What is TECA™?
TECA™ (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica) is one of two ingredients in the world clinically proven in peer-reviewed medical journals to minimise the appearance of stretch marks and the only one that is also proven to prevent the appearance of stretch marks. The other ingredient that holds promise in minimising the appearance of stretch marks is Tretinoin; however, this isn’t classified as safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and has only been proved at levels that would typically require a prescription.
TECA™ accelerates the skin repair process through stimulating fibroblast migration (which deposit collagen) and boosting the vital proteins within the dermis (the inner layer of the skin).
Why have we selected it?
TECA™ remodels and re-densifies the skin and its curative effect on the size and colour of stretch marks, make it a critical component of our stretch mark treatments.
In a study of 40 postpartum women with stretch marks, half were given a 1% TECA™ formulation, and half a placebo cream to use twice daily over 3 months. The TECA™ formulation reduced the length of stretch marks by 26%, compared to 3%, and the width by 40%, compared to 6%. It was also twice as effective at reducing the intensity of colour of the stretch marks compared to the placebo.
Another study of 80 pregnant women proved its effectiveness at preventing stretch marks and reducing their severity compared to the placebo. What’s more, it was shown to provide protection from stretch marks in women who had a history of stretch marks during puberty.
The issue with generic Centella Asiatica (compared to TECA™):
TECA™ is the highly purified composition of the three triterpenoids found within Centella Asiatica that are known to have the most benefit on the skin – asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic acid. Generic Centella Asiatica extracts include the whole chemical composition of the plant and can be sourced from a range of locations with varying botanical compositions. The Centella Asiatica used in our TECA™ is sourced from Madagascar, where it grows wild and has a more stable composition of these actives at high concentrations.
TECA™ summary
| Recommended dose | 0.1-1% |
| Dose used in Stria Lab | 1% |
| Source | Titrated Extract of Centlla Asiatica |
| Region | Madagascar |
| Naturality | 100% natural origin |
| Data | Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies prove its efficacy. During the study on its curative effect on the stretch marks of postpartum women, participants used it twice daily for 3 months at a 1% dose. |
References
C. Laugel et al. (1999). Evaluation of the clinical and echographic efficacy of a cream with Centella asiatica in the treatment of stretch marks. Les Nouvelles dermatologiques, 18; 412-416.
García Hernández J.Á., Madera González D., Padilla Castillo M., Figueras F.T. (2013). Use of a specific anti-stretch mark cream for preventing or reducing the severity of striae gravidarum. Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Int J Cosmet Sci.;35:233–237.
Mallol, J., Belda, M., Costa, D., Noval, A. & Sola, M. (1991). Prophylaxis of Striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double-blind trial, Int J Cosmet Sci., 13(1), 51-57. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19291041
Ud-Din, S., McGeorge, and D., Bayat, A. (2016). Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 30(2): 211–222.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5057295/
WESOURCE by SEPPIC, (2019). TECA™ A Pharma* reference for skin repair available for Cosmetics application.