Hi John
Can you tell me the best product to use on my wrinkled, over exposed to the sun chest area? I am coming up to sixty and have always been good at cleansing and moisturising my face but seem to have neglected my neck and décolleté which not only has lots of wrinkles but also deep lines where I sleep on my side (which is something I can do little about). I do not want to go for the peels or laser treatment, I just want to know the most effective cream I can use (I used the new Garnier deep wrinkle roller ball but this gave me an allergic reaction and I now have a rash as well as wrinkles, so that was obviously too strong) the only thing that gives me temporary results is a good hand cream.
Hoping you can help
Daphne
Daphne,
I can never stress enough to younger people when they come to see me how important it is to use your skincare down to the bustline. As you are finding, it is a notoriously difficult place to do repair work. But it is not impossible. The problem is you are going to have to throw a bit of money at it. I am assuming since you mentioned the peel and laser route, that an initial investment prior to maintenance should be OK? One of the best for this area is Strixaderm Body and I have seen the results on this myself. You would be spending about £100 on a supply that will last about three months. Warning: it stinks horribly! I had this product tested by a woman with exactly the same problem as you and she nearly bottled. She did get used to it after about a week though and the results were amazing. All of the trials are conducted by the American Medical Association and the results are quantified and published. Then, once you have gotten something visible as a result, you can maintain with a lesser expensive product. Another phenomenal product is Natura Bisse Tensolift Neck and Throat Cream. £130, but once again, you can trade down to a cheaper maintenance cream. If you need to start at a lower price point, Lancôme's new Renergie Morpholift R.A.R.E. Neck Cream is a good one, as is Shiseido Benefiance Throat Cream and Temple Spa Exhalt. I haven't had anyone have any sort of reactions to any of these products, but you could always be the first! My recommendation would be to try the Strixaderm and then trade down to one of the latter three - for both cost and results.
Warm regards,
John
Hi John
I think this problem may be more medical than cosmetic but here goes. I was bumped on the nose as a child and had to have it put back into shape. Now in later life the area beneath the eye gets very puffy but only on one side. Is there any product that I can use that might reduce this swelling? I think its water retention in the area.
Thanks,
Penny
Penny,
Getting rid of fluids beneath the eye is a tricky one. One of the best treatments would be to use lymphatic drainage massage to drain the pocket of fluid. This is done by pressing your middle and ring fingers to the bridge of your nose for the count of 3 (you want to feel it in your sinus). Then move toward your temples along the socket underneath your eyes in small half-centimetre increments and repeat. Eventually you will get to a small dip in the temple. Press here and release. Then do the same but move along the socket up above the eyes. When you get to the temple, which is the lymphatic drainage point: press and release. You can repeat this as often as you want and you can incorporate it into your eyecream application. For products that will help to drain fluids effectively, have a look at Strixaderm S.O.S. (a reduction of up to 40% in a month) or Natura Bisse Stimul Eye Gel and Mask. The mask might be a really good idea as it could be used as and when needed under the one eye in the morning when you get up. Apply a slick and leave it while you are getting ready. When it is time to apply makeup, pat in the excess and carry on as normal. This should give you a double-pronged attack on the pesky problem.
Good luck Penny,
John
John,
I am getting married in a few months and my past has come back to haunt me! When I was a bit younger, I had a small-ish tattoo done on my shoulder. Everyone said I would regret it, but of course...I knew better. All of the dresses that looked best on me were strapless and I have ended up with a gorgeous dress, but I really want to hide my tattoo. What is the best way and will it stay covered all day? Any advice will be appreciated.
Ex-rock chick,
Sam
Sam,
Tattoos are not very bridal, are they? But not the end of the world either. If you are really regretting the tat, you could always consider having it removed. This consists of several sessions of laser to kill off the pigment of the tattoo. Some colours fade faster than others, but you have time if you moved fairly swiftly. If you wanted to cover it up, I would go to a professional theatrical makeup supply like Charles Fox or Screenface and get one of the Derma Colour sample pallets. These each contain a range of shades in your skintone to allow you to blend away the tattoo. Once you find the correct shade, you can buy a full sized product for use whenever you want it. This is a waterproof and transfer-proof product and it is the sort we would use on stars that need tattoos covered for a character in film, like Ms. Jolie-Pitt. They really work. The best method of application is a layering process. Apply a thin layer to clean dry skin and set with the waterproof powder that accompanies it. Then repeat until you are satisfied with the result. 3-4 layers are usually enough to cover even the most graphic ink such as black. Set it again and you should be more than covered for the day...and night. Have a wonderful day and don't let this even be a minor concern. Get your product sorted out as soon as you can and practice until you can get the effect you want in a couple of minutes.
Congratulations!
John
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