PHOTONOVA SKIN REJUVENATION - the latest hot anti-ageing treatment in Harley Street

Two weeks ago I was invited to take part in a patient trial of Photonova, a non-invasive skin rejuvenation using infra-red light. So I go to the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic in London for the treatment.

The clinic is the first in the UK to have this Swedish technology. First of all I have another Salt-a-Peel dermabrasion to prepare my skin for the treatment. After a thorough cleanse salt particles are blasted across my skin to remove a surface layer of dead cells. Then I have a rejuvenating mask with alpha hydroxy acid which is helped into my skin with ultrasound. My skin feels wonderful. This is my second treatment so I know how great my skin will look afterwards. This treatment costs £90 and a course is recommended with top-ups every so often.

The treatment is carried out by the clinic's head aesthetician, Liz Hood, who is also going to carry out a Photonova treatment on my face.

First of all my face is covered in a thick clear gel - this allows the infra red to reach my skin without burning it. The infra red comes from the head of the device which is passed over my face a total of five times.

Each pass delivers a known quantity of infra-red heat energy into the tissue which heats the water inside the dermis and this stimulates the fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells) responsible for keeping the skin young and supple. It also kick starts them into producing new collagen over the next few days and weeks.

Since the treatment I have had comments from a number of people on how young my skin looks. "You haven't got any wrinkles" they say! Liz, tells me I can expect further improvement over the coming weeks. I can see that my slightly sagging chin has lifted which always takes a few years off any ageing face!

This is a great treatment because you can do it over the lunchtime. It does hurt a little and there is some redness but in my case this went in the next hour. Well worth £500 if it lasts a year or so.

Liz loves treating her patients and is full of tips and advice. She wouldn't let me leave without a touch of mineral makeup - so I left glowing..

CARBOXY AND ANTI-AGEING SKIN DEVICES

Carboxy Therapy

I am fascinated by Carboxy Therapy. It was launched several months ago as a skin rejuvenation treatment. It uses carbon dioxide which is injected under the skin with a tiny needle.

This causes oxygen to rush to the area improving the metabolism in the tissues. This results in a tightening of the collagen.

I have seen flabby upper arms completely transformed after a course of these treatments. It also works wonders with stretch marks - they do not completely disappear but they are very much improved.

The beauty of this treatment is that it is non-toxic - carbon dioxide is found naturally in the body - and it really does work.

Try it out at http://www.beautyworkswest.com/ in London's Nottinghill. The expert there is Dr Daniel Sister who has a book of photographic case studies to show.

Ultratone

I have been asked to trial a new electronic device for the face by Ultratone called the Facial Plus.

Ultratone's research and development director Kirstin Schaefer tells me that it works through electrical stimulation.

This handheld device for home use is about the size of a TV remote control. It has fourprogrammes: Microcurrent - for deep penetration of moisturising creams, skin rejuvenation and fine line reduction ;Non-surgical facelift and tone - for exercising and lifting superficial medium and deep muscles; Lymphatic drainage & toxin release - for the reduction of puffiness and toxin elimination, to achieve a fresher and clear complexion and Anti-Ageing and maintenance - to enhance the results and ensure your face stays toned and looking good.

Each programme operates on a different frequency and within each programme there is a cocktail of currents that penetrate different depths and muscles via two metal contacts.

As with all the Ultratone devices, they also have uses in medical treatment. In the case of the Facial Plus it is used to treat Bell's Palsy.

Kirstin tells me that the microcurrent penetrates and rejuvenates the superficial layer of the skin, stimulating the fibroblasts that produce youth-promoting elastin and collagen.

The best results are obtained by using the unit little and often - say five minutes on each side of the face daily.

The anti-ageing programme gives the muscles of the face a thorough workout, moving everything upwards.

You have to follow a facial workout map - each muscle is worked on for about one minute - 25 impluses, then there is a beeb to indicate that you should now move to the next muscle area.

The lymphatic programme works for people who have facial puffiness - the current stimulates the lymph system and helps the skin to detox.

Ultratone has gathered medical evidence to support the efficacy of its devices, many of which are used in rehabilitative medicine.


Kirstin tells me that you don't need to use Botox if you use the Facial Plus regularly - I will let you know how I get on with it.

The Ultratone Facial Plus costs £149.00 and can be purchasd by phone 44 (0)207 935 0631. More information is online at www.ultratone.co.uk/

CALORIE RESTRICTION & REJUVENATION

CALORIE RESTRICTION DIET

Its day four of my calorie restriction and detox diet - I am trying to keep to around 600 calories but eating the right kind of nutrients. So far it's not been too difficult. I have not been particularly hungry.

I put this down to the new Arkopharma diet pill I have been taking which seems to kill the appetite, combined with the David Kirsch meal replacement which contains a mega amount of nutrients - everything required by the human body including flaxseed and whey protein - I added a few blueberries, strawberries and blackberries to the vanilla flavour for breakfast.

So for the past three days I have eaten less than most people have eaten in a day or even at one meal - so have I lost any weight. I got on the scales this morning - and the answer is no - though I can see the marker moving slightly to the left! I assume that my body is in denial at the moment and I have quite a bit of fat to live off at the moment and there will be a dramatic movement downwards any day. Still I have been cycling everywhere...

INFRA RED SKIN REJUVENATION

The Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic is the only clinic in the UK to have PHOTONOVA, a new Swedish technology which uses infra-red light to rejuvenate the skin on the face and body.

So I pop along to see head aesthetician, Liz Hood, to find out what it is all about.

