Category Archives: Beauty & Grooming

Spa Technologies UK Flower Peel Review

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Spa Technologies UK Flower Peel ReviewWe reviewed Spa Technologies UK new Flower Peel. This is a gentle peel that really does the job. It made skin brighter within days and glowing when used longer term. This great peel has a lasting effect on skin. The ingredients are natural and even sensitive skin can use this peel. This flower peel is impressive: a great product that genuinely improves skin and combats fine lines. Frost loves. 

Spa Technologies UK are delighted to announce the launch of their exciting new Flower Peel to their growing, all natural, seaweed based skincare range.

Anne Gray found of Spa Technologies UK says,

“There is nothing out there like the Flower Peel, the texture, the ingredients and the results are stunning. Our unique Flower Peel works on all skin types for anti-ageing, acne and sensitive skins.

The main active ingredients of the Flower Peel are:

Hibiscus Flower Acids, Green Tea, Laminaria Algae, Hyaluronic Acid, Flower (Pyruvic) Acid and Seaweed Based Gel. 

“These actives help to thicken and strengthen the skin around the eye so help to diminish crows feet. Fine lines boost collagen to firm our skin and also help with uneven skin tone and improve acne scarring. Our Flower Peel is rich in essential fatty acids for skin repair.”

Their clinical studies shows that the Flower Peel is:

  • 9% more hydrating than lactic acid and non-irritating
  • 20% greater cell renewal compared to other AHA’s (Alpha-Hydroxy Peels)
  • 30% greater anti-wrinkle activity compared with AHA’s

There is a gentle exfoliation without the irritation that is normally associated with alpha-hydroxy peels. 

Like other Spa Technologies UK products the Flower Peel nourishes and feeds the skin – doing more than just a quick fix.

“Using the Flower Peel daily you will see within days healthier, brighter looking skin with great improvement on lines around the eyes.”

Alpha hydroxyl acids have dominated the skin care market now for the past two to three decades introducing ever more powerful acid complexes to exfoliate skin.

The promise was to stimulate new cell growth leaving a smoother more youthful skin. Many skin care companies embraced AHA’s and retinols in the fight against wrinkles and aging skin.

However in the rush to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, companies added greater concentration of AHA’s to their formulas ranging from 5 and 10% in the beginning to 70% and more with the promise that more is better.

The problem with this approach is evident to us: Over exfoliation leads to over-processed skin; and this can lead to irreversible skin damage.

Now out of South Africa comes a new generation of AHA’s extracted from the Hibiscus Flower. These ‘flower acids’ are more than acids.

They are a highly complex pure extract of the hibiscus flower comprising a wide variety of acids as well as powerful antioxidants.

The result is a multi-functional ingredients that gently promotes exfoliation while nourishing the skin with protective antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties to strengthen the skin’s support matrix and firm the skin.

Spa Technologies UK recognised the need for a less invasive approach to skin regeneration by creating a strong flower acid peel within a seaweed polysaccharide delivery system.

The result is a peel without the burn with the objective of skin firming.

Here is a breakdown of the unique phyto-chemistry of Flower Acids.

  • Bio-Complex of alpha hydroxyl acids—Phytic, Pyruvic, Mandelic and Azaleic which provide a gentle exfoliation while stimulating collagen synthesis
  • Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. Tee et al. 2002 assessed the antioxidant properties of Hibiscus by comparing its activity with those of BHA and b-carotene
  • Anthocyanins (deep purple pigment in the flower) are a major component of hibiscus that reduce oxidative stress on DNA and act as a sunscreen in absorbing UV rays (Duhn et al, 1997)

Compared to conventional AHA’s, flower acids from hibiscus are:

  • 50% more hydrating
  • 20% greater cellular turnover than AHA’s and salicylic acid
  • 30% reduction in appearance of wrinkles by inhibiting elastase and hyaluronidase breakdown of connective tissue
  • Anti-Inflammatory properties exhibiting an absence of the ‘burn’ (Levy and Goldschmidt 1979)

Ironically this has been somewhat problematic in convincing clients of its efficacy.

