[Sports Chosun] Season for breast augmentation? 'Stem cells' preferred for natural volume

[Sports Chosun] Season for breast augmentation? 'Stem cells' preferred for natural volume

With the season of increased skin exposure approaching, breast augmentation is the most frequently booked cosmetic surgery among women visiting clinics. As the trend shifts from a simply skinny figure to one with slender arms, legs, and abdomen, but with voluminous breasts, the demand for breast surgery is on the rise. 

The breasts are a body part that is difficult to increase or decrease in size at will, unless one receives a 'divine blessing.' Recently, quite a few women achieve a slim figure through dieting and then add volume through breast augmentation. 

Breast augmentation is broadly divided into implant and fat grafting techniques. Until recently, the most common method involved inserting artificial implants filled with saline or silicone gel. Approximately 95% of breast surgeries performed in Korea were done using this method.

It has been pointed out that this method has the disadvantage of declining 'durability' over time due to the characteristics of the implants. After about 10 years have passed since the surgery, the outer shell of the implant weakens, increasing the risk of the contents leaking out due to damage. Sometimes, the body may perceive the implant as a foreign substance and attack it. In this case, a phenomenon called 'capsular contracture,' in which the tissue surrounding the implant hardens, may occur.

A method that addresses these side effects is 'autologous fat grafting breast augmentation.' This involves extracting fat cells from areas such as the thighs and abdomen and transplanting them into the breasts. The harvested fat then acts as a volume filler for artificial breast implants. 

A major advantage is the ability to achieve a double benefit: removing unwanted fat and enlarging the breasts. However, the limitation of simple autologous fat grafting was its low survival rate of 10–20%.

Dr. Shin Dong-jin, director of SC301 Clinic, stated, “The disadvantage of a simple breast fat graft is that while the volume is sufficient immediately after the procedure, it subsides after about three months,” adding, “Adding stem cells can significantly increase the fat survival rate.” 

Stem cell breast augmentation, like simple fat grafting, begins by harvesting fat from areas such as the abdomen and thighs. Pure fat cells and stem cells are then separated, and each type of cell is injected together into the breasts. 

Director Shin explained, “Transplanted stem cells promote angiogenesis and restore damaged cells and tissues, reducing the loss of transplanted fat,” adding, “Through this, sufficient volume can be achieved with just a single procedure.” 

He added, “Breast augmentation using implants can feel foreign and result in an unnatural shape,” stating, “However, stem cell breast augmentation is not only biocompatible but also natural-looking, leading to high patient satisfaction.” 

Director Shin Dong-jin published papers related to stem cell breast augmentation consecutively for three years, from 2008 to 2010. He also announced at academic conferences that he had raised the engraftment rate of fat cells and stem cells to over 70%. According to the papers, Director Shin stated that in a study of 100 subjects in 2008, the engraftment rate six months after the procedure was 70.57%. He further revealed that he conducted another study on 120 subjects in 2009, and the engraftment rate was 70.41% at that time as well. 

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Reporter Lee Gyu-bok kblee341@sportschosun.com 

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