3 May 2011 Last updated at 16:24 GMT
Scientists turn 'bad fat' into 'good fat'
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News
Scientists say they have found a way to turn body fat into a better type of fat that burns off calories and weight.
The US Johns Hopkins team made the breakthrough in rats but believe the same could be done in humans, offering the hope of a new way to treat obesity.
Modifying the expression of a protein linked to appetite not only reduced the animals' calorie intake and weight, but also transformed their fat composition.
"Bad" white fat became "good" brown fat, Cell Metabolism journal reports.
Brown fat is abundant in babies, which they use as a power source to generate body heat, expending calories at the same time.
But as we age our brown fat largely disappears and gets replaced by "bad" white fat, which typically sits as a spare tyre around the waist.
Experts have reasoned that stimulating the body to make more brown fat rather than white fat could be a helpful way to control weight and prevent obesity and its related health problems like type 2 diabetes.
Various teams have been searching for a way to do this, and Dr Sheng Bi and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine believe they may have cracked it.
They designed an experiment to see if suppressing an appetite-stimulating protein called NPY would decrease body weight in rats.
When they silenced NPY in the brains of the rodents they found their appetite and food intake decreased.
Even when the rats were fed a very rich, high-fat diet they still managed to keep more weight off than rats who had fully functioning NPY.
The scientists then checked the fat composition of the rats and found an interesting change had occurred.
In the rats with silenced NPY expression, some of the bad white fat had been replaced with good brown fat.
The researchers are hopeful that it may be possible to achieve the same effect in people by injecting brown fat stem cells under the skin to burn white fat and stimulate weight loss.
Dr Bi said: "If we could get the human body to turn bad fat into good fat that burns calories instead of storing them, we could add a serious new tool to tackle the obesity epidemic.
"Only future research will tell us if that is possible."
Dr Jeremy Tomlinson, an expert at the University of Birmingham's Centre for Obesity Research, said: "This is exciting, novel and interesting.
"We will need a lot more work to tease this out, but it could offer a feasible way to develop new treatments for obesity."
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Aesthetic products claiming to contain stem cells scant on clinical studies
Publish date: Mar 1, 2011
By: Louise Gagnon
Source: Dermatology Times
* Most aesthetic product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function
* Products containing telomerase have raised concerns that they may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells
Metairie, La. — Stem cell products hold the promise of skin rejuvenation and skin repair, and the science that supports the claims of their benefits makes sense, but there are scant clinical studies in human subjects that demonstrate their efficacy and safety.
"We know that as you age, stem cells reduce in function and number," says Patricia Farris, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in Metairie, La. "Stem cells are important in maintaining skin homeostasis and function and for repairing skin after injury."
It appears that stem cell dysfunction or loss of function is the result of several key factors including oxidative stress, ultraviolet light, inflammation and telomere attrition, Dr. Farris says.
"The logic is that if we can boost stem cell function, we can rejuvenate the skin, making it function more like it did when it was young. And this makes total sense as an anti-aging strategy," Dr. Farris says.
Stem cells' role
Stem cells are found in the epidermis, dermis, bulge region of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
"Stem cells help regenerate the epidermis, maintain epidermal barrier function, and also support the dermal matrix," Dr. Farris says. This, she says, is why in intrinsic aging, poor wound healing, skin dehydration, wrinkling and loss of elasticity are seen.
"Stem cells are important for keeping skin healthy and looking young," Dr. Farris says. "We know that as we get older, aging fibroblasts don't work as well. They produce excessive amounts of MMPs and less collagen."
Stem cell cosmeceuticals do not actually contain stem cells. Most product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function. Some of the first stem cell cosmeceuticals to market contained the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase protects telomeres from shortening, thus preserving stem cells.
Lack of evidence
Dr. Farris says the products that are available on a retail basis are costly, and she hesitates to recommend them to patients in the absence of good clinical studies.
"As stem cells get older, there is telomere attrition," she says. "It makes sense that if you repair the telomeres, you can restore the activity of the stem cells.
"We don't have proof in human skin yet that when these skincare products are applied to the skin that they can really boost stem cell activity, and, more importantly, make the skin look younger," Dr. Farris says. Most of the research on stem cell products has been done in vitro and needs to be translated to the clinical setting with human subjects, she adds.
