What are stem cells? Features and prospects of application in cosmetology. The main sources of biomaterial, how the procedure takes place, price and results.
Stem cells are the core of life for all cells and tissues of the human body. In recent years, the rumor about them has not subsided, and in a very different context. They are extracted from the umbilical cord and used in bone marrow transplantation, injections are made for aging skin and offered to be frozen "in reserve". Let's find out what justifies the high hopes of cosmetology.
What are stem cells?
In the photo are mesas
Stem cells are the source of formation of all cells in the body, they do not have a pronounced specialization, that is, they are undifferentiated. Subsequently, they turn into a variety of body cells, components of blood, brain, elements of the skin and muscle tissue, can perform various functions. But the main thing is that along with this they have a unique ability to self-renew!
Interesting! The term "stem cell" was introduced by the Russian scientist A. Maksimov over 100 years ago.
Stem cells are different. Some transform only into a certain type of cells, while others - into different types, in other words, they can become nervous, and bone, and blood. For example, blood stem cells produce only their own kind, while embryonic ones have tremendous potential and are considered "multifunctional", because they are programmed by nature itself to create life.
Where do stem cells come from:
- From the tissue of the embryo … To obtain them, aborted material is used: liver, pancreas, and the brain of human embryos. The gestational age of the fetus is usually 9-12 weeks. Further, the biomaterial is cultivated in a substance, the composition of which is similar to blood serum. The resulting embryo stem cells are checked to ensure they are free of viruses and then stored in liquid nitrogen. Such a biomaterial shows the highest activity, but its use is associated with a very high risk of developing unpredictable consequences up to oncology.
- From the umbilical cord of newborns and the placenta … Umbilical cord blood must be destroyed, although in fact it is one of the most promising sources from where stem cells can be obtained. The biomaterial is taken at the time of the birth of the child. In many countries, there are even special banks where it is stored, and they use it not only for rejuvenation, but also for the treatment of complex diseases (more than 60). Umbilical cord stem cells are most often used within the same family.
- From adipose tissue … The biomaterial is obtained from the patient himself. In this case, we can talk about the simplest method of cellular rejuvenation, which, moreover, is not related to ethical norms and legislative problems. It is also important that stem cells from their own tissues are not rejected, do not carry the risk of oncology, as they are more mature than other types.
- From bone marrow … In this case, a pelvic biopsy is performed, within which a biomaterial is taken from the iliac bones of the human pelvis. Further, on its basis, in special laboratory conditions, a multimillion colony is cultivated. For 1-1, 5 months the number of stem cells from the bone marrow grows to 200 million, then they start injections.
Note! In a number of countries, the use of embryonic stem cells is subject to serious ethical restrictions. However, adult cells are less capable.
Prospects for the use of stem cells
Stem cells are a huge field for future research. It seems incredible, but they are able to repair damaged tissue. For example, they are activated upon injury, illness and replace cells that have begun to die off, providing invaluable support to our health.
Human stem cells are considered promising for the treatment of numerous human diseases that bother him throughout his life. Their list includes ailments of the cardiovascular system, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and even cancer. Several types of stem cell transplantation, such as bone marrow, are already available to patients, and their safety and effectiveness have been confirmed by many studies.
The best example of the use of human stem cells is bone marrow transplantation in a patient with leukemia: it was with this procedure that the successful experience of their use began. For the first time such a transplant, which is accompanied by the replacement of elements of the hematopoietic system, was carried out by the American doctor D. Thomas in 1969, and in 1990 he received the Nobel Prize. Since then, this method of treating leukemia has remained relevant, but stem cell research has not stopped. About 200 global companies operate in this area, mainly from the USA, Western Europe, India, China and Japan, with a capitalization of more than $ 2 billion.
The possibilities of cell therapy in the field of cosmetology are no less outstanding than the treatment of serious diseases; when using anti-aging stem cells, it will be possible to delay aging and age-related changes in the skin. The topic of their application has remained hot for several decades, such rejuvenation is widely praised in commercials.
Of course, this technology is the future, but one must understand that the research is not yet completed, and many revolutionary statements by cosmetologists are nothing more than a marketing move based on the ordinary person's ignorance of the features of biotechnology. For example, stem cells will not replace aging skin or provide a rejuvenating effect for the next 20 years after the procedure has been performed.
Despite the outstanding capabilities of stem cells in the United States, only one type of therapy is officially approved, which is to support hematopoiesis, although there are many clinics that offer to buy stem cells and provide a variety of services for their use. However, this is not a purely American phenomenon, a similar situation is observed in a number of other countries.
In Russia, stem cells began to be used only at the beginning of 2017. There are still quite a few dubious technologies for using biomaterials. It is also important to make sure that these are indeed stem cells and not simple cellular material.
Note! Stem cell research continues to this day. Abortion materials are often used for these purposes.
Indications and contraindications for cellular rejuvenation
Stem cells are initially present in any organism, but their supply decreases with age. By the age of 20, they practically do not remain, which affects the regenerative abilities of a person, and after 30, the aging process begins. That is why stem cell transplantation is considered a new era in cosmetology, since it can be used to return the missing amount, to restore the functions of aging skin.
The principle of skin rejuvenation with stem cells is the cultivation of the material taken from the donor and its subsequent introduction to the patient. A young body needs about 20-35 million stem cells in one procedure. But for women of age suffering from various diseases, this is not enough, and their number rises to 200 million.
