(And what the heck is Mandelic Acid anyway?)
The story reads like something from a Harrison Ford movie, and, if the end results are as satisfying, I’m in.
It begins with Dr. Stanley Jacobs, a San Francisco facial cosmetic surgeon and Egyptologist who became intrigued by an ancient Egyptian scroll that had been discovered in the early 1900s. It mentioned a serum formulated by ancient pharmacists that was supposed to keep skin smooth and supple – but the scroll was only partially translated and the main ingredient remained a mystery.
Buried in the text was a recipe that promised to “transform an old man into a youth.” After an eight-year quest, Dr. Jacobs ultimately translated one key word: hemayet, which meant “bitter almonds.” Apparently, the Egyptians used bitter almonds as a topical paste that they then applied to their skin. Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from almond extract and is a close cousin of glycolic acid; because the molecule is larger it penetrates skin more slowly, offering sustained results with virtually no irritation.
“Mandelic acid is naturally grown and has been cultivated for centuries, but its use as a skin rejuvenator had been lost since the time of Tutankhamen,” says Dr. Jacobs, who plans to expand the line with daytime moisturizers, facial cleanser, eye cream, night cream, facial scrubs, weekly home peels, acne solutions, sunscreens and more. “The Egyptians put such a weighted emphasis on protecting and minimizing the aging of skin, so it seems logical that they would have developed specific, natural chemicals, which we should explore and utilize for modern man.”
To create his exclusive formula, Dr. Jacobs partnered with Jules Zecchino, former vp of research and development at Estee Lauder.
In a biomechanical study, Dr. Jacobs had patients apply his Visco-Elastic Transforming Serum™ with Mandelic Acid to their faces and necks twice daily. Each week, the patients’ skin was tested (eyelids, cheeks, jowls and neck) with a Cutometer®, a device used to measure the viscoelasticity of the skin that is accurate to one millionth of an inch. By the third week, the improvements were substantial, with increases in elasticity seen in all areas. By the fourth and fifth weeks, some patients had seen as much as 85 percent improvement. The study also included photographic evidence and patient testimonials, but the scientific results left little doubt that Stanley Jacobs MD Visco-Elastic Transforming Serum™ produced dramatic results — without irritation, as can be seen with glycolic or retinoic acids. The study results were presented at the California Society of Facial Plastic Surgeons this past February and submitted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Archives of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
I’ve been using Dr. Jacobs’ Visco-Elastic Transforming Serum for almost a week now and, while it’s too early to see visible results, I remain hopeful. The serum dissolves instantly and my skin feels smoother. And, since the serum is odorless, it didn’t irritate my allergic and highly sensitive skin. If you want to hear about my results, drop me an email in the coming weeks and I’ll let you know.
Visco-Elastic Transforming Serum™ with Mandelic Acid is protected by multiple U.S. patents and patent-pending technology, and is the first in a series of Stanley Jacobs MD Skin Care products. It is available exclusively at Amazon.com and through Dr. Jacobs’ private medical practice. Visco-Elastic Transforming Serum™ with Mandelic Acid costs $120 for one fluid ounce, which is typically a two- to three-month supply. For more information, visit: http://www.stanleyjacobsmd.com.
