Study: LED Light And Green Tea Cream Smooth Facial Wrinkles
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free skin care · Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:37 am

Study Shows: LED Light And Green Tea Cream Smooth Facial Wrinkles

Scientists in Germany are reporting a major improvement in their potential new treatment for facial wrinkles that could emerge as an alternative to Botox and cosmetic surgery. The non-invasive technique combines high-intensity light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lotion made of green tea extract. It works ten times faster than a similar anti-wrinkle treatment that uses LEDs alone, the researchers say.

Andrei P. Sommer and Dan Zhu point out that researchers have used light-therapy, or phototherapy, for more than 40 years to help heal wounds. Recently the scientists showed that use of high-intensity LEDs, similar to those used in automotive tail lights and computers, could help reduce skin wrinkles when applied daily for several months. But exposure to intense LED light is also involved in generating high levels of reactive oxygen species as byproducts that can potentially damage cells. To combat that effect, the researchers combined the LED with a potent antioxidant in green tea extract called epigallocatechin gallate.

They applied a daily combination of LED light and green tea extract to the facial wrinkles of a human volunteer one month. The combination treatment resulted in smoother skin, including "less pronounced wrinkle levels, shorter wrinkle valleys, and juvenile complexion," the scientists say. The treatment showed promising results in only one-tenth of the time it took for LED therapy alone to reduce wrinkles. The study could form the basis of "an effective facial rejuvenation program," and lead to a new understanding of the effect reactive oxygen species on cellular aging, they note.

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Article at: http://j.mp/44ONt

free skin care · Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:07 pm

Great info caboodle, thank you!

So for anybody that wants to experiment with this, here's the LED treatment recipe I posted here a while ago.. We'll just take out the "optional" on the green tea.. Laughing

(And yes, this recipe works well with the LED, I promise you!)

PRE-TREATMENT SERUM FOR LED USE

3oz distilled water
1 TBS AHA cream (I use Alpha Hydroxy Souffle, but I guess any would do)
1 TBS SKB (Sea Kelp Bioferment)
1/2 tsp HA Serum (Hyaluronic Acid)
1/4 tsp Green Tea Extract

Gently warm the water in the microwave for 5 or 6 seconds and set aside.

Mix the HA + Green Tea into the SKB, add that mixture to the AHA cream, then very gradually add the water, while stirring constntly.

free skin care · Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:52 am

rileygirl wrote:

I am going to get seakelp bioferment and mix in 1 Teavigo capsule (which is supposed to be 90-95% pure egcg). I also have plenty of before pictures as well, but I will take an after picture and see if I get any results.

Be careful with the green tea 'supplements' Riley.. Most have silica, gelatin and other fillers/preservatives. It's that extra 5% that make it incompatible for formulating..

One rule of thumb for checking if a supplement is okay for formulating, is to open the capsule and drop the contents into a 1/2 cup of distilled water.. If it dissolves completely in a few seconds you are good to go. To date, the only supplement I have come across that passes this test is "Opti-MSM".

free skin care · Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:53 pm

I was able to find the following preview of the article HTH:

Facial Rejuvenation in the Triangle of ROS

Andrei P. Sommer and Dan Zhu
Crystal Growth & Design, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable)
Publication Date (Web): August 12, 2009 (Communication)
DOI: 10.1021/cg900688g

To compensate for a possibly extensive ROS generation by the intense LED light and subsequent inhibition of cellular processes, we included into our facial rejuvenation program a powerful ROS scavenger: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) extracted from green tea. ... Here we modified the routine and introduced topical application of green tea (3 g of dry leaf mass per 250 mL of water, brewing temperature 100 °C, cooling time 30 min), applied onto the skin around the corner of the eyes 20 min before irradiating the wrinkled zones according to the protocol. ... Figure 3. Representative photographs show wrinkles subsequent to 2 months of extreme oxidative stress (left) and after 3 months of daily LED treatment (right): initially 2 months of LED only, followed by 1 month of green tea assisted LED. ...