There have been concerns regarding cosmeceuticals containing telomerase, in that it has been shown that telomerase may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells.
"We have no evidence to suggest that any of these topical skincare products containing telomerase pose a danger to patients, but it remains a theoretical concern," Dr. Farris says. "We have to demand that good studies are performed to ensure patient safety."
Cosmeceutical advances
Natural or botanical telomerase-activating compounds are also finding their way into nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Geron Corporation holds patents on the compound telomerase activation-65 (TA-65) found in the Chinese herb astragalus. Pivotal studies demonstrated that oral supplementation with this natural telomerase activator resulted in an improvement in skin condition in male patients age 60 to 85.
"Consumers always favor products that are natural, making this supplement an attractive option for some anti-aging enthusiasts," she says.
Yet Dr. Farris says she believes more studies are warranted. "We have a lot more to learn about TA-65 before we can give it a thumbs-up," she says.
Amatokin, marketed by Voss Laboratories, launched in 2007 and remains a popular stem cell cosmeceutical. According to manufacturers, the active ingredient in Amatokin is polypeptide 153, Dr. Farris says.
"It is a peptide that was discovered in burn patients," she says. Much of what is known about the natural repair process of the skin is found by observing what happens in the natural wound-healing process, she notes. How this peptide affects stem cells remains unclear, but manufacturers claim it activates dormant stem cells. Although Amatokin is sold widely, Dr. Farris says she has been unable to find clinical studies supporting its efficacy.
"At the end of the day, what our patients want to know is, 'Will this product make my skin look better?' Only with good clinical studies can we assure them that it's really worth the money," she says.
Mibelle Biochemistry takes a different approach to stem cell activation with its patented ingredient Swiss apple stem cell extract.
"We know that plants have stem cells," Dr. Farris says. "If you wound a plant, the callus tissue that forms is rich in plant stem cells."
Mibelle Biochemistry has patented a technology to culture and process a rare Swiss apple known for its long shelf life. This stem cell extract, called PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica, has been shown to slow cellular senescence in vitro.
"The extract can make old cells regenerate much like they did when they were young," she says.
Stem cell extract study
A small study of 20 patients age 37 to 64 demonstrated the impact of a Swiss apple stem cell extract on skin wrinkling. The test cream contained 2 percent Swiss apple stem cell extract, and subjects applied the cream twice daily to their crow's feet for 28 days. The test cream reduced wrinkle depth by 8 percent in two weeks and 15 percent in four weeks over baseline.
"It's important to note that this was a small user study with no control group," Dr. Farris says. "There are some products on the market that contain this ingredient."
Swiss apple stem cell extract has created a buzz since it was reported that first lady Michelle Obama is a fan of it, according to Dr. Farris.
"There is more to come on stem cells," she says. "It is an interesting area of research for skin biologists to look at to see if we can turn on stem cells in a positive way to rejuvenate skin."
By: Louise Gagnon
Source: Dermatology Times
* Most aesthetic product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function
* Products containing telomerase have raised concerns that they may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells
Metairie, La. — Stem cell products hold the promise of skin rejuvenation and skin repair, and the science that supports the claims of their benefits makes sense, but there are scant clinical studies in human subjects that demonstrate their efficacy and safety.
"We know that as you age, stem cells reduce in function and number," says Patricia Farris, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in Metairie, La. "Stem cells are important in maintaining skin homeostasis and function and for repairing skin after injury."
It appears that stem cell dysfunction or loss of function is the result of several key factors including oxidative stress, ultraviolet light, inflammation and telomere attrition, Dr. Farris says.
"The logic is that if we can boost stem cell function, we can rejuvenate the skin, making it function more like it did when it was young. And this makes total sense as an anti-aging strategy," Dr. Farris says.
Stem cells' role
Stem cells are found in the epidermis, dermis, bulge region of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
"Stem cells help regenerate the epidermis, maintain epidermal barrier function, and also support the dermal matrix," Dr. Farris says. This, she says, is why in intrinsic aging, poor wound healing, skin dehydration, wrinkling and loss of elasticity are seen.
"Stem cells are important for keeping skin healthy and looking young," Dr. Farris says. "We know that as we get older, aging fibroblasts don't work as well. They produce excessive amounts of MMPs and less collagen."
