Aesthetics Queen

var sc_project=5790860; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="f3fea524";

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

STOPPING THE CLOCK BY LENGTHENING YOUR TELOMERES

I have been talking about the relationship between telomere length and ageing for some time now, last night I attended an interesting talk on the subject, scientists believe you can considerably increase your life span and quality of life through preventing loss of length in your telomeres, and even increase the length through lifestyle and supplementation.

So what are telomeres?

Telomeres are DNA structures at the end of chromosomes within each cell. These protect the DNA when cells replicate. As cells divide the telomeres get shorter, providing less protection, which can lead to DNA mutation and ultimately to cell death. This occurs naturally as we age, but lifestyle, hereditary and environmental factors also affect this process. Shorter telomeres are linked to an increased risk of developing various diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular etc. Shorter telomeres are also linked to a higher chronological age, of course affecting the appearance of our body, skin, hair etc.

Although telomere length is a good indicator of a person’s chronological age, health and life span, this is not the reason people age. Various factors affect the telomere length including hereditary, lifestyle and environmental. These factors in turn affect the levels of inflammation, glycation and free radical damage our body experiences, which ultimately affects the length of our telomeres, which are linked to our chronological age.

What can we do to maintain the length of our telomeres?

Eat an anti inflammatory diet (avoiding processed carbohydrates, dairy, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes etc), prevent free radical damage by consuming a diet high in antioxidants (fruits, berries and vegetables) and avoid glycation by cutting out sugar and processed carbohydrates. These are the basics, and hardly news for most of us.

There are also various supplements you can take to take care of those telomeres including a good quality multi vitamin, vitamin D3, omega-3 fish oil, l-carnitine, l-carnosine, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and TA-65.

What is TA-65?

This is a nutritional supplement, containing a molecule extracted from the astragalus plant designed to maintain and even increase telomere length. The supplement has been used since 2007, without known unwanted side effects. Test subjects have shown improvements in immune system functions, vision, sex drive, energy levels and skin elasticity. It comes with a heavy price tag tough!

A few words on exercise…

Get moving to maintain healthy telomeres, you should be engaging in a minimum of 1 hour of exercise, 3 times a week.  Any exercise is good, in particular weight training to develop muscle mass and yoga as it is highly stress reducing. Daily meditation is also recommended to maintain that zen-like state of mind.  

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

PEPTIDE POWER

Most skin connesseurs have heard of peptides, which are various forms of proteins added into skin care products as they are reported to induce collagen and elastin production (Matrixyl 3000, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 and Tripeptide-1), which will tighten, firm and plump up the skin. Certain peptides are also believed to cause the muscles to freeze, causing a "botox-like" effect. These include Pentapeptide-18 and Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline).

Other peptides have hormone- like effects, for instance Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 is designed to compensate for natural loss of thymic factors, which cause cell renewal and strengthen the immune function of the skin. 

There are also peptides, which are said to reduce eye bags; Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 has been reported to reduce the decomposition of the collagen, to increase the lymph flow and to prevent water retention around the eye area. 

                                      Good products?

There are many products on the market, that include peptides in their product formulations. I would always go for a cosmeceutical brand, as the dosages will be higher, which means results will be better. I like the Dermaquest range, as they include peptides in most of their products, I particularly recommend the Peptide Mobilizer, a cocktail of all the latest and most effective peptides to treat most anti-aging concerns. A and M eye Recovery is also a good peptide-rich eye serum as is the Collagen Activating Complex by Dermaquest. 

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

Hi, I am a 62 yr old and my face is slipping! along with my neck. I have bought (ebay) a Cleo II for face and a NuFace, should I use both at different times of the week or start with 1 or the other ( iam trying out the nuface at the mo) but would really like to use both machines if possible. If I can use both what would be the best regime? Heres hoping you can help this silly old female. Thanks in advance Jay x

Hi Jay,

I am a firm believer of facial exercise to combat sagging skin and revive overall complexion. The two devices can be used together, as they treat different concerns.

The Cleo II is an electronic muscle stimulator, it will work on the muscles of the face, toning the muscles, thus causing the face "lift". The NuFace, on the other hand is a micro current toning device, and will work on skin toning and softening of fine lines, but also on lifting of the face.

As these are both electronic devices, I would recommend you do not use these on the same day. My recommendation would be to use the devices on alternate days, and leaving 1-2 days break per week.

