Fat Transfer for Hand Rejuvenation

Offered at our convenient location in Scottsdale, Arizona

Fat transfer is a multi-step procedure that involves liposuction of your own fat and its reinjection into a new area to provide a more voluminous, youthful look. Although patients often get fat transfers to their breasts or buttocks, fat can also be placed in other areas such as the hands. 

As we get older, our hands can appear thinner, more veiny, and wrinkled. It is such an incredibly important and expressive part of our body that many people feel dissatisfied with their older appearance. A fat transfer can restore smoothness and subtle plumpness to aging hands with a completely biocompatible filler from your own body.  

Dr. Andrew Wolin’s extensive experience with fat transfer and the most advanced methods in liposuction will give you the very best results for hand rejuvenation. At Wolin Plastic Surgery Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, our attentive staff listens to every patient’s health and aesthetic needs. To find out if fat transfer for hand rejuvenation is right for you, call us at (480) 945-8440 or request an appointment online. 

All About Aging Hands

Just like the rest of our body, the skin on our hands can appear fragile, aged, and thin over time. While it’s part of the aging process, it’s important to understand why this occurs. The overall fat distribution in our bodies changes as we get older; subcutaneous fat, the fat buildup under the skin, accumulates more in the midsection. The fat that surrounds organs, visceral fat, also builds up. (1)  There are some areas, however, that generally lose volume with age- the hands being one of these places. Within our hands, subcutaneous fat cells under our skin decrease in size, and the skin loses its elasticity. (2) As a result, veins and tendons become more prominent. Of all the methods used to restore the fullness and youthfulness of your hands and fingers, fat transfer is the most natural. 

Benefits of Hand Rejuvenation

Hand rejuvenation through fat transfer is a minimally invasive procedure for those looking to rejuvenate without the use of fillers. Some of the results you can expect after a hand fat transfer are:

  • Fuller and smoother skin 
  • Less apparent tendons and veins  
  • Ability to fit jewelry from your youth 
  • Reduced appearance of liver spots and scars 
  • Little to no downtime required
  • Permanent results
  • Can be performed under local anesthesia. 

Preparation 

In preparation for any fat transfer procedure, you will need to stop taking medications and supplements that thin the blood as well as certain anti-inflammatories. These substances can cause excess bruising during the procedure and slow down healing and results, so they should be stopped at least two weeks before the procedure. 

You will also need to quit smoking at least four weeks before your fat transfer, since nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes have the ability to negatively affect blood circulation. If possible, Dr. Wolin can review photos of your hands from your younger years to get a precise idea of how to perform the rejuvenation. If not, he can take new photos of your hands and devise a plan to restore certain areas that have experienced fat loss. 

As part of the preparation process, Dr. Wolin may order blood tests to ensure that you are in good enough health for the procedure and inform you of other instructions that are specific to you. Finally, you may want to stock up on over-the-counter medications that can alleviate any soreness you may experience. 

Hand Rejuvenation Procedure 

Hand rejuvenation with fat transfer is a multi-step process that safely incorporates your own body’s fat into your treatment. Prior to your treatment date, Dr. Wolin will determine your donor site, an area of the body where fat is extracted with the process of liposuction. This donor site chosen is a part of the body with an adequate amount of subcutaneous fat; usually, this is somewhere in the midsection or thigh. On the day of your procedure, Dr. Wolin will numb the donor area by injecting local anesthesia. After this injection, Dr. Wolin will wait for about 20 minutes to ensure that the anesthesia works properly and makes the fat denser and easier to extract. 

Dr. Wolin will then make tiny incisions in this area in order to insert a microcannula, a very thin instrument used to suction out about 30 ml of fat- roughly two tablespoons. (3) Luckily, these incisions are so insignificant that no sutures are required and any possible scarring will be barely noticeable. The extraction itself takes less than five minutes and the incisions are quickly covered with gauze and surgical tape. 

