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Sleep wrinkles are real. Here’s how they leave their mark

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yousuf-mohammed-858232">Yousuf Mohammed</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/khanh-phan-1489820">Khanh Phan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vania-rodrigues-leite-e-silva-1497208">Vania Rodrigues Leite E. Silva</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your skin loses its elasticity as you age, they can set in. Here’s what you can do to minimise the chance of them forming in the first place. <h2>How side-sleeping affects your face</h2> Your skin wrinkles for a number of reasons, including ageing, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, habitual facial expressions (such as grinning, pouting, frowning, squinting) and sleeping positions. When you sleep on your side or stomach, your face skin is <a href="https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/8/931/2613967">squeezed and crushed</a> a lot more than if you sleep on your back. When you sleep on your side or stomach, gravity presses your face against the pillow. Your face skin is distorted as your skin is stretched, compressed and pulled in all directions as you move about in your sleep. You can reduce these external forces acting on the face by sleeping on your back or changing positions frequently. <h2>Doctors can tell which side you sleep on by looking at your face</h2> In a young face, sleep wrinkles are transient and disappear after waking. Temporary sleep wrinkles can become persistent with time and repetition. As we <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19624425/">age</a>, our skin <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22233477/">loses elasticity</a> (recoil) and extensibility (stretch), creating <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27329660/">ideal conditions</a> for sleep wrinkles or lines to set in and last longer. The time spent in each sleeping position, the magnitude of external forces applied to each area of the face, as well as the surface area of contact with the pillow surface, also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27329660/">affects</a> the pattern and rate of sleep wrinkle formation. Skin specialists can often recognise this. People who favour sleeping on one side of their body tend to have a flatter face on their sleeping side and more visible sleep lines. <h2>Can a night skincare routine avoid sleep wrinkles?</h2> Collagen and elastin are two primary components of the dermis (inner layer) of skin. They form the skin structure and maintain the elasticity of skin. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=496&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=496&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=496&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Skin structure" /><figcaption>The dermis is the inner layer of skin. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/skin-structure-old-young-1707589036">mermaid3/Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> Supplementing collagen through skincare routines to enhance skin elasticity can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32799362/">help reduce</a> wrinkle formation. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30287361/">Hyaluronic</a> acid is a naturally occurring molecule in human bodies. It holds our skin’s collagen and elastin in a proper configuration, stimulates the production of <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/15/4429">collagen</a> and adds hydration, which can help slow down wrinkle formation. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most common <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30287361/">active ingredients</a> in skincare creams, gels and lotions. Moisturisers can hydrate the skin in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00421.x">different ways</a>. “Occlusive” substances produce a thin layer of oil on the skin that prevents water loss due to evaporation. “Humectants” attract and hold water in the skin, and they can differ in their capacity to bind with water, which influences the degree of skin hydration. <h2>Do silk pillowcases actually make a difference?</h2> Silk pillowcases can make a difference in wrinkle formation, if they let your skin glide and move, rather than adding friction and pressure on a single spot. If you can, use silk sheets and silk pillows. Studies have also <a href="https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/8/931/2613967">shown</a> pillows designed to reduce mechanical stress during sleep can prevent skin deformations. Such a pillow <a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=67035#:%7E:text=Introduction-,The%20duration%20of%20sleep%20and%20the%20position%20of%20the%20face,permanent%20sleep%20lines%20with%20time.">could be useful</a> in slowing down and preventing the formation of certain facial wrinkles. Sleeping on your back can reduce the risk of sleep lines, as can a nighttime routine of moisturising before sleep. Otherwise, lifestyle choices and habits, such quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, a healthy diet (eating enough vegetables, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07315724.2001.10719017?casa_token=uD1flbkLyKUAAAAA%3AsMTWPmxzO3fGHAI41o80B_bWrGrOrvQFeJwF2FtIEnkd73Qmjvyhxr1-GO2kU8_Yc2LYgZp56DqHVg">fruits</a>, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452251/pdf/nutrients-09-00521.pdf">yogurt and other fermented foods</a>) and regular use of sunscreens can help improve the appearance of the skin on our face.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/217380/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yousuf-mohammed-858232">Yousuf Mohammed</a>, Dermatology researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/khanh-phan-1489820">Khanh Phan</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Frazer Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vania-rodrigues-leite-e-silva-1497208">Vania Rodrigues Leite E. Silva</a>, Honorary Associate Professor, Frazer Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sleep-wrinkles-are-real-heres-how-they-leave-their-mark-217380">original article</a>. </div>

Body

“Proud of my wrinkles”: Twiggy’s guide to ageing gracefully

Twiggy first exploded onto the modelling industry when she was crowned “The Face Of 1966”. The icon has since developed a stellar career and was even made a dame in 2019. Despite her rapid rise to fame (her photo was spotted by a fashion journalist) and her trusty address book full of celebrity contacts, the '60s icon remains grounded as she shared her love for the “ordinary things”. “We’ve all met people in the entertainment business who are kind of flying, they’re not quite with the world, are they? And that’s not me,” she said in an interview for the Daily Mail. “I love going to the supermarket, just ordinary things. I love my job, but my life is real life with Leigh and my kids, my grandkids, my friends”. Twiggy, whose real name is Lesley Hornby, is a proud grandmother who clearly loves going by adorable nicknames as she prefers to be called “mimi” instead of grandma. When speaking about her grandchildren, her face lights up. The former model has two biological grandchildren from her daughter, Carly, and three step-grandchildren from her partner, Leigh Lawson’s son, Jason. “He’s got three now, so when we get a houseful, it is noisy. But I love it. It’s what life’s about, isn’t it?” she said. Twiggy also proudly shared how different her life as “mimi” looks. The usually glammed up star said that in her day-to-day life she is usually bare-faced, with a ponytail. “That’s me when I’m out and about. Sunglasses, hair just pulled under a baseball cap,” she said. Unlike other stars who may have opted to go under the knife, Twiggy is proud of her natural look. “I’m kind of proud of my wrinkles,” she said. “I understand when people have little tweaks and maybe I’ll even do it, I don’t know. “But what I don’t think I’d ever do is all the stuff they inject, when they get those funny cheeks that look like cotton wool balls have been stuffed in them. It would frighten me,” she shared. She also shared how she embraces ageing by never getting botox. “It’s botulism, isn’t it?” she said of the procedure. “And I never fancied the idea of that floating round my body." She also said that she does Pilates once-a-week which helped her eliminate back pain, which had plagued her since she turned 60. Twiggy’s life story is going to be told for the first time in a documentary made by actor-turned-filmmaker Sadie Frost, with the final footage for the film taken just last week at the Cannes Film Festival. In September a Twiggy musical, Close Up, written and directed by Ben Elton is set to be released. Images: Getty

Beauty & Style

Why are young women without wrinkles using Botox?

