Regenerative Medicine
Advanced Regenerative Medicine: Where Science Meets Natural Beauty
In the ever-evolving world of aesthetic medicine, regenerative therapies have emerged as powerful solutions to rejuvenate and restore your skin’s natural vitality. Top Philadelphia plastic surgeon and facial rejuvenation expert Dr. R. Brannon Claytor combines over 20 years of surgical expertise with cutting-edge regenerative medicine to deliver enhanced results with faster healing and minimal downtime.
At Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery, we offer the most advanced regenerative treatments available, from topical applications accepted within the FDA’s realm of treatment to innovative combination therapies that Dr. Claytor has pioneered through his own clinical research.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 20 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine harnesses your body’s natural healing mechanisms to restore, repair, and rejuvenate tissue. Unlike traditional treatments that simply address surface concerns, regenerative therapies work at the cellular level to stimulate your body’s own collagen production, improve skin quality, and promote long-lasting results that look completely natural.
“With Dr. Claytor, I was in the hands of an incredibly gifted plastic surgeon. He combines the mastery of his art with remarkable care and kindness. His entire team is also exceptional. The facility is accredited and accommodating. It is held to the highest standards of quality, safety and care. My results were beyond what I could have imagined. Dr. Claytor is an ultimate professional with a personal rapport. He delivers beauty, happiness, and confidence. He is there every step of the way. I am grateful to have selected him for my journey. Picking a plastic surgeon is a very personal experience. Dr. Claytor will be honest and straightforward on guidance for the best approach for you. He is someone you can trust. I believe he is the “best of the best”.”
Our Philadelphia Regenerative Medicine Services
Nanofat Grafting: The Gold Standard
Recovery Time: 3 days
Nanofat represents the pinnacle of regenerative medicine, utilizing your body’s own stem cells, extracellular matrix proteins, and natural growth factors. Dr. Claytor considers this the gold standard for comprehensive facial rejuvenation, and frewuently uses it to to restore facial volume, improve skin quality, enhance healing when combined with other treatments, and provide long-term anti-aging benefits.
What makes nanofat superior:
- Contains natural proteins that rebuild your skin’s foundation
- Rich in lipid droplets with concentrated growth factors
- Provides long-term superior results based on pathology studies
- Completely natural using your own tissue
PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor) Therapy
Dr. Claytor’s preferred alternative to traditional regenerative treatments
Recovery Time: Same day
Dr. Claytor utilizes Ariessence PDGF+, a revolutionary lab-engineered growth factor therapy that delivers “supercharged” results in a sterile, predictable formula. Unlike patient-dependent treatments, PDGF provides consistent outcomes every time.
Key advantages of PDGF
- Lab-created safety: Recombinant PDGF manufactured in sterile laboratory conditions
- Predictable results: Not dependent on individual patient factors
- No blood draw required: Convenient and comfortable for all patients
- Widely accepted: Topical application is within the FDA’s realm of acceptable treatments
- Clinical trial proven: Head-to-head studies show results comparable to nanofat
Dr. Claytor commonly uses PDGF to treat:
- Fine lines and preventative aging
- Hyperpigmentation and sun damage
- Overall facial rejuvenation
- Post-treatment healing enhancement
- Skin texture improvement
Video: Hot or Hype? PDGF and other regenerative treatments
Dr. Claytor, our esthetician Shannon, and our PA Julie discuss the benefits of PDGF, compare it to Nanofat, and talk about its role in Dr. Claytor’s LaMiNa treatment. With all the controversy surrounding PDGF, our team talked about their experiences and opinions on the growth factor, while comparing it to other treatments that produce similar results.
