Are stem cells holy grail of anti-ageing?
Each week our experts Dr AAMER KHAN and LESLEY REYNOLDS bring you the latest beauty news and anti-ageing advice
THERE’S a real buzz around stem cell therapy in the beauty world. Actor and comedian John Cleese recently told BBC Radio 2 that he’s been using stem cell therapy for a number of years.
“I think stem cell therapy is the most extraordinary thing,” said the 79-year-old.
“I’ve been doing that for some years and the astonishing thing is that you don’t hear much about it. I look younger than my age and it’s entirely down to stem cell therapy.”
Although it is unknown what type of therapy the Fawlty Towers star has been receiving, he’s clearly thrilled with the results and joins a long list of other A-listers who have also used the cutting edge treatment.
But what are stem cells? Everyone has them, no matter what their age. Like the body’s inbuilt repair kit, stem cells can transform into other cells, such as fat, blood vessels and even bone. When
they are injected, they can travel to the site of an injury and promote repair.
Stem cell treatments have been successfully used in the medical world for over 50 years. However they are now being recognised in the beauty world for their regenerative power.
The latest clinic treatments lift, plump and rejuvenate the skin and body using the patient’s own stem cells.As the cells are your own, there’s no risk of rejection or allergy. But stem cell therapy is by no means a lunchtime fix. It requires a high degree of skill, the process can be lengthy and as John Cleese admits, it can be expensive. Here we share the latest treatments to look out for.
THE FACE LIFT
What is it? Traditional facelifts tighten skin but do not add volume or improve skin tone. With this non-surgical
technique, the muscles and deeper structures of the face are tightened to produce a lift.There is also an improvement in the blood supply, which improves skin tone from the inside out.
What happens? First fat is removed from the stomach or thighs. Stem cells are then harvested and the fat is purified. The two are then combined and injected into areas of the face that need a boost, such as the cheeks, undereye hollows, jawline and temples.
The stem cells trigger blood vessel and tissue growth, which enables the fat to stay put in its new location.
The treatment takes four to six hours and results in slight bruising and swelling. Results continue to improve in the weeks after treatment as the stem cells work their magic.
Expect to pay from £7,000.
THE HAIR REVIVER
What is it? The Regenera procedure can not only prevent hair loss but also help reverse it, restoring growth and colour.
YOUNG AT HEART: John Cleese
What happens? Carried out using local anaesthetic, the process involves implanting stem cells into the scalp to trigger tissue regeneration, which in turn boosts hair growth. A small section of skin and fat rich in stem cells is taken from a donor site, typically the nape of the neck.The harvested sample is then treated to extract growth factors, which are then injected back into the scalp. The treatment takes
around two hours and regrowth will be seen over the following month. Results last two to six years, depending on lifestyle and hormonal factors.
THE SKIN BOOSTER
What is it? Nanografting is a new filler treatment, ideal for more delicate areas such as around the eyes, neck or decolletage, that erases fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, nanografted fat with stem cells is natural and helps rejuvenate skin by boosting collagen and elastin production.
What happens? Similar to the stem cell facelift, but the process uses an ultra-thin cannula, which means much smaller particles of fat can be extracted.This allows for treatment of particularly delicate areas of the face and body. The treatment takes a couple of hours and there will be some swelling and/or minor bruising.
Expect to pay from £2,000.
● For advice on cosmetic surgery, consult your GP. For more of Lesley’s tips, visit lesleyreynolds.com