The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It covers the body's surface and consists of multiple layers - epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and appendages. It plays a critical role defending against microbial invasion and ultraviolet radiation, preventing water loss, regulating body temperature, and maintaining human appearance.
What are skin stem cells?
The skin’s strong ability to repair and regenerate is directly related to skin stem cells. Like other stem cells throughout the body, these cells are multi-potent with a self-replicating ability and they can differentiate into multiple functional cells under certain conditions. The two major types of skin stem cells are the epidermal stem cells and the hair follicle stem cells.
Skin stem cells are powerful: within your body, they can replicate and differentiate for almost 100 generations and produce 15 billion skin cells, which is enough to cover the skin of ten adults! Clearly, they are super important for the regeneration and repair of our skin.
What role do stem cells play in aging?
Epidermal stem cells continue to generate new skin cells, including fibroblasts which make the adjoining tissues of collagen and elastin – the building blocks of firm, glowing skin. But as we age, the number and activity of epidermal stem cells goes down. The skin becomes thinner and more fragile. If we can prevent this epidermal stem cell reduction, we can actually delay skin aging.
Do skin care products with stem cells work?
Anti-aging stem cell creams are flooding the market. The primary active ingredients include plant-based stem cell peptides and bioengineered human FGF1, which is in the fibroblast growth factor family of proteins. It’s essential to be vigilant about which products are actually beneficial. Scientific evidence to support the effective absorption of large peptide/protein molecules from skin creams is quite limited. The hefty price tag doesn’t always guarantee the results.
How does Methylene Blue impact skin aging?
In a 2015 PNAS research article, the world-leading anti-aging expert Judy Campisi pointed out that mitochondrial dysfunction is actually the major blocker for epidermal regeneration at an older age. The mitochondria are the energy plant inside the skin cell and thus the most important part to keep healthy. It is also the primary functional site for Methylene Blue.
Many pieces of literature, including our own Scientific Report have shown the potent functions of Methylene Blue inside the mitochondria as an electron carrier to facilitate energy production and as an antioxidant to improve mitochondrial health. Most importantly, due to its amazing dual solubility in both lipid (fat) and water, Methylene Blue in skin cream can effectively enter skin cells and their mitochondria. While our research is underway, we are quite enthusiastic about the potential benefits of Bluelene creams on your skin’s stem cells.
Our first body product is ready for shipping!
Today we are excited to start shipping our first Body product with Methylene Blue. BodyFix is la luxurious cream infused with super-hydrating ingredients including jojoba, shea butter, aloe, and our patented antioxidant Methylene Blue. BodyFix is designed to visibly smooth wrinkles and lines on the body (neck, décolleté, knees) and to nourish dry areas such as elbows and hands.
BodyFix will also go to work to restore sun exposed skin, so keep it handy post sunbathing. Whether you wish to renew your body’s appearance or support its firmness, our BodyFix with Methylene Blue is ready for you!
