Category Archives: Beauty & Skin Care

The Newest Anti-Aging Weapon

Posted by zqxyear1 on February 20, 2011 Comments Off

Everyone in the skin care world is talking about sirtuins. What are they? Sirtuins are a family of proteins found in organisms ranging from bacteria and plants to humans.

You may have heard of studies that show animals on calorie-restricted diets live longer, are healthier and show fewer signs of age than those fed normal diets. Though we don’t fully understand why, it appears that sirtuins are the key. A growing body of research shows that sirtuins may slow the pace of aging by delaying cell death and protecting cells from DNA damage. 

It’s unknown whether calorie-restricted diets have the same effects on humans as on fruit flies and monkeys, but it may turn out not to matter-we’re learning that you don’t need to starve yourself to put sirtuins into action.

A research company called Sirtris demonstrated that resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes, stimulated expression of sirtuins. Mice placed on high doses of resveratrol improved insulin resistance, prevented weight gain and increased lifespan by 20 percent. When put on a treadmill, the mice were also able to run twice as far and twice as fast than those not given resveratrol (check out this episode of 60 Minutes to learn more).

Of course, beauty companies are anxious to profit from sirtuins. Already, Avon has launched its anti-aging Anew line, which has ingredients that upregulate sirtuin expression, and German and Spanish companies recently joined forces to develop a red wine powder that can be used in topical creams or added to food and beverages.  

Bottom line? While I’m excited about discoveries that show sirtuins can slow the pace of aging in an experimental setting, it remains to be seen what role they may play in skin care. For now, I suggest taking the supplement OPC Synergy by Standard Process, which contains extracts of grapeseed and red wine. And drinking a glass or two of the vino can’t hurt, either!

Wishing you great skin!

7 Steps to the Perfect Pouty Lips

Posted by zqxyear1 on December 12, 2010 Comments Off

Have you ever carefully applied your favorite lipstick … only to look in a mirror an hour later and discover that it’s bleeding through the edges of your lips?

There are ways to slow the signs of lip aging! Time and time again, I’ve encountered patients and friends who invest tons of time and money in skin care - only to virtually ignore their lips. Don’t make that mistake.

  1. If you smoke, stop! The repeated action of pursing your lips around a cigarette creates “wrinkles in motion,” that is, wrinkles caused by repeatedly moving your skin a certain way. Eventually, those wrinkles will remain even when your lips are at rest.
  2. For that same reason, limit your use of drinking straws and anything else that causes you to repeatedly purse your lips.
  3. When you’re slathering SPF on the rest of your body, it can be easy to forget your lips. If your signature shade of lipstick isn’t sun-friendly, always start with a base of SPF lip balm.
  4. In fact, the lips are a very common site for skin cancer because they don’t naturally secrete vitamin E-rich sebum - the oil that helps protect your skin. Pick up a bottle of vitamin E oil or lip balm with vitamin E. Not only will it help protect your pout against skin cancer, it will also prevent the signs of aging.
  5. If your lips feel flaky, it’s perfectly fine to exfoliate them, although there’s no need to exfoliate on a regular basis. Use a fine scrub (nothing too abrasive), and be sure to follow it with a hydrating product. In addition to vitamin E, I love glycerin-based balms, which will help lips hold on to water.
  6. Curious about “lip plumping” glosses? In general, they do work - by irritating the delicate skin on the lips and causing them to swell slightly. (They’re not dangerous, but a word of warning: When I tried one, my lips burned for an hour, even though I’d washed it off immediately!)
  7. If you’re really interested in plumper lips, consider dermal fillers. Contrary to common fears, the latest dermal fillers (like Restylane, Juvederm, Hylaform, and the newly approved Perlane) can look very natural when a skilled doctor performs the procedure. Ask him or her to go easy on you - a little goes a very long way when it comes to lips.

