Monday, December 7, 2009

MAKEUP MYTHBUSTER MONDAY



MYTH: Creams can add collagen back into your skin.

Busted! False: Dermatologists say there is no way that using a collagen cream can replace the collagen in your skin,  though many cosmetic companies would like you to believe so. How many times have you seen that claim in advertising?  Collagen is a protein found in the deep layers of the skin which is key to giving us plump youthful looking skin.  However, collagen applied topically is not effective because collagen molecules are just too large to penetrate the skin's surface, explains Brentwood, Calif.-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. Since we lose collagen as we age, the secrect to keeping what we have is to avoid all things that damage collagen, such as the sun's rays, cigarette smoke, pollution and stress. Instead, Wu suggests considering collagen-stimulating treatments like non-ablative lasers, derm-administered chemical peels, Retin-A, prescription-level AHAs (over 30 percent) or Restylane injections (which offer an immediate volume boost and, research shows, stimulate your own collagen production over time).

0 comments: