| The secret to scar-free healing comes from | | | | weigh the visual benefits of surgery against the |
| alligator embryos. It is a protein called | | | | appearance of scars. |
| transforming growth factor B3 (TGFB3), and a | | | | Existing scars can be significantly reduced without |
| synthetic form of the protein is soon to be | | | | the use of lasers or skin grafts. Juvista can |
| available in a product called Juvista. | | | | significantly reduce existing scars with only two |
| Mark W. J. Ferguson discovered that TGFB3 helps | | | | injections. An exact figure has not yet been |
| to reduce scarring while studying cleft palates in | | | | announced, but Renevo expects Juvista injections |
| alligators. Alligator palates develop in the same | | | | to cost less than BOTOX. |
| way as human palates. When Ferguson tried | | | | While Juvista can lead to incredible improvements |
| operating on alligator embryos in the womb, he | | | | in cosmetic surgery, the benefits go far beyond |
| discovered that the baby alligators were born with | | | | appearances. For some people, scarring is a |
| no scars. 20 years later he developed a | | | | serious and debilitating problem, causing pain and |
| prescription drug that helps to reduce scarring in | | | | loss of motion, and disfigurement. Burn and |
| humans. In 2000 Ferguson and Sharon O'Kane | | | | accident victims, who often have significant |
| formed Renevo LTD. | | | | scarring over large areas of their bodies, will |
| Scar prevention and reduction can benefit | | | | experience a significantly improved quality of life |
| cosmetic surgery patients in many ways. For | | | | after scar reduction. |
| years cosmetic surgeons have worked to reduce | | | | Renevo is currently developing drugs to prevent |
| the effects of scarring, devising methods that | | | | abdominal adhesions and reduce scarring in blood |
| allow for a smaller incision and finding ways to | | | | vessel, eyes and tendons. Juvista is its lead |
| place incisions in less visible areas. | | | | product and is still in clinical trials, but should be |
| Preventing or reducing the development of scar | | | | available in the U.S. soon. |
| tissue means that doctors and patients will have | | | | If you are considering cosmetic surgery, wish to |
| more freedom to choose how the procedure will | | | | reduce existing scars, talk to your doctor about |
| be performed. Patients will no longer be forced to | | | | Juvista today. |