Sun is No1 cause of skin ageing, say cosmetic doctors

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London: As the nation prepares for summer, think twice before soaking up the sun or jumping on a sun bed to accelerate your tan as you could be one of the many people having to seek help from a cosmetic practitioner for their sun damaged skin. Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of sun exposure the message is still not getting through.

According to a new survey carried by Cosmetic News magazine at the launch the first Cosmetic News Expo conference and exhibition, 55% of cosmetic doctors cite sun damage as the most significant cause of ageing in the patients they see and a staggering 84% believe that sun beds should be banned. And while prevention is better than cure, 88% of women and 61% of men are having non-surgical injectable treatments to fill in lines and wrinkles, lift the face and hold back the years, but the frozen look is out with the majority of doctors predicting that the biggest trend for 2010 is a more natural look.

Survey Highlights:

· The most popular cosmetic treatment for women is botulinum toxin injections such as BotoxÒ/VistabelÒ and DysportÒ/AzzalureÒ (47%) followed by dermal fillers (31%) and Sculptra (10%). Botulinum toxin was also the most popular treatment for men (47%) followed by dermal fillers (14%) and laser hair removal (9%). Significantly 89% of doctors would not use permanent fillers because they deem them too risky and 39% did not think that mesotherapy works.

· 76% of cosmetic doctors were opposed to remote prescribing to nurses or beauty therapists stating that the practice was too risky with unexamined patients being treated.

· 71% think that newly launched IHAS Shared Regulation scheme will work.

· 29% of doctors surveyed stated that improved dermal fillers to treat the face were the biggest innovation in aesthetic medicine over the last five years and Sculptra (26%) and Juvederm Ultra (17%) were selected as the two treatments that had revolutionised cosmetic practices

· 84% believed sun beds should be banned and 55% cited sun damage as the most significant cause of ageing, followed by smoking (33%) and genetics (9%)

· The biggest trend in aesthetics for 2010 was predicted to be the natural look with treatments that stimulate natural collagen production.

· The age group having the most non-surgical cosmetic treatments was 40-50 years olds with botulinum toxin injections being the most popular procedure for mum’s post pregnancy followed by weight reducing treatments such as radio frequency and VASER Lipo (15%)

· 50% of doctors currently use non-surgical radio-frequency treatments for body contouring with 7% using VASER Lipo. 29% believed that VASER was the biggest innovation in medical aesthetics in the last five years.

· Laser hair removal was the most popular laser treatment for patients (50%)

· 86% of cosmetic doctors have their own private clinics but 59% are still working within the NHS.

Dr Patrick Bowler, Co Founder and Fellow of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors says:

“Non surgical treatments are the most popular and fastest growing area in aesthetics. This survey shows no real surprises but it is pleasing to note the trend for natural looks rather than the overdone, overcooked appearances of the last decade. Subtle use of botulinum toxins and the latest fillers is the way forward. However I was rather disturbed that 24% of doctors thought it OK to remote prescribe to nurses and beauticians. There seem to be a significant number of doctors treading a dangerous path in the pursuit of commercialism.”

The survey was carried out in association with the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors (BACD) and Cosmetic News readers.

Argeriline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3)

Argeriline (cetyl Hexapeptide-3) – is another substance that temporarily inhibits the activity of neurotransmitters responsible for facial muscle contractions, preventing the formation of wrinkles. It works without toxic side-effects.

Get rid of wrinkles – 10 Facial Exercise DVDs to giveaway

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Beauty is in your hands! Facial massage really can help you get rid of wrinkles..

Our faces explain a lot about our lifestyles. The late nights, maybe the odd cigarette, alcohol and partying, and excess toxins all build up until dark circles, bags and fine lines appear. Laughter lines and frown lines develop around the eyes and mouth, permanently ageing the skin and its appearance.

Sun is also a major culprit for skin ageing, but of course we all want that golden tan! Combine this with stress, pollution, the toxins that come from cigarettes, alcohol, and food additives and we all end up looking older than our years.

Tension can build up within our facial muscles from the pressures of everyday life without us realising it. It can be easy for certain thoughts and emotions to become habitual, locking themselves into expressions on our faces – sometimes over the duration of a whole lifetime.

