Sci-fi brought to life as spray allows scars to heal themselves

A COSMETIC clinic has become the first centre in Scotland to use stem cell therapy to help heal burns and scars.Sculpta Clinic in Glasgow is one of just six in the UK to use the treatment, dubbed "spray-on skin", which uses the body's own ability to heal itself.

The treatment can also be used to treat vitiligo (a disorder that causes depigmentation of patch

es of skin), acne and burns scarring, say clinicians.

The Glasgow centre is the only one in Scotland to be part of a roll-out of the treatment, which was originally used to treat those burned in fires.

It is most effective in those patients where only the upper layers of skin are damaged.

Dr Mohammad Ahmad, clinical director at the Sculpta Clinic, said: "It really is the next generation of treatment and brings the magic of science fiction to life.

"Thanks to the technology involved, patients suffering from debilitating burns, horrific scarring, vitiligo, pigmentation and aged appearance are now able to heal properly, leaving them with no traces of the previous affliction."

The technique uses a sample of skin cells from a concealed area of the body, usually from behind the ear, in a biopsy of around 2mm in size.

These are then placed in a special enzyme solution to loosen critical cells which are then harvested.

The patient's skin is then treated with a laser to remove the top "dead" layers of skin to create a fresh surface to boost uptake of the solution.

A solution of stem cells in a suspension are then sprayed on to the treatment area and it is covered with a dressing for seven days.

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The clinic says results of a one-off treatment are seen within weeks, with scars "virtually" gone within a year.

But Dr Ahmad admitted the therapy was not an instant solution - it takes time as it is simply a catalyst for the natural healing process of the skin.

He said: "So far we have had two patients use the treatment and even within just a few weeks they are happy with the way their skin is healing and are looking forward to seeing how the area improves over the coming weeks and months."

Treatments are not cheap at ￡3,500 a time, but are ethical as the method of using a patient's own cells and only on them is not seen as controversial.

Dr Kieren Bong, a cosmetic doctor who runs Essence clinic in Glasgow, said: "I have heard of stem cell research being used for burns victims.

"It's a very new technology with very promising signs. Studies have been very encouraging.

"But it is something that is not completely understood and we need more long-term data before we can say it is safe for everyone.

"We need more long-term data on the effects of using new cells generated from stem cells."

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