The lack of a burning sensation leads some to assume that the product is ‘not working’ as it should.

This is a misconception.

The pyruvic acid being a second generation acid exhibits greater keratolytic properties similar to the properties found in salicylic acid.

This acid dissolves proteins responsible for cell adhesion due to its higher keratolytic effects more effectively than lactic acid.

Moreover, as these acids are formulated into a seaweed polysaccharide base extracted from Laminaria and Fucus algae, the non-irritating benefits are enhanced.

The Flower Acids of Spa Technologies UK augmented by the marine algae polysaccharides have numerous applications in the treatment of blemishes and helps relieve the symptoms of rosacea, eczema and psoriasis to calm inflammation and restore stronger, more youthful looking skin.

The Spa Technologies range contains no animal products. 

www.veganbeautyskincare.co.uk/product/flower-peel-30ml

£25 for 30ml.

 

 

Plantar Fasciitis by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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With all those modern-day labour-saving devices, can we put our feet up and enjoy life? No, we are told to shed our sedentary life-style and get fit. But at what cost?

Having spent many Sunday afternoons, patching up sports injuries in A&E departments, the price often seems high.

Besides acute injuries acquired on rugby pitches or tennis courts, our new-found fitness enthusiasm can have more insidious effects, particularly if we dash out, after sitting at a computer for eight hours, to pound the tarmac in our new go-faster runners. We often forget to allow our bodies to gradually adjust and strengthen, pushing ourselves to train too fast and for too long.

This can all take its toll on our fascia. Which is …?

Fascia is an unsung hero. Much of our body is held together by fascia—fibrous sheets and cords under skin, around muscles and organs, forming a framework and providing structure.

Normally it has a smooth surface, allowing muscles to glide over each other. However if strained, it becomes sticky, lumpy and tight. That’s when we start to notice it.

The plantar fascia lies underneath our soles, connecting our heel bone to our toes, and supporting our foot arch. Plantar Fasciitis by Dr Kathleen Thompson3

We usually neglect our poor feet, which carry our weight and absorb intense and rapidly changing forces during many sports.  The plantar fascia struggles to support and maintain foot shape during these activities, but if it is strained, it develops small tears and becomes inflamed.

The first sign is pain under our heel, which, counter-intuitively, is usually worse on getting out of bed, and paradoxically improves when warmed up by exercise. However don’t be fooled. You need to rest your foot to recover. If you don’t you could have chronic problems.

It is most frequent in women, aged 40-60 years, and is induced by long-distance running, walking or dancing,
 obesity and occupations involving standing or walking.

Importantly, the root cause may be elsewhere in the leg, the plantar fasciitis being a manifestation of poor biomechanics and abnormal walking/running movement.

Besides resting, anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen help. Most people recommend stretching the plantar fascia, and, importantly, also the Achilles tendon and the calf, as tightness in these may aggravate the plantar fascia. Night splints can maintain stretching whilst you sleep. Others advise against stretching the fascia itself whilst it is inflamed.

Ice massage is useful, for example, rolling your foot on a frozen orange.  The massage is quite painful, and the ice has a numbing effect. Personally, I recommend buying a quarter bottle of Prosecco. Drink the contents, half-fill with water and freeze, then roll your sole on the frozen bottle (the Prosecco takes your mind off the pain).

Shoe arch supports ease the fascia, or your therapist may use strapping.

The fasciitis will eventually settle, but may take up to two years. Steroid injections, give temporary relief but weaken the fascia in the long-term.

So what inspired me to write about this? Let’s just say, I’m rolling my foot on a frozen Prosecco bottle as I write.