The battle against wrinkles has lasted for centuries. Long before surgical facelifts, people ingested powders and potions, stretched their faces using thread and tape, and rubbed their skin with Crisco, acid and animal blood to fight the signs of aging. But when the FDA approved Botox for cosmetic use in 2002, it forever changed the anti-aging market. Since then, <a href="http://www.amaskincare.com/services/botox/">11 million Americans</a> have been forking over hundreds of dollars per session to have a licensed provider inject the drug into their facial muscles, a process that temporarily paralyzes their facial movement and erases existing wrinkles. Capitalizing on cultural pressure for women’s bodies and faces to stay forever young, Botox manufacturer Allergan started marketing the product to the typical middle-aged everywoman. It paid off: <a href="https://d2wirczt3b6wjm.cloudfront.net/News/Statistics/2015/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2015.pdf">Over 90 percent of users</a> are women. <a href="https://d2wirczt3b6wjm.cloudfront.net/News/Statistics/2015/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2015.pdf">Almost 60 percent</a> are between the ages of 45 and 54. However, a small – but growing – number of younger women have started turning to this anti-aging “wonder drug.” Today, <a href="https://d2wirczt3b6wjm.cloudfront.net/News/Statistics/2015/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2015.pdf">almost 20 percent</a> of Botox users are in the 30-39 age demographic. Responding to the advice of many dermatologists who preach prevention, these young women are using Botox as a deterrent, hoping that it will halt the development of facial creases and wrinkles down the road. In my forthcoming book “<a href="http://nyupress.org/books/9781479825264/">Botox Nation</a>,” I show how Botox is now aggressively marketed to young women as a drug with curative and preventive powers that can permanently prolong the appearance of youth. <h2>A lifetime of maintenance</h2> The belief that Botox is preventive has been circulating for almost as long as the drug itself. The idea is that long-term paralysis of facial movement will mean no facial wrinkles. It’s a theory promoted in magazine articles by beauty and medical “experts” who tell young women that the best time to start using Botox is when their wrinkles are minimally visible. However, the theory of preventative Botox use is flawed. Botox’s ability to freeze the youthful face is fleeting: The effect only lasts four to six months. So because Botox’s effects are temporary, they only really prevent wrinkles if you get injections two to three times a year. Botox may conceal wrinkles, but as soon as an individual stops using Botox, those wrinkles reappear. To start young, then, means to enlist in a lifetime of treatment. Nonetheless, media messages about Botox regularly advocate these proactive efforts, oftentimes glossing over the fact that repeat injections are required. In my research I found that news coverage of Botox was peppered with preventative claims, such as “You want to clean up your room before it gets too dirty” or “I do tons of Botox because I believe in holding yourself in place to prevent aging.” Likewise, when I interviewed young Botox users, they told me things like “I use Botox because it’s a preemptive strike” and “If you start using Botox early, it totally prevents your lines from getting deeper.” There was the general feeling among users that you should begin a lifelong regimen of preventative aesthetics early in life – before reaching thirty – in order to gradually “freeze” your youthful look in place. To them this was preferable to starting treatment at a later age – after wrinkles had emerged – which would drastically alter the face’s appearance, making it obvious that it had been treated. The fact that young, wrinkle-free women are freezing their faces in time speaks volumes about <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Beauty_Myth.html?id=XgfokiNQl0sC">the demands American culture places on women to stay young and beautiful</a>. <h2>Treatments become ‘crack like’</h2> Regular visits to the Botox doctor come at a financial – and, in some cases, physical – cost. The expense of a single Botox treatment is between US$300 and $400, which initially seems much more affordable than a face-lift (a procedure that can cost upwards of $6,000). However a woman who starts using Botox in her 20s or 30s will end up spending much, much more if she undergoes regular treatments to prevent the effects from wearing off. It should also be noted that Botox is derived from botulism, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulinum_toxin">the deadliest toxin on the planet</a>. Even though the drug is, for the most part, safe, there have been reports of <a href="http://www.rxlist.com/botox-side-effects-drug-center.htm">adverse effects</a> , including blurred vision, ptosis (drooping eyelids), slurred speech and progressive muscle weakness. Among the Botox users I interviewed, a handful reported suffering from debilitating headaches for days after the injection. One woman suffered from ptosis. Botox’s temporary results can also lead to compulsive, repetitive behaviors. In my interviews, many women said they weren’t able to stop the treatments. They spoke of Botox as if it were a drug, one that left them dependent on its short-lived effects. As one woman told me, she was “crack-like” about her Botox injections, rushing to her dermatologists’ office the moment she noticed faint brow wrinkles. Not only did women report feeling addicted to Botox, it also seemed serve as a gateway to other cosmetic procedures, such as dermal fillers. The multi-billion-dollar beauty and anti-aging industry <a href="http://search.proquest.com/openview/6c2d3c38b3becd3ae3e1407bbb9fa552/1?pq-origsite=gscholar">cultivates feelings of personal inadequacy</a> to convince people to buy their products. For example, one advertisement for Botox asserted: “It is really up to you. You can choose to live with wrinkles. Or you can choose to live without them.” This projects the message that control over our aging faces is putatively in our grasp. If we “choose to live” with our wrinkles, we are complicit in our own aging and, therefore, have consciously decided to not live up to society’s standards of beauty. As long as women are held to these unattainable standards, the urge to freeze the face in place will persist. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-are-young-women-without-wrinkles-using-botox-65309" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Beauty & Style

