The revolutionary use of stem cells in medicine is now being hailed as the latest breakthrough in the ongoing battle against the natural aging process. Stem cells are unique in that they are literally the tabular rasa, or blank slate, in cellular biology. They are known as “undifferentiated” cells, meaning they have the potential to be transformed into other types of cells – a liver or heart cell, or a skin cell – or regenerate old or damaged tissue.

This is why stem cells are frequently viewed as the body’s natural fountain of youth.

The Stem Cell Facelift is a new facial plastic surgery in New York utilizing adult stem cells harvested through liposuction from a patient’s own fat tissue. The fat stem cells are then separated out and comingled with stem cell growth factors, which activate and energize the stem cells. The mixture is then injected by a qualified physician into specific areas of the patient’s face to restore lost facial volume and a youthful appearance.

The technique promises a complete facial rejuvenation, and a growing number of patients are looking into this less invasive procedure with much hope and anticipation. The Stem Cell Facelift does indeed hold promise because of its efficient use of the body’s own rejuvenation potential to regrow or replace tissue that is lost as a result of normal aging. The use of stem cells has had remarkable results in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, for example.

The advantages associated with the use of stem cells in facial cosmetic procedures, however, should be weighed against any potential risks as the technology is still in its infancy. In one extreme case, a patient who had the procedure went back to her plastic surgeon with bone shards growing inside her eyelids.

Stem cell technology in cosmetic surgery is an exciting development that still has a long way to grow. One, therefore, should not overlook other non-invasive procedures with proven track records of success, such as Botox and injectable fillers used to remove facial lines and wrinkles, as well as time-tested surgical procedures like the traditional facelift.

Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Contact our office at (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.

Rhinoplasty for Men

A nose by any other name would smell as sweet. It makes no difference, then, whether you are a man or a woman or what kind of nose you have. Everyone’s nose has the same olfactory function, but not all noses are blessed with the same appealing shape or appearance.

In increasing numbers, men are turning to rhinoplasty to change the look of their nose but without fundamentally altering its masculine structure. This is where the cosmetic goals of men and women tend to diverge. When considering nose surgery, women are often looking for significant or dramatic results to achieve a more attractive and feminine appearance. The “male nose job,” by contrast, often has more specific goals in mind. A male patient may opt for nose surgery to remove a dorsal hump or to soften the appearance of a hooked or drooping nasal tip.

Change your Nose

Other male patients are looking to narrow the width of a “dominant” nose or reduce the overall size of the nose to balance out the face. Or they simply want to improve the overall shape of the nose but without dramatically changing its basic structure. Men, in sum, want a better looking nose that unmistakably says “me, mine, and man.” They don’t want results that appear feminine. In cases related less to aesthetics and more to function, men may undergo rhinoplasty to open blocked airways or repair a deviated septum. Regardless of a patient’s gender, the techniques used in nasal surgery in New York are the same and the risks and benefits are also the same. There is a slight risk of infection or nosebleeds following nose surgery, or a temporary loss of smell. To learn more about rhinoplasty, visit medlineplus.gov

Many Men are Choosing Rhinoplasty

That many men are choosing rhinoplasty for a more satisfying appearance is reflected in the more than 240,000 individuals who underwent rhinoplasty in 2012, 25% of whom were male according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). No longer is there a stigma attached to male rhinoplasty. A good example is Iran, rated the “nose job capital of the world,” where some 200,000 people are having nasal corrective surgery each year. Many of these patients are men. In today’s unisex world there are no gender barriers in nasal surgery, just different cosmetic goals and objectives.

Schedule a Male Rhinoplasty in New York

Dr. Philip Miller is a board certified plastic surgeon and an expert in the field of facial plastic surgery with offices located at 60 East 56th, Third Floor, New York, N.Y. Call (646) 791-3025 for a personal consultation.