More than 25 years ago, it was a patient with a port-wine stain who inspired Alster to learn more about the then-fledgling world of lasers. Alster accepted a fellowship in Boston, where her patient traveled to receive treatments. So in essence, I changed her life because I significantly lightened the birthmark to the point where she didn't need to cover it, says Alster. And she changed my life because I wouldn't have looked into lasers if it wasn't for her... I ended up opening up my own center in Washington, D.C. in 1990. And at that time it was the only freestanding laser center in the world.

Lasers and Scars

Lasers can treat many types of scars, including surgical scars, acne scars, and scars from injuries. They penetrate the epidermis to stimulate new, healthy skin cell growth. The most common lasers used in scar removal are ablative fractional carbon dioxide lasers, Nd:YAG, nonablative fractional lasers, and pulsed dye lasers.

Lasers and Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light to remove unwanted hair. The laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which then damages the hair follicles that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth. With repeated treatments, laser hair removal can permanently reduce unwanted hair. While all hairs dont fall out immediately, they will shed within days to weeks of treatment.

But lasers arent only used for hair reduction. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a relatively new treatment that uses low-power lasers to stimulate hair growth. Its hypothesized that LLLT stimulates stem cells in the hair follicle and shifts the follicles in the anagen (growth) stage of the hair cycle.

How is LED different from lasers?

Commonly confused with lasers, light-emitting diodes (LED) can reduce fine lines, increase collagen production, and smooth skin by using varying color wavelengths of visible LED light. Lasers, on the other hand, often use a single wavelength, and the beam is ideal for stimulating changes that only respond to very specific wavelengths (hair removal, dark spot removal, etc.).

Can you combine lasers with other in-office treatments in the same session?

Short answer: Yes! Depending on the laser you and your dermatologist choose, you can get filler or Botox in the same treatment. Some experts will specifically recommend injectables with Fraxel within the same appointment since its considered safe and delivers a rather dramatic final result. Alster often combines non-ablative laser treatments with microneedling to amplify the effects.

Can you be too young for lasers?

When deciding whether or not to try a laser, your age shouldnt be a major deciding factor. It's more of a matter of the problem you want to fix, not how old you are. Many young people have rosacea, acne, sun spots, and sun damage all of which are treatable with lasers. Still, less-intensive therapies, such as chemical peels, are likely enough to repair young, relatively healthy skin (and are often less expensive).

Is it safe to laser your skin at home?

There are various options for at-home laser treatments that you can use safely. Typically, at-home devices have significantly lower power than those used in a medical setting, in order to reduce risks. Many lasers for wrinkles or acne are simply LED light products, like the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite mask. There are, however, a few at-home non-ablative fractional lasers available, like the Tria SmoothBeauty Laser.

Michelles Current Favorites

While everyones skin is different and your personal dermatologist knows whats best for you Michelle says she slathered her face with Aquaphor following a Fraxel treatment. You really do need to keep your skin moist [afterward], she says. And then it's all about sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Right now, Michelle is into Dr. Loretta Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40, which has a slight tint.

Jennys Current Favorites

Like Michelle, Jenny used Aquaphor after getting Fraxel. She also used CeraVe Moisturizing Cream post-treatment to help speed up healing. And in order to cover up the sandpaper-like texture and small, dark dots that often arise after getting Fraxel, Jenny used Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation. A lot of dermatologists and plastic surgeons recommend it for people to use this when they're healing, she says. It's thicker than what I would normally use for foundation, but it gave a really seamless finish [and] got me through that week or two after [treatment].

Like many in-office treatments, lasers often come with some downtime. But good things come to those who wait: Lasers can have a huge impact on the look and health of your skin.

Original post:
The Complete Guide to Laser Treatments for Hair and Skin | The Science of Beauty Podcast | Allure - Allure

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The Complete Guide to Laser Treatments for Hair and Skin | The Science of Beauty Podcast | Allure – Allure | December 30th, 2020

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Vaccines at warp speed

Only one breakthrough truly mattered this year: the creation of a COVID-19 shot. The previous record for the fastest vaccine development, for mumps, was four years. But on Dec. 8 11 months after research began a 90-year-old British grandmother became the first person in the world to receive Pfizer's new COVID vaccine outside of a clinical study. Like Moderna's new shot, which was approved in the U.S. last week, the two-dose vaccine is about 95 percent effective and uses an entirely new type of technology. In traditional vaccines, a patient is injected with dead viral material, which triggers the body to produce antibodies. Pfizer's and Moderna's shot use a synthetic version of coronavirus genetic material that leads human cells to produce copies of the virus' outer spike proteins. Those proteins spark an immune defense. Pfizer and Moderna together hope to deliver enough doses for 20 million people by Dec. 31. "The light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little brighter," says infectious-disease expert Dr. William Schaffner.

Solving a protein puzzle

An artificial intelligence program appears to have solved one of the biggest mysteries in biology. The "protein-folding problem" is important because most biological processes such as how insulin controls blood-sugar levels or how antibodies fight coronaviruses are driven by proteins. How the strings of amino acids that make up a protein twist and fold into a 3D shape determines its function. Trying to establish how proteins get their origami-like structure can take years of lab work. But AlphaFold, an artificial intelligence program developed by the Google-owned DeepMind lab, can do it in a matter of hours with a remarkable level of accuracy. Bioinformatics professor Janet Thornton says protein-folding was "a problem that I was beginning to think would not get solved in my lifetime."

Building living 'bots

American scientists have created the world's first living robots. The millimeter-wide "xenobots" were formed by scraping live stem cells from frog embryos and leaving them to incubate. The resulting skin and heart cells were then reshaped and combined into "body forms" designed by a supercomputer to complete certain tasks walking, for example, or swimming. The pulsing heart cells serve as a miniature engine that powers xenobots until their energy reserves run out after about 10 days at present. Study co-leader Michael Levin says these "living, programmable organisms" might one day carry out tasks such as removing plaque from artery walls.

Signs of life on Venus?

Scientists have found hints that life might exist on Venus a notoriously inhospitable planet where surface temperatures hit 860 degrees Fahrenheit. Using powerful telescopes, researchers detected traces of the gas phosphine in the Venusian atmosphere. On Earth, that gas is produced by human industry and by microbial organisms that live in oxygen-free environments. Phosphine is quick to react and disappear, so something must be replenishing its supply on Venus. Researchers say it's not implausible that single-celled life might survive in the Venusian atmosphere, floating in a region where liquid water exists. Study co-author Sara Seager says the only way to confirm this theory is by "actually going to Venus."

This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.

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The big scientific breakthroughs of 2020 - The Week

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The big scientific breakthroughs of 2020 – The Week | December 30th, 2020

A U.S. study has shown for the first time that enhancing signals from the nociceptive nervous system could provide new approaches to improve the collection of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for treating cancers of the blood and bone marrow, the authors reported in the December 23, 2020, edition of Nature.

The findings may help cancer treatments, as "in a meaningful fraction of leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients, particularly those who have received anticancer treatment, the HSC mobilization yield can be insufficient," said study leader Paul Frenette.

"Therefore, more efficient HSC mobilization methods would allow the harvest of sufficient HSCs for life-saving transplantation," said Frenette, a professor and director of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

HSCs characteristically migrate to different hematopoietic sites during embryonic development and continue to be released from the adult bone marrow.

Most hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow, where different types of blood cells are derived from limited numbers of HSCs, which are multipotent and capable of extensive renewal.

The HSC migratory properties have facilitated their collection from the blood and transplantation as regenerative cancer treatment, although the mechanisms by which HSCs migrate out of the bone marrow remain largely unknown.

In tissues exposed to the external environment, such as the skin, lung and gut, nociceptors enable the rapid detection of external insults, including pain, cold or heat, in order to avoid organ damage.

Nociceptor sensory neurons detect these harmful stimuli and can regulate the immune response to them by releasing neurotransmitters and other regulatory molecules.

However, other than for pain perception, the role of nociceptors in a deep tissue, such as the bone marrow, is poorly understood.

In bone marrow, HSCs are found in specialized microenvironments or niches, which are complex regulatory environments influenced by multiple cellular constituents, including nerves.

Although sympathetic nerves are known to regulate the HSC niche, the role of nociceptive neurons in the bone marrow in this regard remains unclear.

"We have previously shown that nerves from the sympathetic nervous system promoted HSC mobilization in bone marrow, so we were curious to see whether nociceptive neurons might also be involved," Frenette told BioWorld Science.

In their new Nature study, the Frenette and his team showed that nociceptive neurons are required for HSC mobilization and that they interact with sympathetic nerves to maintain HSCs in the bone marrow.

Notably, nociceptor neurons were demonstrated to drive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced HSC mobilization via secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

"Our findings may lead to more efficient mobilization methods in [blood and bone marrow cancer] patients in whom existing methods are insufficient," Frenette said.

For example, "we have shown that the CGRP pathway synergizes with G-CSF and plerixafor [(Mozobil, Genzyme), an immunostimulant used to mobilize HSCs into the bloodstream in cancer patients]." Unlike sympathetic nerves, which regulate HSCs indirectly via the bone marrow niche, CGRP was shown to act directly on HSCs via receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) and the calcitonin receptor-like receptor to promote HSC egress via Galphas/adenyl cyclase/cAMP signaling pathway activation.

This research identifies potential treatment targets for boosting HSC mobilization, since "we have shown that increasing the downstream signaling of the CGRP receptor RAMP1, by increasing cyclic AMP can enhance HSC mobilization," said Frenette.

Importantly, the Einstein researchers then showed that ingestion of food containing capsaicin, a natural component of chili peppers that can trigger the activation of nociceptive neurons, significantly enhanced HSC mobilization in mice.

"Capsaicin tablets are currently sold over-the-counter to 'help support cardiovascular and digestive function' at higher doses than that predicted by our studies in mice for stimulating HSC mobilization in humans," said Frenette.

"These relatively low concentrations of capsaicin have biological effects without seemingly causing obvious pain," he said.

Collectively, these findings therefore suggest that targeting the nociceptive nervous system could represent a novel strategy by which to improve the yield of HSCs for stem cell-based therapies. (Gao, X. et al. Nature 2020, Advanced publication).

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Nociceptive neurons shown to boost hematopoiesis | 2020-12-28 - BioWorld Online

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Nociceptive neurons shown to boost hematopoiesis | 2020-12-28 – BioWorld Online | December 28th, 2020

Marco Kaltofen was 11 when he noticed his first white hairs. As his hair grew whiter, his middle-school friends started calling him the professor. By his mid-30s, it was completely white, as it had been for three of his grandparents. His parents went white in their 40s, so I had no chance of avoiding this, Kaltofen says.

Now 61, he is a civil engineer who lives in Boston. He wears his white hair in a ponytail. White hair is part of my identity, and I am completely at peace with it, he says.

Then there is Joe Rees, 75, a retired customs attache who lives in Washington. He is balding, but the hair that remains on the sides and in the back is the same dark brown it always has been. He jokingly attributes this to clean living and a pure heart, although, like Kaltofen, it probably is genetic. His mothers black hair didnt start to go gray until she was in her 70s, and was 50/50 when she died at 88, he says.

Still, Id rather be gray than bald, he says. That way, I wouldnt have to worry about wearing a hat all the time.

To be sure, Rees and Kaltofen are exceptions, since most people start graying in their 50s and 60s. Nevertheless, their experiences are among the many mysteries of gray, white or silver-looking hair that scientists are exploring to learn more about aging. They want to know why some people turn gray early and others late or not at all and what this might signal about their health. They also want to understand the factors that hasten graying, and even whether gray hair is reversible which could be a boon to those allergic to hair dye, or who hate spending money to keep the gray away.

Most important, studying gray hair could point to new approaches in promoting healthier aging, says Candace Kerr, health scientist administrator in the National Institute on Agings Division of Aging Biology.

While graying is one of the markers of aging aging is the ultimate risk factor for why hair goes gray it highlights the need for better understanding of the mechanisms that drive aging and age-related diseases, she says. To be able to target these pathways will be critically important for our aging population to live longer and happier lives.

Hair that looks gray, white or silver actually is colorless. Hair color comes from melanin, a pigment produced by cells in the hair follicles. Over time, these cells suffer damage and become depleted, losing their ability to make melanin. This results in new hair without pigment meaning, no color.

People use gray, white and silver interchangeably to describe hair that is turning or has turned. Its appearance whether it looks, gray, white or silver depends on how much natural color, or pigment, remains, experts say. Hair that has lost all its color typically appears white.

Studies have identified a number of factors that also may speed up gray hair, including smoking, diet, stress and genetics.

Our hair color depends on a set of specialized stem cells called melanocyte stem cells, and every time a new hair grows, these melanocyte stem cells have to divide in two and make a new melanocyte, [or] pigment cells, explains Melissa Harris, assistant professor of biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. These pigment cells stay in the base of your hair and their job is to produce pigment. These melanocytes reach out skinny arms, called dendritic processes, that shuttle the pigment to the hair shaft as it grows. So if all your melanocyte stem cells disappear, so do your melanocytes and so does your hair pigment. Thus gray hair.

Because stem cells directly influence hair color, studying gray hair can provide insights about why stem cells age and ultimately fail, offering important clues about the workings of other stem cells in the body for example, those found in muscles, bones and organs. In turn, these ultimately could point to whether gray hair could be a marker for disease, or the opposite, a longer life. Previous studies have not shown a relationship between life span and gray hair, including whether late onset of gray hair predicts longevity. Some research, however, indicates that gray or white hair can be a sign of early heart disease, regardless of age.

In some people, gray hair could potentially serve as indication of their health for instance when caused by stress, or a signal for those who may be developing cardiovascular disease, Kerr says. We still need to learn more about whether and, if so, how late onset of gray hair can signal better health and longevity in some people under certain circumstances, as well as whether early graying means stem cells might be aging.

There are many different stem cells in our body which may or may not age by different means, she says. How stem cells mark aging overall and how they could interact to promote aging is an important question.

