Nanofat: Revolutionizing Skin Rejuvenation

What is Nanofat?

Nanofat is a groundbreaking concept in fat grafting that utilizes tiny parcels of the matrix and its stromal vascular fraction, which include stem cells, growth factors, and other regenerative materials found in fat cells. This innovative technique is particularly effective in treating fine lines and thinning skin associated with aging, significantly enhancing skin quality. 

Process of Obtaining Nanofat 

The process of obtaining nanofat involves six steps: 

1. Local Anesthesia: A needle puncture in the skin similar to a blood draw. 
2. Anesthetic Introduction: Using a rounded cannula, which is gentler than a needle. 
3. Fat Withdrawal: One or two syringes of fat are extracted. 
4. Fat Washing: Using a device co-developed with Tulip Medical. 
5. Fat Processing: The fat is progressively broken into smaller microscopic parcels. 
6. Nanofat Creation: These parcels are further modified into nanofat by passing them through two screens of different sizes. 

Applications and Benefits

Nanofat can restore thinning skin to a more youthful condition. Studies from Italy have shown that the stromal vascular fraction and nanofat can reverse some architectural changes in elastin and collagen, regenerating tissues. It has been proven to improve hair growth in early stages of alopecia and enhance the appearance of scars and wounds by increasing blood supply and reducing inflammation. 

Uses in Cosmetic Procedures

Dr. Boonipat’s will use nanofat and stromal vascular enriched fat are used as tissue grafts for: 

• Fine lines 
• Forehead rejuvenation 
• Smoker lines around the lips 
• Deep lines on the neck and face 
• Sun damage, often in combination with fractional lasers 

Nanofat Microneedling

Nanofat microneedling is used for deep dermal delivery to treat acne scars, radiated tissue, and general scars. Additionally, during laser resurfacing, nanofat delivers growth factors, stem cells, and other regenerative cells into the skin, similar to the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) but with more significant benefits in regenerating elastin and collagen. 

Procedure and Safety

The procedure involves removing fat from a specified area of the body, processing it into nanofat, and injecting it into the facial skin through microneedling. This encourages stem cells and growth factors within the fat to stimulate new growth within the dermis, resulting in a fuller, less lined, and more youthful appearance. Nanofat microneedling is considered safe with a low complication rate and high patient satisfaction. 

Assessing Patients

Pre-operative considerations include a thorough evaluation of your facial anatomy and bone structure, with possible recommendations for complementary or alternative procedures to achieve the best results. 

Clinical Applications and Benefits

In clinical practice, nanofat and stromal vascular enriched fat are used for various applications, including: 

• Treating fine lines and wrinkles 
• Rejuvenating the forehead 
• Addressing smoker lines around the lips (perioral rhytids) 
• Repairing deep lines on the neck and face 
• Combating sun damage, often in combination with fractional lasers (Nanofat Laser) 
• Improving acne scars and radiated tissue 

Integration with Other Therapies

Nanofat grafting offers remarkable skin quality improvement. Its ease of availability and simple mechanical processing bring regenerative and anti-aging medicine into real-world clinical practice. When combined with cofactors like hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, and vitamin C, as well as therapies like microneedling and drug delivery, the outcomes are even more impressive. 

Nanofat Needling: A Dual Approach for Skin Rejuvenation

Nanofat needling merges the regenerative power of nanofat with the microneedling technique, providing an enormous boost to the skin and slowing down the aging process. 

How Microneedling Works

Microneedling uses tiny needles to create small channels in the skin, stimulating it naturally. This process releases growth factors and healing substances that lead to the production of collagen and elastin. The effects of microneedling include: 

• Strengthening the skin and reducing coarse pores by stimulating the production of new connective tissue fibers. 
• Promoting the renewal of skin cells and cleansing the skin, resulting in a smoother and more radiant complexion. 

Combining Nanofat with Microneedling

For over a decade, scientists have recognized that fat tissue is rich in stem cells, which can repair damaged tissue. In 2013, Tonnard and Verpaele introduced a technique to extract these stem cells easily from fat tissue. Since then, hundreds of patients have undergone nanofat treatments to regenerate their face, neck, cleavage, and hands. 

By combining microneedling with nanofat, the regenerative cells are evenly implanted in the skin’s connective tissue layer. This procedure, performed under local anesthesia, shows effects within a few weeks, with restorative effects continuing for up to a year. Typical indications for nanofat needling include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles 
• Acne scars 
• Burn scars 
• Sun damage 
• Pigment disorders 
• Coarse pores 
• Stretch marks 
• Sagging skin 

Preventatively, annual nanofat needling can slow the aging of the skin from the age of thirty.

Conclusion

Nanofat grafting and nanofat needling represent significant advancements in skin rejuvenation techniques. These methods harness the body’s natural regenerative capabilities, offering substantial improvements in skin quality and a reduction in signs of aging. By integrating these innovative treatments with other regenerative therapies, patients can achieve more youthful and healthier skin.