Facial Fat Graftingin Gangnam, Seoul
Facial fat grafting restores volume to areas that have flattened or hollowed with age — the forehead, temples, cheeks and more — using your own fat. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, fat is gently harvested from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs, purified, then injected in fine micro-droplets at several depths. It is performed under local anesthesia, often with light sedation. Because a portion of grafted fat is naturally reabsorbed, the retained volume varies. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- Hollow or flat areas — temples, cheeks, forehead — that look tired or aged
- A wish to soften smile lines or add balance to the facial contour
- A preference for your own tissue rather than filler for volume
Because some grafted fat is reabsorbed, a touch-up may be considered; whether fat grafting or filler suits your goals is decided at consultation.
How it works
Fat grafting has three stages: harvest, purification and injection. Fat is gently harvested by liposuction from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs, then purified — spun or filtered — to concentrate healthy fat and remove fluid and debris. The purified fat is injected in fine micro-droplets at several depths, so each droplet is surrounded by tissue and can establish a blood supply. Common areas include the forehead, temples, front cheek, cheeks, smile lines, front chin, or the full face. A portion of the graft is reabsorbed in the months after surgery, and the fat that survives can be long-lasting.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Three stages: harvest, purify, inject
Fat is gently harvested by liposuction from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs, purified to concentrate healthy fat and remove fluid, then injected.
02Micro-droplets at several depths
The purified fat is placed in fine micro-droplets at several depths so each droplet is surrounded by tissue and can establish a blood supply, which supports survival.
03Your own tissue
Because it uses your own fat rather than a manufactured product, the fat that survives can be long-lasting, and it is placed to restore areas that have flattened or hollowed with age.
04Some reabsorption is expected
A portion of the graft is reabsorbed over the first months, so the area may be slightly over-filled at first and a touch-up considered later. Performed under local anesthesia, often with light sedation.
Treatment areas
- Forehead
- Smooths a flat or uneven forehead contour.
- Temples
- Fills hollow temples that can look tired.
- Front cheek & cheeks
- Restores mid-face volume and softness.
- Smile lines
- Softens the nasolabial folds with volume support.
- Front chin & full face
- Adds balance to the chin or the overall contour, planned individually.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation, facial assessment and planning of the volume areas
- 2Local anesthesia (often with light sedation) at the donor and treatment areas
- 3Gentle harvest of fat from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs
- 4Purification of the fat, then micro-droplet injection at several depths
- 5Recovery and aftercare guidance for both donor and treated areas
Time: The procedure takes about 1–2 hours depending on the areas.
Recovery & aftercare
- Performed under local anesthesia, often with light sedation; you can usually go home the same day.
- Entry points are small and closed with fine sutures or tapes if needed; there is swelling at both the donor and injected areas.
- Expect swelling and possible bruising for about 1–2 weeks — the area is often deliberately slightly over-filled to allow for reabsorption — with the volume settling over a few months.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, firmness, lumpiness or uneven fat survival may occur and are explained at consultation.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Surgery day
Performed under local anesthesia, often with light sedation; you usually go home the same day, with swelling at both the donor and injected areas.
DAY 1-3 Swelling & bruising
Swelling and possible bruising are usually most noticeable now, and the area is often deliberately slightly over-filled to allow for reabsorption.
WEEK 1-2 Settling
Much of the visible swelling and bruising eases over one to two weeks, and small entry points settle; the face can still look fuller than it will finally sit.
1-3 MONTHS Volume settles
A portion of the grafted fat is reabsorbed while the rest establishes itself, so the volume settles over the first few months.
3-6 MONTHS Retained volume
The volume that has survived becomes clearer, and a touch-up may be considered if more is wanted. The surviving fat can be long-lasting while aging continues. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
This is usually a single procedure, though because some grafted fat is reabsorbed over the first few months, a touch-up session may be considered once the volume has settled. The fat that survives can be long-lasting, while aging continues. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
These options add volume in different ways, so the right one depends on the area, how much volume you want, and whether you prefer your own tissue. This is not a ranking.
| Comparison | Fat Grafting | Hyaluronic-acid filler | Facial implant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Your own purified fat, injected in micro-droplets | Injectable product placed in a session | A solid implant placed surgically (e.g., chin) |
| Best for | Broader volume restoration using your own tissue | Targeted, adjustable, temporary volume | Defined structural projection |
| Anesthesia | Local, often with light sedation | Topical or local | Local with sedation, up to general |
| Recovery | Swelling ~1–2 weeks; settles over months | Little downtime | Surgical recovery |
| Longevity | Surviving fat long-lasting; some reabsorbs | Temporary — months to a couple of years | Long-lasting; removable |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Swelling and possible bruising at both the donor and treated areas
- Asymmetry, firmness or lumpiness as the graft settles
- Uneven or partial fat survival, so a touch-up may be wanted
- Over- or under-correction of volume
- Rarely, oil cysts or calcification in the grafted area
When to take extra care
- Very thin donor-site fat, which may limit how much can be harvested
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- Smoking, which can affect fat survival and healing
- Realistic expectations about reabsorption and a possible touch-up
- A tendency to keloid; significant weight change can affect the volume
Whether fat grafting suits your goals is confirmed at consultation. Effects and downtime vary by individual, and side effects may occur.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified surgeon
Your surgery is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Individualized surgical planning
Which areas to fill — temples, cheeks, forehead or smile lines — and how much to place, allowing for reabsorption, is planned around your face.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
A short walk from Gangnam Station
Central Seoul location with guidance from the airport and nearby hotels, and hours shown in KST.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the areas treated and the plan. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
Fat grafting uses your own purified fat and, once it survives, can be long-lasting, while filler is a temporary product placed in a quick session. Because some grafted fat is reabsorbed, a touch-up may be considered. Which suits you is decided at consultation.
Part of the grafted fat establishes a blood supply and stays; the retained amount varies by area and individual, which is why the area may be slightly over-filled at first. (Results vary by individual.)
It is usually performed under local anesthesia, often with light sedation, as discussed at consultation.
Fat is gently harvested by liposuction from a donor area such as the abdomen or thighs, then purified before injection.
Swelling and possible bruising at the donor and treated areas last about 1–2 weeks, and the volume settles over a few months. (Results vary by individual.)
Yes. Our doctors consult in English directly, and 中文 / 日本語 can be arranged in advance. Tell us your language on WhatsApp before your visit.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Facial Liposuction
Removing fat where the face is full and adding it where it is hollow can be planned together for a balanced contour.
+Lifting Surgery
In an aging face, restoring volume alongside a lift addresses both descent and deflation; the plan is decided at consultation.
+Thread Lifting
A mild thread lift may be considered alongside volume restoration where there is early sagging.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST) · card payment.
For International PatientsMedically reviewed by Dr. Sahyeok Hong, board-certified plastic surgeon and Director of QD Clinic.