Paris: French scientists have used human embryonic stem cells to grow human skin cells, a report in the medical journal Lancet reveals.
Scientists working for Inserm , France’s medical research agency, treated the embryonic cells and grew them on a matrix, before grafting them onto mice. The cells proceeded to grow into skin.
This procedure may be used in medical treatments for temporary cover for burns patients while their own skin is grown, also in a lab, over a period of weeks.
London: Healthier hair is often a lifestyle choice. If you are generally fit, a non smoker (do I really need to say that?), have a good balanced diet, etc. you are not going to get better hair than that coming out of your scalp. How quickly this hair dries out and disintegrates is very much down to you.
Better habits across a range of hair care areas will make a massive difference in slowing the aging process when all put together. You can have your hair dry out and split after 5 of growth, or 7, 8, 9, 10 ..its your choice, and you dont have to live like a nun. Here are a few tips to get started on.
1. Throw away your dryer nozzle
Unless you have thick wavy hair that you need to dry dead straight, your nozzle unnecessarily concentrates heat and can lead to excessive damage. Keep a one inch gap between your hair and the end of the dryer.
2. Always use conditioner
Shampoos open the cuticle to clean, conditioners
reseal the surface cuticle for protection, shine, and comb-ability.
3. Use a professional saw-cut comb
Moulded plastic combs often have imperfections on the teeth that can lacerate the surface cuticle, ageing the hair prematurely. 3more inches professional combs (my own brand) are saw-cut from one piece then hand polished by artisans in Germany.
4. Use a deep treatment at least once a week.
3more inches Pre-Wash Treatment System with its unique cashmere protein complex, is the quickest and the best for restoring suppleness, reducing breakage, and maintaining the vibrancy of colours. Just 60 seconds of your time to apply it.
5. Trim ends regularly
Every 3-8 weeks depending on length and style. As the ends decay and disintegrate they look tired and unattractive; also any splitting can travel up the hair shaft if not caught in time.
6. Do not use a brush to take out knots on wet hair
When hair is wet use a wide tooth comb to gently ease out knots from the ends first, working up to the roots. Dont believe the myth of brushing hair 100 times before bedtime. Once its brushed, further friction just wears it out quicker.
7. Always protect your hair in the sun
Hats or scarves are best, protective treatments come second. The uv rays of the sun break down the molecular structure of hair, which unlike skin doesnt recover its appearance within a few weeks. Long hair can take years to renew.
8. Colour your hair professionally
Choose a colourist that cares about condition and quality, and is up to date. Modern tints are much gentler on the hair.
9. Choose a good stylist
The right haircut well executed can save you 95% of the time you may be spending over styling your hair.
10. Use a little light wax or moisturizing cream on dry ends.
This will protect and keep the hair looking and feeling healthier. Try 3more inches Thicken & Shine Finishing Feed.
Many women think it is socially unacceptable to have long hair past 40. Like many social observations this one is out of date. It was always about condition not length. In the old days before good conditioners, great colouring, skilful cutting and styling, etc. long dry stringy white hair just made a woman look haggard. But today we have the skill and technology – 60 really is the new 40!
Michael Van Clarke’s new range of conditioning products – 3 More Inches – is available online at www.3moreinches.com and also at his salon at 1 Beaumont Street, London W1G 6DF. T: + 44 (0)20 7224 3123 Email salon@vanclarke.com.
Website: www.vanclarke.com
London: A new laser treatment to correct the need for reading glasses in ageing adults has been launched in the UK.
Ultralase has launched the new laser-based procedure, UltraRenew, which will be available for the first time in the UK to treat presbyopia, the age-related condition resulting in the need to wear reading glasses. The treatment, available to men and women, corrects the problem in just 15-20 seconds.
Staggeringly, this common condition affects everyone during their 40s. Symptoms, including eye fatigue, increase the need for reading glasses as the eyes natural lens starts to harden and the focusing mechanisms naturally decrease.
With reading glasses voted amongst the top five premature ageing factors, approximately 4.5 million Britons* could soon be binning their readers in a bid to turn back the years as a result of this breakthrough.
Mark Korolkiewicz, Clinical Services Director, commented: This truly is a revolutionary treatment which will make a huge difference to many individuals lives. It will appeal to peoples vanity, as well as to those involved in reading or detailed work as part of their professional life.
Its a real first to be able to offer this laser treatment to men and women in the UK who are generally in their 40s. The procedure brings a host of advantages over existing treatments, essentially offering a solution to presbyopia without affecting distance vision.
The advanced technology, linked with the fact that the treatment is carried out by surgeons certified by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the very highest industry accreditation, means patients should be able to throw away their reading glasses within 24 hours of surgery.
As part of the development into the treatment, Ultralase questioned over 1,000 individuals into their feelings around wearing reading glasses to reveal that almost half of short-sighted Brits feel self conscious wearing them in public. Reading glasses were highlighted as one of the top five ageing factors alongside hairstyle, posture and dress sense.
Many stressed vanity as the reason for not wanting to wear their readers, with one in ten stating it makes them look old and an unlucky 13% highlighting they feel unfashionable. Interestingly, when broken down by gender, it is actually men who feel more conscious about reading glasses aging their looks than women.
Hassle was stated to be the key annoyance helping to drive the requirement for the treatment, with one in five fed up with constantly having to take reading glasses on and off during the day.
With prices starting from £2,195 per eye, free consultations for UltraRenew are available at all 31Ultralase clinics throughout the UK and Ireland.
Treatment is available from the Ultralase Hammersmith clinic with plans to expand UK wide by 2010. For more information about Ultralase and to book a free consultation visit www.ultralase.comor call 0800 9888 237.
