Celeste Hilling, CEO of Skin Authority explains the latest Skin Authority product technology, SGF-4.
SGF-4 is a new skin care technology that Skin Authority has launched. Can you give us a brief explanation of what SGF-4 is, and why it’s so exciting. Derived from four natural, skin growth factors, SGF-4 Technology was developed to target and reprogram the aging process of skin cells.
The technology leverages the body of medical research that began in 1986 when the wound-healing strength of human growth factors were used to help burn patients. In 2001, studies were released citing that cosmetic creams incorporating various growth factors produced better results than Botox.
Following the research observations, Skin Authority began testing applications of human-derived proteins to help healthy skin fight the signs of aging. The results of those tests were amazing and led Skin Authority to bring SGF-4 Technology to market for cosmetic application in 2009.
Skin Growth Factors? Where exactly do they come from (or not come from?) Skin Growth Factors are harvested from tissue banks, which are similar to blood and plasma banks. Growth factors are proteins that bind to receptors on the cells surface and help them re-grow new tissue.
The initial use for growth factors was to help people recover from burns. Now, we know that growth factors help the skin by tightening and firming, reducing lines and wrinkles, calming inflammation, fighting breakouts and producing clear, luminous tone.
Are "Skin Growth Factors" new to the skin care industry? The use of Skin Growth Factors for cosmetic purposes was first introduced in 1996 in medical settings. Since that time, the technology has evolved to be more accessible and condition targeted.
The first product with SGF-4 technology is called the Wrinkle Reversing Serum. Is this simply an anti-aging product? Or would there be any benefit for other age groups to use this? Wrinkle Reversing Serum is an amazing product that works well for those in their 20s on. The Serum visibly plumps and fills even the deepest lines and wrinkles. You actually see a visible difference within a few minutes of the first application!
But what is more powerful is the way the SGF technology helps protect and reinvigorate the functionality of the skin cells below the surface! By strengthening the underlying infrastructure, folds are reduced, the skin looks clear and luminous, plus it feels tighter and lifted.
Released last summer, Wrinkle Reversing Serum is Skin Authority’s biggest launch to date. We are adding to the SGF family with Dramatic Eye Lift and Moisturizing Lift Cream. Released in February, the new products are the magic formula for the two biggest skin care issues women face – tired eyes and dry, flaky skin.
(Watch a video from Celeste that shows the product being applied to half of the face of a model.)
I think many people think that Retinol is the best anti-aging ingredient available to fight off wrinkles, yet, this isn’t a Retinol product. What makes this different than Retinol, and is it better? Retinols and Growth Factors both have skin healthy benefits, but in different ways. Retinols enhance collagen and elastin development in skin by causing the surface skin cells to “turnover” or exfoliate away (which is why redness and irritation sometimes occur).
When the cells turnover, the live skin tissue underneath produces new skin cells to replace the lost ones. Collagen and elastin are produced during this process. However, the new cells that are produced “copy” the DNA structure of the cells that came before. So damage is copied and reproduced.
Growth Factors actually work to replace the damaged DNA proteins so, when cells turnover, healthier functioning cells are replicated. Growth Factors are more preventative than Retinols, which exfoliate away topical damaged cells, but don’t affect the damaged proteins.
Those who have used a Retinol product know that redness and peeling can be part of the process. What sort of side effects could we expect with SGF-4? Retinols force the skin to exfoliate, which sometimes causes redness and peeling. Growth Factors are not exfoliators and have been safely used in the cosmetics market since 1996. Because Skin Authority’s SGF utilizes body natural proteins versus synthetic proteins, the product is more easily assimilated by the skin.
How would our skin care regimen look if we started using these products? Use Skin Authority SGF products right after you cleanse in the morning and again at night, if desired. (Application rule of thumb: Apply Serums before creams).
The Serum is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Massage it over the face with particular attention to your areas of concern.
When can we expect to see initial results? Results are visible in as little as three minutes, which makes the Wrinkle Reversing Serum great for big events as well as long-term care.
And what will continued use bring to our skin? With continued use, SGF-4 Technology actually reprograms the way your cells think. Cells will begin to act as if they are in their ‘infant’ development stage again. They’ll then only produce healthy cells that will make your skin look better and better over time.
Will we still need to exfoliate? And are they safe to combine with retinol-based products? Resurfacing is critical to your skin care routine. You will want to continue resurfacing with retinols at night and use the SGF products during the day when their immune-enhancing benefits can help fight the damaging effects of the sun.
What about our current facial cleanser and moisturizers? You should always cleanse before applying the Wrinkle Reversing Serum. And, don’t leave out the moisturizer. Rain or shine, never leave your house without applying a sunscreen moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15.
Skin Authority has embraced the importance of consumer awareness of practicing sun safety by releasing the first 4-Star UVA protective rating in the country. By this summer, all sunscreens will be required to have a star rating by the FDA.
