Lifestyle Choices

Most of the research and development into the use of fetal and placental extracts comes from Germany, where they are regularly used by dermatologists as medical, rather than strictly cosmetic, treatment. One such German preparation, available only on prescription, by the name of Cellcutana, made by Cybila Cytobiological Laboratories, in Heidelberg, is designed to stimulate and regenerate skin that has been either chemically or physically damaged and to prevent abnormal healing, including scars. It is an effective treatment for burns and premature aging. A filtrated extraction of fetal skin, fetal connective tissue, placenta, and suprarenal gland, it comes as a liquid suspension mixed with the supplied dilutant before use. Similar mixtures in diluted form can be found in many of the best French and Swiss treatment creams. (more…)

The Vitamins

Vitamin A applied to the surface of the skin either from a capsule on its own or mixed into cream and oil preparations has been used successfully in the treatment of dry and aging skin and acne. It appears to work particularly well in combination with vitamin D, which itself has a healing effect on the skin. (This is why vitamin D is often used in diaper-rash remedies and in burn ointments.)

Vitamin E, about which there has been such controversy, and vitamin C are certainly useful in the treatment of skin healing from a cut or burn. There is no conclusive evidence that, applied topically, it will do much for normal skin, although many women who use vitamin E regularly claim good results from it. (more…)