Facial Fat Grafting in Korea: Complete Guide to Fat Transfer & Costs 2025

Facial fat grafting has become one of Korea's most popular anti-aging procedures, offering natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation using your own body fat. Unlike dermal fillers that require repeated treatments, successfully grafted fat becomes permanent tissue, providing volume restoration that ages naturally with you.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about facial fat grafting in Korea, including treatment areas, realistic survival rates, pricing, recovery expectations, and choosing the right clinic.

Quick Facts: Facial Fat Grafting in Korea

• Average Cost: ₩1,000,000-₩3,500,000 ($769-$2,692) per area
• Full Face: ₩2,500,000-₩5,000,000 ($1,923-$3,846)
• Survival Rate: 40-60% (standard), 70-90% (with stem cells)
• Procedure Time: 1-3 hours
• Downtime: 7-14 days
• Final Results: 3-6 months
• Duration: Semi-permanent (years to lifetime)
• Best Areas: Gangnam, Apgujeong (Seoul)

What is Facial Fat Grafting?

Facial fat grafting (also called fat transfer, fat injection, or autologous fat transplantation) is a surgical procedure that harvests fat from one part of your body (typically abdomen, thighs, or flanks) and injects it into facial areas needing volume restoration.

How It Works

The Process:

1. Harvesting: Fat is extracted from donor area via liposuction
2. Processing: Fat is purified, separating viable fat cells from oil, blood, and debris
3. Injection: Purified fat is carefully injected into facial areas in small amounts
4. Survival: Fat cells establish blood supply and become permanent tissue
5. Results: Volume remains long-term as living fat tissue

Fat Grafting vs. Dermal Fillers

Advantages of Fat Grafting

✅ Benefits:

• Natural results: Your own tissue, not foreign material
• No allergic reactions: Biocompatible (it's your own fat)
• Semi-permanent: Survived fat lasts years to lifetime
• Volume without limit: Can transfer large amounts
• Dual benefit: Removes fat from unwanted areas
• Skin quality improvement: Contains stem cells that improve skin
• Cost-effective long-term: One procedure vs. repeated fillers

Disadvantages

❌ Limitations:

• Unpredictable survival: 40-90% of fat survives (variable)
• Over-correction needed: Must inject more than needed (expect absorption)
• Longer downtime: More swelling than fillers
• Surgical procedure: Requires anesthesia, more invasive
• Multiple sessions possible: May need 2-3 sessions for optimal results
• Difficult to reverse: Can't dissolve like HA fillers
• Donor site needed: Must have enough body fat to harvest

Treatment Areas

Facial fat grafting can restore volume to multiple facial areas, each with different considerations and survival rates.

Upper Face

1. Forehead (이마 지방이식)

Purpose: Creating rounded, smooth forehead; filling hollows; reducing masculine appearance

Volume Needed: 10-30cc

Survival Rate: 50-70% (good blood supply)

Results: Softer, more feminine appearance; smoother forehead contour

Cost: ₩1,100,000-₩2,000,000 ($846-$1,538)

Best For:

• Flat or hollow forehead
• Prominent brow bone
• Masculine forehead shape
• Deep forehead lines (combined with Botox)

2. Temples (관자놀이)

Purpose: Filling hollow temples; creating youthful fullness

Volume Needed: 5-15cc per side

Survival Rate: 60-80% (excellent area for fat survival)

Results: Fuller temples, more youthful appearance, heart-shaped face

Cost: ₩800,000-₩1,500,000 ($615-$1,154)

Best For:

• Sunken temples (common aging sign)
• Gaunt appearance
• "Skeleton-like" upper face

Mid Face

3. Cheeks / Apple Cheeks (볼 지방이식)

Purpose: Restoring cheek volume; creating youthful fullness; apple cheeks

Volume Needed: 10-25cc per side

Survival Rate: 50-70%

Results: Fuller, more youthful cheeks; reduced nasolabial folds; softer appearance