*4.5 Million, based on total number of people needing reading glasses, approximately 42% of 45-62 year olds.
Athletes have to stay at peak fitnesses and this includes eating wisely and taking the best nutrients, which is why Olympic athlete Kelly Sotherton loves polyphenol-packed NESCAFÉ Green Blend.
Most of us have heard of antioxidants (over nine in 10 if you want to get technical) but far fewer are aware how good they are for us. In fact, around one third of Brits have no idea whether theyre good for them or not.
Antioxidants can help protect our bodies cells from day to day damage and you might be surprised to hear that coffee is a major source of dietary antioxidants. This is certainly news to the 1 in 5 people who, according to new research, mistakenly believe coffee is bad for them and fantastic news for the half of UK households who collectively drink the beverage at a rate of almost 14,000 cups a minute!
With its beneficial health and taste properties theres no question it belongs in the top three most popular drinks in the world, along with water and tea. However, whilst all coffee is naturally high in antioxidants, for the first time in the UK we now have the chance to drink coffee containing naturally occurring Polyphenol antioxidants.
The new NESCAFÉ Green Blend is made of both roasted and unroasted coffee beans, with the latter containing high levels of naturally present Polyphenols, which are also found in green tea and cocoa.
Here to explain more about the health benefits of drinking coffee and give you some top tips on how to choose the right coffee to suit you are, NESCAFÉ Master Taster Dave Roberts and Nutritionist Liz Read. Theyre joined by medal winning Olympic athlete and self confessed coffee-lover Kelly Sotherton.
Click here to watch the video:
For more information visit the coffee cupboard at www.nescafe.co.uk
London: How can your weight affect your eyesight?
Obesity directly affects sight loss, so if youre overweight or just worried about your sight, log hrs (GMT)
It is common knowledge that expanding waistlines are linked to life-threatening conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But many of us are unaware that obesity is also linked to blindness and other serious eye health issues.
Excess body weight can cause damage to blood vessels in the eye – linked to the onset of glaucoma and diabetes. Studies have also shown people with a high body mass index (BMI) tend to have low macula pigment density and are therefore at greater risk of suffering diseases such as AMD (age-related macular degeneration). Likewise, too much alcohol, too much smoking, and even too much time at the computer screen contributes heavily to losing your eyesight.
According to official figures almost one in four UK adults are obese (23% in 2006), expected by the government to hit one in three adults next year. However many Brits are unaware that they even class as obese and are therefore putting their eyes at risk.
National Eye Week (9th to 15th November), organised by the Eyecare Trust, seeks to promote the importance of looking after your eyes and making regular visits to the optician. If you are worried about how your weight can affect your eyesight, make sure you log onto our live and interactive Web TV show with a director of the Eyecare Trust Rosie Gavzey and David Dickinson, (pictured) for top tips on adjusting your lifestyle to keep your eyes healthy, advice on spotting on the early warning signs and ideas on how to meet the cost of eyecare and eye wear.
Rosie Gavzey, a Director of the Eyecare Trust and David Dickinson, join us live HowObesityaffectsEyehealth on the 9th of November at 14:00 to discuss sight loss and obesity.
Click here to submit questions before the chat HowObesityaffectsEyehealth
For more information visit www.nationaleyeweek.co.uk
Amsterdam: A bra which claims to prevent cleavage wrinkles has been launched.
The bra, a Dutch invention called ‘La Decollette,’ is apparently already a big success in the Netherlands. It is now available in in Belgium, the UK, France, Spain and Germany.
The bra is the idea of Rachel de Boer who says that many women wake up with unsightly wrinkles on the chest because their breasts push together.
“At a certain age, often in combination with sun damage, the wrinkles intensify or don’t disappear at all, ” she says
Her bra, puts fabric between the breasts for support and closes at the back, keeps all in place while sleeping.
“The vertical wrinkles appear because the breasts are pressed against each other. If you put some kind of support between the breasts you prevent the cleavage from wrinkling.”
The bra is a one-size-fits-all thanks to its adjustable shoulder and back straps and sells for 49.99 online.
Find out more at : decollette.co.uk
Target Gorgeous is bursting with flavour, packed with energy and targeted for girls with a busy lifestyle who want to make the most of their day and nights!When one solution really does fit all just take Target Gorgeous and live life to the full. 
It contains zero sugar, zero herbal stimulants and only four calories. Target Original 5-Hour Energy contains as much caffeine as a cup of premium coffee. So if you’re driving, exercising or just working hard and you want a sustainable burst of ‘Fruit and Energy’ take Target Energy shots (and keep a spare one in your purse!).
ELIXIR has joined with Target to offer a free Target Gorgeous, a fruity drink in a lovely pink bottle, to the first 500 readers who email us with their name and address go to readeroffer@elixirnews.com. Please put the word ENERGY in the email header. Please note that this offer is restricted to UK postal addresses.
Find out more at www.targetenergyshots.com
Free UK Stuff – Free Stuff site. If your looking for something for free, money off coupons or a chance to win big prizes, then this is the site for you.
Sydney: Australian scientists have found a “direct link” between what we eat and how well our immune system operates – a breakthrough that could explain rising rates of autoimmune disease across the western world.
Professor Charles Mackay, of Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has identified how fibre in the diet plays a major role in ensuring a person’s immune cells function properly.
His results published in the prestigious journal Nature, also reaffirm the shift of what was once had a fringe concept into the scientific mainstream.
“This potentially explains all the previous data that no one had taken that seriously,” Prof Mackay said.
“I think it’s fair to say the broader immunological research community has never really believed that diet affects immune responses.
