I have been grey since my late thirties and have not had the urge to cover the grey. I believe you are as young as you feel or as old as you see yourself. To be honest, it has not been easy to withstand the pressure from society,  friends try to refer me to their favorite hairdresser or even better, say kind words like ”you look very young but you will look much younger if you dye your hair”. The hardest hit was when I came to pick up my son from kindergarten and heard the kids yelling “Your grandma is here to pick you up”!!!! But still I did not fall into the hair dying loop (once you start, it is hard to stop).

Ageing is a state of mind

Fortunately, grey hair has become accepted in some western countries. Images of graying models are accepted and are considered sexy and fashionable. It is not about the hair color, it is about how you carry your body, your skin complexion, what you wear and the energy levels you portray.

Ageing is a state of mind, rather than dyeing hair to conceal gray, I prefer dancing, going to rock concerts and staying young at heart. I think that if you feel younger when you dye your hair, than go ahead and do it, feeling younger makes you younger.

Declaring emancipation from hair dyes does not mean letting age take its toll and leaving all to nature. Personally, I use anti-ageing moisturizing creams every day and try to maintain a rigid exercise program to keep my body and spirit in high energy levels. I am fortunate to work in the aesthetic industry so I have accesses to variable technologies that target the ageing skin. I have found Radio Frequency (RF), particularly TriPollar RF face treatments to be to be very pleasant, relaxing and effective from the very first treatment. What I like about these treatments is the fact that the results are not so drastic so I do not look like I had a face lift. Don’t get me wrong, the results are noticeable, acquaintances that had not seen me for a while have all commented on my fresh looking skin and fine complexion. The wonderful thing about it is that it looks natural and is indeed a natural skin rejuvenation process triggered by the treatment; the skin creates new collagen during a few weeks causing the results to improve over time.

So, if you are in the early graying phase and have been pulling the gray out (ouch!), first, pulling them out will not induce growth of more gray than you pulled out so if you want to continue pulling, go ahead. However, you will have to pull out many more hairs as you progress in age, so let it be and learn to accept the random gray hairs and view it as exotic. Later when your hair is mostly silver it can help to adopt the positive attitude towards your hard earned silver crown and learn to enjoy the respect and beauty earned with silver hair. So, go wild – go gray and enjoy a youthful approach to life with a silver crown on your head.

I would recommend going for plain organic green tea

Green tea has been investigated and researched to determine its medical and health related benefits. It has been claimed to reduce the chance of certain cancer, heart disease, improve ratio of HDL/LDL cholesterol, increase bone density and much more. Many of the listed benefits attributed to green tea are of anti ageing nature, and are related to prevention of conditions typical to the ageing population. In the past decade, green tea has been associated with weight loss too.
Basically, there are two ways to control weight: reduction of food consumption (energy intake) or increasing energy expenditure (EE). Fat oxidation (fat metabolism) and thermogenesis (heat generation) in the body are under the control of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – the “fight or flight” branch of the nervous system. Just before any activity, the SNS is activated to produce the energy needed for the mission, this process includes activation of chain reactions that process glucose and fatty acids to release energy needed for the activity or for increasing body temperature. Triggering of the SNS involves neurotransmitters like norepinephrin which is released by the brain and by the SNS and triggers the chain reactions in the cells it attaches to. Since increasing metabolic rate and increasing temperature requires energy, it makes sense to try and target the SNS path for the sake of “burning energy” hence weight control.
Green tea is rich in Flavonoids, particularly tea catechins, which have been tested to have an inhibiting effect on the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter and hormone mentioned above norepinephrin. In addition, Catechines increase insulin sensitivity, thus increasing glucose uptake within the skeletal muscles.
A study conducted at The University of Birmingham, UK, examined the effect of green tea extract on fat oxidation rate and on glucose tolerance during moderate intensity cycling in healthy men.
The study results exhibited a 17% increase in the oxidation rate of fat compared to the control group treated with placebo. The study also demonstrated an increase in Insulin sensitivity therefore, less insulin is needed to control glucose blood level, hence more glucose can be “processed” with less insulin (keeping glucose blood level lower with less insulin).
This means that consuming green tea will actually cause one to “burn” more fat while exercising and at rest.
This study is one of several that demonstrate the effectiveness of green tea for increasing the rate of fat metabolism. A different study demonstrated a 30% increase in metabolism rate during rest when green tea is consumed.
If you plan to “shape up” in a healthy manner, without starving yourself, and by increasing physical activity, it is a good idea to also add green tea to your diet. However, losing weight will not necessarily improve skin texture and appearance. It is a good idea to combine diet and lifestyle changes with existing technologies that target specific aesthetic issues, like cellulite, that cannot be improved by diet, green tea or exercise. Combining strong will with the help of existing technologies can also increase the incentive to diet as the results will be faster and better.
So, next time you need to choose a tea bag from a variety of existing beverages, select the green tea package and enjoy the healthy outcome. (I would recommend going for plain organic green tea, without flavors.)

