Since 1998 · Zagreb & Daruvar
Nanofat in Croatia
Nanofat is a procedure in which specially processed autologous fat tissue is applied to improve the texture, elasticity, and tone of the skin, without a volume effect. Before the procedure we assess whether the main problem is skin quality or volume loss, and we explain what the evidence so far supports.
Nanofat is intended for changes in skin quality — thin and less elastic skin, uneven texture, certain types of dark under-eye circles, and scars. It does not add volume and cannot replace a filler, lipofilling, or a surgical lift. The examination establishes whether the method matches the cause of the change and what, based on the evidence so far, can be expected.
Is this for me?
What nanofat is and how it works
Nanofat is a technique in which a small amount of your own fat tissue is harvested with a thin cannula and then mechanically processed and filtered until a fine emulsion is obtained. During processing the whole fat cells break down, while stem and stromal cells and growth factors — the cellular material associated with tissue renewal — remain in the emulsion. Nanofat therefore differs from classic lipofilling, in which the whole fat cells are deliberately preserved to restore volume.
That difference also defines the effect of the procedure. Because it contains almost no living fat cells, nanofat does not add volume — it is applied to improve the texture, elasticity, tone, and color of the skin. The technique was described in 2013 by the Belgian plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick Tonnard, and since then the profession has treated it as a procedure of its own, not a variant of lipofilling.
In the price list, the procedure appears as “Facial rejuvenation — nano-fat grafting,” which is the professional name for the same procedure.
What it is used for
Nanofat is most often applied when the main problem is skin quality rather than a lack of volume:
- improving the quality of the skin of the face, neck, décolletage, and hands
- dark under-eye circles linked to thin, translucent lower-eyelid skin
- fine lines and scars, including acne scars, burn scars, and stretch marks
- sun-damaged skin with uneven color and texture
- use as a complement to reconstructive procedures
For the scalp there is a separate procedure and a separate page — we cover it under fat transfer to the scalp.
A realistic assessment
When nanofat is not the right method
Nanofat does not restore volume. It is intended to improve skin quality, while for sunken cheeks and loss of fullness, lipofilling or a dermal filler is considered.
Nanofat is not intended to restore volume. If the main problem is reduced fullness of the cheeks or temples and more pronounced folds around the mouth, what may be needed is a fat transfer, in which the whole fat cells are preserved, or dermal fillers. With descended tissue, we also assess whether there is an indication for a lifting procedure.
The procedures can be combined. When volume needs to be restored alongside skin quality, fat transfer and nanofat are performed in the same session: the preserved fat cells restore the volume, while nanofat is applied to act on the quality of the skin. The combination is listed in the price list as a separate item.
If the quality, elasticity, and texture of the skin are preserved, the expected change may be too small to justify the procedure. With such findings, nanofat is not indicated at that time.
How we work
What the procedure looks like with us
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, in a single visit, and consists of three parts.
Harvesting the fat tissue. Through a few millimeter-sized punctures, most often on the abdomen or thighs, a small amount of fat tissue is taken with a thin cannula. This step is not intended for body contouring and produces no visible change in the contour of the donor area.
Processing. The fat tissue is rinsed and then mechanically passed several times through special filters or a system of syringes until a fine emulsion is obtained. The way the tissue is processed affects the composition of the emulsion and the amount of biologically active material that remains in it.
Application. The emulsion is introduced into the dermis and subcutaneous tissue with very fine needles or cannulas. The application technique can resemble that of a dermal filler, but the purpose is not to restore volume — it is to stimulate skin renewal.
- Duration
- About 60–90 minutes, including harvesting and processing the fat tissue
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia
- Recovery
- Back to everyday activities most often within 2–7 days
- Performed by
- Duško Maletić, MD, MSc
Correct harvesting, processing, and application of the fat tissue matter for the composition of the emulsion and the evenness of the result. The procedure is planned and performed by Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, a specialist in surgery and founder of the Polyclinic, with decades of experience in liposuction and fat transfer.
See the full price listWhy us
Why choose us for nanofat
Face and neck surgery since 1998
We have been performing face and neck surgery for more than 27 years, and the Polyclinic is today an internationally recognized referral center.
Planned and performed by a surgeon
Nanofat is planned and performed by Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, a specialist in surgery and founder of the Polyclinic.
Experience in fat transfer
Procedures for harvesting, processing, and transferring the patient’s own fat tissue have been performed at the Polyclinic for decades.
