Want a cheap anti-aging remedy? Wash with cold water, as in really cold. No casual, easy warm bath for you! Unbelievable, isn’t it?

Cold water can keep your skin and hair looking good. (Photo: Captain Quinn/YouTube)

In fact, most of the ancient queens all shared a common beauty secret: they all took daily cold baths. Why? Because the health benefits keep you young and fresh and fit as explained here:

“Cold showers have the following positive effects:

• Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.
• Cleans the circulatory system.
• Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.
• Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.
• Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
• Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.
• Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs.”

 
And because cold anything helps you burn fat. Just ask Michael Phelps how he stayed slim on a 12,000-calorie-per-day diet. (Or don’t, because he probably didn’t think too hard about it.)

Cold water helps maintain your skin’s natural oils so it stays smoother longer, and the increased circulation also keeps your hair its own natural color. Cold water also keeps your hair cleaner longer and adds shine by closing the cuticles on the hair itself.

If you can’t handle cold showers, try alternating hot and cold, but finish with cold.

If you can’t really can’t handle cold showers, start with a less-hot shower than normal and then finish with a cold rinse. You can also alternate hot and cold for a minute each, but be sure to finish with a cold rinse.

Disclaimer: Of course, you shouldn’t always take cold showers or baths if you have health problems like high blood pressure, are feverish, or have heart disease. As always, check with your doctor first.

Article by Amina Mirza, a native Washingtonian interested in history, literature and natural beauty treatments.

New data demonstrate the correlation between geographic location and the formation of wrinkles. The study lists the 50 most wrinkle-prone regions in the United States, and the underlying factors that may cause skin to age.

The DMV ranked 11th in a study of wrinkle-prone cities. (Graphic: Johnson & Johnson)

Researchers at Sperling’s BestPlaces and RoC Skincare conducted a meta-analysis of original and existing data to assess the impact of lifestyles, occupational and environmental elements on the skin by region and came up with 50 areas that are most susceptible to wrinkles. Can you guess where Washington D.C. was ranked? The complete list is at the end of this article.

The DMV had the study’s highest score in the Occupation category. This was due mainly to the lengthy commute time (33.9 minutes one-way, 24 perecent higher than average) and a longer-than-average work-week of 35.4 hours. The high Occupation score was offset by one of the lowest scores for Lifestyle risk, meaning we take care of ourselves. Our skin cancer rate is 15 percent below average (2.3 deaths per 100,000 residents), as are the number of smokers (14.6 percent of us). The Environment score hovers near average for the study, with the biggest risk coming from a significant presence of ozone in the atmosphere. Overall stress is low, thanks to one of the lowest unemployment rates (4.6 percent) in the country.

Everyone knows the dangers of UV exposure, but there are other factors that are regionally based that also take a toll on your skin. This includes not getting enough sleep and working late hours. While investigating a combination of all these factors, the study showed that no two areas’ risk for aging was identical. For instance, New York residents have the longest commute and the third highest number of sleepless nights. This moved the Big Apple to the second most wrinkle-prone city in America.

What can you do to counteract the wrinkles? Well, beauty and skin care go hand in hand. Starting good skin habits at a young age will contribute to younger looking skin in our not-so-young years later on. Besides good daily habits of serious skin care, there needs to be use of skin protection during the day.

Ninety percent of wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin are caused by sun exposure. This is why doctors recommend always wearing SPF 15 sun protection products at all times.

The reasons our skin changes over time is due to skin collagen breaking down. There are several reasons this happens, but there are ways to reverse some of the damage. We can do things to prolong and even reverse damage that will take off years without expensive doctors’ office treatments. There are products with collagen repair proven to improve damage. Retinol and organic skin care antioxidants such as green tea extract and vitamin C are also affordable and proven to bring back your skin’s beauty without having to use harsh or expensive products.

TimeWise can reduce the appearance of fine lines, target skin resilience and help skin tone look more even. (Photo: Mary Kay)

Aside from skin care repairs, your daily facial cleansing habits are also important. Very few soaps are properly balanced for facial use. Many will dry out your skin. Only the soaps or cleansers made just for facial washing should be used. Over washing is also bad for your face because it removes many natural oils that should be there. Luke warm water is recommended because hot or cold water can break down capillaries.

One more very important point for serious skin care is once a week exfoliation. A good at-home kit is affordable and easy to use. It is important though to use small-grained exfoliates and not large-grained because large grains can do more damage than good. Using the small-grained exfoliate once a week, a glow will come back to you skin. Moisturizing is also important to keep that glow going.

It does not take much to get back beautiful skin. This can be achieved with just a few good anti-aging skin care products and good habits of commitment. A little effort will go a long way and the glow of your skin will show!