Foods for Gorgeous Skin

Posted by zqxyear1 on March 22, 2010 Comments Off

My beauty cabinet is full of all kinds of moisturizers and makeup, but when I’m looking for more natural ways to make my face glow, I open my refrigerator. Turns out, certain foods can make your complexion clearer, more radiant and even more resilient to sun damage. Take a peek at a few of my favorite look-great bites and see how they help your skin. Get ready to eat, drink and be beautiful!

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli

Produce packed with vitamin C is crucial for the production and formation of collagen, skin’s support structure. And it’s that strong support layer that evens out the top layer and wards off wrinkles. Try to have two 1-cup servings of fruit (Not a fan of strawberries? Try oranges or grapefruit.) and 1 cup of red peppers and/or broccoli each day. Or try applying them directly with this at-home facial recipe.

Sunflower seed and almonds
Edible SPF? Practically. These seeds and nuts are loaded with vitamin E, an antioxidant that, with other antioxidants, works to protect skin from UV-related free radicals. Skin’s top layers contain high levels of E that help guard cells’ outer membrane, so cells stay healthy. Plus, strong membranes hold water in, keeping skin hydrated. Aim for 2 tablespoons of hulled seeds or 23 almonds daily. Find more healthy snack options from the No-Cook Diet.

Dark orange, leafy green and red vegetables
Squash, sweet potatoes and spinach are teeming with the antioxidant beta-carotene. Your body converts it to vitamin A, which regulates cell production and turnover so skin’s surface is smooth. Carotenoids might also lower your skin’s sensitivity to sun. Shoot for three 1-cup servings a day of these polishing picks. Try them in delicious, good-for-you recipes like Butternut Squash Pizza, Cheesy Sweet Potato Crisps, and Oatmeal Meatballs With Spinach.

Fortified cereal, lean meat, pork, poultry, oysters
These protein-rich foods are full of zinc and iron, minerals crucial to healthy skin function. Zinc supports cell production as well as natural cell sloughing, which keeps dullness at bay. Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen to skin, helping give you a glow. Pile your plate with 1 serving of cereal (a cup), 1 palm-sized serving of meat or poultry or 3 oysters per day. Bored with chicken? You just need a new recipe.

Wild salmon, Atlantic mackerel, walnuts
These fish and nuts, plus fortified eggs, are chockablock with omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation in the body caused by sun and stress. Inflammation produces free radicals, and free radicals contribute to aging by attacking collagen. Research still needs to provide solid proof that the anti-inflammatory abilities of omega-3s yield younger-looking skin, but one study found that older people who consumed more fish and veggies over their life had fewer wrinkles than those who ate more meat, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reports. Aim for two 5-ounce servings of fish per week; on other days, 1 oz of walnuts or 2 omega-3-fortified eggs. Get creative with recipes like a Salmon BLT or a single-serving Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata.

Whole wheat and grains
Clear up your skin with these complex carbs. Australian researchers found that a low-glycemic diet (more whole grains, protein and produce versus refined carbs such as white bread) may reduce acne. One reason why: Low-glycemic foods keep insulin steady, while refined carbs and sugar spike it. The surges may boost production of androgens, hormones that, when boosted, can cause zits. After 12 weeks of a low-glycemic diet, subjects’ pimple counts dropped 20 percent, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. More research is needed to support the clear-skin connection, but no M.D. will talk you out of eating whole grains and veggies! Try to have three servings a day (one serving equals a slice of bread or 1/2 cup cooked grains). See how a beauty editor cleared up her acne problem.

Water
OK, so water isn’t a food, but you can sip your way to dewy skin! Skin cells contain mostly H20, and if you’re dehydrated, skin looks and feel parched, too. But you needn’t chug gallons each day: Research from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found no studies to back up the recommendation of eight glasses a day.  Prevent dehydration—and dryness—by drinking when you’re thirsty. Aim for 6 cups a day.

Find more foods to keep you glowing,  including a suggested meal plan, with the Beauty Diet,  or find more complexion-perfecting tips from our experts at the Beyond the Beauty Pages blog.