Under such conditions muscles can actually dry up and contract, inhibiting freedom of expression. This can encourage ageing and the formation of wrinkles as the face loses its muscle tone and elasticity and begins to sag.

Does any of this sound depressingly familiar?

While some people resort to going under the surgeon’s knife to reverse the effects of ageing skin, there is a simple, pain free alternative, which is incredibly effective – facial massage.

Massage is considered one of the oldest forms of healing. Regular facial massage can lead to smother, firmer, more radiant skin by minimizing sagging and fine lines, releasing toxins and impurities, normalizing moisture balance, maximizing your skin’s natural radiance and releasing tension.

Facial massage is an extremely popular form of beauty treatment and really rejuvenates the skin. It is a particularly pleasurable experience – most people will be surprised at the amount of tension they hold here, particularly around the jaw, and how good it feels to have that tension released with a good facial massage.

Facial massage involves a sequence of massage techniques which act as a natural facelift with no need for surgery, helping you look and feel younger.

The routine releases stresses and traumas locked deeply into the muscles and energy of the face, head and neck. Our face is often our mask, hiding who we really are, and it takes much energy to maintain this “front”. To experience dropping the mask can be the door to profound relaxation and inner ease.

Now a brand new DVD “The Essential Guide to Facial Massage” has just been released in the UK. Presented by Madri Cilliers, the renowned Professional Beauty and Massage Therapist, this will teach you all the techniques used to give a professional facial massage.

There are 10 DVDs to giveaway. If you would like one of these DVDs please email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with your name and address and DVD in the email header by 31 September 2008. Please note that no cash equivalent is being offered and the Editor’s decision is final.

Facial massage will help to:

Ø Improve your skin suppleness

Ø Reduce and remove wrinkles

Ø Reduce any muscle tension in your face and jaw

Ø Maintain a fresh youthful appearance

Ø Improve your circulation

Ø Release ‘feel good’ endorphins, making you feel great!

Ø What exactly is a facial massage?

Ø What you will need to perform facial massage

Ø How to prepare someone for a facial massage

Ø The facial massage itself – a step by step guide to ALL the techniques used for the perfect facial massage, with a real life demonstration, making it really easy to follow.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds on professional massages. You can learn the techniques that the professionals use, share the information and you and your loved ones can really benefit, using the human touch to really get your skin glowing…

More information can be found at www.essentialfacialmassage.com

Marionette lines

These are the creases that form down from the nose to the mouth

Women confused by anti-ageing claims, says new research by Olay

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London: It’s fair to say that UK women now have more choice than ever when it comes facial anti-ageing solutions. From innovative cosmetic surgery procedures to topical so called ‘cosmeceuticals’ and sophisticated skin-care, there’s never been a wider range of beauty solutions available on the market.

However, the latest anti-ageing consumer research, commissioned by Olay Regenerist with YouGov, shows that only 4% of UK women are actually opting to undertake more drastic cosmetic procedures and increasing numbers are confused about which so-called ‘wonder ingredients’ are really worth it. So what are their main concerns and what’s the solution to this most modern of beauty dilemmas?

The Pressure To Look Good

A recent YouGov survey of 1,152 adults commissioned by Olay Regenerist, leading experts in anti-ageing skincare, revealed the signs of ageing that concerned UK women most were a loss of elasticity or sagging (44%), wrinkles (43%) and fine lines (28%). “I hear from women every day about their concerns and complaints about the visible signs of ageing. In my experience, American women tend to be more worried about wrinkles, whereas women in the UK are more inclined to accept some fine lines as a natural part of the ageing process,” says beauty industry expert Wendy Lewis, celebrity image enhancement coach and author of Plastic Makes Perfect.

Perhaps this more tolerant attitude to Mother Nature is the reason why, rather reassuringly, only 4% of British women admit to having had a cosmetic procedure. Even with a seemingly endless supply of makeover shows on our screens, a whopping 60% of women said they had not only never had any augmentation, but that they wouldn’t consider having any in the future (64% even said they only saw it as a ‘last resort’). So why are we so reluctant to head for the Cosmetic surgeon’s office?

The fear of looking ‘unnatural’ often puts people off having something done. Cost (44%), potential side-effects (43%) and unknown end results (37%) were the three most popular reasons women cited for why they wouldn’t have cosmetic procedures in the futureSo with UK women mostly unwilling to submit themselves to a procedure, they are more likely to opt for a topical cream to help them keep wrinkles at bay. But even this can be a source of frustration and confusion for consumers.

‘Cosmeceuticals’ and Confusion

It seems that even though we’re more aware than ever of the latest developments in skincare, we Brits are still confused as to what an effective anti-ageing regime should actually consist of. According to the survey, 56% of women maintain a simple cleansing, toning and moisturising routine as part of their anti-ageing tactics, with 44% adding diet and exercise as an important part of their regime too.

But in a beauty market flooded with anti-ageing ‘buzzwords’ such as retinols, co-enzymes and peptides, UK women can find it hard to navigate through the hype to find what works for their skin. According to the YouGov survey, almost half of women (43%) are confused by claims as to which ingredients really work.

This concern was highest amongst 35-44 year olds, the very group that tend to be most concerned with preserving their looks and achieving a more youthful complexion. In fact, this confusion can lead to a deep mistrust of what consumers see as marketing – only 12% of women surveyed indicated that scientific claims made on packaging had any influence when they were looking to buy an anti-ageing product.

The Solution

When it comes to buying an anti-ageing cream, the YouGov survey reveals women really do vote with their wallets, opting for well-established, trusted brands (57%) over others and noting price as an important part of their choice (52%). It seems that amidst all the hype and hyperbole over the latest ‘miracle’ ingredients, women seek reassurance from brands they trust to deliver the goods.

The Olay Regenerist range, one of the leading brands professionals and beauty experts recommend, is an ideal choice for those seeking effective and affordable anti-ageing skincare with proven efficacy. Its star ingredient, the peptide Pal KTTKS, has shown to be effective at improving visible skin texture and wrinkles, and acts as a signal to encourage the regeneration of skin’s appearance. Combining this important peptide in a unique Amino-Peptide Complex with Niacinamide (a hardworking B vitamin complex that has a key role in evening out skin tone and strengthening the skin’s barrier defences) Regenerist has been shown to have twice the regenerating effect of skin’s appearance versus untreated skin. It delivers dramatic anti-ageing results before considering more drastic anti-ageing measures.

And the results speak for themselves. One bottle of Regenerist is sold every two seconds worldwide(1). Regenerist delivers real results at a more affordable price than some ‘miracle’ creams. Which just goes to show that women really do know what they want -anti-ageing protection from a brand they trust to help them look younger.

Hypnox – the natural alternative to Botox?

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Toronto: Hypnox is a 25-minute hypnotherapeutic audio recording which alleviates the signs of facial aging. The process was developed as an alternative to cosmetic botulinum toxin type A injectables (like those sold under the brand names Botox or Dysport).

Cosmetic injectable products work by paralyzing the facial muscles, making it difficult to frown. Wrinkles can then smooth away, temporarily. Hypnox targets and re-trains the five main groups of facial muscles. The process stops the frowning, and allows wrinkles to ease away, permanently.

Absentminded frowning or furrowing of the face (while working or concentrating) will cause the skin to begin to wrinkle. The more persistent and habitual the frown, the more aggressively the wrinkles will take hold.

Hypnotherapy is perfectly designed to fight habits – it has been used successfully by millions of people to quit smoking, and to curb over-eating. Think of persistent frowning as a habit. Now, prepare to break that habit.

Hypnox offers an alternative : your unique face; healthy, relaxed – and free of unnecessary lines and wrinkles.

That is true beauty!

Hypnox was developed at our studios in Dundas, Ontario by a fully trained, NGH Certified Hypnotherapist. It is the result of seven years of research, uniting the latest advances in skincare technology with state-of-the-art hypnotic technique. The process is enhanced with a proven psychological approach for promoting healthy self-esteem. The recording is available as a CD or MP3 download at www.hypnox.ca This ground-breaking product will be launched at the Holistic World Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario on March 14th, 2008.

