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Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is one of the relatively few topical agents whose effectiveness against wrinkles and fine lines is backed by a fair amount of reliable scientific evidence (see our article on vitamin C). Unfortunately, vitamin C is relatively unstable. When exposed to air, vitamin C solution undergoes oxidation and becomes not only ineffective [...]
Retinoinds, such as retinoic acid (a.k.a. tretinoin, Retin-A), are a group of biochemical agents clinically proven to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. Unfortunately, retinoids can be irritating in sensitive individuals and if used improperly may do more harm than good. (See our article about retinoids). One alternative is to use [...]
Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In very small doses it can be used to treat a number of medical conditions. However, it is best known and most commonly used as a treatment for the so-called motion wrinkles (wrinkles caused by facial movements). Botulinum toxin type A, most [...]
In ancient China, there was a form of torture and execution called Lingchi a.k.a. “death by a thousand cuts” where the victim received multiple stab wounds eventually leading to death. Today, ironically, a procedure involving multiple needle pricks might help you partly regain youthful appearance while remaining alive and well. Furthermore, this procedure is only [...]
Generic name: Bipolar radiofrequency plus laser or intense-pulsed light (IPL) combination treatment Brand(s): Refirme, Polaris via ELOSTM (electro-optical synergy) technology Maker / Website: Syneron, Inc (www.refirme.com, www.syneron.com) Cost: Depending on the area treated, a single treatment usually costs from $250 to $1500. However, more than one treatment is usually needed. Some providers reduce the cost [...]
It is a widely known fact of cosmetic life that effective methods of reversing facial sag (as well as skin sag elsewhere) are hard to come by. While sagging can be prevented or at least slowed down with proper care (such as topical DMAE, collagen/elastin synthesis activators, etc), once significant sag has occurred, the only [...]
Despite the ever-increasing number and variety of non-invasive rejuvenation procedures, some signs of aging, particularly marked facial sag, still require invasive surgical methods to correct. Face lift (also known as rhytidectomy) has long been one of the most dramatically effective invasive methods of facial rejuvenation. Sometimes called “the big gun” of cosmetic surgery, face lift [...]
Most species, especially carnivors and omnivors, tend to efficiently convert excess food energy into body fat. This is understandable: when food supply is precarious, it is advantageous to have a body that can store up any surplus for future use. Humans are no exception. For millennia, and until very recently, our food supply tended to [...]
Vibradermabrasion (often offered under the brand name Vibraderm) is a procedure promoted as a better alternative to microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a method of mechanical exfoliation where the skin is “sand-blasted” using a controlled flow of microcrystals, i.e. a mild-to-moderate mechanical peel. Vibradermabrasion (Vibraderm) is similar to microdermabrasion in that it is also a mild-to-moderate mechanical [...]
Matrixyl 3000 is a relatively new skin care ingredient sometimes promoted as a new and improved version of Matrixyl. Both Matrixyl 3000 and “classic” Matrixyl were delevoped by the Sederma corporation and are incorporated, usually separately, in a variety of skin care products on the market. The naming suggesting that Matrixyl 3000 is related to [...]