SHISEIDO LAUNCHES FIRST SERUM TO TRIGGER NEW SKIN CELL GROWTH

Shiseido, the Japanese luxury skincare company, has scored a first in skin care technology with the launch of a new anti-ageing serum that stimulated the skin to produce younger cells.




Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum, with a relatively cheap price tag of £82, for a top of the range cosmeceutical with proven scientific trials, launches in the UK on Saturday (27th February).

Already top stores such as Harrods are holding client lists waiting to be the first to try this innovative technology.

Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum contains two ingredients, together called Bio-Regenerist, which have been shown to promote the production of the skin's fibroblasts by up to 27%.

Fibroblasts are cells in the epidermis (skin layers) which are responsible for producing the key constituents of firm and young skin including collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.

Shiseido is so confident that this new product works that it has not hesitated in declaring that it works right from day one - in trials on 222 women 100% said their skin felt more resilient - while 92% said they felt their wrinkles has been smoothed.

Shiseido's approach in the development of this new serum was to look at recent developments in regenerative cosmetic medicine, in particular the use of epidermal growth factors (EGF) which cosmetic doctors extract from a patient's blood serum and reinject into the face to encourage skin cell proliferation.

The serum's two key ingredients, in the Bio-Regenerist complex are extracts from
safflower and yeast, which stimulate an increase in EGF protein, which in turn signals the fibroblast cells to renew and proliferate.




As a result these younger cells are able to produce more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid - targetting wrinkles sagging, dullness and lack of radiance.

This new product is aimed at women (and men) aged 30+ when the skin first starts to deteriorate.

Shiseido Bio Performance also contains Rose Apple Leaf Extract an antioxidant to help the fibroblasts fight oxidative damage including sun; Super bio-Hyaluronic Acid N – a humectant and Super Plant Bio Exfoliant to natural resurfacing

On sale from 27 February it costs £82 for 30ml. For stockist information call 0207 313 4774.





Results before and after one week of use



Results before and after three weeks of use

NEW ANTI-AGEING GADGETS

STOP - the world's first salon grade radio frequency device for home use Today marked the exclusive world-wide launch of STOP, at the Imagination Gallery in Bloomsbury, London.

This is yet another amazing anti-ageing gadget from those technical innovators in Israel. Priced at just £395, it is a mini version of the in-salon ReGen treatment - to combat wrinkles and cellulite - that I mentioned a few days ago.

It works by using two kinds of radio frequencies to heat up the collagen under the skin. This has an immediate and visable tightening effect. Over the next few weeks it works on the fibroblasts in the epidermis which create new collagen and younger skin.

Powered by electricity, Stop has a safety feature which cuts out when the skin has reached the optimum temperature - and turns on again when it has cooled down.

The radio-frequency energy penetrates a mere 1-3mm and feels like a warm massage. STOP has four metal "poles" which you hold against the skin and massage in circular movements.

It is recommended mainly for facial, neck and decollete use - for lifting sagging jowels and chin, neck lines, facial wrinkles and marionette (nose to mouth) lines. And should be used 2-3 times a week until the desired effect has been achieved.

Certainly the before and after photos that I saw at the launch this device looked fantastic. The gadget is fairly affordable and would probably achieve optimum results after a few of the more powerful salon treatments. STOP goes on sale in September but if you want to be one of the first to get one, and the manufacturers are expecting huge demand, then email us with your name, address and phone number at info@elixirnews.com

WELLBOX TISSULAR THERAPY: Beauty without Surgery!

I was recently invited to try out this new machine, pictured above, from France, by the PR folk at Harrods.

The Wellbox has been one of the best kept secrets of French beauties for a few years now - and it really is non-invasive. It uses a combination of suction and rolling to slim and tone, the body and face.

Again, the theory of how it works is that it stimulates the collagen in the skin. It's a home use machine and easy to use. When I tried it out in the Pharmacy on the ground floor of the store, the technician used it to stimulate the area around my lips.

The suction is really quite gentle and it was an overall enjoyable experience. There was a little bit of redness but my lips looked plumper and younger afterwards.

