Ageing in Figures

According to Unilever research, these are the factors that bring about good ageing in 40 – 70 years old women.
In China
Less sun exposure – 2.9 years younger
Working indoors – 6.5 years younger
Pre-menopause – 3.5 years younger
Frequent use of moisturiser – 2.4 years younger
Frequent use of night cream – 2.4 years younger

In Spain
Eating fruit and veg every day – 2.1 years younger
Healthy diet – 1.8 years younger
Never using a sunbed – 5.7 years younger
Ever used HRT – 2.5 years younger
Frequent use of moisturiser – 2.8 years younger
Non smoker – 1.8 years younger
Falling asleep quickly – 2.5 years younger

Also in my practice – healthy lifestyle, lots of sleep and a good skincare routine accounts for 80 % of success in delaying skin ageing.

Famous Women on Beauty and Ageing: Quotations

In any culture, beauty has been about perfection but concepts of what constitutes “perfection” have changed over the centuries. As the population ages, it could well be that concepts of beauty will shift. We live at a time of great variety of age, gender, style, background, culture and attitude and contemplating beauty brings pleasure to each of us yet it comes in all shapes, colours and sizes.

Chic, Autentic and Natural

“Being an English person, and having lived in France for 40 years, I am not as nicely turned out as the French but I don’t care like the English.”  Jane Birkin 

“I never put my face in the sun. I am determined not to go the way of my contemporaries and get surgery. I have a lot of facials and take scrupulous care of my skin.” Joane Collins OBE

“Self image is a complicated thing. I campaign against cosmetic surgery because it a grave act in which you don’t necessarily foresee all the consequences. The people who have it are lacking in confidence.” Emmanuelle Beart, French acress by Matthew Campbell for Sunday times.

“The more healthily you live, the better you look. We still want to look like ourselves when we grow older. We lose our sensuality when we have surgery, it takes away a part of who you are. If you look after yourself and use good products, you won’t need surgery or any other intervention.”   Sharon Stone for YOU, January 2012.

The Botox Lovers

“Botox, lasers and fillers have given us new control over ageing. Not by making us look younger but by slowing down how we age. Now, if you choose to, from your early to mid thirties you can enter a twilight zone of ageing in which you are in a reverse version of dog years – for every seven years you will only age one.” Newby Hands for Harpers Bazaar

“The psychological effects of Botox and fillers have been as profound as the physical – the elongation of the life span in which we can feel good about ourselves. Psychologically, women feel empowered by the knowledge that they have this as backup. This may have contributed to a more relaxed approach to ageing, women beginning to feel more comfortable in their own skin. We want to take care of ourselves but we do not mind a few wrinkles or few signs of ageing to show we have lived.” Betty Catroux for Harpers Bazaar

“You can get an instant snapshot of a woman’s character by looking at from whether she says yes or no to Botox… Just from that one apparently superficial decision…Botox lover likes to keep up appearances, is insecure to some extent in either in her relationship, social circle or work. She is competitive, keeps secrets from her partner, is a natural townie, on a diet of some sort, permanently, and not actively involved in the community. She does not have men friends, only admirers. She has women friends but the sort you meet for a glass of bubbly before shopping at the sales, not the sort you watch TV in bed with. She dresses for bed, exfoliates regularly. The un-Botoxed are brave. They will not be coerced – even by the threat of looking uglier than everyone around them – and that suggests a degree of courage as well as confidence.”  Shane Watson for Sunday Times

And Going for Surgery

“Another facelift? I’ll do whatever’s required.” Anne Robinson for Sunday Times

The Science Of Facial Massage

Having just submitted a scientific review to the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, I would like to highlight the benefits of facial massage to broader audience.

The Science Of Facial Massage – Benefits Beyond Beauty

It might be a cliche that facial massage leads to relaxation. But how does it work? I have looked into all that is known about the physical and psychological benefits brought about by a structured, deep and long facial massage.