Video Transcript »
“Share with everybody what your experience has been with PDGF and are you concerned at all about what PDGF is doing? Do you feel there are any negatives? No. So, I mean just real quick what kind of Shannon said with my patients, they’re getting the biggest bang for their buck by doing these combination procedures with having that application of PDGF exosomes therapy cutting down that healing time. So, they’re getting a combo treatment that’s super effective, but also maybe having less healing than they typically would if they were just doing CO2, which is best of both worlds. I haven’t had any downsides with PDGF. I love the topical application for it. I think the injection of PDGF is something up and coming and maybe we need to be cautious with, but I don’t see many downsides with that as long as you’re doing it the correct way and safely. But I again most importantly you need to make sure your patients are aware consented and you’re going over. Yeah. Yeah. Well, what I do is, you know, luxury skin care with medical skin care. So, you know, be it’s beyond the fluff. You know, if someone comes in, they’re they’re complaining about fine lines, preventative, you know, fine lines around their eyes. You know, what can I do besides just micro needling just to, you know, help with hyperpigmentation? Yeah. help with you know just an overall rejuvenation. Well, you’ve got over 20 years of experience. Do you feel that this has given you that next step. So, you’re next level. You’re you’re bridging between what you’ve always been able to do and what Julie can do. Yeah, I love it. The last part that I just like to add, I feel very strongly and I know you guys agree with me that nanofat is the preeminent. That’s that’s the top of the the aesthetic ladder. You’re you’re bringing in stem cells. You’re bringing in extracellular matrix proteins and you’re bringing in lipid droplets which are the you know exosomes to the 10th degree. But I think that what’s fascinating is how Ariessence has been able to deliver recombinant PDGF. And you and I have talked about this recently where this is this is supercharged PDGF very safely meaning it’s recombinant. It’s created in the in the laboratory same way that a filler is created in a very sterile environment same way that a neurotoxin is created. So it’s a very safe product and it’s just supercharged. And by being able to deliver this product and taking it and comparing it head-to-head with nanofat, we’ve just wrapped up a clinical trial which is very impressive. Stand by. The results are coming. They’ll be published very soon. Number one, safe. Number two, the results are incredibly close to nanofat, which of course makes me a little bit disappointed because I’d like to think that nanopat was the premier and it is. When you look at the pathology slides, there is a definite difference. So, as we follow this out to one to two years, because we’re really only at six months follow up right now, we will continue to see differences, but at this stage clinically, because we did a split face and the patients were blinded, they didn’t know which side we did and the patients couldn’t tell. And then we had blinded observers. Obviously, I had to know because I was doing it, but we had blinded observers and they couldn’t tell the difference. So, what does that mean about PDGF? I think it means that it’s a great product and we’re looking towards many new applications. You mentioned one of them and that is injecting and that is a new frontier and that is a whole new area but this is being applied topically is is certainly well within within the the FDA’s realm of acceptable treatments today and it’s really really exciting. So um for you from the perspective of an aesthetician what does PDGF mean to you? It’s safer. Yeah, a lot of people don’t feel that comfortable with exosomes. Interesting. So, it’s a it’s a you know, it’s another option and it’s a lot safer than PRP, blood withdrawing. Well, Shannon on her own are estheticians on their own. I can’t draw blood. She can’t draw blood. So, if she’s here by herself, Dr. Claytor and I are both on vacation, which never happens. But if we are and no one’s here to draw blood for her or whatever, she can just grab the PDGF, which is predictable, not patient dependent. So that’s a great option for you. Yeah. And applying it topically is is widely accepted and combining it as a rescue following CO2 lasering and micro needling. I think I think what we’re looking at is combination treatments creating that perfect sweet spot. And really pretty much everyone has microneedling. Most most advanced centers have a CO2 laser. So this is something that pretty much everybody could be doing tomorrow, right? or they can just send them to us or they can send them here, I love that. That’s so great. All right. Well, we love teaching and you guys are all great for tuning in. Thanks so much.”
Dr. Claytor’s Signature Treatment Combinations
Dr. Claytor has pioneered innovative combination approaches that deliver superior results with reduced healing time. These synergistic treatments create the “perfect sweet spot” for optimal rejuvenation.
PDGF + CO2 Laser
Enhanced results with significantly reduced healing time compared to CO2 laser alone. The PDGF acts as a “rescue” treatment, accelerating healing and minimizing discomfort. Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks.
PDGF + Microneedling
Combines collagen stimulation from microneedling with growth factor enhancement for comprehensive skin improvement. This combination provides maximum benefit with minimal downtime. Recovery Time: 1-2 days.
PDGF + Exosome Therapy
Cutting-edge combination that pairs growth factors with advanced cellular signaling for optimal tissue regeneration and repair. Recovery Time: 1-2 days.
Morpheus8 Combinations
In select cases, we combine Morpheus8 with PDGF, exosomes, and nanofat to enhance the overall regenerative approach. These treatments may complement each other by targeting different layers of the skin and supporting natural recovery processes. Each plan is customized based on the patient’s needs and goals.
LaMiNa: Dr. Claytor’s Award-Winning Innovation
Laser + Microneedling + Nanofat = Revolutionary Results
Recovery Time: 5 days average
Dr. Claytor developed and published research on LaMiNa, a groundbreaking combination treatment that safely merges CO2 laser, microneedling, and nanofat application. This technique was published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and represents the future of regenerative facial rejuvenation.
