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Win DKNY shades and a set of luxury suncare

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Look fabulous and stay safe in the sun courtesy of The Sun Mousse. Win a pair of DKYN Classic Oval glasses and a full range from The Sun Mouse.

As we experience first really sunny weather it’s impossible not to get excited about the thoughts of spending lazy days in the sun and going away on long awaited sun drenched holidays after the particularly ferocious winter we’ve experienced! However before we get too carried away it’s important to remember that when we enjoy the sun we have to enjoy it safely as let’s face it, being burnt has never been a good or healthy look…

Luckily for us The Sun Mousse is here to ensure we can enjoy the sun whilst being protected… The Sun Mousse is an entirely unique, sun care product providing immediate and effective protection from UVA and UVB radiation with rapid absorption for a lighter feeling sun protection. With its light textured non greasy formula it leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with the added benefits of being water resistant and suitable for the whole family!

Now look tylish in the sun – win a pair of DKNY Classic Oval sunglasses and the full range from The Sun Mousse. To get your hands on this fantastic prize just answer the question below:

Q. What does the UV in UVB stand for?

(a) Ultraviolet
(b) Upperviolet
(c)UltraVile

Send your answer, with your name and address to readeroffer@elixirnews.com with UVA in the email header. Please note that this offer closes on 12 June 2010, the Editor’s decision is final, and no cash equivalent is offered.

For more information visit www.thesunmousse.co.uk

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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.

Don’t sizzle this summer – win a beach bag of sun goodies!

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Sun damage it the main cause of skin cancer and wrinkles – so don’t be a silly summer sizzler! Top of skin care list should be sun protection – essential for enjoying safe sun and of course for preventing the embarrassment of red arms and legs which, lets face it is never a good look!!

Elixir has joined with sun skin protection experts The Sun Mouse to offer four lucky readers the chance to win a £50 bag of goodies – everything you need to keep your skin safe.

The Sun Mousse ultimate beach bag packed full of everything you could possibly need for a day in the sun, not forgetting of course the sun mousse sun protection factor(SPF) 30 and the after sun mousse. To get your hands on this fantastic prize worth £50 just answer this question:

Q.1 What does SPF stand for?

Please send your answer to us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with your name and address and the word “sun” in the email header. The competition closes on 31 July 2009. Please note that no cash equivalent is offered and the Editor’s decision is final.

The Sun Mousse products contain Proderm Technology. Unlike ordinary sunscreens which sit on the surface of the skin, “the sun mousse “is rapidly absorbed into the skin’s epidermal layer where it works with the skin to provide effective and immediate protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. The sun mousse is easy to apply and light in texture, leaving the skin soft and smooth with no greasy or sticky residue.

For find out more about this unique range of sun protection visit www.thesunmousse.co.uk

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Get healthy with two new soft drinks from Schweppes

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Schweppes announces the launch of two new soft drink ranges, ‘Lightly Sparkling’ and ‘Classics’. ‘Lightly Sparkling’ is a new range of fruit blend drinks, aimed at adults and free from any artificial flavours or colourings.

‘Lightly Sparkling’ is available in three different flavours: Grapefruit & Mandarin, Pomegranate & Blueberry and Apple, Pear & Cinnamon.

‘Classics’ capitalises on ‘Schweppes’ rich heritage of experience and ‘know how’ to create classic drinks which inspire nostalgic memories of childhood. Cloudy Lemonade with a squeeze of lime and Ginger Beer contain ingredients including root ginger extract.

These new launches represent an exciting development for Schweppes. ‘Lightly Sparkling’ is designed to appeal to a sophisticated, adult palette and ‘Classics’ appeals to the inner child in all adults, bringing back a bit more punch and some real ingredients.

Both ‘Lightly Sparkling’ and ‘Classics’ are available in 1.25 litre bottles, with a recommended retail price of £1.49.

