Anti-aging creams have for the past century been marketed towards women, and now men, with assumptions of being able to make the consumer look younger by reducing visible wrinkles, expression lines, blemishes, pigmentation changes, discolorations and other environmentally (especially from the sun) related conditions of the skin. Anti-aging creams are predominantly moisturizer based cosmeceutical (combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) skin care products marketed with the promise of making the consumer look younger. So the question at issue is whether or not these products really work?
Info:
Aging is a natural process which is accompanied by normal physical, chemical, and biological changes in the body. These changes include facial and body wrinkling of the skin and this process is common to all human beings. To believe so easily that a cream could prevent and/or reduce the process of skin aging all on its own does not fit with how the world really works. If this problem had such a simple solution, individuals (including our ancestors) would likely have perfect complexions free of age-related problems. Similarly, if the solution to anti-aging was so easy for us to attain, there would be no need for hundreds or thousands of products on the commercial market which provide similar claims yet produce products with differing ingredients.
Conclusion:
Unlike the name implies it’s impossible to stop the aging process and these products do not change any cellular or biochemical reactions or processes within the skin. Through the use of the placebo effect and consumers testimonials the company’s fool you into believing that their products work. It’s important though to look with skepticism, a lot of products are unregulated and this allows potentially dangerous ingredients to be added with the promise of results. In my opinion if these products are able to make you feel better about yourself then go ahead and use them though before you go blindly accepting that certain chemicals cause anti-aging results do some research first. Now despite that these products are in great demand, many of these products have not been proven to give lasting or major positive effects. One study found that the best performing creams reduced wrinkles by less than 10% over 12 weeks which is not noticeable to the human eye.( http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/beauty-personal-care/wrinkle-products/wrinkle-creams/index.htm) Another study found that cheap moisturizers were as effective as high-priced anti-wrinkle creams. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2009/aug/20/face-cream-study)
aging is a very natural process. we need to focus on what we can do to help our skin remain looking healthy and being healthy. we need to avoid harsh sunlight and toxins that harm our skin. When we go outside we need to make sure that we take all of the necessary steps in ensuring that our eyes are covered and that our skin is covered. Those who tan have a very fast aging system to where they are more likely to get sun spots and wrinkle faster than those who do not tan.
ReplyDeleteLike this writer points out, aging is somehting that is still hard to control. Some people age better due to biological factors while others do not. There are so many products out their in society for consumers to purchase that it makes it so easy and possible for anyone to tighten their skin or get a procedure to fix an area of insecurity, but do these products really work? anti-aging is a very common concern these days.
Sadly, I must admit that I am one of the people that have bought into the whole "better looking skin in a bottle" miracle. My choice in products, however, are only "skin brightening" and for dry skin. I'm not too sure that I buy into the belief of using a cream to get rid of wrinkles though. The only thing that I would have mentioned in this would be BOTOX. Even though it's not a cream like you're talking about it is still clamied to make you look younger and I'd like to learn what kind of effects it has on the body.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! I agree with you, traditional wrinkle creams usually don't work from what I hear (e.g. creams with collagen have molecules that are too big to penetrate the skin, so there's no purpose in that anyway). Unless someone discovers the "fountain of youth," nobody will stop aging. However, there are products that do help slow down the process of skin looking aged. Oddly enough, the prescription acne cream Retin-A not only helps increase cell turnover and clear the skin, it repairs sun damage by increasing the production of collagen.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, non-prescription wrinkle creams are no good for anti-aging purposes. The exceptions to this rule are sunscreens, because a huge aspect of skin looking "aged" deals with sun exposure, mainly from UVA rays. The trick is to use a sunscreen that actually works (go to EWG's database to see which ones are best).
As for the topic of Botox, here is the thing. The muscles in our faces appear more prominent when we make expressions as they get stronger. For instance, if you squint a lot, you will get stronger muscles there, and have more creases around the eyes than if you didn't squint a lot. Even teens and 20s people can get these lines! Some people want to reduce these lines by injecting Botox. Botox is a toxin administered through a needle, and it acts by paralyzing the muscles. It does work for both preventing and treating wrinkles, but there are definite risks to getting a needle stuck in your face (eww), e.g. a drooping eyelid from hitting a nerve just so. A Botox cream is in the works, though, so people can enjoy their anti-aging effects without scary needles.
A face without any expression lines looks weird though, and it makes me sad that young starlets feel the need to get Botox in their early 20s. I think this anti-aging craze wouldn't be so awful if magazines and photo editors stopped using so much Photoshop.