Further Information and References:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/basics/definition/con-20025664

http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/plantar-fasciitis

http://www.kttape.com/instructions/plantar-fasciitis/

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

 

Women ‘Three Times More Likely to die of Heart Disease than Breast Cancer’

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fitness-get healthyCardiovascular disease kills as many women in the UK as it does men, accounting for a combined total of 155,000 deaths each year or one death every three minutes.

More than 30,000 women die from coronary heart disease in the UK every year with over 700,000 women living with the consequences of heart disease and stroke, according to research published by The British Heart Foundation ahead of World Heart Day on 29th September.

World Heart Day is organised by the World Heart Federation and aims to raise awareness of heart disease through education, advocacy and research. The aim of World Heart Day is to create healthy heart environments and encourage individuals to make healthy heart choices wherever they live, work and play.

This year, World Heart Day will be focusing on women’s heart health, as despite the shocking statistics above, The British Heart Foundation claim that women often wait longer then men before calling 999 after experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. Often, this is due to women being less likely to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack or being reluctant to cause a fuss. As Dr Cliff Bucknall, Consultant Cardiologist at London Bridge Hospital, notes,

“Many women believe that heart disease is a condition that only affects men. This is simply not true and as a result, women are less likely to be aware of the associated risks, particularly, around heart disease and contraception.” 

Dr Bucknall states that for most women taking oral contraception, or Evorel HRT patches, there is a very low risk of experiencing a heart attack. However, this does rise with age as the risk of having a heart attack rises significantly following the menopause. Dr Bucknall comments:

“There are different types of hormonal contraception which can have different effects on the formation of blood clots and potential heart attacks. Consequently, it is extremely important to discuss with your healthcare provider the birth control options that carry the least risk for you.”

Also, Dr Bucknall dispels the myth that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medication protects women against heart disease. He states,

“HRT will help to relieve menopausal hot flushes and night sweats but don’t expect it to help your heart. Recent research now suggests that HRT isn’t heart protective and, as with all drug treatments there are potential side effects.” 

For women who are worried about their heart health, Dr Bucknall shares the following advice:

“There are a number of simple self-help actions that women can take to reduce their risk of heart disease. These include, giving up smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and undertaking more physical activity.”

 

 

Hyalual® … Could This Be The Breakthrough In Anti-aging Therapy?

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Skincare is my thing.

Forever on the lookout for the best beauty products, they must be effective, easy to use, smell good, give me a glowing complexion and an English Rose peachiness. It’s not too much to ask…

But it’s a skincare minefield out there. Which brand do you choose?

Spoilt for choice, it’s a wonder we ever manage to buy any at all!

I’ve been desperate to try the flagship skincare range from HyaLual® since rumours of its existence began to circulate, and during my recent trip to London Fashion Week, have been extravagantly spritzing myself with the products courtesy of my lovely friend, celebrity hairdresser, Steven Smith, an ambassador of the products.

It became apparent that the consistency of the products had a soothing, healing and moisturising effect on my skin with an uplifting quality that improved my mood, making it a welcome addition to the weekend’s beauty routine.

Since our lives are more hectic than ever and time is increasingly precious, urban life stresses our skin – the delicate barrier, and if you want to influence its internal structure and improve the outward appearance, you have to nourish it.

 I fell in love with the pinnacle of the HyaLual® brand, the Daily DeLux…

3486_Daily_Delux

Most of us tend to be guilty of taking the easy option when it comes to looking after our skin – we want a one-stop product that works for the day and night.  By day, our skin is bombarded by the environment, attacked by sunlight, pollution and central heating, so we need a product that will protect and hydrate it, providing a barrier that will lock in moisture – but night-time is when our complexion gets to work repairing itself, we need a product that will give our skin the best chance to restore itself.

13787331291375959465Aqualual

Institute HyaLual® Switzerland

is an Institute, operating in the field of

  • anti-age therapy
  • skin rejuvenation
  • correction
  • skin renovation

HyaLual®’s pioneering research into the importance to maintaining moisture levels in the skin was pivotal in the development of their Natural Melt Water.

