Sponsored By Danné Montague-King (DMK);
Many regenerative aesthetic treatments counteract signs of aging by harvesting stem cells from bone marrow, blood or fat tissue. Yet, none have been able to offer a way to stimulate the renewal ability of the skin’s existing stem cells. StemZyme™, a non-invasive, non-immunogenic enzyme treatment from Danné Montague-King (DMK; Los Angeles, Calif.) seeks to fill this gap.
Adult epidermal stem cells play a vital role in the skin’s ability to maintain optimal health, but, during the aging process, the number of an individual’s epidermal stem cells diminishes by 10% to 15% per decade. Epidermal stem cells differentiate into the many specialized cells that make up healthy skin tissue so this loss leads to changes in the appearance and function of the skin.
StemZyme uses a blend of enzymes and bioactive botanical ingredients to remove dead skin cells, halt the decline of existing epidermal stem cells, and encourage epidermal stem cell renewal and differentiation. It also inhibits the overexpression of genes that can lead to cancerous or benign tumor growth.
“There is no parallel approach when it comes to targeting stem cells in the skin,” noted Jayant Lokhande, MD, chief scientific officer at DMK. “We do not include any stem cells in treatment; instead, we address each patient’s unique adult epidermal skin cells. This treatment essentially puts the skin’s stem cells into mitotic shock, so they divide and increase in number. Then, we guide these new epidermal stem cells to differentiate into the various cells needed for healthy skin – something other treatments cannot do, as they do not work with stem cells specific to the skin.”
This 50-day protocol features five in-clinic enzyme treatments and a detailed home prescriptive care regimen. The first treatment includes cleansing with the Embioment™ cleanser, which preserves and strengthens the skin’s microbiome, followed by an Alkaline Wash and Exoderma Peel treatment, both of which act as resurfacing agents to remove dead skin cells. Providers then apply several serums and emulsions, which activate epidermal stem cells, increase and maintain cell turn over, and support stem cell mitosis and differentiation. Broad spectrum SPF 40 is applied at the end of each treatment to protect results.
Patients also receive four maintenance enzyme treatments with StemZyme serums spaced 12 days apart. Meanwhile, at home, patients must follow the highly detailed home prescriptive care regimen, which features the same cleanser used during treatment, sunscreen and serums responsible for maintaining stem cell renewal and differentiation. They also receive a dietary supplement that provides nutritional support for new epidermal stem cells.
“StemZyme’s protocol is definitely more intense than other treatments, and my clients have to be faithful with their home care, but so far all have followed the instructions well – and the results show it,” shared Patricia Zacour, esthetician and DMK Professional Paramedical Skin Therapist at Studio Seven (Washington, Penn.). “One of my clients was so impressed with the results of just one of her StemZyme treatments that she canceled her upcoming lower facelift.”
Reference:
Montague-King D, Lokhande J. DMK MD Manual. 97-114.
