Plastic Surgery and Stem Cell Research - What We Can Expect

Researchers, scientists and physicians are continually looking for ways to enhance the technology and tools involved in plastic surgery. By making more procedures more readily available to a larger population, the industry has virtually exploded in recent decades. Innovations have minimized risk, reduced side effects, and nearly eliminated most complications. Plastic surgery is safer than ever and is even becoming more reasonable in price. 

Recent innovations and discoveries in Japan and Europe are now promoting stem cell therapies as new ways to keep your youthful appearance longer. Stem cells are very early developmental cells that are found within a developing fetus or embryo. As a cell matures, it is given a job and grows into a particular type of cell that will do that job for the rest of its life. However, there is a period after the cell is produced and before it is given a job in which it has the potential to do any job. Similar to a high school student about to graduate and on the cusp of many life opportunities, a stem cell can choose to go to college or travel or stay at home and continue living with their parents. It is these stem cells that scientists have been harvesting for many different uses.

The body does not make new stem cells as we get older. However, in theory if you put stem cells from a developing body into a particular location in your own body, you may be able to give those high school students a new job. Stem cells have been proposed as the solution to some brain disorders in which brain tissue is damaged or atrophies over time. By replacing the tissue, you should theoretically be able to replace the function. 

However, many US plastic surgeons warn against this type of treatment for many plastic surgery procedures. There are a few reasons to be wary of these phenomenal claims:

- Clinical evidence is still slim regarding stem cell use in plastic surgery procedures and more research and testing is needed. 

- There are specific guidelines for human medical studies that need to be followed if stem cell use is performed in conjunction with surgery within the United States.

- The FDA has implemented a set of strict guidelines regarding the use of stem cells and this is for a very good reason. Plastic surgeons within the United States are bound by the FDA regulations while utilizing instruments and performing procedures within this country. 

It is important to differentiate between standard fat grafting procedures and those that harvest and implant only stem cells. Even with normal fat grafting, a small amount of stem cells are naturally present and naturally transferred. This is not the same as stem cell use for specific plastic surgery procedures.