13 May Stem Cell Facelift
Stem Cell Facelift
There are numerous reports and claims that stem cell technology is the wave of the future. They have been linked to countless medical applications, and cosmetic procedures are no exception. One of the newest plastic surgical procedures is the so-called “stem cell facelift”. So what is all the fuss about? What does it mean to perform a “stem cell facelift”? Is this the new wave of the future or are these claims of a face lift without the surgery unfounded?
Stem Cell Facelift Theory
Stem cells theoretically work by improving skin quality through a process called collagen remodeling. Stem cells are harvested by taking fat from a patient then refining that fatty tissue in a specific manner. The stem cells found within patients fat contain a host of growth factors. These factors have been claimed to improve skin quality by repairing photo damaged skin and also by increasing the basic elasticity of the skin. The term “stem cell facelift” refers to the harvest, preparation, and then injection of these cells into the patient’s face. Some doctors claim that this process is equivalent to a standard “surgical” facelift without the surgery. So does it work?
Procedure-
A recent article in the March issue of the Aesthetic Journal of Surgery says no! The article reviewed the literature in a very methodical and scientific fashion and found no evidence to support any of the claims that the use of stem cells can accomplish the goals being touted. In fact the authors of the article went so far as to say “Stem cell facelifting, as advertised, is essentially a gimmick and amounts to pure fiction. It is certainly not a replacement for surgical facelifting.”
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Fact or fiction article about stem cell role here.