title: The role of stem cells in aesthetic surgery: fact or fiction?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stem cells are attractive candidates for the development of novel therapies, targeting indications that involve functional restoration of defective tissue. Although most stem cell therapies are new and highly experimental, there are clinics around the world that exploit vulnerable patients with the hope of offering supposed stem cell therapies, many of which operate without credible scientific merit, oversight, or other patient protection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the potential and the drawbacks of incorporation of stem cells in cosmetic procedures. A review of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications and ongoing clinical trials with adipose stem cells is provided. Furthermore, a "snapshot" analysis of Web sites using the search terms "stem cell therapy" or "stem cell treatment" or "stem cell facelift" was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the protective net cast by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and professional societies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the authors are witnessing worrying advertisements for procedures such as stem cell face lifts, stem cell breast augmentations, and even stem cell vaginal rejuvenation. The marketing and promotion of stem cell procedures in aesthetic surgery is not adequately supported by clinical evidence in the majority of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stem cells offer tremendous potential, but the marketplace is saturated with unsubstantiated and sometimes fraudulent claims that may place patients at risk. With plastic surgeons at the forefront of stem cell-based regenerative medicine, it is critically important that they provide an example of a rigorous approach to research, data collection, and advertising of stem cell therapies.
authors.affiliation: Stanford, Calif. From the Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McArdle
authors.forename: Kshemendra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Senarath-Yapa
authors.forename: Graham G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Walmsley
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Atashroo
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tevlin
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zielins
authors.forename: Geoffrey C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Gurtner
authors.forename: Derrick C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Longaker
mesh_terms: D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000191:economics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D040541:Marketing; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012060:Rejuvenation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
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