Despite the recessions taking place around the world, the number of women who are turning to cosmetic surgery to erase or eliminate their smile lines is on the rise. Cosmetic markets are seeing a year-on-year increase of between 4-6% and the US market saw spending in excess of $10bn on 14m cosmetic treatments & operations in 2011. Similarly, cosmetic surgery in the UK is seeing a 5.8% increase with female treatments but this is closely followed with a 5.6% increase in men’s treatments. The increased demand and investment in the cosmetic industry has meant many new state-of-the-art technologies are being introduced. Recently, LAVIV, which markets itself as the first and only personalized cell therapy for aesthetics, debuted.

A product ten years in the making, this will soon be giving other dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm a run for their money.

But the way LAVIV is different is that it uses your own cells to promote the turnover, and unlike many topicals that address only the surface dermal layers of the skin, LAVIV works to promote cell turnover deep down –which can give you longer lasting effects. “With topical antiaging products, the effects are seldom long lasting,” says Dr. Munavalli, a North Carolina based dermatologist and endorser of LAVIV. “This is truly a breakthrough, and it’s FDA approved, which means both safety and efficacy standards are met.”

LAVIV is available only through a Board Certified Dermatologist, and the procedure is similar to what you’ll go through for other minor cosmetic procedures like Botox and Juvederm. Dr. Munavalli recommends three treatments, typically three to six weeks apart. The way it works is like this: a sample of skin cells are take from behind your ear ; these cells are called fibroblasts and they make collagen. Then, these cells are sent to the company’s lab and the fibroblasts are multiplied, a process that takes several weeks, and then they are injected into your smile lines.

So, you see, you use your own cells to help you with your smile lines.

Is LAVIV expensive? Over the long haul, the costs come out in the wash, and it really isn’t. Your initial treatment, depending on which dermatologist you visit, may run in the range of $1,600 and up but if you compare this treatment to laser and other less effective topical treatments, you’ll realize this is a value. Plus, the refills cost far less, so the initial cost will typically be the biggest.

For more information and questions, visit the site’s FAQs here.

Tell us, are you partial to cosmetic procedures? Which ones are worth it for you? Would you try LAVIV?

– Charu Suri

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