DNA based Skin Care
March 1, 2006 by Christina Jones
Filed under Skin Care
b5’s very own Olympian, Scott Goldblatt from Timed Finals sent me this article from Health Magazine last night about Dermagenetics, a company that takes DNA samples from your cheek and uses the genetic information it finds to create the perfect skin care regime for your skin. Whether you have a genetic predisposition for wrinkles, dry skin, saggy eyes, and/or sun damage, you will get a cream made with just the perfect ingredients for you. The initial order (with DNA analysis) is $375, with refill orders for $159. Currently they only offer a night cream, but are nearly ready to release the cleanser, an eye gel and a body firming lotion.
Health’s reporter tested the cream out, and here is what she said about it:
I put it to the test for Health and found that it took about 3 weeks to notice any difference. After that, my skin felt softer and the tone was more even—plus it looked like some of my sun spots had faded. After 2 months, the line between my brows was a tiny bit less noticeable, though all of my usual wrinkles were still there.
And also from the article, here is what an expert says about this technology:
“With our current level of knowledge, it would be difficult to analyze DNA from most individuals, predict if they’re prone to wrinkles or accelerated aging, and determine what skin-care products they need,” says Paul Doetsch, PhD, biochemistry professor at Emory University School of Medicine who studies DNA damage, repair, and genetic instability. “That said, with more research, this kind of thing should be possible one day.”
That is good to know. I wonder what Dr. Lei at Genetics and Health thinks about this?
~By the way, I love tips, questions and any other suggestions for topics that you might be interested in. Email me any time at christina@b5media.com and let me know what you would like to read/learn/talk about!
Doesn’t this sound like a lot of hooey? Someone’s trying to grab an awful big piece of the gajillion dollar skincare pie. And people who can afford it will probably gobble it up, thinking their skin is so unique they need a custom made night cream. LOL
That IS indeed a big piece of pie. I will go with my friend Hsien (Dr. Lei) who says “bullocks,” and stick with my Proactiv, Plantidote, and all the rest of my regime. Still costs just about as much though.
How can someone custom create a skin care regime for me based on my genetic profile when my DNA will always stay the same if I am 8 or 88 ? Sounds to me like they want me to open up my pocket book and insult my intelligence at the same time.