We are getting older and feel the need to stay looking young with the best anti-ageing skincare products and therapies. Touch, as a human need, is vital for our emotional and physical health and the face is the most accessible part of the human body. Regular facial massage is a health affirming, anti-ageing therapy with significant benefits for both skin and our psyche. It is an alternative to Botox, which has been shown to impact negatively on our social communication by changing our emotional experience. By evoking in-the-moment positive emotions, facial massage contributes to our well-being and it is its psychological effect which provides the rationale for the physiological basis underlying mechanical stimulation.

In order to be effective, clinically proven anti-ageing treatments have to stimulate the production of new, non-fragmented and well-organised collagen and/or papillary reconstruction in order to improve the appearance of aged skin. It is well-known that body massage impacts on vital body signs by inducing a state of relaxation and has a positive effect on neurosis, stress, pain, anxiety and depression. Stress has been shown to play a role in the onset of skin ageing and deterioration by compromising the epidermal barrier function and impairing the inflammatory response.

Facial massage is a form of psychological intervention; a relaxation technique with music and focused attention to the massaged area of the face. Research confirms that stress management techniques lead to reduction of skin disease symptoms.

Having done massage treatments on a day-to-day basis, I am able to compare published research to my client’s experiences. For more information about my treatments, please go to www.faceworkshops.com

Facial Massage & Relaxation At Home

• It is a nice feeling to indulge in a relaxing afternoon with a scented candle or calming eye pads but making time for relaxation in our demanding day to day life is essential for our health. Goal setting and stressful, aggressive work environment changes our hormones (adrenaline, testosterone levels are higher) and this can have a negative impact on our skin. As 80 – 90 % of illnesses are stress related, relaxation should be an important part of our life.
• The main benefits of a facial massage are calming effect, increased blood and lymph flow, muscle relaxation and increase in endorphins that make us feel good.
• Start with massaging decollete, shoulders and neck with flat hands. Sweep upwards and outwards in a slow motion, use organic plant oil and remove it with a hot flannel. Invest time into massaging the areas prone to sagging (use your thumbs and index fingers) to increase blood flow and slow down the ageing process. 

Choose the Right Oil

• Use light oil with sensual, smooth feel (not a sticky base) and pleasant aroma that transports you to a far away place.
• Dim your lights, wrap in warm towels, light a scented candle – breathe deeply and listen to relaxing music.

 Inspired by Pure Beauty (October 2011).

 

Different Schools of Facial Exercise: The Expert View

My Facial Yoga Parties are introductory, light and fun. But if the participants want to progress, I usually recommend specific books or DVDs to exercise a distinct part of their face.

To give you more of an insight into the best schools of Facial Yoga, I have invited my first guest blogger whose expertise I regard highly, Lynn Rae, a facial posture & jaw realignment specialist. Lynn is based in London and here are her comments on the distinct ways of approaching Facial Yoga..

Lynn says:

Marja Putkisto Training – http://www.methodputkisto.com/uk

Marja Putkisto

• I have trained with Marja Putkisto and worked alongside her for many years so I know and understand the Method Putkisto Face first hand.
• It is a whole body experience – the posture of the body and the position of the head upon the body are crucial to the work.
• It involves being aware of the face as a 3-dimensional structure and thinking from the inside- out – breathing, massage, stretching/releasing tight muscles in facial exercises, as well as a small amount of posture awareness and upper body releasing exercises.
• No mirrors are used for the exercises so changes are felt rather than seen, although a mirror is available to assess changes.
• The overall experience leaves you feeling energized, relaxed and the feeling that you have a new relationship with your face and a better understanding of its structure.
• The results are instant, you can see and feel that the face is more open and uplifted than before, with a great sense of mobility. Of course for the results to become permanent a course of classes is necessary. The programme is carried out one to one or in a group/ workshop format.

Eva Fraser Method – http://www.evafraser.com/

I have a colleague who has participated in the Eva Fraser method.

• From what I can gather, it is very precise and prescriptive with very specific exercises and repetitions. I think the main difference between the two methods is that this is carried out in front of a mirror and you watch rather than feel what is happening, the work is from the outside.
• Also the work is very much focused on the face and neck, rather than connecting it to the whole body.
• This is a beautifully organized and tried and tested programme with highly specific diagrams and an absolute knowledge of what is expected.
• The focus seems to be more on strengthening the lifting muscles of the face; although it plumps up the face, it doesn’t encourage mobility. The results happen over time as the muscles gain tone.

