WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Here are some key things to keep in mind (or ask your
manufacturer) when making a decision to use EGFs:
• How many types of growth factors are used in the formula?
• What are the benefits being marketed by the manufacturer?
• What is the active ingredient delivery system? Is there a
reasonable indication that the active ingredient will actually
make it into the epidermis?
Growth factors can definitely have a place in your treatment
room toolbox; how they are used and what formulation you
choose will influence the results you get with your clients.
Notes
1. Encyclopedia Britannica, "Growth Factor," accessed July 2016,
www.britannica.com/science/growth-factor.
2. L. Yu, C. H. Cho, and S. W. Liu, "Epidermal Growth Factor
Stimulates the Proliferation of Human Esophageal Squamous Cell
Carcinoma HKESC-1 Cells by Increasing COX-2 Expression," Journal
of Southern Medical University 31, no. 8 (August 2011): 1323–6.
3. H. Sundaram et al., "Topically Applied Physiologically Balanced
Growth Factors: A New Paradigm of Skin Rejuvenation," Journal of
Drugs in Dermatology 8 (May 2009): 4–13.
www.ascpskincare.com 39
growth factors used in
topical skin care
1
• EGF: Epidermal growth factor: Stimulates the growth
of epithelial cells throughout the body.
• TGF-B1: Transforming growth factor beta: Found in the
extracellular matrix and throughout the body; controls
cell growth, movement, and death.
2
• KGF: Keratinocyte growth factor: Found in the
epithelialization phase of wound healing; binds to
fibroblast growth factor receptor.
• VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor: Stimulates
blood vessel formation and endothelial cell growth.
• bFGF: Basic fibroblast growth factor: Involved in wound
healing, formation of new blood vessels and cell
growth, and maturation.
3
1. DermNet NZ, "Role of Growth Factors in Skin Creams," accessed July 2016,
www.dermnetnz.org/treatments/growth-factor-creams.html.
2. US National Library of Medicine, "TGFB1," accessed July 2016,
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/TGFB1.
3. US National Library of Medicine, "FGF10," accessed July 2016,
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/FGF10#synonyms.
