HOLLYWOOD’S LATEST WEAPON AGAINST AGEING
Human growth hormone has become Hollywood’s latest anti-ageing fad.

According to The Daily Mail, well-known actors and household names are paying $240 a time to inject their bodies with chemicals they have dubbed ‘a fountain of youth in a syringe’.

HGH is unproven but the idea is that hormones age as we do and if they are replaced with younger hormones, then we will regain our energy, health and libido levels.

CHARLIZE THERON’S BODY SHOOT FOR VANITY FAIR
At the age of 36, Charlize Theron reveals her incredible body in a low-cut skimpy swimsuit for a Vanity Fair magazine shoot.  The actress, who recently revealed to a German women’s magazine that she’d like to have a baby soon, shows no signs of ageing or slowing down.

More

• Jennifer Aniston’s Hairstyle Evolution
• Fake Tanning Prep in 3 Steps

HOW TO REDUCE EXCESS SKIN AFTER WEIGHT LOSS
An unhappy side effect of weight loss is the loose skin that lingers behind as a constant reminder.  According to New Beauty website, minimally loose skin can be treated non-invasively to create new collagen (ask your plastic surgeon for advice). However, excessive loose skin will need to be surgically removed.

“With age, the skin loses elasticity. When the skin is not elastic and able to ‘stretch’ and ‘contract’ it won’t bounce back post-weight loss, leaving you with too much skin for your new body,” says Beverly Hills, CA, plastic surgeon Randall Haworth, MD. Fortunately, minimally loose skin can be treated noninvasively to create new collagen.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK:  How to get Natalie Portman’s pretty pink makeup look.

HOT HAIRSTYLE OF THE WEEK: MEGAN GALE
At the inaugural AACTA’s Megan Gale, 36, shows off her glamorous mane.

Your say: What were your favourite moments this week? What do you think of Megan’s hair? Share your thoughts below.

1. Switch to a creamier cleanser to prevent further dehydration. Try L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Cleansing Milk, $13.95, lorealparis.com.au.

2. Use a gentle exfoliantonce or twice a week to help active ingredients to penetrate more deeply.

3. If skin is really dry,a moisturising mask once a week will further ramp up long-lasting hydration. Smooth on L’Occitane Shea Cotton Ultra Comforting Mask, $39.95, loccitane.com.au.

4. Wear sunscreen at all times- even when you are just out and about doing the weekly shopping. Clouds do nothing to filter skin-damaging UVA rays. Australian researchers have found that daily sunscreen use not only provides topical protection, it stimulates the skin’s repair mechanisms to work better, too. Clinique Sun Face Cream SPF30+ with Solar Smart Technology, $36, not only protects the skin against damage, it adds a barrier repair to help minimise the signs of ageing.

5. Step up to a more hydrating moisturiser, day and night. But stay away from too-thick creams which tend to sit on the top layer of the skin. Top choices include: A’kin Rose de Mai Anti-Oxidant Day Creme, $39.95, purist.com, with a time-release formula that releases moisture onto the skin for 12 hours; Avon Anew Genics Treatment Cream with YouthGen technology, $59.99, or L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Hydrating Skin Re-Support Day Cream, $31.95, firms the skin, too.

6. For a bib and braces skincare strategy, use Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector, from $115, department stores, under your moisturiser night and day. One of the best over-the-counter products to repair sun damage, its hero ingredient – LR 2412 – is as effective as retinol at reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. And there’s no irritating side effects, either.

7. Summer is also harsh on hands and many women “forget” to put sunscreen on the backs of their hands. Use a hand cream every time you put your hands in water and make it an anti-ageing one such as Nivea Hand Age Control Creme Q10 Plus with sunscreen filters and antioxidants.

8. Antioxidants are the first line of defence against sun damage so try to use creams and serums that offer a cocktail of antioxidants. Ingredient names to look for on labels are: Vitamin C and E, green tea, rooibos, grapeseed extract, co-enzyme Q10 and coffeeberry.

