Stem-cell therapies are being used by the beauty industry to combat aging – but is that safe?

Scientists believe that stem cells will be able to cure diseases like diabetes in the future, but have warned against using the cells for beauty therapies. Stem cells can be harmful when injected into the skin for mere cosmetic reasons because they can convert themselves into rogue or even cancerous cells.

Scientists who work in accredited U.K. medical research institutions follow guidelines implemented by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to guarantee that their experiments are approved as safe and ethical, and that their progress and results are tracked. However, investigations have revealed that various private clinics in London inject human stem cells as beauty treatments that are scientifically unproven and could possibly cause severe side effects. (Related: Cosmetic stem-cell treatment causes woman to grow bone fragments in her eyes.)

For example, the London FAMI Clinic in Chelsea offers a “new two-hour wonder treatment” that uses stem cells. The procedure, described as a “nonsurgical eyelid lift,” harvests the patient’s stem cells from fat tissue in their thighs or abdomen, which are then injected into the muscle around their eyes.

One plastic surgeon uses stem cells for a “painless” facelift, while yet another facial cosmetic surgeon uses stem cells from fat around patients’ navels in order to attain “healthy revitalised and rejuvenated tissues.”

Stem cells were first discovered 30 years ago, and were believed to have huge potential in healthcare. However, the potential dangers these cells had came out quickly as well.

One research suggests that stem cells may cause more harm than good. Jonathan Leor, a professor at Tel Aviv University, warned in the journal Circulation that stem cells used to treat heart failure are ineffective, can inflame other cells, and worsen damage to the already diseased heart muscle.

Natural anti-aging treatments

Instead of risking your life by undergoing stem cell therapies, try these five natural anti-aging techniques from different parts of the world.

• Tea – A lot of teas are rich in anti-aging antioxidants. White and green tea, for example, are packed with an antioxidant called EGCG, which helps prevent wrinkles and helps increase cell turnover.
• Ginger – Women in India mix shredded ginger and honey in hot water. This tea is packed with anti-aging benefits. Honey contains natural anti-bacterial properties and helps lessen inflammation, while ginger is packed with an antioxidant called gingerol, which helps prevent collagen breakdown.
• Sugar and lemon – Mexicans combine sugar and lemon juice together to make a scrub for the hands. The sugar crystals serve as an exfoliant to help remove dead skin, while lemon juice has alpha-hydroxy acid, which helps remove layers of dead skin cells.
• Noni fruit – The juice of the noni fruit moisturizes the skin and provides anti-aging benefits. Studies suggest that it softens the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles.
• Grape seed extract – In France, people use grape seed extract supplements to enhance the levels of antioxidants in the blood, and protect the collagen and elastin in the skin, which gives the skin elasticity and firmness.

If you’d like to read more news stories and studies on cosmetics, go to Cosmetics.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

HuffingtonPost.com