Beauty Wonkette is no stranger to the use of microcurrents in skincare. In fact, she is quite fond of her NuFace device. And, yes, it has long been understood that skin cells naturally communicate and stimulate repair and regeneration via tiny electrical currents. These currents are stronger in young skin, and weaken as we age.
This knowledge inspired U.S. scientists at Johnson & Johnson, parent company of the skincare giants RoC and Neutrogena, to discover a way to harness the power of natural bio-electricity in a pot. And this year, both companies launched new high-tech skin creams which claim to do just this.
Described as a 'true revolution in skincare' RoC's Brillance range contains E-Pulse Skin Electro-Stimulation Technology, which is protected by no less than ten U.S. patents, while Neutrogena's Clinical Skin Care also contains a patented ion2 complex.
Both claim to rejuvenate in a similar way - by producing low level micro-currents to boost collagen, making skin appear firmer, smoother and less wrinkled.
Dermatologist Jane Khoury, who worked with Neutrogena on its Clinical range says: 'Diminished bio-electrical signalling has been observed in older skin. These changes may affect the balance of healthy turnover in the skin, resulting in visible signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin.'
UK anti-aging consultant Tina Richards, who developed the Tua Viso anti-aging device, adds: 'We know electronic micro-current stimulation works. It has been used in medicine for wound healing, physiotherapy rehabilitation and even orthopaedics and bone growth.'
The new miracle creams are actually two products designed to work together. The first is a grayish, silicone-based serum containing vitamin E and powdered copper and zinc (the elements of the 'battery') and the second is a water-based moisturizing cream that, applied over the serum, activates a weak ten micro amp electrical charge in the top layers of the skin.
You cannot feel it, but it's claimed this will trigger the skin to produce both collagen and elastin - proteins in skin that diminish as we get older.
Collagen gives skin its smooth structure and prevents wrinkles, while elastin gives skin its youthful bounce and resilience.
Certainly the new creams are generating excitement. The before and after pictures Beauty Wonkette saw before testing the products herself were impressive, and in RoC's clinical studies, 97 per cent of women said they saw positive results.
The company says results can be seen in just two days. But not everyone is convinced that these new bio-electricity creams can live up to their promises.
Tina Richards warns: 'The micro-currents generated by these creams are a watered down version of professional grade machines and I doubt they will have the same results.
'Also, they cannot give the same improvements in facial muscle tone and firmness that have a powerful anti-aging effect.'
Consultant dermatologist Dr Russell Emerson of the Hove Skin Clinic in England is even more sceptical. 'Skin cells do communicate using electricity, but I don't think a topical cream can work at cellular level in the way these companies claim.'
Well, Beauty Wonkette had to find out for herself. Reluctantly, she set aside her beloved RevitalEYEZ Double Peptide Emulsion (19.99 from Go Bare Skincare) to try the Neutrogena Clinical Eye Lift Contouring Treatment.
Beauty Wonkette's verdict? DAYUM THIS STUFF WORKS !!!
Yup - and Beauty Wonkette was amazed how just how quickly she saw results. BW has deepset eyes and was sort of craving a bit of a lift beginning at the tender age of 4 3/4. It was the beginning of a lifelong quest and a long string of eye products. She had finally settled on a combo regimen that consisted of the oh-so-pricey Zelens Triple Action Eye Treatment by day and the far more reasonable (but remarkably lovely and effective) Go Bare Skincare product by night. Well, that regimen has changed once again. BW has replaced the Zelens product with the Neutrogena combo in the morning and is still using RevitalEYEZ (because BW lovesssssssss peptides) at night. The firming of her upper eyelids is more than just a little noticeable and has provided more of a lift than botox! At about $40 for a combo pack that will last about a month using it once a day, it's not dirt cheap, but alot more reasonable than the Zelens. More importantly, though, IT WORKS !!!!