9. Your eyes are one of the first areas of the face to show sun damage because the skin is thin and prone to wrinkling. Don’t panic, though. Crow’s feet often look worse during summer because the wrinkles are often paler than the surrounding, lightly tanned skin and look more prominent. To rehydrate and protect the eye area use damage-correcting eye creams such as Christian Dior Capture R60/80 XP Wrinkle Restoring Eye Creme, $110, department stores, which targets each wrinkle with stem cell technology. Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Line Smooth Eye Cream, $44.95, burtsbees.com, is also formulated to repair and restore over-40s eyes.

Your say: How do you keep sun damage to a minimum? How religious are you with sunscreen application? Share with us below. 

GOLDEN GLOBES CELEBRATE WOMEN OVER 40
In January 2011 the hottest female names in Hollywood were Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway.  A year later and the awards were dominated by women decades older, lead by winners Meryl Streep and Laura Dern.

The nominees over 40 also included Juliana Margulies, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Laura Linney, Jodie Foster, Tilda Swinton, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Callie Thorne, Emily Watson, Diane Lane, Glenn Close and Madonna.

SECRET TO ETERNAL YOUTH?
Russian scientists have discovered a type of bacteria that has not only survived permafrost but have been found to slow the ageing process in ice during clinical studies.  “Bacillus F injections have favourably affected the quality of being of the ageing animals,” the scientists were quoted as saying in Cosmos Magazine.  ”First and foremost, this concerns immunity and the speed of its activation.”

HOW TO BOOST COLLAGEN NATURALLY
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to anti-ageing so it stands to reason that we should be doing all we can to boost collagen production before it starts to slow down.

1. Use skincare products with ingredients that are believed to boost collagen: amino acids, vitamin C, copper peptides.
2. Eat lots of dark fruits and vegetables.
3. Drink green tea

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
How to get Angelina Jolie’s “pillow” lips.

HOT HAIRSTYLE THIS WEEK: ELLE MACPHERSON
At this year’s Golden Globes Elle, 47, showed them how it’s done. She may be known as The Body but she can also give great hair.

shu uemura depsea hydrability alnight quench (30ml), $95, available exclusively at David Jones

If  your skin is dry, dull and dehydrated, this is the product for you. This essence acts like a water mask over your complexion while you sleep, leaving the surface smooth while also penetrating deep into your skin to intensely moisturise and protect from further loss of hydration throughout the day. Use this serum after cleansing and toning, and before your night cream.

The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth (30ml), $59.95, thebodyshop.com.au

This serum helps combat the signs of ageing with its use of plant stem cell technology, using certified organic ingredients. Your skin surface will be renewed and smoother with a more youthful appearance. Use this product in combination with your day and night cream, and also with an additional serum if you wish. Massage 2-3 drops into your skin and allow a few seconds for the product to sink in.

Available: 30 January, 2012

Chantecaille Anti-Glycation Primer SPF 15, $135, meccacosmetica.com.au

This new product is much more than a primer. Along with an SPF 15 protection, the natural and effective anti-glycation ingredient Carnosine protects collagen in the face while powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients like cherry blossom, lemon balm and white tea extracts protect your skin further from environmental aggressors. Apply to a clean face before makeup for a lightweight, oil-free and mattifying effect.

If you’re not liking what you see, it might be time to start formulating a skin revival plan and we have real-life success stories to give you some inspiration:

Danielle has the fair skin of her Celtic ancestry, prone to freckles, hyperpigmentation and other forms of photo-ageing. She had Fraxel re:store Dual laser rejuvenation and says, even a year after treatment, she looks at least five years youn ger than she did before.  Click here for her story.

Sue jumped on the acid (as in AHA and BHA) bandwagon when it was The Next Big Thing for skin rejuvenation in the 90s. Initially thrilled with results she began to suffer signs of accelerated ageing of her skin and problems with breakouts. She now advocates “rebuilding” rather than “stripping” the skin and says her own is proof positive. Click here for her story.

Chris was devastated by the dark pigmentation on her fair skin – aggravated by an inexperienced laser operator’s earlier attempt to reverse it – and was too self conscious to be seen without thick makeup. After an 8-week series of light therapy treatments, peels and antioxidant-rich cosmeceutical salon and home care products, her pigmentation has all but disappeared and her confidence has soared.  Click here for her story.

