Why are we all so anti, ageing?

With the average life expectancy in the western world increasing, and the fact that 21 million people make up the 50 plus population in the UK, its little wonder that we are all looking for ways to stay looking younger for longer.

We’re obsessed with our greying hair, the furrows in our faces and the very public route south that gravity takes our skin on, leading us to be lured by the next anti ageing discovery, trend or craze that seems to work for Madonna at the ripe age of 50.

So do we have to accept this gradual degeneration of our younger selves, or are there ways that we can retard, repair and even prevent further ageing? The answer, you’ll be pleased to know is Yes!

As a skin specialist and therapist I take the 90% of my clients, who are concerned with ageing, on that journey to have the younger, fresher, brighter skin of their youth. The first thing I explain to them is that there are two processes to ageing.
Firstly, intrinsic or chronological ageing, which is the genetic and normal level of ageing that we will all experience no matter what we do to try and prevent it.

Secondly, there is extrinsic ageing. This is the process of ageing that is influenced by external factors and is also referred to as premature or lifestyle ageing. It is this type of ageing that I get excited about, as although it accounts for up to 90% of the lines, wrinkles, saggy, baggy skin, we are in control of this.

The Thieves of youth….
Extrinsic or lifestyle ageing to the skin is caused and influenced by three main bio chemical reactions.
These are all fed by the following activities that we all partake in and depending on the extreme we take those activities to, will depend on how quickly we age:

• Sun exposure – this is the worst cause
• Industrial pollution
• Ozone and pesticides
• Smoking and alcohol
• Poor dietary choices – especially processed and sugar laden foods
• Stress

The result of the tirades of abuse that we give our bodies affects the skin at two levels. Collagen, the protein fibres that give the strength and youthful spring to our skin, is lost and new formation slows. The cell turnover and renewal slows down, inflammation occurs and the defensive barrier of the skin is impaired, making the skin susceptible to infections, sensitivity and disorders. These are bio chemical changes.
Wrinkles, saggy, baggy skin, permanently diffused capillaries and dehydration are the more obvious cosmetic changes that we see and with ingredient and treatment advances I treat my clients on both of these levels.

Don’t despair…
The good news is that there are some simple, positive changes that we can make to start to repair, retard and prevent this negative onslaught.

• Baz Luhrmann was right when he told us to ‘Wear sunscreen’. It’s my number one tip when it comes to combating ageing skin since UV rays account for a whopping 80% of that extrinsic ageing process. Look for a broad spectrum product that also contains the cell protector Vitamin E and wear everyday.
• Eat your greens…and broccoli, spinach, berries, peppers, raw nuts and seeds. I’m an advocate for treating the skin from the inside as well as the outside and these are just some of natures best anti oxidant, free radical fighting foods.
• Lift the lid on a product packed with ingredients like; Vitamin A, vitamin C, peptides, super oxide dismutase and AHA’s. I use a supercharged cosmeceutical level of ingredients for my clients since one of the functions of the skin is to absorb.
• Workout your face not just your body….there are 98 facial muscles all of which, if exercised in the correct way regularly can maintain definition and tone. I give my clients the low down on how to gain a skinny chin, plump cheeks and the perfect pout.

So you see we really can control how quickly or slowly we age and these tips just scratch the surface. So join me in my quest by munching on your blueberries, slapping on your sunscreen whilst contorting your face, all in the name of youth.

‘My skin seemed to return to its springier, younger form’ said Sara who had a course of 6 fortnightly facials with Louise. ‘I’m in my early 30’s and started to become more aware of the changes my skin was going through. Louise really understands the skin from the inside out and is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the products and treatments she uses. I love the fact that her advice is not just about what to put on your skin but includes lifestyle and a more scientific take on skin care. It’s a very different type of experience and I’m delighted with the changes that have occurred in my complexion.’

Louise Thomas-Minns CIBTAC CIDESCO BABTAC is a skin specialist and therapist with over 12 year’s experience. She is the owner of U Treatments, a beauty business that brings the salon to you and is about to launch a London skin clinic. She lecturers in, and is an NVQ assessor part time, in beauty therapy.
Her specialism in the skin and ingredient technology requires her to be a regular guest on Radio Norfolk and write for some national periodicals.
Visit www.u-treatments.co.uk or call Louise on 07810 872 633 for details of her bespoke treatment menu.

Copyright 2008