Beauty virgins: six brave Shape staffers put themselves on the line to test the newest treatments for acne scars, cellulite, stretch marks & more

Shape, April, 2004 by Sally Wadyka

The bottom line "After just two treatments, obvious marks on my hips have started to fade and aren't as bright-white as they used to be," explains Maureen. "I'm excited to see what happens after a couple more treatments."

RELATED ARTICLE: five fast fixes

from $6-$65

These inexpensive products can be used in the privacy of your own bathroom--no doctor required.

Cellulite-reduction cream

We tested Shiseido Body Creator ($50; 800-7-BEAUTY)

The promise The cream contains a fragrance that helps speed up the breakdown of fat, plus caffeine to tighten skin, according to manufacturer studies.

Results Skin looked immediately smoother and felt tighter.

Lip plumper

We tested N.V. Perricone, M.D. Cosmeceuticals' Alpha Lipoic Acid Lip Plumper with NTP Complex and DMAE ($33; clinicalcreations.com)

The promise An alternative to collagen injections

Results The improvement is gradual, but the area above the lip line looked fuller immediately after application.

Home microdermabrasion kit

We tested Youthful Essence by Susan Lucci Personal Microdermabrasion System ($40; youthfulessence.com)

The promise Diminish fine lines and equalize skin tone

Results Wrinkles didn't vanish, but skin did look smoother and healthier after two weeks.

Shave-minimizing lotion

We tested Jergens Naturally Smooth Shave Minimizing Moisturizer lotion ($6)

The promise Leg hair will get finer and require less-frequent shaving after twice-a-day use.

Results After four weeks of use, we needed to shave less often. And skin was silky-smooth after regular application.

Line-smoothing serum

We tested Line Tox from Clinical Solutions by Therapy Systems ($65; therapysystemsinc.com)

The promise It contains 10 percent argireline, an anti-aging amino-acid compound said to relax the muscles under the skin after 30 days of twice-daily use.

Results Forehead looked smoother and lines were slightly diminished as long as the cream was applied.

Sally Wadyka is a freelance writer based in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Photography by Tracy Bayne