Stem cell facelift involves extracting a patient’s fat from the body, processing it, and injecting it into the face. It’s not a surgical procedure in that it involves no stitches or incisions in the face, and there's no need for general anaesthesia.
This procedure is increasingly popular in the news but is still in an experimental form. The methods used for harvesting the fat as well as for processing it have never been standardized among practitioners. As a result, some surgeons simply can’t purify the fat and extract stem cells out of it; rather, they simply inject fact into the face. Strictly speaking, procedure may therefore not involve stem cells but simply fat cells. Some doctors are getting away with injecting fat but calling the procedure a stem cell facelift because it’s true that fat does normally contain adult stem cells. But without the purification and extraction process, their so-called stem cell facelift is simply a volumetric facelift similar to the liquid facelift (a procedure that uses synthetic or commercially available dermal fillers to fill out and create a youthful volume face without) without any potential stem-cell benefits.
At this time, the only FDA approved technology to separate stem cells from fat is from PureGraft 250 from Cytori Therapeutics (www.cytori.com), a fat grafting device in the U.S. that was designed for removing and preparing a patient’s own fat for re-injection in procedures. It also received European (CE Mark) approval for autologous fat grafting procedures, allowing Cytori to commercialize the PureGraft(TM) product line to physicians in Europe. Only a few doctors use it at the moment.
With a true stem cell facelift, stem cells can transform into new cells in the location they are transplanted, they can theoretically create newer, younger looking tissue. The stem cell injection can potentially rejuvenate a patient’s complexion from her own grafted fat tissue. The treatment, which some doctors boast can last up to five years, plumps up and tightens the skin and stops the neck from sagging.
But don’t count on such longevity. Results of stem cells facelift will vary depending on the skills and experience of your doctor, and you could be unhappy with the results. It is hard to predict exactly how long each fat transfer will last in each case. There are differences in absorption in individual patients; these differences depend on genetics, stress, smoking, and other factors. If you choose your surgeon wisely, your chance of a positive outcome increases and chances of complications diminish. But realize that even in the best of hands, complications do occur.
Risks of the procedure include: Irregularities, lumps and asymmetry in facial tone. Also, swelling, bruising, and infection. Fat embolism, where some of the injected fat enters the bloodstream is an extremely rare and serious complication
Dissatisfaction include: Marginal improvement if the fat is not injected in the right amount and is absorbed quickly by the body.
FOR THE RECORD
Stem cell face-lifts: A Sept. 13 Health section story assessing stem cell face-lifts offered by two Beverly Hills doctors said that Dr. Nathan Newman charges between $5,500 and $9,500 for the procedure and Dr. Richard Ellenbogen charges $15,000 to $25,000. The story should have noted that Ellenbogen often performs a surgical face-lift along with his injection of stem cells. Dr. Vincent Giampapa, who has worked on perfecting the technique claimed “those undergoing the procedure recover in about a week, during which time the face is slightly swollen and pink in appearance. The entire procedure costs $5,000 - compared with $7,000 to $13,000 for a surgical facelift. It may also remove the need for continuing facial "filler" injections and Botox treatments.”
A Harley Street clinic in London which has been carrying out the world's first stem-cell facelifts claims there have been impressive results. According to the cosmetic surgeon in the news who has pioneered it, the treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia and takes around five hours. Dr Aamer Khan, of the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic in London, charges £7,500 per treatment and has worked on 18 women.
We do not endorse any one particularly and if you are their patients, please share your experience by Contacting us.
Want to help reduce that double chin?
ReplyDeleteThe ChinUp Mask can help to reduce the appearance of unwanted fat around the neck and chin while hydrating the skin.