Research progress on preparation, mechanism, and clinical application of nanofat

Autologous adipose tissue is an ideal soft tissue filling material in theory, which has the advantages of easy access, comprehensive source, and high biocompatibility and is now widely used in clinical practice. Based on the above benefits of autologous fat, autologous fat grafting is an essential technique in plastic surgery. Conventional macrofat is used to improve structural changes after soft tissue damage or loss caused by various causes such as disease, trauma, or aging. Due to the large diameter of particles and to avoid serious complications such as fat embolism, blunt needles with larger diameters (2mm) are required, making the macrofat grafting difficult to the deep dermis and sub-dermis. Nanofat grafting is a relatively new technology that has gained popularity in cosmetic surgery in recent years. Nanofat is produced by mechanical shuffling and filtration of microfat, which is harvested by liposuction. The harvesting and processing of nanofat are cost-effective as it does not require additional equipment or culture time. Unlike microfat, nanofat particles are too small to provide a notable volumizing effect. Studies have shown that nanofat contains abundant stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which help reconstruct dermal support structures, such as collagen, and regenerate healthier, younger-looking skin. Moreover, the fluid consistency of nanofat allows application in tissue regeneration, such as scars, chronic wounds, and facial rejuvenation. This article reviews the current research progress on the preparation, mechanism, and clinical application of nanofat.