healingways


Anti-Aging Skincare


Turn Back the Clock with New Treatments and Breakthroughs


by Linda Sechrist


With aging still a largely mysterious process, current seekers of perpetual youth and beauty are urging scientists to find ways to slow or even reverse it. New tools to fight lines, wrinkles and sagging skin excite the imagination.


T


oday’s anti-aging toolbox is filled with promise. Tools range from at-home strengthening and


refining creams to commercial treat- ment technologies such as cold laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), light-emitting diode (LED), microdermabrasion, photofacials, and skin tightening and rejuvenating ultrasound. Acupuncture facelifts make use of ancient Chinese techniques. Then there are the more invasive injectables, fillers and chemi- cal peels. How do we know what is best for us? Whatever one’s chosen tools,


Hema Sundaram, author of Face Value: The Truth about Beauty—and a Guilt- Free Guide to Finding It, believes that women at any age have every right to pursue the outward expression of their inner beauty. The Washington, D.C.- based medical doctor and board-certi- fied dermatologist, who specializes in cosmetic surgery, supports a woman’s freedom to choose, without embarrass- ment or criticism. She emphasizes the


10 Houston


positive effects of cosmetic procedures performed for the right reasons and notes, “Restoring the balance between a woman’s inner and outer selves can transform her life.” An at-home anti-


medicinal board to gently massage, manipulate and stimulate energy points along the face. The objective is to promote a normal flow of energy, or qi (pronounced KEE), and blood circula- tion and to remove toxins. It also sup- ports, lymph drainage. Gua sha activates inner vitality


by stimulating both the superficial and deep muscles that control facial expres- sion. Beauty benefits include a brighter complexion and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, dark under-eye circles and puffy eyes. It also lifts sag- ging at the neck and jaw. Hypnox. This 25-minute guided


hypnotherapeutic audio recording is touted as a natural alternative to the neurotoxin Botox. Instead of paralyzing targeted facial muscles, which inhib- its natural facial expression, Hypnox targets and retrains the same muscles to stop habitual frowning, lip pucker- ing and squinting. The process is said to promote overall relaxation, allowing wrinkles to fade away. Facercize. Muscle resistance


training helps tone and enliven the 30 muscles of the face to render more youthful-looking features. Muscle fibers literally smooth out, shorten and lift the attached skin on the face and neck. Enzyme Mask. A weekly exfoliat-


aging regimen aimed at retarding time’s telltales and enhancing beauty lays the foundation for an effective partner- ship with an estheti- cian or dermatologist. Performed consistently, do-it-yourself treatments can help to maintain cos- metic work performed by skincare professionals. Popular, non-invasive techniques are explained here. Many take it a step further with a meditation practice designed to de- velop and project inner, spiritual beauty. Gua Sha. This Chinese technique (pronounced GWA SHA) uses a small


Good genes, a healthy lifestyle


and skilled beauty enhancements can slow the clock of aging.


~ Dr. Hema Sundaram, owner, Sundaram Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center, Rockville, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia.


ing fruit enzyme mask gently dissolves dead surface cells and embedded impu- rities, while restoring hydration. Adding an organic, fruit-based peel of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids supplies an ideal boost that can result in an even brighter complex- ion and firmer looking skin.


Retinols. These


naturally occurring forms of vitamin A are a gentler, over-the-counter version of retinoids. They likewise promote healthy cell renewal and collagen produc- tion.


Gentle Microderm-


abrasion. At-home microdermabrasion kits


work to reduce the visibility of pores and fine lines. Many come with bat- tery-operated brushes, aluminum-free


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