OCR Text |
Show No wonder wrinkle cream is in high demand grassroots K X ' i ) ' i Copyright 1985 Becky Grass Johnson There are some things that look pretty good with wrinkles; hound dogs, babies and raisins. Even a man with grey hair and a "furrowed" brow is considered distinguished looking. But for a woman, wrinkles are merely nature's way of saying, "Na-nana-nana." In the past we've tried to dance around the issue. We've sounded intellectual by referring to wrinkles as a reduction of collagen in the skin. We've given wrinkles cute names like smile lines and crow's feet. If we want to be scientific about it, we say it's the lack of structural support and elastin of the epidermis. Even beauty consultants use terms likes "folds" and "creases." It's all just another way of saying, "You're getting older, babe, and you've got the wrinkles to prove it." It's no wonder that recent news reports on Retin-A cream have triggered a flu. ry of inquiries to pharmacists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons all over the country. According to the American Medical Association, the prescription acne cream can restore wrinkled, sun-damaged skin. The A.M. A. reports that the cream smoothed wrinkles, erased spots and ; gave skin a rosy glow in 30 patients I with sun-damaged skin who used it j daily for four months. What's more, studies show that Retin-A has reduced actinic keratosis, a precancerous condition. Incredible! I i 4 says to herself, "Gee, I just love the way my face looks like it's been run through a grape press!" (Everybody wants to be like Mother Theresa, but I've never heard of anyone wanting to look like her!) I just don't think the Katherine Hepburn look is going to make it big this year. Not only do wrinkles make you look older, but they're so dog-goned sneaky. No one has ever said, "Oh my word, I think I have a little wrinkle coming on." You can't detect them. Instead you just wake up one morning with your birth date stamped across your face. And for those of you who are under the impression that crow's feet are delicate little folds of skin at the outward edges of the eye; WRONG! They don't call them crow's feet for nothing! Mine look like a flock crossing. So what if 30 patients received younger-looking skin through the use of Retin-A? Before I'm convinced con-vinced that they've discovered the fountain of youth, I'd like the FDA to put Retin-A to a real test. I'd like to see if Retin-A has any effect on the Grand Canyon of all wrinkles; stretch marks. Somehow I can't imagine any kind of cream that can rejuvenate skin with wrinkles running two inches wide and a foot deep. I wonder what Retin-A tastes like on Cheerios. by BECKI GRASS JOHNSON Before you speed to the nearest drug store, there is some bad news. Retin-A, a prescription cream, is in great demand and short supply. It may be several years before a generic, over the counter cream is available. A local woman pharmacist I talked to this week confirmed that ' there have already been several inquiries about Retin-A, all of which were made by women. (No surprise!) sur-prise!) She confided that when Retin-A is available, she plans to wear a nylon over her face, don a wig and go to another pharmacy and purchase some of the stuff for herself. Why be shy about it? Whether we'll admit it or not, women are creatures of vanity. Find me just one woman who wakes up in the morning, looks in the mirror and |