Plant Stem Cells in topical creams, what does it mean?
Fairly new on the market plant stem cells offer an alternative to human stem cells harvested from human embryonic skin. Stem cells are referred to a undifferentiated cells. They carry the entire DNA gene expression of the plant and can morph, or differentiate, into other cell types to help the plant regenerate and stay healthy.
This ability makes them invaluable in medical and cosmetic applications. To generate a undifferentiated cell the plant stem is slightly cut. Triggered by the wound, plant hormones called auxins cause the plant to form a defensive response called a callus. In this callus tissue, normal differentiated cells revert to de-differentiated cells and become stem cells, which now makes it possible to use in stem cell technology. So in essence the wound created as created a “un-scripted” cell one that can now be said to have a neutral definition, whose role as a cell has been erased, its now ready to take on a new job, where ever required. This capacity for the cell to return to a neutral state is called totipotency. These new cells are now cultured in a laboratory setting.
There, the concentration of phenylpropanoids active substances created in response to injury or trauma- is multiplied in these cells by 1,000 times or more. As the stem cells, are cultured in this manner, their chemical purity is also enhanced. When the finished product is applied topically, it works to trigger self-renewal in human skin. This effect is further enhanced by the high percentage of polysaccharides, phytoterols, amino acids and mineral salts that work synergistically to allow self-repair of the skin.
But do they work? YES! Let me give you an example, do you have any of those shiny white bumps on your forehead ? when you inspect them closely they resemble a cauliflower with a blackhead in the center. Those annoying lumps are called Sebeceous Hyperplasia and are a result of sundamage on an oily skin. I have seen those lumps treated with electric cautery, excised, frozen with Liquid Nitrogen and even ablated with the CO2 Laser only to return a year to 6 months later. But aid the skin, give it an helping hand and it can repair itself. With regular use of a sunblock and a antioxidant they reabsorb on their own.
Replenix Restorative Night Cream and Albissa Repair Serum are the two serums I currently use.