The Beauty Brains

Kisha’s quandary: It depresses me to see your site be so negative, it seems like no product works out there and that we are so dependent on chemicals drugs and studies , which a lot of times are purposely rigged to have the drug companies make the most money. How in the word have we survived for so long without those drugs before????

The Left Brain’s reply:
Kisha, as I’ve said before, our mission is to educate our community about the truth behind cosmetic products. And the sad truth is, there are many products out there that do NOT do what they promise.

Bogus beauty buys

Some examples include the Pink Patch, Collyre Bleu Eye Drops, Airborne, Kinoki Detox Foot Pads, the Brava Breast Enhancement system, Clarins 3P Screen Mist, and a host of high-priced, over-promised anti-aging products like Perricone.

Many of the products that we’re asked about, like the ones I just mentioned, are dubious at best. I rarely see questions that have a clear cut, positive answer like “does Suave shampoo really get your hair clean.” So, since our community asks us about questionable products, the answers that the Right Brain and I give are often negative because many of these products are more about BS than beauty science. It’s unfortunate that you think it’s depressing to learn the truth about products that are trying to trick you. I think it’s much more depressing to wake up one morning and realize you spent a lot of your hard earned money on products that don’t deliver they benefit they promise.

Cosmetics that really work

However, just because I blog about a lot of bogus products, that doesn’t mean that NOTHING works. In fact, the world of cosmetics offers MANY products that are highly effective. The Right Brain and I have blogged about these in the past, but in case you haven’t seen them, here are 10 quick examples of cosmetics that really work:

1. Crest Teeth whitening strips
2. Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant
3. Avocado oil for soothing skin
4. Coconut and Palm oil hair strengthening products like Ojon
5. Hair dyes of all kinds
6. Silicone scar removal sheets
7. Skin lighteners like Meladerm
8. Fluoride tooth paste
9. Skin moisturizers
10. Hair relaxers

The Beauty Brains bottom line

In conclusion, I’m sorry that you feel our site is negative and depressing. But I’d rather tell you the straight truth about cosmetics and have you leave the Beauty Brains community than let you go on thinking that all the advertising you read about cosmetics is true. Hopefully you’ll continue reading so we can help you be a smarter shopper. Thanks for your question.

It’s that time of the week again to see how well the Beauty Brains community can figure out the science versus the nonsense. Head on over to the blog and enter your answer to this week’s beauty science or BS poll. We’ve picked 3 headlines ripped from the pages of our favorite science feeds and made one up. Can you figure out which of the following stories is FAKE?

Beauty Science or BS Headlines

1. Women in their 40s report more issues with their skin than any other group.

2. Data suggests the smell of rotten eggs can increase human lifespan.

3. Male interviewers are more biased in favor of attractive interviewees than female interviewers.

4. Eating tomatoes can protect skin from sun damage

Good luck and feel free to leave a comment below to say why you picked the way you did.

Even though we lost half the data due to a recent software upgrade, we had a great response to the Beauty Brains quiz this week and 31% of you were actually able to sense the BS. This is slightly better than random chance. I might have to make the next one a little harder. Read on and see how you did.

People who wear glasses have been shown to be more introverted and geeky - FALSE

31% of you thought glasses wearers were geeks but science says otherwise. According to this study by psychologists from the University of Melbourne, there is no link between myopia and introversion. In fact, the study showed a slight correlation suggesting people with glasses are more agreeable. Maybe we should get a pair for the argumentative Right Brain.

Skin cells can tell whether you are a night person or morning person - TRUE

Not many were fooled by this one. Only 13% of you couldn’t believe this one. Scientists studying the effect of light on sleep discovered that each skin cell has its own internal clock. Someone who is a self-reported “morning person” actually has skin cells that match up to this personality. People with Seasonal Affect Disorder (a kind of winter depression) have skin cells that don’t match up with their personality.