Kimberley has undergone the new “nocedure” Jet Peel, which claims to have the benefits of Botox and fillers without the needles. She says in the wake of the treatment her skin was plumper, more hydrated and luminous. Click here for her story.

Are you thinking about leaving the country to get a little nip & tuck? Before you make any snap decisions, you should make sure you’ve done your research. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS*) have issued a warning to all Australians travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery to Beware of Overseas Cosmetic Surgery Disasters. Their latest survey shows the number of Australians returning home with complications is on the rise. Australian plastic surgeons are being forced to fix more and more botched jobs.

“There are no rules,” Liz Tagla, salon manager of Bauhuas Hair in Sydney. “If you’re confident enough to wear a style then go for it. In today’s society, it is so difficult to guess how old someone is. It’s up to each individual but for some going against the grain and defying the `rules’ is what makes them younger.

“Today’s woman really looks after herself, inside and out. She eats a healthy diet, exercises, has a career and does what she can to take care of her appearance.

“No matter what age you are, the length that your hair `should’ be is quite an individual decision. You need to take into consideration your face shape, your body shape, your lifestyle, maintenance and so forth.

“It comes down to confidence and being comfortable with yourself and who you are – don’t try to be someone else.”

More…

• Beach Waves At Any Age
• Jennifer Aniston’s Hairstyle Evolution

But whatever length you opt for, Dario Cotroneo of DARIO salon in Sydney, urges mature-age women not to play it straight. “One very important tip for over-40s is to try to avoid straight hair. It draws attention to your face and emphasises any lines you may have, whereas waves and curls draw attention away from your face and therefore minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

LONG STORY
“If you feel longer hair suits you, then, whatever the length, you need to have a good cut regularly so that your hair has a style and is not just ‘long hair’,” says Liz. “The older you get, the more important this point becomes.

“Your hair needs to look healthy and well maintained and the longer the length, the more essential styling, colouring and density becomes. Keep your hair in good condition by having regular trims (this will also maintain your style) and treatments.”

SHORT STORY
“I would generally recommend short hair for women who are outgoing with big personalities and who are comfortable in their own skin,” says Dario. “The older she gets the more volume is required. To give a modern finish use Alterna’s Caviar Molding Crème, $37.95, 1300 437 436, to separate the style so it looks sharp and individual.”

Says Liz: “Short hair really has to suit your face shape and the style becomes extremely important – shorter hair draws attention to your face and your body at the same time. It can emphasise certain features and detract from others and because of this it can completely change your look.

“You need to find a stylist who is experienced at analysing features correctly while taking into consideration your lifestyle. A good cut `technically’ is crucial. It needs to be said though that you can’t hide behind your hair and therefore the shorter you go the more you need to be confident about your body and about who you are.

“Some women find it liberating to go short after having longer hair all through their teens and 20s. There is a misconception however that short hair is easier. In order for your style to be short and low maintenance, it needs to be very short, cut with precision and suitable to your hair type, growth patterns and so on.

“I’d recommend going shorter in stages – you can always cut more off but unless you’re going to opt for hair extensions, you can’t as easily add length on!”

THINNING AND HAIR LOSS
“A thick head of hair is better than Botox!” says Liz. “If your hair is fine or it has thinned out over the years, then you should definitely consider adding bulk and volume with hair extensions. I’d suggest only considering human hair extensions made from the highest quality hair. Permanent options are best as they fit in with your lifestyle and your everyday look. [At Bauhuas] we use and recommend only the best hair extensions, Great Lengths, as they have a large range of colours and lengths which enable us to create results that are completely natural.”

COLOUR YOUR WORLD
Says Dario: “Women must all have their hair professionally coloured. When we colour our client’s hair, the goal is to rebalance the face. Colour placement is based on face shape suitability, bringing life to their face and complexion. In my salon we use Lakme Colour because it gives us lots of flexibility when creating individual colour looks for our clients.  In general, my philosophy in regards to colour is lighter tones expand the face and darker tones slim it down.

“I can’t stand women above 40 going very dark using one block colour. This makes them look like they are trying extremely hard to be young. Women above 40 should always go for soft and flattering tones that work with their skin tone and their age. Not what used to work 20 years ago.”