The following is the Abstract of the article:Recently, we introduced into the conventional catalogue of biological aging a new determinant: ordered interfacial water layers. The discovery of their tunability with skin-tolerated levels of 670 nm light inspired a model, which suggested that the light, by interaction with ordered interfacial water layers in the extracellular matrix, would reverse elastin degeneration. We validated the model in a 10 month self-experiment and arrived at an effective facial rejuvenation program. Importantly, during the experimental phase we avoided extreme oxidative stressors, in particular exposure to extensive ultraviolet and infrared radiation as well as air pollution. Here we report on the adaptation of our model to the extreme oxidative stress levels prevalent in numerous polluted megacities. The results of the extension comprise a new understanding of the protective function of the skin acid mantle, new predictive insight into effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on interfacial water layers, and their implication in processes of biological aging, including depletion of follicular stem cell reservoirs and telomere shortening, and led to the design of an accelerated skin rejuvenation method."

It would appear that the topical solution applied in this case is nothing more than brewed green tea. Also note that there was a 20 minute "wait time" prior to LED exposure. Treatments were done daily, and only to the crow's feet area of the face.

free skin care · Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:49 pm

Lacy53 wrote:

Science Daily has a somewhat related article from December 1, 2006 entitled "Tea Extracts Help Treat Damaged Skin in Cancer Patients". Might be worth taking a look at since those authors conclude that topical applications of both green tea and black tea are beneficial to the skin (yes I understand that LED is not the same as cancer radiation treatments). The full journal article is available free-of-charge online as "The effects of tea extracts on proinflammatory signaling" at Biomedcentral (dot com) .... it gives exact specifications for preparation of the topical. HTH

Here is their "formula" for the green tea used in the study Lacy53 mentioned above.

"Preparation of tea extracts

Two tea bags (1.5 g each) tea were covered with 50 ml Millipore water (black tea: boiling water; green tea: water at 70°C) for five minutes. The resulting extracts were passed through a 0.8 μM and a 0.22 μM filter to free the extracts from insoluble material. Small aliquots were stored until usage at -20°C in the dark. Given a estimated total catechin content of 10–40 mg/g for green tea [12], tea preparations used in our study, were expected to have an estimated total catechin concentration of 25–100 μg/ml. Epigallocatechin-gallate (Sigma-Aldrich) was solubilized in water and small aliquots of the stock solution were stored until usage at -20°C in the dark."

free skin care · Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:31 pm

foxe - there are different types of LEDs and often specifications from manufacturers are partial to say the least, and those partial specifications give distorted picture of the devices. I would refrain from saying that one intensity is right as opposed to another. However there is a way to find where the device stands among others in terms of intensity.

For WARP we have:
728W/m2 = 728J/sec/m2=728j/sec/10000cm2
converting into cm2:
0.0728J/sec/cm2
assuming 4 Joules needed for cm2 per treatment area treatment time would be in a ball of 55 seconds per area.

This puts WARP in terms of power output in between Quasars and ProLights with WARP being stronger then Quasars, and ProLight being stronger then WARP. Which seems that from power output prospective it is a decent device in a good company.

Regarding at home build devices being ineffective - it makes sense. From what I gathered from different sources as simple as it looks it is not that easy to put device together and expect the result. LEDs circuitry is very tricky, and to put together LEDs that assembled the right way with proper circuitry is a science on its own. Circuitry is VERY important to get a worthwhile device. This is why it is a good idea to leave this to reliable companies that are experts in what they do.

I am not sure about the last question, and need some time to reflect on it.

free skin care · Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:18 am

Skippie wrote:

Foxe, do you use a sunscreen over the suntan lotion or is it enough to protect on its own?

skippie

It doesn't have a lot of TiO2 in it, so it's not very strong. The antioxidants do help a lot. If you're out all day in the sun, top it off w/ a stronger physical SS.