Slyle-M Clinic staff. Ms. Muraki Hiroe second from LEFT

Ms. Muraki  Hiroe, of Style-M and the Matsukura clinic in the fashionable Omotesando Hills district in Tokyo Japan, has been voted as the No1 aesthetician 2 years in a row by a few magazines in Japan.
Being voted as the No 1 Aesthetician in Japan is not a trivial or minor honor, taking into account the high value the Japanese culture places on beauty, body care, aesthetics of appearance, generally talking the art of beautifying the body to its highest level.Ms Muraki Hiroe studied in Tokyo and is still in the process of studying while working as an aesthetician for the past 15 years. Ms Hiroe does not see herself as a master, she acknowledges that her wide and diversified knowledge along with her constant search for methods and technologies that obtain results in an effective and efficient way, are what placed her on top of the ladder. According to Ms. Hiroe, many aestheticians are into general healing and treatments that will be pleasurable for the minute, while her focus is on the obtaining lasting results.
Ms. Hiroe’s advice to beginning aestheticians is to invest in education and strive to achieve higher levels of knowledge. The more one knows, they will understand what they are doing and how to combine the best methods to obtain the best treatment protocols. Ms. Hiroe wants to focus on different good treatment methods and combine them to obtain the best results.

Ms. Hiroe treating with the apollo device

To a question regarding her favorite present treatment, Ms. Hiroe answered without hesitation “The apollo is my favorite now”. (I stressed while I presented the question to Ms. Hiroe that she does not have to answer ” the apollo” just to please me…). Ms. Hiroe loves working with the apollo because she sees wonderful results, it is very pleasant for the client being treated and there is no pressure and stress while treating.
At present, Ms Hiroe is studying a method that works through adjustment and very specific alignment of the bones and muscular structure to improve structure and facial contour (This is very different than chiropractic work). She works mainly on the facial structure and is just about to take examinations.  We wish you luck Ms Muraki Hiroe, we are sure you will do very well.

It is of no surprise that chocolate has medicinal and antiageing properties. It was considered “food of the gods” by ancient Mayan Indians and was thought to have magical mystical powers and was used to cure fever, cough and ease pregnancy discomfort. In the ancient Mayan culture it symbolized life and fertility. Chocolate originated in South America about 4000 years ago and was named it xocoatl which means bitter water. The Mayans invented the first chocolate drink that was bitter and spicy without sugar.

Later the Aztecs “improved” the chocolate drink by adding Vanilla and honey. Chocolate was of such high value to the Aztecs that it served as a trading currency similar to gold – imagine growing money on trees!

Dark chocolate has antiaging properties consumed internally and also as an external application of  antiaging chocolate mask.

The anti aging properties of chocolate are due to its high content of  falovonoids which are antioxidant with many attributed benefits among them destruction of cancer cells, fighting allergans and improving brain blood circulation. Chocolate is also claimed to reduce the blood levels of “bad” cholesterol LDL and assist in fighting cardiac disease. 

So this Valentines day treat your loved one to dark chocolate, the darker the better.

In preparation for the ideal Valentines Day romance, treat yourself to a body and face skin tightening treatment available at selected salons. Later enjoy the benefits of  the ideal combination of chocolate indulgence which would include a chocolate antiaging face mask treatment before your romantic dinner.