Liz shows me their new machine and also tells me about her own experience - its great at lifting the sagging jowel area - one of the first areas to go where ageing is concerned.

This technique involves passing the head of the device over the skin a number of times. Each pass delivers a known quantity of infra-red heat energy into the tissue. The infra-red light delivers heat energy into the tissue which heats the water inside the dermis and this stimulates the fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells) responsible for keeping the skin young and supple. It also kick starts them into producing new collagen over the next few days and weeks.

Most clients, Liz, tells me will see a marked improvement in the first two months after the one treatment which declines afterwards, so you would need a top up between 9 and 18 months afterwards.

This is a treatment that you could do in your lunch-hour or after work because it doesn't do anything invasive to your skin. Some people may experience a little bit of redness.

This treatment will cost about £500 when it is officially launched following the current patient trial that is being carried out by the clinic. I agree that I will be part of the trial and Liz gives me a patch test to make sure there is no adverse reaction. I will let you know what happens...

In the meantime I try a very gentle salt dermabrasion called Salt-A-Peel. I have never ever had dermabrasion as my skin is ultra-sensitive and if anyone is going to have an allergic reaction or go red it will be me.

Liz tells me that it will leave my face radiant and smoothe. Nevertheless I am a bit worried as Liz blasts my face...

After the dermabrasion Liz covers my face is a masque containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid amd uses an ultrasound device to help my skin absorb the nutrients. This treatment usually lasts an hour but I only want a taster - so 20 minutes later I look in the mirror. There is a bit of redness but minutes later its gone and my skin feels beautifully soft.

Afterwards I have a moisturiser with 30 SPF sunscreen and a mineral-makeup foundation to protection my new skin from the sun and London pollution.

This treatment costs £90 and its recommended that you have at least one a month. My skin looked even better the next day.

MINERAL MAKEUP - AN ANTI-AGEING MIRACLE!

I have become a great fan of mineral make-up, which began when I was sent a sample of a wonderful Jane Iredale product called Liquid Minerals Foundation. The actual product looks magical - tiny little beads suspended in a concoction of anti-ageing ingredients.This foundation really is amazing. Mineral makeup is also great value for money and a foundation can last for a year.

Why is mineral make-up anti-ageing?

They are mostly powders, made from natural rock sources, which sit on the skin and do not block the pores. So they don't fall into all those lines and wrinkles like your average foundation. They glide on with a brush and give great coverage. You can put on as many layers as you need to, particularly in areas that need extra coverage such as scars. As well as having broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection usually up to SPF 20, they are also virtually non allergenic. Many cosmetic surgeons recommend using mineral makeup after some peels and lasers because it protects the skin.

The minerals, which have special light reflective qualities also come in some amazing colours, which can also be converted to nail varnish and lip glosses by adding to clear varnish and gloss. The look is minimal but fresh and young.

The most wonderful, as far as I am concerned is what they do for ageing eyelids - the seem to get rid of the crepey look that you get with many shadows.

SMOKEY EYES, WITH COLOUR by INIKA

Today I experienced a Smokey Eyes makeover from INIKA's resident makeup artist Hana Sutherland.

Hana really knows her stuff: older women should not, for example, try using dark shading if they have lost the hollow on the eyelid as a result of the fragile skin stretching - it will only make it look worse and make your eyes look smaller. Her tip is to use light, bright colours like Peach Fetish (love the name!).

The good news is that you are never too old for the smokey, sensual look that is big now and going to be even bigger this autumn. Older ladies just need to be more subtle with the application.

Here Hana explains how to get that look: “Smokey eyes are a great look, but by adding a hint of colour we can make the eyes even more dramatic and drop dead gorgeous!”

Hana suggests two different ways to do this, depending on your skin tone.

Darker Skin Tones
Products:
• Inika Black Eye Liner £11.00
• Inika Vegan Shadow Brush £9.00
• Inika Thunder Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Purple Haze Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Gold Dust Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Lash Me Purple Mascara £14.00

“Start by smoothing black eye liner all over the eye lid, avoiding the brow area, blending it out to the corner of the eye.

“Then, take a tiny bit of Thunder on your brush and gently press down, to create that fabulously dark finish and blend out again. Using Purple Haze, blend from the middle of the eye out to create the illusion of black moving into purple and ‘spot’ the centre of the lid with gold to make the eye ‘pop’. Perfect smokey eyes with this season’s ‘must have’ purple! Finish with Inika’s special edition Lash Me Purple mascara.”

Fair Skin Tones
Products:
• Inika Sage Eye Liner £11.00
• Inika Chocolate Eye Liner £11.00
• Inika Vegan Shadow Brush £9.00
• Inika Golddust Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Forest Gold Eye Shadow £10.50
• Inika Aubergine Eye Shadow £10.50

“Softly smooth Inika Sage Eye Liner over the eyelid before frosting Inika Golddust over the top, including the brow area. Line the upper and lower lid with Inika Chocolate Eye Liner and gently smudge to create a softer look.

“Press Inika Forest Gold Eye Shadow right across the lid, blending out to the corner of the eye, and then finish with a layer of Aubergine to add depth to the colour.”
“Adding colour to the smokey eye look brings out the colour of the eyes and adds a new dimension that just brings eye make up bang up to date for evenings,” said Hana.


Inika Mineral Cosmetics are available at www.inikacosmetics.co.uk or call 0845 045 0664 for your nearest stockist.

Watch out for our Podcast interview with Hana in which she will reveal all the latest tips to take off years with the right makeup.

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.