You can reduce air pollution by not washing your hair - TRUE

22% of you thought this one was dirty but it’s not. Scientists from the University of Missouri found that unwashed hair absorbs around seven times more ozone than washed hair. Who knew Collin Farrel and the other Hollywood hotties with greasy hair were actually helping clean up smog in Los Angeles?

Women with college degrees are more likely to get married than those without - TRUE

34% of you thought this couldn’t be true but it is. Women with college degrees have a better chance of being married than those without. It turns out men really do like women with brains. In a reversal of trend, a review of census data found that in 2006, 61% of women aged 30-34 with degrees were married, while only 53% of those without post-high school degrees were. It warms my heart to know that Sarah still has a chance.

How did you do? Were you able to sniff out the beauty BS? Leave a comment and let us know.

Hey Beauty Brainiacs,

It’s that time again! Answer time to the Beauty Science or BS poll. Nearly 400 of you responded, but only 34 actually came up with the right answer. This one must have been tough.

People can get contact dermatitis by using body wash as a skin moisturizing cream - TRUE

27% of you thought that this was the fake one but no, it actually has happened. According to this report from The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, two cases of this exact problem were recently caused by Dove Body Wash. It seems they do such a good job of making their body washes look creamy that people think it’s skin lotion. Whoops!

Tattoos, ear piercing, makeup, and skin treatments have existed for the past 50,000 years - FALSE

Only 9% of you figured out that this one wasn’t true. The tip-off should have been that human societies haven’t been around for 50,000. The real story comes from a review of the origins of cosmetics in the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. They say cosmetics have only existed for about 5000 years. Still a long time considering the study of chemistry didn’t start until the 1600s.  (Bonus points:  Can you figure out what the tattoo in the picture shows?)

In the US, over 100,000 people have been hospitalized in the last 5 years due to a hair care product-related injury - TRUE

23% of you were tricked by this startling headline. Yes, over 100,000 people have had hair care product related injuries in the last 5 years. What kind of injuries? Mostly the kind related to curling-irons. According to this study published in the Academic Emergency Medicine journal, >80,000 people have been rushed to the hospital due to burns from curling irons. Mostly, they were little kids who grabbed or touched hot devices. Remember to keep those things out of the reach of children!

Gravity is not the main cause of sagging facial skin - TRUE

42% of you found this one too hard to believe but according to an article in Dermatology Times, it’s true. The doctors at Duke Eye Center who studied this phenomena say that it is primarily caused by changes in bone structure not gravity. They discovered through CT scans that contrary to common belief, the skull continues to grow as we age. This moves the skin and muscle below and results in sagging facial features. So much for those skin tightening lotions.

Were you a Beauty Brainiac this time? Leave a comment and tell us which one you picked and why.

Here’s a special treat for all you Beauty Brainiacs out there: our special guest-blogger for today is none other than Nicki, from Futurederm.com. If you’re a fan of the Beauty Brains, you’ll love Futurederm. Check it out! And now, on with Nicki’s post…

Want Clearer Skin? See the Light.

And no, I’m not talking about sunlight, sorry everyone! What I am talking about is the new Tanda Skincare System ($395.00, Amazon.com). The system emits visible wavelength (not UV) light from an LED source (414 nm blue light and 660 nm red light), to treat acne. According to a study by Tanda, the use of their light treatment was “significantly more effective” than treatment with a 5% benzoyl peroxide cream over the same period.

Yet, the use of LED has been recently shown to have anti-aging effects for the skin as well. With skin-clearing and firming benefits, is an at-home LED treatment center worth the money? FutureDerm investigates…

Acne-clearing benefits

According to Kansas City dermatologist Dr. Audrey Kunin’s DERMADoctor site, the Tanda Skincare System is only to be used on patients with mild to moderate acne, not cystic acne. The site says that the way to know the difference is simply by counting the lesions: no more than 125 total lesions across the treatment area (100 whiteheads/blackheads, or 15-50 inflammatory lesions). According to a 107-person 12-week study by Tanda, a 63% mean reduction in inflammatory lesions and a 45% mean reduction in comedones was exhibited by those patients who completed the study.

