Red Deer Umbilical Cord Lining Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Conditioned Media Stimulates Fibroblast Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid Production to Improve Eyelid Aesthetics

BACKGROUND Conditioned media (CM) from red deer umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cell (RD-CLMSC) culture comprises an exosomal suspension and is the active ingredient of a facial cream (CALECIM Professional Multi-Action Cream, CALECIM Cosmeceuticals, Singapore) shown to significantly improve skin tone after topical application. This effect appears to be related to increased human dermal fibroblast (HDF) proliferation, with increased HDF production of elastin and hyaluronic acid (HA). OBJECTIVE The authors sought to investigate if RD-CLMSC-CM might increase elastin and HA to improve thin eyelid skin turgor and elasticity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Upper eyelid skin HDF from 9 individuals were exposed in culture to RD-CLMSC-CM. Photocolorimetry after histochemical staining demonstrated increased expression of elastin by 68% and HA by 113% compared with exposure to Dulbecco's modified eagle medium/10% fetal calf serum. A topical eyelid skin formulation containing RD-CLMSC-CM was applied to the upper and lower eyelid skin of 4 preexisting users of RD-CLMSC-CM facial cream. Photographic comparison before and after application demonstrated subjective and objective cosmetic improvement. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Topical application of RD-CLMSC-CM increased eyelid HDF production of elastin and HA. This improved skin elasticity and turgor to heighten eyelid skin aesthetics.