Keeping up with the science of cosmetic injectables

There’s a good chance that you or someone you know has considered cosmetic injectables; medical procedures that involve injecting a substance under your skin to change some part of your appearance. Whether you want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in your forehead, increase the fullness of your lips, or reduce the amount of fat under your chin – there’s a chemical substance that can be injected to do it. But what exactly are these substances? How do they work? And are there risks associated with going under the needle? <h2>Start with the classic: Botox</h2> Botox is a drug made from botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large amounts, this neurotoxin can cause botulism, a rare but serious illness that affects the nerves and can even result in death. Botulinum toxin actually consists of 7 different subtypes of toxins, but only botulinum toxin types A and B are used clinically. Type A is the one approved as a cosmetic injectable and it can be used soften the appearance of facial wrinkles and adjust brow positioning. But how does it work? Well, it blocks nerve signals from reaching injected muscles, which stops them from being able to contract. The resulting localised muscle weakness or paralysis prevents the muscles from forming lines in the skin. Botulinum toxin is a type of enzyme called a protease and it cleaves or cuts specific proteins that are essential for the release of neuro-transmitters. These are chemical messengers used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons or from neurons to muscles. Specifically, it blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from presynaptic motor neurons. But the effects of Botox ultimately aren’t permanent, because function is recovered by sprouting new, unaffected nerve terminals, which usually takes three to four months. <h2>Hyaluronic acid fillers are becoming increasingly popular</h2> Dermal fillers are substances injected into the skin to plump out wrinkles or alter the shape of the face in some way – for instance, adding volume to the lips or cheeks, or altering the shape of the nose or jawline. One popular substance used in fillers is hyaluronic acid: a long, linear sugar molecule found naturally throughout the body. It’s one of the most hydrophilic, or water-loving, molecules in nature and just one gram of it can bind up to 6 litres of water – kind of like how gelatine binds up water to form jelly. Hyaluronic acid gel can be modified to have different physical properties, which then alters the ways in which it can be used. By introducing chemical bonds to crosslink between the hyaluronic acid strands the firmness and stress-resistance of the substance can be increased, which is important when defining or altering the appearance of features like the nose, jawline, or cheekbones. Hyaluronic acid injections aren’t permanent and are slowly broken down and re-absorbed into the body over time. This is done by an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which is found throughout the body. It cuts up the long hyaluronic acid polymers into smaller fragments that are then further degraded by other enzymes. <h2>Other substances can also be used as dermal fillers</h2> Though less popular than hyaluronic acid, collagen can also be used as a cosmetic injectable filler. Collagen is the major structural component of the dermis in the skin and provides strength and support to it. As we age, the production of collagen decreases and that results in the reduction in skin volume we see in aged skin. It was the first material to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for injection into facial scars, furrows, and lines. Collagen injections replenish the collagen lost from the face and can be derived from cows (bovine), pigs (porcine), or even human cells. But, what if instead of adding volume, you want to get rid of it? Lipolytic injections are a non-surgical way to reduce localised subcutaneous fat deposits, like the one found under your chin. The substances phosphatidylcholine (PC) and deoxycholic acid (DC) are used to chemically reduce the number of fat cells around the injection site by causing fat cells to die. DC is a bile salt that induces fat cell death by acting as a detergent to break apart the cell membrane. The exact mechanism of action for PC isn’t well understood, but its thought that it stimulates enzymes called lipases to break down fats. <h2>Before you go out and book an appointment, a quick safety PSA.</h2> With cosmetic injections, like any medical procedure, there are always risks involved and sometimes these risks can be serious and even life threatening. Anyone that performs a cosmetic injection must have extensive knowledge of facial anatomy, as well as the required training and experience, so that the risk of something adverse happening can be minimised. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Association recommend finding a registered practitioner and making sure that the product used in your procedure is registered by checking the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, which lists all of the products that can be legally supplied in Australia. This article first appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/the-science-of-cosmetic-injectables/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Imma Perfetto. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Man takes Coles to court for refusing to pack his “dirty and wrinkled” grocery bags

A Sydney man has taken Coles to court for refusing to pack his grocery bags. Lance Tyrell has shopped at his local Coles in Greenacre, in Sydney’s southwest, for many years, but ended up going head-to-head with staff after single-use plastic bags were phased out of supermarkets in NSW in 2018. The 64-year-old continued to reuse the single-use bags during his trips to the grocery chain’s store despite the introduction of reusable plastic bags. But one day, Mr Tyrell claimed to the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal, that staff declined when asked to pack his old bags, which he said wasn’t an issue before reusables were introduced. But Coles said they didn’t pack the bags for Mr Tyrell because they weren’t clean. Mr Tyrell then said that staff did not let him know the bags weren’t clean. “Some of them were just saying straight out, ‘I’m sorry’. They weren’t saying anything that they were dirty of whatever,” he said. “They were saying ‘Sorry, you can’t use those bags, you actually have to buy our new ones’.” Mr Tyrell claimed Coles discriminated against him due to his disability and age. My Tyrrell took his complaint before the Anti-Discrimination Board. The board’s president noted Mr Tyrrell has “severe physical disabilities” which included tendinitis, “chronic back pain” and the need for a walking stick. The board escalated this to the tribunal after the complaint couldn’t be resolved at reconciliation. Store manager Eliaz Housil told the tribunal in a statement Mr Tyrrell’s bags were “dirty and wrinkled up” when visiting the store in December 2018. The tribunal disregarded this as “in dispute” due to the bags provided as evidence. However, the tribunal couldn’t uphold Mr Tyrrell’s discrimination claim. “Mr Tyrrell did not provide any evidence, statistical or otherwise, as to the proportion of shoppers without the relevant disability who are able to comply with the alleged requirement or condition of presenting with bags other than the small grey bags compared with those who have the relevant disability,” the tribunal said. “We are not satisfied in the absence of evidence that it could be said that a substantially higher proportion of shoppers who do not have Mr Tyrrell’s disability are able to comply with the requirement or condition that they present with a bag other than the small grey bags.” The claim was dismissed.

Legal

Is sleeping giving you wrinkles?

