What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are cells that can replicate themselves to create more of the same cells or create a cell that can turn into another type of cell or tissue. Stem cells play a vital role in our bodies ability to regenerate new youthful cells.

When we are young, our skin is packed full of stem cells that rapidly repair our skin to keep it smooth, elastic and radiant. As we age, we have fewer of these stem cells available to repair damage from the sun, environmental toxins and certain ingredients in some skin care products.

As the structure below begins to collapse, lines and wrinkles start to form. Along with this loss of framework, inflammation in the body further degrades the skin and creates even more aging.

And guess what!?

There are actually no stem cells in your typical “Stem Cell “ Products!

Research has found that 95% of stem cells activity is due to the proteins the stem cells create. These proteins are known as Growth Factors and Cytokines and this is where the magic happens.

Growth factors and Cytokines are important in wound healing and tissue damage repair, which is what regenerative skin care is all about.

It’s important to note that growth factors and cytokines can either be anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory, which is why the source of the stem cell is so important.

Where do Stem-Cells come from?

Stem cells have been extracted from human bone marrow, adipose (fat) tissue, fetal/embryonic cells, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF), snails, as well as plant derived stem cells. Let’s take a look at the different types and whether they are beneficial or not:

Adipose Tissue

Let’s start with adipose tissue. It is cheap, abundant and easy for labs to work with. After all, it comes from left over fat after liposuction. Adipose (fat) stem cells predominantly produce inflammatory growth factors and cytokines. There is also a risk to using this source as there are active hormones stored in fat tissue that can disrupt healthy biochemical pathways.

Fetal/embryonic cell

Fetal/embryonic cells are not only very controversial, but the makeup and processing of these cells is not conducive to skin regeneration.

Umbilical cord stem cells

Umbilical cord stem cells may have great potential for neurological injuries but when it comes to skin care, wound healing and regeneration it is not an effective tool and will create more inflammation in the tissues we are trying to improve.

Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic Fluid, much like fetal/embryonic and umbilical cells, are much too inflammatory for the skin.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Rich Firbrin (PRF)

Platelet Rich Plasma and Platelet Rich Fibrin are widely growing in the beauty industry. With PRP and PRF, your own blood is drawn and then spun down to separate the platelets from the red blood cells. While PRP and PRF have been shown to have some benefits to the skin, it still contains many inflammatory cytokines, but more so, it is a in office treatment only and will not be in any at home skin care products.

Snails

Snails, or garden mucosa do not contain any human derived proteins and are absolutely ineffective and highly allergenic. If you see these in your skincare products you’re better off just throwing them out!

Plant Derived Stem Cells

Plant Derived Stem Cells release cytokinins, not human cytokines which are needed for healing the skin. In fact, humans would not recognize these cells at all.

While botanicals have many lovely properties and can enhance skin care products that create beneficial changes to the skin, plant derived stem cells do not create human growth factors or cytokines and therefore should not be used as a stem cell product.

Why human bone marrow stem cells are best

Now let’s talk story about human bone marrow stem cells and how they are shown to be the most regenerative and beneficial stem cell in skin care products.

Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells are the only cells in the body that travel through the entire body and have the ability to turn into any type of cell.

Once bone marrow stem cells travel to the intended site their main job is to create healing in the damaged area. These stem cells create anti-aging, wound healing, UV protection and collagen stimulation.

Why Koru Medical Spa loves AnteAGE MD out of the thousands of stem cell lines on the market.

1. First and foremost AnteAGE uses human bone marrow as their stem cell source.

2. Their stem cells come from regulated bone marrow doner banks which operate under strict regulatory conditions and health screening processes.

3. AnteAGE chooses female doners in their early 20’s who are healthy, athletic and voluntarily donated their marrow.

4. The stem cells are isolated from the marrow and then the culturing process begins.

5. AnteAge scientist create an environment that mimics the cells natural environment and the cells begin to produce growth factors and cytokines.

6. The live cells are then filtered out and the growth factors and cytokines are conditioned to allow for skin absorption. This is a vital step for the ingredients to get to the deeper layers of the skin where all the magic happens.

7. AnteAge MD Accelerator and Serum show improvement in the skin after only 4 days and long term use can produce dramatic results. Results include:

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

• Improves skin texture and tone

• Improves hydration

• Increases collagen

• Minimizes pore size

• Evens skin tone and reduces pigmentation

• Decreases redness

• Check out our December Specials to save on this incredible skin care duo!!