The Key Takeaways from the BAAPS Annual Scientific Meeting

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) Annual Scientific Meeting which took place in September once again proved to be a fertile ground for the unveiling and discussion of innovative treatments in aesthetic medicine. This year’s assembly highlighted several groundbreaking treatments and methodologies that are set to redefine the contours of aesthetic medicine.

StemForm Increases the Reliability of Fat Grafting

We were particularly enticed by StemForm’s revolutionary treatment. StemForm has emerged with a groundbreaking method that leverages adipose tissue-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) to provide a natural alternative to synthetic solutions like breast implants and hyaluronic acid facial fillers. By isolating and expanding a patient’s ASCs in the laboratory, StemForm significantly elevates the ASC concentration in fat tissue, ensuring a reliable fat graft for natural cosmetic results in procedures like breast augmentation, facial filling, and skin rejuvenation, with a residual volume increasing from 40% on when fatgrafting to 80% when fatgrafting with ASC. ACSs are more robust than mature fat cells and are therefore considered to better survive cosmetic procedures. If a substantial number of mature fat cells die shortly after the cosmetic procedure, sufficient numbers of other surviving cells are needed for natural cosmetic treatments to be effective.

One possible mechanism underlying the Stemform innovation is that ASCs are more resistant to low oxygen tension than mature fat cells. ASCs will therefore survive the cosmetic procedures better and differentiate into new fat cells, helping secure the supply of proteins and nutrients to the transplant to prevent the well-known high rate of hypoxia-induced fat cell death.

In other words, boosting the ratio of ASCs to fat significantly improves fat graft survival.

Making BBL Safe with Local Anesthesia

Spero J. Theodorou, the Surgical Director of bodySCULPT and Chief Medical Officer at Inmode Corporation discussed the safest way to perform The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). The mortality rate from BBL is estimated to be 1 in 3,000, which has given the procedure a bad reputation with consumers. These deaths are primarily occurring due to Pulmonary Fat Embolisms (PFE), A fat embolism occurs when fat gets into the bloodstream. In many cases, the fat gets into small blood vessels and does not cause serious complications. However, when it gets into larger blood vessels, especially those leading to the heart or lungs, it can cause life-threatening complications.

Fat should not be injected into the muscle to mitigate the risk of fat embolism. Instead, it should only be transferred into the subcutaneous layer, which is the space between the muscle and the skin. This is where the local anesthesia comes in, while still comfortable and painless for the patient, local anesthesia will allow for a reflex bodily rejection if the injection penetrates the muscle, which may not be so easily discerned under general anesthesia, thereby minimizing the risk of a pulmonary fat embolism occurring.

The Effects of Fillers on the Lymphatic Drainage System

Dr Theodorou teased upcoming research, shedding light on the effects of filler, which leads to lymphatic blockage manifested through shiny skin post-treatment. The study, to be published in December 2023, utilized spy cameras to visualize lymphatic pulling around the eyes, indicating lymph node blockage on the face—a concerning irreversible condition.

The Ponytail Lift

The Ponytail Lift is not leaving us, as a modern facelift technique, it continues to gain traction among both male and female patients. This minimally invasive procedure involves small incisions behind the hairline, through which facial muscles are lifted to provide a tighter, rejuvenated appearance, with a remarkable reduction in visible scarring. Dr. Chia Chi Kao discussed the modifications required for male patients, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches in aesthetic medicine to cater to evolving aesthetic preferences.

The BAAPS Annual Scientific Meeting offered a panorama of evolving trends and novel approaches in aesthetic medicine. The discussions and presentations were reflective of the industry's relentless pursuit of enhancing both the efficacy and safety of aesthetic procedures, underpinned by rigorous scientific inquiry and innovative techniques.