Dr Phoebe Jones is a professional, highly trained and trusted cosmetic doctor that specialises in delivering more beautiful and youthful skin through the use of injectables and laser therapy. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine from The University of Sydney in 2011, Dr Jones has worked as both a clinician and a researcher. Dr Jones currently practises as Concept Cosmetic Medicine. Australian’s have woken up to the importance of beauty sleep, with beauty aficionados ensuring they get 8 hours of shut eye to allow cells to recuperate and regenerate for a youthful, healthy, radiant complexion. However, what many people don’t realise is that their quality of beauty sleep can be compromised by the way they are sleeping, and it may in fact exacerbate wrinkle formation, Cosmetic Physician Dr Phoebe Jones reveals. “Sleep lines are caused when people sleep on their tummy or on their side with their face squished into the pillow. Over years, this repetitive pressure and friction wrinkling up the skin results in ironing the wrinkles into the skin,” explains Dr Jones. “In young people who have good skin elasticity and volume in their faces the effects aren’t as obvious and may resolve within an hour or two of waking. As we get older however, we experience volume loss and decreased skin elasticity so these wrinkles can become permanent,” she added. Here Dr Jones shares her tips on how to ensure you get your beauty sleep – wrinkle free! 1. Learn to sleep on your back “For those side sleepers, learning to sleep on your back can be quite difficult but some people are able to learn to retrain themselves. There are a few back-sleeping pillows that you can buy that cradle the head and prevent you from turning to your side. For some people, placing a pillow under the knees as well can make back sleeping more comfortable as it puts the hip flexors in a more relaxed position and also prevents you from rolling to the side while asleep,” said Dr Jones. 2. Upgrade your pillowcase Dr Jones says “If sleeping on your back is just not a possibility, you can still prevent those pillowcase-induced wrinkle lines by upgrading from a cotton pillowcase to silk. The slippery surface of silk pillowcases causes less friction between your face and the pillowcase, helping to stop the bunching of the fabric that causes the deep creases.” 3. Lather on a night cream Dr Jones stresses the importance of taking care of your skin with good quality skincare products. “I recommend a product that contains hyaluronic acid to help plump and firm the skin and/or retinol as the Vitamin A derivate stimulates collagen to prevent fine lines. Using appropriate cosmeceuticals to provide the skin its moisture during sleep is essential to keep wrinkles at bay.” 4. Use silicon sheets “Silicon sheeting is genius for sleep lines. Despite them not been the most attractive thing to wear to bed they certainly work their magic! Personally, I quite like the ones for the décolletage, forehead and eye areas. If you don’t want to use them all the time, you can just use them in the week leading up to an event and they will give a softening effect to fine lines,” said Dr Jones. 5. Consider laser therapy & hyaluronic acid injectables “If you are looking to improve the state of lines that have formed from years spent sleeping on your side then laser therapy or injectables are the most effective methods. Both fraxel and other CO2 lasers can be good to help rid yourself of lines and improve the general skin quality by boosting collagen production while hyaluronic acid injectables also revolumise specific areas,” said Dr Jones.

Beauty & Style

Could you be at risk? Here’s what your wrinkles may be telling you about your health

Your wrinkles may be saying more about your health than you think. While wrinkles have been an aesthetic concern for some, scientists reveal that deep facial lines can be an early warning sign of deadly heart trouble. According to research shown at the world’s largest heart conference, adults who have prominent forehead wrinkles and lines between their eyebrows are 10 times more likely to die at a younger age than those with smooth skin. The research was conducted by following 3,221 volunteers for 20 years after examining and assessing their appearance. Those with no wrinkles were given a score of zero, but those who had “numerous deep wrinkles” were issued a score of three. Experts believe that by closely studying people’s skin, GPs will have an easy and affordable way to spot early signs of stroke and heart attacks. Yolande Esquirol, the associate professor of occupational health at the University Hospital of Toulouse in France, claims that deep furrows are a red flag for clogged arteries – also known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that stops the flow of blood and oxygen to reach organs inside the body, which in turn increases the chances of lethal clots. Esquirol told the European Society of Cardiology conference in Munich that “the higher your wrinkle score, the more your cardiovascular mortality risk increases". “You can’t see or feel risk factors like high cholesterol or hypertension. “Just looking at a person’s face could sound an alarm, then we could give advice to lower risk.” According to Esquirol, the cause of deep wrinkles has nothing to do with stress or hard work, but more to do with cell and protein damage. Fellow researcher Professor Jean Ferrieres, from Toulouse University School of Medicine, said that assessing a wrinkled forehead is a better indicator of heart problems than high cholesterol. “We found it is a simple visual screening tool that can be used by GPs to identify people at risk,” Prof Ferrieres said. “This is more precise than cholesterol levels, as it is a sign blood vessels are already being damaged. “We would advise patients with wrinkly brows to see their GP and make lifestyle changes, such as more exercise and better diet.” While the risk of heart disease is inevitable as people age, there are ways to reduce the chances of being in a dangerous situation through lifestyle and medical interventions. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, the Vice Chair of the Royal College of GPs, finds the results “interesting". “Any research that seeks to aid better identification or treatment of heart disease, and further our understanding of the condition, is welcome, however strange the connection may seem,” said Prof Hawthorne. But Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, Professor Jeremy Pearson, says that these findings won’t be replacing traditional steps when uncovering heart-related problems. “Perhaps wrinkles can tell us more than we think about our heart health but counting lines won’t replace tests for well-understood risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure,” he said. What do you think about these findings? Let us know in the comments.

Caring

Carrie Bickmore’s hilarious response to daughter’s question: “What are those stripes on your head?”

Carrie Bickmore has revealed the hilarious conversation she had with her daughter Evie about the “stripes” on her forehead. Taking to Instagram with a selfie of her furrowed forehead, the Project host recounted how her three-year-old daughter alerted her to some “stripes” on her face. She said she explained to Evie that they were wrinkles because “Mummy is old”. Her daughter replied that she was “young and pretty like a stripy tiger”. “My daughter certainly knows how to suck up after a sledge,” Bickmore wrote. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm0EakRHu3H/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm0EakRHu3H/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank">Evie: ‘Mummy what are those stripes on your head?’ Me: ‘They are wrinkles honey’ Evie: ‘Why don’t I have them?’ Me: ‘Cause Mummy is old’ Evie: ‘No Mummy, you are not old, you are young and pretty like a stripey tiger’ My daughter certainly knows how to suck up after a sledge 😂😂😂❤️</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/bickmorecarrie/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank"> Carrie Bickmore</a> (@bickmorecarrie) on Aug 23, 2018 at 12:48am PDT </div> </blockquote> It’s not the first time Carrie’s daughter has delighted her with her curious question. Earlier this month, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/carrie-bickmore-s-hilarious-explanation-to-her-daughter-of-how-she-got-pregnant">Carrie was forced to explain to Evie how babies are made</a>.

