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Centre Yourself provides Skin Care in Michiana, including Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana.
Do Wrinkle Creams Actually Work? - Wednesday, March 3, 2010
In our last post we discussed what are wrinkles and what causes them. Many people have requested us to take a look at anti-wrinkle products and treatments to see if they are effective or not.Do Over-the-Counter Wrinkle Creams Really Work?
Many wrinkle creams and lotions sold in department stores, in drugstores and on the internet promise to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by the sun.
Do they work? They may slightly improve the appearance of your skin, but if you’re looking for a face-lift in a bottle, you probably won't find it in over-the-counter (non-prescription) wrinkle creams.
And here’s why. Consider these points when judging the merits of using a wrinkle cream:
- The FDA classifies creams and lotions as cosmetics, which are defined as having no medical value. This means the FDA does not allow medically-active products to be sold in department stores. Over-the-counter wrinkle creams contain lower concentrations of active ingredients than do prescription creams. So results, if any, are limited and usually short-lived.
- Research suggests that certain ingredients may improve wrinkles, which we will talk about. However, over-the-counter products are not evaluated by the FDA for effectiveness.
- In addition, cosmetics companies are not rash enough to allow a product which actually changes the fundamental structure of the skin to be sold by someone not trained in skin care. It would be a liability nightmare.
- Also cost has no relationship to effectiveness. Just because a wrinkle cream is more costly, may not mean that it's more effective than a less-costly product.
The effectiveness of a wrinkle creams depends in part on the active ingredients. Here are some common ingredients that may result in slight to modest improvements in wrinkles.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). These natural fruit acids lift away the top layer of dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. Among the most widely known are glycolic and lactic acid. New evidence shows that in higher concentrations, AHAs may help stimulate collagen production.
Retinoids (Vitamin A). The only FDA-approved topical treatment for wrinkles is tretinoin, known as Retin A. This prescription cream can reduce fine lines and large wrinkles, and repair sun damage. It has the longest track record of success in treating aging skin and fine lines.
Antioxidants. These include preparations that contain the vitamins A, C, and E, as well as beta-carotene. Such creams may provide a certain amount of sun protection as well as mild improvement of fine wrinkles.
Coenzyme Q10. This naturally-occurring antioxidant is a nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells. Some studies have shown reduction in fine wrinkles around the eyes with no side effects. Other studies show that application before sun exposure protects against sun damage.
Copper Peptides. Copper is a trace element found in every cell. In products applied to the skin, it’s combined with small protein fragments called peptides. Copper peptides enhance wound healing. They also stimulate production of collagen and may enhance the action of antioxidants.
Topical Vitamin C. Studies have found it can increase collagen production, protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays, correct pigmentation problems, and improve inflammatory skin conditions. The key, however, may be the type of vitamin C used. To date, most of the research points to the L-ascorbic acid form as the most potent for wrinkle relief.
Tea Extracts. Green, black and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extracts are the ones most commonly found in wrinkle creams.
In summary, over-the-counter products may contain a small percentage of these active ingredients, but not enough for long-term benefit. Our final part of this wrinkle trilogy will discuss treatments that are proven to improve wrinkles. These non-surgical alternatives are all available at our medical spa, Centre Yourself.
Centre Yourself offers the latest skin care products and services, and facial rejuvenation procedures to patients in Michiana, including Elkhart and South Bend, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Michigan.
Elkhart Office
RIVERPOINTE MEDICAL BUILDING500 ARCADE AVE., SUITE 300
ELKHART, IN 46514
PHONE: 574-296-9100
FAX: 574-293-1511
South Bend Office
Medical Pavilion I720 East Cedar Street, Suite 450
South Bend, IN 46617
PHONE: 574-233-9100
The Centre, P.C. offers the latest plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area. The content provided on this web site should not be taken as medical advice and has been created for informational purposes only about the cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery procedures available at the Centre, P.C. For more information about cosmetic surgery and to schedule a consultation, please contact our plastic surgeons.
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