Endogenous Growth Factors as Cosmeceuticals

Background. Research into the pathophysiology of photodamaged skin has revealed correlations with certain aspects of acute and chronic wound healing. In wound healing, growth factors accumulate at the wound site and interact synergistically to initiate and coordinate wound healing. Objectives. To review the effects of topical growth factors in wound healing and their potential use in treating photodamaged skin. Methods. A mixture of multiple growth factors derived from human fibroblasts was applied topically to 14 patients twice daily for 60 days to stimulate the remodeling phase of wound healing. Results. A total of 78.6% of patients with photodamaged skin showed clinical improvement at 60 days. New collagen formation increased by 37%, and epidermal thickening increased by 27%. Conclusions. These data, as well as other studies of growth factors in wound healing, demonstrate positive cosmetic and clinical outcomes of topical application of growth factors for the treatment of photodamaged skin. DR. FITZPATRICK IS THE FOUNDER OF SKIN MEDICA AND OWNS STOCK AS WELL AS STOCK OPTIONS.