#alpha h

The world of skincare is a vast and often overwhelming one where the process of purchasing the right products feels much like searching for needles in a haystack. By the time you hit your mid-twenties, your skin’s needs change, and you’ll likely find yourself tempted by bold marketing lingo that promises to “Lift and Plump!” or “Farewell Wrinkles!” The truth is, much like our hair colours, body shapes and personalities, our skin types are unique and individually effected by internal and external skin agers. Therefore, the manner in which we approach our anti-aging skincare routines should be personal and considered.

Skin care expert and Founding Director of UW Collective, Annabelle Personeni has engineered anti-aging products for Johnson & Johnson, Yves Rocher and A’kin. Annabelle explains that while we’re incapable of changing our genetic makeup, we do have sway over a number of external aging contributors, such as exposure to the sun, lack of sleep, smoking and diet choices. According to Personeni, a good anti-aging product “will contain high levels of antioxidants and will have a base which will deeply hydrate the skin and reinforce its barrier integrity.”

We’ve cut through the noise and compiled a basic guide on how to develop your very first anti-aging skincare routine – one suitable for all skin types.

 THE FIVE PRODUCTS YOU NEED

In the simplest terms, every skincare routine (especially one targeted towards anti ageing should contain: Cleanser (and a double cleanse at that), an Exfoliant, Serum, Moisturiser, and the biggest essential of all: Sunscreen.

 CLEANSER TIMES TWO

Cleansing contributes positively to our skin’s natural renewal cycle. Gently cleansing the skin both in the morning and before bed counteracts the havoc numerous external aggravators can play at a surface level; aggravators including pollution, indoor heating, dirt and makeup. Immediate signs of neglect often include clogged pores, an uneven tone, and dullness. Personeni advises, “it is important to choose cleansing products which respect the skin lipids, the skin pH and the natural microflora,” whereby the fewer additives your products contain, the better your skin will likely react. Opt for cream and oil cleansers in place of ‘soapier’ alternatives that tend to dry skin out (try Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser or Dermalogica’s UltraCalming Cleanser). This first step will "melt" away the bulk of your makeup without stripping the skin. Follow up with a gentle cleanser, micellar waters work great, try Bioderma’s Sensibio H20 Make-up Removing Micelle Solution or Sisley’s Eau Efficace Gentle Makeup Remover.

 TIP: Be mindful when cleansing your eye area. Skin is thin and your eyes are more susceptible to irritation if exposed to chemicals.

 AN EFFECTIVE EXFOLIATOR

Exfoliating the skin two-three times per week takes the benefits of cleansing to a deeper level (literally and figuratively). While we often pinpoint the earliest sign of aging to be the development of fine lines, Personeni notes that it’s actually the subtle changes to the skin’s structure and colour that really play a part, whereby “pores become enlarged, the skin surface doesn’t reflect light as well, and starts to yellow”. For a cleanse that is effective without being rough and corase on the skin, try exfoliators containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), like Glycolic or Lactic Acids, also designed to clear away dead skin cells for an evenly pigmented complexion (Chemical Exfoliants: Breakdown and Product Recommendations) AHAs are proven to shorten the skin’s renewal cycle from 28 to 16-20 days, Personeni explains, thereby getting your skin fresher, faster. The trick is to incorporate an AHA-based exfoliator into your routine for a couple of months at a time only (for example, in the lead up to a special event), because eventually your skin will adapt and results will subside. Try Alpha-H’s acclaimed Liquid Gold or Wander Beauty Fast Lane Instant Facial

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Refreshing You Face: What You Need to Know

Once upon a time, facelifts were for the rich and famous, and they always required surgery. But times have changed. Nowadays, consumers hear a lot about facial rejuvenation, and beauty clinics that help ordinary men and women who hope to erase the insults of time with a wide range of rejuvenation treatments.

With non-surgical beauty procedures becoming increasingly affordable, consumers might be wondering what their options are and what results they can expect. Shelley Stevens, a qualified nurse with experience in both surgical and non-surgical beauty treatments, ran us through popular facial rejuvenation techniques.

Ultraformer III – High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Wrinkles, folds, and sagging skin are among the top targets for surgery. But according to Shelley, you can tighten up skin, reduce wrinkles, and reduce sagging by simply letting a therapist direct ultrasound waves into the tissues that lie beneath your skin.

“Platinum Face and Body Clinic uses the world-leading Ultraformer III when it comes to HIFU facial rejuvenation as there are many imitations that do not deliver the same results. This piece of equipment is one reason people use our clinic,” says Shelley.

“It’s scientifically tested and approved by regulatory authorities,” she says. “It won’t give consumers the dramatic results they get from surgery, but that can be an advantage too. There’s some effect immediately, but the primary advantage is that it stimulates collagen production in the skin. Of course, that means consumers only see the full result later on.”

Tracey Andreason, a 46 year old mother of two agrees, “A clinician suggested the Ultraformer III to reduce wrinkles on my face and the results were really amazing.”

Brighten up With LED Light Therapy

Can special LED lights really reduce wrinkles? Shelley points us towards a slew of scientific papers that say it certainly does. “It’s a relatively new development,” she explains, “and the results are in. Platinum Face and Body Clinic purchased a state-of-the-art LED therapy device, and it’s been a solid investment.”

Apart from reducing wrinkles, LED light therapy smooths out gaping pores, brightens the skin and helps to treat pigmentation blemishes.

“Pigmentation is a hereditary issue in my family,” explains Jennifer Rush, “LED light therapy really made a difference.”

Skin Needling – Not Nearly as Drastic as it Sounds

When it comes to rejuvenating skin, collagen is the key player. By inserting tiny needles into the skin, skin needling persuades the body that it needs to do some mending, and it goes into collagen-producing overdrive. But needles, it sounds so painful!

Shelley laughs. “It’s really not as bad as it sounds, using an advanced Dermapen. The needles are so tiny, and they move so quickly, that it just feels like I’m brushing your skin with something a little rough.”

Turning Back the Clock

Hoping to soften frown lines, marionette lines and crows’ feet… Injectables could be the answer. But there’s more. “As people age, lips tend to get thinner,” says Shelley. “A lot of people want to have softer, fuller lips. And there are areas where the skin sinks away because of collagen loss. That gives people an older, more tired appearance. Consumers can instantly relax wrinkles, plump up skin, and address asymmetry with injectables.”

Choosing Treatments

Shelley says it’s all about results rather than treatment choices. “It depends on what’s bothering people about their appearance and what they want to achieve. Sometimes clinics recommend one type of treatment, at others, they’ll suggest a combination. But it comes down to what people want.”

“If the results people are looking for can only be achieved with surgery, then consumers need to know that. Platinum face and Body Clinic thrives because unrealistic promises don’t exist here – that means satisfied clients get what they’re expecting to get.”

“Non-surgical techniques are great because there’s no downtime. The results aren’t as dramatic as those offered if people go under the knife, but people will comment that they’re looking great without realising they had treatments. That’s an added advantage. People are fresher and more relaxed-looking.”

To find out more about non-surgical facelifts in the Illawarra and Sydney area, you can reach Shelley and her experienced team at Platinum Face and Body Clinic to make an online booking or by calling (02) 4200 9468.

Syndicated by Baxton Media.