What Are Growth Factors?
The term “Growth Factor” has become common on skincare product labels, and its meaning isn’t always clear. Understanding what growth factors are, why they are important, and key ingredients to look for will help you make the best skincare product choices for your skin.
What are growth factors? They are a diverse group of proteins that typically act as signaling molecules between the cells. They stimulate cell reproduction by binding to specific cell membrane receptors and play a major role in growth, wound healing, and many other physiological functions. All plants and animals have growth factors, and they each have different effects on human tissue.
What are growth factors in skincare?
Both plant-derived growth factors, also known as botanicals, and human derived growth factors are used in skincare products to help rejuvenate the skin and diminish signs of aging. Human derived growth factors in skincare products were originally derived from human stem cells. Today many are replicated in a lab.
What are the best growth factors for skincare?
Regenerative skincare products often contain one or two of the following ingredients. Per US law, ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight. Some ingredients, such as EGF, are only appropriate in tiny proportions so you should not see ingredients like that first on the list. These are some things to keep in mind when selecting regenerative skincare products. Below are some of the most common growth factors found in higher quality and medical grade skincare products.
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
EGF in today’s skincare products are bioidentical and lab created. EGF boosts collagen production that amplifies wound healing and promotes healthy cell turnover by stimulating the skin’s natural repair mechanisms. This helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and distressed skin.
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
FGF stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps keep skin plump and firm. FGF can be or bioengineered in a lab or derived from animal or human stem cells.
Polyamine Growth Factor
This is a naturally occurring organic compound in your body that can improve the efficiency of the body’s own production of growth factors and cells. It can be bioengineered or derived from human mesenchymal stem cells.
Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β)
TGF-β is a collagen production superstar that regulates cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. It can be bioengineered, derived from human mesenchymal stem cells, and derived from non-human sources like snails and some plants.
Conditioned Stem Cell Media
A human stem cell extract that contains bioidentical bioactives, including growth factors and peptides, that helps stimulate collagen formation, accelerate wound healing, and improve skin function.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
A growth factor derived from human platelets or bioengineered in the lab. PGDF accelerates the healing process, boosts collagen production, and improves overall skin quality.
Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media (HFCM)
HFCM is derived from human fibroblasts, which are cells that produce collagen which supports skin rejuvenation. While HFCM can have anti-aging benefits, it stimulates cell proliferation in a way that people with high risk factors for skin cancer or psoriasis should not use products that contain it.
Which Growth Factor Skincare Products Do You Carry?
We carry a variety of medical grade natural and engineered growth factor products. Some are dispensed in-clinic as part of a skin rejuvenation procedure. Others are available for home care.
Our growth factor skincare product selection is based on routine evaluations of all comparable products in all available medical grade product lines. Our selection criteria include registered USA manufacturing, product ingredient formulation, and demonstrated clinical efficacy.
Which Treatments Include In-Clinic Growth Factors?
Growth Factors to augment skin rejuvenation treatments are our minimum procedure augmentation standard. Our mission is to deliver results people notice. Growth factors applied in-clinic speeds healing to reduce and even eliminate downtime, optimizes treatment results, and helps improve skin barrier health.
Medical grade growth factors applied in-clinic are available to augment Tixel Skin Resurfacing, Procell MicroChanneling, Exceed Medical Microneedling treatments.
Not sure which mix of treatments and/or products is best for your concerns? Book a complimentary consultation.
There’s no cost, and there’s no obligation. During your appointment we’ll discuss your concerns and treatment options.
We understand we are not the right fit for everyone, and we do refer out when we think a different specialist will be of more help.
