Plastic Surgery Articles

Stem Cells for Beauty: Reality or Pipe Dream?

January 12, 2007 -

Bigger breasts without surgery? Smaller hips without lipo? A wrinkle-free face without collagen or Botox? Perhaps surprisingly, none of these is outside the realm of possibility. With the promise offered by stem cell research, today’s pipe dreams could be tomorrow’s reality.

Stem cells are currently being studied for their regenerative power. Researchers are hopeful about stem cell therapy because the cells can be harvested and developed into highly specialized tissues, which can then be used to treat debilitating and/or incurable illnesses.

While aesthetic applications take a backseat to reconstructive and other therapeutic uses, many plastic surgeons are excited about the possibilities.

Recent research, for instance, has shown that stem cell therapy may be useful for reconstructing breast tissue in women who’ve had a mastectomy. Similarly, stem cell therapy may also be used to “restore hair to a bald man, teeth to those in need, and skin to scarred patients,” said Dr. Denis English, editor-in-chief of Stem Cells and Development .

Experts in the field say that cosmetic applications for stem cell therapy are still far away - some even speculate beyond a lifetime. However, others believe that market forces, particularly if there is high demand, will determine the timeline.

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