Routine infant circumcision has long been criticized for being an unnecessary cosmetic procedure. In The Case Against Circumcision, Dr. Paul Fleiss points out that modern circumcision practices outside of religion were started in the Victorian era, with the intention of preventing masturbation. Apparently, the cells on the inside of the foreskin are rich in fibroblasts, which create collagen, making them ideal for an anti-wrinkle cream or injectable serum.
Foreskins in Cosmetics
Technically, it isn't the entire foreskin that's used. According to SkinMedica, their TNS Recovery Complex is a “topical solution consisting of human growth factors derived originally from neonatal human foreskin.” On their website, Intercytex states that their Vavelta product contains an injectable serum suspension of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) which are “derived from the dermis of normal human skin” and that "HDFs are the principal cell type found in the dermal layer of human skin where they secrete collagen, the main component of the dermis."
SkinMedica Foreskin-Based Anti-Aging Cream
In an article titled "The $140-million Foreskin" by San Diego City Beat columnist, Dave Maass, the proteins that SkinMedica is using are grown at their lab, and are all derived from one single foreskin, and that it hasn't acquired any new foreskin in over 20 years. SkinMedica products are available from dermatologists, by prescription only.
Vavelta's Foreskin Beauty Product
One step up from the topical creams that SkinMedica markets, is Vavelta's injection. Administered similar to Botox, the Vavelta treatment isn't approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, yet. Vavelta says that neonatal fibroblasts "lay down collagen within the dermis which restructures and repairs the extracellular matrix." Which, apparently results in softer, plumper skin without wrinkles.
What is a Neonatal Fibroblast?
According to the National institute of Health's Human Genome Project Glossary, a fibroblast is “the most common type of cell found in connective tissue. Fibroblasts secrete collagen proteins that are used to maintain a structural framework for many tissues. They also play an important role in healing wounds." The word "neonatal" preceding "fibroblast" means that the cells come from newborns.
Some parents may be disturbed to think that their child's foreskin is being sold for research or cosmetic purposes. Ethical questions beyond the validity of circumcision itself are brought up. "Will my doctor make money selling the foreskin?" and "How would I feel if one of my organs were taken from me and sold, without my consent?"
It may soothe some people to know that neonatal fibroblasts, like the ones available from the Coriell institute for Medical Research, are also used to create skin graft material for burn victims, cancer patients and diabetics.
Additional References:
SkinMedica
InterCytex Vavelta
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
