Thursday, September 2, 2010

Human placenta taken from newly-born Russian babies is the latest Dubai cosmetic hit.

Biolite Skin Clinic in Health-care City says it has three clients a day coming in for a facial using human placenta.

Biolite’s web site said says that the placenta contains “pure protein collagen only found in babies” and says it is “a MUST for every bride”.

The clinic’s founder, Mona Mirza, told 7DAYS that dem-and for the dhs2,000 treatment has been very strong since it started offering it three months ago to help anti-ageing.

She confirmed that the cream’s manufacturer, EMK, sources much of its placenta from Russian mothers, as do other major placenta suppliers.

“The technique began in Russia, so it’s natural that it should come from there. It is very carefully screened for bacteria, viruses and everything else before it is used,” she said.

Mirza added that she was told by EMK that mothers usually donate the placenta after signing a consent form and that they are not paid.

The clinic says it is the only one in the UAE to offer the treatment and hopes to sell the product in shops in the future.

Biolite says the placenta cream is applied to the face while oxygen is blown over it.

A mask is then placed over the face while the client undergoes a light laser treatment.

The clinic says the placenta encourages the body to mimic its youthful properties and produces softer, baby-like skin.

Animal rights groups have strongly welcomed human placenta treatment as an alternative from animal-based products.

However, some leading members of the natural health movement are less convinced.

US-based Julie Gabriel, a nutritionist who runs her own natural beauty web site thegreenbeautyguide.com, said that the concentrated source of hormones in plac-enta can cause health problems and premature puberty in young girls, especially when used in hair products.

sean.odriscoll@7days.ae