Aqualual® – is a unique cosmetic spray based on the

combination of melt water and hyaluronic acid.

  • Melt water has a biocompatible structure close to

cellular liquids and is able to hydrate

epidermis cells immediately.

  • Hyaluronic acid helps to keep natural moisture

into the skin cells.

 

Hyalual+WOW+Mask

WOW Mask – is the professional aqua gel mask for immediate visible results of skin restoration. It is based  on an innovative technology and components to ensure that you feel and look younger after the very first use.

Benefits:

– Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

– Delivers 200% more hydration to the skin (vs other collagen-based moisturizing treatments)

– Helps your skin to feel smooth

– Improves the feeling of skin elasticity

WOW Mask contains Argireline, RMCP-complex, collagen matrix enriched with peptides, vegetable cell extracts.

hyalual-safe-sun-protection-face-and-body-spray-spf-15-100ml

HyaLual® Safe Sun Protection Face and Body Spray SPF 15 is an easy-applyable spray sunscreen.

This light to the touch spray should be used on exposed, facial/décolleté, body areas.

Benefits:

  • Protects your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays with an SPF15 protection.
  • Suitable for all skin types.
  • For use on both the face and body.

Directions:

  • Apply in the morning to complete your anti-ageing skincare regime or as directed by your aesthetic professional.
  • Spray and then gently massage until absorbed ensuring complete coverage of the exposed, non-facial/décolleté, body areas.
  • Water resistant reapply every 2-3 hours during periods of high sun exposure.

 

HyaLual® elevates premium skincare to a whole new level, redefining the luxury skincare market.

With luxurious formulas working together to give your skin a chance of a new beginning… things are set to change.

 

Institute Hyalual UK  –  1 Harley Sreet London W1G 9QD – United Kingdom office: +44 0203 651 1227 – e-mail: info@hyalual.co.uk

www.hyalual.co.uk/en

Corinne Beauty Gossipwww.corinne-modelling.co.uk

@ladycdtt

corinne@frostmagazine.com

 

 

Organii : Organic Shea Butter Shower Gel | Beauty

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organiishowergelWe reviewed Organii : Organic Shea Butter Shower Gel. Organii is not very well known but is an organic brand created by Pravera. The packaging is super cute, fun and stylish. Although it looked a bit like a smoothy and it made me want to drink it. At £5.95 for 300ml it is an affordable price point for something which is organic. It lathers well and becomes a slightly creamy foam. The shower gel comes in six scents, Aloe Vera and Bamboo, Argan, Liquorice, Peach, Shea Butter and Strawberry. We reviewed the Shea butter one.

The gel has a lovely scent and cleanses skin well. It doesn’t dry out the skin or irritate. As well as being organic, the gel is also vegan.

Have you tried the Organii range?

 

Do Medicines Cost Too Much? By Dr Kathleen Thompson

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The UK Cancer Drug Fund, which funds non-NHS cancer treatments, has removed twenty-five drugs off its list recently, to combat a £100 million (and rising) overspend. This highlights a recurring dilemma of modern healthcare.

Medical science is advancing with cosmic speed. Patients with desperate diseases have new hope. Genetic advances allow personalised medicine for enhanced individual benefit.

However, drug costs are becoming frighteningly high, and, as people live longer, health budgets rise further. To be cynical, it was cheaper when people simply didn’t survive.

In response, many governments have attempted to force medicine prices down. Politically a quick win. But what are the consequences?

Let’s examine the drug development process. 

picture2drugarticle180915

First a drug target is chosen – often a protein molecule (receptor) on the surface of some of our cells.

Thousands of chemicals are then screened. If they bind to this receptor, they could influence how that cell works, and hence affect disease activity.

Chemicals which do bind are further narrowed down to those with additional potential drug properties—those likely to be well-absorbed, lack toxicity, and remain in the body long enough to work.

