Okay, so I don’t know if it is just me but it seems that every couple of months there is some new, invasive, miracle treatment that has found the illusive ‘fountain of youth.’
I have got a new one for y’all and I want you to let me know what you think. The newest fad procedure, the “stem cell facelift,” involves injecting your own stem cells and fat cells into your face for an alleged rejuvenating effect.
Several cosmetics, nutraceuticals and device makers claim either to use stem cells in their products or to use ingredients that activate the customer’s own stem cells but several scientists have voiced their opinion regarding the advertising claims on many of these products and procedures.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery agrees with many of these scientists – there is no bases in scientific evidence that these new products provide any of the benefits they claim to.
Also, although stem cells have incredible potential for cosmetic procedures no one has conducted any testing on them for that specific reason.
But the facilities that offer some of these treatments claim that the procedure is safe and effective. Some claims state that human fat is an excellent source of adult stem cells and by transplanting the carefully harvested fat, they eliminate any potential for an allergic reaction because it comes from your body and goes back into your skin.
So lets talk, what’s your side? Yeah or nah? Is there any validity or better yet, have you had one, tell us your side…….
Fat transplantation into the face or anywhere within the body have a couple of hurdles to overcome. I sat in on a conference American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons a couple of years ago. The issues re: fat transplantation pertained more to fat harvesting. Do you centrifuge it - do you not? Does the time between harvest and transplanting effect the success? There were arguments both ways and merit towards both.
Evidently the harvesting process is critical to what they believe will result in success transplantation. At that time, and still is the case, this has not been proven - the best means, approach to harvesting, caring for the harvest and transplanting. At best, less than 50% of the transplanted fat was retained in the transplanted location and the cost of the process did NOT justify the success of less than 50% life of the fat maintained.
Stem cell facelift again, faces the similar quandry as does fat transplantation. And one has to ask as a consumer, does the cost justify the success percentage. Not yet!
Thank you so much for your insight, its great to get feedback from someone with a great reputation in the spa industry, thanks again for the info.