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Real Scientific Advancement in Facial Rejuvenation
by
Dr. Paul S. Howard
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Stem cell enhanced fat transfer is without a doubt an important break-through in the field of facial rejuvenation. This is true partly because of the improved take of the transferred fat and, equally important, the stem cells release and stimulate the release of many growth factors which are a normal part of skin and fat biology, but are usually not present in quantities high enough to cause a change in the local biology of the skin. The term “stem cell” has become such an important marketing catch phrase that new products are delivered to the cosmetic industry almost weekly using “stem cell” to describe the active ingredient in their skin rejuvenating potion even though the “stem cells” are derived from herbs or other non-human tissue and may or may not provide the benefits claimed. Adult adipose derived stem cell biology is new and exciting, but the terminology is already being adulterated to be applied as a marketing ploy.
In addition to stem cells, we are advancing the use of Plasma Rich Protein (PRP) which increases the growth factors available to the stem cells and multiples the effectiveness of the stem cell enhancement. Plasma Rich Protein is obtained by drawing blood from the patient, processing the blood to PRP, activating the PRP as an adjunct with the stem cells and the processed fat for injection into the face.
The combination of minimal bruising and swelling facial procedures which are developed to address specific aging issues such as the perioral area, jawline and blending the mid-face lower eyelid junction as well as the judicious use of enhanced autologous fat, stem cells, and PRP make our facial rejuvenation are both unique and scientifically advanced for this day and time.
There is no reason to believe the FDA will expand its current practice intrusion to include autologous adipose derived stem cells, unaltered, and re-injected during the same office operative procedure.
None of the science described in this article is new or even controversial. It is the application of this known scientific knowledge, and our current understanding of facial aging, that make our technologies unique. We are in the process of studying the effects of adult adipose derived stem cells on wound healing, specifically the healing of superficial epidermal injuries as well as the healing of facial incisions and wound closures. It is known that ASC’s secrete angiogenic cytokines including VEGF, HGF, and FGF2 all of which increase angiogenesis vascularization and are thought to benefit wound healing.
Stem Cells, Fat Grafting, & Facelifts
The facelift operation as practiced by Board Certified Plastic Surgeons continues to relentlessly evolve as surgical science and cell biology uncover new applications which can be utilized to improve our already outstanding results. READ MORE
(Photos to be posted here very soon!)
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