At the mere age of 26 and 2/3 I';m aware I'm not the average Botox-seeker. However I have started to notice fine lines creeping across my forehead, in the same way dew decorates a window pane- subtle, but still there. Many people opt to use Botox as a preventive method, as well as using it for line removal, so I headed down to the Courthouse Clinic for a in depth consultation with Dr Andre von Backstrom.
I was concerned the the quality of my skin would make me an unsuitable candidate, but he assured me that most medications make no difference to the treatment. 'We're using a neuro muscular blocker beneath the surface of the skin', he told me, which would be unaffected by medications for acne- even the super-strong Roaccutanne.
When Neal's Yard 'rejeuvenated' its Frankincense range a couple of years ago, we loved the lighter, more everyday wearable hydrating cream that is now available to fans of the original, cult status formula. So I was keen to another newcomer to the range: its Francincense Facial Serum.
A 'moisture boost' for dry or ageing skin, this serum is made with antioxidant-rich blueberry oil and skin brightening turmeric; all ingredients intended to brighten and firm.
Laying aside the debate on whether anti-ageing products actually work, I've noticed that opinions vary wildly on when we should start using them for the best effects: even among beauty junkies there's a vast range of views.
I was always of the opinion that I wouldn't bother with wrinkle-busting creams and other 'elixirs of youth' until I was at least in my early forties, but somehow they seem to have crept into my makup cabinet through the back door, and now it feels strange not to see 'anti-ageing' on a moisturiser (I'm 31).
Perhaps worryingly, my own mother often expresses her approval at this turn of events, saying she wishes she'd 'started earlier'.
So assuming these products do give some benefit, what's your opinion on anti-ageing products and the best time to start using them?
Anti-ageing creams have always scared me almost as much as the ageing process itself. Painfully aware of the bizarre and exotic ingredients used in some of the creams (placenta, anyone?) and in denial about the years weighing me down I was quite happy sticking with my Nivea, thank you very much.
That was until I hit 30, and had the chance to test one cream that had very good reviews from all quarters: Elemis' Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Once I'd reassured myself the 'marine' refered to an algae (not a fish) I decided to ditch my little girls' creams and switch to this apparent elixir of youth.
Read on over the jump to discover how I got on
It always amazes me how celebs manage to stay looking so youthful. Yes, even with the army of trainers and mail order botox I know they must have! But despite their best efforts, ageing is inevitable, so it sometimes baffles me when they look BETTER the older they get! Here's a gallery of stars changing faces- let me know what you think of them here.
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO START THE GALLERY
Ageing is one of those scary events that's pretty inevitable. No matter how blase we are about it, you know you're going to freak out the minute you spot a gray hair, so maybe we should be more proactive in wearing sunscreen and exfoliating daily? Aldi has released a fun/scary microsite that allows you to see how you might look in ten years time- and as you cans see, it's not a pretty picture! The site uses digital facial recognition to technology to line your face with wrinkles and pigmentation, which will hopefully mean you start making some sensible life choices! They suggest that you combat these signs with their new cream, Lacura Wrinkle Stop, which contains snake venom! Oo-er...
Dr Nirdosh has been involved in skin care for a long time, with her main focus being anti ageing. She's created a line of products to combat those telltale signs, as well as setting up shop with her very own Anti Ageing Clinic in the heart of London. This lady knows all there is to know about how the skin works and how to make the most of what you've got,and we managed to grab her for a quick chat about how she started in the business and her advice on how to keep your skin looking youthful.
When did you first become interested in beauty?
My mum enforced a no skin slacking policy from the day I was born! I'm not kidding, even while she was pregnant with me, she was eating a diet of homemade pomegranate juice and fresh cottage cheese to help give me good skin. By the time I was 15, I was so programmed to this, that I would eat 8 tomatoes, half a cucumber and smoothies on the bus home from school everyday, thinking this was normal.
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