Anti-ageing is a term given to a concept that will allow someone to look younger than they actually are. It could be viewed as a way to take back the effects of time on the human body’s appearance. Such as eliminating wrinkles to give a smoother and more youthful skin.
What anti-aging treatments are available on the market?
The various treatments that are available on the market are ever increasingly popular topics of discussion in today’s modern world and in particular the Western world. With constant advertising and popular culture figure endorsement of certain products, the market is driven by people’s demand and therefore caters to it accordingly; through the researching and release of new and more effective ways to help people look and feel younger.
Has celebrity culture had an influence on our aging concerns?
The reason and root cause for this could be discussed extensively and could perhaps be simply summed up and said to have a huge influence from our celebrity-induced culture created by popular media outlets. However, if you look back through history, even since tribal ages, human beings and more specifically women have warn makeup and used various methods to make themselves look and feel different. E.g. hunters using masks and ‘war paint’ to camouflage themselves from their target and bring a group confidence; perhaps even losing their humanness behind their mask as once artistically portrayed in William Golding’s Lord of The Flies.
Anti-aging products in the market
There are numerous products always being released into the market that usually fall into several different categories such as surgically based, chemical/drug based and holistic and natural treatments. Depending on the part someone wants to alter will determine which kind of treatments would be most suitable and most effective for their particular need or want.
Starting with wrinkles, there are numerous ways of combating the effects of age – creams, serums, moisturisers, injection of toxic chemicals (
Botox injections) – all with different means of achieving similar and often citing having something different from the other one.
They all, except
Botox work by helping to keep the skin moisturised and some even have a ‘tightening’ effect to firm up your face. Some of these products can even aid
skinrejuvenation. Taking the popular ‘cream of the crop’ manufacturer of facial products Estée Lauder as an example, with one of their most famous products Crème de la Mer.
Accidentally invented by the ex-NASA physicist Dr. Max Huber following an explosion of various chemicals in his laboratory that caused facial burns. After trying various treatments with no success leading to twelve years of personal research in developing something that would rejuvenate his skin, he came up with what is now branded ‘Crème de la Mer’. This happens to be one of the most expensive treatments available when thinking of ways to
reducewrinkles, ranging from (depending on the size of the container), 30ml to 500ml and priced at around £50-80 up to over £500!
What other products are there?
Of course there are countless other products on the market for reducing the signs of aging in skin, and most with a probably more down-to-Earth price for the majority of them. Nivea have a more economically sound collection, with prices from around £5-8.
Many franchises such as
Superdrug and
Boots also do their own cheaper alternatives, which are still known to be effective. Unlike the NASA-developed super creams available from Estée Lauder, these are mainly moisturiser-based products
Many anti-ageing and wrinkle creams are starting to include natural remedies in the ingredients, such as Ginseng, Ashwagandha and Aloe Vera; the latter being known to soothe and cool skin whilst helping skin to maintain moisture and breathe. This is probably due to the fact that it contains both vitamins E and C (anti-oxidants – known to keep the body’s cells healthy).
Aside from synthetic products such as creams and moisturisers, there is also an expanding market in the form of holistic therapies which aim to do exactly the same thing - make skin appear more youthful.
With acupuncture facelifts being an alternative to surgery such as Botox and working by increasing blood flow, lymph circulation, relaxing facial muscles and promoting collagen growth through stimulating cells (which is known to firm up skin). They’re usually advertised at relatively affordable prices compared to
Botox surgery. Therefore it is not surprising that many people are now trying alternatives to surgery and synthesised products.
Although it could be said that simple things are just as effective for reducing the signs of ageing and keeping the body fit and healthy if not more so than products that are bought. Staying moisturised and hydrated if you regularly stay or work in the sun.
Exercise can increase blood flow around the body giving a healthy glow to skin. Drinking lots of water and remaining hydrated is probably a good start considering we consist of predominately water.
Will a healthy diet help with anti-aging?
A healthy diet is probably the key to helping the body remain satisfied and healthy; many types of fish contain essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 (tuna, herring, mackerel and sardines).
Vitamin A is commonly known to be good for healthy skin too, and is contained in mostly ‘bright’ vegetables such as carrots, mangos as well as spinach and sweet potatoes. Zinc is another element which is great for keeping the body in a healthy state, and is found in oysters, beef, lamb, roasted pumpkin, squash seeds and peanuts.
In conclusion, if you keep a healthy diet, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, find a moisturising product that suits you, take some regular exercise (even if it’s a walk), get plenty of fresh air and try to remain happy in life – your skin will probably reflect your lifestyle and the healthy you!
