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A select few of our patients ask about cosmetic surgery to hide the oncoming ravages of age. They may be interested to learn about a new therapy - if their bank balances will stand it. In some cases they may have already visited the plastic surgeon so it would be as well to know something about this treatment. A new technique for repairing facial lines, wrinkles and acne scarring has been launched in the UK today, offering an effective and long-lasting alternative to current cosmetic treatments. Isolagen is the first and only natural process to use patients’ own collagen producing cells, fibroblasts, to repair and rejuvenate the skin, producing long lasting therapeutic correction of dermal deficiencies. "Isolagen is a totally new technique in facial rejuvenation that offers patients real, long-lasting improvements without the risks associated with some cosmetic treatments," said Mr Grobbelaar, Consultant Plastic Surgeon. "As it uses patients’ own living cells, the body does not reject or reabsorb them as it does with foreign material. As a result, it is a natural solution to correcting skin defects which may well change the face of cosmetic treatments in the UK." Isolagen enables patients’ own cells to be grown and reintroduced into the skin in sufficient quantity to correct defects. A small skin sample is taken from behind the patient’s ear, which is sent to the Isolagen Cellular Facility where the fibroblasts are grown to large numbers. After approximately eight weeks the cells are ready to be injected. Three sets of injections are given at two week intervals in the area to be treated. In clinical trials, 92% of patients achieved successful results using lsolagen;1 patients experienced a continued improvement for up to 18-24 months2 with some continuing to see benefits for up to seven years following treatment.3 Mr Brian Whitley, President and CEO of Isolagen Europe Ltd, explained that around 1,200 US patients had been involved in Isolagen trials over the past seven years, utilising over 3,500 injections in total.3 "Isolagen has been proven to be long lasting and effective for the reduction of wrinkles, lines and acne and trauma scars in all areas of the face, and it has an excellent safety profile. We are very excited to now be able to launch the product to healthcare professionals and consumers in the UK," he said. Isolagen may only be administered by specially trained and certified practitioners. Healthcare professionals who are interested in
finding out more about the procedure should call Notes Isolagen has received clearance by both the UK Medical Devices Agency and Medicines Control Agency for launch in the UK. The product will also soon be launched in the rest of Europe, Australia and Korea. Initially Isolagen will only be available from plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Treatment will cost from £2,500 which includes the skin sample and three sets of injections. Following the initial skin sample and cell culture, Isolagen can store the patient’s cells cryogenically so that cells can be made available for future treatment of new lines and wrinkles. No significant adverse effects were reported in Isolagen clinical trials.12 A few patients (0.27%) reported some minor reactions to the injection including redness and swelling which resolved itself within days.1 Isolagen was developed in the US over the last ten years by prominent plastic surgeon, Dr Bill Boss, Hackensack University Medical Centre and University of Medicine of New Jersey and cell biologist Olga Marko. A brand new, state-of-the-art laboratory has been opened in London, the only facility of its kind in Europe. Isolagen’s team includes highly experienced cell biologists and lab technicians including two top NASA scientists. References
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