In an era when everyone feels the pressure to look young and beautiful, new facelift procedures are frequently offered that promise to turn back time and remove the signs of facial aging. The latest trend in face lift treatments is creating more effective non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. One of the latest non-surgical facial treatments is the stem cell facelift. While some consider the use of stem cells in plastic surgery to be a revolutionary advance, others insist that there is no evidence of their effectiveness yet. Explore this article to find out how the procedure is done, how much it costs, and how long the results last.
what is not
A stem cell facelift is not an actual facelift. A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves incisions, lifting of facial skin, and reorganization of tissues. The stem cell procedure does not involve incisions in the facial area.
It is also important to note that this treatment does not involve the use of embryonic stem cells, the use of which in medical research is highly controversial. Instead, it involves the use of adult stem cells taken from the patient’s own fat tissue. These cells are building blocks from which other cells can be made.
How it is performed
The procedure is carried out in three stages. During the first phase, the surgeon performs liposuction surgery to remove fat cells from another part of the body. The amount of fat removed during this phase is not enough to affect the appearance of the donor area, so you will not receive additional body contouring during this treatment. During the next stage, the surgeon processes the fat cells to increase the concentration of stem cells and purify the tissues. During the final phase, the surgeon injects the purified fat and stem cell mixture into the patient’s face.
Surgeons who offer this treatment believe that the injection stimulates the production of growth factors in the skin. This in turn leads to increased production of new skin cells and facial fat. Also, the injected solution plumps up facial tissues, thus smoothing out lines such as wrinkles. Injections are especially useful for rejuvenating the upper part of the face.
How much is it?
This treatment is offered by relatively few plastic surgeons. You’ll most likely have to fly to a big city, like Los Angeles or New York, to find a doctor to do it for you. Prices vary depending on the surgeon and whether the injections will be performed in conjunction with a surgical procedure, such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery. The current price of the stem cell facelift ranges from $6,000 to $15,000.
How long does results last?
Stem cell injections are similar to injections of other facial fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane. As with these treatments, the effects of stem cell injections diminish over time as the injected substance is slowly absorbed by the body. This is also similar to what happens after fat transfer breast augmentation. Although absorption of the injected substance cannot be prevented, the youthful effect of the injections can be prolonged by regular follow-up treatments. Additionally, facelift patients might consider combining the treatment with other injectables, such as Sculptra and Botox. Eventually, however, the patient may need to undergo a facelift surgical procedure to treat signs of aging in the lower and mid-face. The good news is that non-surgical treatments can greatly postpone the time when you’ll need a surgical lift.