Earlier this week, a group of scientists announced a curious link: A protein that activates hair follicle growth apparently also blocks the production of fat tissue beneath certain layers of the skin. So while at the onset of their studies, the scientists had great hopes for how their hair follicle/protein research could be used, saying "it is relevant to cancer and any tissue in which this type of process is going on,"—of course, we're all very vain people, and new discoveries mean fresh opportunities:
"The specific chemicals identified in this study could be produced synthetically and used in creams for topical application to the skin to modulate growth of fat beneath the skin," one of the researchers, professor Rodney Sinclair of the University of Melbourne, told The Telegraph. (I mean, who cares about this hair follicle nonsense when you have that?!)
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Therefore, "a cream could trim fat specifically where it was applied by 'pausing' the production of factors that contribute to cell growth," he added, in what sounds like the freakiest, Hunger Games Capitol-style vanity product I've heard of lately. I'm crossing my fingers that they don't actually get to that step, because if the magical potion won't cure obesity or make anyone healthier, will it really do anything beyond prey on women worried about their muffin tops and thutts, no doubt turning our insecurities into a booming business along the way?
Photos: Courtesy of Retrofile
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