The Stem Cell Face Lift – an Experimental Rejuvenating Procedure

Nowadays you can see many reviews on the stem cell face lift in various medical and cosmetic magazines. The opinions are various – some specialists say that this rejuvenating procedure is the future of the face lift without surgery industry, while others claim that it is only a scam.

Let’s see for ourselves how this treatment works and which are its advantages and downsides .

Just like the liquid face lift, the stem cell lift is an injectable treatment meant to replace the fullness of the face which was lost as a result of the aging process. However, instead of the chemical dermal fillers used during the liquid face lift procedures, the stem cell face lift involves the use of the person’s own fat.

The fat is considered an important reservoir of adult stem cells. These cells have the potential to transform themselves according to the needs of the body. Because of this function, specialists believe that they can repair, stimulate and rejuvenate different types of tissues, including our facial epidermis.

During the stem cell face lift, the fat cells are transferred to the face from other areas of the body, such as the abdomen. In some cases, the specialists try to manipulate the fat cells in order to extract a higher concentration of stem cells. The technologies which separate the stem cells from fat are not yet scientifically proven or FDA approved. This is why most specialists use the patient’s fat as it is – usually it contains significant amounts of stem cells. Moreover, there is no evidence that a higher concentration of stem cells will have better rejuvenating results.

The fat transfer itself is a field that still needs exploration. While it undoubtedly works, there are too many unknown factors involved in the entire process, that’s why it’s impossible for specialists to claim that the procedure is completely safe.

Of course, the stem cell face lift is much less invasive than plastic surgery or other popular treatments. After being taken from the abdomen, the fat cells are injected into the face. Besides adding volume and lifting different sagging areas of the facial skin (cheeks, nasolabial folds, frown lines) the fat cells also get accepted by the body, as a result growing and multiplying themselves. This process can be compared to an organ transplant – after transfer, the function of the cells should continue in the new place. helping to increase the blood circulation and the renewing properties of the tissue.

Who are the best candidates for a stem cell face lift? If the signs of aging are not too advanced in your case and you want to slow down the development of deep wrinkles, then this procedure might work for you. It will add plumpness to your facial skin, tightening it and stopping the neck skin from sagging.

During the procedure, there are no incisions involved. You will be given local anesthesia and afterward the stem cells will be injected in the needed areas. The entire treatment may take up to one hour. The cost of the stem cell face lift ranges between $5000 and $15000. The recovery time is relatively short.

The effects of this face lift without surgery will last approximately five years (unlike the results of synthetic dermal fillers, which last from 6 to 9 months). Not all the transplanted fat will remain in its place – some will get reabsorbed by the body, but about fifty percent will remain in its new location. Moreover, the injected cells will not be rejected by the body – after all, they are the patient’s own cells!

At the same time, it would be fair to say that the stem cell face lift is unpredictable. Because this procedure is still in its experimental stage, it’s hard to determine exactly how long the rejuvenating effects will last. There are many factors which can influence the endurance of the newly transferred cells, among which we could name the age, the habits and the lifestyle of the patient.

Some unpleasant side-effects may occur after a stem cell face lift. For example, an unsuccessful treatment may cause swelling, lumps and asymmetry, sometimes even an infection. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon! Another possible complication is the development of a fat cell embolism – it happens if the injected fat gets into the bloodstream of the patient. This unfortunate scenario is extremely rare and can be prevented by choosing a skilled surgeon.

When it comes to having a face lift without surgery, there are countless options to choose from. Only natural means are absolutely safe, having no negative repercussions on the patient’s health. All artificial procedures, unfortunately, have their price. If you’re willing to pay it (usually the price involves much more than money), then you should definitely give them a try!