Facial Fat Grafting: The Past, Present, and Future

Fat grafting has evolved over the past two centuries and has revolutionized regenerative medicine, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Fat grafting provides a safe and minimally invasive technique to improve signs of aging, sun damage, and congenital and acquired craniofacial deformities. The Coleman technique for harvesting, processing, and grafting provides a reliable strategy for consistent results. However, unanswered questions remain regarding the biology of fat grafting, survival mechanisms, and regenerative properties. The future of fat grafting is bright and includes cell-based therapy and extracellular matrix-based scaffolds. This article provides an overview of the past, present, and future of facial fat grafting.