A Firming Neck Cream Containing N-Acetyl Glucosamine Significantly Improves Signs of Aging on the Challenging Neck and Décolletage
January 2016 | Volume 15 | Issue 1 | Original Article | 47 | Copyright © January 2016
Joel Schlessinger,a MD, Barbara Green RPh MS,b Brenda L. Edison BA,b Lynn Murphy MA,b and Yamini Sabherwal PhDb
aSkin Specialists, PC, Omaha, NE
bNeoStrata Company, Inc., Princeton, NJ
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Noninvasive antiaging neck and décolletage treatments are highly sought after by aging patients. A topical cosmetic antiaging cream was formulated with skin matrix building and smoothing ingredients to help reverse visible signs of aging on the neck and décolletage, including laxity, crepiness, deep lines, and hyperpigmentation.
OBJECTIVE: A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the antiaging neck/décolletage cream over a 16-week treatment period.
METHOD: Caucasian women with moderate texture (including wrinkles, fine lines, laxity, and/or crepiness) on the neck and hyperpigmentation on the décolletage used the test cream for 16 weeks. At weeks 0, 8, 12 and 16, the dermatologist investigator graded neck texture, décolletage texture and décolletage pigmentation using a 0-5 scale, and irritation/tolerability using a 0-4 scale. Subjects were photographed and provided self-assessment of their aging parameters as well as product tolerability. Chromameter measurements were collected in triplicate on the chest at weeks 0, 8, and 16 to quantitatively and objectively assess pigmentation.
RESULTS: Forty-two women completed the study. All dermatologist-graded aging parameters were significantly improved at each time point,
P<0.001. Chromameter measurements demonstrated significant improvements in brightness (L
*) and redness (a
*),
P<0.05. Self-assessed aging parameters were significantly improved on the décolletage and neck,
P<0.05. Digital photography demonstrated obvious antiaging effects including improved texture of neck and décolletage areas, reduced appearance of lines and wrinkles, reduced mottled hyperpigmentation, and a more youthful, firm appearance. The test cream was well-tolerated with no significant changes in irritation parameters throughout the study.
CONCLUSION: The antiaging neck/décolletage cream delivered significant firming and smoothing effects with reduced appearance of hyperpigmentation and can be considered an effective topical homecare treatment option for patients seeking rejuvenation of this challenging area.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(1):47-52.
INTRODUCTION
Topical, noninvasive, antiaging neck treatments are highly
sought after by aging patients who desire improvements
to sagging, texture and pigment. Characterized by loss of firmness, which could also be described as laxity and crepiness, as well as the obvious appearance of deep lines and dyspigmentation, the photoaged neck is a distressing concern as patients increasingly look below the jawline to evaluate their aging bodies. Likewise, décolleté skin is scrutinized as patients pursue a healthy, youthful appearance to complement today’s skin-baring clothing fashions.
Current neck treatments rely mainly on devices to tighten skin. Radiofrequency and ultrasound offer proven skin tightening effects as FDA-approved devices.1-2 When treated, décolletage aging is often treated similarly to facial aging, eg, with peels
and lasers.3 An effective and clinically proven antiaging topical product would offer complementary home treatment for these in-office cosmetic procedures.
Topical, cosmetic antiaging creams specifically targeting neck and chest concerns exist but are often met with skepticism. Little clinical data have been generated to support antiaging claims specific to these treatment areas. Skin is skin – one might logically
expect topical facial antiaging formulations to be effective on the chest and neck. But, few to no clinical studies exist to support this premise. Furthermore, the neck has specific formulation
requirements. Neck products must be gentle enough for use in this occlusion-prone area of the body; for example, skin folds can trap product which could be irritating if the pH is too low or there is too much fragrance or other potential irritants. In
