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
My kids have grown up, but the brown patches that I developed during pregnancy have never gone away and just seem to be getting worse now I’m older. How can I fix and disguise them? Are they different to normal ‘age spots’?
Jenny,Stokeon Trent
A
DR AAMER SAYS: Yes, there are two types of ‘brown spots’ – age spots are mostly caused through an increase in melanin when the skin tries to protect itself from sun exposure, while ‘melasma’ appears in the form of uneven patches and is caused by a surge in hormones. The VI Derm Precision Peel is excellent for treating pigmentation. A solution is applied on to clean skin, focusing particularly on patchy areas, but avoiding the eyes and lips. A course of four treatments spaced two to four weeks apart will renew and brighten skin. The treatment can be combined with VI Derm skincare designed to fade pigmentation and uneven skin tone, with results seen after four months. Expect to pay around £900 for the course. It is important that treatments are undertaken with the supervision of your doctor to ensure that any concerns are addressed appropriately.
LESLEY SAYS: While prescription strength anti-pigment creams will have the strongest effect, over-the-counter brightening products with ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, kojic, glycolic and azelaic acids will also help. But you’ll need patience, as they take longer to work. Try Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum, £26 (Amazon), or Ole Henriksen Glow20H Dark Spot Toner, £22. The two most important things you can do are sun protection and avoidance. Melasma can be exacerbated by light so ensure your sunscreen contains zinc oxide, which reflects light – try Ultrasun Face SPF50, £20. Recent research also shows that urban air pollution can contribute to irregular pigmentation so limit time spent in heavily polluted environments.
MUA Bronzed, £2.50, can help even out skin tone.
Q
My skin is incredibly dry this winter and anything I apply shows it up more. How can I fix it?
AIrene,Bristol DR AAMER SAYS: Skin becomes drier with age, as the lipids – a waxy substance that creates a barrier against water loss – start to break down, causing dehydration and flakiness. Xela Rederm is an injectable skin booster that adds radiance. It contains succinic acid, a powerful antioxidant, and hyaluronic acid, which work together to stimulate collagen and elastin. The hour-long treatment consists of micro injections. First skin is cleansed and an anaesthetic is applied before tiny droplets are injected just beneath the surface of the skin. For best results, a course of three treatments is recommended, one every four weeks. From £250 a treatment.
LESLEY SAYS: If your skin is just dehydrated after all the Christmas festivities, why not try a ‘moisture booster’? Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster, £5.50, can be added to your moisturiser or applied directly to dry areas. Thorough cleansing and regular exfoliation promotes skin renewal. Use Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix, £9.95, and follow with Asda Brightening Vitamin C Radiance Boosting Serum, £2.50. You could also use SPF30, which will do more for your complexion than any moisturiser. Using a facial oil at night will help to lock in moisture. Try to avoid products that contain alcohol and perfume as these have a drying effect. Follow with Max Factor Radiant Lift Foundation, £14.99, then a swipe of Revolution Ultra Blush Palette Hot Spice, £4, along your cheekbones for an instant healthy glow.
Q
I have varicose veins on the back of my legs, near my knees. Is there a way to get rid of these without scarring? How do I hide them in the meantime?
Yvonne,Leicestershire
ADR AAMER SAYS: It’s advisable to have an ultrasound before any treatment to find out why you have developed these veins. After that, there are a number of procedures that produce the same results as surgery, but with less bruising. EndoVenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) is minimally invasive and performed under local anaesthesia. A laser fibre is inserted into the vein and then slowly withdrawn, damaging the vein walls and shrinking them shut. You’ll have to wear a stocking bandage for up to two weeks. There shouldn’t be any scarring. Treatments for veins are not always permanent as vascular problems tend to be recurrent. Expect to pay around £2,000 for a one-off procedure.
LESLEY SAYS: If you just want to make veins less obvious, Vichy Dermablend Total Body Corrective Foundation, £20, or a fake tan can help disguise them. Aside from this, look for preventative measures. Supportive trainers will make the walking action more effective at pumping the blood back up your legs. Try to keep your legs raised above the level of your bottom when you’re sitting down, which encourages blood to flow back up. Include plenty of vitamin C and substances called bioflavonoids in your diet, as these strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The best sources are dark red berries.