Nanofat and Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) Grafting

Facial fat grafting has evolved tremendously with time. Dr Leo likes to use a combination of micro and nanofat for facial rejuvenation.

Microfat is a filler or volumizer and contains live adipose cells. The fat is typically harvested under local anesthesia and centrifuged to obtain the pure microfat. Microfat usually contains microstructures with a diameter of 100-120 microns with intact histologic structures. It is very effective in replenishing fat atrophy and volume loss. This is injected deep using cannula on top of the bone and in the subcutaneous plane.

In nanofat, no viable adipocytes and no normal histologic structures are observed. Nanofat is obtained by passing the microfat through a patented technology. Nanofat grafting is not an injection of fat but an injection of mesenchymal stem cells. We usually inject nanofat using a cannula or a sharp needle into the dermis. It could also be applied using either rollers or microneedling. The nanofat stimulates new collagen growth and improves skin quality and skin turgor.

Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) Grafting

There has been a lot of interest in the use of Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) in regenerative medicine.

Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is a heterogeneous collection of cells contained within adipose tissues.

SVF is typically obtained through manual fat harvest using low pressure syringe liposuction under local anesthesia. By removing the adipose cells, connective tissue and blood from the lipoaspirate using special technology, one gets the pure SVF.

Inside the SVF is a mix of cells including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial precursor cells, T regulatory cells, macrophages, smooth muscle cells, pericytes and preadipocytes.

SVF has been shown to be effective in treating conditions including burn wounds, diabetic wounds and radiation injuries. It has also been found to be useful in maintaining fat graft volume and viability.