Health, Fitness and Beauty

Snake venom face creams are a recent development in the battle against the appearance of aging. Daily use and wear take their toll as muscles stretch and pinch skin. Until now Botox has been the most effective product against wrinkles and fine lines. These creams now offer an alternative.

Muscles build and change in strength and size with repeated use. The overlying skin adapts and stretches to cover the changing shapes and volumes of the musculature underneath. When we are young, skin is very elastic and rebounds well from the many stretches and pulls it is subject to. As we grow older skin loses this ability.

Venom creams rely on the synthetic Syn-ake chemical which acts to relax muscles. This chemical was developed by scientists to replicate the Waglerin 1 tri-petpitde found in the fangs of the tropidolaemus wagleri snake, aka Malaysian Temple Viper. The bite of this animal immobilizes it’s prey by paralyzing the nervous system.

Creams contain dilute amounts of the serum at around three to five percent. This small amount allows for a sufficient amount of relaxation of the muscles to relieve skin of undue tension, while still allowing for regular facial expressions.

The venom operates using specific amino acids that block the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (mnAChR) neurotransmitters within the muscles. This prevents sodium ion (Na+) uptake in the post-synaptic membrane by keeping the ion canal closed. Communication to the muscles is shut down and they do not contract, allowing for localized relaxation.

The 2006 Swiss Technology Award was given to the product soon after it’s invention by a Swiss pharmaceutical company. It has since been distributed to various cosmetic companies for introduction into their facial cream product lines. It is blended with additional ingredients as companies see fit and marketed accordingly.

While Botox has been the most effective cosmetic treatment for wrinkles and fine lines, these creams are thought to be a rival that offer as or more effective treatments without the need for injections. Overall, this serum offers a less invasive opportunity than Botox. A down side is the necessary daily use which sharply contrasts twice annual applications of the competition.

Human skin is designed to keep out external material. It effectively filters out foreign proteins that would come into contact with the inner musculature. This has led scientists to question the effectiveness of the topical creams ability to reach the muscle through layers of subcutaneous fat and muscle, and is a primary reason Botox is injected.

The creams are generally marketed by high end cosmetic companies at a premium price. Costs range from thirty to two hundred dollars per one to two ounce bottle. With regular daily applications, a typical bottle will last one to two months. The time line for noticeable effects is around twenty eight days and results only occur with regular use. This can make for an expensive regiment, so you’ll have ask yourself whether your skin is worth it.

If you are looking for an alternative to Botox and have the money to spend, a snake venom face cream offers a unique alternative. Any allergens should be taken into consideration for each specific product, under the supervision of a physician.