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Treatment Type
Injection
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Treatment Time
1 hour
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Anesthetic
Topical
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Back to Work
Next Day
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Total Recovery Time
None
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Duration of Results
24 months
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# of Treatments
1 or more
- Get Started and Try Our Treatment Planning Tool
-
Treatment Type
Injection
-
Treatment Time
1 hour
-
Anesthetic
Topical
-
Back to Work
Next Day
-
Total Recovery Time
None
-
Duration of Results
24 months
-
# of Treatments
1 or more
- Get Started and Try Our Treatment Planning Tool
Introduction to AlloClae in Chicago and Vernon Hills
Not every volume concern needs surgery, and not every filler is built to last. AlloClae sits in the space between the two: a structural filler made from processed donor fat tissue that adds natural, long-lasting volume without liposuction or an operating room. At RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa in Vernon Hills, IL, Dr. Leonard Lu is currently the only physician at the practice offering AlloClae, and he uses it to smooth, restore, and refine contours for patients who want real structure, not just a temporary plump.
What Is AlloClae?
AlloClae is a structural adipose filler, meaning it is made from real fat tissue rather than hyaluronic acid or synthetic gel. The donor fat is processed into a biocompatible material that keeps the extracellular matrix, collagen, and structural proteins that give tissue its shape, while removing the cellular components that could trigger a reaction. Donor tissue is screened and tested before processing begins, and the finished material is sterilized and packaged into pre-filled syringes that are ready for office use. The result is a product regulated by the FDA as a human cell and tissue product injected in-office rather than harvested from your own body through liposuction. For patients who like the concept of fat grafting but do not have enough donor fat of their own or who simply want to avoid a second surgical site, AlloClae offers a way to get a similar structural result without it.
How Is AlloClae Different From Fat Grafting or Traditional Fillers?
Patients considering AlloClae are usually weighing it against one of two alternatives. Autologous fat grafting requires liposuction to harvest your own fat and offers permanent results, but it depends on having enough donor fat and involves more downtime. Hyaluronic acid fillers are quick and reversible, but they typically resorb within 6 to 12 months and can feel less structural once larger volumes are used.
AlloClae requires no liposuction, is ready to inject the same day, and tends to hold its shape and volume considerably longer than HA fillers, all without the surgical commitment of a fat transfer.
What Areas Can AlloClae Treat?
Dr. Lu uses AlloClae to address volume loss and contour irregularities in several areas:
- Breasts, for subtle enhancement or for correcting asymmetry
- Buttocks and hips, including use for smoothing hip dips
- Thighs and calves, to restore lost definition
- Indented scars and cellulite dimples
- Cheeks and jawline, as an off-label option for facial volume
Because AlloClae behaves differently depending on how much movement and muscle activity an area has, Dr. Lu tailors both the injection technique and the amount used to each location rather than applying a single approach everywhere.
Why Does Dr. Lu Recommend AlloClae for Post-Weight-Loss Patients?
Much of Dr. Lu’s practice is built around post-weight-loss body contouring, and AlloClae fills a gap that surgery alone often cannot. Patients who have lost significant weight are frequently left without enough remaining fat for a traditional graft, even though they still have hollow areas, rippling, or asymmetry they want addressed. Because AlloClae does not rely on your own fat supply, it gives Dr. Lu a way to refine these results without a second liposuction procedure.
Am I a Good Candidate for AlloClae?
Good candidates for AlloClae are generally healthy adults at a stable weight who want to restore volume or smooth contour irregularities without surgery. It also tends to suit patients who do not have enough donor fat left for a traditional fat transfer, as long as they understand that results, while long-lasting, are not permanent, and they have realistic expectations about how much change AlloClae can achieve.
Patients with more significant asymmetry or volume loss may be better served by breast augmentation or another surgical option, which Dr. Lu will discuss with you directly.
How it Works
The Consultation
At RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, each initial patient consultation is different.
