Smooth wrinkles and brighten the skin… Achieve a natural, youthful look.

 

 

According to recent data released by Statistics Korea, the average life expectancy for Koreans in 2015 was 82.5 years for both men and women. Based on this data, calculations show that a current 30-year-old can expect to live another 52.6 years, a 40-year-old 43 years, and a 50-year-old 33.7 years. As such, one of the primary concerns for people living in this era of centenarians is living a healthy life. Furthermore, even more important than a healthy life is the ability to live youthfully and beautifully. While there are ways to maintain health and stay young through exercise and diet, a significant number of people also undergo cosmetic procedures to cultivate a healthy and youthful appearance.

◇ Plastic Surgery Industry Focuses on the Cosmetic Effects of Stem Cell Culture Fluid

Many people prefer natural beauty over sudden effects achieved through excessive plastic surgery or laser treatments. Recently, middle-aged and older adults are also undergoing various cosmetic procedures to look younger and more beautiful; however, rather than focusing solely on eliminating signs of aging, it is necessary to carefully select procedures that preserve one's strengths and consider functional aspects. In this context, a procedure gaining attention is 'stem cell cosmetic surgery.'

Stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into and regenerate into fat, cartilage, bone, and muscle, and are also utilized in cosmetic medicine due to their ability to induce angiogenesis and their anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is true that stem cell-related procedures vary widely in terms of terminology, cell origin, extraction techniques, and transplantation methods, making it difficult even for medical professionals to determine which method is best. Therefore, experts emphasize that if one is interested in stem cell cosmetic surgery, it is necessary to find a clinic that provides accurate information and has accumulated extensive experience to select the procedure best suited for oneself.

A procedure currently receiving particular attention is "stem cell anti-aging treatment," which utilizes stem cell culture fluid for cosmetic procedures. Shin Dong-jin, Director of SC301 Hospital and an expert in stem cell plastic surgery, stated, "According to research results, the beneficial components of stem cell culture fluid are known to brighten the skin by exhibiting a strong inhibitory effect on melanin secretion." He added, "It is also known to reduce fine wrinkles and shrink pores by proliferating collagen and keratin regenerating cells." In fact, many hospitals are utilizing stem cell culture fluid to stimulate the growth of new skin and restore elasticity after laser treatments.

◇ Stem cell cosmetic surgery has a higher engraftment rate than autologous fat grafting

Stem cells are also effective for facial and breast augmentation. This is because stem cells play a role in improving the low engraftment rate (the percentage of tissue that successfully attaches to other tissues) of 10–30%, which is a drawback of conventional autologous fat grafting. Fat grafting using stem cells is performed through several complex and specialized processes. Generally, stem cells and pure fat cells are extracted from fat cells harvested from areas such as the abdomen or thighs, mixed in a specific ratio, and injected into the dermis layer of the desired area, such as the face or breasts. It is said that fat-derived stem cells are particularly suitable for producing fat. Director Shin Dong-jin explained, "Based on research results so far, it is estimated that living nucleated stem cells make up 30–50% of the extracted fat cells," adding, "The remaining young fat cells function as vascular endothelial cells, performing functions similar to stem cells."

Director Shin advised, “While there are many places in Korea that claim to offer stem cell cosmetic surgery, not many are properly equipped with the necessary equipment and have accumulated procedural know-how,” adding, “You should visit an experienced hospital equipped with proper stem cell extraction equipment and systems to ensure high satisfaction.”

Meanwhile, Director Shin garnered attention by demonstrating a high fat survival rate of over 70% in a stem cell breast augmentation paper published in 2012, based on clinical results up to 2010. In a paper published in 2013, an analysis of the stem cell breast augmentation results of 200 patients aged 20 to 50 who were available for follow-up for one year revealed that ▲for those in their 20s (77 patients), the pre-operative chest circumference was 79.1

Chest circumference increased from 1 cm to 84.02 cm after surgery, for those in their 30s (80 people) from 80.58 cm to 85.19 cm, and for those in their 40s and 50s (43 people) from 83.40 cm to 88.41 cm, respectively. Regardless of age, chest circumference increased by an average of about 5 cm. Injecting stem cells and pure fat cells into sunken areas such as the forehead, around the eyes, cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, sunken temples, and sagging jawline can restore volume and make one look younger.