What are stem cells?
Stem cells taken from the patient’s own fat are the most promising recent advancements in cosmetic surgery besides bioidentical hormones. Stem cells play an important role in growth and rejuvenation of the whole body. Basically, stem cells have the ability to turn into certain types of cells. This makes them well-suited for many aesthetic, regenerative, and even curative applications.
What are the findings regarding the use of stem cells in cosmetic surgery?
Stem cells are a key factor in tissue regeneration. Their regenerative power can be used to assist the rejuvenation of existing tissue. Furthermore stem cells can be used to support wound healing and fat transfers, such as in stem cell breast augmentation. The rejuvenating effect of stem cells can be complemented by bioidentical hormones (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, BHRT).
Are there any other aesthetic applications for stem cells besides skin rejuvenation?
Besides stem cell treatments for skin rejuvenation the main application of autologous stem cells is the stem cell breast augmentation. Instead of silicone implant and scalpel, stem cell-enriched autologous fat is gently injected into the breast, allowing for a completely natural augmentation. Stem cell-enriched autologous fat can also be used for dimple correction. In addition, fat stem cells are used for regenerative treatments and anti-aging purposes.
How is the skin rejuvenation done?
There are two ways to use stem cells for skin rejuvenation: First, stem cell-enriched autologous fat (a mixture of fatty tissue and stem cells) can be used to correct tissue defects in the face by adding volume where it got lost due to aging or by an accident. Second, stem cells can be extracted from the harvested fat and then applied as a stem cell suspension (just the stem cells, no fatty tissue). This method is preferable if no volume gain is necessary and an overall rejuvenation of the skin is desired. Both methods can be combined, depending on the wanted effect.
Which steps are performed in a skin rejuvenation treatment?
In the first step a small portion of fat is harvested using manual liposuction with delicate microcannulas (liposculpture). In case of skin rejuvenation using stem cell-enriched autologous fat the stem cell content is increased using an advanced laboratory technique. Then the stem cell-enriched fat is injected into the face to add volume where needed. Typically fat is not injected into wrinkles where it won’t stay because of mechanical pressure. Instead, the fat is used to contour the face, often at the jaw line and the area around the eyes. In case of treatment with stem cell suspension the stem cells are extracted from the harvested fat and then injected into the facial skin using micro needle mesotherapy. All of the necessary medical interventions are performed in local anesthesia for safety reasons. Finally the patient can leave our clinic for her hotel.
Which stem cells are used?
The stem cells used in aesthetic medicine are extracted from a portion of fat harvested from the patient’s body by liposuction. Research has shown that fatty tissue is rich of stem cells.
What is the specific role of stem cells in wrinkle treatment?
The implanted stem cells will rejuvenate the tissue and assist the body in integrating the injected autologous fat.
What are the indications for the stem cell treatment? Who can profit from the treatment?
Stem cell skin rejuvenation is generally suitable for both healthy women and men. There is no upper age limit. The method is very well suited for treatment of typical signs of skin aging (low skin quality, wrinkles, dry skin, etc.) and in case of volume defects.
Are there any contraindications?
Stem cell skin rejuvenation should not be performed in people with infectious or inflammatory conditions of the skin. It is not recommended in pregnant or breast feeding women as well as in patients who due to their health condition should avoid any kind of elective surgery.
What can be achieved by a stem cell treatment?
Volume lost during aging, causing the typical “aged look”, can be regained successfully by injecting stem cell-enriched autologous fat. The implanted stem cells will also have a regenerative effect on the surrounding tissue. As a result wrinkles are smoothed, and tone and strength of the tissue are restored. The rejuvenating effect is long-lasting.
How many treatment sessions are indicated?
Normally one session is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. Based on the patient’s wishes the stem cell treatment can be repeated, for example, some years after the first treatment.
When can the results of the skin rejuvenation be seen?
Typically the result can be seen after some days/weeks. In case of stem cell-enriched autologous fat injections bruises may occur, which will typically fade within some weeks.
Is the treatment already approved by the FDA?
Stem cell-enriched autologous fat can be used as natural filler on all regions of the body. It has not been approved by the FDA yet. To our knowledge approval is pending.
What are the pros and cons of the application of stem cells in cosmetic surgery?
The application of the patient’s own stem cells taken from fatty tissue in cosmetic surgery has many advantages over past approaches using artificial fillers and implants. Many women prefer stem cell breast augmentation, stem cell facelift, and stem cell skin rejuvenation because of the natural results. Also, stem cell treatments can be performed in local anesthesia, which is much safer than general anesthesia. Whereas every artificial implant has to be surgically removed after at least some years, in case of stem cell treatments the patient has full control over future treatments.
Are still studies going on about the use of stem cells for aesthetic purposes?
Experiences with stem cells in aesthetic medicine range back about 10 years, when stem cell-enriched autologous fat was first used in breast reconstruction. The long-term results are impressing. Nevertheless, the application of stem cells taken from the patient’s own fat is still a hot topic for additional scientific research.
What is the future of stem cells in cosmetic surgery?
The use of stem cells in cosmetic surgery makes artificial fillers/implants, scalpel, and general anesthesia often dispensable already today. Future research will enable us to develop even more specialized treatments. However, we believe that instead of treating certain signs of aging, prevention of aging using stem cells and bioidentical hormones (BHRT) will gain importance in cosmetic surgery.
Do you have any further considerations?
For an optimal cosmetic result it’s very important that liposuction is performed by hand using very thin microcannulas instead of using thick cannulas and suction machines. Also, both liposuction and injection into the face should be done solely in local anesthesia to increase patient safety.