La Viv - the "Self Filler"

What if you could take a few of your own skin cells and turn them into hundreds of thousands of new ones? What if these new cells would become a self-filler for lines and folds and creases? And what if it were as simple as taking a tiny tissue sample from behind your ear?

That’s LaViv. YOUR cells are used to create YOUR fibroblasts which in turn create YOUR new collagen. No artificial filler. No unexpected reaction. No testing. No attempt by your body to break down those new collagen fibers.

Building on the Body’s Natural Processes

LaViv is a scientific breakthrough based on the body’s own natural processes. Fibroblasts are the creators of collagen and collagen is what makes our skin firm and smooth and resilient.

The LaViv process is actually pretty simple –

First, a small tissue sample is taken from behind your ear. This location is used because it has the least exposure to sunlight and the least “damage” to DNA.

This tissue sample is sent to the Fibrocell labs, where it is cultured and expanded into 100s of thousands of your own fibroblasts in a special growth medium. This process takes from 3 to 6 months, depending on how energetic your cells are. As we age, our cells naturally tend to slow down, so the older you are, the longer the culture time.

When there is an ample supply of viable cells, they are shipped back to our office and injected into the areas that you wish to improve – lines, wrinkles, folds. There is no limit to the application.

A perpetual cell bank

The LaViv process means you have a nearly perpetual “cell bank” at the lab. Your tissue cells are cryopreserved and when you need more, more are cultured and made ready for you.

Unlike manufactured fillers, your body won’t see these cells as foreign, so there is no attempt by the body to get rid of them. ( Filler breakdown is a natural response to any tissue introduction that is not from your own cell DNA).

A filler that becomes you and ages with you

Although LaViv does not decompose like other fillers, the cells will age, just as the rest of your body does, so the improvements you see will co-exist with your natural  aging. But with your own cell bank at your disposal, you decide when you want more. The fibroblasts, once injected, begin the collagen generation process. This can take several months. Most patients will receive a series of injections to reach the desired results.

View this video interview with Dr. Greg Chernoff, a clinical trials investigator

Future Use - Scars and Acne Scarring

LaViv is in FDA clinical trials for acne scarring, which we are extremely excited about.

**Currently the demand for the LaViv process has overwhelmed the Fibrocell labs. New patients will not be able to begin the program until early 2013 when the labs have completed expansion. As a certified LaViv practice (both Dr. Mani and Dr. McLeod are certified LaViv physicians), we WILL be able to offer our patients this unique and natural rejuvenation process.  You are invited to visit us for a preliminary consultation and if you decide LaViv is your choice, you will be notified when you can set up your initial appointment and tissue collection.