The recipe calls for:

2 Table spoons of cocoa powder

2 Table spoons of plain yogurt

1 Table spoon honey

3 teaspoons of chopped oats.

Mix the ingredients and apply to the face, leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with water. Tone and moisturize your skin with your favorite anti aging cream. Chocolate is also considered an aphrodisiac; its aphrodisiac qualities are linked to the actual sensual experience while consuming the silky chocolate. Hopefully your loved one will  present you with a beautiful box of dark chocolates this valentines day, but just in case be prepared and invest in high quality dark chocolate.  This will not only heighten your sensual experience during this lover’s day but will also benefit your health. It is always good to find pleasures in life that are not only tasty but actually good for you!

There are two aspects of aging connected to the Marlboro man. First, the obvious connection, cigarette smoking and UV exposure, two characteristics that are the essence of the rugged Marlboro man, are proven wrinkle inducers and do accelerate aging.

The second less obvious connection is the introduction of a product associated with the female population to the large male population. Until recently, anti aging skin care products have mostly targeted the female population, the large male population is only now entering the huge anti aging skin care targeted population and the media has a major role in this transition too.

The Metrosexual man was “invented” in 1994 by the British journalist Mark Simpson. The term related to the young urban male of all sexual orientations (straight, gay and bisexual) who focuses on his appearance and “invests” in products for enhancing his looks, like skin care products, make-up, exfoliating treatments and fashionable clothes. David Beckham who was portrayed as the Metrosexual poster man, is a great example of the crossover between the image of the masculine straight male figure (sports man) and the well dressed, fashionable stylistic man.

So, just like the Marlboro man represented the introduction of the feminine Marlboro filter cigarette to the rough, rugged male, the Metrosexual man introduced the attitude of self indulgence in ones appearance and consumerism of products that in the past were associated with women only.

Skin aging is a process that affects both genders but until recently antiageing skin care treatments addressed mostly the female population. As part of the shift in the male image, thanks to the Metrosexual man, men can also address the aging symptoms; it is not a taboo for men to dye their graying hair and to undergo aesthetic procedures.

There is an increase of cosmetic products that specifically target aging skin in the male population. In addition, men have discovered spa treatments, 30% of spa goers are males.

Men’s skin is different than female skin, the dermis is thicker in males and it is richer in collagen and elastin, it is also oilier than female skin and therefore requires specific cleansers and skin toners.

Yes, male skin ages in a slower rate but men are prone to aging skin because they have been less careful about preserving it, hence, applying sun screen, and treating the skin with suitable cleansers and moisturizers. As the media boosts the image of the good looking, well preserved successful male, the skin care market is introducing specific anti aging cosmetics and anti aging skin treatments for the male consumer.

Some simple tips to help in preserving the male skin and slowing the skin aging process:

-          Avoid using regular soap for the face as it causes the skin to dry and produce more oil (hence increasing the oiliness of the skin)

-          Always apply sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight during the dangerous hours.

-          Use a good moisturizer.

-          Get lots of sleep and rest

-          Stop smoking (if you do) (revert from the Marlboro man to the Metrosexual man…)

-          Eat healthy food

-          Exercise

Aging men can also benefit from many antiaging skin care treatments offered through beauty salons, Dermatologists and aesthetic clinics. Some of these anti aging skin treatments include laser skin rejuvenation treatments, IPL for removal of age marks or Radio Frequency anti aging treatments to improve skin texture, wrinkles reduction, treatment of lax and sagging skin.

Radio Frequency treatments can also assist with decreasing the waist size of the “pot belly” or sagging tummy skin that develops with age in men too.

So next time you think about the Marlboro man, think about his opposite – the Metrosexual man. You do not have to be rugged and wrinkled to be a “real man”.

“An atom or molecule having at least one unpaired electron: free radicals are usually very reactive and unstable, and can damage healthy body cells “.

One group of free radicals which is a byproduct of mitochondrial oxygen metabolism processes is Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).  The ROS group always contains Oxygen or Per Oxides and is highly unstable. ROS can also be generated as a result of ionizing radiation such as UV radiation.