It is speculated that the reason LED is effective against acne is two-fold. One, LED light may have anti-bacterial properties, and there is a small amount of evidence that suggests that light disrupts P. acnes, the primary bacterial species found in acne cases. Two, LED light may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may calm existing lesions and prevent new lesions from forming.

Collagen and Elastin Production Stimulation

According to a recent study, LED phototherapy repairs sun damage and increases collagen and elastin production, although “lasers and peels have faster, more substantial results, but more side effects,” according to Seung Yoon Lee, a dermatologist at the National Medical Center in South Korea. With regards to LED therapy’s fewer side effects, Lee adds, “LED is safe for dark skin, unlike some lasers.”

According to Allure magazine, in the study, the researchers treated one side of 61 subjects’ faces with a light-emitting diode machine, while 15 others received a one-sided placebo treatment. Twelve weeks later, only the LED-targeted skin had a decrease in wrinkles (26-36 percent) and an increase in elasticity (14-19 percent). LED therapy seems to increase collagen and elastin production, although less significantly than dermatologist-administered lasers and peels.

Overall Thoughts and Opinions

LED therapy has been proven more effective at fighting acne and promoting collagen and elastin production than other at-home procedures. However, greater effects are still available through prescription medications and treatments (lasers, peels) at your dermatologist’s office. At the present time, it is probably a better idea to spend your money on a dermatologist-administered treatment. Hopefully, however, the cost of at-home LED therapy systems like the Tanda Skincare System will decrease. At any rate, the treatment is certainly novel and exciting, and if you want the best in at-home treatments, then this is definitely worth a try!

Here are three beauty science stories that I thought were interesting for different reasons…

1. Venus Envy

I’ve never really understood why my Venus razor needs so many blades but here’s a brief article from Zoe Draelos, the Beauty Brains favorite Derm Doc, that explains why five blades are better than one. (Here’s a hint, it has something to do with skin trauma).

2. Fear of Fekkai

This has been all over the news, but in case you havent heard, P&G bought Fredrick Fekkai. Technically speaking, this is probably good news for fans of Fekkai because with the P&G powerhouse behind the brand you’ll probably see upgraded products. (As you know if you read our previous posts, the Beauty Brains are not big fans of Fekkai formulas.) But then again, hardcore fans will probably complain that P&G has made the brand too “mainstream.”

3. Vanity or vaccine

According to the Dermatology Times, the same kind of equipment that is used to tattoo skin can also deliver vaccines and other pharmaceuticals. Researches have even shown that skin tattooing may be a more effective way of delivering DNA than intramuscular injection. (Hey Sarah B., maybe you can use this as an excuse for your tattoo!)

–Mid Brain

Despite their hype, most wrinkle creams do not have a significant effect on actually reducing wrinkles. The creams are typically just good skin moisturizers with an added “special” ingredient that makes for a good story but doesn’t actually do anything. (The exceptions are ones with effective levels of retinoids).

What really removes wrinkles

Of course plastic surgery really removes wrinkles. But it’s expensive and involves one or more surgical procedures. Personally, this Beauty Brain doesn’t like the idea of surgery for fixing the things time is doing to my skin. I’ve seen too many celebrity face lifts that have looked too weird (If you’re interested in seeing celebrities who’ve had cosmetic surgery, check out our favorite blog on the subject.) But if wrinkle creams are bogus and surgery’s not an option, at least there’s Botox. Right? Maybe not!

Is Botox Benign?

Now, scientists have found evidence that Botox may not be as safe as believed. According to this Italian study, the toxin used in Botox treatments was shown to migrate into the brains of treated rats. They say there were no observable negative effects, but it does seem a little scary. Could you exposing your brain to a known toxin while smoothing out your skin? Of course, scientists and the media who report on these types of things tend to exaggerate to make things sound more sensational. Botox treatments have been around since the early 1980’s and they were approved by the FDA in 2002. There has been no indication that treatments are turning people into brain damaged zombies.

