Scientists investigate anti-ageing attributes of Tricutan

Tricutan is a potent blend of Chinese Indian and Mediterranean herbs, including rosemary, madacamia nut oil, turmeric and the medicinal herb Centella Asiatic. It is currently included in the anti-ageing treatment Dermyn, a product that began a major global roll-out last year following on from significant success in Scandinavia. Researchers at the Dermatology Clinic, in Lidingö, Sweden conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study on the formula and compared its effect on the skin with that of a placebo. The study took a group of 25 women aged 34 to 67, who were given two facial serums, one that was marked for use on the left-hand side of the face, the other that was for right hand of the face - one being the placebo, the other containing Tricutan. The study lasted four weeks, with the women's skin being assessed using a reviscometer, which determines the firmness by measuring its ability to transmit ultrasound rays, both at the start and the end of the experiment. The researchers say that tolerance to the Tricutan serum was 'generally good', but that three women did not finish the study because of mild contact dermititus. In those women that completed the study, researchers claim that the side of the face with Tricutan demonstrated a 20 per cent reduction in soundwave transmission times, according to the reviscometer, indicating increased firmness compared to the placebo. Tricutan was originally developed by Swedish dermatologist Dr. Beatrice Sommerfeld together with Swedish firm Adderma, a company that specialises in skin care research for cosmetic purposes. The developers of the formula claim that, whereas many anti-aging formulas target wrinkles, this particular formula penetrates the skin deeper to work directly on the underlying muscle. Tricutan's active ingredients are, according to the developers, thought to increase neurotransmitter activity to the muscles, 'thereby increasing facial muscle contractions and encouraging the face to give itself a natural facelift by shortening and tightening the muscles.' The next stage of the study will see researchers conducting specific work to determine whether or not Tricutan can be used by men and women to off-set the skin ageing process, and ultimately if it can be used as a way to avoid many types of cosmetic surgery. A recent cross cultural survey from healthcare specialists Allergan found that European women in particular are interested in non-invasive cosmetics medicine, in contrast to their American sisters, who are more interested in comprehensive plastic surgery options. According to the survey UK women are particularly open to the idea, with 35 per cent saying they would consider having anti-wrinkle injections.