CRI听力:Caviar Facial

Caviar is still the vital ingredient, but it's just one of many that have been packed into face masks on offer at Spas and beauty salons across the States.

Spas are keen to remain on the ball, so the formulas are constantly being redeveloped and improved. Spas claim the protein, vitamin and antioxidant rich caviar nourishes, hydrates and refreshes the skin. The aim of course, is to stay looking younger for as long as possible.

Laurel House is a lifestyle expert. House says Hollywood spa goers want indulgence. She's a fan of the remedies herself.

"What's great about caviar is that is has omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. It also has lecithin and nutrients, vitamins A and E, so we're replenishing and nourishing the skin."

According to Laurel House and other beauty commentators these therapies minimize lines and wrinkles.

But medical doctors warn we should do a bit more research before splashing out on expensive creams.

Dr. Sanusi Umar is a certified dermatologist,

"The studies are quite scant but we do have studies that show that prescription strength Vitamin A topically does work. These are found in pharmacies. You have to get a prescription for them. The types you find in the over the counter and the cosmo-ceuticals spas variety have not been shown to be effective."

Vida Emanuel is one of the salons to have become a regular haunt for the affluent Beverly Hills crowd. Here they've taken the caviar facial to a whole new level thanks to an approach devised by Vida Emanuel herself.

"It starts with a peel off collagen mask which penetrates all that collagen and protein that our skin needs, then it follows with IPL which is the intense pulse light therapy. It stimulates the collagen and elastin in our skin. Then the third step is the detoxing. Basically, manually we do the detoxing through our lymphatic system and as a result you get glowing skin. Then we end it with another caviar treatment, which not only do we put a caviar sheet on the face but we actually put the fresh caviar on the skin and then we seal with a collagen mask."

The $450 (USD) price tag reflects the time and effort required in order to achieve a youthful glow.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.