Although in Vietnam, methods of beauty from stem cells of animal origin have not been allowed by the health sector, in fact, many beauty establishments still attach the label "stem cells" to beauty services and advertisements with a series of uses far beyond scientific grounds. Notably, many establishments choose to hide themselves under other forms of business such as dentistry or specialized clinics, while their main activities are consulting and injecting unlicensed beauty services.
Attracting customers through social networks, activities inside dentistry
On social networking platforms, many accounts named Le Thuy regularly post videos and advertising images about a beauty clinic with full legal documents, providing stem cell beauty services to help rejuvenate and regain "youth".
However, when reporters came to address 86 Nguyen Chanh, Hanoi according to instructions from these accounts, there was no beauty establishment named Le Thuy as advertised. Instead, the sign outside only reads "Valis Luxury Cosmetic Dental".
Explaining this difference, the staff here said: "This is exactly Ms. Le Thuy's Korean address. You saw it on TikTok, right? Here, customers come for the first time and often ask like you.
After many confirmations, reporters were confirmed that this is the location providing beauty services promoted by account holder Le Thuy. When presenting the need for skin filling and rejuvenation, reporters were taken to the upper floor for private consultation.
Here, the staff said that the stem cell beauty service will mix natural stem cells with placental stem cells to inject to customers. With the reporter's face condition, the cost is reported to be about 60 million VND for the entire face.
The person claiming to be an employee of Le Thuy Valis advised: "My side uses both foreign stem cells and autologous cells, roughly mixing placental stem cells with autologous cells. Or I can use more starch to increase the ability to heal wounds, helping cells connect with each other. My case cost a total of about 60 million.
Many facilities blatantly advertise stem cell injections
Not only Valis Luxury, at Moc Lan cosmetic surgery clinic (Mang Beauty), address 11 B2-3 Dam Trau urban area, Hong Ha ward, Hanoi, animal-derived stem cell injection service is also publicly advertised.
As soon as reporters expressed their need for stem cell beauty, staff here enthusiastically introduced a skin care package in the form of injections, with a course lasting 10 sessions.
Similarly, at ID Beauty Center, No. 29 Ba Trieu, the person introduced as the leader of this facility did not hesitate to introduce skin beauty methods using products believed to contain stem cells, despite this being a service not yet licensed by the Ministry of Health.
The CEO of ID Beauty Center Clinic said that the essence of stem cells is the composition of exosomes. However, the difference is that stem cells from the human body itself will be removed and cultured; while exosomes are stem cells created from the laboratory, then cultured and deeply introduced into the skin for rejuvenation.
With cultured stem cells, in addition to rejuvenation effects, there are also many other effects such as whitening, skin tightening, and improvement of pigmentation. "When I use exosomes, my skin will be shiny and not dull.
Warning from medical experts
In Vietnam, the application of cell therapies in treatments and beauty treatments is still spontaneous, and many facilities implement them not in accordance with regulations. In particular, there are many advertisements that have not been scientifically verified, potentially harming the health of users or bringing unclear results, causing costly costs. Currently, the Ministry of Health does not license cosmetic products manufactured from human body cells.
Reality shows that, although stem cell beauty services have not been licensed, many establishments still blatantly advertise and profit greatly from the psychology of customers' desire to rejuvenate and improve their beauty, especially during the peak beauty season at the end of the year.
The use of unverified therapies not only causes financial waste, but can also leave serious health consequences. Experts recommend that people be extremely vigilant, carefully research information and only perform services licensed by the Ministry of Health, avoiding falling into the "trap" of false advertising.
