LAVIV™ FDA-approved Fibroblast Skin Cell Therapy
Non-surgical Facial Volumizing Treatment in the San Diego Area
Dr. Melanie Palm is a noted expert in the use of non-surgical injectables and has been working with LAVIV™ for the treatment of smile lines, adding volume to the face, hands and decolletage. Dr. Palm treats facial aging and is a top trainer, key opinion leader, and physician lecturer for a variety of injectables in the United States. Her offices are located in Solana Beach, CA just north of San Diego and near Del Mar, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Carlsbad and La Jolla.
What is LAVIV™ (AZFICEL-T)?
LAVIV™ is the first and only FDA-approved personalized cell therapy for the correction of facial wrinkles. Dr. Palm has extensive experience with LAVIV™ and is a recognized expert in her field. LAVIV™ uses your own skin cells to create millions of fibroblasts – the cells that produce collagen – that are unique to you. Your own fibroblasts are then re-injected into wrinkles over a series of treatments, reducing and improving their appearance over a period of months.
How Does the LAVIV™ Procedure Work?
From start to finish, four visits are required to go through a complete cycle of LAVIV™ treatment. During the first visit, a skin sample is taken and submitted to a special laboratory for fibroblast culture and growth. It takes approximately 3 months for your LAVIV™ to be produced. Once your LAVIV™ is ready, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th physician visits occur at three to six week intervals. Approximately once a month for three sessions, you will see Dr. Palm to have your LAVIV™ injected into the areas of wrinkles to be improved.
Are results immediate with LAVIV?
No, it takes weeks to months for your injected fibroblasts to promote collagen production and therefore, wrinkle improvement. It is a delayed gratification procedure.
LAVIV Treatment FAQ
The skin sample obtained during the first visit is carefully labeled, packaged, and delivered to the FDA-inspected Fibrocell Science manufacturing facility. Over the next three months, the skin sample is cultured and expanded under sterile laboratory conditions to grow millions of fibroblast cells to make your LAVIV™. Once enough fibroblasts have been produced, your LAVIV™ is packaged in a syringe and delivered to your doctor for injection.
In accordance with the clinical study for FDA-approval, a skin sample is obtained from the skin behind your ear (postauricular area).
It takes approximately 3 months to produce enough fibroblasts for LAVIV™ injections. The time required to produce enough fibroblasts can vary but is usually between 11 to 22 weeks.
No, your skin cells may produce enough fibroblasts for multiple rounds of LAVIV™.
Your skin cells can be stored for use for up to 3 years.
LAVIV™ is indicated for injection of smile lines or nasolabial folds. However, physicians such as Dr. Palm may use it to correct other wrinkles on the face, or even other areas of the body such as hands or the décolletage area of the chest. LAVIV™ may even be combined in an “off-label” manner with other injectables (Juvederm or Restylane) or laser procedures (IPL or ResurFX) to increase the likelihood of collagen production in the skin.
A reliable patient is an absolute prerequisite for treatment with LAVIV™. Once LAVIV™ has been shipped from the manufacturing facility, the injection syringe is good for only one day. On the west coast, injections must be performed by 3 pm. Therefore, patients cannot cancel their appointments otherwise LAVIV™ is not usable and must be disposed. Individuals with hypersensitivity to any component of LAVIV™ or to certain antibiotics may not be candidates for treatment with LAVIV™.
Injection-related side effects are most common with LAVIV™, including bruising, swelling, redness, itching, or pain at the injection site. These side effects are uncommon and mild in nature.
LAVIV™ is typically priced as a “package,” including the price of the skin sample and all three rounds of LAVIV™ injection. Subsequent rounds of LAVIV™ may be less expensive than the initial treatment with LAVIV™.
The absolute duration of LAVIV™ is unknown. Clinical studies have demonstrated improvement at 6 months, and it is likely that wrinkle improvement lasts beyond 6 months.
If you are looking for a non-surgical alternative for getting rid of wrinkles and lines in the San Diego area, call Dr. Melanie Palm at 858.792.SKIN (7546) to schedule your appointment.