Free radicals are constantly created in the body during normal metabolism, ROS play a major role in inter cell communication that govern basic cell activities and coordinates the cell’s reactions to its micro environment, for example, initiating the tissue healing process in cases of injury. They are also deployed by the immune system as a way to attack and kill harmful bacteria such as Acne bacteria, the reactive oxygen – O₂^- molecule is highly toxic and is actually deployed to destroy these bacteria and it is also an important component of “cell suicide” needed to remove cancerous cell, damaged cells or cells whose life span had reached its end.

The body deals with the free radicals, more specifically ROS, via specific enzymes that break them down or neutralize them or through Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, Uric acid and more.  Antioxidants prevent oxidative reactions, often by scavenging ROS before they can damage cells.

Normally, the body can handle ROS, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the ROS production becomes excessive, damage can occur which is labeled “Oxidative Stress”. Of particular importance is that ROS damage accumulates with age. This can be as a result of increased ROS production combined with a decrease in cellular Anti Oxidant activity.

The market is flooded with antioxidants for anti aging in all forms, from specific juices, extracts and pills. It is a heavily used term when it comes to food advertising and of course in anti aging cosmetics.

But are antioxidents always good for you? Analysis of data from many studies demonstrated that use of large quantities of anti oxidants can actually cause harm and shorten life span. It can also interfere with cancer treatment and prevent the recovery process after strenuous exercise as the ROS actually remove damaged and cancerous cells.

Free Radicals do cause acceleration of skin aging. Exposure to UV, stress, smoking and alcohol can increase ROS levels in the skin. The free radicals will altar the structure of our proteins, therefore damaging the collagen and weakening cellular structure. Unfortunately research has not demonstrated that ingestion or topical use of Antioxidants can prevent or eliminate wrinkles or other effects of aging skin. Merely taking antioxidant supplements will not correct the loss of skin elasticity or make the facial skin look younger.

So what can be done to reduce the affect of free radicals on the aging skin?

First, avoid UV damage by avoiding exposure to sunlight during dangerous hours in addition always apply a sunscreen when out in daylight.  Avoid smoking and large quantities of alcohol. Consume a diet with abundant quantities of vegetables and some fruit (too much sugar is also not beneficial to skin), and find ways to reduce your stress levels.

One way of repairing the damage to the skin and to induce collagen regeneration is via treatments using the TriPollar RF technology. This treatment will stimulate the fibroblast to generate new collagen fibers and to produce a thicker and denser dermal layer therefore reducing the visible signs of aging skin caused by the aging process and by exposure to free radicals.

One way for preventing sleep wrinkles is to sleep on your back; Chinese women recognized this fact ages ago and always slept on their backs using concave porcelain pillows.
Another option is using a pillow (not a special anti wrinkle pillow) that minimizes facial sleep wrinkling, pillows with natural fill, such as duck down and feathers. This kind of pillow supports the head while providing softness, eliminating pressure on the skin, thus reducing sleep wrinkles. There are also anti wrinkle pillows available made in particular for preventing sleep wrinkles. An anti wrinkle pillow supports the head while keeping the face and eye tissue away from the pillow.
There are claims that silk rather than cotton pillow cases will also minimize the formation of sleep wrinkles. In the UK, this claim has recently been targeted by Britain’s Advertising Standards Agency which forced the advertiser to remove the claim that silk pillows have anti aging benefits, as there are no clinical studies proving that cotton pillow cases will induce more wrinkles or that using silk pillows will reduce them.
Another product targeting sleep wrinkles is a special pillowcase that is imbedded with copper micro fibers which according to the manufacture, serve to correct the skin during sleep due to copper’s ability to stimulate collagen production thus reducing the presence of lines and wrinkles.
Unfortunately, if you have developed sleep wrinkles, they may be difficult to treat with just the use of an anti wrinkle pillow. As we age, our skin loses its flexibility, skin that becomes wrinkled while sleeping will no longer readily recover after sleep, as it did when we were younger. Since sleep wrinkles aren’t the results of muscle contractions, products like Botox will not remove them. To treat them, the existing collagen needs to tighten and new collagen needs to form in the dermis in order to smooth the skin. A gold standard method for treating wrinkles is via TriPollar® RF, a clinically proven method with significant data of treatment safety and results. Visit the site www.pollogen.com for more information.

