by Lois W. Stern Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Centre have discovered that different areas of the face age differently. For hundreds of years it was believed that the face consisted of one mass of fat that, through aging, gradually became weighted down by gravity. But according to Dr. Joel Pessa, lead author of this study published in the June, 2007 issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, this is not the case. In this study, injected dye remained in separate areas of the face, indicating that there are individual facial compartments around the forehead, eyes, cheeks and mouth. Dr Rod Rohrich, who is the centre's chairman of plastic surgery , said that this is a "revolutionary" way of looking at facial anatomy: A second related study, conducted by physicians and researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center, and reported in the July 1, 2007 issue of Nature Medicine, revealed that they may have discovered a natural way to add or remove fat to selected areas of the face or body: By injecting a natural chemical (neuropeptide Y) into targeted areas of laboratory animals, scientists were able to add fat to those specific areas. Similarly, by blocking this chemical (neuropeptide Y2R blocker), they were able to prevent the development of fat. ASPS Member Surgeon and study co-author Dr. Stephen Baker explains: This study, partially funded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), could revolutionize aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery by providing surgeons and their patients with a non-surgical and less invasive procedure for filling in crow’s feet, marionette lines or deflated lips. This natural chemical could be used to induce cells to make fat in a specific area. The patient’s own body would naturally fill in wrinkles or augment lips without the high re-absorption rate found with current fat injection techniques. Surgeons are hoping that neuropeptide Y also will offer another option to those in need of reconstructive surgeries: Conversely, the natural chemical, neuropeptide Y2R blocker, offers the potential for non-surgically removing fat from the thighs (saddle bags) and abdomen, by blocking the pathways that make cells create fat. In fact, this discovery could deliver similar results to liposuction, the most frequently performed cosmetic surgical procedure in 2006, by non-surgically removing localized fat. The future holds many promises for the rejuvenation of your face or body. Less invasive treatments are on the horizon, but we are not there yet. Keep tuned for more! This article is excerpted from a larger article written by Lois W. Stern, author of Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery, for the Long Island Beauty Guide - 2007 annual edition. You have my permission to reprint this article in part or full providing it contains the following attribution: Lois W. Stern is the author of the award winning book, Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery, (Infinity, 2006), soon to be republished in a revised edition with a CD enclosure. Lois invites prospective cosmetic surgery patients, physicians, and media to visit her website to read other articles and/or sign up for her monthly newsletter at: sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com |