In case you didn't already know, I'm a huge skeptic and very jaded by the cosmetic industry. So, when I heard about a shampoo and conditioner that had "apple stem cells" in it and that claimed to be volumizing and strengthening I was skeptical to say the least. I researched apple stem cells to see if there was any truth to this claim at all and surprisingly I found that there was.

According to a study in the International Journal for Applied Science, stem cells from a particular apple tree (Uttwiler Spatlauber) found in Switzerland could be beneficial to the longevity of skin and hair.

Why the Uttwiler Spatlauber and not your average Granny Smith or Washington? Because the Spatlaubers can stay fresh for an extraordinary amount of time which means they should have notably long-living tissue stem cells that other species of apples don't offer.

In this study they took isolated hair follicles and found that an addition of 0.2% of an extract of Uttwiler Spatlauber stem cells slightly postponed hair follicle cells from dying off- they continued to elongate for a longer amount of time. They also found that the extract, at a 2% level, significantly decreased the depth of crow's feet, when applied twice daily, after two and four weeks. Pretty much this magical extract positively influences viability and helps postpone stem cells from aging and dying off.

Hm. I guess I should try and not be so jaded all of the time, right? Sometimes what cosmetic companies claim is true...

Aloxxi is the shampoo I was referencing earlier. They claim to use "apple stem cell technology" in their volumizing and strengthening shampoo and conditioner, so I contacted the company to see if they were in fact using this species of apple in their products and they are!

Here are a few companies I found that claim to use these snazzy stem cells from the Uttwiler Spatlauber species:
Andre Walker Hair
Naturans (they're from Italy)
Aloxxi

Images: Google Images
References: www.MibelleBiochemistry.com
                       Aloxxi
                       International Journal of Applied Sciences: Plant Stem Cell Extract for Longevity of Skin and Hair
                       www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com





Leave a Reply.