Your own tissue
Only the patient’s own fat tissue is used, so there is no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection.
Evidence and the limits of the method
The histological effects of nanofat are well described, while clinical protocols and the durability of the result are still being researched.
Assessment of the indication
The examination establishes whether the main problem is skin quality, volume loss, or a change for which another procedure is more appropriate.
Two generations of the family
Two generations of the family work at the Polyclinic today, with continuity of care from the examination to the follow-ups.
Zagreb and Daruvar
Examinations, the procedure, and follow-ups are available at both locations, with the same medical team.
Realistic expectations
What you can expect, and when
The result of nanofat is not immediate, because the changes develop through gradual remodeling of the skin, not through a direct increase in volume.
The first two weeks. Swelling, bruising, and tenderness are possible on the face and at the site the tissue was taken from. Most people return to everyday activities within a few days.
Weeks two to four. The first changes in skin quality become visible.
Up to the sixth month. In published case series, the improvement in skin quality continues gradually over the following months.
The first changes after nanofat as a rule become visible between the second and fourth week, and the improvement in skin quality can continue over the following months.
A precise duration of the effect cannot yet be stated. Published studies mostly follow patients for six to twelve months, so the existing data do not allow a reliable long-term estimate.
Nanofat does not change the shape of the face, because it has no volume effect. The changes can show as a more even skin texture and color, better elasticity, and less translucency of the thin skin under the eyes. The procedure does not stop further aging — it acts on the current condition of the skin.
Honest about the evidence
What the evidence so far shows
When interpreting the effect of nanofat, it is important to distinguish histological findings from clinical results that are still being researched.
The best-documented effects are the changes confirmed by histological analyses. Skin biopsies after nanofat show a higher density of collagen and elastic fibers, greater cellularity of the dermis, and a denser network of small blood vessels. Similar findings have been described in several independent studies.
The clinical evidence is still at an early stage. A systematic review published in 2024 in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery covered twelve studies of nanofat as a standalone procedure, mostly of a low level of evidence, and concluded that the protocols are not yet standardized. The existing results point to changes in the skin, but there are still no large, long-term trials that would precisely define the extent and duration of the clinical effect.
Nanofat can be described as a method with promising histological and early clinical results, but with a still limited level of evidence on a standardized protocol and the durability of the effect.
Histological analyses after nanofat show a higher density of collagen fibers and small blood vessels, while the number of high-quality clinical studies is still limited.
Risks of the procedure
Since your own tissue is used, there is no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection. Transient swelling, bruising, and tenderness on the face and at the site the tissue was taken from are common. Less often, unevenness or skin irregularities can appear, especially in the thin skin around the eyes, where the emulsion must be applied into the appropriate layer and in an amount suited to the tissue. Infection is rare and requires contacting the physician. The risk of complications depends on correct patient selection, tissue processing, and application technique.
Nanofat, fillers, lipofilling
Nanofat, fillers, and lipofilling
The three procedures differ in the material applied and the goal of the treatment.
Dermal fillers directly restore volume with hyaluronic acid, with a time-limited effect. Fat transfer restores volume with your own preserved fat cells. Nanofat is not meant for volumization, but for acting on the quality of the skin.
The choice of method depends on the cause of the change. Nanofat acts on skin quality, while fillers and fat transfer restore volume. With combined findings, a combination of procedures can also be planned.
Who we are
The physician who performs the procedure
Nanofat at Polyclinic Maletić is planned and performed by Duško Maletić, MD, MSc, a specialist in surgery and founder of the Polyclinic, which he established in 1998. He has been performing liposuction and fat transfer procedures for decades. Nurses accompany the patient through preparation, the procedure, and the postoperative follow-ups.
Meet the whole team
Price
Price and the first step
The price list contains two items. The first refers to nanofat as a standalone procedure aimed at skin quality. The second covers the combination with fat transfer, when volume needs to be restored alongside the effect on the skin. The appropriate item is determined after the examination and the planning of the procedure. The prices are available in the price list.
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Facial rejuvenation — nano-fat grafting
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Fat transfer + nanofat
The choice between the two items depends on whether only skin quality needs to be addressed, or volume needs to be restored as well.
See the full price listThe first step is an examination at which we assess whether the main problem is skin quality, volume loss, or another anatomical change. Based on the findings, we determine whether nanofat can achieve the expected effect or whether another method is more appropriate, such as laser skin rejuvenation or blepharoplasty. You can arrange an appointment in Zagreb or Daruvar through the contact page.