Also don't forget to use nourishing antioxidants on skin, like Skin Ceutical's Phloretin, and a product containing peptides or growth factors, such as Dermaquest's 3D Stem Cell Complex or Peptide Mobilizer. Another good new addition to the market is Skin Medica's Growth Hormone Complex. These products together with facial exercise should produce visible results with regular use.

Good Luck!

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

so does the Stop device you talked about in 2010 really work. Have you had any feedback. jackie

Hi Jackie

I have not used the device myself, but the feedback has been mostly positive. Some people find it makes a big difference, whereas others have not found it that efficient.

Stop Age is a radio frequency device, which increases collagen production in the dermal skin layer, which in turn tightens and firms the skin. We provide RF treatments at my clinic, and the results have been very good. 

I do believe the device will work, combined with the right skin care programme- an exfoliating cleanser, a potent antioxidant, peptides, a hydrator and a good physical sunblock. Like all facial treatments, lifestyle factors will also affect results, such as your eating and drinking habits.

Hope this answers your question!!

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

BOOST YOUR COLLAGEN

Collagen - a buzz word we see in just about every woman’s magazine we open. Most of us know preserving our collagen is key to keeping our skin supple, wrinkle free and youthful. Beauty brands have for some time been capitalizing on this by introducing products containing collagen, with the promise that this potion will restore our own.

Unfortunately, preserving and restoring ones collagen is not quite as simple as that. Think about it, why would putting collagen on your skin produce more of it? It will not, the molecules are also simply too big to actually penetrate the skin. You need a product that contains ingredients, which help your skin produce its own collagen. Research has shown such ingredients are vitamin A and C, phytessence wakame, Q10 and copper peptides.

Remember collagen is a protein, the body needs fuel to produce this- in the form of protein, fats, minerals and vitamins (A, C, B, E). So stock up on fish, chicken, vegetables (think all colours of the rainbow) and healthy fats like olive oil and avocado. If you don’t have time or patience to focus on your diet, take a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement. 

Good luck 

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

WANT YOUR PRODUCTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? GO FOR COSMECEUTICALS

Cosmeceuticals are a marriage between cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. They tend to contain more of the active ingredients (think vitamin A, C, E, retinol, peptides, AHAs etc.) compared to traditional cosmetics. These products also have effective delivery systems, meaning the ingredients are actually delivered deep into the dermis where they need to do their work to make a difference to your skin.

Cosmeceuticals typically claim to improve skin tone, texture and radiance, while reducing wrinkling, and most of them do when used in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

      Cosmeceuticals are generally retailed through a network of skincare specialists, you will find them in clinics, medispas, spas, salons and online, but they are also increasingly sold in department stores.

As the cosmeceutical market is growing, many companies are jumping on the opportunity to earn a piece of the profit. Make sure your products come from a reputable brand, with plenty of scientific research behind them. Also get into the habit of reading the ingredients list, and make sure the product contains enough of the active ingredient to be effective (for instance products containing vitamin C need to have at least 10% of the vitamin to make a difference, more is better).

Check out the following cosmecutical brands: SkinCeuticals, Cosmedix, Dermaquest, Environ, CellX, MD Formulations, Medik8, Obagi

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

THUMBS UP- THE RETEXTURING ACTIVATOR BY SKINCEUTICALS

Skin Ceuticals have a fab new product I have been using for the past few months with great results: the Retexturing Activator. The key benefits this product provides is hydration and exfoliation, without any irritation.  

The Retexturing activator is good for all skin types, especially dull, lifeless, aging, dry or acne-prone skin as it promotes the cell renewal process and increases the skin’s hydration levels. Skin Ceuticals promise regular use will diminish surface lines and make the skin smoother and softer. After using the product for a couple of months, I can say my skin definitely looks brighter and is more hydrated. This product definitely gets the thumbs up from me. 

A word of warning, some users have reported the product is somewhat sticky, I personally have not been bothered by the product’s consistency, the key is to use it in moderation- 4-6 drops after cleansing, both morning and night.

Key ingredients:

Hydroxyethyl Urea/Aminosulfonic Acid Compound stimulates enzymes that help break down dulling and pore-clogging dead skin cells and replenishes moisture levels. Kombuchka (Black Tea Ferment) enhances skin smoothness, radiance, and clarity. Hyaluronic Acid binds water to the skin and helps the skin retain moisture.

