Ace-Anti-Ageing

Ageless Ageing

Our holistic youth guru on the topical wrinkle-zappers that really work…

Our holistic youth guru on the topical wrinkle-zappers that really work…
I had lunch with a friend recently –and couldn’t help noticing that her skin looked absolutely incredible

To my surprise she told me that she’d had a session of dermaroller. I had only heard about this vaguely and understood it to be akin to a medieval torture device.Basically, it’s a hand held roller studded all over with tiny needles and rolled all over the face, and this injury stimulates the skin to repair itself –leading ultimately to firmer skin,increased collagen production, fewer wrinkles and even improving the appearance of scars. If you’ve been following my column you’ll already know that great nutrition, exercise, lots of water and little stress can all help roll back our biological age. However, my friend’s experience got me thinking about some of the approaches that we can take to actually look younger on the outside. Here are some of the approaches that I think really work.

Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that really does work but you need to get a strength of at least 0.4 per cent. This is only available from a dermatologist –or your doctor if you’re lucky enough to have a particularly understanding one. I personally use retinol that I bought in the USA and have been extremely impressed with its effects.The fine lines around my eyes have completely gone and deeper lines have definitely improved. The downside? You have to build up your tolerance –it can be harsh on the skin and lead to redness and you absolutely have to use a factor 15 sunscreen when going outside.

Rosehip oil

Trials have shown that this rosa mosqueta oil, which contains a special form of vitamin A, really improves skinand heals scars. Scientific studies using the oil on post-surgical scars and defects at the University Hospital of Seville state that the results ‘must be considered excellent’.

Hyaluronic acid

Often referred to as ‘nature’s moisturiser’ hyaluronic acid(HA) is a naturally-occurring carbohydrate that is found virtually everywhere in the human body although its production decreases as we get older. It is one of the most highly researched substances in today’s medicine and has numerous functions. You can use it various ways to counteract the effects of ageing. One of them is to use creams, in a pill form( Viridian does a good one) or you could try one of the injectable wrinkle ‘fillers’, as the evidence shows that they do work –and they actually increase production of collagen. While I wouldn’t describe the use of injectable fillers as entirely ‘natural’, the substance is, however, already present in our bodies.

The right diet

Strong evidence suggests that a lower carbohydrate diet is much better for us – in all ways – and it has an impact on our looks too. Al ow carb diet will help you to look younger as it will reduce puffiness in the face and improve skintone and elasticity. The established anti-ageing gurus –including Dr Perricone –prescribe a diet that includes plenty of fresh berries, fish, veggies and very little carbohydrate.

Article by

Jayney Goddard

President of the Complementary Medical Association

is the president of the Complementary Medical Association

Discover more

Article by

Jayney Goddard

President of the Complementary Medical Association

is the president of the Complementary Medical Association

Discover more