When I first applied the product, I thought I had found a painless topical alternative to Botox (although I don't use Botox.), but the sceptic in me knew it was too good to be true. The next morning, sans makeup, I took a picture of my face without AlphaDerma CE, and then after applying AlphaDerma CE, I took another picture. (Only if you say, "pretty please" will I post the pictures here. A closeup picture is not my friend anymore.)"A surgical injection of Botox® is designed to paralyze facial muscles to prevent them from contracting. AlphaDerma CE is formulated with 10% Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 (AH3), also known as Argireline. Argireline is the only ingredient in cosmetics today that offers the same results as Botox® without needles or the risk of damage to the skin or facial muscles. Argireline blocks the nerve signals that control the contraction of facial muscles. This produces a significant reduction in both the depth and size of wrinkles and fine lines."
On a positive note, I found that AlphaDerma CE has a tightening effect which is beneficial, but if you want the Botox effect, you need to pay to play. As you can see below, AlphaDerma CE is a cocktail of eight anti-aging ingredients. Like most peptide potions, the formula is costly, too: $129 from Janson Beckett.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid, the most potent antioxidant on the market today, helps repair aged skin while preventing future damage.
- VITAMIN C ESTER (ascorbyl palmitate) boosts protective antioxidant action and helps repair past damage by aiding new collagen production.
- DMAE often called “facelift in a jar”, helps Firm and Tighten the skin.
- ELASTIN is the main ingredient in the skin that allows it to stretch without leaving stretch marks. AlphaDerma CE contains 100% rare, costly, freeze-dried powdered ELASTIN concentrate – which has almost 100% amino acid content. This makes our ELASTIN 10x more potent than any other standard ELASTIN products used in the U.S. or abroad.
- COLLAGEN is an integral part of the support structure of the skin. The addition of our collagen to the formulation fills in unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. Our special delivery system allows the collagen to be absorbed into the lower levels of the epidermis - which is the "birth" layer of new cells. Our collagen is hydrolyzed collagen, which is a form of collagen that is broken into smaller molecules, allowing it to be more easily absorbed into the epidermis."
Before testing AlphaDerma CE, I had been using Prevage MD for about six months. Prevage MD’s key ingredient is Idebenone, which according to my dermatologist is the most powerful topical antioxidant available on the market today.
It is also interesting to note that Allergan, the pharmaceutical company which makes and markets Prevage MD, is also the maker of Botox. Once again, I have not found a topical alternative to Botox, but maybe Allergan is getting closer to finding youth in a bottle.
Have a great Monday,
Beckie
