Scientists from Tokyo have demonstrated that they can take stem cells from a woman and use them to produce enough fat for a substantial, and natural-looking and feeling breast enhancement. They have successfully treated 39 women since 2004 with the technique, garnering what they claim are no serious side effects.
Fat has always been available in some form to enhance the breasts but the lack of blood supply often means that most of the fat cells will die. The new technique involves stem cells not only encouraging the growth of new fat cells but also blood vessels to nurture the new breast tissue.
The University of Illinois is the site of similar research that has put stem cells onto a special mold where they have grown to a specific shape, such as that of a breast.
Will these new advances replace breast implants? Japanese plastic surgeons believe that within five years the procedure will prove a viable alternative, whereas in Britain, plastic surgeons are saying much more research and many more must be successfully treated before they buy in.
Featured on page 72 of the Summer-Fall 2007 issue of NewBeauty.