Stem cell cosmeceuticals do not actually contain stem cells. Most product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function. Some of the first stem cell cosmeceuticals to market contained the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase protects telomeres from shortening, thus preserving stem cells.
Lack of evidence
Dr. Farris says the products that are available on a retail basis are costly, and she hesitates to recommend them to patients in the absence of good clinical studies.
"As stem cells get older, there is telomere attrition," she says. "It makes sense that if you repair the telomeres, you can restore the activity of the stem cells.
"We don't have proof in human skin yet that when these skincare products are applied to the skin that they can really boost stem cell activity, and, more importantly, make the skin look younger," Dr. Farris says. Most of the research on stem cell products has been done in vitro and needs to be translated to the clinical setting with human subjects, she adds.
There have been concerns regarding cosmeceuticals containing telomerase, in that it has been shown that telomerase may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells.
"We have no evidence to suggest that any of these topical skincare products containing telomerase pose a danger to patients, but it remains a theoretical concern," Dr. Farris says. "We have to demand that good studies are performed to ensure patient safety."
Cosmeceutical advances
Natural or botanical telomerase-activating compounds are also finding their way into nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Geron Corporation holds patents on the compound telomerase activation-65 (TA-65) found in the Chinese herb astragalus. Pivotal studies demonstrated that oral supplementation with this natural telomerase activator resulted in an improvement in skin condition in male patients age 60 to 85.
"Consumers always favor products that are natural, making this supplement an attractive option for some anti-aging enthusiasts," she says.
Yet Dr. Farris says she believes more studies are warranted. "We have a lot more to learn about TA-65 before we can give it a thumbs-up," she says.
Amatokin, marketed by Voss Laboratories, launched in 2007 and remains a popular stem cell cosmeceutical. According to manufacturers, the active ingredient in Amatokin is polypeptide 153, Dr. Farris says.
"It is a peptide that was discovered in burn patients," she says. Much of what is known about the natural repair process of the skin is found by observing what happens in the natural wound-healing process, she notes. How this peptide affects stem cells remains unclear, but manufacturers claim it activates dormant stem cells. Although Amatokin is sold widely, Dr. Farris says she has been unable to find clinical studies supporting its efficacy.
"At the end of the day, what our patients want to know is, 'Will this product make my skin look better?' Only with good clinical studies can we assure them that it's really worth the money," she says.
Mibelle Biochemistry takes a different approach to stem cell activation with its patented ingredient Swiss apple stem cell extract.
"We know that plants have stem cells," Dr. Farris says. "If you wound a plant, the callus tissue that forms is rich in plant stem cells."
Mibelle Biochemistry has patented a technology to culture and process a rare Swiss apple known for its long shelf life. This stem cell extract, called PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica, has been shown to slow cellular senescence in vitro.
"The extract can make old cells regenerate much like they did when they were young," she says.
Stem cell extract study
A small study of 20 patients age 37 to 64 demonstrated the impact of a Swiss apple stem cell extract on skin wrinkling. The test cream contained 2 percent Swiss apple stem cell extract, and subjects applied the cream twice daily to their crow's feet for 28 days. The test cream reduced wrinkle depth by 8 percent in two weeks and 15 percent in four weeks over baseline.
"It's important to note that this was a small user study with no control group," Dr. Farris says. "There are some products on the market that contain this ingredient."
Swiss apple stem cell extract has created a buzz since it was reported that first lady Michelle Obama is a fan of it, according to Dr. Farris.
"There is more to come on stem cells," she says. "It is an interesting area of research for skin biologists to look at to see if we can turn on stem cells in a positive way to rejuvenate skin."
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Does one need a facial after a microdermabrasion?
I was asked this question recently & it struck me that some people really have no idea what microdermabrasion is, nor do they know what is good (or bad) for their skin.
I wish people would do some of their own research so
1) they don't get conned (don't just believe people you think are professionals e.g. beauticians. Even doctors - if something doesn't sound quite right, GET A 2nd OPINION!)
2) they don't have unreasonable expectations of what they are paying for.
"Facial" can mean lots of things & can include the following:
1) "deep cleansing" - beautician cleaning your face & massaging it at the same time sending you to sleep
2) steaming your face to "open your pores" - which is a myth.
