Isolagen is a unique filler agent that has previously shown significant results in treating wrinkles, lip augmentation and scars from acne or chicken pox. Isolagen is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials for approval by the FDA. It is in use in the UK.

Isolagen is a non-invasive, non-surgical approach to skin rejuvenation. With Isolagen, it is possible to use your own skin cells to repair defects in the skin's dermis. Isolagen treatments are derived from your own skin and are long lasting as opposed to bovine collagen that fully dissolves over time. There is no need to repeat treatments every few months. Unlike bovine collagen, Isolagen is a natural, gradual process. Isolagen is a solution of living, collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts that are injected into dermal defects. These cells are obtained from and grown exclusively for each patient.

To start the process, under local anesthetic, the physician removes a tiny piece of skin from behind the ear. This area is closed with 2 tiny stitches or Dermabond skin glue. This tissue is shipped on ice to Isolagen Corporation where harvested skin is cultured under a patented process. Approximately 6-8 weeks later, treatment is ready to begin. A small amount of fluid is injected by the physician into the desired site. This is repeated every two weeks for typically 3 sessions. The living cells that are injected into the skin gradually develop a network of collagen bundles and continue to reproduce themselves. Optimal effects are seen between 4 and 6 months. Treatments are performed in the physician's office and patients are free to return to their normal routine.

Fibroblasts are much more active and effective at repairing skin when obtained from younger skin. Isolagen's Cell Storage System allows you to permanently save these younger cells for use in years to come. This allows you to obtain, at any time, highly effective cells without having to go through another biopsy.

Isolagen is still not yet FDA approved for use here in the U.S. In the past I was very impressed with the success patients achieved with the use of the Isolagen process. It remains to be seen if this product will once again return to the U.S.

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. I hope you have found it informative.

Audrey Kunin, M.D.

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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