Fibrocell Science Skin Cell Cloning and Other Costly Anti-Aging Procedures

at 10:56AM Wednesday June 29, 2011
under Newsworthy
Last week, the FDA approved of a new type of cell therapy called laViv for fighting wrinkles by using a person's own skin cells to create an injectable cosmetic skin plumper. That's right, our very own cloned skin cells are injected back to us to stimulate the production of collagen. Fibrocell Science, the makers of LaViv, say it's the "the first and only personalized cell-based aesthetic treatment."

How does it work? Tiny pieces of skin are removed from behind the ear and get sent to a lab where the fibroblasts are multiplied in cell culture for about 3 months. Once those cell turn into millions of new cells, they get stored in frozen vials. The vials are then sent back to the doctor for injection. The makers have not announced a price, but a spokeswoman said it was expected to be $1,000 to $2,000 to create the personalized cell bank, and $300 to $500 for each of the three treatment sessions.

With the growing market of aesthetic injectables and other cosmetic procedures, laViv will be competing with many other types of costly treatments for aging skin. These are just a few of them:

Botox and Dysport: Theses are two similar cosmetic procedures that smooth out wrinkles by the injection of the protein, botulinum toxin. They both function the same way by disabling targeted muscles, causing them to temporarily relax. Botox has been around for years but Dysport is the newer injectable to hit the market and was approved by the FDA in 2009. It has been said that Dysport takes effect quicker, and in one recent study, has shown to be more effective than Botox for smoothing wrinkles. One procedure isn't cheaper than the other across the board--it depends on where you go and which doctor you see. Botox usually cost around $300-$450, and Dysport in the $200-$300 range.

Filler Injections: Sometimes referred to as the "liquid facelift," this is another type of injection that "plumps" the skin to smooth out wrinkles. There are several types of facial fillers but products with hyaluronic acid tend to be the most popular.The effects of fillers are temporary, but can last for about six months to a year. The price varies depending on the type of filler, but according to the AACS the average is about $700.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing: This uses a high-intensity lasers to contract and tighten skin tissue. Over time, collagen is stimulated and softens lines and wrinkles. Swelling and redness are common side effects and improvements after the treatment are usually visible after 2 to 3 months. The results aren't permanent but last longer than Botox and filler. The cost per fractional resurfacing ranges between $800-$2,000.

Face Lift: The most invasive and costly among these are face lifts, technically known as rhytidectomy. It's a restorative type of surgery to improve the skin by removing sagging skin, tightening muscle tone, and redistributing fat that may have been displaced.The procedure involves makes small incisions along the hairlines and contours of the ear and the skin gets pulled up and back. The results of face lifts are long lasting but require maintenance, such as sun protection and a healthy lifestyle, to preserve it. The average cost for the procedure is around $7,000.

All this may seem extreme (and very expensive), but wrinkles are still unavoidable. Taking preventative measures as early as possible and sticking to them can help you avoid costly procedures like the ones above:

Sunscreen - use it all the time, period.
Eat more vitamin-rich foods and avoid drinking alcohol.
Cut bad habits like smoking cigarettes as it contributes to premature aging and wrinkles.
Hydrate from the inside out. Drink a lot of water and always use a moisturizer.
Sleep more…on your back. Having your face pressed up against your pillows can lead to wrinkles.


How much would you spend to stay looking young?

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