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…
Q I’ve never had this problem before, but my lips seem to be disappearing inwards and are more discoloured. What are my options?
Claire,BuryStEdmunds
ADR AAMER SAYS: As you get older, the space above your upper lip and below your nose, called the philtrum, flattens and lengthens, so the distance from your nose to the top lip gets longer, making the upper lip curl inwards and almost disappear. To re-establish shape and plumpness, a small amount of dermal filler will immediately improve the structure of the top lip area. From £350, it lasts 6-12 months. Polydioxanone sutures (a type of mini thread) used around the vermilion border (the small margin between your lip and the skin) can also be used to lift the top lip back into place. Treatments cost from £500 and last around 18 months.
Micropigmentation, which is similar to wearing permanent lipstick, will help to restore naturallooking colour, as well as add definition to your upper area, so lips will look plumper without the need for injections. The one-hour treatment begins by numbing your lips. Post-treatment, they may be red, swollen and scab for a few days but results can last from one to three years, depending on how fast the pigment is absorbed. From £700 per session.
LESLEY SAYS: As we age, lips lose volume and colour, due to depleted collagen, elastin and moisture levels. But if your lips are very discoloured, check with your doctor first to make sure there is no underlying medical issue. Exfoliation helps boost blood circulation and remove dead skin, so lips look plumper and brighter. Use a soft children’s toothbrush dipped in a lip balm and moisturise your lips with light, circular movements. Do this morning and night. Honey and olive oil are also great for lip nourishment and will help boost hydration. Use a lip primer, too, as this creates a base for colour, resulting in a no-budge, no-smudge pigment. Try e.l.f. Lip Primer & Plumper, £4.50 from Superdrug, which has a subtle tingling effect.
A DR AAMER SAYS: Facial spider veins are very common and caused by genetics, alcohol, acne, rosacea or sun damage. Photorejuvenation treatments are a fast and easy way to zap the redness. This relies on Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to target broken capillaries, causing the vein walls to collapse and disappear. It also helps tighten skin and reduce blotchiness by boosting collagen. A small handpiece emits an intense flash of light that releases energy into the skin. Two or three treatments, spaced a month apart, may be needed. From £60£100 a session. Also use an SPF50 afterwards to protect the new skin.
LESLEY SAYS: Fifty per cent of all women will have these veins by the age of 50. If they’re relatively light, use mineral make-up or foundation before applying blusher. If they’re more prominent, go for full coverage. Concealer to Cover Skin Concealer Cream, £18.99, Amazon, is designed to cover the likes of tattoos and scars. It has a hydrating, blendable formula, so it won’t flake or crease afterwards.
Long-term, try Dermalex Rosacea Treatment, £15.19. This helps to reduce the visibility of spider veins by creating a protective film against external triggers such as bad weather.. Your diet should include more omega 3, vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which strengthen blood vessel walls. You’ll find these in cherries, blackcurrants and grapefruit. Also avoid steam rooms, saunas and extreme temperatures on your face. This causes blood vessels to contract, resulting in broken capillaries.
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DR AAMER SAYS: Breasts flatten at the top and begin to droop. If there is ample breast tissue yet the breasts sag, a breast lift may be all you need. If not, the new ‘hybrid’ treatment combines implants with fat transfer. This creates natural-looking breasts and by incorporating fat transfer, allows the use of smaller implants. The results give the breasts a mini uplift, boosting volume. It takes around half a day and may require an overnight stay. Expect to pay from £8,000.
LESLEY SAYS: The skin on our chest is thinner than the face, so it’s more prone to wrinkles. Prai Ageless Throat & Decolletage Night Creme, £30, contains two types of retinol to target crêpey skin. A tan will also help improve its appearance. Nip+ Fab Tan Bronzing Booster, £9.47, is infused with vitamin E to condition and protect, plus exfoliating glycolic acid. Try palm pushing – press your palms together in front of your breasts, hold for five seconds, relax and then repeat 10 times. Do this every day for three months. Finally, it’s amazing how wearing the correct bra can do wonders for the bust, so get a fitting.
READERS SHOULD TAKE THE ADVICE OF THEIR DOCTOR BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY ADVICE GIVEN IN THIS COLUMN