Can you explain the difference between facial fat grafting and stem cell or Growth factor facelift?

Question

Is there a difference between how these are done?

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Fat grafting to the face refers to a process whereby your own fat is harvested, purified, and then used as a filler to fill in or augment areas of your face.  You fat does contain your own stem cells.  Sometime doctors will use stem cell purchased from other sources to either inject or add to a filler.  This is not an FDA approved procedure.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Good question! Facial fat grafting involves harvesting of fat cells from areas like lower abdomen or thighs, and transferring those cells to the face for use as filler to improve areas that are depressed or need augmentation for contour. This is often done within the smile lines, nasolabial folds, cheeks and forehead regions. It is an effective and longer lasting option than other fillers. So-called vampire stem cell facelift involves drawing blood from an individual, spinning it down and then injecting serum with stem cells into the face.  It is supposed to thicken the collagen layer and rejuvenate the face. However there is no scientific evidence that this actually works and the procedure is NOT approved by the FDA! Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in our area for a full evaluation and exploration into the best options for you. Good luck.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

They are basically the same thing, but the latter are presently a marketing gimmick to get you to pay more and are nor scientifically proven to be any more effective than fat grafting alone. Both are only as good at achieving facelift like results as the problem you start with. In properly selected patients, you can achieve excellent long lasting results with fat transfer, which does, by the way, even if you do not concentrate them, have stem cells present.If you are considering this, make sure you see someone who has been doing it for a good while and gets excellent results.

Can you explain the difference between facial fat grafting and stem cell or Growth factor facelift?

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