TOPICAL VITAMIN C CREAM 1) Cellex-C 2) Elle ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Cellex-C -------- Is there any objective evidence that Cellex-C is an effective product other than effectively "lining the pocket" of those who produce and sell it? Philip Hughes, M.D. ------------------- I am very skeptical about the ability of Cellex-C to dramatically reduce wrinkles/reverse the appearance of aged skin. I don't trust big media pushes for medical/cosmetic products. I still have not used alpha hydroxy acids in my practice because of the hype in the media two years ago. I also have avoided lasers for resurfacing because of the push to sell the lasers to physicians (I received 3-7 faxes/wk for >6 months to buy a laser or go to a meeting) and later to the public. However, I am ready to begin AHAs. I will probably learn laser resurfacing in the next 1-2 years. I am trying to say that I don't trust the big sell and that it makes me go even slower in endorsing a product/technique. With all this said: I was very impressed with the appearance of the two patients presented at the Cellex-C booth at the AAD. The man was the father of the company's owner. If the patients did not have previous procedures and if the changes were truely from using Cellex-C, then maybe there is something to this product. Harry Goldin, M.D. Skokie, IL ---------- From: Mark R Ling In my mind, the issue is still what standard of proof one considers acceptable in making the decision to tout a product's efficacy. To my mind, the non-prescription products purported to treat sun-damaged skin are still living off what must in most part be considered anecdotal evidence at best, especially when compared to the degree of rigor which was required by the FDA when photoaging claims were made with tretinoin. This is absolutely not to say that AHA's and other topical agents do not work, just to again lament the absence of well-designed, scientifically objective CLINICAL trials (recent publications on the histological changes after AHA therapy i.e. the recent JAAD articles from Ditre et al, are interesting, but histology is not always mirrored clinically, as we all know). Mark Ling, M.D., Ph.D. Emory University Department of Dermatology Clinical Pharmacology Unit Atlanta, GA ----------- ---- ELLE ---- Got a sample at AAD - the stuff turned yellow after a week and my wife's periungual area turned yellow. Anyone else have this experience? KC Smith MD FRCPC Niagara Falls ON ------- 4.03.96