September 2006 | A cellulite-fighting pill, a wrinkle-softening vitamin, lasers that prevent skin cancer–skin-care dreams are becoming a reality.
by: Laurel Naversen Geraghty
Allure magazine, page 138
A Pill for Cellulite
THE DISCOVERY: Here's a finding from the wildest-dreams category: Five international studies suggest that a daily botanical-extract supplement may help reduce cellulite. For 8 to 12 weeks, 345 adults took either Santica Beauty Recipes Anti-Cellulite (a pill that contains grapeseed extract, ginko biloba, fatty acids, and yellow sweet clover) or placebo. In the largest study, subcutaneous adipose tissue, a marker of cellulite, thinned in the active pill takers by an average of 7 percent, skin swelling decreased by 35 percent, and the subjects reported a 45 percent reduction in cellulite after 47 days (the placebo group noted a 2 percent improvement). Last year, Italian researchers showed that Santica Beauty Recipes Deep Skin Hydrating–a pill containing rice cerimides, lycopene, fish cartilage, and fish oil–left the skin of 16 subjects more than 25 percent smoother and more hydrated after 40 days, even though the women limited their skin-care regimen to daily cleansing. The results were similar to what a moisturizer might accomplish, according to researcher Enzo Berardesca.
THE BACKSTORY: A dermatologist who reviewed the cellulite studies says that the methods were sound. "But if these actually change the structure and function of skin as they say they do, they are drugs, and what are the consequences long-term?" wonders Kathy Fields, a clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco. Santica insists that the supplements have been used in Europe for over a decade with no reported ill effects.
HOW TO GET IT: The anti-cellulite supplement in now available in the United States at vitamin shops, health-food stores, and online at santicausa.com. The moisturizing pill is expected to be available here by late this year.
NOTE: FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY. DOWNLOADING CONSTITUTES CRIMINAL COPYRIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS.