9:36am UK, Tuesday August 23, 2005

Scientists have developed a new technique to allow DIY facelifts.

The procedure involves self injecting skin cells around wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

180-DIY face lift self injecting fibroblasts

Patient Wendy Evans

According to some doctors the injections can take years off a person's real age.

"Within a couple of weeks people were saying 'you look really well'," patient Wendy Evans said.

"As for myself, I'd say within four weeks my skin texture was feeling younger."

The procedure involves a small sample of skin being taken from behind the ear.

The so-called fibroblast cells are then given the nutrients they need to multiply in a laboratory.

The cells can be frozen in liquid nitrogen and then thawed whenever a person needs a shot to hold back the years.

Many cosmetic surgeons say fat taken from elsewhere in a patient's body can fill out wrinkles just as well - without the expense or hassle of using a hi-tech laboratory.

But it is thought fibroblasts are longer lasting - producing collagen, the substance that gives skin its natural elasticity.

The procedure costs upwards of £3,500.