LaVív™ by Fibrocell® is a very innovative new anti-aging therapy which uses your body’s own skin cells to rejuvenate your skin. The Fibrocell process takes a small sample of your skin from behind one ear and then isolates the cells that produce collagen, elastic fibers and hyaluronic acid (which you might know better as the active ingredient in popular fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane) and then multiplies these cells (called “fibroblast cells”) creating tens of millions of new cells. The cells are then frozen and stored at Fibrocell until you are ready to have your cells injected back into your skin. The unused cells can be stored for years for possible future use, so as aging progresses you will be able to be treated with your own younger cells!
Originally approved for wrinkles and furrows or smile lines (the lines from your nose to the corner of your mouth), LaVív can also be used off-label to inject fine lines and wrinkles on most areas of your face and potentially other areas such as chest/décolleté and the back of your hands, etc. may be treated. LaVív has been used very successfully to treat various types of facial acne scarring and it is being studied for other types of scars. Results are natural and long lasting. Unlike some other skin rejuvenation procedures, LaVív can be used on skin of any color. LaVív is not a volume filler, so results occur over time and produce a natural, youthful appearance, but it also does not require the continual maintenance that current fillers which need repeat injections at periodic intervals.
A new anti-aging cream made from an extract produced by your own cells during their growth and multiplication is expected to become available this summer so that you can apply a personalized cream to complement your treatment with LaVív.
One of the many exciting things about LaVív is that you are using your body’s own cells to heal and rejuvenate your skin. I have specialized for most of my career in providing treatments which produce a natural appearance and youthful beauty to your skin with minimal or no downtime and I was privileged to help with 4 of the clinical studies before the FDA approval of LaVív. We were one of the first few centers in the country (and the first in Virginia) to offer LaVív after its FDA approval. We are also helping to train physicians around the country for the injection techniques for LaVív. Please call if you would like to discuss if LaVív might benefit you – we would be happy to teach you more about this exciting new product.