Frequently Asked Questions
Are all stem cells the same? where are they in the skin?
Each individual organ of the body has its own specific adult stem cells. The skin, for example, is not one unit as many people think but rather is comprised of two different layers, the outer Epidermis and the inner Dermis. Therefore, it has two distinct populations of adult stem cells: epidermal stem cells and dermal stem cells.
Although the dermis is the important layer of the skin where all the collagen & elastin are manufactured, the exact location in the skin of the dermal stem cells’ reservoir was very hard to find and was only recently discovered in December 2009.
What do stem cells do?
Stem cells regenerate and repair the skin and they are fundamental in keeping skin young. Epidermal stem cells regenerate the outer epidermis layer and dermal stem cells regenerate the skin’s fibroblasts, those ‘factory-cells’ which produce the collagen & elastin, two of the most important natural wrinkle-fighters in the skin !
As we get older, what is the influence of age on the skin’s stem cells ?
It is proven that the activity and “quality” of skin stem cells deteriorates with time and that the stem cells become ‘tired and worn-out’. This is considered one of the most important causes of ageing skin and of the appearance of wrinkles.
Whether the number of skin stem cells decreases with age or not is not certain. However the decreasing activity of skin stem cells is universally recognized as a major source of skin losing its youthful appearance and therefore boosting our skin stem cells’ activity is believed necessary to both stopping as well as reversing skin aging.
When does the activity of stem cells start to decrease?
There is still no exact answer to this question. Yet, since the aging process starts at approximately 20 years-old, one can postulate that stem cells also start to age at around 20 years old.
Some dermatologists claim that we can reverse the skin cells aging process. Is this true?
Research on this topic is relatively recent and still ongoing, yet the data strongly points to a clear yes. Whether in the skin, the heart or other organs, scientists have recently proved that stem cells have an extraordinary capacity to repair damage, regenerate tissue and that stem cells can themselves be rejuvenated. As recently as November 2011, French scientists had been able, in vitro, to make 101 year-old skin cells indistinguishable from those of newborns.
What products or treatments can help to activate stem cells in my skin?
Scientifically speaking, to properly demonstrate activation of the skin’s stem cells, different ingredients would have to be rigorously laboratory tested against a pool of human dermal stem cells (harvested simply by miniscule biopsies). This sophisticated and complicated laboratory process has only been available since December 2009, and precisely, Dr. LEVY Switzerland®’s Booster Serum & Cream are the world’s 1st cosmetics with an ingredient, ArganCDV proven to activate & vitalize human dermis stem cells in vitro.
Other cosmetic brands have already launched creams that they claim can activate and protect stem cells in skin. What is so special, new and revolutionary about your products?
The secret lies in the dermis : our exclusive, patented formula, ArganCellActiv®, stimulates both dermal & epidermal stem cell activators together !
This makes of Dr. LEVY Switzerland® treatments the first cosmetics available in the world with an exclusive ingredient – ArganCDV – which has been proven scientifically to activate & vitalize human dermis stem cells in vitro.
This had never been done before !
Aside from the dermis & epidermis stem cells activators, what does your exclusive ArganCellActiv® complex consist of? How does it work?
ArganCellActiv® is the whole patented formula.
The innovation is proven Dermis + Epidermis stem cell boosters featuring the exclusive Dermal Stem Cell booster ArganCDV.
In addition there are 2 other plant-derived stem cell extracts which boost the epidermis stem cells.
Finally, the formula includes a cocktail of deeply penetrating active anti-oxidants, vitamins (A+C+E), Omegas, peptides and moisturizing agents. In fact, as for the role of nutrition in a fitness program (which needs to be balanced and varied) the skin needs all of these ingredients to maintain a healthy, young foundation in order to assure the optimal activity of all our ingredients.
Does ArganCDV penetrate into the skin ?
Yes.
In order for ArganCDV to penetrate deeper into the skin it is encapsulated in a specialized double liposome penetrating system.
What is the optimal age for using a cream that activates your own skin stem cells? Will it be too late if I start at 50?
Aging already starts at around 20 years-old and theoretically one should start the creams at 20. In reality, we only notice that at 30 years-old many patients start to have fine lines and fine wrinkles, especially at the crow’s feet area. However, would 50 years old be too late to start treatment ?
Definitely no !
Patients at 50 years-old regularly using our Booster Serum and Booster Cream have been amazed at the significant improvement of the texture and smoothness of their skin. As well, independent clinical studies performed on women aged 39-61, have shown that with Argan Stem Cells extracts, skin density can be increased by +12.7% and wrinkle depth decreased by -26.2% after 8 weeks of treatment (Skin Test Institute, Neuchâtel S.A., 2011).
Are there any allergy risks?
Dr. LEVY Switzerland creams have all been rigorously allergy tested, and the formula has been carefully developed not to include any ingredient with any known important allergy risks.
The Dr. LEVY Switzerland, cosme-medical skin care regimen includes highly active ingredients within the ArganCellActiv® formula and the skin might appear slightly red (a manifestation of the high activity of the products) at the beginning of the treatment. This has been a rare occurrence and disappears most often very rapidly.
