Nearly everyone has cosmetic concerns of some sort, many of which only accelerate with the natural effects of aging. While we know aging is indeed simply the course of nature, issues like wrinkles and age spots can still diminish self-esteem and leave us feeling less comfortable in our skin. Of course, there are many other skin-related issues that aren’t necessarily related to aging, including acne, scarring, pigmentation issues, and rosacea.

Traditionally, consumers have turned to the cosmetics counter or the plastic surgeon’s office to address these concerns. Yet, products alone often fail to deliver on their promises, and many individuals understandably want to avoid invasive surgeries with long recovery periods. Fortunately, aesthetic procedures such as microneedling fall somewhere in between and are considered highly effective: while they deliver more powerful results than creams and serums alone could, they come without the downtime and invasiveness of surgery. And, regenerative medicine therapy can take this treatment a step further.

Regenerative Medicine Therapy

Regenerative medicine therapy is being increasingly leveraged to address a broad range of medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease and COPD, among others. Yet, regenerative treatments such as stem cell therapy are also emerging for cosmetic applications. Stem cell therapy for facial treatment has already shown promise in the realm of anti-aging, helping the skin to produce more antioxidant enzymes and increasing new collagen production.

Many clinics have already begun the practice of microneedling with stem cells. Microneedling involves the use of a small, sterile tool called a dermaroller which makes tiny punctures in the skin. This trauma triggers the rebuilding process within the skin to address scarring, acne, stretch marks, pigmentation issues, rosacea, and wrinkles, among other cosmetic concerns. On its own, microneedling stimulates collagen production, but combining the treatment with the application of stem cells is an even more powerful approach. The growth factors within stem cells help with wound healing and the repair of damaged tissue, and they can also regenerate aged skin. According to studies, patients experience significant improvements in skin thickness and texture, pigmentation, collagen, and hydration.

In addition to microneedling with stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can also be introduced to further drive the benefits of facial therapy. PRP is a form of regenerative medicine therapy in which the platelets, or blood cells with healing capabilities, are isolated. In PRP injections, a patient’s platelets are administered to a targeted area to accelerate healing. When dermarollers are used by trained technicians, the needle insertions create hundreds of tiny micro-channels through which the PRP and stem cells can enter. This enables more widespread penetration and minimizes the risk of discomfort or injury.

Ultimately, stem cells and PRP used in conjunction with microneedling create a powerful facial therapy that requires no downtime and can deliver noticeable improvements. For patients who have exhausted traditional cosmetic products with unsatisfactory results but wish to avoid surgery, regenerative medicine therapy is a promising solution.

Regenerative Medicine is still considered an experimental procedure and not approved by the FDA. Patients must consider realistic expectations in their research and possible therapy options.