Rejuvenating mists: unique, non-invasive skin care treatments turn back time and counteract environmental damage

American Fitness, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Lucia Viti

Although most Americans think of electrolysis as hair removal, electrolysis has been utilized worldwide since the mid-1800s as an ion separation process that produces acidic (i.e., low pH) and alkaline (i.e., high pH) water. Japan, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom have enjoyed the non-toxic benefits of electrolyzed, low pH water in medicine, skin care, agriculture, food preparations and surface disinfections. Commonly referred to as functional water, dentists use it to sterilize their surgical tools, obstetrician-gynecologists swab birth canal infections with it and the agricultural industry keeps bacteria at bay with its disinfectant properties.

Dr. Kokichi Hanaoka researched electrolysis' clinical benefits and effect on skin for over 25 years. He determined that electrolyzed, low pH water allowed antioxidant ions (i.e., nutrients that reverse or prevent free radical damage) to remain effective as they penetrated skin layers, helping to heal, protect and renew skin affected by chronic irritations. "We combined nature's purest assets, water and electrolytes, with the electrolysis process," explains Hanaoka. "The increased dissociation activity of water produced unique properties that provided a balanced system, dramatically improving the barrier function of the skin for healthier skin conditions."

Hanaoka also discovered that vitamin C-infused, electrolyzed, low pH water delivered to the dermis enhanced vitamin C's antioxidant properties by eight times. Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, has long been added to moisturizers, lotions and creams, but ingredient instability, low concentration formulas, inept delivery agents and its rapid deterioration negate its effectiveness. In addition, vitamin C found in food and supplements is not absorbed or distributed to the skin.

Hanaoka approached the Mikuni Corporation in Tokyo, Japan, to transform his pioneering efforts into a consumer product. The results are Charme[TM], a hand-held delivery system that provides acidic water to balance the skin's pH level, and Revenir[TM], an electrolyzed, water-based vitamin C solution clinically proven to accelerate collagen and elastin production.

Charme[TM] produces fresh, low pH and sodium chloride-infused water through electrolysis. With the touch of a button, the solution passes through an electrically charged membrane, creating a charged, fine mist 40 microns in diameter. Used twice daily, post thorough face cleansing and make-up removal, the device is held 10 inches away from the face before spraying (avoiding eyes), allowing several minutes for the solution to air dry. Piercing the skin's dermal layer, Charme[TM] hydrates the skin and cleanses oils and bacteria associated with acne, bedsores, diaper rash, diabetic ulcers, dry skin, eczema, fungal skin, sunburn and topical dermatitis. Used regularly, Charme[TM] helps reduce the impact of outdoor abrasive damage and seasonal skin conditions, such as cuts, blisters, insect bites, poison ivy, rashes, sunburn and scrapes.

Revenir[TM]'s hand-held device delivers, in the same manner as Charme[TM], a pharmaceutical grade L-ascorbic acid (i.e., vitamin C), 20 microns or less in diameter, directly to the skin's dermal layer. Unlike Retin A, alpha hydroxy acids and some forms of vitamin C (which exfoliate the older, outer skin layers) or moisturizers, lotions and creams (which contain oils and agents with molecular structures too large to infuse the skin's surface), Revenir[TM] breaks down water's molecular structure, allowing vitamin C molecules to penetrate the skin's dermal layer, cleanse the skin's surface and pores as well as stimulate collagen synthesis. The oxidized water then re-hydrates, rebalances and nourishes the skin.

The electrolyzed vitamin C also works at the cellular level to inhibit the production of free radicals (i.e., unstable atoms that cause damage to cell membranes' molecular structure by robbing electrons from healthy tissue). Research indicates free radical damage instigates diseases such as cancer, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes. It also speeds the aging of skin by destroying collagen production as well as promoting discoloration and premature wrinkles. Free radical damage results from diet, lifestyle, sunlight and air pollutants, including cigarette smoke, car fumes and industrial pollution.

Vitamin C therapy is known to combat mottling, wrinkling and sagging skin resulting from sun overexposure, a common concern among active people. "Charme[TM] and Revenir[TM] address free radicals and sun exposure at the root cause," states Priti Odedra, vice president of business development for Charme[TM] and Revenir[TM]. "Clinical studies prove that vitamin C used 15 to 20 minutes after sun exposure helps reverse sun cell damage." Two independent Revenir[TM] studies conducted by the California Skin Research Institute of San Diego, California, indicated a 77 percent reduction in wrinkles, 57 percent reduction in fine lines and 26 percent overall improvement in hyper-pigmentation when applied twice daily. Results from the second study noted a 20 percent improvement in the coarse lines of crow's feet.