Does Stem Cell Concentration/Enhancement Improve Facial Fat Transfer Survival Rate?

Doctors say they extract stem cells from some of the unused fat, and then add that to the fat to be injected, multiplying the stem cell density. Seems like it would be hard to have enough extra fat to do this for large areas but maybe for the face? Does this stem cell extraction/concentration work? Is there another technique besides a centrifuge?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Poster9 in San Diego, CA

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Stem Cell Transfer for Facial Rejuvenation is currently advertising Hype. There is promise in future.

The FDA specifically prohibits any claim of Stem Cell Transfer by the use of currently approved techniques-if a doctor is advertizing a promise of Stem Cell Transfer be very wary. Stem Cell Transfer will undoubtedly have a role in Facial Rejuvenation in the future but the best experts estimate that we are 15 years away from a clinically proven method. That said, there are stem cells present in fat that is harvested, and part of the method for harvesting stem cells involves... more

Does Stem Cell Concentration/Enhancement Improve Facial Fat Transfer Survival Rate?

Yet another good questions that does not have an absolute answer. There have been some remarkable claims made regarding the survival of fat after transfer/grafting, with or without stem cell concentration and enhancement, but not all of them are substantiated. The latter in particular is a relatively recent and unproven factor, at this stage. Most commonly, the fat survives to a variable and somewhat degree, which can be frustrating for all involved. Anticipating that... more

No magic with stem cells and fat transfer

There is good reason to believe that stem cells, which normalyl exist in fat tissue, might help the survival rate of fat transfer but little clinical evidence to back it up at the present time. So it is wise to be wary of the "stem cell facelift" and other clever names. For the amounts of fat that are normally used in facial rejuventation, survival is good without the extra time and expense of stem cell enhancement anyway.

Fat grafting and stem cells

Stem cells and their role in fat grafting is one of the most publicly misunderstood concepts in plastic surgery. The short answer is yes, the more stem cells you introduce to healing or engrafting tissues, the better the survival will likely be. However this becomes irrelevant in fat grafting. To understand this you must realize what stem cells are. They are simply a subset of cells called pericytes that line parts of the smallest capillaries in the body. They... more

Stem Cells and Fat Transfer

I have performed hundreds of fat transfers over the years for cosmetic as well as reconstructive defects. As one with a serious clinical interest and an avid reader of the stem cell /fat transfer literatrue I feel you are being truthful when you tell a patient that by harvesting their own fat, then processing it with certain techniques such as centrifugation, the lowest portion of the fat column has been repeatedly show to have as many as 350K stem cells per cc. Thats not hocus pokus, thats... more

Stem cells and fat transfer

Stem cells are likely to be the future of much of medicine. However, we still don't understand the technology enough to make it useful. Anyone advertising a "stem cell" anything is not being honest with the public. Some studies are coming out showing that stem cells are enhancing fat grafting survival, but the proper combination of stem cells vs fat has yet to be established. Also, there are potential complications associated with the use of stem cells and it is wise to wait... more

Stem cells and Fat transfer

There is a lot of hype around stem cells and their effects on tissue. While fat contains stem cells they probably are not clinically significant. Beware of physicians that advertise stem cell transfers or concentration. It is currently against all regulations to transfer purified stem cells into humans without FDA clearance and a specific research protocol. Many physicians advertising stem cell transfers do not actually purify anything and just transfer regular fat.

Stem Cells Promising But Unproven in Fat Transfer

Fat tissue contains stem cells in its connective tissues. Stem cells are being researched in many laboratories in the hopes of finding a growth factor or regenerative property that may have many uses in medicine. Although there is much enthusiasm for their potential, stem cells have not been shown to improve fat graft survival in humans to date. At present, the isolation of stem cells is unreliable and time consuming. If the cells have been out of the... more

Stem cells

If a Doctor tells you he/she is extracting stem cells, or injectind stem cells, or doing stem cell rejuvenation or stem cell face lift, then that Doctor is being untrueful. It is true that fat cells contain many stem cells, but we are unable to seperate these stem cells. Only highly specialized labs, One in Italy , one in Japan are seperating what they think are stem cells. In our offices and hospitals we are unable to seperate stem cells. People are using the word stem cells to... more

This is probably a marketing ploy.

It is very unlikely to be of any benefit at this time. I have attached a position paper from the ASPS that makes the point that there is no scientific basis for stem cell use is aesthetic surgery. There are Board Certified Surgeons that are using these claims too.