Skin creams range from five-dollar tubes in the drugstore to high-end products in tiny packages that can cost hundreds of dollars. Some claim to simply moisturize, while others promise fantastic results on par with cosmetic fillers and injections such as Botox and Restylane. So what’s the truth behind anti-aging skin creams? Are the results worth paying $500 an ounce for?
The Theory Behind Skin Creams
Most anti-aging skin creams use compounds like peptides to help facilitate the production of collagen, which helps support skin cells to make the skin look younger, healthier, and more elastic. Other ingredients can include hyaluronic acid (also used in some injected fillers), antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, general moisturizers in these lotions help the skin appear fresher and more supple. Companies producing these products make grand claims about their effectiveness, but few offer concrete statistical evidence to back up these claims.
So Do Skin Creams Work?
Well yes and no. While it would be nice to be able to simply dab a little cream on your face and see wrinkles vanish without a trace, the reality is that these creams often fall short of expectations. Aging is difficult to fight, and wrinkle creams just don’t have the power needed to erase the sagging and wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle creams can certainly provide minor improvement, but they’re nowhere near as effective as anti-aging treatments from a plastic surgeon. If you’d like to give these creams a try, however, they shouldn’t prove harmful for your skin. Just don’t bank on miracle results after a few weeks! You may be better off sticking with that $5 moisturizer.
However, a new technology offered by Dr. Bentkover is a line of skin care products from Zien Obagi that helps retinols in high concentration penetrate deeper into the skin and could potentially abate some of the aging process. The secret to this technology is a plant substance known as an oleosome. Dr. Bentkover uses the products himself.
Proven Solutions to Wrinkles
For wrinkle solutions that provide unquestionable results, it may be time to seek help from a board-certified plastic surgeons. Temporary and permanent solutions such as Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, face lifts, and laser resurfacing have stood the test of time, and are a worthwhile investment in fighting aging. If you’re interested in discussing your needs with an expert facial plastic surgeon, contact Dr. Stuart Bentkover at his offices in Worcester (508-363-6500) or Stoneham (617-247-0033), Massachusetts to set up a consultation.