3) then they press & squeeze like mad to extract out blackheads which will leave the face red & inflamed for a couple of days..after which you may have a bad acne breakout from all that irritation. They tell you they have cleaned out all the "dirty things" & "poisonous blood". Fact is, the "dirt" is just oxidized sebum (=your own natural oils which have reacted with oxygen in the air). The "poisonous blood" is because you're bleeding from all that trauma to your face.
4) Then they may charge you an arm & a leg for massaging an "ampoule" (an ampoule of don't know what) into your face - that's an extra RM50 - RM100. You can pay that kind of money to buy a good serum & massage it into your face for a whole month.
5) Maybe topped off with a mask & leave to you to sleep for half an hour to give "value for money" because you paid RM380 for 2 hours of treatment.
To be fair, there are many well-trained competent beauticians out there who don't do the horrible things described above. Unfortunately, there are too many of such people who call themselves beauticians (after a 3 day training course)tarnishing the industry with such service. Let's not get started with the ones who inject all sorts of rubbish from industrial silicone to animal extracts.....
Does one "need" a facial? - Answer your own question.
A microdermabrasion removes dead skin & removes sebum from blackheads & whiteheads in a non-traumatic manner leaving the skin feeling smooth, clean & clear. You can walk out straightaway looking good, not with red marks on the whole face.
I think that answers the question!
I wish people would do some of their own research so
1) they don't get conned (don't just believe people you think are professionals e.g. beauticians. Even doctors - if something doesn't sound quite right, GET A 2nd OPINION!)
2) they don't have unreasonable expectations of what they are paying for.
"Facial" can mean lots of things & can include the following:
1) "deep cleansing" - beautician cleaning your face & massaging it at the same time sending you to sleep
2) steaming your face to "open your pores" - which is a myth.
3) then they press & squeeze like mad to extract out blackheads which will leave the face red & inflamed for a couple of days..after which you may have a bad acne breakout from all that irritation. They tell you they have cleaned out all the "dirty things" & "poisonous blood". Fact is, the "dirt" is just oxidized sebum (=your own natural oils which have reacted with oxygen in the air). The "poisonous blood" is because you're bleeding from all that trauma to your face.
4) Then they may charge you an arm & a leg for massaging an "ampoule" (an ampoule of don't know what) into your face - that's an extra RM50 - RM100. You can pay that kind of money to buy a good serum & massage it into your face for a whole month.
5) Maybe topped off with a mask & leave to you to sleep for half an hour to give "value for money" because you paid RM380 for 2 hours of treatment.
To be fair, there are many well-trained competent beauticians out there who don't do the horrible things described above. Unfortunately, there are too many of such people who call themselves beauticians (after a 3 day training course)tarnishing the industry with such service. Let's not get started with the ones who inject all sorts of rubbish from industrial silicone to animal extracts.....
Does one "need" a facial? - Answer your own question.
A microdermabrasion removes dead skin & removes sebum from blackheads & whiteheads in a non-traumatic manner leaving the skin feeling smooth, clean & clear. You can walk out straightaway looking good, not with red marks on the whole face.
I think that answers the question!
Monday, January 10, 2011
German firm tests 'double chin' drug
Jan 11, 2011
BERLIN - GERMAN drugs giant Bayer said on Monday it had launched tests into an injectable drug to combat the fat deposits that lead to the dreaded 'double chin.'
Bayer said in a statement it was conducting clinical trials into ATX-101, an injectable drug 'for the reduction of localised fat under the chin (submental fat)'.
The firm is testing some 720 people in 64 centres in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy with a view to launching a product in Europe, Asia and South America in 2014.
Dr Jean-Paul Ortonne, a French dermatologist involved in the trials, said: 'There is a huge demand for a safe, effective and approved injectable treatment for localised fat reduction.'
The tests are a step towards 'a well-studied, clinically-proven treatment to reduce localised submental fat without surgery,' he added.
Ms Yvonne Moeller, a Bayer spokesman, described the procedure as 'something like a tattoo'. Between 40 and 70 tiny injections are administered into the fat cells over several sessions, with the amount depending on the size of the double chin and the person, she told AFP. -- AFP
BERLIN - GERMAN drugs giant Bayer said on Monday it had launched tests into an injectable drug to combat the fat deposits that lead to the dreaded 'double chin.'
Bayer said in a statement it was conducting clinical trials into ATX-101, an injectable drug 'for the reduction of localised fat under the chin (submental fat)'.
The firm is testing some 720 people in 64 centres in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy with a view to launching a product in Europe, Asia and South America in 2014.
Dr Jean-Paul Ortonne, a French dermatologist involved in the trials, said: 'There is a huge demand for a safe, effective and approved injectable treatment for localised fat reduction.'
The tests are a step towards 'a well-studied, clinically-proven treatment to reduce localised submental fat without surgery,' he added.
Ms Yvonne Moeller, a Bayer spokesman, described the procedure as 'something like a tattoo'. Between 40 and 70 tiny injections are administered into the fat cells over several sessions, with the amount depending on the size of the double chin and the person, she told AFP. -- AFP
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Updates from Aesthetics Conference Singapore Sept 2010
Just returned from a regional Aesthetics Conference in S'pore. Can't say that there have been major breakthroughs in new technologies but certainly there have been many advancements in improvement in quality of new products & the research to back up their claims. In addition, I've also reconfirmed what I already know to be true so here are a few myth-busting truths:
Melasma
1. Lasers & IPL are not good treatments for melasma. Results are only temporary (can be as short as 1 week) & it ALWAYS relapses within 8 weeks. In many cases, you get post-inflammatory pigmentation which makes your pigmentation look darker. Moreover, you need to do 10 sessions weekly for the 1st 10 weeks to lighten it - this costs RM5K-8K as an initial investment. Subsequently, you have to repeat the procedure at least 1x per month i.e. RM500-800 each month. These costs don't take into account the cost of creams which you have to use concurrently.
2. Treatment protocols are different for lighter & darker skin types, so please consult your doctor. Don't just buy some "miracle cream" from your friendly pirated DVD seller who persuades you to do so because her skin has whitened so much. Chances are her "miracle cream" contains high % hydroquinone & mercury. Don't begrudge your doctor the professional consultation fee because you'll end up paying multifold if things go wrong elsewhere.
3. There is still no miracle CURE for melasma. Whoever holds the cure will be the next multibillionaire on the Forbes list. The only time someone can guarantee you won't get melasma recurrence is when you're post-menopausal & not on HRT (hormone replacement therapy.
4. Everyone has a budget, so always start treatment with some good topical creams & sunblock - these form the foundation of a successful management of melasma. Other in-clinic treatments are add-ons.
ANTI-AGING - PRP V. STEM CELLS V. PLACENTA
There are so many things one can inject (or mesotherapy) into the face to rejuvenate the skin - from commercially manufactured products (you name it...vitamins C, lightening stuff, hyaluronic acid, commercially engineered growth factors, etc, etc) to your own plasma or even your own stem cells. How does one decide what's best? Ok, I've decided to sift it through & simplify it for everyone.
Firstly, I would skip the commercially manufactured stuff i.e. "ampoules". These "ampoules" are mostly from Taiwan or Korea or various parts of South East Asia. Frankly you never know what's inside & can never ascertain what they claim is true. Hopefully, it's not just plain water or something that you could develop an allergy to.
That leaves PRP or STEM CELLS or PLACENTA - preferred as all contain physiologically balanced natural levels of growth factors (some commercially available products containing growth factors at very elevated concentrations were discontinued because of their association with abnormal tissue growth patterns)
PRP = platelet rich plasma
Pros - growth factors derived from your own blood so you know it's 100% safe & zero risk of allergy
- cheaper because the product is your own blood, just have to pay for processing & injection fees. Cost RM3600 for 3 sessions. More expensive if add hyaluronic acid filler as well.
Cons - Some believe that if you're sick or very old, the platelets or stem cells that are there will be of poorer quality (compared to an embryonic source).
STEM CELLS
Stem cells can be from your own tissue (usually fat) or from an embryonic source.
Your own stem cells:
pros - Absolutely safe as it's from your own body
cons - have to do liposuction to get the fat tissue out. It's a small procedure but nevertheless another big needle stuck into your body.
- not cheap - costs about RM20K (or more, depending on lab) in total - inclusive of liposuction, transport, storage, reinjection.
- again, if you're biologically old or of poor health, the quality of stem cells might not be as good as embyronic source.
Enbryonic stem cells:
CHA Hospital (branches in Korea, Switzerland, Boston, Hollywood) have come up with Evercell - the ONLY approved embryonic stemcell available in the world currently.
pros - convenient source, no need to do liposuction
- cheaper than your own stem cells. Cost RM10K in total for 5 sessions done every fortnightly.
- best quality stem cells as it comes from 3 day old human embryos.
- it has been tested for toxicity & allergenic potential & the results have been good.
cons - not cheap compared to PRP but cheaper than harvesting one's own stem cells.
PLACENTA (human source)
pros - relatively cheap source available from Japan or Korea. cost RM2000 for 5 sessions.
- again convenient source as no need to do liposuction
cons - allergy to placenta possible
FILLER
What do you want in a filler?
- safe - non-toxic, non-inflammatory, no foreign body reaction, does not cause cancer
- effective - does not migrate, fells natural, long-lasting yet biodegradable
- approved & cost-effectfive
Look no further than hyaluronic acid. No other filler material has the safety record of hyaluronic acid. It is also affordable as it now comes in large volume syringes capping the cost of a "liquid facelift" at a maximum of RM3000. Ther eis also now superior MPT technology that makes it last 2-3 months longer than previous formulations.
Melasma
1. Lasers & IPL are not good treatments for melasma. Results are only temporary (can be as short as 1 week) & it ALWAYS relapses within 8 weeks. In many cases, you get post-inflammatory pigmentation which makes your pigmentation look darker. Moreover, you need to do 10 sessions weekly for the 1st 10 weeks to lighten it - this costs RM5K-8K as an initial investment. Subsequently, you have to repeat the procedure at least 1x per month i.e. RM500-800 each month. These costs don't take into account the cost of creams which you have to use concurrently.
2. Treatment protocols are different for lighter & darker skin types, so please consult your doctor. Don't just buy some "miracle cream" from your friendly pirated DVD seller who persuades you to do so because her skin has whitened so much. Chances are her "miracle cream" contains high % hydroquinone & mercury. Don't begrudge your doctor the professional consultation fee because you'll end up paying multifold if things go wrong elsewhere.
3. There is still no miracle CURE for melasma. Whoever holds the cure will be the next multibillionaire on the Forbes list. The only time someone can guarantee you won't get melasma recurrence is when you're post-menopausal & not on HRT (hormone replacement therapy.
4. Everyone has a budget, so always start treatment with some good topical creams & sunblock - these form the foundation of a successful management of melasma. Other in-clinic treatments are add-ons.
ANTI-AGING - PRP V. STEM CELLS V. PLACENTA
There are so many things one can inject (or mesotherapy) into the face to rejuvenate the skin - from commercially manufactured products (you name it...vitamins C, lightening stuff, hyaluronic acid, commercially engineered growth factors, etc, etc) to your own plasma or even your own stem cells. How does one decide what's best? Ok, I've decided to sift it through & simplify it for everyone.
Firstly, I would skip the commercially manufactured stuff i.e. "ampoules". These "ampoules" are mostly from Taiwan or Korea or various parts of South East Asia. Frankly you never know what's inside & can never ascertain what they claim is true. Hopefully, it's not just plain water or something that you could develop an allergy to.
That leaves PRP or STEM CELLS or PLACENTA - preferred as all contain physiologically balanced natural levels of growth factors (some commercially available products containing growth factors at very elevated concentrations were discontinued because of their association with abnormal tissue growth patterns)
PRP = platelet rich plasma
Pros - growth factors derived from your own blood so you know it's 100% safe & zero risk of allergy
- cheaper because the product is your own blood, just have to pay for processing & injection fees. Cost RM3600 for 3 sessions. More expensive if add hyaluronic acid filler as well.
Cons - Some believe that if you're sick or very old, the platelets or stem cells that are there will be of poorer quality (compared to an embryonic source).
STEM CELLS
Stem cells can be from your own tissue (usually fat) or from an embryonic source.
Your own stem cells:
pros - Absolutely safe as it's from your own body
cons - have to do liposuction to get the fat tissue out. It's a small procedure but nevertheless another big needle stuck into your body.
- not cheap - costs about RM20K (or more, depending on lab) in total - inclusive of liposuction, transport, storage, reinjection.
