Twenty One Days of Healthy Skin: Growth Factors (Day 16)
Even after many years of promoting human recombinant growth factors, I find that many people do not understand what they are, what they do and where they come from. SO here are the answers to these questions and maybe even a little bit more.
A growth factors structure is that of a specialised peptide. Peptides are also called protein particles. They are molecules that are produced by cells in the body of humans, plants, and animals. These growth factors are messages.
How I explain it to the skincare professionals working with the Lamelle Growth Factor products:
When a cell gets injured it needs to let the cells in the non-injured skin know that it is going to need help. It will then produce growth factors to carry the message to the cells that are not injured. Simplified, these messages say “Please make collagen and elastin” “Please make more cells so we can heal the skin” “Please make more arteries and veins and nerves” amongst other messages.
These messages/growth factors will also affect inflammation. Some turn inflammation on, some turn inflammation off and some are neutral towards inflammation. This is very important when you are choosing the growth factors that you are going to be using in your skincare product. In the treatment of aging, where growth factors are used mostly, our aim is to calm inflammation. Why? If we keep the skin in an inflammatory state the inflammation will create aging. Leaving skin more lined, wrinkled and fragile.
In summary:
Structure: peptides or protein particles
Function: Cell communication - messaging
From cells to cells
They are able to turn inflammation on and off
Some are neutral to inflammation
Growth factors are cells specific e.g. skin cells growth factors talk to skin cells, liver cells growth factors talk to liver cells
Where do we get the growth factors that we use in our products?
At Lamelle we have them made in a laboratory. This gives us the ability to choose skin-specific, non-inflammatory growth factors that look exactly like the ones that we have in our human skin already.
Why would we need to add them if they are already there?
In aging skin and very specifically skin that is more sun-exposed, we know that cells make fewer growth factors. The result being, the number of new cells formed decreases. The cells that are in the skin make less of the cell’s structures and molecules that are necessary to have healthy young skin. The safest, best, tolerable way to reverse these aging factors is to add the molecules that stimulate cell production and activity in the skin normally. Precisely the activity of growth factors.
What will you see on your skin when you use a recombinant human growth factor containing products?
Hydration levels of your skin improve
Skin becomes plump, bright and a healthy glow returns
Fine lines are removed
Deeper lines and wrinkles soften
Fragile skin is strengthened”
Lamelle products that contain skin-specific recombinant human growth factors:
Lamelle Dermaheal range – the range consists of a cleanser and three different moisturisers that are chosen depending on the signs of ageing seen on your skin. WE also have a very effective eye cream that is focussed on treating lines and wrinkles around the eye area.
Correctives Intensive GF serum – this gel-based serum is packed with four growth factors and is the ideal growth factor introduction to your skin.
Written By:
Training Specialist Karen Bester