Wrinkles, liver spots, crows’ feet: what happens to our skin as we age

Michelle Rodrigues is a consultant Dermatologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. The main factors that contribute to how old we look include the shape of our face, the number of lines or wrinkles, and the luminosity of our skin. Each of these is influenced by intrinsic and external factors. Skin is the most visible organ. So ageing skin has a big impact on a person’s self-esteem. Aussies spend <a href="https://stat.mozo.com.au/images/more-on-mozo/media-releases/twenty-two-billion--the-annual-cost-of-vanity.pdf">nearly A$5 billion per year</a> on skin care products and treatments, with Queenslanders spending the most on beauty per capita. Intrinsic ageing of the skin Rates of intrinsic (also known as chronologic) ageing are predicted, to a degree, by our genetic makeup, including our skin colour. With age, the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) becomes thinner and more transparent. This means that it reflects less light and so appears less luminous as time goes on. The epidermis may also start to develop growths, including small brown dots (dermatosis papulosa nigra and seborrhoic keratoses) and overgrown oil glands, as well as spots that result from ultra-violet (UV) light exposure such as lentigines (freckles), melasma (pigmentation), solar keratoses (sun spots) and skin cancers. Our dermis (the layer of skin under the epidermis) loses collagen and elastin as we age, causing the skin to sag and develop wrinkles when our muscles move under the skin. The blood vessels in the dermis also become thinner, which leads to easy bruising. And because the dermis and epidermis are thinner and hence closer together as we age, the blood vessels become more visible on the surface of the skin with time. The reason collagen decreases as we age is complex, but is partly due to the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/">reduced function of the cells</a> that make collagen (fibroblasts) and an increase in the enzyme that breaks down collagen. <img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818536/what-happens-to-our-skin-intext_500x500.jpg" alt="What Happens To Our Skin Intext"/> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4174174/" target="_blank">Research has also shown</a> that fat is lost and bone is resorbed from different compartments of the face at different rates, and this affects our perceived age. When fat disappears from under the eyes (usually in our 20s or 30s), a dark shadow appears, making us look tired. And as the fat pad around the cheeks moves downwards (in our 30s and 40s), lines are created that extend outwards from the nose. Decreases in collagen and elastin cause frown lines and crows feet to develop, alongside other dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles from muscle movement). Meanwhile, the edge of the brow begins to drop and the lips start to thin out. As we move into our 50s, collagen and elastin levels fall further, causing our wrinkles to deepen, and resorption of bone occurs around the eyes causing “bags” to form. Fat hanging from now less-elastic skin causes our eyebrows and nasal tips to droop and the skin on our neck to sag. But intrinsic factors aren’t the whole story. Our lifestyle, environment and habits also play a role in skin ageing. Extrinsic ageing of the skin Extrinsic ageing can be induced by environmental factors such as UV exposure, smoking and air pollution. This means the skin’s apparent age and its chronological age are not always the same. UV light breaks down elastin in the dermis, causing saggy, stretchy skin. The skin also bruises and tears more easily and takes longer to heal with ongoing exposure to UV rays. Tobacco smoke results in insufficient oxygen supply to the skin and blocked blood vessels. It reduces immunity (meaning skin cancers can develop more easily) and increases the level of an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Reduced collagen results in wrinkles and loss of volume. Smoking also increases dryness, coarseness and a dull appearance of the skin, and increases wrinkles around the mouth. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20664556" target="_blank">Recent research</a> also suggests a positive correlation between air pollution and extrinsic skin ageing, with 20% more pigment spots noted on the forehead and cheeks of those with exposure to more soot and particles from traffic. Differences in ageing So why is it that people of different ethnicities and skin colours seem to age differently? Different types of skin have different amounts of elastin, collagen, pigment cells (melanocytes), and fats. Darker skin has larger, more numerous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanosome" target="_blank">melanosomes</a>, which manufacture, store and transport melanin, in turn giving the skin pigment. This provides protection against UV rays in people with darker skin types. The average protective factor against UV-B radiation in black skin was found to be 13.4 – compared with 3.4 for white skin, while the average rate of UV-B transmission into the dermis was 5.7% in black skin, compared with 29.4% in white skin. While increased melanin serves as an inbuilt sunscreen, it’s also the responses of these pigment cells that make patients with skin of colour more susceptible to pigment problems over time. And those with darker skin types are said to have a thickened outer layer of the skin with larger and more numerous fibroblasts (cells that make connective tissue and collagen) and compact collagen. This means this type of skin won’t wrinkle as easily, but has a greater chance of keloid scarring (overgrowth of scar tissue). So it seems that not all skin is created equal, but there are things we can do to optimise our skin health. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, seeking shade) and avoiding smoking are good places to start. Retinoids have been proven to help minimise fine lines, pigmentation and to increase collagen and repair sun-damaged skin. As for the myriad lotions and potions that claim to magically make us look 21 again … if I find one that works I’ll let you know. Written by Michelle Rodrigues. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation.</a><img width="1" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/91516/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation"/>

Beauty & Style

Woman with rare skin condition proudly celebrates her wrinkles

When you’re 26 years old, finding the odd fine line or starting noticing crow’s feet is about as far as it goes when it comes to worrying about wrinkles. But Sara Geurts has much more to contend with than a few smile lines – she has wrinkles all over her body, and she loves them. When she was 10 years old, Geurts was diagnosed with a rare disorder affecting connective tissue, called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. As the condition compromises the collagen in her skin, it causes her skin to sag and fold, resembling wrinkles. “In high school, I just tried to cover it up,” she admitted in an interview with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPV52Ip4IOk" target="_blank">Barcroft TV</a>. “It wasn’t about until age 22 [or] 23 that I started to look at myself and my body in a completely different way.” These days, Geurts couldn’t be happier in her own skin. “Just the uniqueness and the rarity and the way the lines form, and just the art that is made from the patterns that are there… It’s amazing,” she said. “It makes me so sad that I looked at it as this ugly thing at one point in time.” To prove to others that being different is a thing of beauty, not “ugliness”, Geurts has taken up modelling, sharing her stunning photos on Instagram and encouraging others to embrace their flaws. “My main aspiration for modelling would be to break society's standards, and the mentality that they have for perfection and to really show that it is your imperfections and your uniqueness that is the true beauty,” she said. In a powerful guest post for <a href="https://themighty.com/2016/12/self-acceptance-model-ehlers-danlos-syndrome/" target="_blank">The Mighty</a>, Geurts expresses her desire to help others learn how to accept themselves. “Real beauty lies within ourselves,” she writes. “By reinforcing the mindset that our imperfections are real and beautiful, I hope to lessen the journey and struggle of others on the road to self-love.” Take a look at her stunning modelling photos in the gallery above and tell us in the comments below, which of your “flaws” have you learned to celebrate? Image credit: Sara Geurts/Instagram.

