In the world of aesthetic surgery, the use of stem cells is becoming more and more popular. Here to tell us more about the benefits of using stem cells for regenerative procedures is Professor Alessandro Gennai, plastic and aesthetic surgeon, contract professor for minimally invasive techniques at the University of Camerino. Professor Gennai is a member of the AICPE (Italian Association of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery) and EAFPS (European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery).

Professor Gennai, could you explain what stem cells are?

Stem cells are like baby cells that have retained the ability to specialize into other types of cells. This includes epithelial cells (skin), adipocytes (fat), endothelial cells (vessels), chondrocytes (cartilages), osteocytes (bone), myocytes (muscle) and neurocytes.

In the last few years, we shown that our adipose or fat tissue contains large numbers of stem cells, even larger than those found in bone marrow. These stem cells are known as ADSCs or adipose derived stem cells. These ADSCs can be found in specific adipose tissue known as stromal vascular fraction.

So, what you are saying is that stem cells can basically regenerate and repair any type of tissue in the body?

Yes, that's exactly what we are saying. In effect, these cells are said to be multipotential cells because they have the ability to transform into different kinds of mature cells; hence the interest for these stem cells is not only in the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery but also in orthopedics, cardiology, neurology and more.

It appears that you and your team standardized a facial rejuvenation procedure using stem cells.

Yes. My team and I have been studying the use of stem cells for regenerative purposes since 2012. We were able to standardize what's known as the SEFFI technique (Superficial Enhanced Fluid Fat Injection). This technique addresses the regeneration of tissues and the restoration of volumes that clients are looking for in facial rejuvenation. This procedure is safe, simple, effective and long lasting.

What exactly are the stem cells doing?

At the heart of this procedure, the stem cells transform into adipocytes and create a fuller effect in the face. This technique has aroused such a great international interest that we had the opportunity and honor to publish it in 2015 in two of the most relevant international scientific journals i.e. The Aesthetic Surgery Journal and JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

In the meantime, we have been studying another procedure aimed to inject adipocytes and ADSCs in very delicate areas such as the periocular and perioral areas: we named this technique MicroSEFFI (Micro Superficial Enhanced Fluid Fat Injection). MicroSEFFI too aroused great international interest and has been published on ASJ in 2016.

Why is your research so important? I mean, isn't there already procedures in place that can help clients get the facial rejuvenation they want?

This is the issue. In the last 30 years, the only surgical rejuvenation procedure has been the face lift which is aimed to tight the skin but not rejuvenate the face. What is extremely interesting is that a survey was conducted where 100 patients compared their post surgical results with pictures of them in their 20s and the results were astounding. This survey proved that the most important effect in the aging face is the loss of volume, followed by the skin aging and the descent of tissue hold the third place. I am deeply convinced that in order to achieve a natural facial rejuvenation it is mandatory to RESTORE the volume, then REGENERATE the skin and next REPOSITION the tissue. My procedure, names R3 (cubed) addresses all three of these issues was published in AMJ in 2016.

Could you explain this R3 procedure in more detail?

The R3 procedure involves the SEFFI and MicroSEFFI techniques to restore face volume and regenerate the skin while MIVEL (Minimal Incisions Vertical Endoscopic Lifting) is my technique aimed to endoscopically reposition the tissue.

In the lights of your answers and your scientific publications we can say that Italy is playing a prominent role in this field of research.

Absolutely. This is confirmed by the publications and the great interest in our techniques at the international Congresses where I presented them. I am convinced that Italy is playing a fundamental role in the research of tissue regeneration using ADSCs.

For more information visit http://www.gennaisurgery.com/wp/