In Sight: Stimulating Stem Cells for Younger Skin
By: Katie Schaefer, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine
Posted: November 2, 2007, from the November 2007 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.
Agree or disagree with it—stem cell research is a hot topic that cannot be ignored in today’s scientific realm. Its research may lead to the reversal of Parkinson’s and diabetes, to the growth of new organs, to strengthening bones and to healing damaged skin. The research of stem cells in conjunction with burn victims has led to innovation in another field—skin care.
Although it temporarily remained in the shadows, Voss Laboratories’ (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) stem cell antiaging serum is coming into the sun. The serum initially was available through private channels, only to be introduced to Sephora’s Champs-Elysées location in Paris; however, it has traveled to the United States and its creators are finally talking.
One of the main problems surrounding the serum’s release was confusion about exactly how it is made and how it works. Louis Rinaldi, chief cosmetic development officer for Basic Research (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), the development company behind products for Voss Laboratories and Klein-Becker, had a hand in the product’s creation and in this report, he clears up the confusion surrounding this stem cell serum.
Exogenous and Endogenous Stem Cells
Most who protest the research of stem cells believe it is unethical to use exogenous stem cells, also known as fetal material or embryonic tissue, for research. The described innovation, however, does not contain exogenous stem cells but rather a material that stimulates adult stem cells.
“Many are given the erroneous impression that the product contains stem cells. It does not contain stem cells nor does it contain any embryonic tissue. It is a peptide, a chain of amino acids,” said Rinaldi.