Modern cell therapy is suitable for the vast majority of people; it can be combined with other facial rejuvenation techniques. For example, various cosmetic procedures, even plastic surgery, are not prohibited.
Indications for beauty injections:
- Age from 40 years;
- Age-related skin changes;
- Pigmentation;
- Vascular mesh;
- Individual features of the skin;
- Scars and marks after acne.
There are many contraindications to the use of stem cells. They include hemophilia, chronic viral infection, acute thrombosis. It is impossible to carry out rejuvenation in a similar way, if inflammation occurs in the vessels, a person suffers from secondary pulmonary hypertension due to vascular pathology. A categorical prohibition is imposed on tumor diseases.
How does the stem cell rejuvenation procedure take place?
The photo shows how stem cell rejuvenation is done
The properties of stem cells in cosmetology are not fully understood, and their application is still at the research stage. It is difficult to predict the result when using an extraneous biomaterial from another person, since he can behave unpredictably. For this reason, in cosmetology clinics, stem cells taken from the patient himself are used.
How the stem cell rejuvenation procedure works:
- Survey … The patient undergoes clinical and diagnostic studies, the result of which is the drawing up of the "Health Passport". Also, he is waiting for computer diagnostics of the skin, within the framework of which its condition (biological age) is compared with the hypothesized one after a course of stem cell injections. A detailed examination will help ensure that the patient is ready for rejuvenation.
- Stem cell collection … After the diagnosis, the doctor takes biomaterials for further cultivation of the colony. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is essentially a mini-liposuction. The biomaterial can be stored in a stem cell bank and used at any time, even after 30 or 50 years.
- Reproduction of cells … The biomaterial is sent to a culture laboratory, where biotechnologists begin to work on it. Stem cells are isolated from the sample, which are multiplied within 3-8 weeks. Next, the youngest will be selected from among them.
- Stem cell injections … They are made directly into the necessary areas, having previously agreed with the patient. Can be injected into the skin of the face, neck, etc. The procedure for the introduction of stem cells is carried out according to international protocols.
- Result evaluation … The first changes are noticeable a few weeks after the stem cell injection, but the full effect can be assessed within 1-3 months. The effectiveness of rejuvenation is determined by the individual characteristics of the human body and differs in each case.
- Storage of biomaterial … The unused stem cell concentrate is stored in a special jar, where conditions for its deep freezing are created, and it can be used for further procedures for many years. Cryostorage of the biomaterial after the stem cells have been frozen is confirmed by the issuance of a special certificate.
Stem cell rejuvenation results
The photo shows the results of stem cell rejuvenation
The effect of stem cell injections, according to cosmetologists, appears after 1-3 months. First of all, one can note an improvement in general well-being, a surge of strength, and cheerfulness. Visual changes in a person's appearance are also noticeable.
As a result of the use of stem cells, the face acquires a healthy color, skin tone and turgor increase, fine wrinkles disappear, and deep folds become less noticeable. At the same time, dryness of the skin, its numerous flaws disappear, the aging process is suspended.
Researchers claim that the effect lasts for 1 year, and then the procedure is recommended to be repeated. Although the clinics speak about stem cells in an optimistic light, they talk about the growing effect of rejuvenation up to 5 years, they promise to roll back the biological time and provide the skin's natural protection from aging for many years.
Together with the injections of stem cells, the clinics propose to carry out additional procedures for rejuvenation, such actions are aimed at insuring themselves in the event of a lack of result. For example, mesotherapy has long been known as an effective way to help smooth out wrinkles.
Thus, the clinics do not give any guarantees, that is, positive changes may not occur, even if the stem cell transplantation procedure is successful, and do not take responsibility in case of various consequences. In addition, there are absolutely no forecasts for the future, it is not known what will happen in 10-20 years, since the area has not been fully explored, and research is still ongoing.
The cost of stem cell rejuvenation
Cellular rejuvenation is very expensive. The minimum cost of the procedure is $ 2,450 if the patient is young and healthy, and the injections are performed in order to slow down the aging process. The older a person is, the more biomaterial he will need, and the more expensive the service will be. The maximum stem cell price is $ 22,000. Experts justify such a high cost, because their cultivation is a complex process and requires high expensive technologies.
If you are offered cell therapy at lower prices, you should be wary, there is a high probability that the drug will not be related to stem cells.
Note! Stem cell rejuvenation is cheaper to carry out in public research institutes.
The price of stem cell injections in well-known world clinics is presented in the table:
| Clinic | Country city | Price, $ |
| JK Plastic Surgery | South Korea, Seoul | 4000-9000. |
| Liv hospital | Turkey, Istanbul | On request |
| Motol University Hospital | Czech Republic, Prague | 22000 |
| Banobagi | South Korea, Seoul | 2450 |
| Wellness Center Vitallife | Thailand, Bangkok | On request |
| Anka Plastic Surgery Clinic | Turkey, Istanbul | 2500-3000 |
| Institute of Cell Therapy | Ukraine, Kiev | 17500 |
| Precision Medical Center | Belarus, Minsk | 2600-12000 |
The most famous centers practicing cellular rejuvenation in Russia:
- Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology;
- Human Stem Cell Institute;
- Group of clinics "Pyramid";
- Institute of Biological Medicine;
- Clinic "Versage";
- Novosibirsk Research Institute of Clinical Immunology.
What are stem cells - watch the video:
