Phone: (949) 209-1622
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
What Facial Fat Grafting Treats
Facial fat transfer is particularly effective in areas where age-related volume loss is most noticeable, including:
- Lower eyelids and cheeks
- Around the mouth and chin
- Temples and forehead
Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Steven M. Daines uses fat grafting to soften deep facial folds, improve facial symmetry, and refine overall contours. Dr. Daines incorporates fat grafting in most facelift procedures and every lower blepharoplasty he performs, integrating it into the same surgical session rather than as a separate or optional add-on. Fat grafting can be a natural, long-lasting alternative to dermal fillers for patients who want to avoid periodic filler treatments, making it both a cost-effective and efficient solution for long-term facial rejuvenation. Dr. Daines also often includes fat transfer in his Signature Facelift.
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Facial Fat Grafting Before & After Photos
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
“Fat transfer is really meant to enhance and amplify, in conjunction with the right procedures, the results are truly meaningful and longer-lasting than anything a synthetic filler can provide.”
—Dr. Daines
How the Procedure Works
Fat grafting is a 3-step technique typically performed under twilight anesthesia for your comfort. The procedure takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.
The 3 steps include:
- Fat Harvesting: Dr. Daines uses gentle liposuction to extract fat from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. He makes small, discreet incisions, usually beneath the belly button or on the outer thighs.
- Fat Purification: The harvested fat is processed in a centrifuge to isolate healthy, viable fat cells.
- Precise Injection: Using meticulous technique, Dr. Daines carefully injects the purified fat into targeted areas of the face where volume loss has occurred, enhancing natural contours while maintaining balance and symmetry.
Dr. Daines is careful not to overfill the areas to ensure natural results.
What Is Nanofat Grafting?
Nanofat is often called the “new filler” because it has regenerative properties and addresses volume loss and skin aging. Its refined processing technique concentrates growth factors and regenerative elements rather than whole fat cells, enhancing skin quality and texture while also restoring volume. Dr. Daines injects nanofat into areas with fine lines, acne scarring, or textural irregularities where traditional fat grafting wouldn’t produce the desired results.
Recovery and Results
Most patients experience mild to moderate swelling or bruising, which usually resolves within several days. Post-procedure discomfort is minimal and can be managed with over-the-counter or oral pain medication. Light activity can resume quickly, with most patients returning to exercise within 1 week. Final results are typically visible after 1 month and can last for years.
Download our fat transfer recovery patient instructions.
“Dr. Daines is a consummate professional, talented, a perfectionist, and has a delightful bedside manner. He’s kind, supportive, and has a stress-relieving sense of humor. My facelift/necklift, forehead lift, buccal fat removal, and fat transfer were all I could hope for.”
—Dawne P.
A Reputation Built on Results
Why Choose Dr. Daines for Facial Fat Transfer?
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Daines has extensive experience with advanced volume restoration techniques. He completed fellowship training under Dr. Edwin F. Williams III, recognized as one of the early pioneers of fat transfer in facial rejuvenation, providing Dr. Daines with direct, high-volume exposure to advanced fat transfer techniques. He customizes every fat grafting procedure to suit the patient’s goals and frequently combines it with other procedures, such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, or nonsurgical treatments, for enhanced results.
In addition to facial rejuvenation, Dr. Daines also offers fat transfer to the hands, helping patients restore volume and youthfulness to this often-overlooked area.
Consult With a Facial Plastic Surgery Expert
Achieving optimal facial rejuvenation results starts by selecting a surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery and combines expertise with a friendly, welcoming manner. Our patients not only admire their results but also appreciate how they are treated when they visit our boutique office.
We proudly serve patients from Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel, and throughout Orange County who are seeking subtle, long-lasting facial rejuvenation.
Dr. Steven M. Daines, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, has carefully reviewed the information on this page to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. Daines on September 2nd, 2026.