A new cosmetic procedure using fat harvested from corpses, branded as Alloclae, is gaining popularity in the United States. The substance, derived from sterilised cadaveric adipose tissue, offers an alternative to traditional autologous fat transfers, where a patient's own fat is used.
Dr Douglas Steinbrech, a surgeon at Alpha Male Plastic Surgery in New York, describes Alloclae as a 'gamechanger' for patients who lack sufficient body fat for liposuction. The minimally invasive injections require no general anaesthesia and have minimal recovery time, he says.
Since early 2025, Alloclae has been most popular among women seeking breast or buttock augmentation, but interest is growing among men. Dr Steinbrech attributes this to heightened male body standards influenced by Marvel Comics heroes and the online 'looksmaxxing' trend, which promotes optimising physical attractiveness.
One 68-year-old patient, described as a 'one-percenter' for his fitness level, received 100cc of donor fat injected into his upper pectorals. 'It's just a little enhancement,' he said. The fat, collected within the last six months, is shelf-stable and injected at room temperature.
However, the use of donated tissue raises ethical questions. While organ donation is seen as noble, critics question the propriety of using cadaver fat for cosmetic enhancement. The rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic has also reduced the availability of patients' own fat for transfers, boosting demand for alternatives like Alloclae.
