Frequently Asked Questions

• Promote human dermal fibroblast proliferation, a primary cell type that makes up the skin. 1,2
• Increase proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes, a primary cell type found in skin, as well as stimulate production of collagen and a variety of growth factors and cytokines involved in cell migration, increased blood flow, vascularization, and cell renewal. 3
• Increase collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts, proteins associated with healthy, youthful skin, skin remodeling, and healing. 4
• Reverse the damaging effects of UV radiation, fight wrinkle formation, increase cell proliferation, increase collagen production, and decrease expression of MMP1, a gene linked to scar formation. 5
• Inhibit proliferation of melanoma cells (skin cancer), protect skin cells from chemical induced oxidative stress, and boost collagen synthesis and cell motility, showing that these factors may help fight skin cancer and the effects of photoaging. 6,7

Reduce healing time after laser resurfacing and catalyze production of collagen and elastin. 8

As we age, there is a natural decrease in the levels of growth factors and cytokines that maintain the youthful appearance of our skin. Many of these factors are abundantly produced by our stem cells, which also decrease in number as we age. FACTORFIVE helps your skin by providing human stem cell derived factors to boost and replace those that typically diminish with age. By providing the missing factors, the skin cells begin to behave more like they did when they were younger, including an increase in collagen, elastin, and extracellular matrix proteins that support skin firmness.1,3,4

It’s very simple: you’re not a plant. Human derived growth factors work best on human skin. FACTORFIVE’s human stem cell growth factors work like a lock and key with the receptors on your skin cells, promoting an increase in collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and other beneficial skin proteins, which lead to a healthy and youthful appearance.4,5,6 While some plant extracts do contain vitamins and antioxidants that can help your skin, they simply do not compare to the powerful cytokines and growth factors produced by human stem cells.

FACTORFIVE sources stem cells exclusively from ethical sources. We only use fresh human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) that have been acquired with consent from lipoaspirate, the fat from liposuction that is typically discarded after surgery. Also, our human ADSCs have been through multiple, rigorous safety and efficacy checks. No embryos, human eggs (oocytes), bone marrow, or other controversial tissues are used to produce FACTORFIVE.

Human skin is made up of a variety of cell types that work together to maintain elasticity of the skin and protect you from external sources of damage. While fibroblasts are a primary cell type that makes up skin, there are also keratin producing keratinocytes, melanocytes (which give the skin its pigment), fat cells (aka adipocytes), as well as a variety of support cells that feed the layers of the skin with blood and nutrients.

Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are involved in catalyzing healing within the body and are capable of turning into all the cell types that make up the skin. Fibroblasts, on the other hand, are typically sourced from fetal foreskin obtained during circumcision and only produce a fraction of the beneficial factors that ADSCs produce. While fibroblast conditioned media is capable of providing some beneficial factors, FACTORFIVE provides a wider, more complete profile of healing factors to support all the cell types the make up your skin.1,3,4,5,7

Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are involved in catalyzing healing within the body and are capable of turning into all the cell types that make up the skin. Fibroblasts, on the other hand, are typically sourced from fetal foreskin obtained during circumcision and only produce a fraction of the beneficial factors that ADSCs produce. While fibroblast condi-tioned media is capable of providing some beneficial factors, FactorFive provides a wider, more complete profile of heal-ing factors to support all the cell types the make up your skin.1,3,4,5,7

FACTORFIVE contains proteins produced by human adipose derived stem cells, not the cells themselves. These proteins are essentially the same for all human cells, so there are no individual compatibility issues or necessity to use your own cells.

FACTORFIVE does not contain any cells, only proteins derived from cells. The stem cells are carefully removed and filtered out through a multistep process, leaving only purified & concentrated stem cell derived factors in the final product.

We designed FACTORFIVE to be THE best skin serum on the market. We did not aim to be marginally better; we formulated FACTORFIVE from the ground up to provide the best ingredients from the best sources so that you could benefit from the latest in skin rejuvenation technology without having to compromise or purchase multiple products. While stem cell derived factors are the primary active ingredient in FACTORFIVE, we have also added a selection of vitamins, antioxidants, peptides, and skin remodeling support factors to ensure that you get immediate and long term benefits as you continue to regularly use FACTORFIVE.

FACTORFIVE is completely safe when used as directed. We have tested it under the recommended conditions for supporting healthy, normal skin. To many people, it seems intuitive that growth factors may increase the risk of cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence linking cancer to growth factor products. In fact, there is a growing body of research that shows that topically applied ADSC growth factors may inhibit the growth of skin cancer cells (melanoma) and protect your skin.6,7

Since FACTORFIVE is essentially replacing or boosting the factors that your skin is no longer producing, we recommend regular and continuous use of FACTORFIVE to maintain the benefits to your skin.

1. Kim WS, Park BS, Sung JH, Yang JM, Park SB, Kwak SJ, Park JS. Wound healing effect of adipose-derived stem cells: a critical role of secretory factors on human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci. 2007 Oct;48(1):15-24. Epub 2007 Jul 23. PubMed PMID: 17643966.

