Facial Fat Grafting
Facial fat grafting in Scottsdale with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Howarth to restore natural volume and youthful softness. Each outcome is thoughtfully tailored to your features, your goals, and the refined beauty you deserve.
Experience the exceptional care and personalized touch of a board-certified female plastic surgeon who prioritizes your well-being every step of the way. Discover why Dr. Ashley Howarth stands out as one of the best plastic surgeons in Arizona for results that look and feel beautifully natural.
Facial Fat Grafting in Scottsdale
Facial fat grafting is a natural and elegant way to restore youthful volume and soften the signs of aging. Over time, facial fat diminishes, leading to hollow cheeks, sunken temples, and a more tired appearance. By using your body’s own fat, this technique replenishes lost volume in a way that feels seamless, organic, and entirely your own.
Dr. Ashley Howarth is a Mayo Clinic–trained, board-certified plastic surgeon known for creating facial rejuvenation results that are subtle, natural, and beautifully personalized. Her approach is never about changing your features—it’s about restoring their vitality and balance with an artist’s eye and a surgeon’s expertise.
Recognized as one of Arizona’s best plastic surgeons for facial rejuvenation, Dr. Howarth is trusted for her meticulous technique, artistic sensibility, and calm, supportive care. Every detail—from donor site selection to precise placement—is planned to create a refreshed, harmonious outcome.
What is Facial Fat Grafting?
Facial fat grafting, also known as autologous fat transfer, is a procedure that restores volume by transferring fat from another area of the body—typically the abdomen, flanks, or thighs—into areas of the face that have lost fullness.
The process involves three steps:
- Harvesting: Fat is gently removed from a donor site using a small cannula and liposuction technique.
- Purification: The harvested fat is carefully processed to isolate healthy fat cells.
- Placement: The purified fat is precisely injected into targeted areas of the face to restore volume, contour, and youthful softness.
Common areas treated include the cheeks, temples, nasolabial folds, under-eye hollows, and jawline. Because the fat is your own tissue, the results feel natural and integrate beautifully with your facial expressions.
Why Patients Choose Facial Fat Grafting
Restore Youthful Volume
Loss of facial fat is one of the earliest and most noticeable signs of aging. Fat grafting replenishes lost volume, restoring natural contours and a softer, more youthful appearance.
Natural - Looking and Long - Lasting Results
Unlike synthetic fillers, fat grafting uses your body’s own tissue, creating results that feel natural to the touch and last for many years.
Improve Facial Harmony
By restoring balance to the face, fat grafting enhances overall harmony and proportion—helping features like the cheeks, temples, and jawline appear more youthful and cohesive.
Dual Benefit
The procedure not only rejuvenates the face but also subtly contours the donor area, offering a refined improvement to both areas.
Facial Fat Grafting Process
A Thoughtful, One-on-One Conversation
Your consultation is a thoughtful, one-on-one conversation with Dr. Ashley Howarth—focused on your unique facial structure, areas of volume loss, and vision for a refreshed, natural appearance. You’ll discuss where subtle volume restoration could bring harmony to your features, along with potential donor sites for fat harvesting. Dr. Howarth will assess your skin quality, facial contours, and underlying support to determine the most refined and lasting approach.
She will walk you through the fat grafting process in clear, relatable terms—including what to expect before, during, and after surgery. The experience is never rushed. It’s your opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and gain clarity in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Dr. Howarth believes that the best outcomes start with trust and thoughtful planning. By creating space for open conversation and expert insight, she ensures your consultation feels less like a medical appointment—and more like the beginning of a shared aesthetic journey. The goal is not only to restore youthful softness, but to help you feel more aligned with how you see yourself.
From consultation to confidence
Selecting a Plastic Surgeon with a Commitment to Excellence
Careful Planning
Every facial fat grafting procedure begins with thoughtful planning—identifying where volume restoration will create the most harmonious and natural-looking improvements. Dr. Howarth designs a customized treatment map to ensure precise, beautiful results.
Surgical Expertise
With advanced training at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Howarth brings meticulous surgical technique and artistic judgment to every fat grafting procedure. Her careful handling of the fat and strategic placement ensure long-lasting, natural-looking outcomes.
Supportive Recovery
Healing after facial fat grafting is carefully supported with personalized aftercare. Dr. Howarth and her team provide detailed recovery instructions and close follow-up to ensure you feel comfortable, informed, and beautifully cared for at every stage of the journey.
Begin Your Transformation
Meet your surgeon
Ashley Lynn Howarth, MD, FACS
Dr. Ashley Howarth is a board-certified plastic surgeon who completed her training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. Prior to that, she trained in general surgery at Texas A&M Baylor Scott & White, and earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. With nine years of combined surgical training, few surgeons possess the level of academic experience as Dr. Howarth.
She has quickly become one of Arizona’s most in-demand plastic surgeons, recognized for her surgical precision, natural aesthetic, and obsession with detail. Her clinical interests include cosmetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body, and she is known for delivering results that are refined, balanced, and thoughtfully executed.
In addition to her surgical practice, Dr. Howarth serves as an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Mayo Clinic, where she helps train the next generation of plastic surgeons. She also serves as the youngest board member and Member-at-Large for the Arizona Society of Plastic Surgeons, a leadership role awarded by her peers.
As a working mother of three young boys, Dr. Howarth understands the challenges that women face. Her care is grounded in empathy, honesty, and individualized attention, with the goal of helping every patient feel confident, supported, and beautifully themselves throughout the entire process.
She proudly supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and sponsors their Celebrate Youth Gala each year. She also mentors young women interested in medicine and surgery by offering shadowing opportunities and career guidance, continuing her dedication to helping others grow—both in and out of the operating room.
“My life feels full and wonderful due to this transformation. I’m blessed to have had Dr. Howarth complete my surgery. Don’t wait to love your body and yourself!” – M.A.
FAQ
What concerns can facial fat grafting address?
Facial fat grafting restores volume to areas that appear hollow, sunken, or deflated due to aging. Common treatment areas include the cheeks, temples, under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds, jawline, and even the lips—creating a softer, more youthful facial appearance.
What is recovery like after facial fat grafting?
Swelling, mild bruising, and a feeling of fullness are normal in the first week or two. Most patients can return to light activities within 7 to 10 days. Minor asymmetry or swelling may persist temporarily as the fat settles. Dr. Howarth provides detailed aftercare instructions and ongoing support to ensure a smooth, confident recovery.
How long do fat grafting results last?
A portion of the transferred fat naturally absorbs during the first few months, but the fat that successfully establishes a blood supply becomes a permanent part of the facial structure. With proper care, results are long-lasting and age naturally along with the rest of the face.
How much fat is needed for facial fat grafting?
Only a small amount of fat is needed for facial rejuvenation. The procedure typically requires harvesting fat from a discreet donor site such as the abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs, without noticeable contour changes to those areas.
Is facial fat grafting better than fillers?
Fat grafting offers longer-lasting results compared to temporary fillers and feels more natural because it uses your own tissue. However, fillers may be a better short-term option for patients seeking minimal downtime or those unsure if they want a permanent enhancement. Dr. Howarth will help you determine the best approach based on your goals.
Can facial fat grafting be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Fat grafting is often combined with procedures like facelift, neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery to enhance facial harmony and rejuvenation. During your consultation, Dr. Howarth will discuss the best combination of treatments to achieve your ideal result.
How much does facial fat grafting cost in Scottsdale?
The cost of facial fat grafting varies depending on the number of areas treated and the complexity of the procedure. After your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed, personalized quote. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who prioritizes natural outcomes and patient safety ensures the best investment in your long-term results.
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