Can a face cream create the same effects as an injectable filler? There are a host of ‘plumping’ and ‘filling’ lotions and potions on the market (see our Anti-Ageing Reviews), all with big claims, and although many will certainly make the skin feel fresher and plumper, the results can never compare to the real thing.
However, as new developments emerge on a daily basis, products are getting more and more sophisticated, and it probably won’t be long before they start having a real impact. Contenders include:
. Restylane Skincare A skincare product from the facial filler experts has got to deliver something worthwhile. The products have been developed using a unique form of stabilised hyaluronic acid which can be delivered straight into the cells to hydrate and plump the skin. (0800 015 5548)
. QMS Medicosmetics Formulated by Dr. Erich Schulte, an aesthetic surgeon and lecturer on skin aging and skin regeneration, this skin range is based on collagen enhancing technology. He has developed a unique method to condition natural soluble collagens so that when applied to the skin, they can penetrate into the epidermis and regenerate the cells.
Beauty from the inside
Research has shown that women spend over £30 million a year on beauty pills and supplements and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. But can a pill really replace the benefits of a facial filler? According to Johnnie Pattullo, co-founder of Health Spectrum Europe, the answer is a resounding yes.
According to Pattullo, supplements can feed the body with collagen-building amino acids, boosting the collagen from the inside out. However, he is more than aware of scepticism over the efficacy of ‘anti-ageing’ supplements. “There has been a lot of negative press about supplements not staying in the body and being a complete waste of money, which is true if you are not taking them properly”, he explains.
Most of us take a pill or supplement with a glass of fruit juice or water, but this is where we are literally washing our money down the drain. The acidity in fruit juice such as orange or grapefruit kills the active ingredients, and water is even worse as it dilutes and dissolves them so that they pass straight through the body. Pattullo recommends taking them with a non-acidic juice such as cranberry, mango or papaya.
So now that we know how to take them, are they really going to work? “All our products are completely natural and because of this, they take time to work”, says Pattullo. “For the first two to three months you probably won’t notice anything yourself, but you’ll start getting comments about how fresh and healthy you look. However, between four and six months you really start to see the difference yourself”.
Pattullo recommends Health Spectrum L-Carnosine, £61.95 for 90 capsules which contains amino acids to repair and rejuvenate collagen. Others include Higher Nature High Strength Collagen, £29.85 for 180 tablets or Bio Synergy Collagen Multi Vitamin, £14.99 for 90 capsules (Tesco).