I use the SB one for incidental (daily)use. I will add a physical one on days when I'm in the sun for longer. But I only use it on my chest where I tend to get reactions from the sun and occasionally on my arms. Just using the SB one on my arms (use a MMU on my face) and legs most of the time has been plenty strong enuf. I have a light colored tan and have never peeled. After I come in from the sun, I will rinse off any stronger SS and apply SB's Body Lotion - it's a great followup to the suntan lotion. If I've gotten too much sun(a little pink), the combo of suntan lotion/body lotion knocks down any redness - so no peeling. It's the burning/peeling that is damaging to the skin. Dr P believes a *little* tan (melanin) is protective.

The physical one I use is DDF's Organic SPF 30. First time I've used it is this past month and it's the best physical one I've ever used. Doesn't go on thick, nice texture and smell.

Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:46 pm

Lacy53 wrote:

ricayhermosa wrote:

Just to let you know that Steve from LightStim is receiving emails now advertising green tea cream. So now you know what this study is truly about: selling their green tea products. I told him that the strategy wouldn't work because the ladies on EDS are queens of DIYs. We'll just buy the cheap green tea extract and make our own serum/cream!

The researchers of the various studies mentioned in this thread are associated with the following institutions:

Andrei P. Sommer and Dan Zhu
Institute of Micro and Nanomaterials, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany

Schroeder P, Lademann J, Darwin ME, Stege H, Marks C, Brunke S, Krutmann J
Cell Biology/Molecular Ageing Research, Institut fuer Umweltmedizinische Forchung, Heinrich-Heine-University, Desseldorf gGmbH, Duesseldorf, Germany

Frank Pajonk1 , Anja Riedisser2 , Michael Henke2 , William H McBride1 and Bernd Fiebich3

1Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1714, USA

2Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany

3Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany

I don't believe any of these researchers are interested in selling any green tea products to LED users.

Lacy53 makes a good point. The researchers associated with these numerous studies are not going to be interested in selling green tea products.

I find it a little strange that this study has been around for a little while now, and supposedly now this person is receiving emails advertising green tea products.

free skin care · Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:18 pm

Skippie,

such impressive results in such a short time frame - WOW!

Thanks for posting and inspiring us.

And Kassy - your pretreatment recipe is absolutely fantastic - thank you a thousand times!

free skin care · Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:59 am

Skippy,
I compared your first and last picture side by side and there is a tremendous difference in the lips as well as the whole chin area. Way to go girl Wink

free skin care · Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:36 am

I agree with Toby. In such a short time, there has been a lot of difference in your lips. Are you using any other product on your lips, Skippie?

free skin care · Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:21 pm

Skippie,
Your lips look fantastic! And I just can't believe how beautiful your skin is. You must have not spent one day in the sun your entire life!! I am SO envious...

free skin care · Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:45 pm

Skippie,

For only 4 weeks of use I think you are having fantastic results. Your skin looks beautiful!!

free skin care · Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:50 am

Skippie, Lookin' good! Thanks so much for posting your pics. Smile

free skin care · Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:41 am

Here are my lip pictures through the weeks, beginning with a Before picture, up until the current week 5. I'm not posting any neck pictures this week, because there have been absolutely no changes. I hope that doesn't mean that's the best my neck will do because it still has a ways to go.

free skin care · Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:52 pm

Hi skippie - Your results are fabulous and you are continuing to achieve progress - it's very evident in your photos in both your neck and lips. Keep going - you're inspiring the rest of us! DiPhx

free skin care · Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:00 pm

Keliu wrote:

Mb935 - I just brew up the tea as I need it, same as I would do if I were making a cup of tea. I just make it very strong and use a small amount of water. This way, you don't have yet another product cluttering up the bathroom or fridge.

