Subcutaneous tissue of the face

The Subcutaneous tissue of the face, also called the superficial fascia or facial hypodermis, is the deepest layer of the facial skin, located between the dermis and underlying muscles/fascia. It consists mainly of adipose (fat) tissue supported by connective tissue septa and contains blood vessels and nerves. The thickness, distribution, and compartmentalization of subcutaneous facial fat vary by region and individual. This layer provides critical functions in insulation, shock absorption, energy storage, and mediating facial volume and contour. It is not uniform, being divided into distinct anatomical fat compartments. In a medical context, this tissue is important as the site for subcutaneous injection of drugs, anesthesia, and for cosmetic procedures such as filler or fat grafting. It is not considered a molecular therapeutic target, but alterations or injury to this tissue underlie many aesthetic and pathological facial changes.

Other names

Subcutaneous facial tissuefacial hypodermissuperficial fascia of the facesubcutaneous fat of the face