Stem cells are biological cells that are able to stay dormant until triggered to reproduce into new tissue. Found in human embryos and in adult tissue, they can form into any cell type, and help repair organs and skin in the case of injury or other cause of damage. The highest concentration of stem cells in an adult is found around the sweat glands and hair follicles of the skin. Medical manufacturers in the field of stem cell skin care have created stem cell cream and other products, with substances that trigger such cells to take action. Research into the function of both human and plant stem cells has helped develop these products and improve medical treatments.
Some medical laboratories have been able to manipulate stem cells directly. In stem cell skin care products, enzymes and peptides that normally stimulate these cells to activate and divide are included in the formula. When a stem cell divides, it forms a cell just like it and one that is able to turn into any other kind of cell in the body. In anti-aging skin care, stem cells produce lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates that repair the skin. Wrinkles can also be diminished and the elasticity of the skin somewhat restored.
Plant stem cells are also rich with enzymes as well as metabolic substances that can lengthen the lifespan of skin cells. Such properties have been seen in certain apples as well. There were several anti-wrinkle skin care products, as of 2009, designed to tap into known stem cell areas and rejuvenate the skin. The stem cell skin care technology was based on similar compounds used to treat burn victims and regenerate severely damaged dermal tissue. In some studies, stem cell creams diminished wrinkles weeks after the stem cell skin care product was first applied.
Researchers have also found amino acids in umbilical cords that cause stem cells in adult skin to activate. Fetal skin heals in a way that it doesn’t scar, in a different process than adult skin, so research continues on stimulating similar activity in adult cells. Cells of plants at any stage of development can be removed and will form new plants. Skin cells deplete as people age because they ultimately stop dividing as part of the natural aging process. Research into stem cell skin care has shown that apple extracts can slow down or reverse the process in laboratory samples.
