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The use of stem cells for regenerating damaged organs and tissues which are unable to heal on their own is a widely studied field in plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as medicine in general. Among various stem cell types, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are especially considered to be an ideal stem cell population for several clinical situations. These cells could be harvested from fat with relatively less invasive methods with high yield rates. ASCs have proved to be worthy of more research to understand the mechanisms behind their regenerative abilities. However, it remains uncertain if ASCs show their main effects by their multipotency, or by secreting abundant amounts of cytokines and growth factors. The authors have performed a review of the current publications and literature on the ASCs immunophenotypical properties and isolation methods as well as basic and clinical science research about the mechanisms behind their regenerative effects. The purpose of this article is to synthesize information regarding ASCs paracrine effects and their ability to differentiate into other cell lines, comparing these aspects in order to lead future research for a more effective cell therapy utilizing these cells.