44.4% of women in Singapore aged 15 to 64 reported ranking hair loss as their top hair concern, surpassing concerns about hair damage or dryness
November 24, 2025
Table of Contents
Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, is a dual-purpose body sculpting procedure that removes stubborn excess fat from one area of the body and transferring it to another area that needs volumisation.
While fat transfer is commonly associated with breast augmentation, its applications extend far beyond that and can be used in various body regions.
Here are 10 things you may not know about why and how fat transfer is utilised in Singapore!
#1 You can transfer your fat from any area with excess fat to any part of the body, even your face and hands!
"Your hands lose volume and elasticity over time, so you can develop a 'skeletal' and 'translucent' appearance with skin wrinkling as you age," says Dr Ivan Puah.
Aside from the breast, fat transfer to the face is also a popular treatment. Some people need some "plumping up" of the face to restore lost volume, and according to a survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, fat grafting for the face was up by 22% in 2017.
#2 The key to a successful fat grafting procedure lies in the doctor's technique
The correct technique (and being good at it) is essential in fat transfer.
According to a top peer-reviewed journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, "grafted fat has many attributes of an ideal filler, but the results, like any procedure, are technique dependent [1]."
The doctor's experience, skills and qualifications are essential factors to consider for fat grafting. Patients must do comprehensive research on their shortlisted doctors.
A fat grafting doctor with a sense and appreciation of aesthetics can visualise and safely deliver natural-looking results that complement a patient's overall physique.
He should have surgical experience and be able to show you different varieties of cases they have performed, including corrective cases, beyond just a few before-and-after pictures.
#3 Fat grafting is a work of art
Dr Ivan Puah, Medical Director and MOH-accredited liposuction doctor with over 20 years of body sculpting surgical experience, believes that it is "70% art and 30% science" when it comes to body contouring procedures.
Fat transfer is a delicate procedure made to look easy in the hands of a skilled and experienced doctor.
The doctor must understand facial and body anatomy, particularly his patients. He must be able to gauge the amount of fat needed to be extracted and inserted.
A good anatomical understanding, knowledge and years of experience enable a doctor to sculpt the desired results, akin to a sculptor working on his masterpiece.
#4 Fat injection works better than dermal fillers for your face
Fat transfer is lauded to be an ideal alternative to implants and dermal fillers, as the fat utilised is from the patient's fat source.
The risks of tissue rejection and the occurrence of allergic reactions are minimal as compared to dermal fillers, where synthetic materials are involved. The retention rate of fat transfer, in general, is between 60% to 70%. Facial injections with your fat are repeatable as long as the patient has enough fat stores for the doctor to draw from.
Under the hands of a skilled and experienced doctor, the patient can expect the fat filling to be injected in just the right amounts, achieving natural-looking results that will complement her overall facial contour.
#5 Facial fat transfer is excellent at creating volume and contouring
Fat grafting for the forehead and temple is a popular procedure in women as it lends a softer and more feminine appearance. It is also often used to correct sunken and hollow eyes and dark eye circles due to fat loss around the eyes and sagging cheeks.
Other facial areas treatable with this procedure include temples, forehead, brow, glabella, radix, upper orbit (upper eyelid), cheeks, mid-face, buccal recess, jawlines and many others.
The best way to determine where the loss of facial volume occurs is for the doctor to conduct a thorough facial assessment of the patient and identify areas requiring grafting.
#6 Fat grafting/fat transfer is a more popular treatment to replace volume loss and counter ageing in Singapore
Fat grafting is an effective treatment to help retard signs of skin ageing.
It is gaining popularity in Singapore and worldwide as it can counter volume deflation (fat loss) over time and counter the signs of facial ageing.
Although facial wrinkling and sagging are treatable by injecting both neurotoxin injectables and dermal fillers, the results are temporary. Using either treatment modality alone cannot restore the plump and youthful quality of the face that is possible with fat grafting.
#7 Fat grafting is not done in the name of vanity, but also for confidence restoration
There are many reasons why a person is seeking aesthetic and cosmetic treatments. Fat grafting has also allowed many post-breastfeeding mothers, women with asymmetrical breast shapes, and small or sagging breasts due to ageing, to restore body confidence.
Dr Ivan Puah, who has seen patients from diverse backgrounds and different reasons for walking into his clinic, such as to correct botched lipo jobs done in Singapore or overseas, cites self-confidence and major life-changing personal events as two of the more common ones.
He treats each of them with a personalised approach because he knows that wanting to proceed with cosmetic surgery is a significant and, at times, nerve-racking decision.
#8 Fat grafting for buttocks to get perkier bums
Fat grafting to the buttocks is rapidly rising to be one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries.
The "Brazilian Butt Lift" is another term for buttock enhancement with fat grafting, where excess fat from a patient is transferred into the derriere to achieve a fuller, more rounded appearance, as well as a perkier shape and a more harmonious outlook.
#9 Fat (adipose tissue) for scar correction and corrective liposuction
Fat or adipose tissue is the closest, most ideal filler for volume restoration in areas that have volume deficit. This includes scars from injury, accident or even a botched job.
The versatility of fat allows the doctor to use it for cosmetic purposes, including scar correction, corrective liposuction, and gynecomastia cases.
#10 Not all doctors in Singapore can perform fat grafting procedures
Getting fat grafting done is more than just a simple matter of walking into a clinic. Only doctors who have received liposuction accreditation from the Ministry of Health can perform fat grafting procedures in Singapore.
Like any other surgical procedure, fat grafting also has risks and possible complications.
Therefore, you must seek a doctor who can give you a detailed consultation and assessment, who is experienced in body sculpting, facial and body enhancement, and has well-documented, proven results.
Remember always to thoroughly research your shortlisted doctors and ensure that all your concerns and worries are alleviated during consultation.
