Stem Cells and the Future of Skin Regeneration

At Clinique La Prairie, cellular science has been part of our story since 1931. Today, this legacy continues through new regenerative approaches in aesthetic medicine.

In this interview, Dr. Smarrito, Aesthetic Surgeon at Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, shares his vision of adipose stem cells, their role in skin quality, and why they represent a new chapter in the science of healthy aging.

> Dr. Smarrito, could you introduce yourself?

I am Dr. Smarrito, Aesthetic Surgeon at Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, Switzerland.

My work focuses on aesthetic surgery, with a particular interest in skin quality, tissue regeneration, and the role of adipose stem cells. Today, stem cells are opening a new chapter in aesthetic medicine, because they allow us to work not only on appearance, but also on the biology of the skin.

> What are stem cells, in simple terms?

Stem cells are cells naturally present in the body. Their role is to help renew tissue.

When we speak about stem cells in my field, we often speak about adipose stem cells. These are stem cells found in the fat. They are particularly interesting because they can support tissue renewal and help improve the quality of the skin from within.

For me, they are one of the most important evolutions in aesthetic medicine today.

> Why are adipose stem cells so interesting for the skin?

Because the quality of the skin does not only depend on the surface.

Of course, the surface matters. We all know the importance of skincare, hydration, protection, and daily rituals. But the true quality of the skin is also behind the skin. It is in the fat, the cells, the growth factors, and the biological environment that supports the tissue.

Adipose stem cells are interesting because they work at this deeper level. They help support the skin’s vitality and trophicity, which means the quality, texture, and biological condition of the tissue.

> Why does the skin need this kind of support with age?

With time, the skin changes. Its capacity to renew itself becomes less efficient.

In our skin, we naturally have stem cells that participate in tissue renewal. But with the aging process, this reserve and activity can decrease. This is one of the reasons why the skin may lose quality, vitality, and resilience over time.

The purpose of adipose stem cells is to bring a kind of cellular boost. We are not trying to create something artificial. We are using the patient’s own cells to support the tissue and help improve skin quality.

> Are the stem cells used at Clinique La Prairie from the patient’s own body?

Yes. This is very important.

At Clinique La Prairie, we use autologous stem cells. This means they come from the patient’s own body. More specifically, they come from the patient’s own fat.

There are many things said about stem cells, especially online. Sometimes people imagine that stem cells come from something foreign, or that they are transformed in a laboratory. This is not the approach I am speaking about here.

Here, we work with fresh stem cells from the patient’s own body.

> Why is this distinction so important?

Because stem cells are a world in themselves. There are many types of stem cells, many techniques, and many different approaches around the world.

For me, safety and precision are essential. At Clinique La Prairie, we use the patient’s own cells because we want to remain as close as possible to the body’s natural biology. These are not foreign cells. They are not laboratory created cells. They are your cells.

This is a very important part of our philosophy.

> How does this connect with the history of Clinique La Prairie?

Clinique La Prairie has a long history with cellular science. Since 1931, the clinic has explored the role of cells in health, vitality, and longevity.

For me, cells are part of the DNA of Clinique La Prairie.

There is a major program of revitalisation at the clinic, and my work can be seen as a form of skin revitalisation. As an aesthetic surgeon, I apply this cellular expertise to the skin, with the objective of improving its quality, vitality, and regenerative potential.

> How are stem cells different from fillers?

Fillers are mainly used to restore or create volume. They can be very useful, but they act in a different way.

With adipose stem cells, we enter another field, which is regenerative aesthetic medicine. The goal is not simply to add volume. The goal is to support the biology of the skin.

This is a major evolution in my profession. For many years, aesthetic medicine focused a lot on fillers and volume. Today, we speak more and more about the biology of the skin, the biology of fat, and the role of cells.

It is a more profound approach.

> How did this approach evolve from lipofilling?

Lipofilling has been used in aesthetic surgery for many years. The idea was to use the patient’s own fat to restore volume.

But over time, we observed something very interesting. When we transferred fat, we were not only restoring volume. We were also improving the quality of the tissues.

This led us to look more closely at what is inside the fat. And inside the fat, we find adipose stem cells and growth factors. These elements are part of what can help improve the quality of the skin.

Today, we can focus more precisely on this regenerative potential, sometimes without looking for a volume effect.

> What is Cell Boost at Clinique La Prairie?

Cell Boost is a procedure designed to support skin quality using fresh adipose stem cells.

It is a short procedure, performed in a surgical environment to ensure safety and precision. We collect the patient’s own fat, extract the relevant cellular material, and use it to support the skin.

For me, it is fascinating because in around one hour, we can use the patient’s own cells to help improve the biological quality of the skin.

> What kind of result can someone expect?

The objective is not to change the face. It is not about overcorrection. It is not about adding too much volume.

The objective is to improve the skin’s quality.

We are looking for better texture, better vitality, and a more regenerated appearance. It is a subtle approach, but a powerful one, because it works with the tissue itself.

> Is this procedure difficult for the patient?

For the patient, it is relatively simple.

Of course, behind the procedure there is science, medical expertise, and a precise clinical environment. But from the patient’s perspective, it is a short procedure.

This is what makes it so interesting. We can use fresh stem cells from the patient’s own fat and support the skin in a way that is both sophisticated and biologically coherent.

> What is stem cell banking?

Stem cell banking means collecting the patient’s fat and preserving the stem cells for potential future use.

It is a way of investing in the future. The cells can be stored and may later be used for aesthetic purposes, depending on the patient’s needs and the medical indication.

There is also a broader medical perspective. Stem cell science continues to evolve, and there is a lot of research around possible future applications. But this field is also highly regulated, so it is important to speak about it with precision and responsibility.

> Could stem cells have a role beyond aesthetics?

Yes, stem cells already have an important role in some fields of medicine, and research is continuing in many others.

As an aesthetic surgeon, my focus is skin quality, regeneration, and healthy aging. But as a doctor, I also know that stem cells are part of a much larger scientific revolution.

They are not just a trend. They are a new door in medicine.

> Why is scientific expertise essential when working with stem cells?

Because stem cells are living cells. They must be used with knowledge, caution, and medical responsibility.

There are many publications and studies about stem cells. The science is moving very fast. But this also means that the approach must be very professional.

At Clinique La Prairie, we do not introduce a procedure simply because it is fashionable. Behind every medical act, there must be scientific discussion, safety, and a clear objective.

> What is the role of skincare compared with stem cells?

Skincare is important. I love skincare, and I always encourage patients to take care of their skin every day.

Cosmetics help hydrate, protect, and maintain the surface of the skin. They are part of a good routine.

But if we want to go further, we have to think beyond the surface. The secret of skin quality is also behind the skin, in the fat, the cells, and the growth factors. This is where adipose stem cells become so interesting.

Skincare supports the surface. Stem cells support the deeper biological quality of the skin.

> How do you see the future of aesthetic medicine?

I believe the future of aesthetic medicine is regenerative.

For many years, we spoke mostly about fillers, hyaluronic acid, and volume. Today, at conferences around the world, the conversation is changing. We speak more and more about the biology of the skin, the role of fat, and the power of cells.

For me, this is not only the future. It is already happening now.

> Why is Clinique La Prairie the right place for this approach?

Because Clinique La Prairie has a unique relationship with cellular science.

The clinic has been working with the idea of cellular revitalisation since 1931. Today, we continue this story with modern science, medical expertise, and a holistic vision of longevity.

In my field, adipose stem cells allow us to bring this heritage to the skin. It is a natural continuation of what Clinique La Prairie has always explored: the science of living better, healthier, and longer.