2. Wong VW, Gurtner GC, Longaker MT. Wound healing: a paradigm for regeneration. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013 Sep;88(9):1022-31. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.04.012.

3. Moon KM, Park YH, Lee JS, Chae YB, Kim MM, Kim DS, Kim BW, Nam SW, Lee JH. The effect of secretory factors of adipose-de-rived stem cells on human keratinocytes. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(1):1239-57. doi: 10.3390/ijms13011239. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

4. Jung H, Kim HH, Lee DH, Hwang YS, Yang HC, Park JC. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 in adipose derived stem cells condi-tioned medium is a dominant paracrine mediator determines hyaluronic acid and collagen expression profile. Cytotechnology. 2011 Jan;63(1):57-66. doi: 10.1007/s10616-010-9327-4. Epub 2011 Jan 4.

5. Kim WS, Park BS, Park SH, Kim HK, Sung JH. Antiwrinkle effect of adipose-derived stem cell: activation of dermal fibroblast by secretory factors. J Dermatol Sci. 2009 Feb;53(2):96-102. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2008.08.007. Epub 2008 Oct 1.

6. Kim WS, Park BS, Sung JH. Protective role of adipose-derived stem cells and their soluble factors in photoaging. Arch Dermatol Res. 2009 Jun;301(5):329-36. doi: 10.1007/s00403-009-0951-9. Epub 2009 Apr 26.

7. Kim WS, Park BS, Sung JH. The wound-healing and antioxidant effects of adipose-derived stem cells. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2009 Jul;9(7):879-87. doi: 10.1517/14712590903039684.

8. Zhou BR, Xu Y, Guo SL, Xu Y, Wang Y, Zhu F, Permatasari F, Wu D, Yin ZQ, Luo D. The effect of conditioned media of adipose-de-rived stem cells on wound healing after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:519126. doi: 10.1155/2013/519126. Epub 2013 Dec 4.

Renew Dermal Solution (RDS) is a revolutionary patent-pending, two-step skin treatment that yields excellent skin rejuvenation results with less downtime, no skin peeling, and no pain. The secret is the two-step process. Step one uses RDS1 Penetrating Solution, which is a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) mixture that penetrates the dermis and rearranges underlying extracellular matrix proteins. Step two introduces RDS2 Calming Solution to the skin to penetrate deep, soothing the skin with human stem cell proteins such as extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, antioxidants, and signaling molecules that instruct your body to repair skin damage. This support of cellular turnover results in rejuvenated, healthier looking skin.

Traditional chemical peels actually cause peeling of the epidermis to rejuvenate the skin. RDS does not; it penetrates deep into the dermis and stimulates collagen production while rearranging preexisting extracellular matrix proteins. Then, it adds back extra human stem cell proteins derived from ethically sourced, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). This extra amount of stem cell factors is critical; as you age, your skin is less capable of renewing itself, largely due to the fact that you lose stem cell activity in your skin as you age. RDS supplants those factors, allowing the skin to look healthier. In essence, RDS is a dermal rejuvenation solution that uses time-tested biology to improve your appearance.

Immediately after one treatment you will experience a “glow” and tighter, firmer skin. Over the next week to month, your skin will continue to improve in texture, tone, elasticity, and coloration. Expect to reduce brown spots, see fewer wrinkles and fine lines, and thicken your skin after treatment. It can also be used to reduce scarring and stretch marks all over the body. Importantly, RDS can be combined with other treatments to enhance their efficacy and long-term results.

Consult with a medical professional before using RDS if you have active acne. We don’t recommend RDS application if you have used isotretinoin within the past six months, tretinoin within the past 30 days, or retinoic acid within the past 15 days.

First, the skin will be cleaned thoroughly. Afterwards, RDS1 Penetrating Solution will be applied and massaged into the skin. Depending on the thickness of your skin and the desired results, multiple layers of product will be applied. RDS1 will then be removed with water-soaked gauze. Then, RDS2 Calming Solution is applied to the skin and allowed to absorb before you leave the office. The entire treatment takes around 30 minutes to perform, and gives immediate visible results that will continue to get better over time.

The procedure is painless, but clients may experience a mild tingling or warm sensation during the RDS1 application process. This is normal and indicates that RDS1 is hard at work revitalizing your skin! Immediately after RDS2 Calming Solution is applied, the skin may be slightly red, but this will dissipate as the skin is moisturized.

One! You will see instant, visible results in the brightness, tightness, and texture of your skin after just one treatment. However, you should discuss with a medical professional your goals so you can both create a personalized plan for multiple treatments to address specific concerns, such as brown spots, saggy skin, or wrinkles in certain locations.

If you are receiving multiple treatments, we recommend a minimum of 7 days in between RDS treatments.

Yes! Consult with your medical professional when you design a plan for beautification; many procedures can be combined with RDS application.

When you leave the procedure room, you should be able to see your skin is glowing and will feel tighter, with a smoother texture. Over the next few days you may experience slight flaking, but this can be dealt with by moisturizing with FACTORFIVE Nourishing Silk and Anti-Aging Cream found in our 7-Day Post-Treatment Kit.