Your say: What length do you like to wear your hair? What is the most important hair care issue to you? Share with us below?

To prevent your face signalling – We Know What You Did Last Summer – it’s best to start a program of running repairs as soon as possible so that the punishing trio of the sun, swimming and outdoor entertaining doesn’t start to strip moisture from the lower layers of the skin in a bid to protect the surface. That’s the reason your skin can look fine one week and then turn dry, tight and flaky the next as the drier cells hit the outer layer.

DAMAGE CONTROL POWERHOUSES
It’s more important to exfoliate your face twice a week during summer than it is in winter because perspiration mixes with makeup and skincare products and can clog pores. Always use a gentle exfoliant such as RoC Gentle Exfoliating Cream, $32, rocskincare.com.au, to remove dead skin, free radical build-up and boost micro-circulation. Now the skin is prepped for repair and rehydration.

More…

• Serums To Re-Boot Your Skin
• 10 Beauty Oils for a Shimmering Summer

Just slapping on a richer moisturiser won’t do the trick of keeping your face looking plump and radiant. It’s best to use a specialist product such as Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector, $98, clinique.com.au, which is formulated to heal skin damage. As the name implies, it’s an anti-aging serum that can be used day and night to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and repair and help to prevent further sun damage.

“Imagine waking up to a younger you” is the irresistible promise of Avon Anew Rejuvenate Glycolic Facial Treatment, $49.99,  avon.com.au. It’s more than just hype,too. Designed to reduce damage from ageing and fade wrinkles and lines, 78% of women in clinical studies reported that their skin felt re-texturised overnight after using this hard-working de-ager. While a massive 94% claimed that their skin was smoother and their lines appeared less prominent within one week. Unlike many products with glycolic acid in the mix, it’s not harsh, either.

Estee Lauder has long been a pioneer in reversing the effect of environmental damage. A new limited edition of Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, from $105, esteelauder.com.au, was released on January 1st to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this cult product which is also Australia’s number one selling anti-ageing treatment product. A top seller worldwide, the silky serum is renowned for its ability to smooth away the visible signs of ageing and repair the appearance of past damage. Hydration levels in the skin also receive a boost and ANR, as it’s devotees call it, also protects against future environmental assaults on the skin.

Your say: How do you try to prevent summer skin damage? What damage controls do you put in place? Share you tips below.

As we get older our lashes get lesser – thinner, sparser, slower to grow and more brittle. As that happens, eyes become less noticeable, even look dull or tired, and attention is drawn to fine lines and wrinkles.

The good news is that full, fluttery lashes are just a few swipes away with a plethora of new growth boosters and enhancers.

LASH GROWTH BOOSTERS
The two ingredients that help lashes grow faster, bimatoprost and latanoprost, were discovered by accident. Patients who were treated for glaucoma found a wonderful side effect from their medication – longer lashes.

Realising these benefits, cosmetic companies in the US and Canada created lash boosting serums. Due to the nature of these products they are considered as a medicine and require a prescription to purchase.

One of these is Allergan’s Latisse – whose “face”  in US advertising is actress Brooke Shields – but it hasn’t yet been approved for use in Australia.

More…

• Lash Factor
• How To Find The Right Mascara

LASH GROWTH ENHANCERS
Until the “industrial strength” formulation can be prescribed by your doctor here, there are some impressive over-the-counter lash growth enhancing products.

What they do is encourage blood circulation and deliver nutrients to the lash follicles. They contain ingredients that replenish keratin (which hair is made from), strengthening lashes and promoting a longer eyelash growth phase. This in turn means lashes appear longer and thicker but does not actually make them grow… if they did, they’d be prescription products. But what does it matter if your lashes still LOOK longer!

Growth boosters and enhancers are applied very closely to the root of your lashes to reach the follicle. These types of treatments take about 14-28 days to see results.

The recommended usage is daily for at least 4-6 weeks, after which you can reduce applications to twice a week. If you stop using lash enhancers your lashes will eventually return to their normal length.

Products to try:

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara, $21.95. A double-duty product, this lash enhancer and mascara uses a patented formula of fibres and phytopeptide complex to condition and strengthen lashes with each use.

