The ‘ageless’ question

By Dinah S. Ventura

08/09/2008

Is anti-aging a myth? Looking at the unlined faces of some of our most prominent women “of a certain age” today, one might say it’s not. And, no doubt, the worldwide skincare industry would blare a resounding NO. But is aging gracefully the boon of a genetically lucky few or the result of advances in science?

According to our first Filipina Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, “maintenance” is needed in order to keep looking one’s best. She says outer beauty fades and inner beauty is most important, but she does not discount the importance of using products or technologies to preserve one’s youth, up to a certain extent [see page 11].

For businesswoman and fashion icon Fortune Ledesma, the secret is vitamin E. The youthful looking Ledesma endorses the locally developed nyte-E Face and Hand Lotion, a global brand marketed by Whealth Inc. Launched at Rustan’s Essenses a few months ago, nyte-E (pronounced “nightie”) is a locally developed product with an international heritage. Packed in Italian designed jars and pumps which are manufactured in Shanghai is a combination of French lavender essential oil and Australian natural vitamin E. Packaging design is by Filipino graphic artists.

Nyte-E was developed by Albert Garcia, the president and CEO of Whealth Inc., which also distributes C-Lium Fibre, Gargol Oral Wash, CranUTI Nature’s Relief and ABW Super Anti Oxidants Internal Anti-Aging. Garcia is a Filipino who spent his early childhood in Spain, studied at the De La Salle Philippines, lived in Australia for 25 years then returned to the country in 1995 to start marketing health supplements targeting the Asean countries.

Applied sparingly, Nyte-E should be “the last thing you put on at night,” says Garcia. It is a “clinical strength wrinkle killer that contributes to slowing down the wear and tear process of skin” and lets it “renegenerate faster.” It may also be applied as a makeup base during the day. Continued use results in healthy and radiant skin. Nyte-E (P595 for the jar and P1,150 for the pum bottle) is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Plaza, Alabang, Gateway, Robinsons Place and Cebu.

Targeted solutions

Because the signs of aging are first seen in certain parts of the body, some beauty companies have come out with products with targeted solutions. Some of these are:

Wrinkles

“Better than Botox” is used to describe StriVectin-SD, the product that revolutionized aging solutions. Now the makers of this “stretch mark cream turned anti-wrinkle phenomenon of the decade” expands the range of anti-agers with StriVectin-HS Hydro Thermal Deep Wrinkle Serum, the first formula specifically designed “to reduce the appearance of deep, sharp wrinkles caused by photo damage and aging.”

In the workd of cosmetics, it is said that the Dermal-Epidermal Junction (DEJ) is the “hottest new ‘catch phrase’ in the anti-wrinkle business.” This is because “scientists know that the DEJ improves the strength of the skin, ultimately promoting tissue function.” StriVectin-HS Hydro Thermal Deep Wrinkle Serum is “the first and only thermophyllic serum specifically developed for wrinkles associated with changes in the DEJ integrity, dramatically reducing the appearance of pronounced deep wrinkles, enlarged pores and stubborn surface imperfections.”

To use: apply the serum with the fingertips directly on the most pronounced wrinkles at the corners of the eye, between the brow, around the lips and down the nasolabial folds (the deep lines that run from the edge of the nose to the corners of the mouth). Gently spread the excess serum over the entire face. Wait for one to three minutes or until the serum becomes dry or slightly tacky to the touch. Then soak a facecloth in hot, not scalding, water and hold the warm, damp cloth firmly to the face for 30 seconds. Pat the face dry and enjoy flawless skin!

StriVectin is available at Rustan’s department stores.

Sagging skin and dark spots

Women in their late 20s to 30s would do well to start thinking of preventive measures to delay the effects of aging, such as skin dehydration, roughness, enlarged pores, sagging, etc. Leading Japanese beauty company Awake has come out with skincare products containing Lavender Polyphenol, which is highly antioxidant and resolves early aging.

Lavender is a Mediterranean plant of the mint family grown mainly for herbal aromatherapy. There are more than 100 species of Lavender, each producing different ingredients and scents, but the most popular is the English variety with purple flowers. Lavender polyphenol is a water soluble extract taken from the dried flowers of English lavender, which are grown in Provence, France.