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

GO RAW – YOUR SKIN WILL THANK YOU FOR IT

There has been a lot of hype around the raw food diet during the past years. Studies have shown that people who follow this diet are less prone to heart disease, experience more energy, better digestion and of course see the benefits in their skin.

The raw food diet is based on consuming unprocessed, preferably organic, whole plant-based foods, of which at least 75 per cent should be uncooked. 

Does this sound like something too hard to handle? Completely understandable, but your skin will thank you for even a slight increase in raw foods. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, which are essential for healthy cell function and thus luminous skin.

Fruits and veggies contain enzymes, which perform various important functions; they deliver nutrients, carry away toxic wastes, digest food, purify the blood, deliver hormones and strengthen the immune system. They also break down old skin cells so that new ones can be produced. 

So go as raw as you can, if this sounds like too big a challenge, or this does not suit you due to a medical condition, invest in a good “green powder”, such as Inner Light or Cosmedix’ Balance. Such powders are packed with pressed vegetables, which provide you with similar benefits of raw vegetables. 

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

CAN LIGHT THERAPY TURN BACK TIME?

I am excited about a piece of equipment I have been trying out- the LED light. Regular use has been proven to stimulate collagen production and regenerate skin cells- among other things causing tightening of the skin, reduction in sunspots, blemishes and wrinkles as well as smoothening of the skin and reduction in pore size. 

It almost sounds too good to be true, but from experience I can tell you it does live up to its reputation; After 3 weeks of using the equipment for 22 minutes 2-4 times per week my skin looked more alive and radiant than it had in years. It became more even, I looked more rested overall, and the puffyness I sometimes experienced around the eyes disappeared. I was also not the only person to notice this change; after about one week on the program, co-workers and clients began complementing me on my complexion. Do I need to say more?

                                          The science behind this...

The human body benefits from different types of light, the red light is very beneficial for skin healing- it penetrates beneath the skin into the deeper layers, and speeds up the cell regeneration process by helping the cells produce energy and new DNA. It also stimulates fibroblasts, helping the body to produce more collagen. In addition to this it increases blood flow, bringing nutrients and oxygen to cells and encourages lymph flow, which rids the body of toxins.  

NASA discovered LED about 40 years ago; it was used to stimulate plant growth within their space program. Studies then showed that this therapy also encouraged healing of injuries and cell repair amongst astronauts in space. 

Is this the new miracle machine that will stop the clock? I would not go that far, but I do believe regular use (in combination with a healthy lifestyle and good skin care) will slow down the ageing process, keeping skin youthful longer, and even reverse some signs of ageing. In my books it is worth a try!

Try it at a reputable clinic or medispa.

Good at-home LED equipment: Baby Quasar, Pericone MD Light Therapy, Collagen Light Therapy Lamp, DPL Light Therapy System (ensure the equipment has both red and infrared lights at wavelengths of 620+)

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

PUMP UP THE PROBIOTICS

Most of us have heard of the importance of probiotics, or “good bacteria” for digestive health and wellbeing, but these are also essential for maintaining healthy and youthful looking skin. This is because our skin is directly connected to our digestive system and any imbalances or toxity will also reflect on the skin.

Probiotics do wonders for our digestive system; they protect us against illnesses and infections, help digestion of food and absorption of minerals and nutrients, support the immune system and also create a barrier for allergens, bacteria and pollution. They keep our gut happy, which in turn will help our skin look radiant. 

Probiotics are necessary for most people today as our way of living destroys our intestinal flora: drinking tap water, taking birth control pills or antibiotics, poor eating habits and drinking alcohol. This in turn leads to gas, bloating, constipation, intestinal toxicity and poor absorption of nutrients, in turn affecting our skin. 

There are many good probiotics on the market to choose from, but your best bet is to go for a high quality trusted brands. Packaging is also important; the best probiotics are packed in glass jars, and must be refrigerated for freshness. The supplement should also contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria strains at a minimum of 10 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per dose. In addition to this probiotics should not contain more than 5 strains of bacteria, as they can create negative competition.

You can also increase the friendly bacteria by eating certain foods - especially live yogurt, Japanese miso, tempeh and some cheeses have a probiotic action in the gut, however you can never be sure what strain of bacteria you are eating or exactly how much is contained in these foods, so in most cases a supplement is beneficial. 