This is why scientists who study gray hair regard it as a valuable research tool.

As gray hair researchers, we often have to defend why we study a cosmetic characteristic, rather than a life-threatening disease, Harris says. But what is very cool about gray hair from a scientific point of view is that we can see it with our own eyes, meaning we dont have to take invasive biopsies, and it doesnt kill you. We have asked a lot of important and interesting questions about stem cells by studying gray hair in mice. And, we are constantly on the lookout for gray-haired mice so we can use our scientific skills to find out what makes them gray.

A 2018 mouse study by Team Hair-Us (Harris nickname for her lab colleagues) found a connection between MITF (microphthalmia), a transcription factor (a protein involved in gene expression) important in managing pigment production, and the innate immune system, suggesting that some peoples hair may turn gray in response to serious illness or chronic stress. They discovered a relationship between genes involved in hair color and those that trigger an immune response to a viral infection, suggesting this interaction could increase the chances of developing gray hair.

MITF, in a sense, shields melanocyte stem cells from our own immune system, she says. Normally our immune system protects our bodies from infection. But for melanocyte stem cells, too much immune response is bad for their health, and this leads to their loss and to gray hair. Why melanocyte stem cells are so sensitive to our own natural means for protection, we still dont know.

Im very curious to see whether we see an uptick in individuals with gray hair due to coronavirus infection, she says. Unfortunately, we probably wont know because gray hair is rarely documented clinically, unless it is very extreme.

Scientists still dont know why some people turn gray early, late, or not at all, although they suspect genes, nutrients and possibly the immune system play a role in depleting melanocyte stem cells.

There is still much to learn about what regulates these stem cells and what may contribute to their loss, says Ya-Chieh Hsu, associate professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard University and principal faculty member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

Among other things, Hsu studies the effect of stress on graying. Most of us are familiar with those before-and-after photographs of U.S. presidents most recently Barack Obama showing a striking increase in gray hair during their terms, even in relatively young presidents. Its known as the Marie Antoinette Syndrome, after the 18th-century French queen whose hair allegedly turned white overnight before she went to the guillotine and her death at age 38 during the French Revolution.

With the aging process, we gradually lose melanocyte stem cells one-by-one over a very long period of time, Hsu says. What we found in our research was that the stress can accelerate that process.

Hsu and her colleagues found that stress stimulates the same nerves that trigger the fight-or-flight response, which in turn causes permanent damage to the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. The fight or flight response is thought to be a good thing in stressful situations because it can drive us and other organisms to respond to danger rapidly, Hsu says. This activation causes a spike in the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Norepinephrine raises our heartbeat and allows us to react quickly to danger without having to think about it.

But norepinephrine also tells melanocyte stem cells to pump up their activity and proliferate, and too much norepinephrine, in this case triggered by stress, causes the melanocyte stem cells to burst into so much activity it leads to rapid depletion of the stem cell reservoir, she says. If all the stem cells are depleted, no more pigment-producing cells can be produced anymore, and the hair turns gray.

Other stress hormones, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) for example, can cause melanocyte stem cells to migrate away from the hair follicle before they can produce the melanocytes needed for hair and skin color, according to research. Such hormones are known to increase in the body after stress, and may have the potential to promote the loss of these cells, regardless of age, says study author Mayumi Ito, associate professor in the departments of cell biology and dermatology at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

Hsu believes the connection between stress and hair color could reveal additional information about how stress affects other biological processes. How stress affects our tissues is still poorly understood, and one of the powerful aspects about the melanocyte is that it provides a visible and highly trackable system to study stress, she says.

Ito also found that certain cell signaling proteins called endothelins (substances known to constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure) bind to melanocyte stem cells and, in doing so, keep them healthy. Interrupting the process causes cell loss and early graying in mice. They are studying whether the same happens in human hair follicles, hoping to find ways to preserve or regenerate the key stem cells that give hair its color.

All of this raises the intriguing possibility that scientists could discover ways to prevent or reverse gray hair.

Team Hair-Us recently published a paper describing a topical drug combination that increased melanocyte stem cells in gray mice, ridding them of their gray and restoring their original fur color perhaps for good. Because the treatment originally developed to regrow hair replenished pigment-producing stem cells, the effects could be long-lasting, Harris says.

We didnt keep the mice forever so we dont know, says Harris, who plans more studies. This has made us very interested in whether gray hair really is permanent, and if we can do something about it. We really want to know and so does everyone else we talk to is whether and when we can bring this to humans.

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Getting to the root of why hair goes gray - messenger-inquirer

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Getting to the root of why hair goes gray – messenger-inquirer | December 26th, 2020

Chafing occurs when the skin rubs against something, such as clothing, for a prolonged period. The friction can cause a painful rash that typically resolves when the chafing stops.

A person can experience chafing on any part of the body that encounters friction. The resulting rash is often minor, but there are some possible complications.

In this article, we look at what causes chafing rash and how to treat it. We also look at how a person can prevent chafing from occurring.

A chafing rash occurs anywhere on the body where the skin is rubbing against clothing or other skin.

Mild chafing rashes tend not to be too painful, but more serious rashes could bleed, crust, or blister. Chafing can occur anywhere where there is friction, but some areas of the body are more prone to chafing than others.

Areas where chafing is most likely to happen are generally moist or generate friction. They include the:

The direct cause of chafing is the skin is rubbing against something for a prolonged period. This could happen, for instance, when someone is walking and their inner thighs are rubbing together.

Chafing is more likely to occur in particular areas of the body, and it tends to happen during physical activity, such as running.

Others causes of chafing include:

Additionally, an infant or toddler wearing a diaper may experience chafing due to the added moisture and movement in the area.

Learn more about the types of diaper rash here.

Chafing causes a burning or stinging rash to occur where the skin is rubbing against something. The rash will not spread to other areas.

Possible complications of chafing rashes include:

Bacteria could enter through the broken or damaged skin around a chafing rash and cause an infection. For that reason, a person should make sure that they take care of the rash and keep it clean. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list several symptoms of a skin infection, which include:

Chafing rashes will typically clear up within a few days if a person stops the activity causing the chafing or takes action to prevent further chafing.

Excessive moisture and skin friction may lead to skin breakdown. Patting the skin dry to remove excess moisture may prevent complications of chafing rash.

A person may also wish to consider applying shea butter lotion to the rash. A 2012 study found that shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties, which could make it a good option for people who want to soothe a chafing rash with cream.

For pain, a person can try applying aloe vera to the skin, as it may soothe sore skin and help prevent infections.

People have also traditionally used a range of other plant oils, including olive oil and coconut oil, to treat skin-related issues. Further research is necessary to confirm the benefits of each of these oils.

Unless the skin becomes infected, doctors do not have a standard way of treating chafing rash. A person should avoid the activity that caused the chafing. If they cannot avoid the activity, they should take steps to prevent further chafing from occurring.

If a person needs treatment, a doctor may prescribe or recommend a corticosteroid cream or ointment to help reduce the inflammation resulting from the rash.

It is not always possible to prevent chafing from occurring, but a person can take certain steps to reduce the risk.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, these steps include:

Other steps a person can take to help prevent chafing include:

Additionally, the findings of an older study suggest that a person can apply petroleum jelly to the skin to minimize friction and prevent chafing rash.

If a person develops a rash that spreads, it is likely not a chafing rash. A person should consider seeing their doctor if the rash does not go away within a few days of home treatment.

A person should also talk to their doctor if they suspect that their rash has become infected. A doctor can examine the rash and determine whether additional treatment is necessary.

A chafing rash is often a mild rash that occurs when skin rubs against clothing or other areas of skin. Many cases are mild and will go away when a person stops the activity causing the chafing.

A possible complication of chafing rash is a skin infection. A person should speak with their doctor if the rash is severe or they think that it has become infected.

At-home treatments for chafing rash include aloe vera and other soothing ointments. A person can take preventive steps to reduce the risk of a rash forming, such as wearing moisture-wicking clothing and applying petroleum jelly to areas prone to chafing.

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What causes chafing rash? Remedies, treatment, and prevention - Medical News Today

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on What causes chafing rash? Remedies, treatment, and prevention – Medical News Today | December 24th, 2020

Rashes can appear differently on different skin tones. For example, a heat rash on darker skin may look like a series of gray or white spots, while many medical sources describe them as red.

It is crucial for medical professionals to understand how health issues can present on the full range of skin tones. A lack of this understanding can lead to misdiagnoses.

It is generally advisable to contact a doctor about any rash that lasts longer than a week. The Skin of Color Society offer a database of dermatologists in the United States who have experience treating conditions in people of color.

In this article, we explore what rashes can look like on skin of color. We also describe the symptoms and treatments of specific issues.

The appearance of a rash varies with skin tone. On skin of color, a rash may be purple, gray, or white while medical texts often simply describe these rashes as red. Some redness may appear, but typically not very much.

This is due to melanin, a molecule that gives the skin and hair their color. Generally, the more melanin a person has in their skin, the darker their skin tone. It affects how the skin reacts to sunlight, damage, and health conditions that cause rashes.

Some doctors are unaware of how skin conditions present on darker skin. A 2018 study of four major medical textbooks found that darker skin tones were underrepresented in the imagery.

The studys authors report that while, at the time, 20.4% of the U.S. population was Black, only 4.5% of the photographs in the textbooks showed people with dark skin. They suggest that this is likely an example of racial bias in the healthcare system.

Below, we explore how various health issues can appear in skin of color.

Heat rash, sweat rash, and prickly heat are all common names for miliaria, a skin condition that occurs when the skins sweat ducts become blocked.

The symptoms of heat rash include:

On darker skin, the blisters may be gray or white.

This rash often occurs due to heat and humidity, but intense exercise, nonbreathable clothing, and medical dressings can also cause it. The condition typically improves within 12 days.

Cooling down, wearing more breathable clothing, and changing or, if recommended, removing dressings can help.

Eczema causes patches of dry, itchy skin, and the affected area may also be flaky or scaly. If the skin is very dry, it may crack or bleed.

In darker skin tones, patches of eczema may be red, pink, magenta, or darker than surrounding skin.

Eczema is also more likely to form in specific ways in people of color. For example, there is a higher chance that the rash may be papular, characterized by a series of small bumps like goosebumps.

There are several types of eczema, including:

This occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant, such as poison ivy, nickel, or fragrance. The skin may itch, sting, burn, or blister.

People with certain jobs have a higher risk of contact dermatitis. These jobs may involve regular contact with chemicals, food, or water. People with a higher risk may include:

Avoiding contact with the trigger, such as a specific chemical, is the best approach. A dermatologist can also describe products that can help and perform skin allergy testing to identify the trigger.

Atopic dermatitis is eczema with no clear cause. The condition often begins in childhood and may not last into adulthood. In the U.S., it appears to be more common among African Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders than other groups.

There is no cure for atopic dermatitis, but there are ways of alleviating and preventing the rash from forming.

This typically involves using a non-irritating moisturizer regularly, after bathing or showering. It is also important to avoid fragranced products, food allergens, and irritating fabrics, such as wool. In addition, a person may need a topical corticosteroid, which a doctor can recommend or prescribe.

Learn more about eczema on black skin and its treatments.

Psoriasis is a long-term inflammatory condition that causes thickened patches of skin. On skin of color, these patches may be red or violet and have a top layer of silver or gray scales.

In the U.S., psoriasis is more common in white people than Black people. However, in Black people, it may be more likely to cover larger areas of the body.

Psoriasis can affect the nails as well as the skin, and a significant portion of people with psoriasis also have arthritis.

There is no cure, but it is possible to manage the symptoms. Among the range of options are:

Learn more about psoriasis on black skin and its treatments.

Lichen planus causes a series of bumps to form on the skin. Each bump is shiny, raised, and has a flat top. On skin of color, these bumps may be gray-brown or purple.

The most commonly affected areas are the back, neck, lower legs, ankles, and the insides of the wrists. In 20% of cases, lichen planus causes no symptoms beyond the bumps, but in others, it causes intense itching.

Lichen planus can last for months or years, and there is no known cure. Treatments that can relieve the symptoms include:

Learn more about the causes and treatments of lichen planus.

Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of skin to lose its color, or become depigmented. If the condition affects areas with hair, the hair may turn white, too.

The condition occurs when the immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Scientists are not sure why this happens, but they believe that it could stem from an autoimmune response.

Areas commonly affected by vitiligo include:

Vitiligo can affect anyone, but it is more noticeable in people with darker skin. People with vitiligo are more likely to have a family history of autoimmune disorders.

The depigmentation often stops or slows over time. Treatments focus on reducing the spread of depigmentation and restoring color to the skin. This may include the use of medicated creams or light therapy.

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles later on. One symptom that most people with shingles develop is a rash of small blisters.

The symptoms of shingles are:

Some people also experience a fever, headaches, muscle aches, stomach pain, or nausea and vomiting.

On highly pigmented skin, a shingles rash may be red, the same color as the skin, or slightly darker. The scabs may be grey.

While the rash often heals within 24 weeks, it is important for anyone with shingles symptoms to see a doctor for treatment within 23 days. This is because shingles can cause long-term complications.

The doctor can prescribe antiviral medication, which can reduce the risk of complications and shorten the healing time.

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It often causes a round or ring-shaped rash with a raised border, though the rash may be shaped differently on certain areas, such as the feet or hands.

On darker skin, the ringworm rash is often gray or brown.

Ringworm is contagious, so it is important to seek treatment right away and avoid touching the rash, even if it is itchy.

Other names for this infection include:

Treatment may involve antifungal cream or, if the rash covers a large area, oral medication.

The best approach to treatment at home depends on the cause of the rash. But there are some general strategies for preventing further irritation, such as:

It is also important to protect the skin from sun damage with a product that contains SPF 30 or higher. UV light can also worsen skin irritation for people with certain conditions.

