Stem Cell Facelift – The Latest Buzz

The evolution of the facelift continues to break new ground.  From the traditional nip and tuck varieties to mini facelifts, weekend facelifts, liquid facelifts and now the stem cell facelift.  Is this latest approach just another name for existing techniques or a truly new facelift breakthrough?

Understanding Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cell treatments have been undergoing extensive study for all sorts of medical uses including cartilage regeneration, heart muscle repair, burn treatments, organ transplants and more.  Stem cells are naturally found in adult organs and tissues, including in the bone marrow, blood vessels, brain, skin, teeth, liver, heart and other areas.  Stems cells can be thought of as ‘non-specific’ cell types that are found in niches among ‘specific’ cell types.

For example, the heart is full of cells that are designated ‘heart’ cells but there are also ‘blank’ cells that stand at the ready to become whatever type of cell is needed in case of damage.  These are stem cells.  The use of adult stem cells is a completely separate medical field that avoids the raging controversy surrounding the use of human embryonic stem cells.

Defining Stem Cell Facelifts

True stem cell treatments involve harvesting cells from a specific type of organ or tissue and then undergoing a tedious scientific process to separate the programmed cells from the blank stem cells.  Adult stem cells, once harvested and identified, are then re-introduced to another area of the body where it is hoped that they will divide, repopulate and replace their tissue of origin.

A stem cell facelift refers to a procedure that hopes to harvest stem cells from adult fat from one area of a patient’s body and reinject it into the face to restore lost volume and to eliminate wrinkles.  During a stem cell facelift, a plastic surgeon removes small amounts of fat from the lower abdominal or buttocks area, processes it, and then reinjects it into cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, temples and other needed areas of the face.

Advocates say that the stem cells are separated from the surrounding cells and tissues through the use of particular devices, chemical injections or lasers where they repopulate and go to work creating strength and structure beneath the skin where older cells have died.  However, the cosmetic surgery industry is still in debate as to the particular nomenclature of the procedure. Harvesting fat and reinjecting it has been effectively utilized for decades under the name of fat grafting.  While stem cell facelifts certainly provide volume replacement, there is no scientific evidence that transferred stem cells are being ‘awakened’ or reprogrammed to do any actual work.

Stem Cell Facelift Advantages

While it remains unclear if stem cell facelifts provide significant advantages over traditional fat grafting procedures, they do seem to provide an option for facial rejuvenation that is less invasive than a traditional facelift and longer lasting than synthetic dermal fillers.

While most synthetic fillers break down and are reabsorbed by the body in 12-18 months, stem cell facelift results can last five years or more.  Another advantage is that there is little or no risk of allergic reaction or tissue rejection to the patient because the injected concoction is autologous, or retrieved from the patient’s own body.  Of course, the biggest advantage is a fuller, younger looking face.

Stem Cell Facelift Costs and Risks

Stem cell facelifts are estimated to cost between $4,000 and $8,000 depending on surgeon experience and geographical location.  Studies and research are ongoing and until full FDA approval is received, the full risks of stem cell facelifts are unknown.  As with any cosmetic injection procedure, there is a risk of bruising, swelling, redness at the injection site, lumps and general dissatisfaction with the end result.

About the Author:
Victoria Strander writes about the latest trends on enhancing and preserving beauty on her blog TheBeautyRules.com. This topic on “Stem Cell Facelift” is one of the many she writes about.