Because it is infused with this key ingredient, Awake’s Polyphection Serum Lotion (P1,750) moisturizes and controls oxidation of the skin. This soothing lotion has a relaxing aroma that also soothes the mind, just as the product changes the skin quality and reduces the appearance of pores and roughness. Polyphenol has a higher antioxidant effect than vitamin C and it is not an unstable ingredient like vitamin C.

This quick-absorbing, powerful antioxidant serum helps protect skin from environmental damage for smooth, stress-free skin. Aromatherapy benefits and the combined effect of 11 essential herbs make this product a must-have for anti-aging. Use after cleansing and toning.

Awake is available at Rustan’s department stores.

Dull skin

“As we approach the age of 30 skin becomes duller,” says Dr. Nathalie Chevreaux, Ph.D., RD, director of Women’s Health at asic Research. This is mainly why skin brighteners or radiance products have invaded makeup and skincare, and why “a new generation of facial brighteners are replacing wrinkle creams as the fastest growing product category at prestige cosmetics counters around the globe,” according to Bremenn Research Labs.

It turns out looking young has more to do with skin color and something called ‘brightness scale’ or full-spectrum reflectivity’ than it does with frown lines and wrinkles. If you want to get rid of wrinkles, Bremenn says, “try StriVectin-SD from Klein Becker, Botox from Allergan, or a facelift from your friendly neighborhood plastic surgeon. But if you really want younger looking skin, get rid of the appearance of telltale age spots, blotchy discolorations and visible imperfections, there’s nothing more exciting than the hottest new category of science-based cosmeceutical Facial Brighteners...and there’s nothing more effcetive than the category leader, Lumedia Facial Brightener.”

Lumedia is available at Rustan’s department stores.

Crow’s feet and ‘turtle’ neck

Aside from one’s hands and feet, the eyes and neck tend to show the first signs of aging. This is why French beauty expert Clarins has developed three specific extra-firming products “dedicated to women over 40 who are at the peak of their beauty... and who plan to stay there.”

These are the Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream, which fights lines and wrinkles; the Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Serum, which gives an instant lift and reduces puffiness and dark circles; and the Advanced Extra-Firming Neck Cream, which firms and smooths the skin.

Don’t let fatigue and the passing years leave their mark! Clarins’ essential youth-boosting products are ideal for use a.m. and p.m. before going out. Rest assured the ingredients are gentle on skin yet powerful in their effect, using plant extracts such as that of hibiscus, euphrasia (also known as “Eyebright”), centella asiatica, ginkgo biloba, along with such exclusive ingredients as Glistin, a sequence of amino acids.

Clarins is available at Rustan’s department stores.

Age spots

Hand-specific anti-aging potions have become the rage among beauty insiders. One of the most talked about products to hit the market is called Lumedia, said to be “the ultimate solution for serious ‘age spots’ on the hands, from Bremenn Research Labs... the hyperpigmentation specialists who brought you the undereye ‘Serious Dark Circle’ miracle cream, Hylexin.” Apply twice daily to clean, dry skin using a light circular motion until completely absorbed. Use only enough to cover areas with darker pigmentation.

Lumedia is available at Rustan’s department stores.

Sagging arms

Using the unique and specially designed tri-polar radio frequency technology, Marie France’s newest non-invasive treatment targets stubborn fat in the back of the arms, safely, painlessly and effectively! A problem among women whose metabolism has slowed down is weight gain, and flabby arms is a common woe.

With SlenderArm TriPollar treatment, ugly bat-wing arms are reduced, excess fat on the bra line is minimized and jiggly inner thighs are toned! A number of quick treatments (45 minutes or less per treatment depending on the area) will result in tightened and recontoured skin, which tends to sag after one loses weight. Not only that, the tri-polar radio frequency technology increases one’s metabolism and the release of fat for use as energy.

With the new, third generation tri-polar radio frequency, focused energy selectively heats the fat cells, so it is virtually painless. There is also no need for skin cooling during the procedure. In fact, only a very mild heating sensation will be felt during the treatment. Then, the fat is dissipated through normal processes. In addition to that, there is an increase in metabolism for continuous loss even after the treatment.

The back of the arms is one of the most difficult body parts to treat, and there are currently no other treatments available that specifically target this area.

Ask about SlenderArm TriPollar at Marie France branches in Metro Manila.

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