Beware of stem cell claim in cream
THE Bible says “people perish for lack of knowledge”, but I would like to add that we perish because we make stupid decisions most of the time too.
One of my colleagues asked me about a skin care company that now has its roots in South Africa as well. They claim to use stem cell technology to make skin care products that work better than Botox.
Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the body. All types of specific cells in our bodies (blood, liver, bone marrow, collagen-producing cells etc) originate from these stem cells.
My research into this product’s “technology” yielded typical marketing jargon, but no real science. According to Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za one of their video clips they found a way to isolate growth factors from stem cells which they put in a cream that will make us all look young.
Growth factors are protein chains which develop from stem cells.
I could not find any scientific papers on these products as to where they have been tested for efficacy.
Normally when this occurs, I smell a rat. Here’s the thing. The science of growth fac- tors and stem cells is a very real and very specialised area of research.
Stem cells have been used successfully in bone marrow transplants, but not so much in other areas.
But it sounds great when a website talks about “stem cell conditioned media” – nice term, meaningless though.
Stem cells will not survive in creams and potions, they are too sensitive for that.
But - and more importantly - the chance that a stem cell (even if one could isolate it and keep it alive) will penetrate through the skin to renew and replenish your old wrinkles, is as good as my chances to play for the Boks in the next World Cup.