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

REMOVE TH0SE VEINS FOR SEXY SUMMER LEGS

Running around most of the time has caused me to develop a couple of unwanted spider veins on one of my legs. I decided to tackle the problem and have them removed with laser.

Leg veins, either spider or varicose, appear when the valves that prevent de-oxygenated blood from flowing back to the body (while on the way to the heart) fail for some reason. This could be due to various factors that put excessive pressure on the valves, such as prolonged periods of standing, pregnancy or obesity. Some people are also more prone to this condition than others.

There are a few treatment options on the market,

the method used the longest is sclerotherpy, where a non-toxic solution is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and then be absorbed by the body. A newer method, is laser vein removal, where similarly to sclerotherapy the veins collapse due to heat and are then absorbed by the body. Both methods may require up to 3 sessions to be effective and sclerotherapy clients must wear support stockings a few weeks following the procedure.

The verdict: PAINFUL! I would recommend using local anaesthetic cream as this really hurts. The area is somewhat swollen and red today, so I cannot determine if the first treatment has been successful, but my Aesthetic Therapist seemed very excited by the results. It will also take up to 8 weeks to see the final results, and before any additional treatments can take place.

Where? Most cosmetic surgeries and medispas offer this service: Harley Medical Group, EF MediSpa, Beyond MediSpa, MediSpa @ Harrods, Destination Skin etc.

The damage? You will be looking to pay around £150 per treatment, well worth it for those sexy summer legs! 

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

Beauty is a harmonious relation between something in our nature and the quality of the object which delights us

 Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) French mathematician, physicist and philosopher.

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

THE SCENT OF YOUTH

A growing amount of anti-ageing products are introduced to the market every year, the latest one being a scent that promises to rejuvenate women by 8-12 years! This is what the company behind the Ageless perfume say; " clinical trials have proven that men around women who use Ageless believe them to be at least 8 years younger" 

Apparently our scent changes as we age, we produce more body odors. The research shows that scents such as grapefruit and apple mask these odors, and generally remind people of youth.

This is quite a claim, weather it is true or not, hard to say, have a look for yourself on the company's website www.harveyprince.com. Alternatively, when buying your next perfume, go for a scent with one or more of Ageless' key ingredients: pink grapefruit, mango, pomegranate, japanese cherry blossom, vanilla (proven aphrodisiac for males), jasmine and musk, and let us know if you are treated differently!

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

TO TAN OR NOT TO TAN, THAT'S THE QUESTION…

For years we have been told to stay out of the sun, as this will make us age and causes all types of cancers. Recent research, however, is telling us quite the opposite.

It all boils down to vitamin D, which is produced in our bodies with help of the sun and from what we eat. This vitamin is extremely important for keeping our immune system healthy; cancers, autoimmune disorders, heart disease and osteoporosis are all linked to a lack of vitamin D. And recent studies show that most people living in the northern hemisphere, who rarely see the sun, tend to be deficient in this vitamin. 

Vitamin D is produced in our body with help of the sun’s UVB-rays. These are also the burning rays, which make us develop a tan. The UVB-rays are most active between 12pm and 2pm, and thus enable the production of vitamin D. 

Studies also show that wearing a sunscreen of SPF 8 will reduce the body’s ability to make vitamin D by 95%!

Therefore the latest research now recommends catching the sun during peek hours on skin without sunscreen for around 15 minutes 3-4 times per week to optimise production of vitamin D. Darker skin tones will need more unexposed time in the sun (around 30 minutes 3-4 times per week). 

Nevertheless, in light of these research findings, we still need to remember to protect sensitive areas such as our face and chest, as these will age quicker when exposed to sunlight. So to prevent sun induced conditions such as pigmentation we should continue using sun block in our face all year round. Exposing the rest of our body is enough for helping our body to produce vitamin D. 

Eating the right foods will also enable our body to produce this wonder vitamin: oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel should be eaten at least 3 times per week, and cod liver oil taken as a supplement is another effective way to ensure sufficient intake of this vitamin.

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

WANT YOUTHFUL SKIN? BIN THE MOISTURISER!

No you did not misunderstand the title, using less moisturiser will ultimately rejuvenate your skin. This theory is supported both by Dr. Obagi and leading cosmeceutical brand Cosmedix. And from personal experience I can also say this is true.