50 geographic areas most susceptible to skin aging

Article by Elizabeth Acosta. For more information on products that can assist with your beauty needs or a complimentary skin care analysis, contact her at [email protected].
 

There’s nothing like the prospect trying a new beauty treatment to pique my interest, so when I was offered a chance to sample a microcurrent facial at Medalase Aesthetic Centers I wasted no time in setting up an appointment. The beauty world is all a buzz over this skin-tightening, rejuvenating treatment and I, of course, was eager to find out what all the fuss is about.

For quite a while we’ve heard a buzz about a procedure that some have referred to as “electric facials.” Non-invasive Microcurrent electrical stimulation procedures have increased for use as a dermatological anti-aging treatment. (Photo: FutureDerm)

Microcurrent facials are a popular anti-aging treatment that improve skin texture, lift sagging skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and most importantly, rejuvenate the skin by boosting adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP molecules fuel cellular energy throughout the body. ATP declines with age, but stimulating the skin with a carefully calibrated electrical current can increase ATP levels. This, in turn, triggers the production of natural skin-enhancing amino acids that promote cellular repair and ultimately, younger looking skin. Clearly, the benefits of microcurrent facial stimulation are more than skin deep.

As aesthetician Shelly Craft explained, the low level electrical current mirrors the body’s own natural current. For facial stimulation, there are three basic settings; a typical session will begin with the lowest setting and progress to the stronger currents that reach deeper into the dermis and gently stimulate the underlying muscle.

Electrical current is applied by gliding a wand over the skin. (Photo: FutureDerm)

Craft began the treatment by thoroughly cleansing my skin. Next, she began applying the electrical current, by slowing gliding a wand across my face and neck. The electrical current was barely detectable, except near my mouth, where it caused my teeth to tingle a bit, and I had a slight metallic taste in my mouth at times. For the most part, it was a pleasant and relaxing experience. At the end of the facial I noticed that my skin was brighter and gave off a youthful glow. Craft pointed out that although you can see results after just one treatment; it takes multiple sessions to see a cumulative improvement in skin texture and resilience. The number of sessions required depends on one’s age and skin condition.

Clinical studies have shown that microcurrent facial stimulation increases the production of collagen and elastin, and promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage. The results can include lifted jowls, a firmer neck, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and better overall skin tone and texture. Microcurrent facials can also calm the inflammation of acne and rosacea as well as diminish eye bags and dark under eye circles. This non-surgical face-lift is an excellent option for those of us who’d rather not go under the knife.

Microcurrent facials are the perfect complement Botox because they tone facial muscles, which Botox cannot address. (Photo: FutureDerm)

Microcurrent facials are great for those seeking a non-ablative, non-invasive treatment to maintain youthful facial contours and prevent wrinkles. It’s the perfect complement to neurotoxins such as Botox because it tones facial muscles to promote the desirable youthful facial fullness that Botox cannot address. Microcurrent treatments are also used for body sculpting; apparently, flabby arms, cellulite and other problematic sagging areas can be all be lifted and firmed with this method — but that, dear reader, is a topic for another day.

It’s January — the month when one is still feeling resolute about one’s New Year’s resolutions. Although I shan’t divulge all of my New Year’s resolutions, one of them is to take better care of my skin by following an all-encompassing anti-aging program. So it was with perfect timing that I attended an informational evening entitled “Anti-aging 101: Create your plan of action for 2014” at Thibiant Beverly Hills.

An entertaining and informative evening at Thbiant Beverly Hills (Photos: Tiffany Markarian)

Hosted by Tiffany Markarian, director of Thibiant Beverly Hills, presenters included Carla Paratore Vercoe, proprietor of Studio BE Pilates and Dr. Shannon Ginnan, owner of Medalase Aesthetic Centers. Vercoe discussed the importance of regular exercise to a good anti-aging regimen, followed by Ginnan, who shared the latest in anti-aging treatments.

We all know that exercise helps maintain strength and flexibility, but did you know that also keeps your skin youthful? Exercise reduces inflammation, regulates hormones (which can affect skin condition) and fights free radicals. Increased blood flow allows nutrients to reach the skin’s surface and repair damage from the sun and environmental toxins. This also stimulates the collagen-producing fiberblasts in your skin, which can keep wrinkles from developing. So don’t skip out on exercise in 2014 — try adding Pilates or yoga to your routine.

During the course of his presentation, Ginnan gave a demonstration of three treatments: Botox, Juvéderm filler and micro needling. Each of these treatments addresses a different component of aging: wrinkles, loss of volume and sagging.

One lucky guest (I must confess that I was a bit relieved that it wasn’t me!) won a free Botox injection. A purified isolated protein derived from clostridium botulinum bacterium, aka Botox, has become extremely popular in treating creases formed by repeated facial expressions. As most people do not want a completely expressionless face, Ginnan explained that judicious application of Botox, starting when one is still relatively young, could prevent wrinkles from ever forming. Botox treatments are minimally invasive and can dramatically reduce forehead lines, mid-brow furrows, crow’s feet and even neck creases and wrinkles.

