During the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatologists held earlier this year in San Diego, derms hailed the power of heparan sulfate in the fight against the signs of aging. Now, Senté has formulated a new serum that contains this active ingredient to meet the challenge of getting tighter skin that pushes back. Its latest launch, Dermal Contour Pressed Serum, contains three breakthrough ingredients designed to deliver endogenous glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to the skin to help regulate, repair, and renew aging skin. During a recent press conference in New York City,  Jeanine Downie, MD, a board certified dermatologist; and Virginia L. Vega PhD and VP-R&D and physician education, Senté, discussed the critical role of the three key ingredients in skin aging and repair.


As individuals age, endogenous levels of SuGAGs (Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans) in the skin decrease significantly, contributing to the visible signs of aging, according to Senté. The first of the three ingredients in the formulation, heparan sulfate, addresses skin aging and repair, and is the most biologically active GAG. The second ingredient, dermatan sulfate, is fundamental for skin firmness; and the third, chondroitin sulfate, contributes to skin firmness and elasticity.


Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex sugars which are normal components of the skin, and are building blocks of life that are crucial for skin health, according to Vega.


“GAGS are necessary for cell and tissue viability. The sulfates in the serum formulation are high in biological activity, and are good for restoring skin health,” said Vega.


She explained how the serum is unique in its formulation of three glycosaminoglycan analogs to help tighten sagging skin, describing how the patented analogs; i.e., heparan sulfate analog, dermatan sulfate analog and chondroitin sulfate analog work together to help promote skin health by improving the appearance of mature, photoaged and dehydrated skin; Vega added that the process is helped along by the hydrating function of chondroitin sulfate, a highly hydrating concentrate.


Vega likened the skin to a mattress that registers impressions but cannot bounce back.


“Senté Dermal Contour Pressed Serum offers a formulation that features active ingredients to provide hydration, while also sealing the skin barrier and improving volume and elasticity, while decreasing the appearance of coarse wrinkles,” said Vega.


She noted that some serums are drying to the skin, however, the ingredients in the Senté formulation address the need to restore collagen with hydration, and enhance elasticity for skin fibers, with elastin.


“The combination of ingredients helps to create tighter skin that pushes back, and helps restore firmness and elasticity, while reinforcing the skin’s youthful contours,” said Vega.
 

Improving Skin Appearance
 

Downie explained how a clinically proven study showed improvement in the appearance of the skin in two weeks, noting that the new Senté Dermal Contour Pressed Serum helped to restore the water balance that decreases as the skin ages. She described how the formulation helps to control inflammation in the skin, allowing fibroblasts to produce and deposit collagen and elastin, and restore skin tightening.


Downie said that 75% of subjects in the clinical study they conducted saw their skin’s firmness improved, and 80% showed improvement in tightness at week 12. The serum is only available through the doctor’s office and is designed to be used twice a day, morning and night. Downie advised that the serum be used in combination with sunblock and noted its cumulative benefits.


“It is safe to use around the eyes and neck and will improve the décolleté lines,” she said. “While it won’t be replacing injectables in terms of volume, the serum will create plumping of the collagen and improved elasticity.”


Dermal Contour Pressed Serum retails for $189., per 30ml/1.0floz, bottle, and lasts for six weeks.


According to Laurent Combredet, CEO, Senté, this technology is really about skin improvement, tightening, and volume, and having these three glycosaminoglycans in one product allows us to improve all three aspects of skin care.


He noted that after running a series of immersive blogs with women discussing skin aging, they most frequently cited lines, wrinkles, and sagging as key concerns. “This product addresses the issues that are very important for patients,” said Combredet.


Other products in the Senté line of scientific skin care include Dermal Repair Cream, Senté Illuminé Eye Cream, Neck Firming Cream, Senté Pollution Shield SPF 46, Exfoliating Cleanser, Daily Soothing Cleanser, ATP Reset Moisturizer, and Bio Complete Serum.