Over the past few years, a vast array of products and equipment has been launched claiming to firm the skin.  
 
Equipment used includes laser and radio frequency devices that physicians use to stimulate collagen production and increase firmness on the face and body.  

While clinical studies have shown these treatments to be highly effective, the high equipment prices of $30,000 or more have resulted in procedural fees of at least $300 to $800, making it an expensive option. Some doctors charge over $1,500 for treatment with some devices, such as the Thermage ThermaCool. 
 
Topical products offer firming options for a considerably lower cost. Many different products have long been available, formulated from both synthetic and natural ingredients. 
 
Many synthetic products include preparations formulated from proprietary blends of ingredients such as Avon’s Bust Sculpt as well as another product containing a combination of petroleum-based ingredients called Virtual Bra Technology.  
 
Natural firming lotions give similar benefits, but only use ingredients derived from organic plant materials.  For example, Paul Penders Kigelia Lipo and Phyto – Tocotrienol Firmer Curves contains extracts prepared from the Kigelia Africana tree. The bark, leaves and the fruit pulp of this tree contain several flavonoids and glycosides that have been shown in clinical studies to help regenerate collagen and elastin in the skin, thereby increasing firmness. In fact, African women have traditionally made creams from the Kigelia tree to increase bust firmness.  
 
In tests conducted by the French-based Laboratory Prod'Hyg, hydro glycolic extract of Kigelia Africana improved bust firmness by more than 70% when applied once daily over a 3-week period. Dr. Gatot, a senior chemist at Paul Penders, noted that the company’s Kigelia Lipo and Phyto – Tocotrienol Firmer Curves worked so well, that some customers, both male and female, used it to firm facial skin. 
 
Since Kigelia Africana is only available in relatively small quantities, it is not widely used in firming creams. Other natural bust firming agents include pueraria mirifica, (which comes from the White Kwao Krua herb in Thailand), silybum marianum, alchemilla vulgaris, equisetum arvense, glycine soja, wheat germ oil, alfalfa and radish. 
 
© 2008 Paul Penders