L’Oreal Paris Renewal Lash Serum, $25.45. Regular use will toughen up fragile lashes, repair damage from makeup removal and stimulate growth for a fuller, thicker flutter.

Smashbox Lash Revival Treatment and Conditioner, $34.95. This is a 2-in-1 wonder. Apply the treatment end of the wand across your upper lid (only at night) and once it’s dry, comb the conditioner through your lashes.

ModelCo Lash and Brow Growth Stimulator, $42. After a quick fix? Apply a generous coating of this wonder product every night for voluptuous lashes in just 14 days. This serum restores sparse lashes and stimulates growth with a conditioning blend of vitamins and proteins.

shu uemura Lash Builder, $46. Mr Uemura is the undisputed King of Lashes. Doubling as a lash primer, it also smooths the lash surface so your mascara glides on effortlessly.

CPRx Lash Prescription, $69. How does 72 per cent sound? That’s how much this clinically proven serum claims will boost the thickness and length of your lashes. Peptide technology works to transform short and stubbies into a killer pair of lashes.

Mirenesse 4D Secret Lash Evolution Serum Eyelash and Brow Enhancer, $129. Containing 15 patented key ingredients to enhance and improve the lifecycle of your lashes, this is the first anti-ageing product of its kind: it also minimises fine lines around the eye area while promoting thicker, stronger lashes.

Fusion Beauty StimuLash Fusion Intensive Night Conditioning Lash Enhancer, $145. This intensive serum is brimming with peptides, amino acids and botanicals to nourish and hydrate lacklustre lashes. Added vitamins A and C protect the skin around your eye while vitamin E shields against the elements.

Jan Marini Marini Lash Eyelash Conditioner, $240. Miss Marini was a pioneer for lash enhancing products and this miracle gel is a revolution in lash lengthening technology. Apply to your upper lid like eyeliner for full, dense lashes and perk up your peepers in just 4-6 weeks.

M2 Lashes Eyelash Activating Serum, $275. This serum may be on the pricey side but the results are said to be eye-popping. Packed with ingredients to promote extra long lashes, swipe across your upper lash line daily for visibly longer, high drama lashes in 6-16 weeks.

Clinique Lash Building Primer, $31 boosts the effects of mascara as it conditions and protects lashes. It thickens and lengthens lashes as well as making them stronger.

M.A.C Prep and Prime Lash, $25 smooths and conditions the lashes allowing for more intense volume and lengthening when mascara is applied.

“The most common causes of pigmentation are sun exposure and melasma, a condition that primarily affects pregnant women and women taking birth control pills,” says Clinique Guiding Dermatologist, Dr  David Orentreich.

Solar Pigmentation
As the name indicates, this is a direct result of sun exposure – the skin is reacting to aggression from UV rays.  “In youth, we call it freckles; as we mature, we refer to it as sun spots,” says registered nurse Lisa Sullivan-Smith, from The Clinic in Sydney. “It is a dermal response triggered by sunlight. The skin is under attack from UV rays and it produces pigment to defend itself. With age, this reaction becomes worse.”

More…

• Trouble Spots
• Out Damned Brown Spots

Hormonal Pigmentation
This is related to oestrogen production, but is heightened by exposure to the sun. “It may be that someone is on the Pill, or is pregnant,” says Sullivan-Smith.  “It appears as a milky-coffee or mask-like stain across the forehead or across the upper lip or cheeks, and often as a vertical line along the belly.”

Addressing the Problem
Clearly the simple solution – whether the pigmentation is solar, hormonal, or inflammatory – is to address the cause. Firstly, this means stopping the assault on skin. “Using a broad-spectrum, high SPF sunscreen every day is essential,” says Sullivan-Smith. “Aside from preventing more pigmentation forming, adequate sun protection will, when teamed with other treatments, help reduce an existing problem.”
Try: Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF30, $63; L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect SPF30+, $24.95.

If the problem is linked to the Pill you are taking, it would be wise to speak to your GP about changing brands. In terms of pregnancy-related pigmentation, “this usually goes away soon after the birth of the baby,“ says Sullivan-Smith, but if it doesn’t, “there are other options, such as at-home skin whitening or in-clinic or in-salon treatments, available.”