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CHEEKS · ILLUSTRATED 3D RECOVERY

Fat Transfer (Nasolabial Folds): before & after and recovery stages

Compare nose-to-mouth fold volume before transfer, through early fullness and later settling.

Written by BeautiNext EditorialSources checked October 7, 2026Illustrated course Day 365 · 12 months
Fat Transfer (Nasolabial Folds) on a fictional 3D face: before treatment and day 180 · 6 months
Illustrative 3D comparisonLeft: before treatment. Right: day 180 · 6 months in this authored example. The face is a fictional display model, not a patient photograph or a predicted result.
Open this example in the interactive 3D simulator Read the full written guide

SUMMARY

What this example shows

Transferred soft-tissue volume partly softens fixed fictional grooves beside the nose and mouth. Early swelling and color fade separately from a smaller later volume addition. The lips, nose and mouth-corner positions stay fixed; the cheek is not lifted. The contour is a comparison example, not an injected amount or a fat-survival prediction.

01

STAGE BY STAGE

Fat Transfer (Nasolabial Folds) recovery stages

BEFORE

Starting contour

Fixed fictional diagonal grooves beside the nose and mouth provide the same reference at every stage.

The same reference is used at every date and does not diagnose the selected face.

DAY 3

First few days: Volume plus swelling

Temporary fullness and color overlap the added volume.

Recipient swelling and bruising can affect early appearance.

DAY 30 · 4 WEEKS

Around 1 month: Fullness easing

Less surface color exposes the evolving contour.

Early appearance is not a measure of retained fat.

DAY 180 · 6 MONTHS

Around 6 months: Later volume example

A smaller, smoother addition remains after the temporary response.

Settling and fat retention vary; this date is a comparison point.

02

TIMELINE

Day-by-day checkpoints in the 3D model

The simulator interpolates between these authored checkpoints. They describe the illustration, not measured clinical averages.

Before treatmentUntreated reference

The unchanged display face provides a reference for this example.

Day 1Volume and early fullness

Added volume overlaps swelling and local color.

Day 3Early swelling

Temporary fullness obscures the underlying volume change.

Day 7Early settling

The local response starts easing in this example.

Day 14 · 2 weeksColor easing

Less discoloration makes the contour easier to compare.

Day 30 · 4 weeksVolume still changing

Remaining fullness is distinct from the later volume example.

Day 90 · 3 monthsLonger settling

The illustrated contour becomes less full over months.

Day 180 · 6 monthsLater volume comparison

Residual volume remains; its size does not measure fat survival.

Day 365 · 12 monthsLonger-term example

This stable display endpoint does not predict aging or future volume.

03

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

How recovery can vary

Timing and response

Transferred amount, technique and healing affect the course. This surface example omits donor recovery and does not predict fat survival or pigment changes.

Longer term

The one-year view holds the later contour for comparison. Aging, weight changes, irregularities and repeat treatment are not forecast.

04

EVIDENCE NOTES

Sources and limitations

  1. PubMed: Facial fat grafting: systematic review

    Identifies nasolabial folds and marionette grooves among recipient areas in studies combining fat grafting with facelift surgery. It does not establish a standalone recovery curve or calibrate the displayed grooves and volume.

  2. Cleveland Clinic: Fat transfer

    Temporary swelling and bruising; volume assessment over several months.

05

KEEP COMPARING

Other cheeks examples

Medical disclaimer

This illustration is not medical advice, diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or a prediction of personal results. Swelling, color, contour and dates are authored examples on a fictional face. BeautiNext is not a clinic; your treating team’s assessment and written recovery plan take priority.