The following list of news fragments was complied by Cellular Skin RX, maker of Relax-A-Line™ for your convenience.

Source: Cellular Skin RX

Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 (also known as Argireline ) 

The Active Ingredient in Relax-A-Line™ Topical Serum is Acetyl Hexapeptide 3. It is a non-toxic amino-peptide developed specifically to reduce wrinkles and the signs of premature aging. Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 is a cost-effective alternative to injections and surgical procedures. Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 temporarily limits the overproduction and release of neurotransmitters that initiate and control the intensity of facial muscle contractions. This reduction in intensity reduces and prevents the formation of dynamic wrinkles that make your skin look aged. This powerful ingredient reduces muscle contractions in a non-paralytic fashion and without toxic side effects. It is naturally derived and non-irritating to the skin. Attaching the hexapeptide to the fatty acid, acetyl, allows the resulting amino-peptide to be easily absorbed into the skin.

At a 10% concentration, Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 has been shown to reduce the depth of wrinkles up to 30% after 30 days of trial use. (International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Vol. 24, No 5, p.303, October 2002) Currently, doctors are beginning to recommend use of Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 skin serums in conjunction with paralytic injections to prolong those results.

Source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science

Volume 24 Issue 5 Page 303 - October 2002

A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity C. Blanes-Mira*, J. Clemente , G. Jodas , A. Gil3, G. Fernández-Ballester*, B. Ponsati , L. Gutierrez , E. Pérez-Pay᧠and A. Ferrer-Montiel*

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) represent a revolution in cosmetic science because of their remarkable and long-lasting antiwrinkle activity. However, their high neurotoxicity seriously limits their use. Thus, there is a need to design and validate non-toxic molecules that mimic the action of BoNTs. The hexapeptide Ac-EEMQRR-NH2 (acetyl hexapeptide -3, coined Argireline) was identified as a result of a rational design programme. Noteworthy, skin topography analysis of an oil/water (O/W) emulsion containing 10% of the hexapeptide on healthy women volunteers reduced wrinkle depth up to 30% upon 30 days treatment. Analysis of the mechanism of action showed that acetyl hexapeptide-3 significantly inhibited neurotransmitter release with a potency similar to that of BoNT A, although as expected, it displayed much lower efficacy than the neurotoxin. Inhibition of neurotransmitter release was due to the interference of the A-Hex-3 peptide with the formation and/or stability of the protein complex that is required to drive Ca2+-dependent exocytosis, namely the vesicular fusion (known as SNARE) complex. Notably, this peptide did not exhibit in vivo oral toxicity nor primary irritation at high doses. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Argireline is a non-toxic, antiwrinkle peptide that emulates the action of currently used BoNTs. Therefore, this hexapetide represents a biosafe alternative to BoNTs in cosmetics.

Source: Anti-Aging and Cosmetic Surgery Magazine

Issue No 8, Body Skin & Beauty Section, March 2004, pp. 64-65

Pass the Peptide - Kate Berry

The undisputed peptide-of-the-moment is Acetyl-hexapeptide 3. This peptide was created specifically to relax facial muscles responsible for crow's feet, frown lines and other wrinkles. Because of its mild muscle relaxing effect, Acetyl hexapeptide 3 has been touted as a weaker, less invasive version of Botox, an enhancer of Botox, or an alternative for people who don't really want to use injectables.

Even doctors are cautiously recommending such products, especially as a complementary treatment for Botox. The effect of a topical peptide ingredient is not as fast and as effective as the injectable, however, noticed prolongation of the effects when a patients is using topical Acetyl hexapeptide 3. Peptides represent a new generation of biosafe treatment ingredients with anti-wrinkle properties.

Source: LUCIRE - www.lucire.com

Living section, October 2003

Peptide Promises - M.K. Johnson

…Perhaps the most commercially viable Botox® alternative, acetyl-hexapeptide (trade name Argeriline), developed by Spanish company Centerchem is showing promise as a less toxic, much less invasive alternative to the controversial injections…Argeriline works through a unique mechanism which relaxes facial tension leading to a reduction in superficial facial lines and wrinkles with regular use. Argeriline has been shown to moderate excessive catecholamine (neurotransmitters that are believed to cause the formation of the expressions leading to lines) release…results showed reduced wrinkle depth up to 30% upon 30 days' treatment…optimum concentration is around the 10% mark…

Source: COSSMA

Issue No 1, January 2003

New Mechanisms from New Actives - Dr. Karl Lintner, MD, Sederma, Paris

…sub-cutaneous injectible botulinum toxin that paralyses muscles and makes wrinkles disappear is extremely fashionable right now. However, the cosmetics industry has products in its portfolio that work in a similar way or produce similar results. Lipotec's acetyl hexapeptide, Argeriline for instance…limits the release of catecholamines and can lead to the relaxation of facial muscles and possible reduction in wrinkles formed by the expressions caused by these muscles…"

Source: Financial Times

Arts and Weekend/Fashion and Beauty section ~ 1/9/2004

Do Creams Beat Botox? - Hazel Curry

..those with the second ingredient, acetyl-hexapeptide or argeriline (its trade name) may do more. Unlike the pentapeptide, this is said to do the same as Botox - reduce muscle contraction. It's a synthetic peptide that competes with the proteins that normally relax muscle contraction signals from the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, when we express ourselves. Unlike Botox, argireline doesn't break this communication completely, but interferes with it…

Source: Allure

May 2003

Botox™ Spin-offs

Some face creams now contain an ingredient that mimics the effect of Botox™ injections-but with less potent results, according to a small study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Acetyl hexapeptide-3, marketed as Argireline, is a synthetic made of amino acids that was specifically engineered to relax wrinkles. The eight women who completed the experiment applied a lotion containing a .05 solution of Argireline to the crow's-feet. After one month, they had experienced no side effects, and before-and-after silicone molds demonstrated a 30 percent reduction, on average, in the depth of wrinkles. Like Botox™ Argireline locally disrupts nerve signals sent to muscles, relaxing the muscles and flattening the overlying skin, according to Arturo Puig, director of regulatory affiars and documentation for Lipotec Cosmetic Division, Argireline's manufacturer. But Argireline slows down these signals, whereas Botox™ stops them altogether.

Source: Happi.com

March 2004

What's new in Cosmetic R&D: High Performance Products

Lipotec has a new anti-wrinkle peptide, Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3). According to Centerchem, which distributes Argireline, the material "works through a unique mechanism which relaxes facial tension leading to a reduction in superficial facial lines and wrinkles with regular use. Argireline has been shown to moderate excessive catecholamines release." It is claimed to measurably plump surface lines to help smooth away visible signs of aging and reduce the depths the wrinkles in the face caused by the contraction of facial muscles, especially in the forehead and around the eyes.

Source: CosmeticSite.com

The Online Site for the Cosmetics Industry ~ December 2003

New Skin Care Actives

Argeriline is manufactured exclusively by the peptide synthesis of Lipotec and is proven to measurably plump surface lines to help smooth away visible signs of aging. This potent anti-aging hexapeptide reduces the depths of the wrinkles in the face caused by the contraction of the muscles of facial expression, especially in the forehead and around the eyes.