As many of us who aret familiar with the uses of Emu Oil know, treating wounds, laceration, scars and infection are at the top of the list of its benefits. “Down Below” Emu Oil is used religiously for many skin ailments - rashes, redness, and it is particulary successful treating burns - primarily due to its sanitizing anti-bacteria properties and its ability to help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Take a look at the video below. It is a summary of how this oil an work for healing scarring - whether from surgical procedures or accidents. Its a bit of a stretch to call it a “wonder oil”, but we have written about before and there are thousands of years of testimonials which corroborate its effectiveness. And, whether it’s old acne scars or minor scarring from orthoscopy, emu oil can work wonders.
Botox injections are all the rage nowadays when it comes to temporarily removing wrinkles and leaving your face a lot less wrinkly and more “youthful-looking” than before, all the jokes about how downright creepy a deadened, frozen face looks aside. However, aside from this Botox injection trend, there’s also another way of achieving a more youthful, less wrinkly you—and it’s a lot less of an unnatural process to boot. We’re talking about the top-recommended Strivectin-SD, of course.
StriVectin-SD Stretch Mark Cream
Now, the concept of the stretch mark cream is hardly as innovative or new as Botox, but there’s a good reason why Strivectin-SD is so popular anyway. In fact, it’s not that much of a “stretch” to say that this product is among the best-selling and most famous topical stretch marks products next to skin resurfacing. Hundreds of vendors have published lists that have the Strivectin-SD as a consistent, high-level performer.
Then again, lists are one thing, and trying out the cream for yourself is another thing entirely. Is it worth the hype it’s receiving? The ever-growing stretchmarks cream market is inundated with all sorts of creams, ointments, liniments, cleansers, and whatnot, so you have to take even the top ten lists of merchants with a grain of salt. The proof, after all, is in the pudding, and the actual conclusion lies within the Strivectin-SD’s stretch mark solution, scar reducing ability itself.
Moreover, the constant comparisons to this cream and resurfacing are partly induced by the company itself. The product’s slogan is actually, “Strivectin-SD: Better Than Botox”. It takes a lot of moxie to claim such a thing, but it inevitably leaves consumers suspicious and more than a little skeptical. For people who’ve tried out the Botox procedure and staunchly support it, they’d probably take personal offense at the gall of alleging that a comparatively cheap anti-aging cream applied daily is more effective and impressive than a $500 or so cosmetic treatment.
As a note, this particular product from StriVectin was orginally designed as a treatment for reducing and diminishing stretch marks. Interestingly, women noticed that it tightened the skin where it was applied and wrinkles disappeared. So, as chance would have it, women began using it as a “wrinkle cream”. As a follow-on, StriVectin introduced a new product (Eye Cream) with a few less-harsh ingredients specifically for wrinkles. Thus our review may seem a bit confusing. Effectively we’re evaluating its (their) success at both - wrinkles and stretch marks.
Checking out Strivectin-SD reveals first and foremost that, no, it’s not superior to Botox or isn’t even the next best thing to Botox. To be true, it’s just about as effective as any other anti-wrinkle cream currently available in the market.
On the other hand, it’s quite potent and it’s undoubtedly among the better anti-aging topical agents available right now. It’s particularly effective against fine lines and early onset wrinkles. Using this as daily maintenance on your face will at the very least help you age gracefully, if not look ten years younger in the long run.
The verdict? The product is worth recommending, but it is definitely overrated and very expensive compared to other products that contain essentially the same ingredients and provide similar results - both as a stretch mark cream or wrinkle cream. It gets 7.88 out of 10 stars, with points mostly taken from its expense and the fact there are very worthy competitors - on both fronts.
The most common non-surgical treatment for bruises, spider veins and rosacea are creams that contain Vitamin K. Generally they are pretty highly concentrated and are formulated with other actives such as Aloe, Gigawhite, Vitamin E or Panthenol.
While combined you get many properties and benefits for vein restoration (better said healed), the objective is to help improve circulation via enhanced valve function, improve wall structure to reduce leaking and permeability of capillaries, and aid in nutrition delivery.
Recently, an ingredient developed by Croda™/Sederma™ - Phytotonine® - has been used successfully to supplement Vitamin’s K & E and other formulations.
Phytotonine - Veinotonic effect derived from the synergistic effect of three plant extracts, Arnica, Cypress and Soloman Seal. By toning the capillary walls and reducing capillary permeability, product normalizes circulation to help eliminate fluids and toxins while enhancing the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Recommended for the treatment of dark circles, puffy eye, heavy legs and rosacea. Croda/Sederma
As a manufacturer, this opens up a number of opportunites and solutions regarding products for poor venous health and leaking. As mentioned in the quote above, this can cover severe or deep tissue bruising to darkened circles under the eyes and spider or thread veins.
The greatest benefit in the world of skin care, is that it gives us (consumers and manufacturers) an additional “leg on the stool” for solutions and treatments. Phytotonine, with its properties of minimizing or reducing fluid build-up, make it an excellent additive for treating puffiness (and associated darkened circles) under the eyes as well as helping or accelerating healing of bruises.
I believe, however, the greatest gain can come from its’ use in spider veins cream. Why?
Treatment options are relagated to sclerotherapy or lasers. Both are effective, though I consider both limited in treatment area; with lasers, in particular having the side effect of needing some post-treatment healing. Though considered moderate relative to other cosmetic surgery, cost is high - I believe (~$250-500/visit).
Spider veins are prominent, afflict a large population (men and women) and can have a profound affect on a person’s appearance (whether on the legs, nose, face, et al).
Many Vitamin K creams and solutions have been proven effective, but it’s nice to have another “bullet in the gun” for improving the breadth and level of efficacy.
Rosacea and spider veins share similar causes and any formula or ingredient that improves a large surface area while addressing the root causes is welcomed. Increasing capillary health, helping strengthen or repair broken capillary walls or increasing circulation can have a wide-reaching positive effect on the treatment of numerous dermatological ailments.
Scarring resulting from acne or pregnancy is generally difficult to remove. Torn or damaged tissue is slow to rejuvenate and deep tearing from acne often requires treatment and laser resurfacing. With time many can be healed with proper skin products, the most successful procedure and treatment short of out-patient surgery, is to help prevent scars from occurring.
Pitting, discoloration and marks often occur (related to stretch marks) during periods of rapid weight gain. Most prominantly for women during pregnancy. Breasts, the abdomen and along the upper thighs are most prone - where ther greatest accumulation of fatty tissure resides.
For existing scars, using a microdermabrasion product has produced the greates results. Skin cell “turnover” and replenishment takes time. Encouraging new growth can often be accelerated by sloughing or polishing off old cells. With consistent use, disfigured or poorly aligned cells regenerate and rebuild normalized collagen and elastin fibers - necessary for skin pliability and absorption and retention of moisture.
Products with Hyaluronic Acid, soluble collagen, and Emu Oil have been found effective at working with microdermabrasion products for post-operative scarring (c section, plastic surgery, breast enhancement, et al), and work well smoothing and fading discoloration of potting left from severe acne and blemishes.
Scar creams and products help improve moisture content and retention stimulating healthy collagen growth. Emu Oil, in particular, has been used in Australia during pregnancy to help stave-off marking as prgnancy matures into the second and third trimester when stretching and tearing of dermal tissue is moste prominent.
rejuvenate and deep tearing from acne often requires treatment and laser resurfacing. With time many can be healed with proper skin products, the most successful procedure and treatment short of out-patient surgery, is to help prevent scars from occurring.