Boots wrinkle cream sells out, after scientists prove it banishes wrinkles

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London: No 7 Protect & Perfect, a modestly priced product $34 (£17, €25) has been flying off the shelf of UK pharmacy Boots after an independent study carried out by experts at the University Manchester revealed that it was just as effective at reducing sun damage, a major cause of skin ageing, as products only available on prescription from a doctor.

The study compared Protect & Perfect with the performance of a retinoic-acid or Tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative available on prescription to treat acne and severe damage of the skin. Professor Chris Griffiths an eminent dermatologist said the study showed that the formulation repaired photo-aged skin and improve the fine lines and wrinkles associated with sun damage. Boots is now keeping a waiting list for this product after supplies ran out.

The company says that it delivers a younger looking skin after only four weeks of use. It contains silicone which it says enables skin firming and brightening. It also contains an A-list of ingredients including vitamin C, mulberry and gingseng which health experts says mops up free radicals which damage the cells. It also contains lipo-pentapeptide, created from amino-acids grown in laboratories. These are essential to the functioning of cells. It also contains a serum extracted from the white lupin which slows down production of collagenase, a substance which is linked to sun damage.

New wrinkle buster claims to diminish lines in one hour

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Los Angeles: Dermatologists in the US say they are preparing for huge demand for a new wrinkle cream that reduces wrinkles in one hour.

Preliminary results from an ongoing independent clinical study assessing the effects of new iS CLINICAL(R) Youth Complex indicate that 97% of the subjects noted significant overall improvements in wrinkle reduction, texture, and firmness after one hour.

Wrinkles are created when key structures, like collagen and elastin, that support and strengthen the skin, breakdown mainly because of free-radical damage, causing damaged skin to crease. The only way to repair wrinkling is to rebuild these support structures, which are located in the deeper layers of the skin.

“The dramatic effects of Youth Complex can be attributed to our new ingredient iNNOVASE(TM)”, reports Bryan Johns, CEO of Innovative Skincare, creators of the new iS CLINICAL(R) Youth Complex. “This unique, clinically advanced bio-complex combines innovative natural hydrators, potent botanical antioxidants, and bio-identical growth factors that are clinically proven to help rebuild the skin’s support structures, prevent further DNA damage and optimize cellular metabolism.”

Consumer response to pre-launch advertising and pre-market sampling has been so strong that pre-orders and waiting lists were required to manage the thousands of requests.

“I have found that Youth Complex’s formulation allows you to see instant improvement of wrinkled skin while also accomplishing significant long-term improvements that my patients could clearly see,” said Dr. William Heimer II of Surfside Dermatology in San Diego, Calif. “Solid science with solid results in an easy single step application keeps my patients asking me for more.”

“I have never before seen a product that literally rejuvenates the skin within hours, days and weeks. My patients come to me because they expect results. I’ve found that Youth Complex provides the things my patients ask for most — prevention and correction — all in one bottle,” said Roberta F. Palestine, M.D., who completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic and is the founder and director of the Dermatology & Clinical Skin Care Center in Bethesda, Md.

Youth Complex’s simultaneous, triple-action formula contains a matrix of dehydrated hyaluronic acid molecules that penetrate the skin nestling into fine lines and wrinkles. Acting like mini sponges, these natural hydrators expand by absorbing the skin’s natural moisture loss and plump the wrinkle from within. The bio-nutrients then work to support the newly raised wrinkle by strengthening the barrier between the epidermis and dermis, creating a type of scaffolding under the skin. Finally, the bio-identical growth factors and reparative botanicals help rebuild the collagen and elastin in the skin’s deepest layers resulting in long-term, more permanent improvements.

iS Clinical Youth Complex will retail for $135 (£65, €100) and is exclusively sold through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medi-spas, cosmetic physicians and medical estheticians. To find a retailer near you, log on to www.innovativeskincare.com

iS CLINICAL is the exclusive clinical skincare brand by INNOVATIVE SKINCARE, which features optimal “results-oriented” skincare formulations. INNOVATIVE SKINCARE is committed to improving skin health by developing the highest quality of products, supporting the research of new treatments, raising the bar on corporate integrity, and serving the needs of its skincare customers globally.

