With age, the skin gradually loses its ability to properly heal from sun damage or wounds as many cell types decrease in number and their functions slow down. This correlates with increased wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and sagging in the skin. I was aware of stem cells and their ability to build new cells and tissue and help repair the skin. Furthermore, I recently had the opportunity to discuss with the Chief Scientific Officer of Dermoi, Eve Casha, the science behind cosmeceuticals (cosmetic products with bioactive ingredients purported to have medical benefits). Aditionally, I tested a multi-action cream using stem cells as active ingredients.
Stem cells can communicate to cells within the skin tissue by releasing specific molecules called cytokines and growth factors. These cytokines and growth factors will bind to particular cell types’ surfaces (cell membranes) and stimulate new activity.
Younger skin has high quantities of stem cells and has a great capacity to heal itself. However, the number of stem cells and their ability to release cytokines and growth factors decreases with age. This is particularly important when dealing with increased sun exposure. Advances in molecular biology and biotechnology allow scientists to capture the secretions from specific stem cells and use them in various therapies.
Women and men lose the amount of stem cells in the skin as they age
How difficult is it for scientists to integrate stem cells into treatments?
It is very complex! There are a few different types of stem cells that work to regenerate different types of tissues. In addition, finding ethical and biologically compatible sources of stem cells can be a challenge.
Stem cells are biological materials that must be harvested and cultured in a laboratory. This means they are not stable and do not remain living if the cells themselves are incorporated into skincare. Instead, the proteins, cytokine, growth factors and peptides that are secreted by stem cells can be incorporated into skincare. These must be formulated correctly so that these proteins, cytokines and growth factors and peptides remain stable in the formulation and can penetrate the skin.
Is there special consideration for people with white or deeper skin tones regarding skin care?
Yes! There are some key differences that determine which skin conditions are commonly seen in different populations. An extremely common difference is the presence of hyperpigmentation in deeper skin tones. Deeper skin tones have more melanocytes that produce more melanin (skin pigment). This means with any stress or inflammation in the skin, deeper skin tones are prone to uneven skin tone. In addition, any highly concentrated chemical exfoliators or intense treatments such as deep micro needling, lasers, or deep chemical peels can worsen this hyperpigmentation in a deeper skin tone or damage melanocytes producing permanent stark white patches on the skin.
Growth factors, cytokines, and peptides – aka the secretions from stem cells – are fantastic rejuvenating active ingredients that can be applied on all skin tones and types.
Most cosmeceuticals need to be used for 12 weeks to see skin improvements.
The skin improvement is noticeable soon, and how long does it last?
Cosmeceuticals need to be used consistently to see the result. For most technologies, the time it takes to see a change is approximately 12 weeks. However, depending on the clinical studies of the brand, this can be longer or shorter.
The skin sheds its outer layers every 30 days and slows to every 60 days with age. In general, it takes a full cell cycle to see visible change. This is improving with different advancements in skincare! Calecim stimulates skin regeneration by its own skin cells and the results are long-lasting and maintained over time.
Is Calecim Professional recommended to both women and men?
Yes absolutely! Both women and men lose the amount of stem cells in the skin with age. In addition, the signalling activities of stem cells decreases with age in both men and women.
Within the first 5 years of menopause, women lose 30% of the collagen in their body.
What are the benefits of using Calecim Professional for women going through menopause?
With menopause, dramatic changes in hormones occur and this causes many changes in the skin. The skin loses a lot of its natural sebum and becomes very dry. It also loses a lot of water. In addition, collagen, which is the main structural protein that keep skin firm, strong, and lifted, is degraded very fast. Women lose 30% of the collagen in their body within the first 5 years of menopause. Lastly, inflammation increases.
Calecim uses the protein signals produced by umbilical cord stem cells to boost collagen production and regeneration in the skin. It also reduces inflammation and increase skin’s ability to retain hydration overtime. Women experiencing menopause will receive many benefits from Calecim.
Global leaders in stem cell technology
CellResearchCorp, the parent company of Calecim, are global leaders in stem cell technology. They discovered and patented an isolation of epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord lining membrane of red deers. This is an ethical source of stem cells that is rich in key proteins such as cytokines and growth factors, such as soluble collagen, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid and more.
Calecim has developed this mix into a professional serum that is often used by dermatologists for stimulating new skin growth and post-laser skin rejuvenation. Still, for the use at home, Calecim developed a range of care products to boost the skin’s renewal capacity on a daily basis and this is an ideal solution for sun-exposed and sun-aged skin.
600% is the average increase in skin thickness recorded with Calecim, following an in-vitro study.
28 days is the length of the skin’s cell renewal cycle. The stem cell protein mix accelerates skin renewal, rejuvenation and wound healing.
Not all formulations are made the same!
When diving into cosmeceuticals with stem cell or growth factor technologies it is important to note that not all formulations are equal. Many formulations will not preserve cytokines and growth factors in an optimal way and therefore, can lose their effect overtime.
Other formulations do not take into account the penetration of cytokines and growth factors in the skin and so develop formulations with limited ability to penetrate the skin.
Finding scientist developed and clinical-studied stem cell technologies will ensure potency and efficacy of the product.