REGENERATION OF TISSUE USING OWN CELLS
smoothes out wrinkles and folds. Using growth factors from your own plasma, damaged or aged skin is regenerated. The result is smoother, elastic and younger skin, and the production of new collagen. Due to the use of own plasma, the product injected is 100% biocompatible, hence eliminating allergic reactions and problems of compatibility.
THE TECHNIQUE – PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP)
Has been used in reconstructive surgery for some time now, and has been particularly successful in tissue reconstruction, accelerated wound healing and others. To stimulate regeneration of tissue that is aged or damaged, the technique consists of isolating growth factors found in platelets (own blood) by separating platelet rich plasma from red and white blood cells. Injection of this separated (treated) blood into the dermis facilitates the reconstruction of tissue and furthermore stimulates fibroblast (the producer of collagen) and stem cells. The result is thickening of the skin and consequently smoothing of lines and folds.
THE PROCEDURE
A minimal amount of blood (40ml) is drawn from the patient, followed by centrifugation of blood to separate blood cells from plasma containing blood platelets. Activation takes place through a reagent (i.e. calcium solution). The product is then Injected into the dermis through mesotherapy or directly into affected area.
BEST SUITED FOR:
- The face, specifically cheeks, around the eyes, lips and chin
- The neck and cleavage
- Hands
Due to the relative simplicity and non-invasiveness of the procedure, there is no down-time and no post-treatment protocol to follow.
FACIAL REGENERATION
The terms fat injection and fat transfer refer to the process of taking fat from the parts of the body which contain enough fat to be harvested (abdomen, external part of the thighs) and injecting it into your facial area (or other area). The goal of the procedure is to add fullness to the face, lips, buttocks or hands. Facial fat injections give some lifting to the general facial structure.
A fat injection adds fat to the area beneath the skin, and has the effect of ‘filling out the face’ giving it a more youthful appearance. In addition to filling out wrinkles in the face, highly purified fat injections also enhance the blood circulation in the tissues. This is because there are a small number of stem cells that are collected and concentrated during the fat processing. Thus, a small number of stem cells are re-injected into the face.
These cells will regenerate not only the dermal cells but also micro vessels, hence allowing the results to be long lasting. This is clearly facial regeneration.
WHEN TO USE FAT INJECTIONS
Fat injections are commonly used to rejuvenate the lips, bags under the eyes, cheeks and chin.
Patients may be familiar with the use of fat injections for lip augmentation, but there are many other uses in the face. For example, fat injections can also be used to lessen the lines around the mouth, fill out depressions in the cheeks and chin or as an all purpose filler in the face. It is also ideal in dealing with acne scars or any other imperfections which are accentuated by age. On consultation, patients may be advised to combine fat injections and Fraxel treatment (check out our site for more information on Fraxel treatments).
Popular belief is that fat injections “do not last”. This is not the case. When properly done, a large percentage of the injected fat cells do indeed survive and are permanent. However, since some fat cells are indeed lost, the effect of the fat transfer is not as visible after a few weeks. It is also a fact that there is some initial swelling induced by the intervention which subsides after some days. For this reason, we tend to “overcorrect”, or inject more than we need to, knowing that after a few weeks the final result will be more to the patient’s liking. If we inject less, the patient may be happy with the initial result, but be disappointed over time as the results ‘disappear’. The swelling induced by over-correction normally lasts one week.
THE PROCEDURE
Fat injections can be done under local or sedation anaesthesia. Using small syringes, fat is harvested from the hip, inner or outer thigh, lower back, or lower abdomen. The fat is then processed in a special centrifuge, and is then injected into the desired area. When performed properly, a large percentage of the fat transfer will stay and the face will fill out to look more youthful.
TAKE AWAY – PERSONALISED SKIN CARE
… and the treatment does not end at the clinic. Our patients can choose to benefit from a “take-away” product composed of one’s own cells or PRP, combined by the doctor with a serum, which they can apply to the treated area over three months.
This combination gives you a truly personalised cosmetic experience, replacing all other over the counter creams and serums. The objective is to continue stimulating the skin post-injection with a product that is safe, non-allergenic and bio regenerating.
The serum should be placed in a safe, cool refrigerator and is to be used only by the patient. It is purely autologous, hence not to be shared with others. It is ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The platelets and stem cells are preserved by the serum allowing for a stimulation of own collagen and elastin for renewed firmness and elasticity.