Introduction
The advertisement claims that stem cell technology has made a breakthrough in skin care by utilizing anti-aging properties of apple stem cells. Researchers have shown that extracts from Swiss apple, Malus domestica, have regenerative effect on skin, and thus have utilized them in the production of apple stem cells from adult cells. Adult stem cells are unique because they have no limited life span and are effective in repairing cells in the body, particularly skin tissue. According to The Age (2011), M. domestica apple’s extracts have regenerative effect on cell culture as laboratory tests have shown that they significantly increase proliferation of adult cells by 80% (p.1). Thus, it means that apple’s extracts have the ability to stimulate regeneration of adult cells in the skin. Therefore, this essay critically evaluates the relevance of information, claims, and the supporting evidence of the advertisement.
Critical Evaluation of the Advertisement
The advertisement is relevant in skin care because it suggests that apple stem cells are very important in rejuvenating aging skin. The advertisement further asserts that apple stem cell technology is unique because it uses adult stem cells that have no ethical concerns, unlike previous stem cell technology that relied on embryonic stem cells. Thus, the advertisement seeks to dispel fears associated with ethical issues that customers had by asserting that apple stem cell technology has no ethical concerns. According to Watson (2011), advertisement of skin care products with apple stem cells has recorded unprecedented demand from customers because monthly sales are twice as expected (p.1). This shows that the advertisement is very captivating due to scientific evidences that it claims. Furthermore, the advertisement is credible because endless regeneration of apple stem cells makes them applicable in anti-aging therapy of skin care. According to the Age (2011), application of apple’s extracts in generation of apple stem cells for rejuvenating skin is a breakthrough in stem cell technology (p.1). Therefore, since information in the advertisement is relevant in informing customers about advancement in stem cell technology and skin care, people need to rejuvenate their skin.
The advertisement claims that M. domestica is a unique apple in that has a long shelf life and it can repair itself. Furthermore, the advertisement claims that M. domestica has regenerative effect on adult cells by transforming them to adult stem cells. The claims are consistent with scientific research as Reunad (2009) confirms that apple stem cells have restorative and regenerative effect, thus rejuvenates the skin (p.2). Moreover, apple’s extracts protect adult stem cells from polluting agents and ultra violet radiations. Due to above properties of M. domestica, medical experts have conducted numerous studies and confirmed that apple’s extracts can significantly stimulate regeneration of adult cells and reduce depths of wrinkles in skin, thus appropriate in skin care because of its proliferative effect. The claim that M. domestica has a long shelf life and can repair itself is a valid claim for Schmid, Schurch, Blum, Belser, and Zulli (2008) assert that, both M. domestica and Uttwiler spatlauber are varieties of apple cultivated because of their appropriate storage properties (p.31). Moreover, claim that apple’s extracts have regenerative effect on human cells is consistent with numerous studies that have revealed the importance of plants extracts in stimulating and preserving stem cells.
Numerous types and sources of information support claim that apple stem cells rejuvenate skin, which is a breakthrough not only in stem cell technology but also in skin care. According to Schurch, Blum, and Zulli (2007), in vitro study carried out showed that apple’s extracts increase proliferative activity of human cells in that 0.1% of the extracts increased proliferation of cells by 80% (p.603). Moreover, in vitro study showed that apple’s extracts protect cells from ultra violet radiations since radiations that kill 50% of cultured cells have a negligible effect on the viability of cells cultured in the presence of apple’s extract. According to Goldfaden (2008), the managing director of American Academy of Dermatology, in vitro studies conducted to examine the effect of 2% apple extracts on fibroblasts treated with hydrogen peroxide showed that fibroblasts become rejuvenated due to up regulation of genes and stimulation of heme oxygenase 1 (p.6). This confirmed that apple extracts have rejuvenating effect on skin by enhancing expression of genes and stimulating oxidizing enzymes. Clinical trials done on 20 subjects for a period of four weeks showed that, apple stem cells considerably reduce wrinkles that usually occur on crow’s feet area. Thus, in vitro and clinical studies are evidences that support application of apple stem cells in skin care.
Conclusion
Advertisers of stem cell therapy have effectively utilized scientific evidences to support their claims of apple stem cell. The advertisers asserted that, the use of embryonic stem cells has ethical concerns while apple stem cell have no ethical concerns because they come from adult cells, thus captivates customers who have reservations of ethical concerns. Moreover, the advertisement relates long shelf life of apples with anti-aging effects they have on the skin, which is quite appealing to customers. Scientific evidence such as in vitro and clinical trials substantially supported application of apple stem cells as anti-aging agents in skin care. Hence, given that advertisement claims are scientific, they are reliable to customers who want use skin care products of stem cell technology.
References
Goldfaden, G. (2008). Apple Stem Cells Offer Hope for Aging and Damaged Skin. American Academy of Dermatology, 1-6.
Reunad, I. (2009). Making a Success of Beauty with Passion: Skin Care Treatment Selection. Idrenaud Laboratory, 1-4.
Schmid, D., Schurch, C., Blum, P., Belser, E., & Zulli, F. (2008). Plant Stem Cell Extract for Longevity of Skin and Hair. International Journal for Applied Science, 64, 30-34.
Schurch, C., Blum, P., & Zulli, F. (2007). Potential of Plant Cells in Culture for Cosmetic Application. Photochemistry Review, 7, 599-605.
The Age. (19 June 2011). Stem Cell Therapy: The New Buzz in Anti-aging. The Advertisement, 1.
Watson, S. (2011). Cost Conscious Beauty Lovers Go Ape for Grape: Superdrug Celebrates Latest Skincare Sell out. Health and Beauty, 1-2.