“This does provide a direct link for the way immune cells work with the sort of things we eat.”
Working along with PhD student Kendle Maslowski, Prof Mackay investigated the operation of an immune cell receptor known to bind with “short chain fatty acids” – the end product of fibre after being processed by gut bacteria.
This broken-down fibre was found to “profoundly affect immune cell function”, Prof Mackay said, and without it the immune cells appeared more likely to go awry.
Autoimmune disease refers to disorders in which a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of the body, causing inflammation.
“When (immune cells) go bad they cause inflammatory diseases, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis …” Prof Mackay said.
“We think one of the mechanisms for their normal control is short chain fatty acids binding to this receptor.
“And if we were to speculate on the real significance of this, we believe firmly that the best explanation for the increase in inflammatory diseases in western countries … is our changes in diet.”
A lack of dietary fibre could also be behind the rise in type 1 diabetes, Prof Mackay said.
The research suggests that having a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds would reduce a person’s risk of autoimmune disease.
It also helped to explain why food supplements that affect the balance of gut bacteria were known to reduce the symptoms of some inflammatory conditions.
Prof Mackay said dietary fibre, or roughage, was otherwise known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers plus it ensures you will be regular.
“The role of nutrition … is an exciting new topic in immunology,” he said.
Commenting on the study, Helen Yates, of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre Chief Executive said, This is a very important finding in the field of diet and immune systems. It has long been believed by many people in the MS community that diet has a role to play in the disease and this research represents a first step towards greater investigation of how the food we eat can influence the immune system diseases we develop
New York: Trials of a Danish-made injectable drug called liraglutide (trademark name Victoza) have revealed that it reduces weight and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in obese people without diabetes.
High doses of liraglutide, were also found to cause greater weight loss than orlistat (marketed over-the-counter as Alli), according to a report in the medical magazine, The Lancet.
In developing countries obesity levels have risen dramtically in the past two decades and in some European countries 30% of the population are overweight. Around 50% of all adults in Europe are classified as overweight.
Obesity increases the risk of degenerative diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, and all risk factors for heart disease.
Moreover, obesity is associated with a reduced quality of life. Few safe and effective drugs are currently available for the treatment of obesity. Therefore, alternative approaches to weight loss that are safe and well tolerated and that can lower the risks associated with obesity are needed. In this randomised controlled trial, the authors studied the effect of liraglutide on bodyweight and tolerability in obese individuals without type 2 diabetes.
The study, led by Professor Arne Astrup, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, took place in 19 sites in Europe, and analysed 564 people (18-65 years, body-mass index 30-40 kg/m²). Each was assigned to 1 of 4 liraglutide doses (1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, or 3.0 mg, n = 90-95) or to placebo (n = 98) administered once a day subcutaneously, or to orlistat 120 mg (n = 95) administered orally 3 times a day. All participants also followed a calorie-restricted diet, which contained approximately 500 calories less than they needed each day. Participants also increased their physical activity throughout the trial, including the 2-week run-in.
Participants on liraglutide lost significantly more weight than did those on placebo and orlistat. Mean weight loss with liraglutide doses 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 mg was 4.8 kg, 5.5 kg, 6.3 kg, and 7.2 kg respectively, compared with 2.8 kg with placebo and 4.1 kg with orlistat. A higher proportion of individuals (76%) lost more than 5% weight with liraglutide 3.0 mg than with placebo (30%) or orlistat (44%).
Liraglutide reduced blood pressure at all doses. At the start of the study, around one-third of patients in each group had pre-diabetes, that is, poor blood glucose control not yet bad enough to qualify as diabetes. Liraglutide reduced the prevalence of pre-diabetes (84%-96% reduction) with 1.8-3.0 mg per day.
Nausea and vomiting occurred more often in individuals on liraglutide than in those on placebo, but adverse events were mainly transient and rarely led to discontinuation of treatment.
The authors say: “Treatment with liraglutide, in addition to an energy-deficit diet and exercise programme, led to a sustained, clinically relevant, dose-dependent weight loss that was significantly greater than that with placebo (all doses) and orlistat (vs liraglutide 2.4 mg and 3.0 mg).”
They conclude: “The results of this study indicate the potential benefit of liraglutide, in conjunction with an energy-deficit diet, in the treatment of obesity and associated risk factors. Liraglutide offers a new mode of action for the treatment of obesity and improved efficacy compared with currently available therapies. Its effect on pre-diabetes suggests that it might be important for treating obese pre-diabetic individuals.”
They add that further studies, with longer follow-up than 20 weeks, are now needed to establish the long-term risk-benefit profile for liraglutide.
In an editorial accompanying the article, George A Bray, MD, Division of Clinical Obesity and Metabolism, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, says: “Today’s important report shows a dose-related reduction of food intake and bodyweight in overweight and obese individuals treated with liraglutide.”
Dr Bray adds that one limitation to the use of drugs such as liraglutide is that they require an injection. He says: “Whether long-term use of an injectable drug is palatable as a treatment for obesity is yet to be established.”
Malki Dead Sea products will they help my skin? This is a question we are frequently asked, as the chemicals and perfumes in traditional bath products can irritate and inflame problem skin.
Malki has brought out a range of bathtime products, free of detergents and animal fat, yet packed with Dead Sea minerals and herbal oils that have finally provided relief to many eczema and psoriasis sufferers.
Available from Boots nationwide, the range features 3 different soaps, various bath salts, shampoo, conditioner, shower cream, body lotion and facial wash.
Malki Dead Sea bath care has joined with Elxir to offer five sets of its Dead Sea bath range worth more than £50 to readers.