You can find the other procedures in this area on the Face & Neck Surgery page.
Patient reviews
What our patients say
Reviews taken from our Google Business profiles, Zagreb and Daruvar, translated from Croatian.
★★★★★
“My experience with breast augmentation with Dr. Maletić in Daruvar was excellent. I am extremely satisfied with the result. All the nurses are very kind and professional. I absolutely recommend them.”
★★★★★
“Since high school I watched the double chin I inherited from my father become more and more pronounced — and 15 years later, the double chin is gone. A big thank-you to Dr. Maletić and the whole team for making my wish come true. The procedure was painless, as was the recovery, and the results were visible within days. The entire team was extremely kind and cheerful, and the atmosphere very pleasant. I left the polyclinic satisfied, and when, two days after the swelling went down, I saw that the double chin was gone, my satisfaction knew no bounds. I warmly recommend Polyclinic Maletić.”
★★★★★
“All praise for Polyclinic Maletić in Daruvar! I had a lip augmentation with fillers and I am very satisfied with the result. I would especially like to praise Dr. Mario Bartol, who is extremely kind, professional, and has a wonderful approach to patients, which made me feel comfortable and safe throughout the treatment. All the nurses are also very kind, helpful, and professional. I warmly recommend them to anyone considering aesthetic treatments!”
★★★★★
“Laser acne treatment is the only treatment that helped me, and I would not choose any other facial treatment over it. Dr. Ines is one of the kindest people I have ever met and always has useful advice. Kind staff and top-level service — I warmly recommend her to everyone!”
★★★★★
“I had a wart on my face removed by laser. Very professional service with excellent results. The wart was quite large, but it disappeared after just one treatment. All recommendations!”
★★★★★
“I recently had a varicose vein procedure. All praise to the whole team.”
★★★★★
“Blepharoplasty, 4D laser, and double chin. Perfect. All recommendations!”
★★★★★
“The best team of doctors, extremely professional and kind. I have been loyal to Polyclinic Maletić for more than 10 years and I am always satisfied with the results. Thank you.”
★★★★★
“I came to Dr. Maletić with a big problem and a lot of stress. I was met with such warm empathy and kindness, and patience in answering all my questions. Thank you, Dr. Maletić, for your advice and sincere support. I know I can always turn to her for advice, and that means a lot to me. The staff of the Zagreb polyclinic are also very helpful and kind. Thanks to them as well.”
★★★★★
“I can only recommend Dr. Maletić’s practice, both in Daruvar and in Zagreb — and I have had several procedures there — because I felt very comfortable and in expert hands!”
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Is nanofat the same as a stem cell treatment?
Nanofat is sometimes described as a stem cell treatment, because the processed fat tissue contains stem and stromal cells. It is more accurate, however, to describe it as the application of an emulsion of your own fat tissue to stimulate skin renewal, without promising effects that have not been confirmed by clinical research.
Will nanofat fill in my sunken cheeks?
No. Nanofat contains almost no whole fat cells, which is why it has no volume effect. Volume is restored with fat transfer, also known as lipofilling, or with dermal fillers. If both volume and skin quality need to be addressed, the procedures can be combined in the same session.
Do I have to undergo liposuction to have nanofat?
Only a small amount of fat tissue is involved, taken through a few millimeter-sized punctures, most often from the abdomen or thighs, under local anesthesia. The procedure is not intended for body contouring and does not visibly affect the contour of the donor area — it serves only to obtain tissue for processing.
When will I see the result?
The result is not immediate. The first changes as a rule become visible between the second and fourth week, and the improvement in skin quality can continue over the following months. Nanofat is therefore not a method for an immediate change in volume or contour.
How long does the effect of nanofat last?
A reliable answer is not yet available. Published studies mostly follow patients for six to twelve months, so on the basis of the existing data it is not possible to state a precise duration of the effect.
Is nanofat safe?
Your own tissue is used, so there is no risk of allergy or rejection. Transient swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the harvesting and application sites are common. Less often, irregularities can occur, especially if the emulsion is placed too superficially or in too large an amount into the thin skin around the eyes. That is why the correct depth of application and an appropriate amount are particularly important.
Can nanofat be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Nanofat can be combined with fat transfer when volume needs to be restored alongside skin quality, as well as with laser rejuvenation or blepharoplasty. The combination is determined by the findings, the area being treated, and the extent of the procedure.