What is Curvectil?
designed specifically to reduce the appearance of acne scars and to rejuvinate skin cell growth around aging facial areas.
How Does it Work?
Scar removing ingredients: argireline, coq10, matrixyl 3000, pepha tight, hyaluronic acid, dmae, r-ala, vitamin c-ester, shea butter, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, aloe vera juice, jojoba oil, lavender oil, carrot seed oil, palmarosa oil, bergamot oil, wheat germ oil, chamomile oil, vitamin-e oil
Argireline
Overview
Unlike many specific anti-wrinkle products that we look at here, Argireline is actually a patented peptide complex that is currently used as an ingredient by numerous beauty product manufacturers. Argireline, which goes under the scientific name of Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is manufactured by Lipotec. Lipotec is a Barcelona-based cosmetics research lab. It is interesting to note that some of the products that feature Argireline as an active ingredient also sell themselves as “made in the USA,” neglecting the fact that Argireline’s real point of origin is in Europe.
So what’s so great about Argireline? The peptide is derived from natural proteins, and claims to actually relax facial muscles to the point of paralysis. This goes well with the company’s “like Botox without the hassle” claims. The theory guiding both products is that relaxed facial muscles will minimize current wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle contractions, as well as prevent new wrinkles. Muscle contractions are guided by a chemical reaction called the “SNAP receptor complex,” and Argireline is specifically designed to interfere with this reaction.
Product Details
With so many anti-wrinkle creams produced by multiple manufacturers all using Argireline, what’s the difference? For starters, different Argireline-based products use different concentrated solutions of the product. Despite what users might think, a higher concentration solution of Argireline may not be best. Lipotec’s own product trials show that a solution concentrated at 5%-10% has been most effective to date. Before buying an Argireline-based product, try to determine what concentration of the peptide is included. Although raw Argireline is available straight from Lipotec, it is only intended for industrial use and users should not try to formulate their own products at home.
Argireline can currently be found in creams, serums and eye creams. One caution about this peptide is that, like with many cutting edge technologies, long terms effects of consistent Argireline exposure have yet to be observed.
The Good
- Available in many different products from many different manufacturers.
- There is a lot of research available regarding this product.
- Claims to mimic the muscle relaxing properties of Botox with topical application.
The Bad
- Effects of long-term use are still unknown.
- Lipotec, who conducted a lot of the quality research on Argireline, have no say regarding the products in which this peptide is used.
- Not all Argireline products may feature the peptide in its ideal concentration.
- Not available directly from manufacturer.
The Bottom Line
Argireline certainly seems to be a potent medicine. However, we’d be a bit more comfortable with it if we knew how it might effect skin in the long term. That’s always a factor when looking at new “cosmeceutical” products. Additionally, the use of Argireline by third party product manufacturers is completely unregulated. We’ve seen some products that will use Lipotec’s Argireline testing data as a validation of their own creams and lotions. However, there is obviously no guarantee that these products are even including an ideal concentration of Argireline in its product, much less how the peptide will react with other included ingredients. There’s definitely a lot of “miracle” potential in Argireline, but we’d be sure to thoroughly research any product that features it before purchasing.
Coq10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.
Levels of CoQ10 in the body can be increased by taking CoQ10 supplements, although it is not clear that replacing “low CoQ10″ is beneficial.
CoQ10 has been used, recommended, or studied for numerous conditions, but remains controversial as a treatment in many areas.
Matrixyl 3000
Matrixyl – 3000® is a combination of matrikines including Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide – 7, Matrixyl 3000® promotes collagen production while stimulating fibroblast cells in the skin, enabling them to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Although fibroblasts never completely lose their ability to create more collagen, the levels dwindle with age and the skin dries out and wrinkles.
In clinical trials, Matrixyl® 3000, a key ingredient in DermaLastyl®, achieved:
- 33% decrease in wrinkle density
- 23% decrease in the volume of wrinkles
- 20% decrease in the depth of wrinkles
Pepha Tight
| Pepha®-Tight is a unique algae based skin tightener. It tightens the skin immediately and at the same time provides a long-term effect by strengthening the skin’s connective tissue. Pepha®-Tight is particularly appropriate for lifting products, decollete treatments and all kinds of tightening products. Possible application forms are gels, lotions, serums and masks. Recommended concentration: 1-5%. INCI Name: Algae Extract, Pullulan. |
Hyaluronic Acid
luronic acid occurs in abundant amounts in many of the places people with connective tissue disorders have problems such as the joints, the eyes, the skin and heart valves. Hyaluronic acid is needed to cushion and lubricate joints, eyes, skin and heart valves.
People with connective tissue disorders and related features all seem to have abnormalities of hyaluronic acid. In every study I found that analyzed hyaluronic acid levels in people with connective tissue disorders or related disorders, when compared to controls they always had hyaluronic acid abnormalities.
HA is influenced by nutrition and other environmental factors. Many of the features of premature aging syndromes and connective tissue disorders are also known to be caused by nutritional deficiencies, and not surprisingly these are often the same nutritional factors that influence the manufacture of hyaluronic acid. My theory is that this is not all one big coincidence. Logically, it is more likely to be a predictable sequence of causes and effects.
Hyaluronic acid is being used commercially or experimentally to correct a large portion of the problems found in connective tissue disorders such as fractures, eye disorders, poor wound healing and prematurely wrinkled skin. It would be highly logical to consider the possibility that hyaluronic acid works to correct these problems because defects or deficiencies of hyaluronic acid are what cause these problems in the first place.
Perhaps controlling or optimizing the environmental factors, such as modifying ones diet, to optimize hyaluronic acid levels would be helpful in treating many inherited connective tissue disorders and premature aging syndrome.
Also see my next section: Frequently Asked Questions About Hyaluronic Acid for answers to questions about food containing HA and vitamin C interactions with HA, and the studies linking high levels of HA with cancer.
DMAE
What is DMAE and what does it do anyway? DMAE is a short for dimethylaminoethanol, a naturally occurring substance that facilitates the synthesis of a neurotransmitter acetylcholine. DMAE also may stimulate the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, an important component of cell membranes.
How long Will it Last?
Instructions: when used as a scar remover, one tube will last approximately 6 months.
Begin with clean, dry skin. apply curvectil three times daily
use sparingly. curvectil is a concentrated formula
gently massage curvectil into the target area until completely absorbed
curvectil penetrates and leaves your skin youthful, smooth, and silky.
Caution:
as curvectil begins to work within your chosen target area, you may experience a moderate feeling of warmth… this is normal. Curvectil is for external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If product comes into contact with eyes, flush with warm water. Do not apply Curvectil directly underneath the eye or on top of the eyelid. Not for use by individuals under 18 years of age unless directed by a doctor. Not for use by pregnant or nursing women.