The Latest Innovation in Aesthetics: LAVIV – A Healthier Injectable

In honor of Earth Month, I have decided to cover products and treatments that are greener, healthier and better for you. Being in my mid-40’s (I know I don’t look it :-)), I am constantly seeking out the best, most innovative anti-aging treatments that make me look the best I can for my age (or make me look just a bit younger.) And, it’s no secret that I am a fan of injectable fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, which have done wonders for my under eye hollows and dark circles (as I write this, I am reminded that I am just about due for my touch up). So I was delighted to be invited to an intimate informational session hosted by celeb dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban to learn all about LAVIV, an exciting new innovation in injectable aesthetics that uses your body’s own cells to improve the look of smile lines. Very Intriguing!

What is LAVIV™?

It is the first and only FDA-approved personalized cell therapy that uses your body’s own collagen-producing fibroblast cells to improve the look of smile lines by being injected into the nasolabial folds. 

A LAVIV treatment is made up of tens of millions of your own collagen-producing fibroblasts that have been cultivated from your own skin samples and is composed of at least 98% pure fibroblasts along with a mixture of water, sugars, vitamins, amino acids, salts and trace amounts of processing preservatives.

Basically, LAVIV uses your own cells (rather than chemicals or synthetic materials) to create a filler that is customized with your own DNA. This is particularly exciting for people who are more naturally inclined and want fillers but have been fearful because they do want not put something foreign into their skin, this is a healthier aesthetic alternative for them.

What are fibroblasts you ask?

Fibroblasts are a type of cell that produces collagen and plays a key role in the continued health of your skin. Collagen provides firmness and structure to the skin and is essential in supporting the dermis (or middle layer) of the skin. The dermis is a supportive and elastic connective tissue and is where fibroblasts are found. As we age, our fibroblasts reduce in number and the collagen matrix that makes up most of the dermis breaks down. This creates an imbalance that causes our skin to become less stretchable, less resilient, more lax, and prone to wrinkling.

How do they get my cells & create My LAVIV Injectable?

Your doctor will take a small sample of skin from behind your ear and send it to Fibrocell Science’s FDA-inspected manufacturing facility where it is expanded into millions of new fibroblast cells. All of your cells are cryopreserved (frozen) and those that are not immediately used are stored at the manufacturing facility for future use. Your personal LAVIV fibroblast cell therapy is ready in about 3 months and sent directly to your doctor.

How does LAVIV work?

Your doctor will inject your customized LAVIV treatment into the middle layer of your skin directly into your smile lines. The recommended course of treatment is three sessions each spaced three to six weeks apart.

How long does LAVIV last?

This exciting new technology has been clinically proven to be safe and effective in improving smile line wrinkles for six months. However, the longevity of this filler beyond six months still needs to be studied.

Overall, I find this new filler innovation particularly exciting! I love seeing how companies are exploring new healthier alternatives to aesthetics, so that women can have their cake and eat it to. LAVIV has pioneered a wonderful new option for women who are gun shy about fillers or who are just more concerned about what they put into their bodies. I am excited to see what the future holds in terms of better-for-you aesthetic products that make you look fab and at the same time don’t have unnecessary risks attached to them.