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Overview
Prevage MD is a prescription skin care treatment, while its counterpart, Prevage, is a non-prescription lower-strength version from Elizabeth Arden. The treatments are designed to help correct fine lines and wrinkles, improve overall skin appearance, and help protect skin from stressful environmental agents. The active ingredient in both products is the antioxidant idebenone.
Oxidative Stress
Idebenone combats oxidative stress, a major cause of skin damage. Oxidative stress is caused by destructive free radicals from various sources, such as sunlight, air pollution and cigarette smoke. It is also caused by cell activity and aging. The stress signs for skin appear as wrinkles, lines, loss of elasticity and uneven tone. Sunscreens protect people from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, but do nothing to neutralize free radicals.
Environmental Protection Factor
Idebenone is an effective topical antioxidant which has an environmental protection factor (EPF) rating of 95. The EPF is a scale of 1 to 100, and measures the oxidative stress protection level of antioxidants included in skin care products. Some of these are idebenone, vitamin E, vitamin C, ubiquinone, lipoic acid and kinetin. Prevage MD has 1 percent idebenone while Prevage has 0.5 percent.
Identification
The products are manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Allergan, which markets Prevage MD and partners with Elizabeth Arden to sell the non-prescription version. Allergan also is the company that manufactures Botox cosmetic injections, which temporarily decrease or eliminate frown lines and brow furrows.
Considerations
Many users report a significant decrease in fine lines and wrinkles, but unfortunately, numerous online reviews are negative. The product apparently causes a rash or itchy skin for some people, and can also cause severe reactions, including facial swelling and blistering. The problem may not appear until after a few weeks of use. This is by far the most common complaint, much more common than anyone saying the product does not work. Generally, people who did not have negative skin reactions give Prevage great reviews.
Cost
Prevage is expensive, so ask ahead of time how to obtain a refund in case you have a negative reaction. The prescription version is less expensive than the over-the-counter version, but the necessity of obtaining a prescription from a physician may wipe out any savings.
