I have a great deal of loose skin sagging around my throat although I only weigh 140 lbs.

Quite a few of you have written asking about the rather prominent
ads for the product TNS Recovery Complex (9 for 0.6 oz). Increasing number
of topical products hitting the market claiming they can diminish or reduce wrinkles without "painful injections," I certainly understand the
curiosity.

I wrote about TNS Recovery Complex (SkinMedica) in a previous newsletter, when a reader asked about its ability to diminish the visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin texture. SkinMedica claims that NouriCel is derived from Advanced Tissue Sciences’ patented process for growing bioengineered human tissue for treating serious burns and wounds, and help diminish wrinkles. That was SkinMedica’s
original marketing claim to fame, though the fame was all self-promoted,
as there is not a single independent, peer-reviewed study to prove that
TNS Recovery Complex is an effective option for repairing and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. The studies that do exist about TNS products with (Nouricel) for treatment and diminishing wrinkles were paid for by SkinMedica, the company that distributes TNS products.

According to the company’s latest ads, they were surprised to find that
not only was TNS Recovery Complex healing wounds and burns, but
also that somehow their facial lines and wrinkles were going away, too. For that
reason, we now have the astounding "anti-wrinkle breakthrough of the
decade." Regrettably, no supportive research needs to be available to sell
this kind of hyperbole. All it takes is to promise women that a product
will get rid of their wrinkles and they will buy it in droves, no
matter how many other product lines, infomercials, advertisements, or
cosmetics salespeople pledge the exact same thing.

SkinMedica’s ad continues with " rebel, rebuild, and reborn” via The active formula Nouricel. Nouricel recently been shown in clinical trials to significantly reduce fine lines and facial wrinkles without irritation, painful injections, or surgery." One more flourish is the statement that "in fact, [TNS Recovery Complex and TNS Family Products] are the only topical formulation clinically proven to effectively confront every aspect of wrinkle reduction." It is easy to debunk all of this overblown nonsense by pointing out the product’s lack of sunscreen; perhaps SkinMedica overlooked the research about sun exposure’s deleterious, wrinkling, and
discoloring effects on skin.

SkinMedica has parlayed these claims into what appears to be little
more than an effort to spin off the popularity of wrinkle reduction skin care, wrinkle reduction concerns as well as recent use of Botox to its own
benefit. "The compounds in NouriCel-MD have been shown to aid in the healing of burns and wounds, so it’s no surprise that they rejuvenate aging and sun-damaged skin," said Richard Fitzpatrick, MD, founder and chairman of SkinMedica. "The addition of TNS Recovery Complex with NouriCel-MD to our product line will enable us to satisfy growing patient demand for a natural, non-invasive and proven anti-aging product." It is funny how the founder of SkinMedica can claim this and yet there is no other physician or scientist to claim this via actual research. TNS Recovery Complex is supposedly preferred because its long-term results
versus the short-term results (and repeated treatments) of Botox. Apparently, SkinMedica has conducted a research with over 200 people and the results were due in late 2002. For some reason, they do not have the result of the study yet. I wonder why?

Please note that in order for a growth factor or any hormone therapy, special ingredients like Nouricel-MD to work, it needs to reach the cellular level. There’s absolutely no scientific evidence that collagen, elastin, or hyaluronic acid – the three main components of your dermis – can penetrate the epidermis (top layer of the skin which is dead skin). Even "nanotechnology" has not been proven to be able to get these substances into the skin.
The molecules are simply too large. (Quick science lesson: The epidermis is your topmost layer of skin. The dermis, the next layer of skin, is where wrinkle-causing changes take place.) Be wary of creams and lotions that claim to topically replace, repair or produce collagen, elastin, or hyaluronic acid.
Growth factors applied to the epidermis (top layer of the skin which is dead tissue) will not rejuvenate, replenish or produce more cells. SkinMedica Claims that “NouriCel-MD contains multiple human growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEG-F) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), as well as natural antioxidants, soluble collagens and matrix proteins. Together, these compounds have demonstrated the ability to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, while also helping to increase skin elasticity and texture in as little as 45 days”.

If you were to ask how would any of the growth factors mentioned above penetrate the epidermis to actually stimulate collagen formation for wrinkle prevention and reduction, not one scientist will back SkinMedica in this theory. Not one ingredient mentioned above would even penetrate the skin to stimulate a cell for production of collagen.