- again, if you're biologically old or of poor health, the quality of stem cells might not be as good as embyronic source.
Enbryonic stem cells:
CHA Hospital (branches in Korea, Switzerland, Boston, Hollywood) have come up with Evercell - the ONLY approved embryonic stemcell available in the world currently.
pros - convenient source, no need to do liposuction
- cheaper than your own stem cells. Cost RM10K in total for 5 sessions done every fortnightly.
- best quality stem cells as it comes from 3 day old human embryos.
- it has been tested for toxicity & allergenic potential & the results have been good.
cons - not cheap compared to PRP but cheaper than harvesting one's own stem cells.
PLACENTA (human source)
pros - relatively cheap source available from Japan or Korea. cost RM2000 for 5 sessions.
- again convenient source as no need to do liposuction
cons - allergy to placenta possible
FILLER
What do you want in a filler?
- safe - non-toxic, non-inflammatory, no foreign body reaction, does not cause cancer
- effective - does not migrate, fells natural, long-lasting yet biodegradable
- approved & cost-effectfive
Look no further than hyaluronic acid. No other filler material has the safety record of hyaluronic acid. It is also affordable as it now comes in large volume syringes capping the cost of a "liquid facelift" at a maximum of RM3000. Ther eis also now superior MPT technology that makes it last 2-3 months longer than previous formulations.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Stem Cells reverse blindness
Some of my clients misinterpret my views about stem cells after reading the articles posted in my blog. I definitely support this very exciting field of medicine. However, for cosmetic purposes, please weigh up the pros & cons as presented to you & as per your own research before trying it.
Jun 24, 2010
Stem cells reverse blindness
This image from an Italian study published online by the New England Journal of Medicine shows the eyes of three patients with alkali burns before and after successful stem cell transplants. -- PHOTO: AP
LOS ANGELES - DOZENS of people who were blinded or otherwise suffered severe eye damage when they were splashed with caustic chemicals had their sight restored with transplants of their own stem cells - a stunning success for the burgeoning cell-therapy field, Italian researchers reported Wednesday.
The treatment worked completely in 82 of 107 eyes and partially in 14 others, with benefits lasting up to a decade so far. One man whose eyes were severely damaged more than 60 years ago now has near-normal vision.
'This is a roaring success,' said ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan Schwab of the University of California, Davis, who had no role in the study - the longest and largest of its kind.
Stem cell transplants offer hope to the thousands of people worldwide every year who suffer chemical burns on their corneas from heavy-duty cleansers or other substances at work or at home.
The approach would not help people with damage to the optic nerve or macular degeneration, which involves the retina. Nor would it work in people who are completely blind in both eyes, because doctors need at least some healthy tissue that they can transplant.
In the study, published online by the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers took a small number of stem cells from a patient's healthy eye, multiplied them in the lab and placed them into the burned eye, where they were able to grow new corneal tissue to replace what had been damaged. Since the stem cells are from their own bodies, the patients do not need to take anti-rejection drugs. -- AP
Jun 24, 2010
Stem cells reverse blindness
This image from an Italian study published online by the New England Journal of Medicine shows the eyes of three patients with alkali burns before and after successful stem cell transplants. -- PHOTO: AP
LOS ANGELES - DOZENS of people who were blinded or otherwise suffered severe eye damage when they were splashed with caustic chemicals had their sight restored with transplants of their own stem cells - a stunning success for the burgeoning cell-therapy field, Italian researchers reported Wednesday.
The treatment worked completely in 82 of 107 eyes and partially in 14 others, with benefits lasting up to a decade so far. One man whose eyes were severely damaged more than 60 years ago now has near-normal vision.
'This is a roaring success,' said ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan Schwab of the University of California, Davis, who had no role in the study - the longest and largest of its kind.
Stem cell transplants offer hope to the thousands of people worldwide every year who suffer chemical burns on their corneas from heavy-duty cleansers or other substances at work or at home.
The approach would not help people with damage to the optic nerve or macular degeneration, which involves the retina. Nor would it work in people who are completely blind in both eyes, because doctors need at least some healthy tissue that they can transplant.
