How to age less
WE ALL WANT TO LOOK YOUTHFUL, BUT WHY HAVE SURGERY WHEN SOFTER OPTIONS CAN BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE – AND MUCH CHEAPER? DR AAMER KHAN AND SKIN CARE SPECIALIST LESLEY REYNOLDS ARGUE IT OUT IN THE PAGES OF BEST...
Whether it’s oily skin or a bulging back, there are countless methods that claim to solve your beauty bugbears. Is surgery the best route, or can you find the solution on the high street? Dr Aamer and Lesley discuss the options…
I’VE GOT MOLES ON MY CHEST AND ONE ON MY FACE. I’D LOVE TO GET THEM REMOVED, BUT WILL IT LEAVE SCARS? Rose, Edinburgh DR AAMER SAYS:
Moles are clusters of pigment-producing cells. Firstly, it’s essential to get them examined by a doctor, in case they are potentially cancerous. If you get the all-clear, there are many quick and easy options to remove them without scarring. Cryotherapy vaporises the cells of the mole, allowing quick healing, and is ideal for any raised lesion. Cosmetic radio surgery is the latest technique: a surgical electrode emits radio waves that glide through the tissue, causing it to disintegrate as if a sharp blade had cut it. The wound heals to leave a flat layer of new skin. From £350.
LESLEY SAYS:
Avoid mole removal creams. Often sold online and billed as a cheap, non-invasive alternative to surgical removal, they can leave deep pockets in your skin and do lasting damage. Exposure to the sun can cause new moles to form and makes older moles more susceptible to changing and even becoming cancerous. Always use ‘broad-spectrum’ sunscreen of at least SPF30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. When out in the sun, keep your moles covered. If you’re at all concerned, then please see your GP.
AT 46, MY USUALLY DRY SKIN HAS SUDDENLY BECOME OILY. SOME DAYS, IT LOOKS LIKE AN OIL SLICK! HOW CAN I TREAT IT? Jennifer, Colchester DR AAMER SAYS:
The skin’s oil-producing glands are hormonally driven, and the menopause can sometimes send them into overdrive. During this time, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop, and your existing levels of testosterone take over and produce more oil. Regular glycolic peels will help to control excess oil and keep pores clear, as well as brightening the skin. We’d recommend a course of six treatments, from £80 each, one week apart. A course of photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses light therapy, will also help to reduce surface bacteria that clog pores and cause breakouts. From £100 a session.
LESLEY SAYS:
Oily skin can be curbed simply by using the right products. Cleanse the face twice a day with a product that contains glycolic, salicylic
or lactic acid. Harley Street Skin Care Clean Tech Exfoliating Cleanser, £20, contains a powerful blend of AHAs that will help to reduce excess oil production and keep spots at bay. Don’t overdo it, though – oil production increases if the skin is irritated. It’s quite a common misconception that you shouldn’t use moisturiser on oily skin, but don’t skip this step. It also acts as a barrier, protecting the skin. A light moisturiser that mattifies or contains hyaluronic acid will be suitable. At night, use a retinol-based cream to speed up cell turnover and help keep pores clear. As for make-up, mineral formulas are great for oily skin, as these usually come in powder form. A mineral powder will blot away oil, giving you a smooth finish.
I’VE BOUGHT A BACKLESS DRESS AND, CHECKING MY REAR VIEW, I WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE SPOTTY SKIN AND ROLLS OF FAT. HOW CAN I SHAPE UP? Stacey, Cumberland DR AAMER SAYS:
All shapes and sizes of women can be plagued by back fat – it’s one of the hardest parts of the body to tone up. BodyTite is energy-assisted liposuction that targets stubborn fat in the flanks and lower back. A radio frequency probe is inserted, via a tiny incision, to heat and melt fat, which is then sucked out. Done with local anaesthetic and light sedation, expect a week’s downtime, and you’ll need to wear compression garments. Full effects kick in between eight and 10 weeks later. From £2,000.
LESLEY SAYS:
For many of us, going backless is just as bad as going sleeveless, but you can achieve a glamorous back view! First, try to reduce your overall body fat by changing your diet and upping your exercise. An underactive thyroid can lead to excess fat being stored around the back area, so eat a thyroid-friendly diet, rich in iodine and selenium – salmon, nuts, chicken, eggs and spinach. Reduce sugar and drink more water. Swimming helps tone up the back, while Pilates can strengthen and define muscles. The skin on your back can get clogged with oil and dead skin. Regular skin brushing before bathing will help, so buy a long-handled bristle brush to boost circulation and improve skin tone. Wilko’s back brush costs just £1.