CLINICAL EVIDENCE (Harris, S, MD, London, 2016)
Assessments
To test the effects of the Dr Harris Mask (DHM), a double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted on 30 subjects with mild to severe glabellar lines. Subjects in the experimental group (n=15) were instructed to wear the DHM for 15 minutes, while those in the control group (n=15) were instructed to wear a regular eye mask (REM) for 15 minutes. Changes in glabellar lines were assessed by expert grading and image analysis of digital images of subjects’ faces. Emotional relaxation was assessed by subject self-assessment. The results of this trial found that the DHM significantly improved the appearance of glabellar lines afer 15 minutes in comparison to the REM (p=.001), with comparable benefits at around five hours (Fig. 3). The former also showed a greater tendency toward emotional relaxation.
Preliminary results from a second random controlled trial support the above findings (after wearing the mask for just 10 minutes) as well as the underlying mechanism of action; when wearing the DHM, changes in blood pressure, heart rate and brain activity (EEG) indicate a lowering of sympathetic activity. Furthermore, it appears that the reduced muscle tone not only diminishes facial lines but produces an overall
relaxed appearance by reducing muscle activity related to stress; for example, the frown reduces; the corners of the mouth turn upwards; clenching of the jaw reduced and the definition of the jaw line improves. As a result, the face becomes more heart-shaped, and the patient appears less stressed and more fresh and youthful.
Results
In conclusion, the DHM introduces a novel, holistic approach to aesthetic medicine. It presents a completely non-invasive, safe and effective way to treat not only facial lines, but the face as a whole along with the body and mind. By gently stimulating mechanoreceptors, the DHM acts to reduce sympathetic activity leading to a decrease in both muscle tone and emotional arousal. The result is a simultaneous improvement in the way one looks and feels.
Discussion
To the authors’ knowledge, the SEM is the first product of its kind which specifically targets cutaneous recognised the differences between the masks when fitting them on for the experiment. This may have introduced an element of bias toward the SEM.
These limitations notwithstanding, the study data, from both objective and subjective assessments, provided consistent results to show the SEM significantly improved glabellar lines when compared to the REM and the former also showed a greater tendency toward emotional relaxation.
