RT Book, Section A1 Sun, Mary D. A1 Weisberg, Edmund M. A1 Baumann, Leslie S. A2 Baumann, Leslie S. A2 Rieder, Evan A. A2 Sun, Mary D. SR Print(0) ID 1190666989 T1 Fat and the Subcutaneous Layer T2 Baumann’s Cosmetic Dermatology, 3e YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw Hill LLC PP New York, NY SN 9780071794190 LK dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1190666989 RD 2024/03/28 AB SUMMARY POINTSWhat’s Important?Adipocytes, or fat cells, are a major component of the subcutaneous tissue in the human body. In addition to playing roles in thermogenesis and metabolism, these cells perform various nonmetabolic functions including antimicrobial defense, hair cycling, and wound healing.Changes in the production, distribution, and degeneration of facial adipose tissue have significant aesthetic implications that can be targeted with cosmetic procedures.What’s New?Collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections have been shown to improve cellulite and were approved by the FDA in 2020.Emerging biomechanical studies have improved the clinical understanding of the sex- and age-related pathogenesis of cellulite and other adipose-related disease processes.Newly uncovered mechanisms of adipocyte plasticity are promising avenues of research in the prevention of cutaneous disease and advancement of regenerative medicine.What’s Coming?Further study is needed to characterize macro- and micro-characteristics of facial adipose tissue and their age-related changes across different anatomic compartments.Large-scale, standardized, and prospective clinical studies are necessary to evaluate various harvesting, processing, and delivery methods for autologous fat transfer. The risks and benefits of supplementation strategies including platelet-rich plasma, progenitor cells, and functional growth factors should be similarly evaluated.