Aging is unavoidable fact of life – everyday we are all getting older. However, it is not age itself that bothers us, but the visible signs of aging that can make us feel old despite the fact that we feel young and vital. The health and look of our skin – whether on our face or on our body – plays a significant part in how old we feel and is seen as the most common indicator to others of our age. Facial wrinkles,  neck décolletage and hands are one of the most visible signs of skin aging. Over time they tend to get more visible. Wrinkles aren’t an illness! But wrinkles can alter the way we look, and this may change the way we feel about ourselves. Wrinkles usually start as fine lines. They tend to get deeper over time. Wrinkles are often noticeable on the face. Lines tend to form on the face in the places our skin folds when we smile or make other facial expressions.
 

The aging process of the skin occurs in two different ways, (Intrinsic and Extrinsic skin aging). Intrinsic aging is what we get from our parents and is inevitable and pre-determined. The skin will become thinner, less elastic and essentially dryer as a consequence of skin aging. This is a direct result of a reduction in the overall production of collagen. This decrease combined with gravitation will lead to sagging of the skin.
Skin will become dryer as a consequence of aging because the dermis is stripped of its ability to retain moisture. In addition, the process will lead to a substantial reduction in the sweat glands and sebaceous glands, all of which ordinarily lead to moist, plump skin.
Although the extent of the process will vary, skin aging will predominantly become apparent at age 30.
Extrinsic aging is associated with exposure to various toxins and environmental elements. The foremost and most detrimental element is the sun. UV sun rays associated aging, often known as ‘photo aging’ will cause a number of fine lines on the face, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, enlarged pores, broken capillaries and rough, uneven skin tone.

Infrared (IR) radiation

 Infrared (IR) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light. The name means below red. Visible red light is the color of the longest wavelengths of visible light that we can see with naked eyes.

IR radiation is divided into 3 different bands according to wavelength:

• IR-A: 700 nm–1400 nm (Near-infrared)
• IR-B: 1400 nm–3000 nm
• IR-C: 3000 nm–1 mm

Infrared radiation is popularly known as “heat” or sometimes “heat radiation”, since many people attribute all radiant heating to infrared light and/or to all infrared radiation to being a result of heating.

Infra Red Laser Skin Tightening
In the last 10 years various non-invasive and non surgical treatments modalities have been developed for aging skin. Most of the advanced dermatology clinics are using lasers, radiofrequency (RF), IR lasers and a combination of the above to treat aging skin. All these methods are aiming to heat the deep skin layer in order to shrink redundant or lax connective tissues through the mechanism of collagen denaturation.

How does Infra-red laser work on aging skin?

Infra-red laser utilizes infrared light to heat the dermis well below the skin’s surface by heating up the water content in the skin. This heating can cause immediate collagen contraction by the denaturization of collagen. During the procedure, the outer skin’s surface (epidermis) must be protected through continuous cooling by means of active cooling. After the procedure, new collagen growth results in further tightening and the development of a more youthful, complexion with less fine lines, folds or looseness of the skin. People with dark skin should avoid the treatment.
  

Who should not undergo this procedure?

There are various contraindications which are similar to other light based technologies such as:
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not suitable candidates.

Since the treatment heats the tissue under the skin’s surface by Infra-red light, dark skin absorbs most of the energy in the uppermost skin layer, which can cause burns. In such cases RF procedures are optimal since RF is considered as ‘color blind’ technology which is suitable also for dark skin type and color.  
Large areas of loose or redundant skin, such as after massive weight-loss may be better suited for TriPollar RF treatments or for surgical approaches in severe cases.
 
Also, until further studies have been carried out it is advisable not to have treatment directly over dermal filler products.
 

 
What sort of practitioner can perform this treatment?

Only suitably trained medical professionals should perform infrared laser skin tightening procedures.  

For more information see also: Titan™ skin tightening review