The outward appearance of our skin is often a reflection of what’s happening below the skin’s surface. Fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and uneven skin tone are visible signs of our body’s underlying aging process. While Botox and fillers can do wonders for lines and wrinkles, there is another less invasive option known as Growth Factors.
What are Growth Factors and how do they work?
Growth Factors are natural proteins in our body that promote the growth, organization and maintenance of cells and tissues, including the skin. They act as chemical messengers, communicating with skin cells to stimulate growth. They’re essential to wound healing and skin repair.
When the skin is inflamed, it leads to the generation of enzymes that cause cell damage and break down the skin’s structure. Our Growth Factors are like 911 first-responders, sending out signals that communicate with the fibroblasts (collagen producing cells) to repair the damage and rebuild the skin’s integrity.
If I already have natural Growth Factors, why do I need more?
As we age, our bodies lose the ability to complete the healing process as it did in our youth. Aging causes the decline of Growth Factor levels and our cells don’t receive the communication essential for repair. When they don’t receive the signals from Growth Factors and other proteins and hormones, they either go into hibernation or commit cellular suicide known as apoptosis.
Low levels of Growth Factors cause the skin to appear aged and less full, with more fine lines and wrinkles. Along with replenishing our skin with key peptides, antioxidants and vitamins, Growth Factor replenishment is essential to healthy, vibrant and more youthful-looking skin.
What type of Growth Factors should I use?
Growth Factors have been derived from human, animal, and plant sources. They are usually delivered in a topical serum and applied to the skin once or twice daily. Results from treatment can be seen after 4-6 weeks of continuous use.
Here are a few skin Growth Factors to look for in cosmetic products:
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): Involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival
- FGF: Involved in wound-healing
- IGF-1: Involved in the thickening of the skin
- TGF-ß: Involved in collagen production and wound-healing
Today’s advanced skincare technologies not only help us look younger, they can also help reinvigorate essential skin repair processes that can retire overtime. Like a light switch, Growth Factor technologies can turn on the cellular activities to help reverse the aging process.