Your Skin, Our Science … Pure Chemistry

Botox without bruises with new wrinkle freezer

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Smiling, frowning and concentrating over the years can lead to changes that typify an older appearance. Express yourself without the worry of deepening frown lines and crows feet with Pro-Medic siax hepta $85 (£45.00 €67 ), a new muscle relaxant from the US that leads to a reduction in superficial lines and wrinkles caused by years of facial movements. With its active Heptapeptide ingredient expression lines are reduced for a fresher and smoother look.

With 12% Heptapeptides acting directly on the epidermis and the dermis of the skin, siax decreases muscular contractions. This activity ultimately leads to a reduction in expression lines. In fact clinical trials have shown a reduction in static wrinkle depth by 27% after 30-45 days of use, with a proven increase in fibroplast stimulation.

Without promising the full Botox™ effect, siax hepta offers a more gentle yet effective solution to reduce the appearance of expression lines and crows feet in a natural way. Express yourself with siax hepta and leave wrinkles expressionless!
Pro-Medic Health and Beauty is a line of dermal pharmaceutical products for the care and maintenance of supple, glowing skin suitable for home use.
For stockists: www.beautyisskindeep.com, or Medical Aesthetic Supplies on UK phone no 02380 676733

Former Dynasty star fronts marketing campaign for skin rejuvenation.

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New York: Emma Samms, the former Dynasty actress, is the glamorous face of Isolagen, a unique skin rejvenation system, that harnesses a person’s own cells and grows them to rejuvenate wrinkles.

This is the Isolagen process in detail:

Isolagen’s patented autologous (a patient’s own cells) living cell therapy, or ACS, begins with the injection of a local anesthetic to numb a small section of skin behind the ear. This area was chosen because of its vascularity, lack of sun exposure, and the invisibility of any scarring.

A simple punch biopsy is used to obtain a small 3 mm piece of skin tissue, which is packed in an appropriate container and shipped overnight to the Isolagen laboratories. The minimal incision is closed with an adhesive or single absorbable suture.

At Isolagen, the tissue is cultured utilizing Isolagen’s patented ACS process. This process separates collagen-producing cells, called fibroblasts, from the rest of the tissue then stimulates them to multiply into tens of millions of new cells.

After approximately six weeks, 1 to 1.5 ml of cultured fibroblasts are sent back to the doctor for injection into the patient’s wrinkles, lines, and scars.

Generally three sets of injections will be performed, about two weeks apart, with tens of millions of collagen-producing cells being injected during each visit.

Within the patient’s skin, it is believed that the injected fibroblasts will continue to multiply and create new collagen that may fill dermal imperfections and wrinkles, and may reduce the signs of aging.

Cryogenic storage of cultured cells may also permit patients to receive future treatments with cells that were harvested when the patient was younger. It is unknown at this time whether this would represent a benefit to patients.

Benefits of facial rejuvenation

Since the Isolagen Process is an autologous system (exclusively using a patient’s own cells), it is anticipated that there may be a substantially reduced possibility of allergic reaction as compared to bovine collagen and other non-natural fillers.

Isolagen hopes to demonstrate that the use of autologous cells will result in prolonged beneficial effects, as the immune system should not reabsorb or reject them as it might with foreign materials and proteins. Patients may experience gradual and continued improvement as a result of the natural activity of the re-introduced cell structure.

Considering that the standard until recently has been bovine collagen, the three potential benefits below may represent substantial advances in facial rejuvenation.

1. Bovine collagen, a foreign protein derived from cows, is generally fully reabsorbed by a patient’s body within a few months after application, leaving the patient with no visible signs of correction.

2. As additional treatments with bovine collagen are performed, there is a gradual build-up of the body’s antibodies and the development of enzymes that compromise the treatment’s effectiveness.

3. Combined with the expense and the continued intrusiveness of ongoing treatments, the value and benefit of bovine collagen injections is ultimately diminished.