[Health Chosun] Natural Under-Eye Fat Repositioning: The Difference Between Micro Fat Grafting and Nano Fat Grafting

Hello. This is SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic.

We are running a serialized column for the media company <Health Chosun>, which provides medical and health information.

Dr. Eui-cheol Jeong has written his first column, which is now being published as an article. With his extensive knowledge of the eyes and vast experience in performing eye surgeries and corrections for both functional and aesthetic purposes, this column is naturally about the eyes.

For a long time, many people have undergone eye procedures for aesthetic purposes.

Typically, those without double eyelids come to create them, individuals with fierce-looking eyes seek a softer impression, and some desire cat-like eyes. Since just the eyes alone can significantly enhance overall facial beauty, most procedures are done for aesthetic reasons.

However, with the widespread popularity of ‘anti-aging’ these days, many people over 50 visit SNU Plastic Surgery to eliminate wrinkles.

While people primarily come to improve forehead, nasolabial fold, and jawline wrinkles, they also seek to remove wrinkles around the eyes.

For wrinkles on the forehead, nasolabial folds, and jawline, most people receive Botox or modern laser lifting procedures, which have greatly improved.

However, the eyes, which can be somewhat limited, are difficult to treat easily with injections or lifting due to their thin skin and close proximity to the eyeball. Therefore, in such cases, problems like crow's feet and sagging under-eye fat fundamentally require surgical methods.

To address these concerns, Dr. Eui-cheol Jeong of SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic recently explained surgical methods involving micro fat grafting and nano fat grafting.

These are procedures that the general public may not be familiar with, but they are among the options offered to those who come for under-eye fat repositioning.

Micro Fat Grafting

A typical under-eye fat repositioning surgery involves evenly distributing the protruding and bumpy under-eye fat to create a smooth surface.

Among the two main methods at SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic, micro fat grafting involves injecting existing fat. While traditional methods used coarse particles that could result in an uneven appearance when applied to the eye area, our clinic applies a method of harvesting and grafting fat more finely.

This is a very delicate procedure where the fat is meticulously divided into finer particles multiple times before grafting, allowing you to expect a uniform and natural under-eye appearance.

Nano Fat Grafting

Nano fat grafting is a method where fat particles are even more finely divided and injected in a liquefied state.

It is suitable for sensitive and delicate areas like the under-eyes. After fat grafting, to increase the survival rate, the harvested fat undergoes a purification process to become pure fat. During this process, the fat is first separated by a centrifuge, and then a second separation further increases its purity, allowing fat cells to engraft better.

This method also involves grafting fat in very small particles, ensuring even distribution throughout the skin layer, which leads to expectations of smooth skin.

Therefore, when addressing both, it is best to use micro fat grafting for deeper layers and nano fat grafting for thinner layers.

This is Dr. Eui-cheol Jeong of SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic, who performs these two methods.

Many people might think, ‘Why should I undergo surgery when non-surgical options are available?’ However, while non-surgical procedures for aesthetic purposes are semi-permanent, surgical methods are often permanent, depending on the case.

The aging process accelerates in the blink of an eye, so as one gets older, the frequency of semi-permanent procedures increases. In contrast, micro fat grafting or nano fat grafting methods can offer several times longer maintenance periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is under-eye fat repositioning?

Under-eye fat repositioning surgery is a procedure that evenly distributes protruding and bumpy under-eye fat to create a smooth under-eye area. Through this, you can expect a uniform and natural under-eye appearance.

What is micro fat grafting?

Micro fat grafting is a method of harvesting and grafting fat more finely than traditional methods. Unlike older techniques with coarse particles, this procedure involves meticulous work to divide the fat into finer particles multiple times before grafting, achieving natural results.

How does nano fat grafting differ from micro fat grafting?

Nano fat grafting is a method where fat particles are even more finely divided and injected in a liquefied state. After fat grafting, to increase the survival rate, the fat undergoes a purification process to become pure fat, helping fat cells engraft better.

Are micro and nano fat grafting used together for under-eye fat grafting?

Yes, it is recommended to use them together. It is explained that applying micro fat grafting to deeper layers and nano fat grafting to thinner layers is effective. This can lead to expectations of smoother skin.

Why is surgery necessary for improving under-eye wrinkles?

The skin around the eyes is thin and very close to the eyeball, making it difficult to treat with injections or lifting procedures. Therefore, surgical methods can be a fundamental solution for problems like crow's feet or sagging under-eye fat.

What are the advantages of fat grafting surgery over non-surgical procedures?

While non-surgical procedures are semi-permanent, micro fat grafting or nano fat grafting methods can offer several times longer maintenance periods, depending on the case. This can be more efficient when considering the speed of aging.