In the study, published online by the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers took a small number of stem cells from a patient's healthy eye, multiplied them in the lab and placed them into the burned eye, where they were able to grow new corneal tissue to replace what had been damaged. Since the stem cells are from their own bodies, the patients do not need to take anti-rejection drugs. -- AP
Monday, June 21, 2010
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) treats hormonal imbalances with natural hormones rather than chemically manufactured or altered ones. Hormonal imbalance is most often caused by menopause, and at any given time, more than 40 million American women are experiencing some stage of menopause.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Facts
* Hormones are extracted from plants and vegetables rather than lab created.
* Balances hormones to relieve symptoms of menopause or other hormonal imbalance.
* Often prescribed as a cream rather than a pill.
How does BHRT work?
Bioidentical hormones are designed to have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by your own body. They are made from natural extracts, often coming from soy or yams. Conversely, synthetic hormones like Premarin and Provera are intentionally different. Pharmaceutical companies can't patent a bioidentical structure, so they invent synthetic hormones that can be patented. Often, bioidentical hormones are creams that are rubbed in the skin which many feel is a more natural method of delivering the hormones than swallowing a pill. Some physicians feel that synthetic hormones carry harsh side effects and can even increase a patient's risk for certain cancers which led to the development of bioidentical hormones.
A great benefit of bioidentical hormones is that because they are natural, your body can metabolize them as it was designed to do with little or no side effects. Many synthetic hormones are quite powerful and often produce difficult side effects.
Your physician will typically take some blood work or send you to a lab to have blood work done to determine your hormone levels and decide which hormones and at what strength are appropriate to help overcome the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
What are the risks?
Although the benefits of HRT are well documented, uncertainty still remains regarding its risks. Only about 20 percent of postmenopausal women use HRT long-term. This is partly due to unresolved questions about HRT, its potential cause for breast cancer and intolerable side effects.
How much does BHRT cost?
The fees vary greatly. There is a charge for the lab to process your blood work which is taken to determine what hormones you need. Finally, there is the cost for the hormones themselves.
Classic symptoms of menopause include:
# Hot Flashes
# Night sweats
# Depression
# Anxiety
# Irritability
# Sleep disturbances
# Mood swings
# Headaches
# Memory problems
# Decreased libido
# Vaginal dryness
# Loss of bladder control.
Symptoms of menopause may begin to occur five to seven years before menopause, when the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones decreases.
Registered bioidentical hormones are now available in Malaysia.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Facts
* Hormones are extracted from plants and vegetables rather than lab created.
* Balances hormones to relieve symptoms of menopause or other hormonal imbalance.
* Often prescribed as a cream rather than a pill.
How does BHRT work?
Bioidentical hormones are designed to have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by your own body. They are made from natural extracts, often coming from soy or yams. Conversely, synthetic hormones like Premarin and Provera are intentionally different. Pharmaceutical companies can't patent a bioidentical structure, so they invent synthetic hormones that can be patented. Often, bioidentical hormones are creams that are rubbed in the skin which many feel is a more natural method of delivering the hormones than swallowing a pill. Some physicians feel that synthetic hormones carry harsh side effects and can even increase a patient's risk for certain cancers which led to the development of bioidentical hormones.
A great benefit of bioidentical hormones is that because they are natural, your body can metabolize them as it was designed to do with little or no side effects. Many synthetic hormones are quite powerful and often produce difficult side effects.
Your physician will typically take some blood work or send you to a lab to have blood work done to determine your hormone levels and decide which hormones and at what strength are appropriate to help overcome the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
What are the risks?
Although the benefits of HRT are well documented, uncertainty still remains regarding its risks. Only about 20 percent of postmenopausal women use HRT long-term. This is partly due to unresolved questions about HRT, its potential cause for breast cancer and intolerable side effects.
How much does BHRT cost?
The fees vary greatly. There is a charge for the lab to process your blood work which is taken to determine what hormones you need. Finally, there is the cost for the hormones themselves.
Classic symptoms of menopause include:
# Hot Flashes
# Night sweats
# Depression
# Anxiety
# Irritability
# Sleep disturbances
# Mood swings
# Headaches
# Memory problems
# Decreased libido
# Vaginal dryness
# Loss of bladder control.
Symptoms of menopause may begin to occur five to seven years before menopause, when the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones decreases.
Registered bioidentical hormones are now available in Malaysia.
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