However, science is always changing and when there is evidence of a problem, it is wise to be cautious. More research will be needed so I remain skeptical of the problem. But if you’re thinking about getting Botox this is just one more thing to add to your consideration. Do you really want to risk nerve and brain damage to get rid of wrinkles?

Some people might.

What do YOU think? Have you, or anyone else you know, had Botox injections?

–Mid Brain

I’ve blogged before about how factors like the price of a product and the cuteness of the salesperson can affect how you perceive the quality of a product. Now here’s a new study that shows that your purchase intent can influenced by how the product container feels.

Are You An Autoelic?

As reported by Science Daily, researchers at the University of Michigan and Rutgers University found that the firmness of a drinking cup can impact how much consumers like the beverage inside it.

But here’s the part I found the most interesting: they found that people can be classified into two groups: those who like to touch things before they buy them (high autotelics) and those who don’t (low autotelics). Surprisingly the people who like to touch are less likely to be influenced by the feel of the product. Those who are less touch involved are more likely to be fooled into believing the product quality is better because of the container feel.

I’m not sure what this for cosmetics, but it makes me wonder what the implications are for internet shopping. Does this mean we’re more likely to buy stuff that we’ve previously touched?

What do YOU think? Do you pay attention to the way something feels before you buy it? Have you ever been tricked into buying a cheap product in an expensive container? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

Reference:
Retrieved April 6, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com

–Mid Brain

Spring is here and today is the day the Easter Bunny leaves a little surprise on your doorstep. No, we don’t mean rabbit pellets, silly, we’re talking about Easter eggs! To commemorate the occasion, here are our top 5 favorite facts about eggs in cosmetics.

1. Beware Botox

The popular wrinkle paralyzing treatment, Botox, is packed in egg albumin to increase its stability. So if you have an egg allergy – beware the Botox!

2. The awesome ovum

The French company, L’Avenir, has launched a line of products using special technology that allows them to include whole eggs in topical cosmetic formulations. Until now, egg yolks couldn’t be used in creams and lotions because they could cause spoilage.

3. Oily eggs

We recently blogged about Phyto Phytonectar Oil Treatment. Did you know one of its ingredients is egg oil? Did you even know you could get oil from an egg? It’s true: eggs are rich in cholesterol-type compounds which can be extracted to yield rich emollient oils.

4. Walking on eggshells

We’ve had a lot of interest in our upcoming project on mineral cosmetics and many mineral cosmetics use calcium carbonate as a base. Guess what? Eggshells are 95% calcium carbonate, so they can be used to make mineral cosmetics.

5. Egg shampoo

Finally and most famously, there’s egg shampoo. Our favorite is Mario Badescu’s Egg Shampoo. It contains only 4 ingredients: Deionized Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, and Egg. Mmmm, I bet that smells good!

Happy Easter everyone!

We all use beauty products to feel better about ourselves and to be more attractive. And one benefit of looking and feeling attractive is that we’re more likely to catch the eye of a passing guy.

But apparently, guys are doing a lot of eyeballing! A recent study reported by Softpedia shows that if you add up all the time that a guy spends looking at women, it averages out to be about a year of their life. By comparison, a woman spends only about 2.5 months looking at guys. (This number is much lower if you take Sarah Bellum out of the study.)

Other interesting factoids:

• Men look at 11 different women daily, each for about two minutes.
• Women look at two men daily for about 90 seconds each.
• 50% of the women were first attracted by a man’s eyes, then his backside.
• Over 50% of men thought it was ok to look at other women even if they were with their partners.
• 50% of men have been caught in the act of looking by their partners while only 33% of women admitted to getting caught.

For more details, check out the entire article here.
So what do YOU think? Have you ever been caught scoping out another guy? Leave a comment and share your shame with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.