Cathy's Visit No. 1

On a muggy afternoon in July, a well tanned Cathy A., age 38, arrives at New York University's Dermatology Department for her initial visit. Shupack takes a history and, smoothing her hair back, examines her skin. Cathy, a Brooklyn homemaker and part-time hair stylist, is a light-skinned brunette (who tints her hair blond). Born in Greece, she spent childhood summers on the beaches of Athens, and these days she's out at the backyard pool with her 4 year old daughter and stepson of 12. She tans easily in summer and stays pale in winter--a Mediterranean type. At first glance, Cathy's complexion looks flaw-free, but close scrutiny reveals Crow's-Feet that bother her, a scattering of modest wrinkles and rough spots across her face, and freckles along her hair line.

Standard, nonproblemmatical skin, Shupack assesses. In fact, Cathy's complexion will emerge as the more "normal" of our two RENOVA testers'. And although she's no stranger to the sun, as he puts it, she will also prove to be less sun-damaged than Barbara, whose start-up visit follows.

Cathy would like RENOVA to reduce her Crow's-Feet. That's her goal. But before prescribing it, Shupack asks her contraindication questions (as he will the others), for example: Is she taking any medications that aren't compatible with RENOVA? No.

Once deemed a suitable RENOVA candidate, Cathy's instructed on how to use it. Every night, twenty minutes after cleansing her face, she's to squeeze out a pearl-sized dollop onto her fingertip and smooth it gently onto her face and neck--including the Crow's-Feet area. If it gets into her eyes, she's to wash it out. Five to ten minutes after the RENOVA has dried, she's to apply Neutrogena Light Night Moisturizer over it. And in the morning, she's to use Neutrogena Moisture, with an SPF of 15. Manufactured by one of Ortho's sister companies, these two non-irritating emollients were developed to be RENOVA-compatible. (Our other testers will also use these creams).

What if her skin gets flaky or irritated on RENOVA? Use less, or skip a day, then apply it every other day until the irritation subsides, she's advised. "Don't expect a Dorian Grey effect," Shupack adds, referring to the Oscar Wilde character whose portrait ages while his own face remains startlingly young. "The RENOVA process is slow and gradual. Maximum results won't show up for 9 to 12 months"--though he notes that fair skin like Cathy's is likely to display the best results. She's given a 3-month prescription. Any samples lying around to start her off? Shupack and staff search in vain—a telling sign of how popular this medication is. NEXT

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