In some cases, a rash signals a medical emergency. Seek urgent medical attention if a rash:

Anyone who may have shingles or ringworm should see a doctor promptly to prevent transmission. For shingles, a person should wait no more than 23 days.

Otherwise, it is generally a good idea to contact a doctor if any rash lasts longer than a week.

The Skin of Color Society provide a database of dermatologists in the U.S. who have experience treating conditions in people of color.

In skin of color, a rash may be red, brown, purple, or gray.

Some doctors may misdiagnose skin issues in people of color due to a lack of awareness. Skin of color is often underrepresented in medical texts.

A dermatologist who understands how rashes present in the full range of skin tones is best prepared to provide the right treatment.

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Rash on black skin: Pictures, symptoms, and treatments - Medical News Today

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As for your lips, we dont grow hair there because our lips are made up of a different type of cell, as theyre considered to be an extension of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, says Mariwalla.

If having hair is so crucial to the function of our bodies, why have we been removing it for hundreds of years? Well, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We have, through communication with one another, established a globalized practice of removing hair to make women especially look very smooth and have baby-like skin; and for men to retain their body hair, says Jablonski. We tend to think, Oh, these signals are very ancient. These practices are very ancient. They're not. This is a pretty recent obsession. Jablonski estimates the practice of body hair removal started about only 500 years ago.

While modern societal standards of what femininity and masculinity are still very much linked to hairiness or lack of hairiness, weve begun to see a shift in the acceptance and normalization of body hair, thanks in part to social media, which has even helped us celebrate body hair for the first time. (Remember #freeyourpits?)

It's really wonderful when people examine those social norms and say, hold on, who started this? This is a bunch of nonsense, says Jablonski. And they realize, Hey, I can be a beautiful person inside and out without following these practices. It is tremendously liberating.

That sense of celebration seems to be more prevalent than ever before, as were living through a pandemic, which has put physical interactions between people on pause. Because of this, many of the performances we put on for others, like body hair removal, have become one-woman shows, with one-woman audiences.

So then you realize, in your heart of hearts, this is a waste of time, says Jablonski. Why should I take this time to do this thing that is socially acceptable and allows me to cleave towards a social norm? I'm doing just fine. People feel a lot of freedom now.

Of course, if you do choose to remove your body hair and thats fine too! depending on the location of the hair, there are a number of methods that will get the job done, says Mariwalla.

Shaving

For starters, theres shaving, the act of removing hair with a razor. When you shave the hair on your body (typically on the legs, underarms, and face), youre removing hair from above the top layer of skin, says Mariwalla. She recommends shaving with a cream or gel to keep the skin hydrated. The process of shaving is almost like exfoliating that top layer of skin, she says. So, it's like a two for one.

Tweezing

Tweezing, on the other hand, pulls the hair directly from the follicle. When you think about a hair follicle, it's like the little house that your hair lives in, explains Mariwalla. Any time you pull a hair from a follicle, it's always going to grow back. But its going to take longer than when you only remove it from above the skin.

Waxing and Sugaring

Waxing and sugaring use the same mechanism as tweezing but with warm substances (i.e. wax and sugar) that sit on top of the skin and around the hair to coax it out of the follicle. Its a process that is trying to warm the skin, so that the hair follicle opens up a little bit and the wax solidifies around the hair, says Mariwalla. When you remove the wax you basically rip the hair out of the follicle as you're doing it.

Depilatory Cream

There are also depilatory creams. Instead of grabbing onto the hair and pulling it, you're putting on a chemical that's dissolving the hair at the root, explains Mariwalla. So then you basically then just wipe it away.

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Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Body Hair - Allure

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Body Hair – Allure | December 24th, 2020

Covid-19 sucked most of the oxygen out of science this year. But we still had brilliant wins.

The pandemic couldnt bring rockets or humans down: multiple missions blasted off to the red planet in the summer of Mars. Two astronauts launched to the International Space Stationand made it safely backin a game-changer for commercial space travel. NASA released dozens of findings on how space travel changes our bodies, paving the way to keep us healthy in orbitor one day, on Mars and beyond.

Back on Earth, scientists scoured mud ponds and fished out a teeny-tiny CRISPR enzyme that packs a massive punch for genome editing. AI and neuroscience became even more entwinedsometimes literally. Biological neurons got hooked up to two silicon-based artificial neurons, across multiple countries, into a fully-functional biohybrid neural network. Others tapped dopaminethe main messenger for the brains reward systemto unite electricity and chemical computing into a semi-living computer. While still largely a curiosity, these studies take brain-inspired computers to another level by seamlessly incorporating living neurons into AI hardware. Now imagine similar circuits inside the brainNeuralink sure is.

More abstractly, biological and artificial brains further fed into each other in our understandingand craftingof intelligence. This year, scientists found mini-computers in the input tree-like branches of neurons. Like entire neural networks, these cables were capable of performing complex logical calculations, suggesting our brain cells are far brainier than we previously thoughtsomething AI can learn from. On the flip side, a hotshot algorithm inspired by the brain called reinforcement learning pushed neuroscientists to re-examine how we respond to feedback as we learn. AI also helped build the most dynamic brain atlas to date, a living map that can continuously incorporate new data and capture individual differences.

As we leave 2020 behind, two main themes percolate in my mind, not just for what theyve accomplished, but as indicators of what lies ahead. These are the trends Ill be keeping my eyes on in the coming year.

Why we age is extremely complex. So are methods that try to prevent age-related diseases, or slow the aging process itself. This nth-dimensional complexity almost dictates that longevity research needs to self-segregate into lanes.

Take probing the biological mechanisms that drive aging. For example, our cells energy factory spews out bullet-like molecules that damage the cell. The genome becomes unstable. Cells turn zombie-like. Working stem cells vanish. Tissue regeneration suffers. Scientists often spend entire careers understanding one facet of a single hallmark of aging, or hunting for age-related genes. The lucky ones come up with ways to combat that one foefor example, senolytics, a family of drugs that wipe out zombie cells to protect against age-related diseases.

But aging hallmarks dont rear their heads in isolation. They work together. An increasing trend is to unveil the how of their interactions workcrosstalk, in science-speakwith hopes of multiple birds with one stone.

This year, longevity researchers crossed lanes.

One study, for example, took a stem cell playbook to rejuvenate eyesight in aged mice with vision loss. They focused on a prominent aging hallmark: epigenetics. Our DNA is dotted with thousands of chemical marks. As we age, these marks accumulate. Using gene therapy, the team introduced three superstar genes into the eyes of aged mice to revert those marks and reprogram cells to a younger state. Youve probably heard of those genes: theyre three of the four factors used to revert adult skin cells into a stem-cell-like state, or iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells). Resetting the epigenetic clock was so powerful it improved visual acuity in old mice, and the team has now licensed the tech to Life Biosciences in Boston to further develop for humans.

Another study combined three main puzzle pieces in agingzombie cells, inflammation, and malfunctioning mitochondriainto a full picture, with the surprise ending that senolytics has multiple anti-aging powers in cells. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. Finally, one team (which I was a part of) combined two promising approaches for brain rejuvenationexercise and young bloodto begin pushing the limits of reigniting faltering memory and cognition due to aging.

Longevity research has long been fragmented, but its starting to coalesce into a multidisciplinary field. These crossovers are just the start of a rising trajectory to combat the multi-headed Hydra thats aging. More will come.

If youre looking for a sign that AI is leaving the digital realm of Atari games and heading into the real world, this year was it.

In biotech, theres no doubt of AIs promise in drug discovery or medical diagnoses. In late 2019, a team used deep learning and generative modelssimilar to AlphaGo, the DeepMind algorithm that trounced humans at Go and wiped the Atari libraryto conjure over 30,000 new drug molecules, a feat chemists could only dream of. This year, the viral hurricane thats Covid-19 further unleashed AI-based drug discovery, such as screening existing drugs for candidates that may work against the virus, or newlydesigned chemicals to fight off SARS-CoV-2 infectionthe virus that causes Covid-19.

For now, we dont yet have an AI-designed drug on the market, an ultimate test for the technologys promise. However, although AI wasnt able to make a splash in our current pandemic battle, the scene is set for tackling the next oneand drug discovery as a whole.

In contrast, AI-based medical diagnosis had a resounding win. This year, the FDA approved a software that uses AI to provide real-time guidance for ultrasound imaging for the heart, essentially allowing those without specialized training to perform the test. The approval brings a total of 29 FDA-approved AI-based medical technologies to date. Even as the debate on trust, ethics, and responsibility for AI doctors cranked up in temperature, the Pandoras box has been opened.

Medicine aside, deep learning further honed its craft in a variety of fields. The neuroscience-AI marriage is one for the ages with no signs of fracture. Outside the brain, AI also gave synthetic biology a leg up by parsing the interactions between genes and genetic networksa mind-bending, enormously complex problem previously only achieved through trial and error. With help from AI, synthetic biologists can predict how changes to one gene in a cell could affect others, and in turn, the cells biochemistry and behavior. Bottom line: it makes designing new biological circuits, such as getting yeast to pump out green fuels or artificially hoppy beer, much easier.

But the coup de grce against AI as an overhyped technology is DeepMinds decimation of a 50-year-long challenge in biology. With a performance that shocked experts, DeepMinds AlphaFold was able to predict a proteins 3D structure from its amino acid sequencethe individual components of a proteinmatching the current gold standard. As the workhorses of our bodies, proteins dictate life. AlphaFold, in a sense, solved a huge chunk of the biology of life, with implications for both drug discovery and synthetic biology.

One more scientific brilliance this year is the use of light in neuroscience and tissue engineering. One study, for example, used lasers to directly print a human ear-like structure under the skin of mice, without a single surgical cut. Another used light to incept smell in mice, artificially programming an entirely new, never-seen-in-nature perception of a scent directly into their brains. Yet another study combined lasers with virtual reality to dissect how our brains process space and navigation, mentally transporting a mouse to a virtual location linked to a reward. To cap it off, scientists found a new way to use light to control the brain through the skull without surgerythough as of now, youll still need gene therapy. Given the implications of unauthorized mind control, thats probably less of a bug and more of a feature.

Were nearing the frustratingly slow, but sure, dying gasp of Covid-19. The pandemic defined 2020, but science kept hustling along. I cant wait to share what might come in the next year with youmay it be revolutionary, potentially terrifying, utterly bizarre* or oddly heart-warming.

* For example, Why wild giant pandas frequently roll in horse manure. Yes thats the actual title of a study. Yes, its a great read. And yes, its hilarious but has a point.

Image Credit: Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

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2020 in Neuroscience, Longevity, and AIand What's to Come - Singularity Hub

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I am seeing tons of hair loss, Mona Gohara says.

Patients come to Gohara, a dermatologist and professor at the Yale School of Medicine, for all kinds of reasons from skin cancer screenings to cosmetic procedures. But this year more than ever, theyre worried about their hair.

Its not a coincidence. Stress like, say, that brought on by living through a deadly pandemic is known to cause hair loss. Ordinarily, 90 percent of the hairs on our head are in the growing cycle; 10 percent are in the shedding cycle, Gohara explained. But when were subject to some type of physiologic or emotional stress, that cycle shifts to where the shed outweighs the grow. The result: people notice a massive, massive shed.

And those stray hairs are part of a bigger trend. At this point, millions of Americans have spent nine months living through a public health nightmare and an unprecedented economic crisis at the same time. They have also had to cope with all this while avoiding gatherings, limiting physical contact, and, when possible, staying inside their homes. Put together, the isolation and anxiety of life in 2020 have brought with them numerous side effects. For one, they might be doing weird things to our bodies.

If youve noticed your menstrual cycle is more irregular this year, for example, youre not alone: More patients are reporting irregular periods since the pandemic began, Mary Jane Minkin, an OB-GYN who teaches at the Yale School of Medicine, told Vox. The likely culprit, as with hair loss, is the anxiety of living in such a difficult and uncertain time. When stressors come into play, Minkin said, we end up with screwy periods.

If youve spotted more gray hairs on Zoom calls, there may be a pandemic-related explanation for that too. And according to some, life in lockdown may even be changing peoples body odor.

Those are just some of the smaller effects. Some experts are also concerned because isolation has documented effects on health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and even death. Humans are considered a social species, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University who studies the impact of social relationships on health, told Vox. When we lack proximity to others, and particularly trusted others, this creates a heightened state of alert or stress which, over time, can have harmful effects on our bodies.

To be clear, none of this is an argument for getting rid of pandemic-related restrictions after all, the effects of Covid-19 on the body can be far more severe than the effects of isolation.

But the rise of pandemic periods, weird smells, and other bodily indignities are a reminder that Americans are going through something right now that most of us have never experienced before. And that takes its toll in a lot of ways some of them stranger than others.

Lets talk about periods first. Trend pieces about menstrual changes either irregularity or worsened symptoms like cramps began popping up in the spring. A couple of weeks into the stay-at-home order in Washington State, where I live, I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst cramps Ive ever had, Colleen Stinchcombe wrote at Self in May.

And while its likely too soon for any published research on the impact of the pandemic on menstruation, Minkin isnt the only one to see increased reports of irregularity among her patients. Its common for us to see patients with changes in their menstrual cycle, but anecdotally, it seems like its been happening more over the last six months, Beth Schwartz, an OB-GYN at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, told the Washington Post in August.

These changes arent necessarily surprising, Minkin told Vox. Most people think that the ovaries and the uterus regulate periods, she said. But actually, the boss is sitting in our brain.

Specifically, its the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland that control the ovaries, regulating their hormone production, which in turn regulates the menstrual cycle. Its our nice, regular hormonal activity from the hypothalamus and the pituitary which stimulate the ovaries to do their thing appropriately and get us nice, regular periods, Minkin said.

And when were under stress, that can disrupt the functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary, leading to irregularity. Researchers have noticed a similar effect among young people who go away to college and often experience irregular periods as they adjust to a new environment and a new set of worries and pressures.

