Tag Archives: aging

The age of invisibility

| April 13, 2021

It’s said we disappear as we age. Writer Jane Chelliah examines some of the reasons why and what we can do about it. The invisibility of being an older woman is something I am fighting against. I have reached that stage in life to my horror. My voice has become louder, and I keep thinking ‘mutton’ when I choose new outfits. I am reluctant to say ‘I have reached that ‘age’ because the cloak of invisibility is not always age oriented. I would opine that it is more a subjective experience which can strike women in ‘midlife’, defined as women…

DNA skincare tests: are they worth the money they charge?

| January 17, 2018

Do you really need a DNA test to tailor you a skincare regime? Dr A. Bolin investigates. We’ve all heard of a paternity testing – the DNA test used to check if your father really is indeed your biological father. And it seems the sky is the limit when it comes t applying these tests with targeted DNA tests now being touted for everything from family ancestry, fitness and nutrition and even dating. But, when it come to skin, what can these quite pricey tests tells us and is that information really worth any more than an good chat with a skincare…

Why you need sunscreen every day

| September 12, 2017

Sunscreen isn’t just for summer holidays. Dr Zara Kassam PhD explains why you need it every day. When you pack for a summer holiday, no do doubt your sunscreen has its spot next to your beach wear. But good sun protection isn’t just for the beach. No matter where you are a daily Sun Protection Factor (SPF) all year round is vital for protecting the skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. And if you are not wearing sunscreen every day, it’s time to rethink that decision as sun exposure is the number one cause of skin aging.…

Six steps to banishing dry skin

| April 7, 2017

6 steps to ending flaky, dry skin. Dr Justine Hextall says following these tips can help you achieve a soft and smooth complexion. There are many causes of dry skin – some we inherit, some are due to aging and others are environmental such as cold weather, air conditioning and central heating. If we already have naturally drier skin these environmental stresses can tip skin over the edge leaving it dry, red and irritated,  and they can even trigger dermatitis. Children can inherit naturally dry skin which can be further damaged by over washing with harsh products. And as we…

Menopause-your skin and body: what it does and what you can do about it

| April 5, 2017

Menopause: what does it do to our skin and how can we fight back? Heather Stephen finds out. Hot flushes, drenched in sweat, sheets on and sheets off all night long – sound familiar? No wonder mood swings are a common symptom of menopause – and all of this can go on for years. And if that weren’t bad enough, your skin seems to go south almost as fast as the rest of you. But there are things that can help. What is the menopause? The menopause is that time in our life when our oestrogen levels decline and our…

Get to know the A-B-C’s of Vitamin A

| March 27, 2017

Vitamin A is a ‘must have’ in your anti-aging skincare arsenal but there are a lot of different types and they aren’t all born equal. Dr Hannah Sweilam explains. There’s a lot of talk about vitamin A or retinoid creams in anti-aging these days and for good reasons. Retinoid creams are scientifically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. But buyer beware, the retinoid family is a large one. It includes tretinoin (Retin-A), the prescription only version, and its over-the-counter-cousins, retinol (pure vitamin A) and retinyl palmitate, to name a few. And to complicate things further, they all vary in their effectiveness,…

Sugar: it’s not just adding inches-it’s aging you

| March 16, 2017

We all know smoking, pollution and too much sun exposure ages you, but now there’s another culprit to add to the list; according to research, sugar causes wrinkles too. Dr Hannah Sweilam. It’s hard to avoid, and lets face it, it tastes good. But every time you devour a sugary treat or a giant bowl of pasta, it’s doing you harm. It’s not just adding inches to your waitline, raising your blood sugar levels and increasing inflammation around your body, it’s also affecting your skin. Sugar damages collagen, a protein in skin which gives it its firmness, suppleness and elasticity. …

Free radicals: They age your skin but you can slow them down

| February 21, 2017

Free Radicals: they might sound like an anarchistic political movement but as Zara Kassam explains, they’re tiny molecules that do a whole lot of damage. But, there is help at hand. Free radicals, antioxidants and oxidative stress have become trendy topics as far as health and longevity are concerned. Many people have heard that foods and skincare products with antioxidants protect us from free radical damage, which is responsible for many of the effects of aging on both the body and mind. But what exactly are free radicals, why are they bad and where do they come from? Like everything in nature,…

superfoods for skin health

| February 11, 2017

What should you eat if you’re concerned about aging or your skin in general? Christine Bailey, Nutrition Expert for The Harley Medical Group shares her top ten ‘superfoods’ so you can add them to your shopping trolley. Christine, an award winning nutritional therapist, chef, author and broadcaster, with over 18 years of experience, says these ingredients won’t just get your skin glowing, they’ll also help to address other skin concerns you may have. Let’s start with her top tips for aging: Bone Broth A popular trend in 2016. Bone broth looks like it will become one of the top foods…

Pollution: how to combat its aging effects

| February 1, 2017

Pollution can play havoc with your skin – irritating and prematurely aging it. But there are things you can do to combat it. Heather Stephen explains. The World Health Organisation claims air pollution is linked to one in eight deaths worldwide,  and pollution through cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, wood burners and industry has been linked to a whole raft of diseases from dementia to heart disease to cancer. And it’s pretty disastrous for our looks too. Our skin is our largest organ and it bears the brunt of the daily assault our environment throws at us – prematurely aging and…

The skin-stress link: could a psychologist be what your skin needs?

| January 25, 2017

You might have noticed your clinic has a psychologist on the team. Heather Stephen finds out why they are becoming more common and why you might need one.  The link between stress and skin has been known for centuries but it is only over the last 20 years that scientists have really understood the mechanics behind the mind/body connection. We now know that hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which are released when we are anxious can lead to inflammation and lower immunity and aggravate conditions like psoriasis, acne, dermatitis and alopecia. Dr Shawn Talbott, a Fellow of the American Institute…

Are you guilty of the ten cardinal skin care sins?

| January 17, 2017

Dr Jane Leonard, GP and aesthetics guru, talks you through the ten cardinal skin care sins. 1. Forgetting to take your make up off at night. We have all been guilty of climbing into bed without taking our makeup off after a night out or long day at work. So what is the harm? Well, it’s so important to fully cleanse your skin, not only to remove your make up, but also to remove the toxins that have built up during the day. Pollution, smoke, car fumes – to name a few, all create an invisible film on the surface…