Anti-ageing products are no longer a myth

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 18

Anti-ageing products are no longer a myth

THE quest for everlasting youth is as popular today as it was in the Dark Ages. Now, however, it relies on scientific discoveries and breakthroughs in beauty therapy rather than on mysticism. The science of beauty in the 1980 s is just that — a science, and one which really does seem capable of slowing down the ageing process of the skin.

Sothys, the number one beauty therapy company in France, whose products are used by 40 per cent of beauty therapy salons, and a leader in the field throughout Europe, has had products available in Christchurch for some time now. Its latest, and perhaps most advanced, range has just arrived. Sothys products are available only through beauty therapy clinics, and these are carefully chosen by the French company for solidity of reputation. Anne-Marie de Spa, the managing director of de Spa Cosmetics, Ltd, has worked with Sothys products for 14 of her 27 years in beauty therapy. She is now happy to share the products she describes as “wonderful” with other New Zealand beauty therapists. The new range is comprehensive enough to become almost a way of life. Its basis is three highly scientific therapy treatments aimed at three specific skin complaints. The results of these are compounded by home-care products, and maintained by regular therapy treatments and home-care lines. Complementary products specifically designed for lip and eye care are also available.

The first of the major therapy treatments is Deep Lifting. This is an anti-wrinkle treatment, which smooths and firms the skin, making features more distinct and contours more defined.

It operates on the principle of synergic beauty care, meaning that its ingredients interact to give a better result than if each were used separately.

The results themselves are cumulative, and although they can be seen from the first treatment, will become more obvious with repeated treatments, the recommended number is five to eight treatments, depending on the skin. Two fluid serums, one an energising concentrate, the other a restoring ingredient, are applied simultaneously to the skin. The energising concentrate stimulates the cell metabolism.

The restoring ingredient contains a powerful cell growth factor which activates the enzyme collagenase. Collagenase breaks down ageing collagen within the skin, making way for the new collagen which is forming and slowing down the ageing ■ process. It also contains D.N.A., which forms an effective remoisturising layer beneath the epidermis. ' These two serums are supplemented during and after the treatment with two soothing, toning masks, the Hydro-essential and Fluid Screen Masks.

The Hydro-essential Mask contains vegetable oils and concentrated essential oils which remoisturise the skin and produce a firming effect. It is also used for massage, which cleanses and tones the skin. The Fluid Screen Mask completes the

treatment, leaving the skin clear and unblemished. It has an astringent action which immediately removes surface wrinkles and smoothes the features.

The Deep Lifting treatment is backed up with balancing care from the Refirming

Line. This involves a day cream, a night cream, and ampoule therapy which is used every day during treatment or in general home care, and a mask which is also used up to twice a week.

Regular-care lines designed for specific

skin types reaffirm the results. The second of the therapy treatments is Collagen Integral, designed for dehydrated skins, which are often found in Canterbury’s windy climate. It combats wrinkles, rough skin and thin skin, and is used mainly for people over the age of 25. It is used on younger skins after treatment for acne or before facial surgery to reinforce the skin’s structure. The format of the treatment is similar to the Deep Lifting, and five to 10 treatments are necessary.

The balancing care comes from Moisturising Formula, which improves the collagen structure and deep-moisturises the skin.

The third therapy' treatment is Oxygenant, which deals with young skins which have blackheads, blind pimples, scars or scar tissue as well as aged skins which are sallow and devitalised.

Oxygenant stimulates cell growth by increasing the oxygen the skin absorbs. If the skin is also severely dehydrated, it may be necessary to use the Collagen Integral treatments first. The balancing care range continues the stimulation of the cells and improves tissue cleansing. Ampoule therapy is used for 10 to 20 days after treatment, and day and night creams keep the skin in condition. Regular skin-care products come in four ranges — normal/combination skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin — and Grand Air. The Grand Air range is specially designed for couperose skins — those with high colouring and broken capillaries. Its products help to maintain the elasticity of the capillaries and protect the skin. It also sooths irritations from sunburn or other skin lesions.

It is already proving highly successful, and the results are immediate. “I’ve watched

someone who was red just go white while I worked,” said Rose Chapman, the marketing executive for de Spa Cosmetics, Ltd, which has introduced the Sothys range to New

Zealand. She has seen other success stories with the treatments already. “One woman had six weekly Collagen Integral treatments and was asked if she’d had a face-lift!”