The Wellbox is recommended for rejuvenating wrinkles, finelines, sagging, generally firming the skin on the neck and décolleté; reducing cellulite and love handles; a flatter stomach and even reduce muscle fatigue.

It may cost £1,000 but in my opinion its well worth it both for the results and the convenience of being able to use it at home. And of course it compares well when you consider how much salon treatments cost. It's on my Christmas present list! There's more info on the Harrods web site Harrods and you can also call the Harrods Beauty Concierge on +44 (0)20 7730 1234.

WRINKLE ERASERS AND FAT BUSTERS

RegenTriPollar skin-tightening and anti-cellulite treatment

I was recently invited to try a new anti-ageing treatment using a new machine from Israel where scientists are world-leaders in aesthetic devices - they make many of the electronic machines that you see in clinics today.

One of the newest skin tighteining and anti-cellulite machines uses Regen TriPollar radio waves and I tried it out recently at the Pasha Clinic in London's West End in Maddox Street.

This is a really great treatment for anyone who wants to rejuvenate their face, reduce tummy fat, sagging thighs and even tighten underarms. It doesn't hurt and you see results straight away.

The machine uses a unique combination of radio waves to zap sagging collagen beneath the skin. Basically the radio waves heat up the collagen, in effect damaging it. New, young and rejuvenated collagen grows back over the next few days.

I decided to give it a go on my underarms. The waves are directed onto the skin with a metal device - it doesn't hurt and you only feel a mild heating sensation and it takes only 15 minutes to do each underarm. I could see the tightening after the first treatment but the effect continues usually goes in minutes. About six-eight weekly treatments are needed to achieve desired results.

I was very pleased with my result and would highly recommend this non-invasive method of toning up one of the most notoriously difficult bits to do anything about. I was also able to see the results on another client who had the treatment on her face. Even though she was only in her late 20s there was a definite lift around her jawline.

What is unique about Regen Tripollar is the combination of two radio waves - mono-polar and bi-polar which means that the treatment is able to penetrate both the deep and shallow tissue at the same time as protecting the surface of the skin from any possible burning.

The clinic also told me that this is an ideal complementary treatment for anyone considering Liposuction, which is an invasive cosmetic surgical procedure carried out in a hospital. The Regen tightens and conditions the skin so that you get a smoother overall effect.

SmartLipo

Another revolutionary non-surgical fatbuster is SmartLipo which first came onto the market about two years ago and was the first real alternative to Liposuction. This uses laser energy to zap fat cells and sculpt the body. The fat is removed by a canula and also by the body itself. SmartLipo also tightens the skin. It should always be carried out by a qualified medical doctor, cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist because although it is a minimally invasive treatment you may need local anaesthetic.

Before and After SmartLipo treatment

I have not tried this treatment but I was invited to the launch of a new advancement in this procedure - SmartLipo MPX - which will be available in the UK in the next few months. Again this improvement is gained through combining two different laser wavelengths so that there is less bleeding, bruising and swelling that with traditional liposuction. SmartLipo is made by the US company Cynosure and has received the approval of the US's Food & Drug Administration(FDA) which is extremely rigorous.

If you can't wait, the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic at 98 Harley Street, London, W1, is offering 20% discount on SmartLipo together with Micro Suction. This is carried out with a local anaesthetic and the fat micro suction gives improved results in combination with the SmartLipo.


At the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, this procedure is carried out by one of the UK's leading experts in facial and body aesthetics, Dr Aamer Khan, who is pictured left.

Dr Khan's practice likes to stay ahead of the competition by utilising the newest technology to deliver the safest results with the best possible outcome for patients. So he gets our recommendation.

Lumenis Active FX

Another new launch this year is a non-invasive treatment for winkles - the Lumenis Active FX. This uses a laser to "pixelate" the skin. Again working on the proven fact that damaging collagen makes it rejuvenate.

There are some really great before and after pictures which demonstrate how well this works on sagging jowels, eye wrinkles and bags and even acne. Click here to see the Lumenis Before and After pictures

The cost of all these treatments? Since every treatment is bespoke we are not able to quote specific costs and you are advised to ask the practitioner.