Cost: ₩1,200,000-₩2,500,000 ($923-$1,923)

Best For:

• Volume loss from aging
• Naturally thin/flat cheeks
• Desire for "apple cheeks"
• Reducing harsh appearance

4. Under-Eye / Tear Trough (눈밑 지방이식)

Purpose: Filling hollow under-eyes; reducing dark circles; smoothing tear troughs

Volume Needed: 2-5cc per side

Survival Rate: 40-60% (delicate area, more challenging)

Results: Reduced dark circles, less tired appearance, smoother transition

Cost: ₩1,000,000-₩2,000,000 ($769-$1,538)

Caution: Requires experienced surgeon; risk of lumpiness if over-injected

Best For:

• Hollow tear troughs
• Dark circles from volume loss
• Tired, aged appearance

5. Nasolabial Area (팔자주름)

Purpose: Softening smile lines; restoring mid-face volume

Volume Needed: 5-15cc per side

Survival Rate: 40-50% (high movement area)

Results: Softer nasolabial folds, more youthful mid-face

Cost: ₩1,000,000-₩1,800,000 ($769-$1,385)

Note: Often combined with cheek fat grafting for best results

Lower Face

6. Lips (입술 지방이식)

Purpose: Fuller lips; defining lip shape; anti-aging

Volume Needed: 2-5cc total

Survival Rate: 30-50% (high movement, challenging area)

Results: Fuller, natural-looking lips

Cost: ₩800,000-₩1,500,000 ($615-$1,154)

Caution: Lower survival rate due to constant movement; may need multiple sessions

7. Chin (턱 지방이식)

Purpose: Chin projection; facial balance; V-line enhancement

Volume Needed: 5-15cc

Survival Rate: 50-70%

Results: Better chin projection, improved profile, facial harmony

Cost: ₩1,000,000-₩1,800,000 ($769-$1,385)

Full Face Fat Grafting

What's Included: Forehead + temples + cheeks + under-eyes + nasolabial area

Volume Needed: 40-80cc total

Survival Rate: 50-70% average (varies by area)

Cost: ₩2,500,000-₩5,000,000 ($1,923-$3,846)

Best For:

• Overall facial volume loss
• Comprehensive rejuvenation
• Patients wanting dramatic improvement
• More cost-effective than treating areas separately

Survival Rates: What to Expect

Understanding fat survival is crucial for realistic expectations.

Average Survival Rates

Standard Fat Grafting:

• Initial survival: 40-60%
• 1 year: 50-75% of survived fat remains
• 2+ years: Stable (survived fat is permanent)

With PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma):

• 20-40% improved survival vs standard

With Stem Cell Enhancement (CAL/SVF):

• 70-90% survival rate
• Significantly better outcomes
• Higher cost but fewer sessions needed

Factors Affecting Survival

Surgeon Technique:

• Gentle harvesting (less trauma to fat cells)
• Proper processing (removing oil and debris)
• Small droplet injection (better blood supply)
• Multiple tissue planes (not all in one layer)

Patient Factors:

• Blood supply to recipient area
• Post-op care compliance
• Smoking (dramatically reduces survival)
• General health and healing ability

Area Factors:

• High survival: Temples, forehead, cheeks
• Moderate survival: Under-eyes, chin
• Lower survival: Lips, nasolabial folds (high movement)

Why Over-Correction is Necessary

Surgeons typically inject 20-40% more fat than the final desired volume because:

• Not all fat survives (40-60% absorption expected)
• Initial swelling masks true volume
• Final result visible at 3-6 months

What This Means:

• You'll look "overfilled" immediately after surgery
• Swelling + extra fat = puffy appearance
• This is NORMAL and expected
• Final result emerges at 3-6 months

Pricing in Korea (2025)

Facial fat grafting in Korea is significantly more affordable than Western countries while maintaining high quality.