LaMiNa benefits:
- Superior results to any single treatment alone
- Minimal discomfort due to nanofat’s healing properties
- Accelerated recovery (average 5 days)
- Comprehensive skin rejuvenation
- Research-proven effectiveness
Exosome Therapy
Advanced cellular signaling for tissue repair
Recovery Time: Same day to 1 day
Exosomes are tiny vesicles that research indicates contain numerous signaling proteins that promote tissue repair and regeneration. When applied after microneedling or other treatments, exosomes enhance healing and improve skin quality. Exosome therapy is an exciting area of regenerative medicine being explored for its potential to assist in skin rejuvenation and overall healing support. We partner with Kimera Labs, a leading provider of exosomes, to ensure the highest quality and purity for our patients.
Dr. Claytor uses exosome therapy for:
- Enhanced post-treatment healing
- Improved skin texture and tone
- Reduced inflammation
- Cellular regeneration support
- Combination with other regenerative therapies
Frequently Asked Questions about Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Claytor’s Research-Based Approach
Clinical Trial Results
Dr. Claytor is actively conducting clinical research comparing regenerative treatments. His recent head-to-head study of PDGF versus nanofat used split-face, blinded methodology where neither patients nor observers could distinguish between treatments at 6-month follow-up.
Study highlights:
- Blinded patients couldn’t tell difference between sides
- Blinded observers saw equivalent results
- Results “incredibly close to nanofat” performance
- Longer-term studies (1-2 years) ongoing
- Results are expected to be published soon
Dr. Claytor is currently completing a study comparing nanofat and PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) in regenerative applications.
Safety and Treatment Standards
Dr. Claytor emphasizes safety above all else. All topical applications are within the FDA’s realm of acceptable treatments, and all procedures are performed with comprehensive patient education and consent. Our strict safety protocols include:
- Treatments within FDA’s acceptable standards
- Sterile, laboratory-created products
- Thorough patient consent process
- Comprehensive aftercare instructions
- Board-certified plastic surgeon oversight
Why choose Dr. Claytor for your plastic surgeon?
Double Board-Certified for a high level of safety and precision
Chief of Plastic Surgery at Main Line Health, a top health system
Board Member of The Aesthetic Society, shaping the future of aesthetics
10x Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor for exceptional patient care
Recognized as one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek
Drain-free recovery expert for faster, more comfortable healing
Deep plane facelift innovator and global educator
Active researcher in surgical and non-surgical aesthetic advancements
Highly regarded for his surgical expertise and outcomes, as well as his dedicated follow-up care
“I can’t say enough good things about Dr Claytor and his staff. Dr Claytor has all of the things you’d want your surgeon to have, such as depth of knowledge in his field, extensive experience, professionalism, bedside manner, but he also has a kindness and warmth that is not present in all physicians. I always felt that I was in good hands“.
The Future of Beauty is Backed by Science
Discover Dr. Claytor’s research-proven approach to natural skin rejuvenation. With over 20 years of expertise and groundbreaking clinical studies, Dr. Claytor combines the safest, most advanced regenerative treatments to deliver exceptional results with minimal downtime.
References »
Claytor, R. Brannon, Casey Sheck, India Jones, and R. Quigley. “LaMiNa: A Creative Synergistic Approach to Facial Rejuvenation.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, vol. 5, 27 Mar. 2023, ojad028. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojad028.
Claytor, R. Brannon, Casey G. Sheck, and Vineet Chopra. “Microneedling Outcomes in Early Postsurgical Scars.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 150, no. 3, Sept. 2022, pp. 557e-561e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000009466.
Casas, Laurie A., R. Brannon Claytor, Kamakshi R. Zeidler, Sachin M. Shridharani, Steven R. Cohen, Julie J. Khanna, Daniel J. Gould, Essie K. Yates, Shantel Lultschik, Michaela Bell, and Alan D. Widgerow. “A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Body Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Outcomes of a Topical Product Pre and Post Aesthetic Surgical Body Procedures.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, vol. 4, 10 June 2022, ojac054. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojac054.
Chopra, Vinod K., and Brannon Claytor. “Microneedling of Immature Scars Is Safe and Improves Scar Esthetics.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, vol. 7, no. 8 suppl., 10 Sept. 2019, pp. 13-13. doi:10.1097/01.GOX.0000584264.07381.7c.
Casas, Laurie A., Michaela Bell, R. Brannon Claytor, Mary E. Ziegler, and Alan D. Widgerow. “An Analysis of Patient-Reported Recovery Outcomes of Topical Tripeptide/Hexapeptide Formulations Utilized in a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Split Neck and Body Study.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, vol. 3, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-9. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojaa052.
Areas Served
- Bryn Mawr
- Philadelphia
- Main Line
- Villanova
- Haverford
- Delaware
- New Jersey
Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Feb 5, 2026