A lead candidate is chosen, and then modified further, optimising its chances of success.

Next, as required by government regulations, it is tested in animals and in the test-tube, for potential safety, effectiveness, and suitable dose.

Finally, clinical trials can begin. Often in healthy volunteers first, then small numbers of patients and finally in many patients. Thousands of people are usually tested before a drug can be marketed, and the size and duration of clinical trials has increased, as regulatory requirements have increased1.

Consequently, the typical cost of a new drug development is US$350 million according to a recent study by Forbes2.

But it’s worse than that—the development path is littered with booby-traps and precipices. Fledgling drugs frequently fail, and the Tufts Centre study found that, even those medicines which make it as far as clinical trials, have only  approximately a 12% chance of eventually reaching the market3.

Thus, including the costs of failed developments, the actual cost for each successful drug is nearer US$2.6 billion3, and for many smaller companies, if the roulette wheel isn’t kind, the cost is failure and liquidation.

Pharmaceutical companies are not angels, nor are they demons. To survive, they must make enough profit from their marketed drugs to fund their development pipeline, in addition to returning some profit to shareholders. Long drug-development times, mean they may only have a few years of patent-protection left to achieve this. If governments force prices down, companies sometimes react by reducing development risk – choosing drugs more likely to succeed in preference to innovative but riskier developments for difficult diseases.

A typical drug development takes around ten years – so we won’t see this effect immediately, and when we do, it will be too late – it could take another ten years to correct.

So there’s the problem – health bills cannot continue rising exponentially, but forcing drug prices down has serious consequences too. What to do?

Further Information and References:

1. http://www.phrma.org/sites/default/files/pdf/rd_brochure_022307.pdf

2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2013/08/11/how-the-staggering-cost-of-inventing-new-drugs-is-shaping-the-future-of-medicine/

3. http://csdd.tufts.edu/files/uploads/Tufts_CSDD_briefing_on_RD_cost_study_-_Nov_18,_2014..pdf

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

ASDA Protect Kids Ice-Cream Scented Sun-Care For Kids Review

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AsdaprotectkidsreviewAsda has launched a UK 1st for the sun-care market with its own brand ice-cream scented sun lotion for kids. In an effort to help make applying children with suncream fun and easy, the lotions and creams feature a delicious vanilla scent and are priced a just £3.50. All products featured in the range are highly water resistant, 24 hour moisturising and have been dematologicaly tested. You can also get two for £6.
We tested them and…yes, they do smell like ice cream. Not in a sickly way, but in a nice way. Hopefully the smell will make your little ones stay still long enough for you to get the lotion on them. Some of the sun protection even comes in a handy spray container. They are water resistant and protect little ones skin well. Recommended.

SmartSun Wristband Review | Parenting

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sunprotectionforkidsWe reviewed the SmartSun Wristband. An ingenious way of keeping safe in the sun for children and adults. They are very easy to use and they work well. The bands are single use and come in a pack of 5. These bands can be used by all ages to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Especially useful given the rising skin cancer figures.

 

Fresh air and warm weather are healthy for children and, and small doses of Vitamin D from the sun’s rays are good for baby’s skin. Children have delicate and sensitive skin however, so it is important to make sure their SPF is topped up at all times when outside in the sun.

spfprotectionforkidswristband wristbandsspf

It is easy to forget about reapplying sun cream when you are out having fun, but the SmartSun wristband provides an easy to read indicator of how much UV radiation they have been exposed too. It works by measuring the amount of UV radiation, and lets you know when to reapply sun cream and when they have had too much sun.

 

With two colour changes – one to tell you when your children’s sun cream needs reapplying, and one to tell you when to avoid the sun, you can enjoy the time spent outside by using the Smartsun wristband to accurately time the next sun cream application. The band is discreet and comfortable to wear for either adults or children and can be used in and out of both pool and sea water.

sunscreen

Available from www.smartsunuk.co.uk priced at £4.99 for a pack of 5.