Celebrities Flock to Mexico for Controversial Anti-Aging Therapy

In the quest against aging, celebrities from the Kardashian clan to renowned biohacker Bryan Johnson are increasingly turning to stem cell therapies.

With many of these innovative procedures not yet receiving the green light from the FDA, stars are jetting off to international destinations to undergo these costly ‘regenerative medicine’ treatments, which can reach prices in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Recently, Mario Lopez, 52, made a trip to the Proactive Longevity clinic located in Cabo San Lucas, where he underwent stem cell therapy administered by the board-certified surgeon Dr. John Layke.

Lopez, who has graced television screens since his early teens, appears remarkably unchanged from his days on Saved By The Bell.

Although he has long adhered to a disciplined diet and exercise routine, he’s now incorporating regenerative medicine into his lifestyle.

The Access Hollywood host received several treatments at the Cabo clinic aimed at both combating the signs of aging and alleviating joint and muscle pain resulting from injuries sustained during his intense martial arts training sessions.

‘I don’t want to stop what I’m doing, but I’m just tired of having surgeries and I don’t want to get hurt any more,’ he said.

Lopez started with therapeutic plasma exchange to rejuvenate his body’s plasma, along with NK cell therapy for his immune system and stem cell infusions to help with tissue repair and inflammation.

For the plasma exchange procedure, a doctor removes blood from the body using a filtration system, and then separates and removes the plasma, which they say may contain harmful substances linked to plaque buildup, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

‘Medicine has come a long way,’ Lopez explained. 

‘I think now, with AI and with the way medicine is moving at such a rapid pace, if you really make your health a top priority there’s no reason why you can’t live longer and look better,’ he continued.

Despite undergoing these cutting-edge treatments, Lopez insists that he still ‘eats right and trains right’.

‘The biggest flex a guy can have as he gets older is being in shape and taking care of yourself, because your body really is a billboard of your habits and it requires a lot of discipline,’ he said. 

Lopez also addressed people’s ‘concerns’ about travelling outside of the United States for treatment, as stem cell procedures are either heavily regulated or outright banned by the US Food and Drug Administration.

‘After having many conversations with pro athletes and people that are all about taking care of their body, they’re going to Mexico, Germany, all over the world to do what they need to do,’ he said.

‘And it just so happens that here in Cabo San Lucas which is a quick hour-and-fifteen-minute flight [from Los Angeles], I thought it worked out great,’ he continued.

‘The facility is great and the doctors have been awesome, so I had no qualms or hesitations about doing it. Sometimes you just have to think outside of the box and do what’s best.’ 

Outside of stem cell therapies, Lopez is fiercely dedicated to maintaining an active lifestyle and strict diet, with the father of three doing a mixture of boxing, jiu-jitsu and muay thai to keep fit. 

Lopez isn’t the only celebrity turning to stem cell treatments, with Kim and Khloe Kardashian flying to Mexico last year for treatment at a private clinic.

‘I work out 5 days a week so having something to help with recovery, inflammation and overall wellness, is next level. Not to mention the bonus of anti-aging (maybe my favorite perk),’ Khloe gushed in an Instagram post.

‘I’m in awe of the science and so hopeful for the future. My dream is that one day treatments like this will be accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere.’ 

Rachel Uchitel and her husband Dan Donovan flew to Panama last year for stem cell treatments ahead of their lavish Palm Beach wedding.

Uchitel called the treatments ‘incredible’, adding, ‘We’re going to make it part of our yearly wellness routine.’ 

Beverly Hills-based surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar, who is famous for his signature ‘Scarless Nose’ jobs, says that regenerative medicine is on the rise

Another fan of stem cells is famed biohacker Bryan Johnson, who forked out $40,000 in 2024 to have his shoulders, hips and knees injected with Swedish bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Last year, Dr. Layke told Daily Mail that patients are finding new ways ‘to turn back the clock’ thanks to the ‘the intersection of aesthetic medicine and regenerative medicine’.

This means that those who can afford it are mixing their traditional cosmetic surgery procedures with treatments like stem cell therapies.

Beverly Hills-based surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar, who is famous for his signature ‘Scarless Nose’ jobs, says that regenerative medicine is on the rise and here to stay. 

‘The growing trend among celebrities and high-profile patients toward longevity treatments and subtle natural anti-aging refinements is only getting started,’ he told Daily Mail.

‘Whether it’s regenerative medicine, stem cells, hyperbaric therapy, peptides, or very subtle aesthetic procedures, the common theme is still discretion,’ he continued.

‘The modern luxury in aesthetics is looking refreshed and healthy without appearing “done.” Many experimental treatments are still evolving but in my world of facial aesthetics, the patients who age best are usually the ones who take a conservative, preservation-minded approach over time rather than chasing dramatic or trendy interventions.’

He added, ‘The goal has shifted from changing how someone looks to maintaining how they naturally look at their best.’