Facial Wasting in Washington, D.C.

Facial wasting, also medically known as lipoatrophy, is the subcutaneous fat loss in the cheeks and temples leading to a hollowed-out or sunken facial appearance. Fat wastes away from the buccal fat pad and the surrounding tissue around the temporal region and cheeks, which creates an emaciated and malnourished appearance.

The change in appearance due to facial fat loss can have a negative psychological impact on patients, causing their confidence and overall self-esteem to diminish.

Facial wasting is commonly considered to be a side effect of antiviral therapy for HIV. Other factors such as aging and extreme weight loss due to cancer or other debilitating conditions have also been suggested as possible causes of facial fat wasting.

There are several options for patients wishing to improve their thinning facial features. Among them include:

• Dermal fillers: Fillers, including hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, are popular for treating facial wasting symptoms. Sculptra® Aesthetic, JUVÉDERM®, and RADIESSE® are some of the most frequently utilized dermal fillers that effectively add facial fullness — filling out sunken cheeks and smoothing deep smile lines. Dermal fillers results are temporary and will require additional treatments after the initial treatment.
• Facial implants: For those looking for a more permanent solution, facial implants are specifically designed to fill out the midface concavities and create a beautiful natural result. In some cases, the implants are used along with injectables to provide enough volume to fill the edges for a well-rounded appearance.
• Fat grafting: Facial fat grafting involves injecting fat into the hollow areas of the face for facial rejuvenation and volume restoration.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Davison and Dr. Pinell will assess your facial wasting symptoms, review your medical history, and determine the appropriate treatment plan to resolve the effects of your lipoatrophy.

Recovery will vary depending on the type of treatment. For instance, recovery time for implant surgery is relatively longer than a procedure involving injectables.

Following implant surgery, patients may expect to experience minimal discomfort (pain and swelling), which can be managed with pain medication and cold compresses.

The number one goal for treating facial wasting is to restore fullness to the pre-wasted facial appearance. Facial wasting treatments significantly reduce the visible effects of facial lipoatrophy. Many patients are able to restore a more vibrant, youthful, and energetic look, which serves as a great boost to their self-esteem and general outlook on life.