At Home with Dr Christian Jessen - 259

| BEAUTY SECRETS|

EX C ES S FACI AL HAI R

At least 25% of
Age
ay middle-aged
giveaw

VARI COSE VEI N S

These frequently
Age
ay develop after
giveaw

women have
unwanted
facial hair but most are
reluctant to discuss it, or
even admit they have this
problem, despite it being
very common. It is usually
down to hormonal changes,
which can lead to increased
hair on the upper lip, chin and
sides of the face. These unwanted hairs can be quite
dark and coarse too, which makes them more noticeable.
There are many ways of removing excess hair, though
- from the short-term solution to more drastic long-term
measures - so don't despair just yet.

the age of
40 and
worsen as people age.
Bluish, lumpy, swollen
veins, they are typically
found on the legs and
are generally caused by
damage to the valves in the
veins. This prevents blood
from travelling up the veins
easily, causing it to pool. While they can just occur
as part of the ageing process, being overweight and
standing for long periods of time can worsen the
problem - and it tends to run in families.

HOW TO TREAT IT

Simple measures, such as avoiding prolonged
standing, exercising regularly and keeping legs elevated
while sitting can help. Losing weight also has an impact
and many people ﬁnd wearing compression stockings
can ease swelling - particularly if you ﬂy frequently.
Laser removal involves the heating of the vein from
within by inserting a ﬁne tube into the veins and using
laser beams to shrink them. The treatment is usually
performed under local anaesthetic, so is relatively pain
free. Patients can normally return to work the next day,
and there is usually no scarring. However, you may
need to wear stockings for up to two weeks afterwards.

Depilatory creams dissolve hair at the follicle thanks
to their high alkaline content. They are best used on the
body and results only last two to three weeks.
Waxing is good for removing hair on the upper lip
and sides of the face but not for chin hair. It can irritate
the skin and leave red, raised bumps. Treatment needs
repeating every two to six weeks.
Laser hair removal causes selective destruction of hair
follicles and can achieve long-term hair reduction after
several treatment sessions. It must be performed by an
experienced doctor, nurse or licensed aesthetician.

W R IN KLY HANDS

WORDS: MARION FIDLER | PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES

Constantly on show
Age
ay and rarely
giveaw

protected
- hands
are often the biggest
giveaway of your age. Not
only are they permanently
exposed to the elements,
they're continually immersed
in hot water and detergents.
Most women would never
dream of treating their faces the
way they do their hands, yet the skin is just as delicate,
meaning they develop wrinkles, age spots and raised veins
well before the face. Modern treatments mean that the
thinning of skin, prominent veins and sun damage can
now all be reversed or at least made to look less noticeable.
HOW TO TREAT THEM

Hyaluronic acid in the dermis (which keeps the skin
hydrated and looking fresh) begins to deplete with age,
leaving the skin parched and rough in texture. But
products that contain hyaluronic acid itself, or vitamin
A derivatives can help to plump up thinning skin.
Glycolic acid peels remove layers of damaged skin on
hands, meaning that fresh new skin underneath is revealed.
Restylane injections, which increase skin's thickness
and stimulate natural collagen production, leave hands
smoother and plumper for about six months. A course
usually involves a series of injections and are painless.

HOW TO TREAT THEM

DI SCOL OURED T E E T H

With age, the hard
Age
ay enamel that
giveaw

coats teeth
begins to
thin, revealing more and
more of the yellow-grey
colour underneath. To make
things worse, excessive coffee
drinking along with cigarette
smoking can lead to staining
of the front teeth.
However, recent developments in
both cosmetic dentistry and at-home treatments mean
it's now possible to get a brighter, whiter smile - taking
years off your appearance - without too much hassle.
HOW TO TREAT THEM

You can do-it-yourself - at home whitening products
are usually diluted versions of those used by cosmetic
dentists. Unfortunately, this means their effect is
reduced, and only whiten teeth by a few shades.
Professional bleaching is far more effective. A rubber
shield is put on the gums for protection. Then your
dentist applies the whitening solution. The ingredient is
usually hydrogen peroxide, which makes tooth enamel
lighter. Successful treatment usually takes three weeks.
Laser whitening provides a more instant result.
A rubber dam is used to protect the gums, and a
bleaching product is painted on the teeth. A laser is
then shone on the teeth to activate the bleach. >
www.athomemagazine.co.uk MARCH 2015 | 259
http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk
At Home with Dr Christian Jessen

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