Overview
Argireline® is the trade name for the peptide Acetyl Hexapeptide-3/8 which was developed and marketed by Lipotec, a Barcelona, Spain based cosmetics company. Lipotec vigorously defends the patent they hold on Argireline®, as it is the company’s best-selling product. Since its introduction to the cosmetics field, cosmeceutical companies and other producers of skin care products have licensed and incorporated Argireline® into their anti-wrinkle product lines. Indeed, for many users, Argireline® must be present in a product before trying it will even be considered. Like other peptide based skincare products, Argireline® is a protein derivative that is mild, natural, and has been shown to be effective in relatively low levels.
Product Details
According to the brief on Argireline® available on the Lipotec website, Argireline is marketed specifically as a topical “cosmetic alternative to Botulinum Toxin A,” which is the surgical procedure usually marketed under the trade name Botox®. As such, it is an anti-wrinkle treatment. Argireline® works in the biological pathways of the skin cells by mimicking and destabilizing the SNAP receptor complex essential for muscle contraction. It also acts to inhibit or slow the release of catecholamine in chromaffin cells; excessive catecholamine buildup is also thought to contribute to wrinkles.
By limiting muscle contraction, it is thought that the formation of wrinkles and lines may be prevented or reduced. Clinical studies have shown that application of a 5 – 10 percent solution of Argireline® over a 15 to 30 day period may provide an anti-wrinkle effect. Solutions of less than five percent and more than ten percent have not been shown to have the same clinical benefits. Both in vitro and in vivo methods of testing have been used; the in vitro testing confirmed the mechanism by which Argireline® is thought to modulate wrinkles, whereas the in vivo testing was used to determine the product’s actual effectiveness against facial wrinkling.
Argireline® is designed to be incorporated into cosmetic formulations such as emulsions, gels, and serums. It is available in its raw form from Lipotec as both a powder and a five percent solution. However, these products are intended for commercial use, and are not available to the consumer. Some of the licensed consumer products on the market today that include Argireline® are manufactured by Janson Beckett, Reviva Labs, and others. While originally marketed as an alternative to Botox® treatment, Argireline –based products have also found success as a complement to certain surgical programs, offering to prolong the benefits obtained from surgery.
The Good
- Extensive scientific research exists on Argireline, testifying to its safety and possible effectiveness.
- A non-invasive treatment.
- Available in a wide variety of products at a variety of different pricepoints.
The Bad
- Not available directly from the manufacturer; some products that advertise Argireline contain a counterfeit product, or an incorrect dosage.
- May not be as effective as Botox® treatments.
The Bottom Line
Argireline® is a particularly widespread wrinkle fighting ingredient that has a record of success. However, given that manufacturer Lipotec does not regulate the formulas that its compounds are used in, the users of Argilene® containing products should ensure that the products they have chosen are from reputable manufacturers, and contain an appropriate concentration of the active ingredient. Argireline® based wrinkle fighters should be considered a reasonable choice, along with other proven products.
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