Yahoo Lifestyle Scouted: Are Plant-Based Stem Cells the New Botox? This Derm Thinks So
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As a beauty writer, I’m fortunate enough to be exposed to some incredible aesthetic treatments and innovative skincare—especially since I also have problem skin. I struggled with acne through most of my 20s, so you can imagine I tried every acne treatment available—from prescription options like Accutane and tretinoin to gentler OTC formulas—with less than promising results. This decade-long quest for a clear complexion left my skin with a lot of damage that I’m still repairing. It’s been a slower process than I would like, but my hope for expediting the ongoing healing process was restored when I met Dr. Nathan Newman, MD, a leading expert in stem cell skincare.
I stopped by Newman’s office for a stem cell facial and ended up learning a lot about how stem cells can be used to heal and regenerate the skin. My damaged skin barrier and leftover acne scars have been screaming for a solution for years, so I jumped at the chance to talk to Newman about his approach and his skincare line, Stem Natural Intelligence. There are so many amazing things stem cells can do for your skin—from correcting acne scars to reducing fine lines and wrinkles. I even asked him if using stem cell-derived skincare will eventually replace the need for neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport altogether. For his take and more on my experience getting a stem cell, keep scrolling. I’m sharing it all ahead.
What Are Stem Cells?
I’ll be super honest: before talking to Newman, the extent of my stem cell knowledge was pretty limited. While I knew that stem cells could provide powerful regeneration to the body, I didn’t have a clue how they work when used topically. First, Newman explained a bit more about exactly what stem cells are and what they do.
“Stem cells are the cells found in every tissue of the body that are responsible for repair and regeneration,” he explains. “They release bioactive molecules such as peptides, exosomes, growth factors, anti-inflammatory factors, etc. In wound healing, these bioactive molecules stimulate collagen production, promote blood vessel formation, and reduce inflammation. These properties make stem cells an invaluable tool in both regenerative medicine and skincare, as they can restore damaged tissues and improve the overall health and vitality of the skin.”
What Are the Benefits of Using Stem Cell-Infused Skincare?
While the science behind how stem cells work to repair and regenerate was fascinating, I was also curious about how they are sourced. Stem cell-powered aesthetic treatments have gotten a bad rep in the past due to ethical concerns, but it turns out that plant-based stem cells are just as effective as human stem cells. Newman uses 100 percent plant-based stem cells in his practice and his skincare products. Ethics aside, Newman says that human stem cells aren’t always the most reliable anyway (they can potentially carry diseases and other undesirables).
In his 20 years working with stem cells, he discovered that plant stem cells don’t have this issue and behave pretty much the same as human cells. “All stem cells communicate using a universal language—bioactive molecules shared by both human and plant cells—to carry out their functions,” he says. “I have developed a patented process that mentors any type of stem cell, whether plant or human, to release a unique set of unaltered bioactive molecules with specific instructions called consortia factors. These factors are naturally produced and provide a comprehensive set of directions designed to work with your body, not at your body.”
Stem cells are bioactive and can even replace the need for multiple “anti-aging” products. They can boost collagen production, improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and help fade hyperpigmentation. Although I did receive a facial using Newman’s products at his office and loved it, the real transformation for my skin started once I transitioned to using the products at home. More on that below.
Are Stem Cells the New Botox?
Naturally, because this approach is so revolutionary, I wondered if stem cell-powered treatments are the future of skincare and if they will eliminate the need for neuromodulators like Botox. Newman weighed in and said that it could definitely offer greater benefits than Botox for achieving a healthy, youthful glow. He even said that it may help reduce the frequency and quantity of your Botox treatments. Using regenerative stem cell-based skincare provides a more holistic approach.
While Botox temporarily relaxes facial muscles to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, stem cell-derived skincare focuses on regenerating the skin at the cellular level. You’ll enjoy immediate, short-term results with Botox, but stem cell skincare containing consortia factors provide more long-lasting, natural results that actually enhance skin health rather than temporarily paralyzing the muscle to relax lines. While Newman doesn’t necessarily say that stem cell skincare *has* to replace Botox, he does say that it’s superior. Even if you do still enjoy getting injectable wrinkle-relaxers, stem cell-derived skincare can complement—and even extend the life of—your treatments nicely.