After the fat has been purified, local anesthesia is used to properly numb the back of the hand. Another microcannula with a thin needle is used to reinject the fat to rejuvenate skin and treat signs of aging. (3) The injections are very shallow, so as to avoid harming tendons and other connective tissues in the hand. Some fat will not be able to graft to the new site, so this is taken into consideration as well. Because of this, you may not be able to see your full results for a few weeks, depending on your individual case. 

Recovery 

Fat transfer for hand rejuvenation is a relatively simple procedure that requires little downtime and aftercare. After your procedure, you will be sent home with prescription antibiotics to prevent any chance of infection. A check-up appointment is required the following day to ensure that healing is going well. Dr. Wolin may require additional checkups to see the progress as your hands continue to heal in the following weeks. Some patients will experience postoperative swelling, but this side effect is temporary. Patients can go back to work as soon as they feel comfortable enough to do so. 

Candidates for Fat Transfer

The ideal candidate for hand rejuvenation is someone who is healthy enough to undergo a fat transfer procedure and has experienced fat loss in their hands due to the aging process. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or another condition that affects your ability to heal, be sure to discuss this procedure in-depth with Dr. Wolin. If you are bothered by the thin, gaunt appearance in your hands, a fat transfer may be the exact treatment you need to restore their youthful vitality. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

If the prospect of hand rejuvenation entices you, consider our other options we have for dermal filling. Dr. Wolin offers both Juvéderm and Revance RHA fillers, two types of hyaluronic acid-based treatments that work to volumize hollow creases and reduce the appearance of static wrinkles– wrinkles that have developed and do not change with movement. 

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occuring substance that serves to provide lubrication to your joints, plays a role in the healing of soft tissues, and helps the skin retain moisture. (4)  Without enough of this key component, the skin can easily lose its elasticity and health with the aging process. Hyaluronic acid injections can also stimulate the production of collagen, a vital protein that contributes to skin elasticity and youthful rigidity FDA-approved  Juvéderm and Revance are quick injections that require no downtime and reveal results right away. 

Cost of Hand Rejuvenation in Scottsdale, Arizona

During your personal consultation, the cost of your hand rejuvenation will be determined. Everyone’s body is different and requires a different approach, and Dr. Wolin is proud to take the time necessary to review every patient’s needs and desires thoroughly. 

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, you will speak with Dr. Wolin about the aesthetic goals you have for the appearance of your hands. He will review your health status, discuss any possible risks of the procedure, and discuss the procedure in detail. If you would like to experience hand rejuvenation with the most updated and safest techniques available, call Wolin Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, Arizona at (480) 945-8440 or schedule your consultation online, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

FAQ

When will I see the final results of fat transfer for hand rejuvenation? 

It takes about six months to see the full results of the fat transfer procedure. It takes time for your body to remove dead fat cells and allow some of the cells to gain a healthy blood supply and thrive in their new location. 

How long do the results of fat transfer last? 

The results of fat transfer for hand rejuvenation can last a lifetime. 

Is fat transfer more effective than fillers for hand rejuvenation? 

Both hyaluronic acid fillers and fat transfer procedures can be used in hand rejuvenation. While hyaluronic acid injections are effective, they may require touch-ups after 3 to 6 months. Conversely, fat transfer can offer long-lasting results that don’t require touch-ups. Many patients appreciate the natural look and feel of fat transfer, since it utilizes their own fat deposits to plump up the hands. 

References 

  1. Alley DE, Ferrucci L, Barbagallo M, Studenski SA, Harris TB. A Research Agenda: The Changing Relationship Between Body Weight and Health in Aging. The journals of gerontology Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 2008;63(11):1257-1259. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4984841/ 
  2. Kühne U, Imhof M. Treatment of the ageing hand with dermal fillers. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2012;5(3):163. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.101369 
  3. Fantozzi F. Hand rejuvenation with fat grafting: A 12-year single-surgeon experience. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2017;40(5):457-464. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-017-1337-4 
  4. Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology. 2012;4(3):253-258. doi:https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.21923