As to be expected, the 2008 HBA Global Expo, one the skincare and personal care sector’s biggest events, is revealing amazing new discoveries. One of the studies presented at the event highlights the role of skin stem cells in anti-aging. According to Bellis Development’s Boris Petrikovsky, fetal (fetus) skin is the way forward in the fight against aging. The scientist reported that research has shown how the skin of adults and that of babies heal in different ways. Petrikovsky noted that “Adult skin heals via an inflammatory response, involving macrophages and type 1 collagen.” Fetal skin on the other hand uses the skin’s stem cells in the healing process.

Petrikovsky says that a wrinkle is in fact a small wound. He has been exploring ways to force adult skin stem cells to heal similarly to fetal stem cells. He has been working with Peptide 199, a substance present in the umbilical cord that forces adult stem cells to upregulate. Peptide 199 actually causes adult stem cells to heal like fetal skin stem cells.