Beauty & Style

Simple face exercises that reduce wrinkles

Aside from death and taxes, there’s one other thing in life that’s certain – wrinkles. You may hate them, you may tolerate them or you may even embrace them as signs of a life well lived. Either way, if you’d like to learn how to minimise the appearance of wrinkles without nasty chemicals, injections or dodgy DIY treatments, you’re in luck. It’s all about facial exercises, according to “face school” pioneer Marja Putkisto of Method Putkisto. “As with exercising any part of your body, it takes a few weeks before you'll see the effects,” she explains to <a href="http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/style-beauty/beauty/get-rid-of-wrinkles-naturally" target="_blank">Saga Magazine</a>. “But you will see an amazing difference - our exercises eliminate double chins, reduce puffiness and wrinkles, and improving skin texture. It also helps realign the upper body, key to reducing shoulder and neck tension.” In fact, even cosmetic surgeons are singing the praises of facial exercises. “When you exercise, you tone and tighten the muscles in your body,” said former president of the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, Dr Mark Berman. “So why not apply the same principles to your face? I've seen the results, and it works.” So, what exactly do you need to do? Here are Putkisto’s top face-firming exercises. <ul> <li>The “Centre Triangle Lift” – To stretch and strengthen your cheek muscles, put your fingertips on your cheekbones (about two cm from your temples) and use your fingers to “lift the muscles up and over the cheekbones”. Breath out, then stretch by slowly opening and closing your mouth. Repeat five to 10 times. “You may be surprised at how tight these muscles are and may even feel the stretch in your neck.”</li> <li>Minimise a wrinkly neck – Lift your chin and put both hands at the top of your throat. Lift your jaw (without putting your head back) and push your jaw forward to feel the stretch. “To see how tight your neck muscles are, try swallowing in this position,” Putkisto says. “This tightness hinders support of the upper part of the neck, allowing skin to sag.”</li> <li>Lose those extra chins – Weight loss is the best way to lose an extra chin or two, but there are some exercises that may help. Sit up straight, tilt your head back (so you’re looking at the ceiling), then bring your lower lip up and over your top lip as much as you can and count to five, slowly. “Relax and let your head come back to its normal position. Repeat five times. Do this exercise twice daily.”</li> <li>Hide bags under your eyes – Give those bags the heave-ho by placing your fingertips just under your eyebrows and gently lifting your eyelids. “Now press your upper lids down, holding your fingertips in place, and count to five. Then relax.” Repeat twice, then move your fingertips to the outer corners of your eyes and move your fingers upwards while moving your eyelids downward. Repeat three times.</li> <li>Banish frown lines – "Press both your index fingers on your forehead above your eyes,” says Potkisto. “Then push up against them with your eyebrows. Resist with your fingertips. Repeat this 8-10 times, rest, then repeat five times.”</li> </ul> How do you like to keep your skin looking and feeling youthful? Share your tips with us in the comments below. Source: <a href="http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/style-beauty/beauty/get-rid-of-wrinkles-naturally" target="_blank">Saga.co.uk</a>.

Beauty & Style

How to apply make-up over wrinkles

Make-up should always be enjoyable and never about hiding your natural beauty, but enhancing it. Wrinkles are a completely natural part of ageing that you shouldn’t feel the need to cover up. Samantha Sargent, natural health and beauty expert and lead distributor of AEOS skincare, explains where they come from (and why they shouldn’t bother you). “Because we smile, frown and laugh, our skin is subjected to thousands of involuntary microcontractions every day, which can lead to the formation of fine lines. These fine lines may become more visible and deepen wrinkles over time. Couple that with the natural decline of certain factors as we age, such as collagen production and CoQ10 to name just a couple.” However, we understand that if you are blessed with plentiful “wisdom lines”, it can be difficult to figure out a different approach for applying your make-up. “The upside, is that wrinkle formation can be delayed with adequate hydration from both the inside and out” Samantha explains. The key to applying make-up over your wrinkles then, is moisturiser! This, combined with a careful, patient application approach, can do wonders for the health and appearance of your skin. Jamiee-Leigh Curtis – Deluxe <a href="http://www.luxit.me" target="_blank">LUXit</a> Partner, make-up artist and hairdresser, has extensive experience working with all types of skin, including with mature ladies. “Mature skin requires a lighter hand and specific products that will assist in minimising the appearance of wrinkles, whilst also accommodating to the naturally more dry/normal skin type” Here, she outlines exactly how to go about applying your make-up in a way that will enhance your natural beauty, wrinkles included. <ol> <li>Start with a base that will smooth your complexion and gently fill into areas of more obvious texture – a primer with a silicone base is perfect. Look for products with a velvety or hydrating finish and avoid anything too matte – this can accentuate fine lines.</li> <li>Apply your favourite base make-up (foundation, concealer or tinted moisturizer) working from the centre of the face outwards. Try a cream compact if you prefer full coverage, or a liquid or gel foundation for a more sheer effect, and a damp sponge is the perfect way to press (not drag) the product onto the skin. </li> <li>If you love a matte finish, dust a translucent powder lightly only over the T-zone area (your nose and forehand), keeping your cheekbones free of product so they can reflect the light more and lift your face.</li> <li>You can strategically add a subtle highlighter on the high points of your face (under the brows, cheekbones and the bridge of the nose) but avoid anything too shimmery – go for a glow, rather than a glitter.</li> <li>When it comes to eyes, gently contouring the socket with a neutral warm tone will enhance your natural shape and create definition, and keep it simple with black mascara and curled lashes to open your eyes.</li> <li>Lips should always be well moisturised, and for a fuller appearance, use a shade similar to your natural lip colour with a cream or gloss finish.</li> </ol> Jamiee-Lee also advises that if you're new to makeup, or just need a re-fresher, it’s a good idea to get a professional to show you the ropes and demonstrate exactly how you can get your desired look. <a href="http://www.luxit.me" target="_blank">LUXit</a> make-up artists are mobile and you can make an appointment for someone to come to your home, any day of the week. Do you have any top make-up tips to share with the community? Let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/09/lesser-known-anti-ageing-beauty-products/">4 wondrous lesser-known anti-ageing beauty products</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/budget-beauty-buys/">5 budget beauty buys</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/anti-ageing-skin-treatments-for-every-budget/">4 anti-ageing skin treatments for every budget</a>