DNA wrinkle buster launches in Europe

New York: A US company has launched a bespoke anti-wrinkle cream based on each customer’s DNA.

Dermagenetics, uses a testing kit to swab the inside of the cheek. Supposedly many top stars have already handed over samples. The company claims that most creams on the mass market are virtually useless and not suited to the individual genetic makeup of each person which means we are not able to utilise the benefits.

Clients of Dermagenetics are sent a kit to harness cells which are then measured for various factors including collagen breakdown, sun damage, wrinkles, environmental damage and skin health.

The cost of this high-tech beauty is high with the DNA test costing £135 and the cream costs £125 for a bottle that lasts six to eight weeks. Clinical tests are said to show that this ‘genetically guided’ cream is considerably more effective than generic night creams.

The company says that during an eight week, double-blind, randomised and experienced a substantial reduction in the appearance of wrinkles after 14 days of treatment. After 56 days, the number of participants reporting reduction in the appearance of wrinkles rose to 70 per cent.

So what is in this magic formula? No wonder ingredients, just minerals, enzymes, herbal extract and acids that are balanced to meet specific skin care requirements.

The key is that each of the ingredients is tailored to individual requirements, avoiding potential allergies and ingredients that will not be compatible with specific skin types.

The packaging is personalised with the client’s name, and the DNA studies are kept on record so that follow-up courses of creams can be bought without the need for further tests.

The Dermagenetics skin-care system measures single nucleotide polymorphism, which are responsible for DNA variations. SNPs can inhibit the body’s ability to control the build-up of free radicals, which can damage skin cells. These random mutational events that take place within our cells are now considered major contributors to a variety of skin conditions and possibly skin diseases.

But while Dermagenetics is the first organisation to be using DNA research to create skin creams, it is not the only company to believe that controlling the ageing process is made easier if we understand our own DNA.

Surracell is a ‘personal genetic health program’, which claims to identify deficiencies and damage in our DNA and provide exclusive nutraceuticals that promote cell repair and genetic health.

Clients provide a urine sample and mouth swab, which Suracell then use to study an individual’s DNA and establish levels of damage and oxidative stress.

Within three weeks, clients are offered a full DNA analysis and then prescribed a vitamin regime designed specifically to suit their genetic make-up.

FOR further information on Dermagenetics, go to www.dermagenetics.com or call 0173 770 0020.

Sun cream manufacturers in class action over cancer risk

Los Angeles: Several of the world’s leading manufacturer’s of sun creams are being sued in a US court accused of exposing users to the risk of cancer.

In a lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court the makers of leading brands Coppertone, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and Neutrogena are alleged to have made misleading claims about the effectiveness of their products.

It is being alleged by a group of US consumers that the advice given in the marketing of these creams gave a false reassurance that it was safe to spend long periods in the sun, resulting in a higher risk of cancer.

Recent UK studies have shown that some sun creams do not offer the protection factor stated on the pack. In addition scientists believe that prolonged sun bathing can mutate DNA which in turn may lead to cancer.

The defendants named in the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, include Johnson & Johnson Inc, Schering-Plough Corp, Playtex Products Inc, Tanning Research Laboratories Inc, and Chattem Inc.

The suit focuses on labels that claim the sunscreens protect equally against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Documents lodged with the court say the products may protect against harmful UVB rays with shorter wavelengths. However, the skin remains exposed to UVA rays with longer wavelengths that penetrate deep into the skin.

The suit also questions whether products which claim to be waterproof, or effective in water, offer the protection that is claimed, and alleges that parents have been misled into believing their children are protected by products specifically designed for them.

The case seeks to stop the defendants from engaging in allegedly misleading marketing practices.

It also seeks the refund of money ‘wrongfully acquired’, unspecified damages for injuries suffered, and punitive damages. Schering-Plough said the company had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on the specifics but said that labelling and advertising for all its products, including sun care, are developed in compliance with all applicable laws and FDA regulations.