In the emerging era of AI, there’s nothing artificial about regenerative medicine. The latest innovation? The use of nanofat, a powerful form of fat processed down to its smallest regenerative components, is rich in stem cells and growth factors. Unlike traditional fat grafting, nanofat plastic surgery offers regenerative and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a game-changer in aesthetic treatments.
With regenerative medicine at the forefront of beauty, we spoke to leading experts using nanofat to push the boundaries of cosmetic treatments.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Ziv Peled is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in San Francisco
- Dr. Neil Vranis is a board-eligible plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, CA
- Dr. Shoib Myint is a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, CA
- Dr. R. Brannon Claytor is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Philadelphia
San Francisco plastic surgeon Ziv Peled, MD, a faculty member at this summer’s San Diego Academy of Regenerative Therapies conference, where fat—specifically nanofat—took center stage, sums it up best: “We’re now able to offer patients a minimally invasive procedure that not only provides structural support but also helps their body heal itself. Nanofat is delivering results that were once thought impossible.”
Ahead, take a closer look at new and novel ways nanofat plastic surgery is used in aesthetic medicine today.
Nanofat Plastic Surgery and Post-Mastectomy Pain Relief
Who It’s For: Patients struggling with chronic pain from conditions like post-mastectomy pain, chronic headaches or nerve-related discomfort.
What It Treats: Chronic pain, nerve inflammation and injury-related discomfort.
What It Entails: First, Nanofat is harvested from a small area of the patient’s body. It is processed using specialized kits like the TULIP Gold Kit and injected around inflamed or damaged nerves. This helps promote healing and reduces inflammation. “The structural cushioning one gets around nerves, combined with the stem cell components, provides a mix of anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and neuro-regenerative effects,” says Dr. Peled.
The Role of Nanofat: “It has been a game-changer for patients suffering from conditions like diabetic neuropathy and trigeminal neuralgia, which is often called the ‘suicide disease’ due to the extreme pain it causes,” explains Dr. Peled. “Because we’re using the patient’s own fat, the risk of complications is minimal, and the results are remarkable. We’ve seen patients with significantly reduced pain, better quality of life and quicker recoveries.”
Laser and Nanofat Plastic Surgery for Tighter Skin
Who It’s For: Patients seeking enhanced skin resurfacing results with faster recovery.
What It Treats: Fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity and uneven skin texture.
What It Entails: Doctors combine nanofat with skin resurfacing treatments like lasers or microneedling. Nanofat, rich in stem cells and growth factors, accelerates healing and amplifies the results of these treatments, leaving skin thicker and smoother.
The Role of Nanofat: Beverly Hills, CA plastic surgeon Neil Vranis, MD explains, “Combining nanofat with laser resurfacing is a breakthrough because it enhances the skin’s healing and regeneration. The result? Tighter, thicker skin with far fewer lines. Patients notice the improvement immediately, but what’s amazing is that the skin continues to improve for months as the nanofat works its magic beneath the surface.”
He continues, “This approach reduces downtime significantly. Patients can get a more intensive treatment with quicker recovery and the results are so natural, no one will ever know they had ‘work’ done.”
Blepharoplasty with Fat for Brighter Eyes
Who It’s For: Anyone looking to reduce dark circles, hollowness and fine lines around the eyes.
What It Treats: Hollow eyes, dark circles, skin thinning and wrinkles around the eyes.
What It Entails: Instead of removing fat from the eyes in traditional eyelid surgery, nanofat is injected into the eyelids to restore lost volume, improve skin texture and regenerate collagen.
The Role of Nanofat: Las Vegas oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Shoib Myint explains, “The practice of removing large amounts of fat and muscle is gradually being replaced. Now, we’re focusing more on sculpting and carefully repositioning tissues in the lower and upper lids. Rather than removing fat, which can leave the eyes looking hollow and aged, we’re now adding volume using microfat under the eyes, which helps eliminate dark circles and fine lines. I also use nanofat for its regenerative benefits.”
He adds, “Patients end up looking refreshed and youthful without needing fillers and the results last much longer because we’re using the body’s own tissue.”
‘LaMiNa’ for Barcode Lip Lines
Who It’s For: Patients looking to smooth fine lines and restore volume around the lips without fillers.
What It Treats: Fine lines, wrinkles and volume loss around the mouth.
What It Entails: The ‘LaMiNa’ treatment, created by Philadelphia plastic surgeon R. Brannon Claytor, MD, combines powerful CO2 laser resurfacing, microneedling and nanofat to restore the natural regenerative abilities of the skin. By targeting the lips and surrounding area, it smooths barcode lines and brings back youthful volume in a natural, long-lasting way, something you can’t do with a facelift. “My inspiration for the ‘LaMiNa’ technique was a passion and a desire to address the fine lines and wrinkles around people’s lips who come in for facelifts. It’s not possible to pull those areas tight in a facelift, and if you try, you’re going to make them look very windblown and unnatural and that is not what my patients are after,” he says.
“All three components of the procedure are performed on the same day, beginning with CO2 laser treatment (LA), followed by microneedling using the SkinPen (Mi), then the immediate application of nanofat (Na). We’ve combined nanofat with CO2 laser resurfacing and microneedling, which creates tiny channels in the skin that allow the nanofat to penetrate deeply and work its magic. The results are smoother, tighter skin that lasts longer, with a more natural appearance compared to traditional treatments.”
The Role of Nanofat: “The deep thermal effect of the laser kickstarts collagen production, while nanofat delivers stem cells for regeneration. Microneedling creates microchannels that allow the nanofat to penetrate deeply into the skin.”
Dr. Claytor notes, “Because we’re harnessing the body’s natural regenerative abilities, the skin heals quickly and the results continue to improve over time.”