Beauty & Style

New “second skin” can help you hide wrinkles

Even if you try to love the skin you're in, chances are that you'd make a few tweaks if you could. But what if instead of plastic surgery or questionable cosmetic potions, you could slather on a second skin that eliminated some of those imperfections? Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard say that the material they've developed can seamlessly smooth the appearance of wrinkles and sagging under the eye. And the same "second skin" could have a wide range of medical applications. The material might sound familiar: Initially developed by skin and haircare company Living Proof, the so-called Strateris platform (now under development with a spin-off company called Olivo Labs) was briefly introduced to a small number of dermatology practices in 2014. At the time, it was marketed solely as an under-eye solution - and it's no longer available for sale. But a paper published on Monday in Nature Materials tests the limits of the unique skin coating, and the researchers involved say it could actually find its best use in patients with severe skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis, which can both cause extremely dry and itchy skin. That's because the system - which goes on the skin in two steps, each a simple application of a gel or cream - locks in moisture as well as the thickest, stickiest ointments can. And instead of washing off or becoming less effective as it smears away onto clothing and other surfaces, the second skin can stay on for at least 24 hours, or until users deliberately rub and peel it off. In tests of 25 users, just two had visible "edges" after 16 hours of wear. Study co-author Barbara A. Gilchrest, acting president of the American Skin Association, said that she hopes to see the material used to treat eczema and psoriasis, which can be debilitating in the elderly. These conditions largely come down to the skin's failure as a barrier between the body and the outside world, she explained, and artificially supporting that barrier with a new layer of "skin" could keep patients more comfortable. "The only thing we have to offer people at present is a heavy moisturiser, which does work temporarily... but it's not at all ideal," Gilchrest said. "This heavy layer of moisturiser looks and feels greasy. It gets all over your clothes and bedclothes. It's just really not very good." The new material acts more like skin than like a layer of ointment. It contains a chemical structure known as siloxane (a chain of alternating atoms of silicon and oxygen) that assembles itself into an interlocked network when exposed to another chemical compound. The siloxane slides on smooth, then hardens when the second layer is added. Still, it retains impressive elasticity: It can return to its original state after being stretched more than 250 per cent, while natural skin can only be elongated about 180 per cent. And the second skin returned to its smooth state much faster than saggy under-eye skin or "invisible" wound coverings currently available on the market. The researchers involved cycled through 100 siloxane-based polymers to find one with such desirable properties. The study reports no negative effects in the test subjects, and Gilchrest claims that the subjects used to test the wrinkle-fighting powers of the polymer absolutely loved it. In the future, the polymer could even contain medications that otherwise might not properly penetrate the skin. "Ointments have the same problem that greasy moisturisers have," Gilchrest explained. Patients often opt to get their topical medications in cream form - ones that slide on and absorb quickly like lotions - to avoid having sticky ointments on their skin. But these don't usually work as well. "Having something that would be practical and stay on and be acceptable to patients as a way of delivering more medication where it's needed could open up a whole area in which we could provide more effective, more practical, more pleasant treatments," she said. The researchers wouldn't comment on projected costs, and when it was offered in limited quantities in 2014 the second skin cost a hefty US$500 ($740) per month for a supply intended to hide under-eye wrinkles. One shudders to think at what it would cost to slather the stuff all over an itchy body, but a scale-up in production could presumably cut the cost. And if the technology makes its way into prescription pharmaceutical products, insurance companies may foot part of the bill for patients in need. Study author Amir Nashat, who received his PhD in chemical engineering under fellow study author Robert Langer of MIT and who has been involved with Living Proof since its early days, confirmed that Olivo will be focused on medical applications - and primarily skin conditions like eczema - for the time being. The lab expects to have clinical data within the next year. "We do know that there are beauty and cosmetic and wellness applications, and over time we'll explore and commercialise those as well," Nashat said. Gilchrest doesn't think the cosmetic applications are anything to wrinkle your nose at: The under-eye area produces some of the most visibly prominent signs of aging, and large bags make you seem tired and disinterested. Humans are superficial beasts. "The truth is that appearance matters to people, especially in this country," Gilchrest said, explaining that there isn't a particularly effective alternative to surgical intervention on the market. "There are a number of things on the market that work by hydrating the skin, but they have a largely transitive effect," she said. "People use these things religiously." Indeed, one recent survey projected that the global anti-aging market would be worth US$191.7 billion by 2019. But studies have found many of the lotions and potions to be woefully ineffective. The new second skin seems to provide a more notable, immediate effect - but whether it will ever be an affordable beauty aid is another matter entirely. For now, it can't be layered on or under make-up, which would likely turn off a large portion of its cosmetic customer base. If Olivo Labs moves the product back into the beauty world, material scientists may have to tweak the formula to make it suitable for use with make-up - or just create entirely new make-up products to go with it. Would you give something like this a go? Let us know in the comments below. Written by Rachel Feltman. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/problem-with-all-natural-skincare-products/">The problem with “all-natural” skincare products</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/home-remedies-for-chapped-lips/">4 home remedies for chapped lips</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/07/7-beauty-mistakes-we-are-all-guilty-of/">7 beauty mistakes we’re all guilty of</a>

Beauty & Style

Why is getting older treated as something we should fix?