To win one of these natural sets please email us with the answer to the question below at readeroffer@elixirnews.comwith your name and address. Please put Malki Dead Sea in the email header. Please note that no cash equivalent is offered and the Editors decision is final. This offer closes on 31st October 2009.
In which country in the Dead Sea?
1. Japan
2. Russia
3. Israel
Find out more about the Malki Dead Sea range at: www.deadseabathcare.co.uk
The full list of menopausal symptoms is long and frankly, over-whelming, so its good to know that natural remedies can help manage the symptoms.
But new research has shown that the natural healing and balancing power of pollen could be used to help ease the common menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats, irritability and fatigue.
Vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes phytosterols and prostaglandins all form a part of pollen, making it the perfect building material for our cells. Femal contains two special extracts of standardised pollen combined with vitamin E, formulated to support womens health throughout the life stages from the start of womanhood to maturity.
TRY IT FOR FREE! You can experience the benefits of Femal for free – we have 10 packets to giveway. All you have to do is email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with your name and address. Please put FEMAL in the email header please. (see terms and conditions below).
Femal is also available from Boots and independent pharmacies priced around £16.00. For further information about Femal, contact + 44(0)1372 379828.
*Terms and conditions
There are a limited number of packets to be given away which will go to the first applicants
No cash equivalent is being offered
This offer closes on 31 October
Lipo Contour Elite is a revolutionary garment that uses a patented 3-layer fabric to deliver inch loss and firming by applying the principles of massage, heat and pressure to the skin tissue. Exercise it not necessary but the more you move the better the result.
This three-tier approach increases fatty acid catabolism (the breakdown of fat molecules), whilst stimulating blood supply. Bio-stimulation improves lymphatic drainage, reduces inflammation and ultimately improves the oxygenation of the skin, resulting in smooth, firm, healthy skin.
The Lipo Contour Elite is a new generation garment by an Italian doctor which has been updated with new and improved fabric technology.
An extensive clinical study of 96 participants wearing the garment over an 8 week period (see details below) showed stellar results in reducing the appearance of cellulite and thickness of fat around the buttocks, thighs, lower back and stomach.
How do they work?
You wear them for 4 hours a day for up to 8-12 weeks for maximum results. They have 3 layers – the inner layer is a 3-D wave which massages you as you move, the middle layer is neoprene which reflect heats back into the skin, the outer layer is for the compression. The massage, heat and compression all work together to help lose inches, reduce cellulite and detox you at the same time thanks to the increase in circulation. They work every time you move so the more you move the better. You can wear them whilst gardening, walking the dog, doing the housework, the school run and exercising which would give the best results.
The effect of the Lipo Contour Elite pants is enhanced by using them while cycling on a Hypoxi machine – which also encourages inch loss and loss of toxins. Hypoxi therapy is also available at The Body Clinic at Urban Retreat Harrods.
ELIXIR is midway through testing these pants – we will deliver our verdict in four weeks time!
These pants have also been endorsed by Harrods anti-celluite guru, Jo Heptinstall (pictured), who has spent a decade of testing beauty devices for London’s top store. As well as for inch loss she recommends them for heavy leg syndrome and also to firm up ageing knees.
Jo helps clients transform orange peel thighs and cottage-cheese bottoms into tight, toned, smooth works of art through her philosophy of looking into the inside of the body to then heal from the outside.
Jo says: My experience as an expert with Urban Retreat clients is that most women suffer with heavy leg syndrome at some time, especially those over the age of 50. This can be caused by menopause, lack of exercise, poor diet, hormone imbalance and not drinking enough water. I myself have suffered from heavy leg syndrome and was astonished by how the aches and pains in my legs disappeared, simply by wearing Lipo Contour Elite. The alleviation of symptoms is due to the micro-massage action which increases circulation and drains waste toxins.
When worn in conjunction with an exercise plan or used with the advanced Hypoxi treatments offered at the Urban Retreat, inch loss results from Lipo Contour Elite are staggering. You can see results in just 7 days! Lipo Contour Elite targets cellulite by increasing blood circulation in targeted areas of the body during exercise, generating specific, controlled, fat- burning and toning of trouble spots.
The combination of a daily exercise routine or Hypoxi treatment with Lipo Contour Elite speeds the heating and massage process resulting in extremely fast weight loss and cellulite reduction.
Lipo Contour Elite is available in two designs: Capri (RRP £94.95) and Short (RRP £79.95).
Both designs available in sizes 10-18.
To Wash: For best results hand-wash at a low temperature with a small amount of mild detergent. Dry naturally away from direct heat. Do not dry clean.
Stockists:
Body Clinic at Urban Retreat, Harrods (London), John Lewis (Oxford St & Cheadle), Lloyds Pharmacy, Harrods Pharmacy, John Bell & Croyden (London), Cosmetic Solutions (Harley Street, London) Leading: Independent Pharmacies, Beauty Salons & Health Food Stores
www.lipocontour.co.uk Order line Tel: 0845 003 1500
Clinical Trial Data:
Lipo Contour Elite has been tested and confirmed through a large-scale study of 96 women over 8 weeks at the Dermatological Clinic at the University of Chieti, Italy
Lipo Contour Elite was seen to improve drainage, reduce inflammation, increase oxygenation of skin and fat tissue and provide a significant reduction in the appearance of cellulite
Garments were effective in reducing the thickness of fat around the buttocks, thighs, lower back and stomach
The fat loss was the result of shrinking cellulite fat cells with a circumference reduction of between 6%-13% in 4 weeks, and up to 21% in 8 weeks
Patented 3-Layer Fabric Details:
The three fundamentally important functions of Lipo Contour Elite are:
The 3D Wave (inner layer)
The patented Elite 3D Wave is the key ingredient in this fat-fighting garment. This three dimensional fabric is made up of tiny waves of folded material arranged in a manner to maximise the mechanical stimulation of the skins surface. The gentle yet constant massage increases the microcirculation of blood in the skins sub-surface. Increased blood microcirculation helps to reduce adipose tissue (fat) and aggregations (lumps) in addition to improving the oxygenation of the skin and its appearance.
