About Antioxidants and the Skin
Fabafterfifty: skin ageing
-
Article by Dr Stefanie Williams ‘Antioxidants’ is one of the biggest buzzwords in skincare these days. I get countless questions about them in clinic every day. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what exactly antioxidants are and how they should be used. So I have summarized the most important facts about antioxidants here: What is an antioxidant? Antioxidants are substances, which can neutralize free radicals. By neutralising free radicals, they prevent a harmful reaction called the oxidative chain reaction. Antioxidants in skincare therefore reduce ‘oxidative stress’ in the skin, help to prevent damage and thus reduce the risk of premature skin ageing and possibly even skin cancer. What are free radicals & oxidative stress? Free radicals (‘reactive oxygen species’ – ROS) are highly reactive molecules, which contain at least one unpaired electron. Free radicals thus constantly seek electrons from other molecules and start a chain...
-
8 signs of ageing skin
Article by Dr Stefanie Williams. Skin ageing is more than just lines and wrinkles Here are the 8 most common giveaways: Lines and wrinkles: As we age, we develop ‘dynamic lines’ (i.e. lines caused by repeated movement of mimic muscles such as frown lines and crow’s feet) and ‘static lines’ (i.e. lines which develop independent of mimic movement such as the nose-to-mouth lines). Irregular pigmentation: With age, our skin tone become less even and we may develop brown patches and ‘freckly’ sun spots. This is a clear sign of chronic sun damage (you never develop them in sun-protected skin areas such as the buttocks!). Loss of volume: With age we loose volume in our face and one of the first areas our fat ‘padding’ goes, are our upper cheeks. So with age, our cheeks become flatter and our face looses its youthful heart shape. Reduced skin elasticity: As we age,...
-
Could the humble tomato offer anti-ageing benefits for our skin?
Article by Fabafterfifty. We are often told how the Mediterranean diet can offer health benefits, but now it would also appear that consuming tomatoes can help prevent sun induced skin damage as well. A good excuse to eat tomato based pasta sauces! Tomatoes could be the new weapon in the fight against sun damage to the skin, research at the Universities of Newcastle and Manchester has revealed. According to a new study eating tomato paste could help protect against sunburn and sun-induced skin ageing. In the study, researchers compared the skin of 20 people, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day, with the other half receiving just olive oil, over a period of 12 weeks. The skin was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light – which is found naturally in sunlight – at the beginning and end of the...
-
How to eat your way to younger looking skin…
Article by Louise Thomas-Minns Part of my approach to treating the skin is all about treating it from within. As a skin therapist I have always had great belief in the phrase ‘You are what you eat’ or more importantly you are what you absorb. I work closely with Nutritional therapists to give correct nutritional advice not just to slow the signs of ageing but for all the skin issues that I see & treat with my signature facials whether its Acne or Rosacea. Top foods for younger, brighter, healthier skin Here I give you some of the foods that I know will lead you to a younger, brighter, healthier skin. Salmon: This is a well known food that has gained a lot of respect for its essential fat boosting properties. Don’t diss other foods that will also give you these nutrients such as Sardines, Mackerel & raw nuts & seeds....
Follow Us
