AFA™ Brightening Gel for Hyperpigmentation and Age spots

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the AFA™ Brightening Gel?
A: The AFA™ Brightening Gel is designed for use on hyperpigmentation and age spots. It uses the same effective acidic amino acids that you find in the AFA™ home care formulations, but we have added an ingredient (Asafetida) that has shown to help in decreasing the visible signs photo-aging.

Q: What is Asafetida?
A: For years, this resin has been used in Chinese health remedies and to beautify skin tone and help promote lightening of the skin. Asafetida Extract exhibits strong in vitro anti-tyrosinase activity, which reduces melanin production, resulting in an even skin tone and minimizes skin discoloration.

Q: What are the benefits of the AFA™ Brightening Gel with Asafetida?
A: You get all the benefits of the AFA™ gel:

• Significant improvement in hyperpigmentation
• Effective exfoliation with out the irritation associated with other types of cosmeceuticals such as AHAs.
• Greater moisture retention.
• Powerful antioxidant.
Plus
• Asafetida has been shown to inhibit the precursory step, tyrosinase activity, which is the initial conversion step in the synthesis of melanin that presents as hyperpigmentation and age spots.

Q: How does it work?
A: The AFAs™ break the bonds that hold skin cells together and effectively exfoliating dead skin cells from the upper layers of the epidermis. This helps to improve the appearance of visible signs of photo/hyperpigmentation and age spots. It also helps to restore transparency to dull, uneven skin tone.
Asafetida has been shown to inhibit the precursory step, tyrosinase activity, which is the initial conversion step in the synthesis of melanin, that presents as hyper or photopigmentation
By putting these two ingredients together, they work synergistically to target both the source and end result (visible effects) of hyper/photopigmentation. We also feel AFA™ gel vehicle may allow for deeper penetration of the ingredients to achieve better results.

Q: How long will it take to see results?
A: You will get the immediate results of an overall brightening of the skin tone. This is the same result you currently experience from the AFAs™. However, over time the age spots will exfoliate off and reduce in appearance. The Asafetida will also be present to help inhibit tyrosine activity. Remember, some age spots may be too deep for the gel to reach and may require more invasive treatment such as laser procedures to address them.

Q: How often do I use the Gel?
A: The gel should be used once a day and can be used in addition to the normal gels.

Q: Are there any precautions?
A: When dealing with photo-pigmentation on darker complexions, or African-American, Asian, or Indian skin tones there are a few additional considerations. During the course of treatment of these skin types, a slight darkening of the more photo-pigmented areas of the skin may sometimes be observed. This is not pigmentation, but is merely the precedent to the exfoliation of these areas. The Gel can be discontinued for the day or so that it takes for these areas to exfoliate.

Discontinue the use of the gel 24 hours before and evening of a Professional AFA™ in-office Peel.
We do not recommend applying other products over the Brightening Gel.

Advise your clients not to over use the gel. Overuse of the gel can result in irritation to the affected areas. Never allow your patients to pick or scratch off the hyperpigmented spots. This can result in scarring.

Q: What size does the product come in?
A: The AFA™ Brightening Gel comes in a 1 oz glass bottle with a pump. The gel also comes in an attractive box. The product can be ordered with or without the box since some countries that need to address language issues.

Q: How do I apply the gel?
A: The AFA™ Brightening gel should be gently applied to clean, dry skin, using a circular motion, until completely absorbed. Use enough to cover areas with darker pigmentation and surrounding areas. The AFA™ Brightening Gel is a concentrated formula, so use it sparingly. Apply to the face, hands, or body.

Q: Does the AFA™ brightening Gel have Hydroquinone in it?
A: No, The gel utilizes the AFAs™ and Asafetida extract. Asafetida has been used for many years in Chinese health remedies and also has been show to help minimize skin discoloration.

Q: Is a sunscreen needed?
A: Yes, the use of a sunscreen is needed. Sun exposure will cause the age spots to return. Note, we recommend a non fragranced sunscreen. Fragrances can cause irritation.

Q: What marketing materials will be available from exCel?
A: We will have the flier available for use at no charge. A CD is also available with the art work of the flier for those countries that choose to develop their own or edit the flier in different languages.

Q: What is the Price of the Brightening Gel?
A: The Gel is priced to the distributor at $20.00. It would retail to the end patient for between $80-$100.00 USD.

Q: Are there any trends with Facial Brighteners?
A: Yes, facial Brighteners are becoming one of the fastest-growing product categories at prestige cosmetic counters around the globe. As we age our skin becomes duller and it loses that radiant glow we used to have when we were younger. No surgery can bring back this glow. That’s why brighteners are becoming so important.