Human adipose tissue is not just a layer of insulation or a calorie reserve for times of shortage. Recent scientific research has shown that adipose tissue is an important source of multipotent stem cells. Stem cells are able to change (differentiate) into another cell type if necessary. In this way, fat tissue could be regarded as an important organ for regenerating and restoring the human body.
It has been observed by various surgeons around the world that injecting fat (lipofilling) into the breast or the face (facial rejuvenation) often brings about an improvement in the overlying skin. Chronic wounds (e.g. after radiation of breast cancer) heal better, the skin of the face looks younger (pigmentation, texture). This effect was possibly caused by the stem cells that were transplanted along with the fat cells.
We have now been able to master a technique which selectively removes the large fat cells in the liposuction fat mechanically so that the much smaller stem cells remain. These are then inserted into very superficial wrinkles with very fine needles (nanofat grafting) or injected into the thin layer under the skin. This shows a clear improvement in the quality of the skin in situations where the skin is chronically damaged by e.g. the sun (neckline, back of the hand, around the mouth) or in scars. Here, adipose tissue is therefore not only used as a volumizer, but as a treatment with the regenerative stem cells (ADSC’s – Adipose Derived Stem Cells) present in it.
There are clear indications that early (for example from 30 years) and repeated use of such regenerative treatment could drastically reduce the aging of the skin over time.
Nanofat grafting can be performed under local anaesthesia, separately, or in combination with other procedures (e.g. facelifts, eyelid correction, and many more!) The procedure is very stress free and apart from some swelling and bruising the recovery is very smooth. The final result of a nanofat treatment does take a while to appear. Classically, a 6 to 8 months must pass before the results become visible. This is considered to be typical in regenerative treatments.
NANOFAT NEEDLING
By combining the regenerative cells present in the Nanofat with the needling technique, the skin gets a huge boost and skin aging can be slowed down.
Microneedling of the skin is a well-known technique that has created new possibilities to renew the skin in recent years. Microneedling uses tiny cannulas that make small channels in the skin. These channels are not visible to the naked eye, but wound the skin just enough to stimulate it in a natural way. The stimulation in the connective tissue of the skin releases growth factors and healing substances, which ensure the production of collagen and elastin (connective tissue). Scientific research has proven 2 effects of needling on the skin:
- Reinforcing the skin and reducing relief (coarse pores). The connective tissue cells (fibroblasts) receive an incentive to produce new connective tissue fibers. Because the connective tissue is deeply stimulated in the skin, after a few micro-needling treatments you will notice that your skin becomes firmer and smoother. Relief (coarse pores) caused by acne scars and wrinkles will gradually become less.
- Renewal of skin cells and cleansing. In addition, cell division gets a huge boost. Old, dead skin cells chip off in the weeks after the micro needling treatment which accelerates the new, young skin cells growth. The stratum corneum is again nicely thin so that blockages (comedones) are less likely and become less visible. Your skin tone becomes smoother and more radiant.
Fat tissue as we already know since about 10 years, is very rich in stem cells. These are cells that are capable of repairing diseased or damaged tissues. We have adapted proven techniques to concentrate these stem cells from the adipose tissue in a simple way.
We combine the microneedling technique to uniformly introduce nanofat into the connective tissue layer of the skin. This can be done under local anaesthesia. The next day, with some make-up, any subcutaneous red dots can be camouflaged. The effect on the skin becomes visible after only a few weeks, but due to the introduced regenerative stem cells, this restorative effect will continue to work for up to a year. The typical indications for the nanofat needling are:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Scars of a different nature, for example, burns
- Sun damage
- Pigment disorder
- Coarse pores
- Striae (such as post-pregnancy)
- Slackening of the skin
- Stretch marks
The technique can also be used preventively to halt skin aging from the age of 30 by practicing a nanofat needling of the skin.
