The big beauty questions
We all want to look youthful, but why have surgery when softer options can be just as effective – and much cheaper? Husband-and-wife team Dr Aamer Khan and skin care specialist Lesley Reynolds argue it out in the pages of best…
QAfter years of fine lines, I’m starting to develop deep-set wrinkles that are harder to hide. How can I treat or disguise them? Lisa, Birmingham
ADR AAMER SAYS: A new one-off treatment called Lipogems will not only make skin look younger and healthier, but also helps slow down the ageing processes at a cellular level. It uses your body’s own fat, taken from the stomach, hips or thigh, through liposuction. The extracted fat is then treated using small ball bearings which release the regenerative cells. These are then mixed with untreated fat and injected as a filler. Over the following week, this boosts collagen and elastin, resulting in firmer, plumper, more youthful skin. The treatment is ideal to banish deep wrinkles and because it is 100 per cent your own fat (as opposed to adding man-made fillers), there’s not likely to be a allergic reaction. You’ll have longer-lasting, more natural-looking results, compared to traditional dermal fillers. From £1,500 per treatment. LESLEY SAYS: Taking care of your skin is the number one way to age gracefully. Always wear an SPF50 with both UVA and UVB protection every day. Sleep on your back, as certain positions every night lead to wrinkles that become etched into the top layers of skin and don’t fade once you’re out of bed. Salmon is a great source of protein and one of the building blocks of great skin. It’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which nourish and keep your complexion plump and youthful. Start using a retinol product at night, such as La Roche-Posay Redermic Anti-Ageing Concentrate Intense £24, which will increase cell turnover, boost collagen and soften lines and wrinkles.
Wrinkled skin also tends to be drier, so it needs a fresh take on foundation. Look for one that will hydrate without settling in creases. L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Foundation £9.99, has a medium coverage for a flawless finish that isn’t caked on. And use highlighter sparingly as it’ll only enhance wrinkles.
Bev,Hastings
ADR AAMER SAYS: Once you get jowling and sagging around the lower face, surgery is usually the best option. A lower face and neck lift will tighten sagging skin. New surgical techniques also mean it’s much more naturallooking and can often be carried out using local anaesthetic and light sedation, making it safer, with a speedier recovery time and minimal, discreet scars. While facelifts reduce sagging, a course of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels will address skin tone and texture. Depending on the type of facelift, expect to pay from £7,000 and around £500 for a course of peels.
LESLEY SAYS: There are steps you can take that don’t involve expensive surgery, as they are more about changing your lifestyle than splashing the cash. Cut back on alcohol and increase your water intake. With age, your skin’s ability to hold water will decrease, leading to dry patches and fine lines. Your skin needs to be regularly quenched with moisture-retaining water to remain healthy and dewy-looking. Use an SPF50 such as Ultrasun SPF 50+ Face Anti-Pigmentation £35.99 rain or shine, as this is the best anti-ageing cream of all. Use a retinol product at night and a vitamin C serum in the morning. Regular exfoliation can speed up the growth of new cells, but do not overdo it as this can remove skin’s only protective barrier, making it look older. Occasionally use the gentle liquid exfoliant Pixi Glow Tonic £18. Certain foods, such as tomatoes and green tea, are also known to increase lycopene, the skin’s built-in SPF. Reduce sugar, which can cause a loss of collagen, thus taking away skin’s plump appearance.