In the past 10 years, many skincare trends hog the limelight. This include Stem Cells in Skincare.
As these cosmetic companies love to impress with new biotechnology with claims of anti-aging including anti-wrinkle, skin rejuvenation, lightening and radiance youthful results, let’s deep dive in to find out more.
What is Stem Cells?
Stem Cells in living organism (plants and animals) helps to stimulate and regenerate after injury. As there are ethical issues of using animal stem cells in developing new cosmetics, many skincare conglomerates have turned their attention to plant based stem cells extracts (phytohormones) for topical serum and cream.
The phenomenon of stem cells was first described by Austrian botanist, Gottlieb Haberlandt. He demonstrated in 1958 by regenerating the entire plant from cultivated cells/tissues. Since then, scientists continue to research on how stem cells can help with cure of cancer to potentially replacing damaged nerves or even organs using patient’s own stem cells. As identifying stem cells is tedious. The breakthrough was the ability to use selected protein to help turn somatic cells into stem cells.
What happens to Aging Skin?
Aging of skin is a complex process. Just like all other organs, aging is mainly due to reduced function of stem cell which is associated with shortened telomeres. Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes which cap and save the ends of chormosomes from degradation. Telemores shorten with each cell division and progressive shortening will result in aging. Can plant stem cell extract help to increase the regenerative ability to prevent this aging process in human including skin?
Is there evidence that Stem Cells really can help revese Skin Aging?
In one experiment which used encapulated liposome of cultured live apple stem cells extract as cosmetic ingredient, it shows significant potential to reduce wrinkles in crows feet area of the face. The wrinkles became shallower by 8% after 2 weeks and 15% after 4 weeks.
It is still not conclusive that plant stem cell extracts used in topical cream can help with regenerative work in human tissues. Reason: These cells have to be alive (or at least alive when incorporated into the skincare) in order to influence the pathway in the human cells.
This is an interesting area to be monitored as its power is no smaller than that of nuclear power. When used appropriately will benefit mankind tremendously but there are many ethical issues to be considered.
Hope you find this article as part of Skincare Singapore useful. It is our passion to discovering skincare gems to share with you. Read more about us at www.tngbeauty.com.
