Skin care treatments that you apply to your face to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles have been around for a long time. However, none of the well-known anti-wrinkle creams have been shown to reduce facial sag, which is an even more prominent sign of aging than wrinkles. Therefore, a market exists for providing a topical agent that firms and rejuvenates the skin by reducing facial sag.

DMAE is an acronym for dimethylaminoethanol, which is a naturally-occurring chemical that has been proven to lessen the decline of cognitive capacity and memory that you get when you age. It is known primarily for its ability in this regard. It has also been shown to help reduce certain cognitive disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To do this, it stabilizes cell membranes that contribute to increased memory and healthier brain activity. The degradation of cell membranes is thought to be one of the main causes of aging.

But can DMAE reverse signs of aging on your face? DMAE`s ability to act as a skin-firming agent is less known. It has been shown that DMAE does cause some level of skin tightening and facial lifting. It is unknown how it accomplishes this; however, there are several ideas. It could reduce sagging by evening out facial skin membranes, or producing more of a chemical called acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction. It could also be working to reduce lipofuscin deposits, which are the main cellular pigments found in age spots, or "liver spots." These spots are primarily observed in elderly patients.

When it works, the results are often noticeable but not dramatic. DMAE has not been observed to reverse facial sag that already exists on your face. However, it could slow the development of facial sagging as you age. People with epilepsy or bipolar disorder should not use DMAE. Side effects are possible, including gastrointestinal problems, body odor, drowsiness, increased blood pressure, depression, confusion, or irritability. DMAE should not be used by pregnant or breast-feeding women, unless given by a doctor.

Many skin care companies have DMAE creams available to consumers, however, they are currently expensive due to the lack of market competition. An alternative exists - consumers will be happy to know that DMAE creams can be made in the comfort of your own home, and its concentration can be modified to fit your specific skin type.