So is TNS Recovery Complex better than any other over the counter skin care prodcut? The short answer is no–and that
means no way, and nohow. It isn’t even better than the daily use of an
effective sunscreen! TNS Recovery Complex is merely a moisturizer. Botox prevents the use of facial muscles, and that instantaneously smoothes out the skin.
TNS Recovery Complex won’t alter the wrinkling on any part of your face, not in
the long term, and not in the short term.

There is no published research substantiating the results, and SkinMedica declined to send us any documentation at this time.

I am 30 and have nice skin, but I’d like to keep it that way. I’ve been using sunblock for years, but I’m thinking of using anti-aging products as well. However I don’t know which products have actually been researched using proper double-blind studies and which products companies are just saying are good.

Do you know which skin products have actual research backing them?

Has anyone tried the skin care line from Dr. Perricone? Do the products work? How about other brand such as oil of olay? What has been the best skin care product that you have ever used?

I’m a 21 year old man, the skin on my nose keeps on breaking out, and completely drying out. What product should i used to take care of this and wash my face.

My 62 year old mother has just lost 20+ lbs. and she loving it. But her skin is sagging on her face. Is there anything she can do to tighten the skin without surgery?

I’m 22 and I have very faint ‘laugh lines’ so is now a good age to start using anti-wrinkle cream? Will you look younger if you start using it at an early age?

I have been wanting to find a good skin care product or products that has like an exfoliate, a cleanser and moisturizer. I would prefer if they were something I could get without having to order, but an suggestions will be appreciated. Please only serious answers. Thanks so much =0}

I’m 14 and I use Neutrogena’s Visibly Even SPF 30 moisturizer. My night cream was making me break out so now I want to go and buy a new one. Many night creams are too oily or too expensive, and I can only buy what’s sold in drugstores. I read good reviews about Neutrogena Visibly Firm Night Cream. Can I use it or will there be bad effects on my skin years from now? Or what would you recommend?

I am reading current articles regarding medical research into anti-aging: apparently many cutting-edge doctors have already verified that anti-aging medicine is possible, and believe it is reasonable to assume a "cure" to aging is coming soon, perhaps within ten or fifteen years.

I initially find this prospect frightening rather than comforting. Why is this? What are your thoughts on anti-aging?

I have heard that a product containing retonil works better than some other sources. What would you recommend? I already use Lancome Ultimate. What about Oil of Olay?

I am 22 years old and have normal skin. I get a few zits every once in awhile but do not get bad breakouts often. My question is what are the best skin care products to be using? My family has great skin, so do I still need to be using expensive products? If so what type should I be using? If I don’t need expensive products what are some good over the counter products? I need information about cleansers, moisturizers, and anything else I should use. Thanks!

I am only 15 and the skin above my eyes, or below my eyebrows, is not as supple as the rest of my face. Instead of one eye crease above my eyes there are two which makes my eyes look like they belong to someone a LOT older. There is even a lot of fine lines under my eyes. I can get over the fine lines, but is there any way for me to get rid of the sagging skin above my eyes without surgery?

I get flush around the cheeks area. At night, I want to use a good anti-wrinkle cream but I fear making the flush/red areas worse on my face. I am looking for a good, calm anti-wrinkle cream that is non-comodegenic and hypo-allergic. What can I use? What should I avoid?

I’m tired of using chemicals that don’t work and I can’t seem to find enough good reviews to point me towards the right product. I’m 21 years old I have some small wrinkles on my forehead, dark circles under my eyes, and I’m just trying to take care of my skin.

Can you really add collagen back to your skin?

I’m having a class reunion in 3 weeks and I need a good anti-aging/face toning cream/soap. What’s a good product that actually works?

10 points for best answer.

Which skin care product is the best such as Neutrogena, Biore, or Pro Activ. I was also wondering if The Wave really worked because I’ve heard good and bad things about it.

I need to lose weight but afraid that I will have the saggy skin that many people who lose a lot of weight have. Don’t want to have surgery so I need to know the most effective possible way of avoiding skin sagging.

I’m 15 years old Asian teenager.
I want to know that how to know that skin care product like cleanser, scrub or else is suitable for skin.
Can someone tell me if that skin care product is not suitable for the skin, what will happen.
Does St.Ives Apricot Scrub suitable for teenagers?