The good news, Minkin said, is having an irregular period generally isnt dangerous. When her patients report irregularity, shell typically test their thyroid function and levels of certain hormones to rule out conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, but as long as everythings normal, no treatment is needed. If the irregularity is especially bothersome, people can take hormonal contraception to regulate their periods, Minkin said. Once we get through things and peoples lives get back toward normal, most folks are probably going to regulate themselves just fine.

But irregular periods arent the only strange symptom people are reporting after months of reduced contact with others. Another is body odor some say theyve started to smell worse, or just different, since the pandemic began.

I am a man who prides himself on smelling fresh and fancy free at all times, Joseph Lamour wrote at Mic in July. But during the pandemic summer, he became so limburger-esque that my own odor woke me up in the middle of the night.

As with periods, theres not yet published research on changes in body odor during the pandemic. But anecdotal reports of the issue have gotten back to Julie Horvath, head of the Genomics and Microbiology Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a professor at North Carolina Central University. An expert in primate genetics who expanded into studying microbes and odor (I never thought I would be the armpit researcher, she says), Horvath explains that a big factor in the way we smell is our skin microbiome, or the mix of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live on our skin.

When youre in your home, youre now coming into contact more with maybe your pets and your family, who you didnt see as many hours a day, she told Vox. This means were exchanging microbes with a different group of people (and animals) than usual, which could affect our smell. Spending more time indoors can also affect the microbiome, as can wearing different types of clothes synthetic fabrics can host different kinds of microbes than cotton, for example. And a lot of people have changed their style (if you can call it that anymore) during the pandemic. When I talk to people, maybe theyre wearing a nice shirt, but now they have jeans or sweatpants on, Horvath said.

Stress can also affect the microbiome, Horvath said. A specific set of glands, the apocrine glands, release sweat when youre nervous. That sweat contains different compounds from sweat that comes from the ecrine glands, which get to work when youre too hot. And if your apocrine glands found in the armpit and a few other places on the body are highly active, then they are providing a different food source to some of those microbes there, and maybe youre promoting the growth of some that smell different than what they wouldve before, Horvath said.

But the microbiome doesnt just affect the way we smell. Beneficial bacteria on our skin create a protective barrier, Horvath explained. If you have these good, beneficial microorganisms that are on your skin, eating oil or sweat and living there happily, theyre taking up residence, she said. Then, if something lands on your skin that can make you sick a staph bacterium, for example then it cant take hold very quickly, because your beneficial organisms are going to outcompete it for resources.

Washing your hands with soap and water just washes away the lop layer of microbes, potentially allowing some of the good ones to stick around. But hand sanitizer kills the microorganisms on your skin, the good along with the bad, Horvath said. Thus, using too much hand sanitizer during the pandemic could leave us more vulnerable to staph, acne, or other infections down the road.

Airborne spread of the coronavirus in close contact is the main danger in the pandemic, but we still need to wash our hands, too. Horvath recommends using soap and water when possible to help maintain a healthy microbiome. Beyond that, habits like eating a healthy diet could be good for your microbial balance, though they may or may not help you smell better. Spending time outside if you can is also a good idea, Horvath said. Certain organisms that are outside in the soil are actually beneficial for your overall body.

Beyond weird smells and irregular periods, the isolation of this year has brought with it other physical changes for many. In addition to hair loss, a proliferation of gray hair is a common complaint one that can also likely be pinned on stress, as Deanna Pai reports at Medium. While the mechanism by which stress causes graying isnt fully understood, one recent study in mice found that stress led to the death of stem cells that produce melanocytes, the cells in hair follicles that produce pigment.

Gray hair isnt reversible (except with dye), Pai points out, but managing stress as much as anyone can during a pandemic can help slow the process.

Stress could also be making our skin look worse, Gohara, the dermatologist, said. It causes an increase in the hormone cortisol, which wreaks cosmetic havoc on your skin and can lead to anything from dryness to puffy eyes, she explained. Everything just looks worse with a surge in cortisol.

An increase in stress can also lead to more acne, something also exacerbated by the friction of wearing a mask (hence the 2020 neologism maskne, or breakouts on the lower part of the face linked to mask-wearing). Luckily, unlike gray hair, much of this is reversible you can combat maskne by washing masks in the same gentle cleanser you use for your face, Gohara said, and using a product with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. For hair loss, meanwhile, she sometimes prescribes supplements, but also reassures patients that when it comes to shedding, eventually the cycle is going to re-equilibrate itself and your hair will be back on track.

While things like hair loss are typically harmless, if annoying, the way we live in 2020 could be causing more serious issues too.

Researchers have long known that isolation the condition of having little or no contact with other people and loneliness the subjective feeling of being alone, regardless of how much contact with people one has can be harmful, Holt-Lunstad, the psychologist, said. For example, in one 2015 analysis, she and her coauthors found that isolation was associated with a 29 percent increased likelihood of mortality, while loneliness was associated with a 26 percent increase.

There are a couple of ways that loneliness can potentially hurt our health. For one, friends and loved ones can influence us to take better care of ourselves having someone who encourages you to get to bed, or eat fruits and vegetables, or quit smoking, is good for our health, Holt-Lunstad said.

But many studies actually control for lifestyle factors like smoking and diet, and still find that loneliness and isolation have a negative effect. One reason, some researchers believe, is that our brains have adapted to expect proximity to others, and particularly trusted others, Holt-Lunstad said. When they arent around, the brain signals other parts of the body to go into a heightened state of alert. That can lead to changes in heart rate and blood pressure that could increase our risk of cardiovascular disease. But it could also lead to systemic inflammation in the body, which in turn has been linked to a host of mental and physical problems, Holt-Lunstad said, from Alzheimers disease to, troublingly, increased susceptibility to viruses.

These impacts are especially concerning because some early research has found high rates of loneliness and isolation during the pandemic. In an August survey, for example, two-thirds of adults reported social isolation, and more than 7 in 10 said the pandemic had made it harder to connect with friends.

Luckily, there are ways to reduce isolation, even during a time of social distancing. In a study this summer sponsored by the neighborhood-focused social network Nextdoor, Holt-Lunstad and her colleagues found that performing small acts of kindness for neighbors, such as bringing them groceries or checking in on them over the phone, was associated with a significant drop in loneliness 1 in 10 participants felt lonely at the beginning of the study, while just 1 in 20 felt the same at the end.

But it cant all be on individuals to fix their isolation during this very lonely time. Instead, Holt-Lunstad has advocated for policymakers to pay more attention to peoples social needs throughout the pandemic and recovery, including increased funding to help students and older people, who may be especially vulnerable to loneliness right now. And while funding for anything remains a fraught subject in Congress, Holt-Lunstad writes at Health Affairs that decisions should be based on scientific evidence of benefits and drawbacks to our well-being, not solely on economic costs and convenience.

Some of the smaller effects of pandemic living may dissipate naturally when this time in our lives is over. When it comes to issues like irregular periods, for example, the biggest takeaway is dont panic, Minkin says. We will get back to normal.

But for other, larger problems, like isolation and its serious effects on the body, the pandemic could be a wake-up call. My hope is now that we have all experienced, in some degree or another, this feeling of isolation and loneliness, that there may be greater awareness and less stigma, Holt-Lunstad said.

Give the gift of understanding

In April, Vox launched a way for readers to support our work with financial contributions and we've been blown away by the response. This year, support from our founding contributors has helped us create projects that millions relied on to understand a year of chaos, and to keep their families safe. Support from our readers helps us rely less on advertising, and keep our resource-intensive work free for everyone who needs it. We want to add 2,020 more founding contributors to our supporter base by the end of the year. Help us reach our goal by making a contribution to Vox today, from as little as $3.

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Following the harassment of Christian Cooper in Central Park in May 2020, Black birders created #BlackBirdersWeek to celebrate Black nature enthusiasts and highlight their belonging in outdoor spaces. Since then, dozens of campaigns have emerged to amplify and appreciate Black academics, scientists, and naturalists.

Next up is #BlackInMarineScienceWeek, running from November 29th to December 5th.Led by founder Dr. Tiara Moore and organizers Amani Webber-Schultz, Dr. Camille Gaynus, Carlee Jackson, Al Troutman, Jasmin Graham, Jeanette Davis, Kris Howard, Leslie Townsell, Kaylee Arnold, and Jaida Elcock, this week represents an opportunity for community building and improved representation.

There are few Black folks in ecology and even fewer in marine ecology, says Arnold, a science communicator and disease ecologist. The network that Ive gained through organizing this week is phenomenal. Meeting other Black marine scientists and showing that to the world, especially young Black folks, is a way to say we exist, were here. We have a full day dedicated to young kids, which is unique and exciting.

The organizers hope that the week will help normalize Black folks doing marine research, inspire younger generations, and remind everyone to check their preconceived notions.

"When I say I study sharks people seem concerned about my swimming or my hair, [and] sometimes respond with 'Oh, thats super interesting'... I dont know if that's because it's unusual for people to study sharks or because Im Black and I study sharks, recalls Elcock, an elasmobranch movement ecologist, science communicator, and co-founder of Minorities in Shark Science. Science is for everybody. People say there isn't diversity because [Black] people arent interested... thats clearly not true theres a whole week dedicated [to it]."

Discussion this week will address the fact that exclusion, not lack of interest, led to todays lack of representation. Centuries of segregation and underinvestment in Black neighborhood pools led to, and are perpetuated by, these incorrect and harmful ideas.

My grandparents and my mom said there were just no pools for her to go to... I had a very different experience. Despite people trying to push us out of the water and science, we persevered, and now we get to break down those stereotypes, notes Arnold.

Black in Marine Science Week is here to do just that, showcasing organizers and participants from every imaginable marine science niche, all shaping how society views the oceans and its inhabitants.

There's more Black folks than even we know and are showcasing. I hope that if the media picks up on the number of us as well, and has better representation. Seminar series are extremely white, and now you have a resource of people you can invite instead, emphasizes Arnold, pointing to the necessity of non-Black marine scientists to step up and ensure representation continues beyond this joyous and educational week.

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Adrenomyeloneuropathy is a rare genetic neuro-degenerative disease. Adrenomyeloneuropathy is the adult onset of adrenoleukodystrophy caused by the mutation in ABCD1 gene occurs usually in young boys. Adrenomyeloneuropathy disease affect the nerve cells in the spine and brain and the adrenal glands. Adrenomyeloneuropathy symptoms includes stiffness, weakness and pain in the legs. Adrenomyeloneuropathy is also known as progressive spastic paraparesis. Damage to the nerves of the legs which causes unsteadiness and fall, also the bladder, bowel and sexual organs are affected by the adrenomyeloneuropathy. Rare diseases affect vast numbers of people, with current data representing 30 million sufferers in the EU alone and 30 million affected in the US. There is no cure to Adrenomyeloneuropathy. However some treatment might stop the progression of Adrenomyeloneuropathy such as stem cell transplants. Blood testing, MRI test, vision screening and Skin biopsy and fibroblast cell culture are done for the diagnosis for the adrenomyeloneuropathy. Continued advances in the treatment of adrenomyeloneuropathy will further propel the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market.

Growing cases of rare disease and development of new and advanced treatment for rare disease is expected to boost the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market. Growing preference for healthy lifestyle and favorable government regulation spur the Adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market in the forecast period. Development of new technology and devices for the diagnosis of genetic disorders will propel the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market. Rising focus on the research and development of new therapeutic and drug treatment and growing government funding for the orphan drug is expected to drive the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market.

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However, stringent regulations for the drug development and high cost of associated with the treatment is expected to hinder the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market.

The global adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market is segmented on basis of disease type, drug type and end user and geography.

Development of novel drugs and undergoing clinical trial for the rare disease is expected to boost adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market. More than 3,000 drugs are in active development for one of the rare disease. Progress in genomics and biomedical science for the development of rare disease drug is expected to spur the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market. Various pharmaceutical companies are focusing on developing drug for the low prevalence disease types and rising funding and collaboration among the key players and government is expected to spur the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market.

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The North America market for adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment is expected to retain its dominance, owing to increasing patient pool for rare disease, increasing government funding to accelerate the research and development for rare disease. According to Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, more than 25 million Americans are suffering from rare disease in United States.Europe is expected to account for the second largest share in the global adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market owing to growing clinical trial funding programs for orphan drug development and high prevalence of adrenomyeloneuropathy and high treatment seeking rate. Asia Pacific is expected to show significant growth, owing to increasing diagnosis rate and improvement in healthcare infrastructure. China is expected to show significant growth in the adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market, due to rising population improving R&D capability, increasing per capita heath spending. Latin America and Middle East & Africa is expected to show growth owing to lack of diagnosis and inadequate healthcare facilities and lack of skilled physicians for Adrenomyeloneuropathy Treatment market.

Examples of some of the key manufacturer present in the global adrenomyeloneuropathy treatment market are Ascend Biopharmaceuticals, Novadip Biosciences, Eureka Therapeutics, Human Longevity, Regeneus, Allogene Therapeutics, BioRestorative Therapies, Immatics Biotechnologies, NewLink Genetics, Cytori Therapeutics, Talaris Therapeutics among others.

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The Adrenomyeloneuropathy Treatment Market to grow on an emphatic note from 2019 to 2029 - PharmiWeb.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The Adrenomyeloneuropathy Treatment Market to grow on an emphatic note from 2019 to 2029 – PharmiWeb.com | December 21st, 2020

Pune, Maharashtra, India, December 18 2020 (Wiredrelease) Brandessence Market Research and Consulting Pvt ltd :Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market is valued at USD 7122.6 Million in 2019 and expected to reach USD 18489.6 Million by 2026 with the CAGR of 14.6% over the forecast period.

Rising prevalence of cancer and infectious chronic disorders couples with growing demand for research and development in therapy viral cell banking and viral cell banking safety testing are expected to propel the growth of the Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market.

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Scope of Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Report

The cell banking outsourcing is an ability that stores cells of specific genome for the purpose of future use in a product or medicinal needs to use of gene therapy, stem cell therapy, biopharmaceutical production that target on novel active sites. They are frequently containing expansive amounts of base cell material that can be utilized for various projects. The cell banking outsourcing can be used to generate detailed characterizations of cell lines and can also help mitigate cross-contamination of a cell line. Hence, the cell banking outsourcing is commonly used within fields including stem cell research and pharmaceuticals with cryopreservation being the traditional method of keeping cellular material intact. However, the cell banking is most generally used in stem cell research and therapy. The similar types of cell banking include master cell banks and working cell banks. Although, the master cell banks are expanded to form working cell banks consist of pure cells from are replicated whereas working cell banks consist of thawed cells that are replicated in cell culture.

Additionally, it is a process of replicating and storing cells for the purpose of future use. This storage of these cell samples can be utilized for research purposes and for surgical reconstruction of damaged body structures. However, the bank storage in cell banking encompasses preservation of both master and working cell banking, and their respective safety testing. The cell banking outsourcing expected to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period owing to the presence of increased research in cell line development coupled with the presence of market players providing outsourcing services for cell banking and cell line storage to different hospitals and clinical research organizations.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market report is segmented on the basis of type, application, and by regional & country level. Based on type, global cell banking outsourcing market is classified as the master cell banking, viral cell banking and working cell banking. Based upon application, global cell banking outsourcing is classified into bank storage, working cell bank storage, master cell bank storage cell storage stability testing, bank preparation, bank characterization & testing and others.

The regions covered in this cell banking outsourcing market report are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. On the basis of country level, market of cell banking outsourcing is sub divided into U.S., Mexico, Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, India, South East Asia, GCC, Africa, etc.

Cell Banking Outsourcing Manufacturers:

Some major key players for Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market are,

BioReliance Covance Global Stem Inc BSL Disservice Clean cells Charles River Laboratories Lonza Toxikon Corporation Cryobanks International India Wuxi Apptec Reliance Life Sciences Life Cell International Pvt. Ltd BioOutsource (Sartorious) CordLife PXTherapeutics SA SGS Life Sciences Texcell Cryo-Cell International Inc. Others

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Dynamics

The rapidly increasing awareness for stem cell banking in the developing countries, and increasing governments initiatives that promote awareness for stem cell isolation and related benefits are some of the major factors driving the market growth during the forecast period. In addition, increasing application of stem cells for developing personalized medicines to minimize the spread of various chronic diseases and also the association of aging with the inability of the body to maintain tissue turnover and hemostasis has helped researchers to focus on this target population for providing relative therapies that would act effectively on the damaged cells. These factors are also supplementing the market growth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), estimates of cancer incidence and mortality produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, with a focus on geographic variability across 20 globes about 18.1 million new cancer cases about 17.0 million excluding no melanoma skin cancer and 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018. Furthermore, the master cell banks are useful for the preparation of working cell banks and thus find applicability in various research and development perspectives for stem cell therapy and gene therapy thereby resulting to section growth. The occurrence of favorable government initiatives pertaining to the R&D for development of stable cell lines, the opening of new technology for storage and description of cell lines are among the critical factors predictable to advance market growth over the forecast period.

However, the high cost associated with storing these cells in cell banks is a major challenge faced by this market which may hamper the growth of cell banking outsourcing market. In addition, the various legal challenges associate with banking a variety of cells, especially considering stem cells banking, are expected to restrain market growth. The advanced technologically cryopreservation techniques are expected to fuel the growth of this market throughout the forecast period. In spite of that, the increase in the average life expectations due to advanced medical research and improved general lifestyle of the population and straightforward regulations for the stem cell researchers are expected to create significant potential for this market in coming few years. Increasing number of adipose tissue banking can offer various opportunities of the cell banking outsourcing market.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Regional Analysis

North America is expected to dominate the global cell banking outsourcing drug market due to the highest market share owing to the increasing number biopharmaceutical companies & manufacturers and increasing awareness for the use of stem cells as therapeutic proteins and antibiotics in this region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Cancer Society epidemiologists, at least 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. about 729,000 cases are potentially avoidable, including 19% that are caused by smoking and 18% that are caused by a combination of excess body weight, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition. In addition, presence of regulatory authorities that promotes continuous R&D activities is also supplementing the market growth in North America.

The Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in demand over the forecast period owing to increase in number of supportive government initiatives pertaining to investments in biotechnology sector in this region. In addition, the ongoing R&D activities for cancer treatment and fertility preservation facilitate the demand for cell banking services in this region.

Key Benefits for Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Report

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market report covers in depth historical and forecast analysis.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market research report provides detail information about Market Introduction, Market Summary, Global market Revenue (Revenue USD), Market Drivers, Market Restraints, Market opportunities, Competitive Analysis, Regional and Country Level.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market report helps to identify opportunities in market place.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market report covers extensive analysis of emerging trends and competitive landscape.

Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Segmentation:

By Type:Master Cell Banking, Viral Cell Banking, Working Cell Banking

By Application:Bank Storage, Working Cell Bank Storage, Master Cell Bank Storage, Cell Storage Stability Testing, Bank Preparation, Bank Characterization & Testing

Regional & Country AnalysisNorth America, U.S., Mexico, Canada , Europe, UK, France, Germany, Italy , Asia Pacific, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, South America, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, The Middle East and Africa, GCC, Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa

Table of Content

1. Chapter Report Methodology1.1. Research Process1.2. Primary Research1.3. Secondary Research1.4. Market Size Estimates1.5. Data Triangulation1.6. Forecast Model1.7. USPs of Report1.8. Report Description

2. Chapter Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Overview: Qualitative Analysis2.1. Market Introduction2.2. Executive Summary2.3. Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Classification2.4. Market Drivers2.5. Market Restraints2.6. Market Opportunity2.7. Cell Banking Outsourcing Market: Trends2.8. Porters Five Forces Analysis2.9. Market Attractiveness Analysis

3. Chapter Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Overview: Quantitative Analysis

4. Chapter Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Analysis: Segmentation By Type

5. Chapter Global Cell Banking Outsourcing Market Analysis: Segmentation By Application

Continued.

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At 14.6% CAGR, Cell Banking Outsourcing Market 2020 Industry Analysis of Current Trends and Opportun - PharmiWeb.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on At 14.6% CAGR, Cell Banking Outsourcing Market 2020 Industry Analysis of Current Trends and Opportun – PharmiWeb.com | December 21st, 2020

Launched in 2013, cruelty-free skincare brand Drunk Elephant has captured the attention of beauty experts, brands, and a strong customer following.

The company, founded by former stay-at-home mom Tiffany Masterson, is one of the fastest-growing skin care brands in the industry. According to Fashionista, this is largely thanks to its philosophy. Masterson is a believer in clean beauty, an ethos thats reflected in Drunk Elephants product line-up. Speaking to how the company came to be, Masterson said, I came up with these criteria: It has to be nontoxic or low-hazard and it has to be bioavailable, meaning able to get into your skin.

As such, all Drunk Elephant products are formulated without what Masterson deemed the Suspicious Six, ingredients that she believed her company could do without: essential oils, silicones, sodium lauryl sulfate aka SLS, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, and fragrances and dyes. When it comes to ingredients, Drunk Elephant goes by the philosophy of If theres any DOUBT, its OUT.

I determined that the six ingredients I wanted to avoid, which I realized were largely there [in competitors products] for marketing, Masterson explained. Silicones make a product feel better; dyes make a product look better; essential oils and fragrance make a product smell better; SLS is a cleansing agent that penetrates your skin and irritates and strips it.

She wanted her brand to be as clean and non-irritating as possible. She even helped formulate the products herself: We went through, ingredient by ingredient, and we swapped out a couple that canceled each other out or that did the same thing, but the resulting ingredient decks were very similar to the ones I first wrote down for every product.

For Masterson, it was a perfect storm of her desire to make a clean beauty brand and evolving consumer shopping habits. Consumer mistrust in companies is on the rise, but for good reason. Last July, Johnson & Johnson was told to pay $4.7 billion to families who claimed that using its talcum powder products caused their ovarian cancer.

While natural and clean beauty are on the rise, Vox points out that the terms are not regulated by the FDA nor the Federal Trade Commission. This means that any company can use the terms for their products and define it as they wish. Clean beauty is still finding favor with consumers its a trend thats been highlighted by Whole Foods Market. People are also becoming concerned over animal ingredients in skincare and makeup, which has helped lead to the rise of vegan beauty, according to The New York Times.

But Drunk Elephants ingredients list shows that Masterson takes her all-natural ethos seriously. In addition to being clean, all products are made in the US.

The company has also resonated with customers Masterson hasnt done any traditional marketing or influencer partnerships. But, she was able to build her brand to the point where she landed in Sephora the TLC Sukari Babyfacial was actually one of the stores top-selling products of 2017.

Drunk Elephant is a cruelty-free brand, but not all products are vegan. The company uses honey in certain formulas. However, it currently offers 12 products formulated without any animal ingredients.

Drunk Elephants A-Passioni Retinol Cream combines vegan retinol with skin-nourishing ingredients like peptides, vitamin F, and plant-based ingredients like passionfruit, apricot, marula and jojoba oils, and kale. This vegan face cream was formulated to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and sun damage while evening your skin tone and texture for a younger-looking complexion. Its free from essential oils, silicones, and fragrance.

Check it out here.

Drunk Elephants C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream was specially formulated for the sensitive skin around your eyes. This rich, cruelty-free cream features eight peptides, five different kinds of vitamin C and cucumber extract that are said to make skin stronger. According to the company, its rich in antioxidants, ceramides and plant oils that restore and refresh appearance. It can be used in the morning or at night. This cruelty-free formula was named editors choice by Womens Health magazine.

Check it out here.

Described as a retro-style moisturizer, the Lala Retro Whipped Cream is formulated for dull, dry skin. The cream, which has a light, airy texture, is formulated with six African oils that help keep moisture locked in. It contains plantain extract to brighten and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer that hydrates all day long. Like other Drunk Elephant products, it contains antioxidant-rich ingredients like green tea, which soothes the skin and fights signs of aging. Although its rich, the light airy texture keeps it from feeling heavy on the skin, plus it has a skin friendly pH level of 5.5.

This cream is also a three-time consecutive winner of Allures Readers Choice Awards as well as the 2017 winner of InStyle magazines Readers Choice Beauty Awards.

Check it out here.

Drunk Elephant calls the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel a cool glass of water for your thirsty skin.With a light texture, this gel moisturizer was designed to brighten skintone and improve texture with provitamin B and pineapple ceramide, which helps your skin retain moisture. A blend of watermelon rind, apple, and lentil is said to provide hydration for up to 24 hours. It was designed with molecular size and pH level in mind, resulting in a bio-available moisturizer that keeps your skin looking healthy without irritating it.

Check it out here.

With a breakthrough formula, Protini Polypeptide Cream contains a proprietary lend of peptides, amino acids, and pygmy waterlily that improves skin tone, texture, and firmness. According to Drunk Elephant, the protein-rich formula reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage they say its like adding a shot of plant-based protein to your smoothie. Its ideal for all skin types.

This cruelty-free and vegan moisturizer also won the 2018 Healthy Skin Award from Womens Health and the 2018 Skin Award from Cosmopolitan.

Check it out here.

The Shaba Complex Eye Serum is a satiny moisturizer made to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage in the skins delicate undereye area. With ingredients like black tea ferment and copper peptides, this vegan eye serum helps smooth skin and is said to slow down the signs of aging. It also contains edelweiss stem cells and niacinamide, which work to reduce wrinkles. The antioxidant-rich ingredient Co-Q10 helps prevent premature signs of aging and fades age spots.

Check it out here.

The Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser gets your skin clean without harsh ingredients. A blend of surfactants and emollients gets rid of makeup, excess oil, dirt, and pollution and leaves skin feeling soft when rinsed away. Free from SLS and essential oils, its ideal for all skin types, including sensitive.

This cruelty-free and vegan jelly cleanser was a winner of the 2018 Total Beauty Awards, the 2018 Cosmopolitan Skin Awards, and the 2018 Self Healthy Beauty Awards.

Check it out here.

The three-in-one Juju Bar cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes your skin without harsh ingredients. This mild vegan soap bar is formulated with thermal mud and bamboo powder, which help create a lather that helps get rid of dirt and oil. Its also said to minimize the appearance of your pores A superfood blend of acai and goji extracts also help fight the signs of aging while marula oil provides moisture. Its also fragrance-free and wont dry your skin out like conventional bar skin.

Check it out here.

The D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum delivers a bronzed look without the long-term consequences of sun damage. This vegan bronzer is made with a chronopeptide that is said to mimic the antioxidant effects of vitamin D, marula oil, and black currant seeds while vitamin F moisturizes and protects. Antioxidant-rich ingredients like raw cocoa powder and white tea also help protect your skin against environmental stressors like pollution while giving your skin a sun-kissed glow.

According to Drunk Elephant, a little bit goes a long way, so it should be mixed with a serum or moisturizer. Its free from fragrance, essential oil, and silicones.

Check it out here.

The T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is a 12 percent AHA/BHA moisturizer that helps refine and resurface skin for a more radiant complexion while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Its said to help boost the performance of other products. This cruelty-free serum is formulated with a blend of glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic acids plus raspberry extract to deliver chemical exfoliation without harshness. It also contains horse chestnut and white tea to sooth the skin. While AHAs can be sensitizing, plant extracts help keep it balanced.

This vegan and cruelty-free night serum was a winner of the 2018 Shape Editor Pick, the 2018 Real Simple Road Test, and was the product winner of New Beautys Beauty Choice Awards.

Check it out here.

The T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial is an AHA/BHA, cruelty-free and vegan facial in a bottle. Formulated with every skin type in mind, its made from a blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids that gently exfoliate. Antioxidants like matcha, apple, and milk thistle sooth while sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer and plant-based oils hydrate and nourish. It also contains chickpea flour, which brightens and balances. Niacinamide aka vitamin B3 fights the signs of aging and passion fruit seed oil combats redness. This hydrating facial is said to brighten and tone while minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines and leaving your skin feeling baby-soft.