Pricing by Area

Exchange rate: ₩1,300 = $1 USD

Additional Costs

Stem Cell Enhancement (SVF/CAL):

• Additional: ₩500,000-₩1,500,000 ($385-$1,154)
• Significantly improves survival rate

PRP Addition:

• Additional: ₩200,000-₩500,000 ($154-$385)
• Modest improvement in survival

Touch-Up Session (if needed):

• Usually 30-50% of original price
• Done 3-6 months after first session

Global Price Comparison

Full Face Fat Grafting:

The Procedure: Step by Step

Pre-Operative Consultation

What Happens (30-60 minutes):

• Facial analysis and volume assessment
• Discussion of goals and expectations
• Donor site selection (abdomen, thighs, flanks)
• Technique discussion (standard vs. stem cell-enhanced)
• Before photos taken
• Medical history review

Questions to Ask:

1. "What technique do you use for fat processing?"
2. "What survival rate do you typically achieve?"
3. "Do you offer stem cell enhancement?"
4. "How much over-correction will you do?"
5. "What's your touch-up policy if more volume is needed?"

Preparation (1-2 Weeks Before)

Stop:

• Blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin)
• Supplements (vitamin E, fish oil, ginkgo, garlic)
• Smoking (2-4 weeks before and after)

Avoid:

• Alcohol 48-72 hours before
• Heavy meals day before

Day Of:

• Arrive with clean face
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Arrange transportation home
• Plan for someone to stay with you first night

Surgery Day

Anesthesia Options:

• Local + sedation: Most common for facial fat grafting
• General anesthesia: For extensive procedures or patient preference

Step 1: Fat Harvesting (30-60 minutes)

• Tumescent solution injected into donor area
• Small incisions made (2-3mm)
• Fat extracted via gentle liposuction
• Low-pressure technique to preserve fat cells

Donor Areas (most common):

• Abdomen (most popular)
• Inner/outer thighs
• Flanks (love handles)
• Buttocks

Step 2: Fat Processing (15-30 minutes)

• Fat purified using centrifuge or filtration
• Oil, blood, and debris separated
• Pure fat cells isolated
• Stem cell enhancement added (if using CAL/SVF technique)

Step 3: Fat Injection (30-90 minutes)

• Small amounts injected via micro-cannulas
• Multiple passes at different depths
• Creates "pearls" of fat for blood supply
• Over-correction applied (20-40% extra)

Total Procedure Time: 1.5-3 hours

Immediate Post-Op

What to Expect:

• Swelling: Significant, peaks day 2-3
• Bruising: Both face and donor site
• Numbness: Temporary at injection sites
• Tightness: Feeling of fullness
• Pain: Mild to moderate (managed with medication)

Appearance: Very swollen, "overfilled" looking - this is normal!

Recovery Timeline

Day 1-3: Maximum Swelling

What Happens:

• Peak swelling (may not recognize yourself)
• Bruising develops (face and donor area)
• Discomfort at donor site (like muscle soreness)
• Sleep elevated (45 degrees)

Care:

• Ice packs (20 min on, 20 min off) - avoid direct pressure on grafted areas
• Take prescribed medications
• Keep head elevated
• Gentle diet (soft foods to minimize chewing)

Restrictions:

• No touching or massaging face
• No strenuous activity
• No smoking or alcohol

Day 4-7: Swelling Subsides

What Happens:

• 50% of swelling resolves
• Bruising turns yellow/green
• More comfortable
• Still visibly swollen

Can Resume:

• Light daily activities
• Gentle face washing
• Work from home

Still Avoid:

• Exercise
• Bending over
• Heavy lifting
• Sun exposure

Week 2: Returning to Normal

What Happens:

• 70-80% of swelling gone
• Most bruising faded
• Donor area healing well
• Face still slightly puffy

Can Resume:

• Return to work (with makeup)
• Light exercise (walking)
• Social activities
• Normal skincare

Still Avoid:

• Intense exercise
• Facial massages
• Hot saunas/steam rooms

Week 3-4: Near Normal

What Happens:

• Minimal residual swelling
• Starting to see results
• Donor area mostly healed

Can Resume:

• Full exercise routine
• All normal activities

Month 2-3: Fat Stabilization

What Happens:

• Fat absorption occurring (40-60%)
• Volume decreasing from initial over-correction
• Results becoming apparent

Assessment:

• If too much volume lost, touch-up scheduled
• If good result, no further action needed

Month 3-6: Final Results

What Happens:

• All swelling resolved
• Fat survival stabilized
• Final volume achieved
• Survived fat is now permanent

Timeline Summary:

• 3 months: 80-90% of final result
• 6 months: 100% final result
• 1+ years: Stable, permanent tissue

Side Effects & Complications

Common & Expected

Swelling (100%):

• Severity: Moderate to significant
• Peak: Day 2-3
• Resolution: 2-4 weeks
• More than fillers due to surgical nature

Bruising (80-100%):

• Location: Face and donor site
• Duration: 1-3 weeks
• Color progression: Purple → blue → green → yellow

Asymmetry (During Healing):

• Temporary during swelling phase
• Usually resolves as swelling subsides
• Persistent asymmetry may need touch-up

Numbness (30-50%):

• Temporary at injection sites
• Duration: 2-8 weeks
• Rarely permanent

Uncommon Side Effects (5-15%)

Lumps/Bumps:

• Uneven fat distribution
• More common in under-eye area
• May resolve or need treatment
• Prevention: Skilled injection technique

Over-Correction:

• Too much volume retained
• Face looks "overfilled"
• Options: Wait for absorption, or surgical removal

Under-Correction:

• Too much fat absorbed
• Less volume than desired
• Solution: Touch-up session

Calcification:

• Fat hardens into calcium deposits
• More common with large-volume injection
• May need surgical removal

Rare Complications (<3%)

Fat Necrosis:

• Fat cells die and harden
• Caused by poor blood supply
• More common when too much injected at once

Infection:

• Signs: Increasing pain, redness, fever
• Rare with proper sterile technique
• Treatment: Antibiotics

Oil Cysts:

• Liquefied fat forms cyst
• May need drainage

Vascular Occlusion (Very Rare):

• Fat blocks blood vessel
• Can cause tissue death
• Medical emergency
• Prevention: Experienced surgeon, proper technique

Minimizing Risks

1. Choose experienced surgeon - Minimum 200+ facial fat grafting procedures
2. Don't smoke - Dramatically reduces fat survival and healing
3. Follow post-op instructions - Especially elevation and avoiding pressure
4. Don't touch or massage - Let fat settle naturally
5. Accept over-correction - Don't panic at initial swelling
6. Be patient - Final results take 3-6 months

Who is a Good Candidate?

Ideal Candidates

✅ Best Results For:

• Ages 30-60 with facial volume loss
• Adequate body fat for harvesting (BMI 18+)
• Good skin elasticity
• Non-smokers
• Realistic expectations
• Willing to accept variable survival rates
• Patient (understands 3-6 month timeline)

Good Candidates

✓ Can Achieve Success:

• Younger patients wanting preventive volume
• Older patients with significant volume loss
• Patients wanting natural, permanent results
• Those who've had fillers and want longer-lasting option
• Patients with thin/gaunt appearance

Not Ideal Candidates

❌ May Not Be Appropriate:

• Very thin patients with insufficient donor fat
• Active smokers unwilling to quit
• Unrealistic expectations about survival rates
• Wanting guaranteed, predictable results (fillers better)
• Unable to take 2 weeks off for recovery
• Blood clotting disorders
• Active skin infections

Choosing the Right Clinic in Seoul

Essential Qualifications

✅ Must-Haves:

• Board-certified plastic surgeon
• Specialization in facial fat grafting
• Before/after portfolio (various cases and time points)
• Clear explanation of technique and expected survival
• Transparent touch-up policy
• English-speaking staff (for international patients)

Questions to Ask

1. "What fat processing technique do you use?"
2. "What is your typical survival rate?"
3. "Do you offer stem cell enhancement?"
4. "How much over-correction do you apply?"
5. "What is your touch-up policy if I need more volume?"
6. "Can I see 6-month and 1-year follow-up photos?"

