Better than Botox? Anti-aging breakthrough

Natural Health, Feb, 2004

In a remarkable turn of events, arguably one of the strangest in the history of cosmetics, women across, the country are putting a stretch-mark reducing emulsion called StriVectin-SD[R] on the, it face to gel rid of fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet, And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product's effectiveness, StriVectin-SD is nothing short of a miracle Women (as well as a growing number of "Boomer" men) are buying so much StriVectin-SD that finding a tube at your local cosmetic counter has become just about impossible. Has everyone gone mad? Well ... not really.

Scientific Breakthrough or Dumb Luck?

Although StriVectin-SD was already backed by clinical trials documenting its ability to visibly reduce the depth, length discoloration and roughness of existing stretch marks and success of StriVectin-SD as an anti-wrinkle cream was "dumb luck," says Cilia Gay, spokesperson for Klein-Becker[R], StriVectin-SD's exclusive distributor

"When we, first handed out samples of the StriVectin formula to employees and customers as part at our market research, the sample tubes were simply marked 'tropical cream' with the lot number underneath," Ms. Gay explains, "As the samples were passed to friends and family the message became a little muddled and some people used this 'topical cream as a facial moisturized. As we began to receive feedback from users, like 'I look 10 years founder' and 'my crows' feet are gone,' we knew we had something more than America's most effective stretch-mark reducer. The point was driven home as store owners began reporting that almost as many people were purchasing StriVectin as an anti-wrinkle cream as were buying it to reduce stretch marks."

Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Klein-Becker's Director of Scientific Affairs, says "Clearly, people were seeing results, but we didn't have a scientific explanation as to why this wrinkle-reduction was occurring. However, based on the incredibly positive reports, I started using it myself--applying StriVectin to my lace after shaving." Dr. Mowrey, adds, "On a personal note, my wife tells me I haven't looked this good in years."

Dumb Luck Strikes Again!

Then on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at a meeting of the 20th World Congress of Dermatology in Paris, France, a series of studies detailing the superior wrinkle-reducing properties of a patented oligo-peptide (called Pal-KTTKS) versus retinol vitamin C, and placebo, on "photo-aged skin" was presented. (1,2) "As luck would have it," Dr. Mowrey statue "the wrinkle-reducing oligo-peptide tested in the breakthrough clinical trials turned out to be a key active ingredient in the StriVectin cream."

In the trials, subjects applied the patented peptide solution to the crows' feet area on one side of the face, and a cream containing either retinol, vitamin C, or a placebo to the other side.

Subjects in the Pal-KTTKS/retinol study applied the cream once a day for 2 months and then twice a day for the next 2 months. Using image analysis, the study's authors reported "significant improvement" in wrinkle depth, length, wrinkle volume, and skin roughness for those women using he peptide solution.

Better yet, at the 2-month halfway point the peptide solution thicked skin nearly 1.5 times faster than retinol, and without the inflammation retinol often causes in sensitive skin. As was expected, the results of the remaining studies confirmed that the Pal-KTTKS solution's effectiveness at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles far exceeded both vitamin C and placebo.

A smoother, younger complexion, less irritation, fewer wrinkles, and faster results--all without expensive (and painful) peels, implants or injections.

Better than Retinol and Vitamin C, But Is StriVectin-SD[R] Better than Botox[R] *?[TM]

Dr. Nathalie Chevreau, Director of Women's Health at Salt Lake City based Basic Research[R], exclusive distributor for Klein-Becker, explains, "Many researchers believe less invasive cosmetic alternatives are better than Botox [sometimes referred to as Botox[R] Cosmetic]. ([dagger]) That's because 'cosmeceutical' creams and gels offer gradual, continual results, while the effects of injections, facial peels, and dermabrasions wear off ... in fact, you'll never look better than you do shortly after the inflammation and redness subside. Not one bit better."

"Furthermore," Dr. Chevreau continues, "Botox has been approved by die FDA for deep extremely limited use--the tiny little space of deep furrows between the eyebrows--and can cause side effects such as 'headache, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea.' The active ingredient in StriVectin, on the other hand, has been shown to significantly reduce the appearance of that category of fine lines and facial wrinkles (including crows' feet) that can add 10-15 years to your appearance ... the type at fine lines and wrinkles Botox treatments leave behind."

In other words, StriVectin-SD helps give you a youthful, healthy, glowing complexion faster than retinal, far superior to vitamin C, and without irritation, needles, or surgery.