Scientists are developing ways to hinder the aging process by growing new skin more rapidly. They are using growth factors as a way to maintain skin's youth. Extracted from cultured epidermal cells, placental cells, colostrum, and even plants, growth factors are compounds that act as chemical messengers between cells, turning on and off a variety of cellular activities. Growth factors increase the rate at which cells in the body grow. They play a role in cell division, new cell and blood vessel growth, and collagen and elastin production and distribution.
Growth factors have been used extensively in the medical industry for treating wounds, as topical application of growth factors has been shown to facilitate faster and more complete healing. Likewise, the use of growth factors for aging skin has been shown to positively counteract aging and photo-damage, specifically loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone, and thinning of the epidermis.
EGF is a protein found naturally in the skin that declines with age and is the reason an older person’s skin heals more slowly. It’s an intensive healer and cell regenerator. When the skin is damaged EGF rushes to the site and stimulates the repair process. EGF helps heal and repair the stratum corneum by directly stimulating proliferation of growth factor receptors. Using EGF in conjunction with skin resurfacing will make the treatment much less stressful to the skin by fueling the regenerating process.
Epidermal Growth Factors is a protein molecule made up of 53 specific amino acids which are responsible for creating dynamic and rapid cell activity. This cell activity allows skin to appear youthful and dewy after only a few weeks. EGF works even faster on damaged and aged skin by replacing what naturally occurs in the body but slows down with age. EGF is released when there is injury and when applied topically to aging skin it can speed cell turnover, increase skin thickness, and restore luminosity.
My Story: Stephanie Frey at Skincare Fundamentals gave me these wonderful products to test out. I knew nothing about Epidermal Growth Factor and the paperwork about it was extremely scientific...way over my head!! But I popped open one of the little ampoules anyway and gave it a try. It was so smooth and velvety. It felt great on my skin. The next morning my skin looked fabulous! I used it again the next night and again the following night. I have to tell you that there was a considerable change in my skin in just three days. My clients even noticed and ask what I was doing. My skin looked more vibrant and actually even tighter.
I have continued to use these products on myself and in treatment. I highly recommend the use of Epidermal Growth Factor for mature skin, after microdermabrasion and/or peeling. I use the EGF gel after the Radiancy FSD treatment. It's also great for wound healing. I had a benign mole taken off of my upper lip by a fabulous Plastic Surgeon. As soon as he took the stitches out (4 days) I began applying the EGF which really accelerated the healing process.