This of course completely contradicts traditional skin care advice (cleanse, tone and moisturise), but makes sense when thinking about it. In young, healthy skin water is collected from the dermis (deeper skin layers) and then transported to the epidermis (top layer of skin). However when moisturisers are applied excessively the cells in the epidermis tell dermal cells to stop as they are receiving their moisture elsewhere, and the dermal cells become lazy and dormant. This in turn makes the skin dry, thinner and it looses elasticity. 

Moisturisers lacking in active ingredients (antioxidants, peptides and anti-inflammatories) also sit on the top of the skin as a barrier and do little to stimulate and rejuvenate skin cells, which is essential to maintain a youthful complexion and reverse the effects of ageing on the skin. 

So what do we do? 

We need to focus on the feeding and regenerating the cells, which will ultimately produce a healthy complexion. This means using antioxidants on a daily basis (morning and night). These will feed the cells, counteract inflammation and free radicals (which attack the DNA of the cells) and also stimulated collagen production. Serums are most effective, as they will deliver the ingredients on a cellular level. I like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic or Phloretin in the mornings as it contains high doses of vitamin C, which together with and SPF is an excellent way of counteracting the harmful effects of the sun. In the evenings I use a serum containing antioxidants and anti-inflammatories- I like Cosmedix’ Affirm and Dermaquest’s Anti-inflammatory Serum. 

In addition to this, peptides can be used to stimulated collagen production and retinoids (vitamin A) to stimulated cell turnover. 

Moisturising- wise I would recommend sticking to a good hyaluronic acid serum, such as Dermaquest’s B5 Serum, which will hydrate the skin deep in the dermis, and does not cause skin cells to become dormant. In the daytime, you will of course also be applying your SPF, which will provide added moisture.

There are of course special times when the skin will require more moisture. These include flying, after abrasive skin treatments or when travelling between very different climates. Some individuals, with very dry skin, may also require added moisture.

[aestheticsqueen-blog]

MEDITATION, THE KEY TO A YOUTHFUL COMPLEXION?

Leading a busy life, I have started a new hobby, which is said to calm your mind, body and best of all lead to a beautiful, more youthful exterior. I am talking about meditation. I know, I was sceptical at first, how can doing nothing for ten to thirty minutes a day achieve these amazing results?

I will tell you how.

Ageing is believed to be caused by stress factors (emotional, physical and mental), and is slowed down when these factors are counteracted through activity that relaxes and refocuses your mind, such as meditation,.

Meditation also affects the production of various hormones, which are directly related to ageing. The first hormone is the stress hormone, cortisol. This hormone, which increases as we get older, results in the breakdown of all structural tissues of the body including muscle, bone, skin and brain; causing accelerated aging. Meditation will decrease the production of this destructive hormone. Mediation will on the other hand increase the production of both the youth hormone DHEA (which counteracts cortisol and is linked to a youthful physique) and the sleep hormone melatonin, which is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger, fighting various serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.

Still not convinced? There are various studies confirming the anti-ageing benefits of meditation. Doctor and Scientist Robert Keith Wallace published an article in the International Journal of Neuroscience in 1982, where he found subjects (with an average age of 50), who had been practicing Transcendental Meditation for over 5 years, had a biological age 12 years younger than their chronological age on average (which means a 50-year-old meditator had the physiology of a 38-year-old).

Dan Buettner, Author and researcher of longevity hotspots around the world also found people lived the longest in areas where meditation or prayer was a central part of the culture, he believes these are effective mechanisms to shed stress and thus slow down the ageing process.

So how do you get started? You could join a group in your area, buy a book on the subject, or a CD that guides your meditation to begin with. As you progress you will not need anything but your own mind, a quiet, undisturbed space and perhaps some light background music. Here are some basic steps:

1. Find a quiet, undisturbed place, sit with a straight back and breathe deeply

2. Focus on your breath and let go of all your thoughts (don’t think about the anti ageing effects of meditation, the core idea is to not focus on anything but the moment)

3. Let go of any thoughts and relax your body for the next 10-15 minutes

4. Calm the mind

5. Let go of any thoughts as they appear (and they will to begin with)

These basic steps will help you concentrate on calming and quieting the mind. This is the essence of meditation, it is only when we can have a mind free of thoughts that you will be able to experience real meditation.