Defy Age We are in the process of testing a range of products, developed by Dr Dev Patel under the trademark name of CellDerma.
Five days into testing the products, we conducted an interview with Dr Patel, who is also the founder of the Perfect Skin Solutions clinic in Portsmouth.
Medical aesthetics
The medical-aesthetics sector shows strong resilience and is set to maintain a near double digit growth by next year 2025 (McKinsey).
Between-brand competition is fierce and marketing budgets underpinning many an outlandish or misleading claim are par for the course.
Dev Patel, founder of the CellDerma range, has an interesting career path that has partly informed his passion for creating a highly performing product, about which further down.
He Joined the Royal Navy where he worked as a dermatologist and, on his retirement, joined the NHS, specialising in the field of medical dermatology.
He moved on to the private sector with the opening of his Portsmouth clinic which has been the recipient of several Aesthetic Medicine awards.
The CellDerma range of products, the subject of this article, was originally developed to service his own patients primarily and in a bid to deliver high potency preparations without the harsh active ingredients that characterise many other well-established brands in the market place.
“No misleading language“
Carefully crafted misleading language plays an important part in the marketing of cosmetic products, says Dr Patel.
Ingredients such as stem cells, peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid, etc. are proven to influence customers’ perception of a product, even if the medical grade quantities are negligeable.
They are, in fact, “illusion ingredients”, because therapeutic class products are not subject to regulation.
CellDerma brand ethos
First of all, the product range does not include any fragrance, sulphate or harsh ingredients that could trigger a negative reaction in sensitive skins. It has been developed over a period of 5-10 years for the purpose of improving “cellular hydration”.
The star product of the range is a pump dispensed growth factor serum, GF5.
While CellDerma has not carried out nation-wide test studies, feedback has been nothing short of impressive. The product acts not only to improve the quality of normal skin but has been proven to repair burns and reduce the appearance of old scars – it is, Dr Patel says, a “rescue treatment”, even when used on its own.
It contains over 18 active ingredients ( see below*** some of the ingredients listed on the CellDerma website) and is an all-in-one treatment that can be combined with others in the range, improving texture, thickness and elasticity in the space of a 24-day regular use.
Dr Patel has not invested heavily into brand marketing. He believes that the results will prove his position, namely that CellDerma is a disruptor brand.
Our experience
First of all, as our readers know, we only review products that we feel are worth reviewing: those that have passed the test of a dedicated editor.
We are in the process of testing the following:
GF5, Retin-Ace Resurface serum, Collagen restore night cream. The application protocol can be found on this page
We are using GF5 in the morning in combination with Collagen Restore cream, as below:
Collagen Restore cream 3-4 times a week, at night
Retin-Ace 3-4 times a week, also at night
The tester normally uses a HA serum for hydration, followed by a multi-oil morning product because her skin is very dry. She refrained from using her regular regime for the duration of the test, applying only GF5 in the morning.
Using just 2 pumps of the product appeared insufficient and counter-intuitive for a skin that is accustomed to an oil barrier preventing dehydration. She started with 4 pumps, gradually reducing the amount to 2 pumps.
Astonishingly (and impressively), GF5 left the skin well-hydrated and visibly smooth, allowing for an even spreading of a 50 SPF sun protection product. Blemishes have diminished and minor wrinkles appear “ironed out”. The skin texture shows remarkable improvement. It has been a long time since we have been this excited by the launch of a cosmetic product and will follow up after 3 weeks use of the full range for a final verdict.
The tested did not encounter any intolerance to Retin-Ace and continues to use this every other night, alternating with Collagen restore night cream.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please apply these products on a scrupulously cleansed skin (the tested lightly exfoliated) for optimum skin penetration and effect.
*** Palmitotyl Tripeptide-8 – a peptide which reduces redness, irritation and skin sensitivity.
Copper Tripeptide-1- this ‘miracle’ peptide has collagen-boosting, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory
and cell cleansing properties.
Neuropeptides – two clinically proven wrinkle-reducing peptides.
5 Ceramide Complex – based on the key ceramides found in our skin to provide intense hydration,
repair skin barrier and reduce how quickly you lose moisture from your skin during your normal day
to day activity(TEWL).
Calcium alpha-hydroxymethionine & Homotaurine – help restore skin thickness, firmness,
elasticity and smoothness.
Dr. Dev Patel, Cosmetic Doctor and Founder of Cellderma, will be hosting a talk on Debunking skincare myths at The Beauty Show live event (20 Sept, Business Design Centre, London, from 14:00– 14:30 on The Main Hair & Beauty Stage).