Sadly, for even those of us with naturally immobile faces, wrinkles are not the only indicator of age; sagging can quickly give you away. This unfortunate downward trend is caused by the loss of collagen that occurs with age, as your skin loses elasticity and the gradual depletion of subcutaneous fat that supports youthful facial contours.

Dr. Ginnan shows us the effects of facial filler. (Photo: Lia Phipps/DC on Heels)

Fillers can plump up aging skin. As Ginnan pointed out, regaining what plastic surgeons call the “triangle of youth” — the widest center part of the face on a young face — is critical to maintaining a youthful visage. The lengthiest points of the triangle at the cheekbones and temples eventually invert to become the “pyramid of age” as gravity causes the skin at the jaw line to slacken and expand into unsightly jowls. Fillers such as Juvéderm can reverse the triangle to its former youthful shape. Ginnan explained that depending on the person, fillers can last 6-18 months. Composed primarily of hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the skin, Juvéderm is gradually reabsorbed by the body.

One anti-sagging technique that piqued my interest is infrared skin tightening. The heat from the infrared light improves collagen regeneration and tightens sagging skin. Ginnan described this treatment as perfect for those experiencing the initial signs of aging, as it’s non-invasive and can keep skin sagging at bay — time to bid those nascent jowls adieu!

Micro needling, on the other hand, is a skin treatment that made me think of the French expression: “il faut souffrir pour être belle” (one must suffer to be beautiful). Performed with a tool known as the Dermapen, micro needling consists of puncturing the skin with multiple small (1.5 mm) needles. The resultant “micro injuries” spur the body to create more collagen, resulting in smoother, clearer and firmer skin. This treatment is excellent for treating acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin firmness.

Micro needling can give you smoother, firmer skin (Photo: Dermapen)

Fortunately for those wishing to be more beautiful, suffering is minimized by the application of numbing cream one hour prior to treatment. According to Markarian, who was the evening’s micro needling test subject, her skin felt a little raw after the treatment, followed by flaking that lasted about a week. She observed that: “immediately after my skin healed I felt there was an overall improvement in my skin tone and texture; my eyes looked a few years younger, with fewer fine lines underneath.”

All of these treatments work best done over a course of at least three to five treatments and boost the effect of regular facials and skin care. In fact, micro needling can make skin more receptive to the application of anti-aging treatment serums and creams.  Botox and fillers need to be repeated periodically to maintain results.

First, the bad news: to ward off the signs of aging not only does one need to eat right, excercise regularly, follow a skin care regimen and avoid excessive sun exposure; one must also not neglect one’s hair. That’s right — a full, glorious mane of hair signals health and youthful beauty. And it goes without saying that brittle, frayed strands have the opposite effect. But don’t tear out your (aging!) tresses in despair just yet, for I do have some good news: there is an abundance of new products on the market formulated to restore your hair to its former glory. Maintaining your lustrous locks and banishing “old hair days” has never been easier.

Keep your hair beautiful with the latest anti-aging products.

Just like the rest of you, your hair ages, and it’s not just limited to those annoying grays that typically start showing up in your mid-30s. The indignities of aging hair include loss of volume, brittleness, dryness, roughness, dullness and loss of color vibrancy. According WebMD, sebum production decreases with age, resulting in dry, lackluster hair. One can also expect thinning — both in volume and in the diameter of individual hair strands. Thinner strands contain less protein, making hair fragile and prone to breakage. The latest anti-aging hair products include shampoos that detoxify the hair and scalp to promote growth, nutrient-rich serums to combat hair loss and smooth brittle hair, and color reviving treatments.

Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo + Conditioner (Photo: of Alterna)

To gently cleanse and nourish delicate dry hair, try Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture shampoo and conditioner. The sulfite-free shampoo adds volume to fine hair and is infused with “photozome complexes to minimize the visible signs of aging and lock in color”.

Nexxus Hair Renewal Elixir (Photo: Nexxus)

Nexxus also has a complete line anti-aging line. I like the Youth Renewal Elixir, which strengthens protein-depleted hair with keratin and replenishes each strand with argan oil, pearl extract and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Davine’s Momo Anti-Aging Creme (Photo: Devines)

If you’re prone to dryness and frizziness, you’ll want to try Davines’ deliciously scented, natural line. Their Momo Anti-aging Hair Crème moisturizes with lupin extract (derived from a type of legume) and rejuvenates the hair and scalp with walnut extract. UV filters protect hair from sun damage and maintain color. To revive your hair color try their Alchemic System, which subtly intensifies fading hair.