Stem Cell Lipo
The use of your own (autologous) stem cells to restore a more youthful appearance is available now. These therapies do not fall under the FDA's 'drug therapy' guidelines, because they do not involve drugs, merely your own fat being re-injected in the same operative session as the liposuction procedure to remove the fat. Also, the stem cells have been only minimally manipulated, and their use to enhance fat transfer does not alter the original biologic mission of the stem cell.
Cell Enhanced Fat Injections
Surgeons have been extracting fat cells since the early 1990s for the purpose of
re-injecting them into other tissue for over a decade. The process has not always
worked perfectly, however, and surgeons have learned that successful fat grafting
is highly dependent on the techniques used. As it turns out, some methods for extracting,
processing, and reinjection of fat cells results in high concentrations of adult
stem cells in the fat. This has produced not only long lasting results, but also
repairs in injured tissues.
To perform stem cell enhanced fat grafting, fat is first extracted by liposuction.
The fat is then processed to isolate, concentrate and activate the stem cells. Techniques
include centrifugation and chemically processing the extracted fat. Long lasting
results are only achieved with proper fat processing techniques. The fat must also
be re-injected in very small quantities and distributed through all tissue layers
to facilitate reestablishment of blood flow to the fat grafts.
Examples of stem cell enhanced fat transfers include:
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1. Face Fat Graft – This fat restores facial volume and rejuvenates facial tissues and skin. By increasing blood supply to tissues, it also makes tissue look younger. -
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2. Breast Augmentation – Fat injections provide a natural alternative to breast implants, and can continue to build fat in the breast subsequent to the 'transfer.
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3. Butt Lifts – Originally used for buttock enhancement, stem cell enhanced fat transfers are being used in body contouring to create an hourglass figure.
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4. Hand Rejuvenation – As in the face, this is not only a volume enhancement, but aged hand skin is revitalized by the fat transfer.
