Regenerative medicine can be a complicated topic, but it doesn’t have to be! While the science and natural mechanisms behind it are extraordinary, learning more and understanding what’s involved can be broken down into easy-to-understand elements. Regenerative medicine is changing the standard procedure of injury and cosmetic treatments by offering a newer, less invasive, less risky alternative to surgical procedures.
The team of experts at Kumar Aesthetics Institute offers a range of regenerative medicine services, each uniquely designed to help manage conditions or improve the benefits of cosmetic procedures like hair restoration. Our team wants to help answer some of the most common questions we hear about regenerative medicine, so we have created a shortlist below!
If you have further questions or would like to speak with a member of our team, we will gladly arrange a time for a phone call or consultation.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine is designed to leverage the naturally occurring healing mechanisms that exist within the body. Your body is constantly repairing, replacing, and rebuilding the cellular structure as cells progress through their life cycle.
When you sustain an injury, your body uses resources found within your blood, bone marrow, and other sources to repair the tissues. Platelets, cytokines, and other growth factors are important parts of the recovery process. However, healing only occurs for a certain period of time and with limited effectiveness.
Where Are The Samples Taken From?
Regenerative Medicine aims to assist that natural process by extracting samples from a range of sources (blood, bone marrow, adipose (fat), amniotic, embryonic).
These samples contain highly concentrated amounts of these healing properties, which are then injected or introduced directly into an injury site to maximize the amount of healing that takes place.
How Does Regenerative Medicine Work?
Cells can be thought of as building blocks. They may become damaged, break, and need replacing in order to keep the structure intact. Stem cells and other regenerative properties are designed to replace or repair damaged or dying cells.
The goal is to introduce these growth factors into injury sites, areas experiencing chronic degeneration, or to be used in conjunction with cosmetic procedures, giving your body a surplus of resources to heal and rebuild.
Regenerative medicine can be especially useful for targeting therapy to notoriously stubborn areas like joints and tendons and can also concentrate doses to boost their healing effect.
What Are The Different Forms of Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative Medicine is a broad term that encompasses a growing list of procedures. We thought it would be useful to list the most commonly used methods to get you started.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP therapy relies on the healing properties contained within your own blood. A small sample is taken and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the number of platelets at one end. This sample is then isolated and injected into the target site.
For more information about PRP, visit our full page here!
Stem Cell Therapy
Amniotic Stem Cells – derived from the amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid that is obtained after delivery. Amniotic Fluid helps reduce inflammation, increased epithelial cell reproduction.
Umbilical Stem Cells – As the name suggests, this sample is derived from the umbilical cord and is excellent for producing exosomes!
Autologous Stem Cells – are cells that have been extracted from your own body, meaning they won’t risk being rejected. Examples are Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC), extracted from fat deposits.
MSC Exosomes – Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are capable of differentiating into all of the different cell types, making them highly versatile.
For more information about stem cells and their uses, visit our full page here!
Are Stem Cells Safe?
Like many other procedures, risk varies from person to person, as well as the procedure that is being performed. Are you attempting to treat a vital organ or are you undergoing cosmetic treatment? The point is, you should always have a conversation with your medical professional to discuss any inherent risks.
Because stem cells are used for an ever-growing list of therapies, their safety for each application must be reviewed with each new adaptation. Studies highlighted by the NIH have shown variations of stem cells have been deemed safe, as have their uses for a variety of regenerative therapies.
Stem cell therapy is a medical procedure, and like all medical procedures, there are risks involved. Stem cells have been studied extensively and have shown that they can be safe and effective, even more so when being administered by a trained, experienced professional.
What Areas of the Body Benefit From Regenerative Medicine?
If you research regenerative medicine, it may appear as though the possibilities are endless! However, certain methods yield better results when applied to specific types of injuries. Here are a few examples.
Stem cells can be used to help heal injuries in
- Knees
- Back
- Neck and other joints
PRP has seen success in helping in the healing process of:
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Muscles and Joints
- Cosmetic procedures
- Micro-needling
- Hair restoration
Regenerative Medicine Therapy Available in Franklin, Tennessee
If you have any questions or concerns, the team at Kumar Aesthetics Institute is here to assist you in any way we can! If you would like to learn more or are ready to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call our offices or book a consultation online today!