A customer favorite, this was a winner of the 2018 Essence Black Beauty Awards, the 2019 Teen Vogue Acne Awards, was featured in Glamour, and it was named on the Into the Gloss Top 25 list.

Check it out here.

Drunk Elephants Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is a luxury moisturizer made from the antioxidants tocopherol (vitamin E), tocotrienol, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, plus omegas 6 and 9. Described as being like rehab for your skin,this facial oil nourishes your skin to provide a youthful glow. The virgin marula oil featured is extracted from the pip of the fruit and is left pure, without fragrance or added ingredients. This quick-absorbing oil helps reverse the skins of aging, redness, and blotchiness while improving elasticity. Its also naturally anti-microbial and ideal for all skin types.

According to Drunk Elephant, its Virgin Marula Luxury Facial oil is cold-pressed using unheated water extraction, which ensures that the oil stays fresher longer. Its free from fragrance, essential oils, and silicone.

Check it out here.

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The Definitive Guide to All Things Vegan By Drunk Elephant - LIVEKINDLY

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The Definitive Guide to All Things Vegan By Drunk Elephant – LIVEKINDLY | December 21st, 2020

Dr. Faye Yin

Dr. Faye Yin

Melanoma is a serious and life-threatening form of cancer that begins in the skin but can spread rapidly if not treated early. We sat down with board-certified oncologist Dr. Faye Yin, an oncologist at Jersey City Medical Center, to learn more about this disease, its causes and risk factors, and why its important to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure even during the cold winter months.

What are the main risk factors for developing melanoma?

Ultraviolet, or UV, light exposure is the major risk factor. Melanoma is associated with both UVB rays, which are present in sunlight, and UVA rays, which are generated by tanning beds. Other risk factors include the presence of moles on the skin. Most are benign, but those with excessive moles should consult a dermatologist, especially if they observe any changes. Often, a mole will be removed as a precautionary measure. Age is also a risk factor; the older the person, the higher the risk. People with fair skin, freckles, and lighter hair are also more susceptible, which is why melanoma is more common in white and light-skinned people. Other risk factors include family history and the presence of a weakened immune system. Those with xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP, a rare genetic disorder, are particularly at risk because the condition affects the ability of skin cells to repair themselves after UV light exposure.

What should people do if they have any of these risk factors?

As with most risk factors impacting health, there are things you can change, and things you cannot. You cant change your skin color or family history, and you cant avoid getting older. But you can limit your exposure to UV rays. A popular catchphrase that I tell my patients, which has been promoted by the American Cancer Society, is Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap. Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on some sunglasses. I also recommend that people avoid using tanning beds and sun lamps. Teaching children about sun safety is especially important, because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn more easily. It is also important for people with risk factors to pay closer attention to their skin. Keep an eye out for abnormal moles or other skin features that appear to be unusual or changing over time, and consult a dermatologist if necessary.

Can sunlight still be dangerous during winter?

Yes whether youre skiing or just going for a walk, it is great to enjoy the sun and being outdoors in the winter, but its just as important to protect yourself from excess sun exposure in winter as it is in summer. Harmful ultraviolet rays are present year-round. They can even filter through dark cloud coverage to reach your skin, increasing your risk of melanoma. Some people may experience a bad sunburn on a winter vacation, especially if they ski in high altitudes, because UV rays are usually more intense in higher regions with a thinner atmosphere. When youre outside, any uncovered areas of your body are exposed to UV rays. So, its important to wear sunscreen even in the winter months.

Is smoking a risk factor for developing melanoma, and if so, is it mostly if youre currently smoking (for instance, what if you smoked for years and stopped?)

As an oncologist, every day I tell my patients: dont smoke! Smoking is a contributing factor for many cancers, and I believe that it also affects overall skin health; I can often look at someones skin and tell whether they smoke. That having been said, we dont have evidence that smoking directly contributes to melanoma. But I always encourage patients not to smoke to stay healthy and minimize their cancer risk.

Why does having a weakened immune system count as a risk factor for melanoma?

Having a weakened immune system increases the risk of melanoma and other cancers. I have worked with many patients whose immune systems have been compromised, either by illness or in some cases due to medical treatment for other conditions. For example, immunosuppressive drugs are used after stem cell and organ transplants, to prevent the body from rejecting the transplant. Certain diseases also compromise the immune system, such as HIV. A weakened immune system increases cancer risk for two reasons. First, because the body has less ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. And secondly, because the body is more susceptible to infections that may lead to cancer.

Is gender a risk factor? If so, do we know why?

In the United States, men typically have a higher rate of melanoma than women, though this varies by age. Before age 50, the risk is higher for women, and after age 50, the risk is higher in men. We believe that this discrepancy relates to the fact that men are likely to spend more time in the sun over the course of their lifetimes. I also think that women are more likely to wear sunscreen than men, so this may play a role. In addition, men tend to have thicker skin with less fat beneath it and more collagen, and some research shows that this can make the skin more susceptible to sunlight damage. Also, some studies have shown that estrogen, which is more prevalent in women, can increase resistance to melanoma.

Are older people at higher risk for melanoma?

The risk of melanoma increases as you age. The average age for a melanoma diagnosis is age 65. But melanoma is not uncommon even among those younger than age 30. In fact, it is one of the most common cancers in young adults, especially young women. Melanoma is also more common in younger people whose families have a history of melanoma.

How does having a family history of having melanoma impact someone?

Family history is definitely a melanoma risk factor; the risk is higher among those who have one or more first-degree relatives who have had melanoma. About 10 percent of people diagnosed with melanoma have a family history. Families tend to have shared lifestyle habits, such as more frequent sun exposure, and in addition they typically have similar skin types and share certain genetic characteristics. You cant change your skin color or your genes, but you can change some factors. If you know that you are higher risk, and have a family history, pay close attention to your skin. Avoid excessive sunlight and tanning beds, and consult a dermatologist if you have concerns.

Why is UV light exposure a risk factor?

Numerous studies have shown that sun and UV light exposure is a major melanoma risk factor, especially for children and teens. Research shows that early sun exposure can damage the DNA in skin cells. Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its pigmentation, and damaging these cells can start the path to melanoma. Melanoma commonly occurs on the thighs of women, and on the trunks of men, as well as on arms and faces, which are the areas that most often receive chronic sun exposure in young people. In addition to limiting UV light exposure, people should also examine their own skin at least monthly, especially if there are high risk factors. If you see something unusual, such as a large mole or a spot youre not sure about, I will often encourage patients to take a photograph of it. You might not notice small changes over time because you get accustomed to them. But if you take a picture of a spot on your skin and compare it a month or a few months later, and you see a change, you should see a dermatologist.

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The facts about the danger of melanoma - The Hudson Reporter

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The facts about the danger of melanoma – The Hudson Reporter | December 17th, 2020

Asian beauty woman putting on mask on face. Wearing corona virus prevention masks for long hours are ... [+] creating irritation, skin problems, acne pimples.

Its starts with a seemingly harmless blackhead. Then you notice redness and swelling that will inevitably birth a dreaded pimple. The next thing you know one zit has multiplied to cover almost an entire area of your face along the jawline or chin. Like most skin breakouts, once acne takes over your life, it will often feels like a losing battle.

My bout with acne took over three months of my quarantine life with wounds (okay, maybe scars is a better word for it) that remind me to never again take this skin pandemic lightly. The guesswork was tedious and for weeks seemed futile. There were trial and error attempts, in search of a balancing skincare routine that would clear skin without stripping it off its moisture. This is most important especially for those with combination skin. I even cheated on my trusted dermatologist, only to get a subpar facial that did nothing to improve skins condition. Said facialist, however, offer sound advice: Forego products that will leave your skin oily until the acne has subsided. This will take a while.

Before getting into the meaty details of this war against maskne, lets talk about causes. Maskne is basically acne brought about by wearing face masks for prolonged periods of time. Heat, dirt, sweat and bacteria, when covered by fabrics or other materials used to make face coverings, trigger skin flare ups. Even in cooler temperature, maskne continues to be a bane especially for sensitive skin thats dry and flaky. So yes, the war is far from over, but the good news is it can be won.

A GENTLE AND THOROUGH SKIN CLEANSE is your first step to beating this very frustrating skin condition. I looked far and wide for natural cleansers that would help to control the oil, sebum and dirt. Oil-based cleansers seemed to aggravate the flare up. Bar soaps left skin feeling tight, dry and flaky. Clean facial wash formulations with tea tree oil work wonders as an anti-microbial skin solution. Of the many choices on offer, an all-natural Philippine made Acne Defense Facial Wash from HUMAN NATURE fulfilled its promise of soothing a nasty flare up without drying skin.

Alpyn Beauty's Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel

Alypn Beauty's Wildhuckleberry 8 Acid Polishing Peel is a multitasking skin treat that works as a ... [+] mask, skin peel and polish.

After a refreshing facial wash, double cleanse with an ultra gentle, multitasking mask, peel and scrub and polish in a jar. ALPYN BEAUTYs Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel has sold out several times since it launched in Octoberand for good reason. This skin treat harnesses the powers of a natural salicylic, citric, malic, tartaric, glycolic, azelac, ferulic and lactic acids to exfoliate skin and dissolve dead skin cells. Wild crafted huckleberry protects skin barrier, while bamboo power combined with blueberry seed paste effect natural microdermabrasion of skin. This light and delicious skin peel is so gentle you can use is daily, day and night. Ingredients used for this heaven-sent are all sustainably sourced and wild-crafted so you know that it does your skin, soul and planet good. This peel is also ideal for prepping skin before makeup application.

M-61 Power Glow Toner exfoliates away impurities, refine pores, and smoothens skin texture to ... [+] prevent blemishes and quickly improve existing acne

Wipe away deep seated dirt and impurities with M-61s PowerGlow Toner. Formulated with Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid, this gentle skin toner exfoliates impurities, refines pores and smoothens skin texture to prevent blemishes and existing acne. Unlike other harsh anti-acne toners that leave skin dry, extra sensitive and flaky, the PowerGlow brings out soft, hydrated and glowing skin. It is also ideal for sensitive skin types that need an extra anti-acne boost.

ZITSTICKA's Press Refresh Sheet Mask combines functional technology and skincare tailored to fight ... [+] acne. It is formulated with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, Niacinamide (to calm) and vitamin A.

Skin flare ups and breakouts in the past have taught me that the first thing to go when pimples take over are heavy creams and moisturizers. As much as we all love a good dose of hydration, war against maskne calls for heavy reinforcements like a hardworking, skin saving face mask. ZITSTICKAs Press Refresh Hydrogel Sheet Mask is a warrior that combines functional technology and skincare tailored to fight acne. It is formulated with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, Niacinamide (to calm) and vitamin A.

Cutting-edge Graphene Technology is used in the sheet mask, which emits infrared rays into the skin, offering enhanced absorption of each ingredient. There are five sheets in every box of Press Refresh. Applied during evenings on alternating days, Press Fresh does a remarkable job in reducing redness and inflammation. By the time the last sheet was used, skin texture had dramatically improved. Pores also appeared smaller. Post acne, Press Refresh is highly recommended as a routine mask for preventing future breakouts. ZITSTICKA is a brand dedicated to creating innovative skin solution that help to fight acne breakouts at all stages.

Peace Out Healing Dots combine Hydrocolloid, Salicylic Acid, Vitamin A and Aloe Vera to clear up ... [+] acne-causing bacteria and reduce redness overnight.

Peace Out Acne Serum is formulated with Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C & Zinc that work ... [+] together to clear blemishes, prevent them from returning

Maskne is stubborn and often requires a stroke of mad brilliance to beat. PEACE OUT, the leading anti acne skincare brand at Sephora, has changed the way we address breakouts with a full range of innovative skincare solutions. The Acne Healing Dot combines hydrocolloid polymer technology with clean, active ingredients to zap zits. Instead of applying gel or liquid formulas on the surface, PEACE OUT offers fun, stick on skin solutions for hardcore breakouts. I had to try it to believe. To use, simply apply the sticker directly on the affected areas and leave on for a couple of hours. Hydrocolloid dressings absorb moisture and toxins trapped underneath the skins surface, which effectively helps to reduce redness and swelling. Use of this technology also helps to speed up healing of acne. For best results, pair the Healing Dots with PEACE OUTs Acne Serum. Salicylic acid infused with Niacinamide and Vitamin C decongests pores, while reducing the appearance of dark spots and blemishes.

Heraux Molecular Anti-Inflammaging Serum shielding stem cells from the effects of stress and ... [+] promotES their overall youthful function.

Its also essential that you give skin the protective barrier it needs against stressors and irritants. This helps to form a layer that will keep it from inflammation and ultimately, breakouts. HERAUX Molecular Anti Inflammaging Serum uses the first and proprietary Biomimetic Lipid, HX-1, to target inflammaging or aging caused by inflammation. Through the discovery of two stem cell scientists, this breakthrough skincare formulation shields stem cells from the effects of stress and promotes their overall youthful function by modulating the protein that regulates regeneration versus inflammation. The layer has also helped me to protect skin and bring back its radiance and texture.

Ive been using Heraux for a month now, applying a pea-sized amount on thoroughly cleansed skin before getting on with my day. This potent, light serum leaves a matte finish on skin which is brilliant especially when you are paring down on makeup. Pores appear smaller and more importantly, skin barrier is less likely to react to friction or contact with face coverings. After a few weeks of continued use, skin was visibly more youthful and refreshed.

Femmue Lumiere Vital C Serum to help lighten post acne blemishes and dark spots.

Gradually bring back skin hydration into your routine with FEMMUE Ideal Creme Riche

Dull and dry skin with are some of the after effects of a maskne breakout. You can also expect unsightly blemishes and dark spots. To revive clear, smooth and radiant skin, FEMMUEs flower therapy serums and mask did not disappoint. Using modern botanicals, products like Lumiere Vital C Serum and Ideal Cream Riche are skin super healers that restore skins glow and texture. Lumiere is a multi-tasking lightweight formula that works as both an antioxidant and brightening solution. It stimulates collagen production while refining skin surface and lightening dark spots. It is also specially formulated to work beautifully with extra sensitive, acne-prone skin types. For a restorative nighttime skincare routine, pair this serum with FEMMUEs Ideal Crme Riche every other night. Apply a very thin layer all over your face, making sure to tap excess cream with facial tissue. I love to follow with a 10-minute LED Face Mask session just before dozing off.

Scelido Anti Bacterial and Anti Virus Masks are breathable, washable face coverings made with Aero ... [+] Silver fabric and Copper threads.

The best way to keep maskne from taking over your life again is to choose invest in a an antibacterial, breathable face mask. I love a stylish statement masks and have built quite a collection over the months. For long days that will require hours of wear, however, opt for cotton face masks that allow skin to breathe. Infusion of copper and metal ions into the fabric also help to fight off bacteria. SCELIDO Nano Antibacterial and Antivirus Cooling Mask uses ASKIN and Aero Silver fabric, which gives 99.9% antibacterial and UV protection. It is as effective in protecting wearers from viruses as a KF80 but is light, breathable, reusable and effective in preventing acne. Copper threads enhances protection level and seamless ergonomic design (with sizing from XS to Large) allows this facial covering to sit perfectly on skin without causing traction and irritation.

We all look forward to the day when masks and maskne become things of the past. War wounds, otherwise known as acne scars, are slowly beginning to fade. Till then, lessons from this battle remind us that nature truly is the best healer. And as we continue discover the skincare and self care routine that works best for us, any maskne survivor will tell you this: do your research, look at ingredients and dont go into guesswork.

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A Tried And Tested Guide On How To Win The War Against Maskne - Forbes

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on A Tried And Tested Guide On How To Win The War Against Maskne – Forbes | December 13th, 2020

This article was originally published here

Lab Invest. 2020 Dec 9. doi: 10.1038/s41374-020-00520-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Disorders involving injury to tissue stem cells that ensure normal tissue homeostasis and repair have potential to show unusually devastating clinical consequences. Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is one condition where relatively few cytotoxic immune cells target skin stem cells to produce significant morbidity and mortality. By analogy, SARS-CoV-2 is a vector that initially homes to pulmonary stem cells that preferentially express the ACE2 receptor, thus potentially incurring similarly robust pathological consequences. In older individuals, stem cell number and/or function become depleted due to pathways independent of disease-related injury to these subpopulations. Accordingly, pathologic targeting of stem cells in conditions like aGVHD and COVID-19 infection where these cells are already deficient due to the aging process may have dire consequences in elderly individuals. A hypothesis is herein advanced that, as with aGVHD, lung stem cell targeting is a potential co-factor in explaining age-related severity of COVID-19 infection.

PMID:33299126 | DOI:10.1038/s41374-020-00520-2

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COVID-19 and graft-versus-host disease: a tale of two diseases (and why age matters) - DocWire News

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on COVID-19 and graft-versus-host disease: a tale of two diseases (and why age matters) – DocWire News | December 10th, 2020

TipRanks

Investing is all about profits, and part of generating profits is knowing when to start the game. The old adage says to buy low and sell high, and while its tempting just to discount cliches like that, theyve passed into common currency because they embody a fundamental truth. Buying low is always a good start in building a portfolio.The trick, however, is recognizing the right stocks to buy low. Prices fall for a reason, and sometimes that reason is fundamental unsoundness. Fortunately, Wall Streets analysts are busy separating the wheat from the chaff among the markets low-priced stocks, and some top stock experts have tagged several equities for big gains. These stocks are trading low now but the reasons are not necessarily bad for investors.Weve used the TipRanks database to pull up the data and reviews on two stocks that are priced low now, but may be primed for gains. Theyve been getting positive reviews, and despite their share depreciation, they hold Buy ratings and show upwards of 60% upside potential.Digital Media Solutions (DMS)We will start with Digital Media Solutions, an adtech company which connects online advertisers with customers through performance-based branding and marketplace solutions. DMS boasts a powerful consumer intelligence database, which it uses to fine-tune customer acquisition campaigns while offering advertisers accountability for the project budget.DMS went public in July of this year, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, Leo Holdings. The combination took the DMS name for the ticker, and initiated trading at $10 per share. The stock has been volatile since, and is currently down 27% since it started trading.Digital advertising is a huge and growing sector, worth $100 billion in 2019 and expected to reach $130 billion by the end of next year. DMS has a solid piece of that cash cow, and the Q3 numbers demonstrate that. Quarterly revenue hit a company record, of $82.8 million, which was up 10% sequentially and 44% year-over-year. Of that total revenue, the company saw a gross profit of $25.1 million, for a 30% gross margin. All in all, DMSs first quarter as a publicly traded company showed strong results.Covering the stock for Canaccord is analyst Maria Ripps, who is rated 5 stars by TipRanks, and stands in the top 1% out of more than 7,100 stock analysts. The company saw meaningful volume growth from both new and existing clients, with particular strength from its auto insurance business along with the eCommerce, education, and non-profit verticals We continue to think investors will gradually come to appreciate DMS similarities with other leading digital marketing peers that trade at more premium valuations, and expect multiple expansion over time as the story becomes better understood, Ripps noted.To this end, Ripps rates DMS stock a Buy, and her $15 price target suggests an upside of 106% from the current share price of $7.20. (To watch Ripps track record, click here)Overall, DMS Moderate Buy consensus rating is based on 2 recent reviews, both positive. The stock has an average price target of $14, which indicates a 92% upside potential. (See DMS stock analysis on TipRanks)ViaSat, Inc. (VSAT)From digital advertising we move on to digital networking. ViaSat provides customers with high-speed broadband access through a secure satellite network system. The company serves both military and commercial markets, meeting the growing need for secure communications links.The anti-coronavirus shutdown policies have particularly hard on ViaSat. This may sound counterintuitive, as online networking has been busier than ever, but a large segment of ViaSats business comes from the airlines, and with air travel first grounded and still facing depressed travel volumes, ViaSats shares have yet to recover from their February/March swoon.On a positive note and one that is indicative of the essential nature of secure satellite communications in todays networked economy ViaSat reported $577 million in Q3 contract awards, representing a 29% yoy gain. For the year to date, the company has seen awards totaling $1.9 billion, which is up 5% from this time last year. The third quarter (the companys fiscal Q2) revenues and earnings were somewhat mixed, reflecting both the increase in contract awards and the decline in airline business. Revenues were $554 million, down 6% yoy, but up almost 4% sequentially. EPS was 3 cents per share, beating the predicted 5 cent loss by a wide margin.JPMorgan analyst Philip Cusick writes of ViaSat: [We] believe long-term growth levers remain intact highlighted by record segment backlog of $1.1b We view ViaSat as a satellite innovation leader and believe the companys future ViaSat-3 fleet will accelerate growth in satellite services over the coming years. At the same time, we see a long-term government systems tailwind driven by the companys radio portfolio, mobile broadband, and SATCOM.In line with his bullish comments, Cusick rates VSAT shares an Overweight (i.e. Buy), and his $60 price target implies ~72% upside on the one-year time horizon. (To watch Cusicks track record, click here)Overall, the stock has 5 recent reviews, including 3 Buys and 2 Holds. Shares are priced at $34.14, and the average price target of $55 suggests a 61% upside potential from that level. (See VSAT stock analysis on TipRanks)To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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Avenoir Cosmetics Launches Cell Repair Serum - Clinical Strength to Enhance Skin Tone & Minimize Appearance of Sunspots, Blemishes, Discoloration,...

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Avenoir Cosmetics Launches Cell Repair Serum – Clinical Strength to Enhance Skin Tone & Minimize Appearance of Sunspots, Blemishes, Discoloration,… | December 10th, 2020

Even while legalization and regulations are in flux throughout the Americas region and around the globe, cannabis beauty is making tremendous progress.

The cannabis market is emerging very, very rapidly around the world, said Shane MacGuill, Senior Head of Nicotine and Cannabis at Euromonitor during a webinar last month reviewing the global cannabis industry across market sectors and showcasing the launch of the market research companys newest Passport Research System focus: cannabis. And he added,the market is currently heavily concentrated in US Canada.

This year2020was the year that both Amway and Avon launched CBD skin care. Avon made the announcement first. In April, as Cosmetics Design reported, the social-selling beauty maker announced plans for a new vegan skin care line that would include a CBD oil. And today, Avon has 3 CBD products in its portfolio: Green Goddess Facial Oil, Veilment CBD Soothing & Nourishing Body Cream, and Veilment CBD Nourishing Body Cream, all of which contain 100mg of CBD. Though as the online product descriptions note, our collection does NOT contain THC. The only high youll get is knowing your skin feels cool, calm and collected.

Amway, as Cosmetics Design reported, announced the launch of its new Artistry Skin Studio product collection in September 2020. And that product line now includes Artistry Studio Zen Daze Ahead Facial Oil +300 mg CBD.

Colgate also got involved in the CBD Beauty market this year. In January the company announced an acquisition deal to buy Hello Products and the following month, Hello launched its CBD product collection, as Cosmetics Design reported. Hello is best known for its oral care products but the brand also makes CBD lip balm, for instance.

Ayuna, a luxury skin care brand out of Spain, just launched the latest limited-edition product in its sought-after Terra collection at the start of November: Terra Bella.

There are no cannabinoids, no THC, no CBD in this new cream. But the Terra Bella face cream is formulated with a remarkable extract derived from cultured Cannabis Sativa stem cells, as Isabel Ramos, Chief Scientific Officer at Ayuna, tells Cosmetics Design.

And the ingredient does something truly extraordinary: it instigates communication between the skin microbiome and the brain, explains Ramos. This topical ingredient is, she says, the first known instance of a skin care input helping and demonstrating that microbiota are acting on [or affecting] how we feel.

As the Ayuna example illustrates, theres a lot more to cannabis beauty than the ever-enchanting CBD. In fact, the entire cannabis plant and a full range of cannabinoid molecules are shaping the future of this buzz-worthy cosmetics and personal care category.

In October, Jennifer Grant, a biomedical engineer turned beauty entrepreneur launched a clean skin care brand called empyri that relies on upcycled cannabis root at its hero ingredient. And not long before that news made headlines here on Cosmetics Design, the biotechnology company behind brands like Bissance and Pipette, announced having successfully scaled production of biotech CBG (one of many cannabinoids naturally occurring in cannabis) for use in skin care product formulations. So while CBD beauty is here to stay, theres much more to Cannabis Sativa and to cannabis beauty than this one molecule. Ready to learn more? Revisit all the top CBD beauty news from 2019 here on CosmeticsDesign.com.

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CBD: the beauty ingredient trend that can't be stopped - CosmeticsDesign.com USA

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on CBD: the beauty ingredient trend that can’t be stopped – CosmeticsDesign.com USA | December 10th, 2020

Cell therapies involve the transfer of live cells into a patient to help treat, prevent or potentially cure diseases. One category of cell therapy focuses specifically on the use of stem cells, or cells within the body that have the potential to replace those that are lost through injury or disease. Their versatility and ability to transform allow them to replace problematic or deactivated cells with new, healthy ones is giving patients around the world a second chance at life.Stem cells are found all throughout the human bodyincluding the skin, muscle tissue and even deep inside bone marrow.

Bone marrow, the spongy substance that fills the inner cavities of our bones, is a rich source ofhematopoietic stem cells. These cells are particularly valuable for their ability to develop into all types of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Due to their unique ability,hematopoietic cells can be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphomaand have become a staple in the field of regenerative medicine.

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate(BMAC) is a procedure that collects bone marrow from a patient's body and then concentrates it to create the optimal level of stem cells and other crucial growth factors, which can offer a variety of health benefits that traditional surgical methods simply can't offer. Stem cells and their descendants, known as progenitor cells, combined with other bone marrow cells and platelets, have the potential to restore function when injected directly into the patient's damaged tissue. The BMAC procedure is popularly used by physicians who practice orthopedic surgery, pain management and sports medicine. It has been shown torepair tissue damage, preserving function and strengthand in some cases has even beenused as an alternative for more intensive procedures such as joint and hip replacements.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate is currently being used to:

While there are many bone marrow concentrate technologies currently out on the market, there are none quite like theThermoGenesis PXPSystem. The PXPSystem is an automated, closed system designed for sterile bone marrow separation and concentration. The automated system utilizes highly sensitive sensors to reduce the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) from the initial bone marrow aspirate, providing physicians with a high-quality final product.Red blood cell contaminationis, by far, the biggest issue physicians encounter when using open, non-automated bone marrow processing systems. When high RBC contamination occurs in the bone marrow concentrate, it can impair cell function and diminish the overall effectiveness of the cell treatments. The PXPSystem is specifically designed to eliminate RBCs contamination head-on, boasting aRBC reduction of over 99 percent.

[Link]

The PXPSystem obtains bone marrow concentrates easily, consistently, and reliably, setting itself apart from any other competitors on the market today. The automated nature of the system eliminates factors created by human error and allows for increased precision and control. It gives its user the ability to harvest a precise volume of cell concentrate from the bone marrow aspirate, while producing consistently high mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD34+ progenitor cell recoveries.

[Link][Link]

Bone marrow aspirate is collected from the patient through a minimally invasive procedure, usually done under local or general anesthesia. After extraction, the aspirate is transferred into the PXP System and processed in a centrifuge to compartmentalize the aspirate into three separate chambers within the Disposable Cartridge - the central processing chamber, the red blood cell depletion chamber and the harvest chamber. The plasma, nucleated cells and RBCs are all sorted by density to create maximum separation of components. The RBCs are then removed and transferred to the depletion chamber, leaving users with a 6 ml harvest of enriched bone marrow concentrate (containing stem cells, platelets, growth factors) ready to be reintroduced into the patient.