Depending on your needs, desired treatments, areas of concern, and simply who you are as a patient, we will schedule you with an actual treatment provider to discuss your goals, budget, and more. During this appointment, we will go through before & after photos, your medical history, and any questions you might have. Only then can we make a recommendation for which procedures or treatments may be right for you and why. We will be sure to educate you on how the treatments work, including what to expect during and afterward.
What Happens During an AlloClae Treatment with Dr. Lu?
Before any injections happen, Dr. Lu maps out the areas you want addressed and confirms how many syringes your goals will realistically require. Treatment itself takes place in-office, typically in under an hour. After numbing the treatment area, he injects AlloClae using a blunt cannula, working in small, controlled amounts beneath the skin or within the muscle layer, depending on the area treated. He then massages and sculpts the tissue to blend the material into a natural contour before you leave. No incisions, sutures, or general anesthesia are involved, and most patients drive themselves home afterward.
What Is Recovery Like After AlloClae?
Recovery from AlloClae is minimal compared to surgical alternatives:
- First 24 to 48 hours: Mild swelling or bruising at injection sites is common
- First 2 to 3 days: Most patients return to normal daily activities
- Weeks 2 to 3: Vigorous exercise and strenuous activity can typically resume
- Months 3 to 6: Final, settled contour becomes fully visible as any residual swelling resolves
How Long Do AlloClae Results Last?
Most patients see their AlloClae results hold for 12 to 18 months or longer, depending on the treatment area, the amount injected, and individual metabolism. Areas with more natural movement, such as the lips or areas near major muscle groups, tend to resorb somewhat faster than areas like the hips or outer thighs.
Benefits
Benefits of AlloClae
- Adds natural, long-lasting volume without surgery
- Provides structural volume without liposuction
- Offers a longer-lasting option than traditional HA fillers
- Helps refine contour after significant weight loss
What Does AlloClae Cost in Vernon Hills?
Pricing is based on the number of syringes your treatment requires, which depends on the area and the amount of correction you want. As a general guide, small touch-ups, such as smoothing a single scar or minor asymmetry, may need only 2 to 4 syringes. Moderate contouring, like refining a hip dip or adding subtle breast volume, often uses 4 to 8 syringes, while more extensive body contouring can call for 10 or more.
Because larger AlloClae treatments can approach the cost of a surgical fat transfer, Dr. Lu will walk you through exactly how many syringes your goals require, and what that means for cost, before you commit to treatment.
Can AlloClae Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Many patients pair AlloClae with procedures that address what filler alone cannot. Common combinations Dr. Lu discusses with patients include liposuction to refine areas with excess fat, a butt lift for patients wanting more dramatic curve enhancement, breast implant removal and replacement for correcting rippling around existing implants, and facial fat transfer for patients who want a permanent, surgical option for their face instead of the off-label AlloClae approach.
Who Is Dr. Leonard Lu?
Dr. Leonard Lu is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa. He completed an accelerated, combined undergraduate and medical school program through Brown University, graduating at the top of his class and earning the Dean’s Award as the program’s most outstanding graduate. He trained in the integrated plastic surgery residency at Northwestern University and completed research fellowships at Harvard Medical School, Washington University, and Northwestern, publishing his work in peer-reviewed journals along the way. His practice has a particular focus on body contouring for patients after significant weight loss, which is part of why he was drawn to offering AlloClae. It gives him another tool for patients whose bodies have already changed dramatically and who want refinement without going through another round of surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery
Medical Surgery
The RL Center Difference
There’s a reason that almost 40% of the patients of RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa are referrals.
We provide every patient with expert guidance through an informative, nonjudgmental process regardless of their budget or areas of concern. This safe, comfortable experience provides patients with the results that leave them excited to share with their friends and family.
Our team in Vernon Hills has years of combined experience creating beautiful results with Radiesse injections to the face and hands.
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Take a moment to use our Instant planner tool to receive personalized aesthetic treatment and/or surgical procedure recommendations based on your areas of concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs about AlloClae
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