The Stem Cell Lift® Procedure:
New Hope in Treatment of Lichen Sclerosus
By: Nathan Newman, MD
New Hope for Treating Lichen Sclerosus: Stem Cell Therapy
Lichen sclerosus
Revolutionary advancements in stem cell therapy are transforming the
practice of medicine and providing an array of new, safe and effective
treatment options for many disease conditions, such as Lichen Sclerosus.
This new field of medicine is being termed Regenerative Medicine; since
it utilizes the natural regenerative and reparative powers of stem
cells to target damaged tissues and restore them to health. Over the
last decade, I have innovated The Stem Cell Lift®, a
procedure that harnesses the power of your own body’s stem cells for
use in reconstructive and cosmetic purposes. Today, we have seen
remarkable results with the Stem Cell Lift® procedure for reconstruction
of post-cancer scarred defects, for painful or damaged joints,
ligaments and muscles, for wound healing and for Lichen Sclerosus.
What is Lichen Sclerosus
What is Lichen Sclerosus?
Lichen Sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin usually
involving the genital and anal areas. The disease is most prevalent in
women, especially post-menopausal women, followed by men, and rarely
children. In addition to unbearable itching similar to a chronic yeast
infection, the disease may cause scarring of the vaginal tissues and
consequently, narrows the vagina, which results in painful intercourse.
Many women lose their desire for intercourse for fear of the pain. Less
commonly, extra-genital Lichen Sclerosus appears on the upper body,
breasts, and upper arms. Lichens Sclerosus is not contagious.
Many doctors are not familiar with Lichen Sclerosus and are not able
to diagnose the disease correctly. Many patients are forced to see
numerous doctors before a correct diagnosis is made. Lichen Sclerosus,
as with many other chronic skin diseases, has had limited effective
medical treatments. In most cases, doctors prescribe a strong
corticosticosteroid ointment or cream, to provide temporary relief of
the itching and discomfort.
The Stem Cell Lift® Procedure
The Stem Cell Lift® is a minimally invasive procedure performed under
local anesthesia. To alleviate anxiety and for patient comfort, oral
sedative and/or intramuscular injections are usually administered. The
procedure is carried out in three stages. First, the area from where you
wish the fat to be taken from is marked and tumescent local anesthesia
is slowly injected using a blunt instrument. After a short wait to allow
for the anesthetic medication to work, the fat is removed under local
anesthesia using a mini-liposuction method through specially designed
instruments. Second, the obtained fat is processed to concentrate the
stem cells and increase their ratio to the fat cells being prepared for
injection. Third, local anesthesia is administered and the super-charged
adult stem cells from your own body's fat along with some fat cells are
injected. A bandage is placed on the area where the fat was taken. The
entire procedure is done all in the same day in about four hours.
Patients are able to walk and resume normal daily activities almost
immediately after the Stem Cell Lift® procedure.
Lichen sclerosis