Are you skeptical about whether lifestyle choices affect your skin? Then let me invite you to consider Keith Richards.
After smoking an estimated 500,000 cigarettes, drinking gallons of whiskey, and once sleeping for more than a week “without a blink of an eye,” I think we can all agree that the Rolling Stone has the face it deserves : a face that resembles a pitted plum.
When I first got into the beauty game, skin experts started talking about the skin-destroying effects of smoking.
Soon after, they assumed that sun exposure was harmful because research followed that pointed to the harmful effects of sugar and then stress.
Over the past decade we have seen the trend of linking a certain look to a certain habit. ‘Wine face’ equals red veins and bloating; ‘carb face’ has potato-like bags.
A new set of ‘faces’ are linked to lifestyle choices, some good, some bad. The extent to which you adapt your behavior is of course up to you, but a balance must be found. And it probably exists somewhere halfway between Paltrow-esque clean living and the Richards-esque excesses of Jack Daniel’s and Coke (with a small c).
For me, this means continuing to use my 6k, but applying SPF before I go. Wild, I know.
Oceanic face
Dr. Sabrina Fabi, a cosmetic dermatologist based in California, notes that while she is aware of the drug’s life-changing effects, there is much debate about the “unintended side effect of rapid weight loss,” which is “a skinny, older-looking condition.” is. appearance’. She says this is due to “the faster loss of facial fat…compared to body fat,” but she thinks there’s something else going on. She suggests that the drugs “may have a negative effect on the skin’s fatty tissue, altering stem cell function and skin’s fat distribution, all of which are crucial for a youthful appearance.”
Cosmetic doctor Vicky Dondos says she sees ‘Ozempic face’ all the time in her London clinic. Many of her clients have lost “seven to ten pounds, which brings joy, but accelerates aging.” Although you cannot change the effect of this medication on the dermis, you can counteract its effects with careful skin care and adjustments.
HRT face
‘I could walk into a room of postmenopausal patients and tell you who is on HRT, just from their skin,’ says Anne Henderson, a consultant gynecologist and advanced specialist with the British Menopause Society. ‘HRT can improve skin texture and tone, reduce wrinkles and help clear menopausal acne.’ She says women are often embarrassed to ask her about their skin because the medical profession traditionally views cosmetic benefits as superficial. Henderson denounces this and believes that ‘feeling good on the outside makes you feel good on the inside’.
Why does HRT benefit our skin? Although the treatment usually consists of a mix of hormones – estrogen, progestin and sometimes testosterone – it is estrogen that has the collagen-boosting effect. This translates into stronger, firmer, glowing skin that is less prone to irritation and conditions such as eczema and rosacea.
Should we use HRT for our skin if we have no other menopausal symptoms? Henderson says it’s a controversial topic, but as long as the patient has a “fully informed discussion” they have “no problem” and it is “their choice.”
The face of a runner
Dr. Anjali Mahto, a renowned dermatologist and founder of the Self London clinic, says ‘runner’s face’ is a condition characterized by facial fat loss and sagging skin, which can make joggers look older than their chronological age.
She says running reduces overall body fat, including facial fat which is crucial for maintaining a youthful appearance by providing volume and a smooth contour. This reduction, especially in the cheeks and under the eyes, can lead to a hollower appearance. Then there’s the “repetitive motion and impact” of running, which “accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers.”
In addition, exposure to aggressive environmental factors such as sun, wind and pollution, which contribute to skin damage. Dr. Mahto proposes a treatment called Softwave: ultrasound is used to stimulate the production of new collagen. Diligent SPF helps counteract the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Rosie’s Beauty Clinic
Q I keep hearing about polynucleotide treatments. What are they?
Louise Stuart, 53
A This procedure involves injecting salmon DNA into the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin. Many of my favorite cosmetic doctors rave about the results, especially in the under-eye area, where it can effectively tackle dark circles and crepiness.
Send your questions to alice.robertson@mailonsunday.co.uk, using the subject line Ask Rosie
For a tenner
Question+A Collagen Body Butter (£10, boots.com). I love this generous pot of unctuous cream. Perfect for dehydrated skin on elbows and knees, it absorbs quickly and leaves limbs looking luxuriously shiny.