For many years, certain cutting-edge skin care has only been accessible in office settings where injections, lasers and other equally hostile-sounding treatments are doled out exclusively by medical professionals, often at gobsmacking prices. Lately, however, more over-the-counter beauty products offer these same ingredients, albeit with less efficacy, but harnessing similar clinical innovation nonetheless.
This all could be said for growth factors, an ingredient that we’re told by board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Dr. Hadley King, is used primarily for anti-aging. Often used in conjunction with professional treatments like microneedling, King said, growth factors are signaling proteins that allow cells to communicate with each other.
“When [growth factors] bind to receptors on cell surfaces, they can send commands to repair, rejuvenate and replicate. They are used for anti-aging because they can increase collagen and elastin, thicken skin and improve tone and texture,” King said.
Topical growth factors may even help promote hair growth by stimulating hair follicles and blood supply, she said, though more data may be needed to demonstrate absorption and effectiveness.
