From Anti-Aging to Wellness... JK Plastic Surgery Strengthens

As research into regenerative medicine, which helps damaged tissue recover, becomes more active, its range of applications is also expanding. Stem cells in particular are drawing attention as a key research area in regenerative medicine because they secrete various growth factors and are involved in tissue regeneration.

In Korea, research and clinical approaches using adipose-derived stem cells are being applied in the anti-aging field. Adipose tissue is one source from which stem cells can be obtained, drawing attention to its potential for regenerating the skin and other tissues.

However, medical procedures using stem cells require scientific evidence, safety, and appropriate patient selection above all else. The approach can vary depending on the type of cell, how it is collected and processed, the patient's health status, and the purpose of treatment, and it must be backed by a systematic medical system that includes infection control and pre- and post-procedure management. Therefore, anyone considering treatment should check the purpose, expected effects, limitations, and relevant approvals, and consult with medical staff who have sufficient experience.

■Regenerative Treatment Experience That Began With Severe Burn Reconstruction

JK Plastic Surgery (hereafter JK Plastic Surgery), a medical institution certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to attract foreign patients, has built up experience in regenerative treatment based on patient safety and infection control.

In particular, in 2011, through the Ministry of Health and Welfare's “Medical Korea Sharing Care” program, the clinic treated Tan Hui-Linn, a Malaysian patient with severe burns, providing reconstructive plastic surgery. At the time, staged reconstructive treatments including skin grafts were performed for extensive burns and scarring. Later, with normal skin tissue limited, adult stem cells derived from the patient's own bone marrow were used as an additional treatment method to improve burn scars and skin.

JK Plastic Surgery has continued to build up its experience in regenerative treatment while strengthening related systems such as infection control, and it currently holds four consecutive certifications as a medical institution for attracting foreign patients.

The certification system evaluates the quality of medical services and patient safety for foreign patients.

■One-on-One Customized Programs That Consider Health Status and Lifestyle

In stem cell treatment as well, JK Plastic Surgery takes a patient-centered approach as its basic direction, providing individualized programs that take into account health status, degree of aging, and lifestyle. For foreign patients, their schedule for staying in Korea is also taken into account.

In the skin field, the clinic combines components derived from the patient's own blood with laser procedures, and in the scalp field, it combines procedures using components obtained from the patient's own blood with scalp care. In the cosmetic surgery field as well, it runs programs that use adipose-derived stem cells, taking into account the patient's condition and treatment purpose.

Dr. Joo Kwon, Founding Surgeon and CEO of JK Plastic Surgery, emphasized, “Rather than applying a single program uniformly, we focus on designing an individualized program through thorough consultation, considering that each patient's health status and the medical approach they need can differ.”

■From Anti-Aging to Wellness... Considering Health as a Whole

JK Plastic Surgery is expanding its scope of care into the wellness field to consider not only external changes but also overall health.

The hospital has opened the JK Functional Medicine Center, which comprehensively evaluates an individual's living environment, nutritional status, and physical condition, and provides individualized health management programs based on this evaluation.

Functional medicine is an approach that comprehensively examines various factors affecting health, such as a patient's lifestyle, nutritional status, and environmental factors, to find individualized management solutions.

JK Plastic Surgery has set “AWE” — encompassing Anti-aging, Wellness, and Esthetic — as its direction of care, and is strengthening programs that consider not only external changes but also overall health and lifestyle together.

■Designated an 'Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution'... Clinical Research Foundation Also Established

Last year, the clinic was designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as an “Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution,” establishing a foundation to conduct advanced regenerative medicine clinical research under related laws.

An Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution is a medical institution designated under the Act on Safety and Support for Advanced Regenerative Medicine and Advanced Biologics, having met certain requirements for facilities, equipment, and personnel.

Based on the clinical experience and medical systems it has accumulated, JK Plastic Surgery plans to prioritize patient safety while further developing research and medical services in the regenerative medicine field.

Dr. Joo Kwon said, “Interest in stem cells has been growing recently, but what matters is not chasing a trending program, but having your condition accurately assessed and receiving treatment through an appropriate medical environment and experienced medical staff.” He added, “Based on the clinical experience and medical systems we have accumulated, we will continue to develop anti-aging and wellness medical services suited to each patient.”