It’s been well documented that our fatty tissue contains a rich supply of stem cells – and is widely used in the aesthetics field because of its anti-ageing effects. However, did you know that our fat derived stem cells may not only be the answer to curing many diseases – but for improving scars as well? Dr Nerina Wilkinson reports.
With the introduction of liposuction by Dr Illouz in the 1980s, there have been many newer developments over the past 10 years in using the fat that would have been discarded. Liposuction has developed into liposculpting – and the emphasis is on a process of re-modelling (and not just removing unwanted fat deposits). Many lipofilling techniques have been described where the fat cells are reinjected into areas of volume loss to improve contour and shape.
Recent advances in stem cell research have found that adipose (fat) tissue is the adult organ which is the richest supply in stem cells. The clinical potential of fat-derived stem cells has created enthusiasm in medical circles. Besides the anti-ageing effects of stem cells, doctors have high expectations that adipose/ fat derived stem cells may not only be the answer to curing many diseases – but for reconstructing anatomical defects and improving scars as well. These stem cells have immense restorative properties, and can help replace missing or damaged tissues once they have been injected.
How Do These Stem Cells Work?
Adipose / fat derived stem cells have multipotent cells that can differentiate/ change into many different kinds of cells – and thus, have uses in regenerative medicine.
1) The cells are highly angiogenic. This means that through the large amount of growth factors they contain, they can stimulate the cells of the blood vessels to grow and vastly improve blood supply to the affected area. The improved blood supply and growth factors stimulate the fibroblasts and platelets to heal and regenerate stronger tissues.
2) Stem cells are antioxidative, which is important in the body as it naturally fights damaging toxins.
3) Stem cells have also shown to suppress inflammatory cells, while stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory cells. A report in 2010 by Ichim et al, demonstrated the treatment of a 67-year-old lady with rheumatoid arthritis using stem cells isolated from liposuction. They reported considerable resolution of her pain and stiffness, probably due to the suppression of the pain causing inflammatory cells.
Toxins: How Are the Stem Cells Harvested?
Conventional liposuction is performed under general or local anaesthetic, depending on the amount of fat cells required and the donor areas. The liposuction incisions are very small, and are hidden in natural skin folds to minimize the visibility of any scars.
The fat is aspirated with a narrow cannula, and then purified through centrifugation to increase the concentration of stem cells in the aspirate. This fat, which is rich in stem cells, is then reinjected into the planned area – and has a better capacity to survive and regenerate.
It is important to remember that this is a surgical procedure, which must be performed by a competent plastic surgeon that will operate in a licensed surgical clinic.
What Are the Regenerative Uses of Stem Cell Enriched Fat Transfer?
Besides the well-known anti-ageing benefits of lipofilling of the face, stem cell enriched lipofilling has recently been widely used in reconstructive procedures. This is due to the well-documented added benefits of tissue regeneration.
1) Wound healing:
Many recent studies have demonstrated the promotion of wound healing using adipose derived stem cells in the treatment of chronic wounds. We are seeing dramatic results in post radiation wounds following cancer surgery. The radiation therapy is designed to kill any residual cancer cells; however this can also have devastating effects in patients as it causes irreversible damage – as well as radiation ulcers of the healthy surrounding tissue. These wounds would have been extremely difficult to treat in the past, and could take years to resolve.
Stem cell enriched treatment of the ulcers shows an accelerated reduction of the wound area and volume, due to new blood supply and differentiation into epithelial cells. In my practice, I have seen the “unfriendly” radiated breast tissue change into softer, warmer breast tissue after lipofilling of the area. Patients have also described an improvement in the sensation of the breast.
2) Scars:
Lipofilling is frequently used to improve traumatic, surgical and acne scars. Most scars do however require more than one modality, such as lasers and lipofilling for the best results. Patients need to be realistic in expectations, as no treatment will totally remove scars. Yet, the use of stem cells in the treatment of scars definitely improves the blood supply to the scar – and helps to regenerate new healthy collagen and elastin in the area. This results in a much-improved appearance of a scar, as well as a softening of the surrounding tissues.
3) Soft tissue augmentation:
Besides the conventional aesthetic anti-ageing effect of volumising faces, lipofilling can be used to augment soft tissue volume in reconstructive surgery. Post traumatic depressed scars are injected subcutaneously to improve the contour and the final aesthetic result.
Breast deformities after lumpectomy can also be distressing to patients – and in those who prefer not to have a silicone breast implant, fat cells can be injected into the defect to fill out the depressed area. Patients, who’ve had removal of breast implants due to problems, are advised not to reinsert new implants. Improved breast fullness can be created by injecting a patient’s own fat cells into the area for a more natural breast shape.
As medical specialists, we are still in the infant phase of understanding the vast potential of adipose derived stem cells – and in the future we will be using the regenerative capacity of these cells to treat many more medical conditions.
Written by Dr Nerina Wilkinsin MBChB (Stell) FCS (SA) Plast.
MBChB FCS (Plast SA) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Dr Nerina Wilkinson is an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience. Recognised by her peers and industry experts as a facial specialist with surgical, skin science, and aesthetic experience, she occupies a unique position when it comes to holistic facial rejuvenation techniques. Her innovative treatments combine surgical and non-surgical modalities and are based on in-depth scientific knowledge and her experience.
She is also the founder and director of Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates. Her private Aesthetic Couture Clinic is based in the prestigious V&A Waterfront. Here, she has assembled a group of clinicians and skin care specialists, each of them experts in their field, to be able to deliver the highest standards of care and state-of-the-art, evidence-based procedures. She is an active researcher in the field and has pioneered industry-changing minimally invasive rejuvenation techniques such as the StemCell4DLift™, EyeLight360™, and Natural-Lift™.
Using her detailed knowledge and surgical experience, she trains medical staff in the latest aesthetic treatments and how to deliver them with optimal, yet safe results. Dr Nerina Wilkinson is frequently invited to present her work at Plastic Surgery Conferences, educational forums, and women’s events and has also been highly represented in the media throughout her career where her opinion on current matters in Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic medicine is often sought.
Memberships:
- Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons South Africa (APRASSA full member)
- International Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS full member)
- Fellow of the College of Surgeons South Africa (CMSA)
- AAMSSA (Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Medicine Society of South Africa|). Active Board Member since 2012
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