Red Flags to Avoid

🚩 Warning Signs:

• Guaranteeing 100% fat survival
• Extremely low prices (may indicate poor technique)
• No discussion of over-correction
• Showing only immediate post-op photos (not healed results)
• Pressure to add procedures you didn't request
• No touch-up policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does fat grafting last?

A: Successfully survived fat is permanent. However, 40-60% of injected fat is absorbed in the first 3-6 months. The fat that survives becomes permanent tissue that ages naturally with you. You may need a touch-up session to achieve optimal volume.

Q: Is fat grafting better than fillers?

A: Both have pros and cons. Fat grafting offers permanent results and is more cost-effective long-term, but has variable survival and longer downtime. Fillers are predictable and reversible but require repeated treatments. Many patients start with fillers, then switch to fat grafting for permanent results.

Q: How much fat survives?

A: Standard technique: 40-60% survival. With stem cell enhancement: 70-90%. This is why surgeons over-correct initially.

Q: Will I look "puffy" after surgery?

A: Yes, for 2-4 weeks. This is from swelling PLUS intentional over-correction. You may not recognize yourself initially. This is normal and expected. Final results emerge at 3-6 months.

Q: Can I combine fat grafting with other procedures?

A: Yes. Common combinations include: fat grafting + facelift, fat grafting + eyelid surgery, fat grafting + rhinoplasty. Discuss with your surgeon.

Q: Is fat grafting painful?

A: Procedure is done under anesthesia (no pain during). Post-op discomfort is mild to moderate (3-5/10), mainly at donor site. Face feels tight and swollen rather than painful.

Q: How much body fat do I need?

A: Minimal body fat is required. Even thin patients usually have enough (abdomen, inner thighs). Very thin patients (BMI <18) may have limited options.

Q: What if I gain or lose weight after fat grafting?

A: Grafted fat behaves like fat in its original location. Significant weight gain = face may get fuller. Significant weight loss = face may lose volume. Maintaining stable weight gives best long-term results.

Q: How soon can I fly after fat grafting?

A: Safe to fly after 5-7 days. Swelling may temporarily increase due to cabin pressure. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol during flight.

Final Thoughts

Facial fat grafting in Korea offers international patients access to skilled surgeons, advanced techniques like stem cell enhancement, and competitive pricing that's 40-70% lower than Western countries. For patients seeking natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation, fat grafting provides an excellent alternative to repeated filler treatments.

Fat grafting in Korea is worth it if you:

• Want permanent or semi-permanent results
• Prefer natural tissue over synthetic fillers
• Have adequate body fat to harvest
• Can accept 40-60% absorption rate
• Are patient enough for 3-6 month final results
• Can take 2 weeks for initial recovery

Keys to Success:

1. Choose experienced surgeon - Fat grafting technique matters enormously
2. Consider stem cell enhancement - Higher survival rate worth the cost
3. Accept over-correction - You'll look puffy initially (normal!)
4. Don't smoke - Single biggest factor in fat survival
5. Be patient - Final results take 3-6 months
6. Plan for possible touch-up - Many patients benefit from 2nd session

With realistic expectations and an experienced surgeon, facial fat grafting can provide beautiful, natural-looking facial rejuvenation that lasts for years.

Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure with inherent risks and variable outcomes. Fat survival rates vary significantly based on technique, surgeon skill, patient factors, and treatment areas. Always consult with qualified, board-certified plastic surgeons and discuss your individual situation, medical history, and realistic expectations before proceeding with any surgical procedure.

Price Accuracy: All prices are approximate and based on 2025 market research in Seoul, South Korea. Actual costs vary by clinic, surgeon experience, treatment areas, volume transferred, and technique used. Exchange rates fluctuate (₩1,300 = $1 USD used for estimates). Always confirm exact pricing during in-person consultation.