Stem Cells Rejuvenation

Stem cells are non-specialized cells, that is, they have not yet divided to be a specific and fully differentiated cell. This particular characteristic makes them extremely precious since they have the potential to be used to repair damaged organs and tissues. Adult stem cells can be found in many different tissues under different forms and at different quantities. In the last years, scientists discovered that certain layers of body fat are particularly rich in a type of interesting stem cells called mesenchymal stem cells. They are interesting because they have shown their capacity to differentiate not only into adipocytes (fat storage cells) but also – among others – into chondrocytes or osteocytes (cartilage or bone cells) myocytes (muscle cells) and fibroblasts (dermal cells).
Like many other tissues, skin is affected by aging, which can be accelerated by a whole bunch of external factors such as sun exposure, tobacco consumption, air pollution or inappropriate food consumption. From a chemical view point these aggressions increase cellular oxidation and the production of free radicals, toxic to the cells. Skin’s ability to regenerate also decreases with time as vascularization decreases and number of collagen fibers diminishes leading to skin thinning and sagging. Injected locally these stem cells have also shown, as reported in the scientific literature, their capacity to increase local collagen production and vascularization. Many articles also report a consequent increase of skin thickness and a reduction of wrinkles.
The stem cell rejuvenation plus at our clinic is based on the last findings published in the scientific literature, constantly updated, approved by an expert committee and applied only by certified esthetic surgeons.
It includes the patient’s fat collection phase, realized through a specific liposuction process, the fat processing, in our certified clean room under strictly aseptic conditions, the cells purification and concentration and the patient’s treatment phase. Through this protocol only the patient tissues and cells are used and any immunocompatibility is therefore avoided.
Furthermore, a complete internistic checkup by our specialist will be performed. This checkup includes a complete laboratory analysis, an extensive patient interview including an in depth physical examination. Diagnostic imaging, including thorax X-ray as well as echocardiograms will be performed.
The stem cell rejuvenation plus offers you the ideal medical checkup combined with the most state-of-the-art anti-aging technology, performed by our experienced doctors. Because your health matters to us.

Information on the procedure
Regenerative medicine through the use of stem cells is to repair tissue damaged by trauma or abuse and to prevent and slow the aging of the skin. So this is a curative and preventive treatment.

Extraction
The first stage of the treatment is to isolate stem cells from fat. A fat sample is taken to in the operating theatre by syringe liposuction in a non-aggressive manner, so as not to harm the cells. Depending on the patient’s sensitivity, the gesture may be performed under local anesthesia or sedation and local anesthesia. It is not a very painful procedure requiring analgesia by paracetamol for a period of 24 to 48h.
In order to meet all sterility precautions, the intervention must be performed in the operating theatre. A bacteriological test will also be performed on the fat sample at arrival and departure of the laboratory. If the grease is contaminated, the treatment will be aborted. The sampling area will be preselected in consultation according to the patient’s anatomy. Regularly used areas are the abdomen, lower back or legs (thighs, inner knees).
Before the intervention, serology for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C must have been made in the patient to protect the sterility of the laboratory that will process the stem cells. Without these tests, fat samples will be refused.

Treatment of cells
After collection, the fat, maintained in a sterile transport device, is carried in a laboratory specializing in the collection of stem cells. Stem cells are then extracted and quantified by a specific account. This is a concentration not a setting in cell culture avoiding any risk of malignancy.
By late afternoon, the doctor is informed by telephone by the laboratory of the number of stem cells that have been isolated. He can decide how many cells he wants to use for further treatments. Unused extracted stem cells may be retained by the laboratory for cryo-preservation for future use. The laboratory maintains cells for a minimum period of 10 years. This period may be extended on request of the patient.

Reinjection
The second stage of processing is performed on the following day of collection. The cells then are sent to re-injection in the evening or the next day. They are injected every square cm under the skin in the subcutaneous fat by mesotherapy using a fine needle. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia (numbing cream or nerve block) or light sedation on an outpatient basis.
If lipofilling was made the day before, the treated area will also be injected. Stem cells also increase the local vascularization of tissues and decrease the rate of resorption of the injected fat in order to optimize the final result.