Yoga Face Method

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Face-Eliminate-Wrinkles-Anti-aging/dp/1583332774

• The exercises again are generally done in groups, which adds a lovely dynamic and energy. With breathing and meditation it can sometimes also be a full body experience.
• It is more about creating shapes with the face than precise exercises, which helps to release and strengthen the structure as well as encouraging mobility and fun.

In Summary:
You should choose a programme depending on what are the most important aspects to you.

• Knowledge of the face and its structure
• Release of muscular tension
• Relaxation
• Improved postural awareness
• Exercises and massage to do at home
• A feeling of the face being opened, uplifted and mobilized
• Fun approach so you will want to do it regularly

For more information about Lynn’s work and classes in London, please go to her LinkedIn profile

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lynn-rae/28/636/60b

Ageing Face & Lifestyle

Bad Lifestyle Habits Impact on Your Facial Ageing
These photos speak for themselves. Drinking, smoking and junk food affect our appearance in the long-term. The 42-year-old freelance journalist Anna Magee worked with a forensic artist to create images of what she’d look like 10 years from now adopting different lifestyles.  She admits to having cheek fillers and Botox injections in the past.

The three projected images show her face 10 years from now:

SMOKING

After 10 years of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Please note the deep wrinkles, dark under-eye circles, and sagging brow, eyelids, and cheeks.

A survey of over 1,000 Yahoo! users found that only 28% of smokers admit to being addicted and dependent on cigarettes with 72% claiming “I choose when I smoke and can go without at any time.” 41% of the people ages 18-34 said they only smoke in a social setting, but if you want to avoid these nasty signs of aging, every cigarette may count. Fifty-six percent of people ages 18-34 said they smoke when drinking.

Smoking Accelerates Skin Ageing: In Photos

There is no doubt that smoking accelerates skin ageing. Please look at the consequences in terms of lip lines

but also deep furrows on the cheeks, mottled pigmentation and overall dull complexion (twin photo comparison)

Facial Moisturisers: Does Skincare Work?

At my talk to the Society of Cosmetic Scientists last week, the discussion revolved around the real performance of skincare. The industry agreed with me that skincare will never match the instant results (and risks) of surgery but small step-by-step visible improvements (like when we exercise) benefit our appearance. The SCS president emailed later to say “I used your gym analogy to a reporter from The Sunday Telegraph on Friday who was writing a piece on whether skincare works…” Analogies help to illustrate what to really expect in the ever-so-hyped world of skincare. But let’s look at the facts now.

• Unilever research shows that a well-formulated moisturiser will improve wrinkles by at least one grade (1/5 on a 5 grade wrinkle scale) in 6 months. This will be a visible result – people will notice and compliment you on a softer, plumper look!
• A benchmark dermatologist prescription treatment, retinoic acid, will improve wrinkles by two grades (2/5 on a 5 grade wrinkle scale) in 6 months but often with side effects including redness, scaling and inflammation.
• Using a skincare routine with ingredients matched to your skin type and concerns will improve the results.
• As always I hasten to add that skincare only accounts for 1/3 of the success! Youthful looks require well-shaped muscles and good jawline definition achieved by regular anti-ageing facial massage and exercise!

Have you seen the change in the mirror yet? See the results for yourself.

Garnier, a L’Oreal company, launched an interesting campaign. Davina has a dry skin type and, as any presenter, using strong facial expressions and being in and out of make-up all the time, she is prone to premature lines and wrinkles.

I don’t recommend Garnier for dry/mature skin types very often as there are no anti-ageing peptides in the formulation. But this is a fun exercise to see how well your anti-ageing moisturiser works!

Please note that the Garnier wrinkle scale has 10 grades (not 5 as the research scale above). That means you should see a difference earlier!

Link to YouTube Garnier Ultralift Challenge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvcNMGuDxU

Link to the Wrinkle Reader

http://www.ultraliftchallenge.co.uk/GarnierUltraLift_range_ruler.html

Ageing Gracefully

A private ritual of the Goldberg family in Buenos Aires, they photograph their faces every year on June 17th to document the passage of time.

http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/diegotime/time.html#