Regenerative technology In Skin care

Serving as a repair system for the body, stem cells have the potential to develop into many different types of cells

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According to yourgenome.org, stem cells provide new cells for the body as it grows, and replace specialised cells that are damaged or lost.

They have two unique properties that enable them to do this: they can divide over and over again to produce new cells. As they divide, they can change into the other types of cell that make up the body.

Ejo Cosmetics maintains that the number of stem cells in the skin does not actually decrease as we age, as commonly thought. However, between the ages of 20 and 40, our stem cells lose half of their energy potential. They therefore increasingly lose their ability to regenerate themselves and produce new cells. As a result, the skin loses its radiance and elasticity.

Stem cells and stem cell extracts have been in used in skincare formulations for many years and continue to be with ever-advancing technology. They can be derived from humans, animals, plants and fruits. Most commonly, plant stem cells are used in cosmetics.

Ligonberry

The Beauté Pacifique SuperFruit Day Crème for Dry Skin is formulated with extracts derived from Lingonberry stem cells, green tea, apple trees and three additional biomimetic peptides.

This moisturising day creme enhances and preserves the properties of youthful skin for as long as possible, and prevents and combats the very first mimic lines, signs of blemishes and pigment flaws.

It contains Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, a brand new ingredient that is derived from the stem cells of Lingonberries, which are also a super fruit. The stem cell ingredient has three basic main mechanisms – the first is antioxidant with high content of polyphenols to enhance the cell’s own antioxidative defence. It fights UV sunlight damage before light-induced inflammatory damage occurs in the skin.

Lingostem has been shown to improve skin’s moisture retention, but most remarkably it amplifies the skin’s collagen network, corresponding to the effect of vitamin A esters, thus improving the skin’s elastic properties throughout the thickness of the skin. All of this means a younger skin.

"Between the AGES of 20 AND 40, our STEM CELLS LOSE HALF of their ENERGY POTENTIAL. They therefore increasingly LOSE THEIR ABILITY to REGENER ATE themselves."

Rare apple

Scientists have found that a novel extract derived from the stem cells of a rare apple tree cultivated for its extraordinary longevity shows tremendous ability to rejuvenate ageing skin.

So says Ursula Volbrecht from DermaFix. She continues: “Stem cells possess three key properties: they can renew themselves; they are non-specific and can develop into cells with specific functions. They can easily replicate themselves to form specific cells like heart, muscle, nerve and skin cells. This regeneration property makes the stem cells ideal for anti-ageing. Uttwiler Spätlauber Apple (Malus Domestica) Stem Cells are a key ingredient in DermaFix Ceramide Complex with DMAE.

“A revolutionary corrective, DermaFix Ceramide Complex helps to lift up facial contours. It is rich in DMAE, which enhances the effects of the powerful blend of active ingredients.”

This product reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin elasticity. Formulated with four different age-defying ceramides, DMAE, hyaluronic and apple stem cells, Ceramide Complex rejuvenates skin, lifts it and repairs the natural lipid barrier of the skin.

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"They can be DERIVED FROM HUMANS, ANIMALS, PLANTS and FRUITS. Most commonly, PLANT STEM CELLS are used in COSMETICS."

SCCM

Lamelle’s Refirm Elixir Cream is a cutting-edge anti-ageing solution that combines the technology of regenerative medicine and stem cell biotechnology.

This velvety-textured moisturiser delivers a high concentration of the purest Stem Cell Conditioned Media (SCCM) to rapidly rejuvenate ageing skin. The result? A potent anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and pigment-inhibiting powerhouse.

Say the experts at Lamelle: “Stem cells are living cells, found in various tissues in the body, with a chameleon-like ability to transform into almost any other cell type. Naturally, this makes them essential for rejuvenation as they can morph into whatever tissue your body requires to heal. They also have the ability to communicate, producing ‘factors’ that influence the behaviour of surrounding cells.

“Our new superstar active ingredient, SCCM, is a stem cell’s ‘liquid essence’. The result of incubating adipose-derived stem cells in a liquid gel that becomes infused with their regenerative factors is that once the cells are removed, the infused ‘liquid’ is delivered into the skin using a natural encapsulation technology to ensure maximal absorption and optimal results.”

Refirm’s SCCM contains highly active growth factors, antiinflammatory cytokines, potent antioxidants, collagen-encouraging peptides and stem cell-derived exosomes.

Exosomes are naturally occurring microscopic messenger particles with the ability to seek and bind to specific ‘target cells’. Small, yet mighty, they penetrate deep into your skin where they instruct your skin to behave optimally. This includes increasing its ceramide production, turning off inflammation, inhibiting the production of pigmentation and encouraging the creation of healthy new capillaries.

“While stem cells are becoming a prolific active skincare ingredient, their usefulness depends on their origin. Most cosmetics that tout them are using plant-derived stem cells which we believe don’t have the ability to differentiate into other human cell types nor communicate with them. At best, they function like an anti-oxidant.

“That is why Lamelle’s technology makes use of stem cells derived from human fat cells. They’re proven to deliver the very best results with the least amount of inflammation in comparison to other types of stem cells. Still, it’s important to note that SCCM does not contain human stem cells as there is no need for this – all their rejuvenating benefits are transferred to the elixir.

“Along with cell-rejuvenating SCCM, Refirm’s Elixir Cream also contains additional anti-oxidants, skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and soothing panthenol. Day by day, your skin’s cells will receive a message that instructs them to function optimally. Suddenly, mature skin begins to act younger – and the effect is nothing short of transformative.”