Why You Should Add Growth Factors to Your Anti-Aging Routine, STAT
Skin elasticity (a.k.a. the amount of bounce-back your skin has when pinched) is a key component of what keeps skin looking lifted and firm. As we age, our skin starts to lose elasticity, thanks to a decline in collagen and elastin production. Treating this can be tricky, but ingredients like growth factors play a pivotal role in maintaining firmness and elasticity in your skin. Daily use of topical skin care products containing growth factors are known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and improve skin tone and texture. But not all products containing these proteins have the same benefits - the source of the growth factors play a key role.
Prithwiraj Maitra, Ph. D, the Vice President of Global Skincare Research & Development for SkinMedica® (the pioneer in using growth factors in cosmetic treatments), explains why growth factors are imperative for skin rejuvenation.
Table of Contents:
- What are growth factors?
- Do growth factors really work?
- Why is the source of growth factors important?
- Who should use growth factor products?
- What is TNS® Advanced+ Serum and how do its growth factors address visible signs of aging?
- How does TNS® Advanced+ Serum stand out from other growth factor products on the market?
- What other products should I use with growth factors?
What are growth factors?
Growth factors are naturally secreted proteins made by skin cells to maintain healthy skin. They are responsible for supporting the repair and remodeling processes when skin is damaged by making components that provide firmness and elasticity to the skin while helping to maintain skin’s protective functions. They improve the efficiency of the rejuvenation process and facilitate cellular communication. However, your skin’s natural growth factors decrease with age. One approach to support skin rejuvenation is to regularly use skin care products formulated with a stable blend of growth factors.
Do growth factors really work?
Several clinical studies over the past 20 years have highlighted the benefits of topically applied growth factor products showing improvements in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture, and discoloration. The studies show that, depending on the quality of skin, satisfactory results take 2-12 weeks of twice daily use. The diligence is worth it, as the improvement in skin appearance is impressive! Most studies show visible reduction in crow’s feet lines, under-eye skin texture, and overall radiance.
Why is the source of growth factors important?
Growth factors can be derived from several different human cells grown in a lab (from skin cells, bone marrow stem cells, or fat stem cells), extracted from one’s own blood (i.e. PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma) or from non-human sources such as snails and some plants. While all cells can produce growth factors, the composition of the growth factor blend they produce is likely to be ideal for the health of cells that produce them. For example, fat stem cells are likely to produce growth factors that help the functioning of fat cells and bone marrow stem cells are likely to produce growth factors that help with functioning of bone marrow.
Similar logic can be applied to growth factors or growth factor-like substances derived from non-human sources. Therefore, to maintain optimal skin health, growth factors would ideally be produced by skin cells, called fibroblasts, whose main function is to produce the components necessary to support the skin. Fibroblasts are one of the most important skin cells to maintain the function of overall skin health, homeostasis, dermal matrix components such as collagen and elastin. However, as we age, due to external and individual factors, the critical function of fibroblasts declines.
Who should use growth factor products?
Clinical results show that growth factor products benefit anyone with visible signs of facial aging. While those with early signs of aging may benefit by using growth factors, most significant visible improvements in skin are seen in patients with greater photodamage and mature skin. Twice a day use with diligence is the key to maximizing benefits from growth factors products.
What is TNS® Advanced+ Serum and how do its growth factors address visible signs of aging?
TNS® Advanced+ Serum is a next-generation, skin rejuvenating formula that is the only growth factor product proven to address sagging skin and provides visible results in just 2 weeks. In fact, six clinical studies have been conducted looking at cosmetic efficacy with TNS® Advanced+ Serum with results showcasing its ability to improve the overall appearance of skin. And several clinical studies have been conducted on topical products containing fibroblast-based growth factors, more than any other cosmetic growth factor product in the market today, with 20+ peer reviewed publications.
How does TNS® Advanced+ Serum stand out from other growth factor products on the market?
TNS® Advanced+ Serum uses a growth factor blend that is made by a process that mimics the fetal environment. SkinMedica® has identified over 450 natural growth factors and other matrix proteins. Our formulation combines the most advanced growth factor technology and provides next level comprehensive skin rejuvenation. In fact, in a clinical study subjects felt that they looked up to 6 years younger after just 12 weeks of product usage. It’s dispensed using two chambers through a dual pump for ultimate efficacy:
- Chamber 1 (TNS® -MR) combines a next-generation growth factor blend (MRCx™) with a peptide complex that supports dermal extra-cellular matrix (ECM).
- Chamber 2 (RENESSENSCE (RSC) ADVANCED) is designed to assist the growth factor blend from Chamber 1 in supporting skin rejuvenation and further enhancing the benefits of TNS® Advanced+ Serum. It has an advanced blend of botanicals, marine extracts, and peptides including French flax seed extract, green microalgae extract, Spanish marine exopolysaccharides, lactococcus ferment lysate, peptides, and antioxidants.
What other products should I use with growth factors?
We recommend using TNS® Advanced+ Serum along with an entire regimen of products as part of the SkinMedica® Method, a customizable take on your daily 5-step skin care regimen based on your lifestyle, skin concerns, and skin care goals.
To build your unique SkinMedica® Method, you'll want to choose at least one product from each SkinMedica® step, as each step builds upon each other to address your specific goals and needs.
Prepare your complexion canvas to optimize results for the rest of your SkinMedica® Method by cleansing your face and neck with one of our physician-formulated cleansers:
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Treat the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and texture:
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Your individual skin concerns are a result of lifestyle, age, genetics, environment, and more. SkinMedica®’s powerful correcting treatments are formulated to help address your specific needs:
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It’s natural for your skin to lose its ability to retain moisture as it ages, resulting in rougher, uneven textures. Replenish and nourish your skin with what it needs to get its bounce back with a hydrating treatment:
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Free radicals produced by sun exposure, smoking, and pollution can damage skin rapidly, negating any benefits of growth factors and protecting newly rejuvenated skin is essential in maintaining results. Any good skin care regimen requires regular use of an SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen:
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