The Neoprene (middle layer)
Neoprene is the space age fabric used to make high quality scuba suits. This fabric creates the thermal action by reflecting the bodys own heat back to the skins surface. The thermal action of the neoprene activates more blood circulation, helps to breakdown fat cells, improves drainage of liquids and toxins, reduces inflammation, and improves oxygenation resulting in smoother, firmer and healthier skin.
The Elastan (outer layer)
The final piece of this puzzle is the Elastan layer. The firm and constant pressure of the outer most Elastan layer keeps the neoprene and the 3D wave layers firmly against the skin and actively working to stimulate the release of toxins, fluids and fat.
Enriched Anti-Bacterial Properties
The hypoallergenic properties of the Lipo Contour Elite with its imbedded anti-bacterial silver ions, ensure maximum hygiene.
London: BOOTS is to launch a new range of anti-ageing skincare aimed at the more mature woman in the New Year.
Boots is planning a huge TV and print campaign for No 7 Lift & Luminate which will be fronted by a new celebrity. The product is due on the shelf on January 27.
Though officially lips are sealed until near the launch date, a Boots insider let slip this week that it is a “really good actress.” In that case it would mean the lovely Helen Mirren (pictured below) must be the front runner!
The insider said that lovely actress Keeley Hawes (below right) who is the current face of Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect, is too young at 33 years. This is surprising as the product has flown off the shelf, with most purchases being made by older women, after it was given top scientific acclaim on TV for its ingredients.
Life & Luminate is the name of the new range and it contains several of the key ingredients from the Protect & Perfect range including an extract of lupin.
Boots say the difference between P & P and L & L is that the latter not only reduces wrinkles but also firms and brightens skin – and it does it in just four weeks. It also contains a patented mix of “energising” ingredients including Hawaiian Algae and vitamin C that help to make it feel younger.
There are four products so far in the skincare range – the Lift & Luminate Day Cream – pictured below (50ml, £19.50), which also contains at SPF15
Night Cream – pictured below (50m, £20.50) which also contains shea butter and glycerine
Eye Cream – below (15m, £16.50) with peptides
Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler – right- (30ml, £16) with particles fill in lines to deflect light and “blurr” wrinkles
The original Protect & Perfect Serum (30ml, £18).
Ingredients in Perfect & Protect:
Contains ingredients:Cyclopentasiloxane, Aqua, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone corsspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone copolyol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium sulphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Retinyl palmitate, Methylparaben, Propylene glycol, Lupinus albus, Carbomer, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Panax ginseng, Morus alba, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3.
London: Smoking kills. That is a fact. It also stinks, ruins your teeth and pollutes the air for your friends and children – potentially making them ill too. If you want to stop – you can get free help from experts.
Log on to our live and interactive webTV show tomorrow, Friday, October 16 at 3pm by clicking on this link Stop Smoking WebTV Show.
Before the show you can get involved by submit your own top tips (click on the link above to leave your questions and tips) if they worked for you, chances are they might also work for someone else
Featuring on the show for is Professor Gerard Hastings (pictured), the Director of the Institute for Social Marketing and the Cancer Research UK Centre for Tobacco Control Research. Hell be joined by Alison Walsh (pictured) the Director of Health and Equality for QUIT, an independent charity whose aim is to save lives by helping smokers to stop.
Pretending to smoke a pencil instead of a cigarette, using a toothpick to keep hands occupied or substituting your fag fix for fun in the bedroom Silly as they might sound, these are just some of the tried-and-tested methods that have proved successful for real-life quitters.
In England alone, over 80,000 deaths per year are due to smoking, a significant portion of the nations 8.5 million smokers. Over the past few month people across Europe have been sharing their real-life quit tips online for the European Unions HELP campaign, and now our live and interactive Web TV show will be revealing the best tips. So if youre one of the 69% of smokers trying to give up the habit, or know a close friend or family member who is trying to quit, make sure you tune in.
DON’T LET THE GRIM REAPER GET YOU!
Speak to Gerard Hastings and Alison Walsh jlive online at Quit Smoking TV chat on Friday 16th October at 3.00pm to discuss the top tips to quitting smoking
For more information visit www.help-eu.com
Women queued in the streets of London’s West End when ROC announced a new range of anti-wrinkle creams combining all the lastest scientific discoveries.
ELIXIR has managed to get a sample of ROC’s new Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion range to find out if it really does live up to the hype. This is what we found:
We are big fans of serums, mainly because they are light and less greasy and mature skins seems to absorb them better. So we chose to review the Intensive Serum (pictured) in the range.
Luxuriously packaged in gold and lapis blue, this serum contains pure Retinol (Vitamin A), Hyaluronic Acid (the natural humectant and collagen building block in the skin), Biopeptide (an intelligent biopeptide that signals the skin to produce more collagen) and squalan (a lipid that improves skin texture.)
Our tester (in her 50s)used the serum morning and evening before the daily moisturiser, as recommened by ROC. After just two weeks this is what she said:
“This product smelled wonderful and the fine texture of the serum meant that it was easily absorbed by my skin. I am only two weeks into the 8 weeks that ROC says it takes to see results but my skin is definitely looking smoother and firmer. Many wrinkle creams have strong ingredients in them and my skin ends up looking far worse because I get an allergic reaction. But I had absolutely no problems with this product. Another bonus is that a little goes a long way. So its a great product, great price and it delivers. After just two weeks of use I would give this product 8/10 Costs £26.99 Available at Boots stores in the UK.
