Hidden Dangers in Magic Bottles

Hidden Dangers in Magic Bottles

Reported November 11, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — With age comes wrinkles — and for most women, battling them is a natural response. Some think they’ve found their “magic in a bottle,” but research shows there may be no such thing.

Tiffani Hamilton, M.D., from the Dermatology and Vein Institute in Alpharetta, Ga., advises patients to do their research before purchasing anti-aging products.

“Although some of these products might work, the companies don’t want to really know if they work or not,” Dr. Hamilton told Ivanhoe.

A comparative study in Sweden found no difference in wrinkle improvement between women who used expensive anti-wrinkle creams and those who used inexpensive ones. The study also found subjects were more likely to use creams in expensive-looking packaging. To avoid falling for marketing claims, Dr. Hamilton said it’s important for consumers to make sure they know which products have been proven to be effective and safe in clinical trials. This is especially important since overusing ingredients like beta-carotene and selenium can lead to cancer.

 

 

Some of the safest options for the treatment of aging skin are antioxidants, Dr. Hamilton said. Treatments proven to be effective include retinoids, stabilized vitamin C, estrogens, alpha-hydroxy acids and growth factors. The best clinical data is available on retinoids like retin-A.

“Not only does it have an anti-wrinkle benefit, but it has been shown and proven in clinical trials to be cancer-preventative,” Dr. Hamilton said.

According to Dr. Hamilton, anti-aging treatments that are “probably effective” include copper, green tea, coffeeberry and lycopene. These treatments have been proven to be safe and effective in theoretical studies but not in clinical trials.

Dr. Hamilton advises estrogens to be used only on non-sun-damaged skin since research shows they can be dangerous otherwise.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Interview with Tiffani Hamilton, M.D.; presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting, Nov. 6-9, Orlando, Fla.