We recommend the FACTORFIVE 7-Day Post-Treatment Kit for an all-inclusive after care experience, paired with an appropriate SPF for UV protection. Applying these products in the morning and before bed will provide your skin with all the hydration needed to keep flaking and redness at bay, while also providing human growth factors and key ingredients to boost healing and cell regeneration. If these options are not made available to you, apply a light moisturizer morning and night, coupled with SPF during the day.

You should experience very little downtime after the treatment. You can resume your normal face care regime, but take care to keep your face well-moisturized. An SPF is recommended if you are going in the sun.

Yes! RDS is safe to use on clients of any age. For younger clients, RDS is useful for scar reduction. Most adults will benefit from RDS’s ability to reduce scar and stretch marks, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin elasticity, reduce pore size, smoothen skin tone, thicken the skin, and improve skin texture.

Yes! However, people with allergies to RDS’s components and clients that have sensitive skin should avoid RDS treatments. Additionally, clients with damaged skin are not advised to receive an RDS application. While RDS is safe for cosmetic use and likely causes no systemic toxicity, we don’t suggest using it on pregnant individuals or people that are breastfeeding.

Yes! All Fitzpatrick skin types can use and benefit from RDS application.

No! However, regardless of skin type, color, or tone, they may feel a mild tingling or warm sensation during the RDS application process. This is normal and indicates that RDS is hard at work revitalizing the skin! Immediately after RDS2 Calming is applied, the skin may be slightly red, but this will dissipate as the skin is moisturized by the RDS2 Calming Solution.

Application takes about 30 minutes total.

While primary benefits are easily seen on the face and neck, RDS can be applied to any area of the body, including the decollete, arms, legs, and torso. It is useful for smoothening skin tone and tightening skin all over the body.

One! Renew Dermal Solution provides results after just one treatment; your clients will see a “glow” to the skin and it will feel tighter. Additionally, they will have a reduction in signs of aging such as reduced fine lines and wrinkles, smaller pores, less dark spots, and less redness. More pronounced results are achieved after 3-5 return sessions spaced 7-14 days apart.

RDS was formulated with FACTORFIVE post-care products in mind, and for best results we recommend following RDS application with FACTORFIVE products. Specifically, we highly recommend sending a patient home with a FACTORFIVE 7-Day Post-Treatment Kit for best results. These products within the kit contain high-quality skincare products containing human stem cell factor media that has exogenous extracellular matrix proteins like collagen and elastin, growth factors, and antioxidants for the healing skin. Continuing the application of stem cell-based skincare to the skin post treatment provides your clients’ skin cells with everything they need for optimal regeneration.

RDS is a professional skin care product that can be applied by physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and estheticians—you don’t need to be a board-certified dermatologist. We’ve formulated it with estheticians and nurses in mind, and the level of TCA allows them to apply RDS.

Immediately, the skin will have a healthy “glow” and feel tighter. Over the next 7-30 days, your clients should see a reduction in scars, tightening of skin, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, reduced pore size, and smoother skin tone with less hyperpigmentation. Over time, RDS will thicken the skin and improve its texture.

There is no downtime after an RDS treatment, as long as a proper after-care routine is followed and a mineral SPF is applied to the skin for sun protection; clients can resume normal daily activities immediately after application. Some clients may experience temporary mild redness and skin flaking, but this can be resolved with moisturizer. Some clients may see skin “purging” after treatment, but this will also resolve and the skin will be clearer and smoother afterwards. It is important to note that exfoliating the skin with RDS may uncover undiagnosed skin issues that may require diagnosis by a medical professional.

RDS is a novel, two-step process that exfoliates the skin and then adds back essential proteins and peptides to aid in its recovery. Your clients can expect to see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, smaller pores, more even tone, a reduction in spots, smoother texture, and glowing, radiant skin. The RDS system will also reduce scar tissue appearance and thicken the dermal layer of the skin, allowing it to feel tighter and appear more youthful. While one treatment is enough to see robust results, multiple treatments over a month will yield even better results. Overall, clients will have smoother, healthier looking skin after a regimen of RDS application.

While RDS is safely shipped at room temperature, after receiving it, you should refrigerate it (between 35-40°F) to protect the acid’s strength. Simply place the whole box into the refrigerator!

RDS has a 6-month shelf life when stored properly (see above). Bottles that have had product removed from them will maintain their shelf life until the expiration date if stored sealed in the cold. RDS should be discarded after the expiration date and if the solution begins to oxidize and turn brown.

FACTORFIVE is located in Chico, California, and RDS is produced in-house within business days of shipping. This prevents oxidation and keeps the acidic strength intact, especially when stored properly (see above). We have a rigorous quality assurance and control program, and every batch is tested before leaving our laboratory to make sure it conforms to our high standards.

If you ever are unsatisfied for any reason, email customerservice@factofiveskin.com, and we will make it right. We have the industry’s best return/replacement policies and want our customers to be happy.