ROC’s new Retin-ox Wrinkle Correxion range
A new type of coffee which contains high levels of naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidants has been launched in the UK by NESCAFÉ®, the UKs most popular coffee brand.
Made from a blend of unroasted green coffee beans and roasted beans, NESCAFÉ® Green Blend has been specially created by coffee experts to deliver great tasting coffee, rich in flavour and aroma, with health benefits.
Often considered a super food, coffee is naturally rich in polyphenol antioxidants which can help maintain the body’s defenses against ageing processes such as free radical damage.
To celebrate the launch of NESCAFÉ® Green Blend, we are offering ten lucky Elixir readers each a complimentary jar of Green Blend (RRP £2.98) so they can enjoy the goodness of the unroasted coffee beans for themselves.
For your chance to win a jar, simply answer the following question:
As well as roasted coffee beans what else is in NESCAFÉ® Green Blend?
a) Green coffee beans
b) Red coffee beans
c) Blue coffee beans
Email your answer with your name and address to readeroffer@elixirnews.com. Please note that this competition ends on 31 October 2009. No cash equivalent is offered and the Editors decision is final.
To find out more about Nescafé Green Blend go to www.nescafe.co.uk
Terms and Conditions
1.This competition is open to residents of the UK and ROI only, aged 18 and over, with the exception of employees of Nestle UK Ltd and www.elixirnews.com, their immediate families, agents or anyone else associated with the administration of this promotion.
2. Access to this competition is online and entry is available between 8 and 31 October 2009.
3. Closing date for receipt of entries is 31 October 2009
4. There is one prize per person of NESCAFÉ® Green Blend to be awarded.
5. Entries limited to one per person.
6. The winning entries will be selected at random from all correct entries received by the due closing date, and in the presence of an independent person.
7. The winner will be notified in writing within 28 days of the closing date, and will be asked to confirm acceptance of their prize within 21 days of being notified.
8. In the case that the winner fails to confirm acceptance of their prize within the stated 21 day period, the Promoter reserves the right to re-allocate the prize to a reserve entry drawn at the same time as the original winner.
9. Entrants are deemed to have accepted and be bound by these Terms and Conditions. The Promoters decision is final and binding in all matters and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the stated prize with an alternative of equal or greater value in the unlikely event that the prize stated were to become unavailable for any reason.
11. No cash will be offered in lieu of the stated prize.
12. The winner agrees to participate in any reasonable publicity required by the Promoter.
13. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for entries that are incomplete, lost, damaged or delayed in the post or arrive after the closing date. Proof of sending docs does not constitute proof of delivery.
14. Entrants personal details will be stored securely, retained only as long as is necessary to complete the administration of this promotion and promptly secured thereafter.
Promoter: Nestle UK Ltd, St. Georges House, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1NR.
Cyprus is an all year round destination that really comes into its own in the autumn when the sunshine is dwindling in the rest of Europe.
But there is more to this island than just sun, sea and beach. Recently the Government and the private sector have got together to push other areas of tourism to interest a more discerning clientele such as wine and gastronomy tours.
Cyprus is virtually self-sufficient when it comes to food and most of it is grown on the island, including bananas and its cuisine is a culinary adventure of meze using fresh produce and blending flavours of Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Yes Cyprus does have more than its fair share of cheap and cheerful, even a tacky side as a result of tourism from the former Soviet Union. There are pole dancing clubs and Russian prostitutes and large sprawling hotels that would suit footballers wives on a hen weekend.
But you dont have to go far off the beaten track to see the unspoilt rugged mountain scenary, charming villages and to sample delightful food and the hospitality of friendly locals most of whom seem to have a relative back in Blighty.
Cyprus is now part of the European Union and the Euro and has a healthy economy thanks to tourism. And if you are looking for something special either in rural tourism or five star classic luxury then Cyprus has it.
Elixir took a look at three of the finest resorts on the island:
Columbia Beach Resort
The five star Columbia Beach Resort at Pissouri at the Paphos end of the island is a discreet and classy resort of low-rise luxury bungalows right on the beach. Some suites even have their own plunge pools.
It has a stunning outdoor lagoon-style pool which flows inside to the Spa so swimming even in winter is possible as its heated.. Cypriot honey, local salt and herbs are used in treatments. The sage, oregano and lavender herbal wrap is a signature treatment to help relaxation and the lymph glands work more effectively.
The spa has six treatment rooms, a spa bath, plunge pool, sauna and steam room. There are tennis and squash courts and a gym. The spa recently introduced a range of Molton Brown products and treatments.
We tried the Lifeforce Facial, a 60-minute rejuvenating treatment for dry and mature skin. This treatment starts with a deep cleanse and a polish ritual featuring a potent fusion of raspberry seed oil and fruit enzymes. Once the skin is buffed and cleansed,you can relax while your therapist uses Hungarian carrot and Moroccan cedarwood oils to supercharge your skin with moisture. You come out looking relaxed and dewy! Costs $113 (99.10,£58)
The overall atmosphere is intimate and discreet. And with great dining in two restaurants one offering local cuisine and the other international its a great place for couples who want to get away and relax. There are three championship golf courses nearby.
Coral Beach Hotel Resort
This is a five star resort in a superb location, overlooking the golden sandy beaches and the sparkling blue waters of Coral Bay.