The entire process only takes about twenty minutes from the moment the bone marrow aspirate is placed in the system to the point where it can be reinjected. For added convenience, the automated control module provides users with accurate data tracking and serves as a record for the entire process.

The PXPSystem is a tool for physicians looking for a quick, easy and efficient system for processing bone marrow. It is one of the most innovative systems available on the market and our mission is to make it even better. We are currently working with our partners in the field and evolving our products based on their feedback. Based on their response, we've begun designing a stripped-down version of the PXPSystem that requires less accessories and generates a smaller footprint, while still delivering a high-quality final product. Our applications are being developed with the needs of laboratories and physicians in mind, giving them the resources, they need to better serve their patients.

ThermoGenesis Holdings, Inc. (formerly Cesca Therapeutics Inc.), is a pioneer and market leader in the development and commercialization of automated cell processing technologies for the cell and gene therapy fields. We market a full suite of solutions for automated clinical biobanking, COVID-19 testing, point-of-care applications and large-scale cell processing and manufacturing with a special emphasis on the emerging CAR-T immunotherapy market. We are committed to making the world a healthier place by creating innovative solutions for those in need.

To see our full suiteof automated solutions,please visit the shop portion of our website today.

Disclaimer

Thermogenesis Holdings Inc. published this content on 08 December 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 09 December 2020 18:24:01 UTC

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The Technology Behind Bone Marrow Cellular Processing: The PXP System - marketscreener.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The Technology Behind Bone Marrow Cellular Processing: The PXP System – marketscreener.com | December 9th, 2020

Dec. 8, 2020 16:00 UTC

DUARTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- City of Hope doctors participated in research presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) virtual meeting, Dec. 5 to 8, that are helping advance the treatment of blood cancers, including one study which demonstrated allogeneic stem cell transplants do have a survival benefit for older adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) compared with current standard of care.

The study is the largest and most definitive trial to demonstrate the benefits of an allogeneic stem cell transplantation for older adults with MDS, and is just one of numerous studies that City of Hope doctors help lead with the aim of finding more effective treatments of various blood cancers.

This years ASH conference truly showcases City of Hopes leadership in finding more effective treatments for blood cancers, said Stephen J. Forman, M.D., director of City of Hopes Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute. Whether its finding innovative treatments to make it possible for more older adults with cancer to receive stem cell transplants, or pursuing therapies that are more effective with fewer side effects, City of Hope doctors continue to lead innovative research in blood cancers and other hematological malignancies.

City of Hope doctors are leading novel clinical trials for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers.

Multicenter clinical trial led by City of Hope makes stem cell transplant possible for older adults with myelodysplastic syndromes

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, or stem cell/bone marrow transplants, for blood cancers that have recurred or are difficult to treat can put the disease into long-term remission and provide a potential cure. The therapy establishes a new, disease-free blood and immune system by transplanting healthy blood stem cells from a donor into a cancer patient after destroying the patients unhealthy bone marrow.

City of Hope and other institutions started this therapy in 1976, primarily for younger patients with blood cancers. The therapy involves using high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to make room for a person to receive new stem cells; serious side effects can also occur after transplant. Because of these and other considerations, for many years, older adults with blood cancers have not been considered for transplants.

City of Hope has been leading the way to make transplants possible for more older adults with various cancers.

A new study presented at ASH demonstrates transplants are now a possibility and beneficial for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Approximately 13,000 people in the United States each year are diagnosed with MDS, an umbrella term describing several blood disorders that begin in the bone marrow.

Co-led by City of Hopes Ryotaro Nakamura, M.D., director of City of Hopes Center for Stem Cell Transplantation, the study is the largest and first trial to demonstrate the benefits of an allogeneic stem cell transplantation for older adults with MDS as opposed to the standard of care currently provided to these patients. The multicenter trial for patients aged 50 to 75 with serious MDS compared how long transplant patients survived with those who didnt receive a transplant, as well as disease progression and quality of life. The transplant therapy used reduced-intensity conditioning, which delivers less chemotherapy and radiation before transplant and relies more on the anti-tumor effects of the therapy.

Between 2014 and 2018, the study enrolled 384 participants at 34 cancer centers nationwide. It included 260 patients who were able to find a donor for a transplant, as well as 124 patients who did not find a donor for a transplant.

After three years, nearly 48% of MDS patients who found a donor for transplant had survived compared with about 27% of those patients who didnt have a donor for transplant and received current hypomethylating therapy, a type of chemotherapy that is current standard of care for MDS. Leukemia-free survival which is relevant because myelodysplastic syndrome can develop into leukemia was also greater in transplant recipients after three years nearly 36% compared with about 21% for those who did not have a transplant.

There was a large and significant improvement in survival for patients who had a transplant, Nakamura said. The benefit margin in overall survival was over 20% (21.3%) for patients who had a transplant.

In addition, quality of life was the same for both transplant and nontransplant patients. There were no clinically significant differences when taking such measurements as physical and mental competency scores.

This is an extremely exciting study because it provides evidence that stem cell transplant is highly beneficial for older patients with serious MDS and will likely be practice-changing for this group, Nakamura said. Before, many doctors wouldnt even consider a transplant for this group of patients, but our study demonstrates that these patients should be evaluated for a transplant, which could potentially provide a cure for their disease.

The trial is part of Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, which was established with support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Cancer Institute, because of a critical need for multi-institutional clinical trials focused directly on improving survival for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Updated results from a study of a potential new CAR T cell therapy, liso-cel, for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Patients with relapsed or difficult-to-treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic leukemia continue to do well 24 months after receiving lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, according to Tanya Siddiqi, M.D., director of City of Hopes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Program, which is part of the Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center. She presented these findings during the 2020 ASH annual meeting virtual conference.

Overall, 23 and 22 patients were evaluated for safety and efficacy in this phase 1 trial, respectively. Their median age was 66 and they had received a median of four prior therapies; all patients had received prior ibrutinib, which is one of the standard of care drugs for CLL.

The overall response rate, or patients whose CLL diminished after liso-cel CAR T cell therapy, was 82%, and 45% of patients also had complete responses, or remissions.

After 15 months of treatment, 53% of patients maintained their responses to the therapy, and six patients continued to be in remission. After 18 months, 50% of patients maintained their response, and there were five remissions. All seven patients who completed the 24-month study maintained their response. Median progression-free survival, or the amount of time the cancer did not worsen during and after treatment, was 18 months.

As early as 30 days after receiving liso-cel, about 75% of 20 patients evaluated for the therapys efficacy had undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD, or no detectable traces of cancer) in the blood and 65% had undetectable MRD in the marrow.

These are remarkable results for a group of patients that prior to this CAR T treatment had no good treatment options if they had already progressed on novel targeted therapies like ibrutinib and venetoclax, Siddiqi said. Liso-cel is providing new hope for CLL patients, and the remissions are also long lasting with few serious side effects.

Because of its safety and effectiveness in clinical trials, liso-cel, which targets the CD19 protein on cancer cells, may soon receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration as a commercial therapy for relapsed or refractory B cell lymphoma. City of Hope is also taking part in the phase 2 trial of liso-cel in CLL patients.

Consolidation treatment with brentuximab vedotin/nivolumab after auto stem cell transplant for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients leads to 18-month progression free-survival

Patients who have Hodgkin lymphoma that has not been cured by initial treatment will usually receive more chemotherapy and an autologous hematopoietic cell transplant. But even after a stem cell transplant, recurrence of the lymphoma is possible.

This multicenter phase 2 clinical trial, led by City of Hope, examined whether treating patients with brentuximab vedotin (BV), an antibody-based treatment that targets delivery of chemotherapy only to Hodgkin lymphoma cells, and nivolumab, which works by blocking the PD-1 immune checkpoint pathway that Hodgkin lymphoma hijacks to evade the immune system, was safe and effective as consolidation to prevent disease recurrence after transplant in patients with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma.

Alex Herrera, M.D., assistant professor in City of Hope's Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, discussed 19-month progression-free survival for trial participants, as well as overall survival, safety and response rates during ASH.

Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in the trial. Patients received the consolidation treatment starting a median of 54 days after transplant, and received a median of eight cycles of the therapy. The 19-month progression-free survival in patients was 92%, and overall survival in patients was 98%. Only three patients relapsed after receiving BV and nivolumab consolidation after transplant, and one patient passed away due to PCP pneumonia unrelated to the study treatment.

The most common sides effects related to the treatment were peripheral neuropathy (51%), neutropenia (42%), fatigue (37%) and diarrhea (29%).

Using brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab after transplant is a promising approach for preventing relapse of Hodgkin lymphoma after transplant that merits further study, Herrera said.

City of Hope doctors published research on innovative approaches against graft-versus-host-disease

Historically, a bone marrow/stem cell transplant is more likely to be effective if patients have a donor who is a 100% match, or as close to that as possible. Finding that perfect match is more difficult for African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other ethnic groups as bone marrow donor registries are still trying to increase the number of non-white donors.

Transplant doctors are also looking for ways to make the transplant more effective if a perfect match cant be found; donors who are not a 100% or close match are referred to as mismatched unrelated. One major barrier to these transplants being effective is a condition known as graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). The condition, which is more common in transplants involving mismatched donors, is caused by donated cells that recognize the recipient's cells as foreign and attack them, damaging the skin, eyes, lungs, liver and digestive tract.

In order to help prevent GVHD, therapies can be given to patients after transplant. A prospective clinical trial at City of Hope examined whether using cyclophosphamide after an infusion of stem cells could prevent GVHD.

Thirty-eight patients were enrolled in the trial, which is the first to examine the use of cyclophosphamide in transplants with a mismatched unrelated donor.

With a median follow-up period of 18 months, 87% of patients had survived, and the majority did not relapse or develop severe GVHD.

During the first 100 days post-transplant, acute GVHD incidence was around 50%; most cases were mild to moderate while severe GVHD was only 15%. A year after transplant, 52% of patients had some form of chronic GVHD, but only 3% had moderate or severe chronic GVHD.

The trial also examined toxicities, infections and immune system recovery after the transplant.

Our study showed that patients who received a transplant from a mismatched unrelated donor using post-transplant cyclophosphamide had a comparable outcome to what we see in matched donor transplants with few cases of serious GVHD cases, said Monzr Al Malki, M.D., associate clinical professor of City of Hopes Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and director of unrelated donor BMT and haploidentical transplant programs. Our data support further development of this therapy in transplant patients who would otherwise have no suitable donors and limited treatment options.

City of Hopes Anthony Stein, M.D., also led a pilot trial that examined whether a new treatment approach may reduce the rate of GVHD in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who have received an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. Although a transplant can put AML into remission, GVHD remains the main serious complication after transplant, impacting a patients quality of life and increasing health care costs.

Eighteen patients between the ages of 18 and 60 enrolled in the trial. Each patient received a novel conditioning regimen of total marrow and lymphoid irradiation, which targets a patients marrow and lymph nodes while reducing radiation to other parts of the body, and cyclophosphamide, a therapy that suppresses the immune system. Tacrolimus was also provided to patients.

Radiation was delivered twice daily on the fourth day before transplant and on the day of transplant without chemotherapy. Cyclophosphamide was given to patients on the third and fourth day after transplant.

There were mild to moderate toxicities. Acute GVHD developed in two patients and only one patient developed the most serious GVHD. Five patients developed mild chronic GVHD. Nearly 60% of patients had not developed GVHD or the condition had not worsened after a year.

After a year, all patients had survived, and 83% had not relapsed. After two years, nearly 86% of patients had survived, and the relapse number remained the same.

The therapeutic approach did not interfere with the transplant process as all patients engrafted, or the donors cells started to produce bone marrow and immune cells.

This is welcome news for AML patients who receive an allogeneic transplant and are concerned about developing GVHD, said Stein, associate director of City of Hope's Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research. Our study demonstrated that using this new combination of therapies is safe and feasible and does not interfere with the engraftment process.

In addition, after a year, patients in this trial were no longer taking immunosuppressive therapy and had an improved quality of life, Stein said. He added that because many of the patients didnt have GVHD, health care costs after a year were also lower than if patients required treatment for the condition.

City of Hope now plans to start a larger phase 2 trial using this treatment approach.

Bispecific antibodies continue to show promise against blood cancers

Mosunetuzumab is a promising new immunotherapy for the treatment of relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that recently received breakthrough therapy designation from the Food and Drug Administration. The designation is intended to expedite the development and review of drugs for serious or life-threatening diseases.

Elizabeth Budde, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in City of Hope's Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, is leading clinical trials that are showing how well mosunetuzumab works against NHL. At this years ASH, one trial discussed is how the therapy is working for patients with follicular lymphoma.

Mosunetuzumab is a bispecific antibody targeting both CD3 (a protein found on the surface on T cells) and CD20 on the surface of B cells. The therapy redirects T cells to engage and eliminate malignant B cells.

Sixty-two patients, ranging in age from 27 to 85 years old, were enrolled in the trial for follicular lymphoma. They received intravenous doses of mosunetuzumab.

Sixty-eight percent of the patients responded to the therapy, and 50% had a complete response, or went into remission. Consistent complete response rates occurred even in patients with double refractory disease and patients who received prior CAR T cell therapy. Median duration of response was approximately 20 months, and media progression free survival was nearly one year.

Side effects were reported in 60 patients with serious adverse effects in 22 patients. The most frequently reported serious side effects were hypophosphatemia, an electrolyte disorder, and neutropenia, a condition caused by low numbers of white blood cells. Fourteen patients experienced cytokine release syndrome, but none required extensive treatment for it.

Neurological side effects included headache, insomnia and dizziness.

Patients in this trial had high response rates and their disease remained in control for a year, Budde said. This is remarkable because many patients were no longer responding to other therapies.

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope has been ranked among the nations Best Hospitals in cancer by U.S. News & World Report for 14 consecutive years. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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City of Hope Doctors Present Innovative Therapies to Better Treat Blood Cancers at American Society of Hematology Virtual Conference - BioSpace

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