Stem Cells Show Promise in Skin Rejuvenation

A new stem cell treatment for skin rejuvenation developed by the Skin Research Center of Iran University of Medical Sciences will be mass produced soon, according to IUMS faculty member Dr. Mohammadali Nilforoushzadeh.

“The product was initially trialed successfully on 22 patients in the first phase and on 24 patients in the second phase,” he said on the sidelines of the Congress of Iranian Dermatologists in Tehran last week.

“The permit to conduct human trials was obtained after successful trial runs on mice in the laboratory,” said Nilforoushzadeh, who also presides over the Iranian Society of Dermatology, Mehr News Agency reported.

The skin rejuvenation therapy works by injecting the stem cell-based extract into the skin or applying it topically on the surface. It can be injected in facial skin and the desired areas.

Stem cells are biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells. They can also be taken from umbilical cord blood just after birth. Stem cells have immense capacity to repair and replenish old and worn out cells.

Skincare specialists do not use embryonic stem cells in a skincare product as it is impossible to incorporate live material.  Instead, companies across the world create products with specialized peptides and enzymes or plant stem cells that help protect the human skin stem cells from damage and deterioration or stimulate the skin’s own stem cells. Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body.

“This is an innovative method for skin rejuvenation and the product is among the first stem cell-based products in the country,” Nilforoushzadeh said. By using natural tissue, dermatologists can do away with harsh chemicals, needle injections, or invasive surgery to rejuvenate skin.

  Costly Anti-Aging Solutions

Many anti-aging solutions present a plethora of costly expenditures, dangerous outcomes, and make one vulnerable to complications. Stem cell based treatments have several advantages. They are a non-surgical procedure that do not require anesthesia or other medications; are an affordable alternative compared to surgeries, creams, serums, injections; entail painless procedure that also eliminates the worry of scarring; and require no recovery time and result in no side effects.

Stem cell therapy is an effective method to replace damaged skin cells and rejuvenate the skin and regenerate collagen and elastin to tighten the skin and smoothen out wrinkles.  The product will be mass produced by the end of the current Iranian year in March, Nilforoushzadeh added.