It is right next to the Akamas peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a UNESCO-protected heritage site. So its perfect for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, whether by horse or jeep. You can also ramble, bird watch, scuba dive or cycle. There are also lots of ancient Roman ruins nearby Pafos was the Roman capital of Cyprus.
Esthisis, is the name of the hotels lovely spa and it is the Greek word for senses.
The spa has an indoor heated pool, whirlpool spa, , steam room suites, state-of the-art gymnasium , mirrored aerobics studios with maple sprung floors, computerised fitness assessment and also specialists to treat sporting injuries. It also uses two French products Thalgo and Decleor The Spa’s salt glow, massage oil and other body treatments will pamper your body with luxury and leave you ready to take the world.
The new Shiseido spa at the Four Seasons Hotel
The exclusive Shiseido Spa, at the Four Seasons Cyprus has only just opened. It is the 5th Shiseido Spa in the world and the only one in Cyprus and the entire Mediterranean region. The hotel already has the first Thalassotherapy Centre in Cyprus and has now achieved another first with the introduction of the Shiseido Spa.
Thalassotherapy uses seawater and seaweed both of which contain minerals and vitamins in high levels for treatments not just for beauty, but also for total body rejuvenation and relaxation. Revitilise your body and mind whilst being pampered by a trained consultant; each guest is made to feel comfortable and relaxed with a high degree of personal attention.
As you would expect from the Four Seasons, the food and service is excellent freshly made meze or gourmet dining are both top notch.
We sampled one of the wonderful signature treatments the Qi for Face and Body. This is an absolutely amazing face and body massage that releases all tension and totally relaxes you just what you want on holiday. If you have young children there is a well-equipped nursery next door. Costs $338 (220, £173) for 120 minutes.
Dont miss:
Picturesque Omodos village with its pretty square, the church of the Holy Cross and the old wine press. The wine producing villages of the Krassochoria on the Southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains Kolios Winery at Statos Village; Lunch at Tria Pefka at Koilani village; Dinner at Yialos tavern (fish meze) Petra tou Romiou the legendary Birthplace of Aphrodite, Temple of Aphrodite at Kouklia village. Dinner at Kamaroudi Tavern Paphos; Lefkara village famous for its lace and silver work followed by lunch at Marias restaurant Vavatsinia village; the Cyprus Wine Museum at Erimi. Dinner at Karatello, near the old castle in Limassol
FACTBOX:
Cyprus Tourism Organisation, www.visitcyprus.com , T: + 44 ( 0)20 7569 8800
Cyprus Airways operates flights to Cyprus from London, Manchester and Birmingham. For reservations, log on www.cyprusair.com T: + 44 (0)20 8359 1333
Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri www.columbia-hotels.com T: +357 25 833000
Leptos Coral Beach Hotel, Coral Bay, Paphos www.coral.com.cy T: +357 26 813 777
Four Seasons Hotel www.fourseasons.com.cy T: 357 25 858 000 Shiseido Spa + 357 258 58000 Email: spa@thefourseasons.com.cy
Monarch the low fares airline offers year-round flights to Larnaca from London Luton Airport and London Gatwick. www.flymonarch.com
New York: Scientists have created part of the jaw bone for the first time in the lab using human adult stem cells.
The technique, which created the joint, may be useful for other areas of the body.
The Columbia University study appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The bone which has been created in a lab, by scientists at Columbia University is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint which is complex to repair can be damaged by defects at birth, arthritis or injury. Treatment is notoriously difficult as the joint has a complex structure and is difficult to replicate using bone grafts.
Scientists used human stem cells taken from bone marrow which were then planted into a “tissue scaffold” in the shape of a human jaw bone.
The cells were then cultured nutrients found during natural bone development.
Lead researcher Dr Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic said: “The availability of personalised bone grafts engineered from the patient’s own stem cells would revolutionise the way we currently treat these defects.”
She said the new technique could also be applied to other bones in the head and neck, including skull bones and cheek bones, which are similarly difficult to graft.
She stressed that the joint created in the lab was bone only, and did not include other tissue, such as cartilage which the team is also working on.
Inika is an Australian brand of mineral make-up which is certified organic, suitable for vegans and also those on a Halal diet and its new range is now available in the UK.
The brand was conceived by former Brit Amanda Bond and Jenni Williams when they realised there was a gap in the market for a mineral range of cosmetic make-up that was not only ethical but also performed with great coverage and colours. It is also the only mineral range for coloured skin in Australia.
Amanda’s passion for her range was borne out of her own health issues (endometriosis) and fertility difficulties which she believes may have their roots in toxic chemicals in our environments.
Inika, she says, is about creating “glamour that is good for you!”
The cosmetic market is awash with claims for its cream and potions, most of which is unsubstantiated by science – the consumer is also confused by the descriptions for products such as “organic”, “natural”, “certified organic” since there is no umbrella body regulating these products worldwide. Different classifications have different criteria for the amounts of ingredients which should be “organic” to receive their stamp of approval. This means that some “organic and natural” products have very little of the specific ingredients and may also contain many of the ingredients being shown to be harmful or potentially harmful such as harsh chemicals, fillers, talk, bismuth oxychloride, GM ingredients, parabens, presevatives, mineral oils, phthalates and fragrances.
Stella McCartney is a fan of Inika which contains 100% certified organic, vegan or both – even the lipsticks and glosses which are usually impossible to make without animal-sourced ingredients. All products are 100% certified cruelty free and produced ethically with care for the environment.
The ingredients include natural minerals and a host of antioxidant ingredients such as natural oils for the pomegranate, Aloe Vera.