Could someone give me the link to Nanci's Green Tea Serum - I couldn't find it on the website. TIA

Keliu, here is the link.

http://www.ncnproskincare.com/virtuemart/77.html

If that doesn't work, look under the anti-aging products.

free skin care · Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:05 pm

Keliu wrote:

Mb935 - I just brew up the tea as I need it, same as I would do if I were making a cup of tea. I just make it very strong and use a small amount of water. This way, you don't have yet another product cluttering up the bathroom or fridge.

Could someone give me the link to Nanci's Green Tea Serum - I couldn't find it on the website. TIA

http://www.ncnproskincare.com/virtuemart/15257.html

This is the page with Green Tea Serum Pre-LED Treatment details.

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:17 am

Lynn,
I am reposting Kelilu's post containing a response via email from Steve at Light Stim, I think it will chase away any worries:

DM

Keliu
VIP Member

I emailed Steve at Lightstim and asked him which occlusive ingredients in serums and creams we should steer away from and also how long we should wait before commencing treatment. Here is his reply:

Thanks for your questions. Stay away from Retin-A or products with Retin-A in them. Other than that, we have not heard of any problems. As far as serums and creams before using your Light: This almost always enhances the benefits and results. The important thing is to make sure that you have worked the product INTO the skin and that there is not moist residue on the surface of the skin. Then, as long as it's dry you can start. Waiting 10 minutes is long enough to insure penetration and dryness in most cases.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to use us as a sounding board whenever you have questions.

Best wishes, Steve

free skin care · Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:36 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

Lynn,
I am reposting Kelilu's post containing a response via email from Steve at Light Stim, I think it will chase away any worries:

DM

Keliu
VIP Member

I emailed Steve at Lightstim and asked him which occlusive ingredients in serums and creams we should steer away from and also how long we should wait before commencing treatment. Here is his reply:

Thanks for your questions. Stay away from Retin-A or products with Retin-A in them. Other than that, we have not heard of any problems. As far as serums and creams before using your Light: This almost always enhances the benefits and results. The important thing is to make sure that you have worked the product INTO the skin and that there is not moist residue on the surface of the skin. Then, as long as it's dry you can start. Waiting 10 minutes is long enough to insure penetration and dryness in most cases.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to use us as a sounding board whenever you have questions.

Best wishes, Steve

What a relief. I have been shying away from my LED because my skin gets so dry. Cleansing my skin, waiting 20 minutes with no moisture added and then doing the LED is way too drying for me. If I can use a serum before use, that will be much better.

Thank you for posting, Dark Moon.

free skin care · Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:09 pm

Thanks so much DarkMoon for the post - that is reassuring. It's good to hear that I am not the only one with dry skin too - thanks. I will stay from retinA before (now I just have to make sure my creams don't have a form of it in them. Thanks all, lynnn

free skin care · Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:51 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

Skippie,
I think what you want to look at here in the last sentance is where it says To combat that....
That is why they produced a serum with Green Tea antioxidants, to combat pro-oxidation or damage caused by using the LED!

Yes, that is my take, as well that the green tea is used to combat the pro-oxidation from the LED's.

free skin care · Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:32 am

Skippie wrote:

Sometimes I think I ought to change my name to Mikey - it's obvious I'll try anything. Rolling Eyes

We have definitely all been there, Skippie! Laughing

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:32 am

Many thanks to all for the information on this thread. I have been using the green tea before the light treatments and would like to share something that is making it easier for me. Let's title this green tea and light treatment for dummies? Laughing

I will do pictures because I am a visual learner Rolling Eyes

I do the following and place the divided up cotton pads all over my face(they do stay on) and take my bath, after I am finished I take them off and do a treatment before bed. It is so much simpler than spritzing for 20 min or sitting and keeping applying with a cotton ball.

free skin care · Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:42 am

DarkMoon, that's a great reminder. I usually use hot water right before it gets to the boillng point, so i hope that's not too hot.

Toby, what a great illustration, and I have to say that your skin is stunning. You look 20+ years younger than your age!

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