No, This Anti-Aging Cream Will Not Prevent Coronavirus

Attorney General Dana Nessel is ordering a Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids business to stop claiming their product will keep you safe from COVID.

The Mayo Clinic says, "Sermorelin is a synthetic (man-made) version of a naturally occurring substance that causes release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Growth hormone is naturally produced by the pituitary gland and is necessary for growth in children." Stephanie Davison of Skin Non-Surgical Weight Loss Center says there are other benefits, calling sermorelin "the anti-aging shot." When she made further claims, it got the attention of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Davidson appeared on a Grand Rapids television show to talk about her Skin Envy weight loss centers in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. During the TV segment, she credited the injections for preventing COVID-19, adding they boost the immune system. Her website also claims sermorelin “strengthens the immune system” while neglecting to mention potential side effects. Medical professionals at the Department of Health and Human Services expressed concern that these statements are untrue and unsupported by any medical evidence.

There are proven, scientific methods to prevent COVID-19. We urge Michigan residents to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Wearing masks, washing hands frequently and avoiding indoor gatherings are other ways to prevent COVID-19. Michiganders should be suspicious of claims that products such as sermorelin can prevent them from getting COVID-19.
-Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive and Deputy Director of Health

Skin Envy Non-Surgical Weight Loss Center is accused of

• Representing that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, or quantities that they do not have or that a person has sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation, or connection that he or she does not have.
• Failing to reveal a material fact, the omission of which tends to mislead or deceive the consumer, and which fact could not reasonably be known by the consumer.
• Making a representation of fact or statement of fact material to the transaction such that a person reasonably believes the represented or suggested state of affairs to be other than it actually is.
• Failing to reveal facts that are material to the transaction in light of representations of fact made in a positive manner.

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a notice of intended action requiring that Davison cease and desist such claims. “Misleading and false claims related to consumer products will not be tolerated,” said Nessel. “It is my hope Ms. Davison will abide by our notice and that further action is not necessary in this matter.”

h/t MLive