A woman's looks are commented on all the time in different ways by both men and other women. And as you reach your 40s, you start to notice that a new slur has joined the ranks of unattractive, not-hot, too-tall, too-wide, too-something. Too old. "Oooh, she's aged." As if getting older is something we should sort out. As if it's a failure. Not the dreaded oldness! Not the ageing and passing of time. Why are you not doing something about that? According to the media headlines, age is something that can be conquered by a lucky few. She's 65 and looks 45! She's 40 and looks 30! He's a she and doesn't look 56! As women, we spend our teen years trying to look older so we can get into bottle stores, then, as early as our mid-to-late 20s, we're meant to work on looking younger or “age prevention”, as if it's something we can control. As if this ageing business is a choice. While men can go right ahead and turn into silver foxes, women must hide those silver hairs – to do otherwise is seen as a form of self-neglect. If we have wrinkles, we've failed to use the right creams. If we have laugh lines, we haven't invested enough in our plastic surgeon's holidays. If we have baggy necks, we haven't drunk enough antioxidant-rich, magnesium-infused calendula tea in a copper cup followed by quinton shots. I don't even know what quinton shots are but Elle tells me I should be having them instead of tequila. People who would never judge someone negatively for their race, gender or sexual orientation will judge the old and the middle-aged as inferior. What would they know about K-Pop. Or fashion. Or biodegradable cushions? I mean, middle-aged is half way to dead, right? A 45-year-old friend was giving a speech recently and before she went on stage she asked, "Do I look old?" She doesn't look like the 24-year-old version of herself any more, but to me, and all those who love her, she's beautiful. But she was wondering if she would walk out and appear interesting enough. Thank goodness for middle-aged wit, as she slammed it. Judging ageing is like blaming a plant for growing. You were once tall and blooming with a head full of flowers and now your bark's hardened, your stems are thicker and your leaves have turned golden. How outrageous. Yet the older trees are better for climbing than the bendy young ones. Plus, they provide more shade and are less buffeted by the weather. It's natural that things change – thank goodness or we'd all still be in nappies. And while we're probably heading towards nappies again, growing up should be an honour. A woman's age indicates her worth and the whole equation is inextricably linked to sex appeal. When women are fertile we're considered in the running, we are valid – not just for sex but for career advancement, attention from the media, for all of the fruits that society bestows. When our eggs are on the blink we are not considered to be worth so much. Except to the multibillion-dollar beauty industry. MassMutual Financial Group, which sounds like an exciting place to work, has identified “Boomer Women”, those over 50, as wielding more spending clout than any other group. They have a net worth of US$19 trillion (NZ$27.5 trillion). Forget Millennials, the advertising drones are honing in on “Boomer Women”, especially in the beauty industry. It's all too easy to foster discontent by showing women what they're not and how they could be youthful again if only they bought this $900 face grater. If we believe it's a crime to age, then we'll continue to think dieting, plastic surgery and chemical face peels are a fun time. A seven-year-old in the family asked me recently why I had those curly bits on my brow. She was not referring to my hirsute eyebrows, but the lines above. "Those are wrinkles," darling. "When do you get them?" she asked, arching her smooth brow trying to get some herself. "30?" "Yes", I said. "40?" Yes, some more then too. "50?" Yep. "60?" and so we went right up to 100. I told her to think of her nana, has a face full of wisdom. "What does wisdom mean?" she asked. That means knowing some stuff, I told her. "That sounds good," she said. Maybe we have some wisdom because we've seen a lot. We remember what it was like to be young, and sometimes it sucked. We couldn't wait to be older. To be treated differently, and respected. To not worry so much. To be taken seriously. To not have to work so hard at trying to be attractive and find somebody to mate with, because that was a confusing time. Maybe, if we shared that wisdom instead of hiding in our ageing shells, the generation coming up behind us will feel less anxious about getting older. And won't feel the need to start Botox at 21 – because that's happening. Maybe, instead of worrying about the dreaded ageing, or being 60 and, horror of horrors, looking 65, we accept that while we have no choice over ageing, it's our choice to accept it. And even better, to respect it. How do you embrace your age? Let us know in the comments below. Written by Angela Barnett, first appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/8-foods-that-will-help-you-live-longer/">8 foods that will help you live longer</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/05/granny-models-by-eli-driu-for-never-alone-association/">Grannies become models to prove beauty has no limits</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/03/celebrities-who-get-better-with-age/">7 celebrities prove you just get better with age</a>

Beauty & Style

How to remove wrinkles from your clothes without an iron

We’ve all been caught short in a situation where you need ironed clothes, but you haven’t got access to an iron. But fear not, there are ways to spruce up your outfit so that nobody will know you didn’t get a chance to iron it. Place the item in a dryer with a damp sock The steam from the damp sock (you could also use an ice cube) will help get rid of the wrinkles. In about 15 minutes on medium your clothes should be smooth and crease free. Hang them up or wear them straight away. Hang the clothes near a hot shower Put your clothes on a coathanger and hang as close to the hot running water as possible. You want them close enough to get steamy but not close enough to get wet. Shut doors and windows, and use a towel to seal under the door. It will take around 15 minutes so it’s best to use this method while you are taking a shower. Use a wrinkle-removing spray Available at supermarkets and chemists, just spray it onto clothes that have been slightly dampened first. Gently pull the fabric down to encourage smoothness. This is ideal for cotton clothing, rather than silk. If you can’t find the spray or run out of time you can make your own with a spray bottle of water and a tablespoon of vinegar of fabric softener. Hang it up to dry, ideally outside to ensure the smell of vinegar doesn’t linger. Use your hairdryer or straighteners Use a water spray bottle to dampen the clothing slightly, then dry on a low setting with a hair dryer, ideally with a focusing tip attached. You can also use straightening irons but be sure they have been cleaned before heating to remove hair product residue. Have you got any other tips that could work when there is no iron available? Please share with us in the comments. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/best-way-to-fold-fitted-sheet-video/">Best way to fold fitted sheet</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/the-secret-to-keeping-your-whites-white/">The secret to keeping your whites white</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/8-top-laundry-tricks/">8 tricks that will change the way you do laundry forever</a>

Home & Garden

Clever trick to get wrinkles out of clothes

Fact: Nobody has ever said, “I love ironing!” (Ok, it’s not a verifiable fact, but ironing must be up there in the most disliked chores list.) If you’re like us and hate bringing out the ironing board, then you’ll love this surprisingly simple trick to de-wrinkle your clothes. All you need is your dryer and a couple of ice cubes. Watch the video above for a demonstration of the tip in action! Video source: American Express Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/clever-ways-to-use-salt-at-home/">12 clever ways to use salt around the house</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/stains-never-to-clean-with-water/">4 stains you shouldn’t use water to clean</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/household-tricks-from-the-1900s-2/">More great vintage household tricks from the 1900s</a>

Home & Garden

5 surprising habits that cause wrinkles

If you’re waging a constant war against wrinkles, it pays to take a look at some of your habits. Research has found that certain behaviours can cause skin to age more rapidly. Try minimising or eradicating these habits for complexion perfection. Cleansing TOO much – While sometimes nothing can beat that feeling of a freshly washed face, did you know that there is such a thing as over-cleansing your skin? Too much cleaning - and not adding enough moisture back - can lead to dry, sensitive that will ultimately end in a lacklustre appearance where lines are more obvious. Never wash your face more than two time per day and be sure to opt for a gently cleanser - especially if you notice that your skin is on the sensitive side. Be lazy – While you might think that constantly relaxing on the couch or reading a book in the garden is good for your skin, think again. In actual fact staying idle and not moving (ie with at least some light exercise) can impact your skin as well as your body. Skipping your veg – Studies have shown that if you don't get enough, fish and healthy fats in your diet it could be affecting your skin. Be sure you include veggies as well as fresh seafood and legumes for optimal skin benefits. Repetitive actions like squinting – Squinting - and even sipping (from a straw) - over and over again can lead to deep wrinkles! To avoide wrinkles from these habits, why not skip the straw and remeber to always wear sunnies. Touching your skin too much or with too much pressure – The skin around your eyes especially is very delicate and fragile, making it susceptible to wrinkles. Rubbing briskly at your eyes, swiping enthusiastically with makeup remove and tugging to insert and remove contacts can all cause irreversible damage. Work on being as gentle as possible and only using products that can be removed easily.

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