DMAE: Facelift in a jar, or fantastic fraud?

As a practicing Aesthetician one of the biggest skin product questions I get is - what is DMAE and how does it work?

Over the past several years, the interest in DMAE has skyrocketed - in part due to the amazing results many women have claimed to receive after beginning to use it.

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) has been referred to as a "facelift in a jar", however, contrary to what many people will tell you, it remains a mystery as to how DMAE topical actually works to firm the skin. What is being studied is the possibility that DMAE protects the skin's cell membrane and through extending the cell's life, contributes to plumping of the skin.

And Plump skin usually means a fuller, healthier looking face - hence the reputation as a quick, easy and inexpensive home facelift solution.

Many websites and companies which sell DMAE cream claim that it does improve the skin's firmness and tone while increasing smoothness and brightness. And there are many women who have used DMAE claiming this to be true.

For many consumers, DMAE has proven to be the elusive "fountain of youth" amongst the many creams, lotions and promises that preceded it on the marketplace.

The best thing about DMAE is that whereas most creams can make the appearance of lines and wrinkles less noticeable - DMAE has actually been proven to have a positive effect on sagging of the facial skin. The results I have observed are never quite that of a face lift - but it is possible that DMAE can reduce further sagging - really providing users with a lift - both literally and figuratively..:-)

Like anything else in the beauty and skin industry, you have to be careful when buying new products to ensure you are getting good and authentic ingredients from a reputable company. We have all heard the stories of fly by night operations arriving on the scene to "service" the latest fad, only to disappear weeks, if not months later leaving lots of disappointed customers in their wake.

The key is to ALWAYS be an informed consumer - make product choices based on good research, recommendations and a keen understanding of your needs and goals when it comes to your skin and appearance concerns.

As a side note - for those clients who have problems applying a topical cream or lotion, DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C Ester also come in pill form and have some amazing other stated benefits as well.

Among them are:

DMAE: Increases your energy, and Memory/Learning Cognitive skills. Alpha Lipoic Acid: Protects your liver and brain function, reduces risk of cataracts.

Vitamin C Ester: Promotes a healthy immune system and stronger bones.

Do we know these to be true?

Only time will tell, but if proven through additional research, these ingredients may have many exciting anti-aging properties for your entire body, further reinforcing my belief that they should be an integral part of your present skin and beauty regimen.

Michele Bucci is practicing aesthetician and contributing editor to http://www.beginwiththeskin.com. She writes extensively about skin care issues facing her clients and provides a free resource for everyone interested in having beautiful skin. Read her recent review of three popular DMAE products by visiting http://www.beginwiththeskin.com

Face Lift - Proof That Older Males Do Understand Women

Janet had arrived at that age of 50 and, like every woman she paid constant attention to her image in the mirror. Noticing and worrying about those few age lines she decided, like many other women these days, to have a light face-lift because it would give her a real boost in life. She had the money to cover the costs of the face-lift and booked the surgery.

Obviously there was time frame following the face lift before she would present her new image to the world in general. By that time however, her vain womanly reviews in the mirror indicated an excellent result. She felt good, she was a new woman, even her husband approved, so she felt ready to impress all and sundry with her new face lift. Being a woman however, she still had to seek further independent assurance.

Venturing out for the first time since her face-lift Janet visited the local supermarket, gathered her shopping and, while at the payment desk casually asked the operator 'what age do you think I am?' 'Oh! About 32' the operator replied. Janet felt over the moon, 'I'm 50 actually she replied' with a nice smile of satisfaction.

Next the pharmacy where she plucked up the courage to asks the fellow there what age he thought she was - '29' came the reply. With her confidence now blooming 'Actually I'm 50' she told the fellow. 'Well miss I would never have placed you at that age' he replied. Janet was now on the way to a state of euphoria her face lift was indeed a success.

Feeling on top of the world she pops into her local MacDonald's for a quick lunch and, once again was unable to refrain from asking the young serving girl to assess her age. Once again her confidence was assured at the reply of 35 or less. 'I'm 50 actually' she told the server with some womanly pride.

After lunch Janet, with a bounce in her step, set of to get the bus home. As she waited at the bus stop and elderly man came up and stood waiting along side. Being a woman, Janet just had to have another opinion on her face lift and plucked up the courage to strike up a conversation where she could casually slip the question as to how old he thought she might be.

Well my dear he replied, I'm nearly 70 years old and my eyesight is not the best. However, from experience I do know one guaranteed way to tell the exact age of any woman. That was an intriguing statement for any mere mature woman and of course her natural inbuilt female curiosity demanded that she ask him how. "Well my dear, it's a little bit personal in that I can only do so by feeling your breasts and that might be somewhat embarrassing for you' the elderly man replied.

As they waited in silence on the empty street Janet's female curiosity kicked-in and in a short while she could stand it no longer, she plucked up the courage and said 'OK what the hell, there's no one around so go ahead and prove it' The elderly gentleman then proceeded to slide his hands under her blouse and bra, feeling around very slowly and carefully. With an expression of deep concentration he continues to cup and weigh each breasts and finger the nipples. After a couple of minutes Janet becomes somewhat concerned and impatient, 'Ok old fellow that should be enough, How old do you think I am?" She demanded.

He gently withdraws his hands and confidently said - 'My dear you are exactly 50 years of age'--Janet, like any other woman was totally intrigued and somewhat shocked and amazed - 'How on earth could you tell' she asked the older gentleman.

The older gentleman, with a look of deep contemplation said - 'Well, I suppose it's all based on the natural male logic, observation and sensual assessment of the older man' -'What exactly does that mean' asked Janet.

'Well My dear, if you sincerely promise not to get too upset or mad, then I will let you into the secret"-- 'Good God I'm a mature woman, Of course I won't get upset' said Janet who like any other woman could not possibly resist the answer to such a secret - "Tell me'

'Well my dear' replied the elder gentleman - 'apart from my natural experienced assessment abilities I just happened to be standing in line behind you when you ordered your lunch in MacDonald's'

How did Janet react? Exactly as the elder gentleman knew she would. A slight facial flush of indignation that was immediately overridden by an immense expression of relief as her feminine vanity kicked in with the full realization that her facelift had indeed been an immense success.

Moral: Curious Mature chicks should beware of experienced, logical, lecherous old men

Ted Burgess turned to the computer late in life as a mental rehabilitation tool after heart attacks and strokes. Women are but one of the subjects of his interest these days see: http://www.assetsoflife.com/The-Relationships-Place/home.htm.