sensitivity in the treated areas may last a few days. Final results become apparent within 3–6 months as the stem cells begin to improve skin quality over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Compared to traditional fat grafting, it has a significantly higher retention rate. Stem cell support improves fat survival up to 70–80%.
No. It is usually performed under local anesthesia, and patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Only mild sensitivity may occur afterward.
A single session is usually sufficient. However, additional sessions can be planned depending on the desired volume.
No. Since the procedure is done with micro-cannulas, it does not leave visible scars. The entry points are about 2–3 mm and typically fade over time.
Unlike fillers, which are temporary and synthetic, stem cell fat grafting is long-lasting and biologically rejuvenates the skin using your own tissue—without foreign substances.
