Cell Therapy
Cell therapy involves transplanting cells from either your own body or a donor to rejuvenate the skin on the face or body and to repair skin damage. The transplanted cells encourage collagen production to restore the skin’s structure. The specialised cells in the skin responsible for forming collagen are called fibroblasts, so these are the specific cells which are harvested in a laboratory and injected or sprayed into the damaged area to boost collagen production. The technique also encourages the skin to heal, so it is popular for treating scarred, burned or wounded skin.
There are currently several methods of cell therapy used for facial rejuvenation in the UK: Vavelta, MyCells. The techniques used are different for each treatment.
Am I a Candidate? Cell therapy uses cells to help repair and rejuvenate areas of damaged skin, so it is ideal for those who wish to plump and smooth scars, lines or wrinkles.
Before Treatment
It is important to have a careful discussion with your practitioner before cell therapy treatment so that you can outline your goals and see whether this treatment can deliver the results that you want. It may be that dermal fillers could be a more effective solution.
During Treatment:
Treatment will vary depending upon the type of cell therapy you are having.
With a Vavelta treatment, there is no need for a biopsy as the treatment uses donor cells. Rather than being sprayed, these are injected directly into the treatment area using a fine needle. You may need repeat procedures with this technique to achieve lasting results.
Finally, the MyCell treatment starts with your physician taking a blood sample, which is separated so that the physician can harvest the platelet-rich plasma. This plasma is then injected just under the surface of the skin to plump and rejuvenate the skin.
Recovery:
Following a cell therapy treatment, the skin may be a little red and sore but there should be little bruising or swelling. After treatment, the treated area will heal and change over a period of weeks and months, with skin tone and texture improving over several months as the new cells grow. You should be able to return to your normal activities the day following treatment.
Benefits :
Cell therapy is a skin rejuvenation treatment that usually involves injecting new skin cells into ageing areas to even skin tone, plump and smooth the skin.
Types of Cell Therapy
MyCells is a new treatment, which uses stem cells from your own blood to regenerate your skin. These ingredients are found in the platelet-rich plasma of your blood. Once injected into your skin, these substances will accelerate the normal healing process by encouraging new collagen formation in the injected area to rejuvenate your skin.
Risks and Complications:
While the skin may be a little red, itchy and sore following treatment, cell therapy comes with few serious side effects. Rare risks and complications include reactions to the anaesthetic, post-surgical infections (requiring antibiotics to treat) and possible swelling, bruising or skin discolouration that may last for several days.
Cost:
Costs for cell therapy treatments depend on the method being used and the area(s) being treated. On average, you should expect to pay from £750 per session.
Choosing a Practitioner:
Cell therapy procedures should only be performed by experienced physicians who have been trained in undertaking this treatment. Find a clinic today in the U.K through our directory of cosmetic clinics.
See also ReCell Spray On Skin
