“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” —Frank Lloyd Wright
With all of the rapid advances in skin care, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the language in the marketplace. New buzzwords pop up almost weekly, and it can be difficult to keep up with ingredients and what they’re supposed to do. Since we get a lot of questions about truly effective skin care treatments and new industry developments, we thought you’d enjoy a quick, but effective, overview of two of the most popular and controversial developments manufacturers and marketers are praising these days: stem cells and growth factors.
Can Stem Cells Turn Back the Clock?
It’s difficult to have a discussion about stem cells without recognizing the controversy involved. These amazing cells reside in every single one of us, but ever since scientists figured out how to replicate them, there’s been a battle raging over whether or not their usage is morally acceptable. In terms of skin care, stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell scientists can devise. These “unspecialized” cells have the ability to divide and replicate, which means they have the potential to replace cells that are damaged. Since we don’t have a crystal ball, we can’t say if we’ll see stem cells in the future that can make new collagen. Only time will tell.
Epidermal Growth Factors (EGFs)
As the name explicitly says, EGFs communicate with your skin cells, telling them to do something specific, like generate more collagen (hello, fibroblasts, we’re talking to you). There has been controversy surrounding their use, and if you’ve heard of the so-called “penis facial,” which uses cloned stem cells from the foreskin of newborns, then you can see why. At this time, there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that a strictly topical application will work wonders, but some studies have noted reductions in wrinkles and dark or red spots as well as an improvement in skin texture. One promising serum that contain EGF is the IS Clinical Youth Serum, which uses “bio-identical growth factors” to achieve results. Board-certified dermatologists achieve even better outcomes by applying EGFs after microneedling because the serum can be delivered deeper into the skin.
Beware of Grandiose Claims
As an informed consumer, it’s important to remember that marketing claims are designed to sell products, and buzzwords don’t necessarily translate to results. Before you spend your hard-earned money, do a little research and seek products (and companies) that are well-respected and reputable. If you’re struggling to decide which product is best for your needs, we’re always happy to help. Just ask us!
Age gracefully,
Team Reflect
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