Inika has recently rebranded its range with new black and gold packaging and new products including a mineral foundation packed with antioxidants – so its also a treatment as well as a cosmetic. Inika contains a comprehensive range of products from primers to powder foundations, pencils and bronzers with prices starting at around £11.
Its available in selected salons..For more information Contact Inika Australia T: 61 2 4283 1043 www.inika.com.au and UK T: + 44(0)203 178 6090 www.inikacosmetics.co.uk
And if you want to know what is in your cosmetics find out here www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
this entry is in diet, and NOT news.
Actress and mother Jill Halfpenny and Fire Minister Shahid Malik today launch a dramatic government campaign that highlights the danger of toxic smoke from house fires and urges the public to test their smoke alarm weekly.
The Dont Drown in Toxic Smoke advertising campaign dramatically shows how quickly toxic smoke can impact on the human body. A sleeping couple are shown being overcome by the drowning sensation of toxic smoke when a fire breaks out in their home at night.
The campaign is supported by new research from CLG which found that people vastly underestimate the impact of toxic smoke; The reality is that just two to three breaths of toxic smoke will affect your ability to breathe, a sensation similar to drowning, as shown in the new advert.
www.direct.gov.uk/firekills
The worlds most iconic supermodels have reunited to launch the new line of fragrances – D&G Anthology.
Created by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, each fragrance is designed to encapsulate the very essence of the supermodels personalities, and include:
Claudia Schiffers 18 La Lune
Personality The Dreamer
Naomi Campbells 3 LImperantice
Personality The Star
Eva Herzigova & Fernando Fernandess 10 La Roue De La Fortune
Personality The Players
With the ad campaign based on George Michaels Freedom 90 video and directed by legendary Mario Testino, the exclusive behind the scenes footage showcases the supermodels stripped down to their barest and most seductive essentials.
Find out more at www.dandgfragrances.com
London: Computing Made Easy For The Over 50s, is a new Which? book, perfect for those who have never got to grips with computers.
Written by the experts at Which?, the book assumes no prior knowledge, and provides step-by-step tutorials and annotated screenshots will ensure that the basics are mastered quickly, from creating documents in Word to searching the internet and sending emails.
Top tips from Which? Computing experts feature throughout the book as well as jargon busters to explain any technical language. Troubleshooting advice based on Which? Computing members most common PC problems is also included and, if you still cant find the answer you need, this book includes exclusive access to the Which? Computing helpdesk.
We have 10 copies of the new book, in paperback, which was published on 17 September worth £10.99, to give away. The first 10 readers to email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.com with Which in the header and their name and address will receive a FREE copy.
We have also arranged a discount on the new book from WHICH. To rder your discount copy of Computing Made Easy for the Over 50s, for £8.99 (normal price £10.99) including FREE p&p. Call 01903 828557 and quote CMEE0909.
Etre Touchy has joined with ELIXIR to offer readers the chance to win one of five pairs of their fantastic new gloves.
Etre Touchy gloves www.etretouchy.com are a fun way to keep your hands warm and dry while using mobile phones, portable games systems, music players, cameras and other electronic devices.
Their missing thumb and index fingertips allow you to touch, tap, stroke, slide and pinch these devices displays in any way you desire a facet of their design that is particularly important when interacting with touch-screen devices like the iPhone and iPod Touch, since their capacitive touch-screen technology means that they only respond to your bare naked fingertips.
The gloves are 100% lambs wool and are available in four different sizes mens, womens, youths and childrens and in four different colour combinations:
· Charcoal with turquoise trim
· Grey with pink trim
· Black with charcoal trim
· Chocolate with mint stripes
If you would like to receive a pair of Etre Touchy gloves, please email us at readeroffer@elixirnews.comwith your name, address, size and preferred colour combination and enter ETRE TOUCHY GLOVES into the email subject header.
This competition closes on 31 October 2009. Your name will be entered into a draw for the tickets and the winners will receive them by post. Please note that the Editors decision is final and no cash equivalent is offered.
London: The Causeway Retreat, an addiction treatment and mental health clinic based on Osea, a private island just 40 miles from London off the coast of Essex, is integrating three methods of mental health and addiction therapy for the first time in the UK. The Retreat will bring together CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Therapeutic Community style treatment and support it with traditional medication to create a more holistic approach to recovery for their clients.
People staying at The Causeway Retreat will be encouraged to get involved in the rearing of animals, fishing and planting and harvesting organic vegetables, as well as creating meals from the produce. The horticultural element of the clients treatment is part of the overall holistic approach to therapy at the retreat.
Marlon Bonas, the organic farmer recently employed to lead the organic movement will also be working with two new CBT specialists as part of the new holistic approach. Together with the support of the other therapists and Dr Mike McPhillips, Medical Director at the retreat, they are creating a more nurturing environment for clients to recover and develop at their own pace. This approach compliments other treatments on offer at the retreat and will be in addition to the standard clinical approach to mental health and addiction problems.
The Causeway Retreat aims to become a fully organic island rearing pigs and pheasants and producing organic meat and vegetables by September 2010, when their target is to become fully approved by the Soil Association. Once approved, the on-island chefs will use the produce to create a new menu and will again encourage clients to get involved in preparing the food they have been a part of growing. Its hoped that the nutritional benefits along with therapeutic points of horticulture will enhance clients recovery from the mental health problems they may have.
Brendan Quinn, CEO at The Causeway Retreat says We believe the islands tranquil surroundings have always helped our clients reach a more relaxed and rapid recovery but the new plans to go organic and become more self sufficient should really enhance this. We all know how good we feel from fresh produce and being at one with nature but were really excited to see how it impacts on the development of our clients. This teamed with the other treatments creates the perfect environment for a full recovery.
www.thecausewayretreat.com
