With so many Hong Kongers visiting Bangkok on a regular basis, BBHK decided to compile a list of the best places for some R&R, and pampering for after the crazy shopping and for before the insane partying! BBHK Editor Chantel Shafie and Georg Lauth visited the land of smiles to compile the BBHK spa guide to Bangkok from both a male and a female perspective. Top on our hot list of MediSpas was the Tria Integrative Wellness and Medical Institute.

What is a Medi Spa?
The way a medispa differs from a normal spa is that is has a licensed doctor at the helm, and can therefore offer non-surgical cosmetic and medical treatments that spas would not normally be licensed to perform.  Some of the treatments that medispas offer include laser treatments and IPL, microdermabrasion, fillers such as Juvederm, and Restylane, Botox, chemical peels and laser treatments.  In the case of Tria, they take a more holistic approach to rejeuvination, and consider themselves more of an urban health retreat for those who wish to embrace wellness as a lifestyle.  The doctors on hand will prescribe various healing treatments, ranging from facials and massages, to acupuncture, TCM, chiropractic consultations, weight management, and prescribing medicine for ailments, as well as helping cancer patients from the neighbouring hospital on their road to recovery using complete wellness as an answer.

Tria -Tra la la la laaa
With Bangkok being considered by many as Asia’s Spa capital, the competition is fierce. Situated behind the Piyavate Hospital, the Tria Institute is a large and assuming building that from the outside looks like a modern hospital. Stepping through the sleek floor to ceiling glass doors, into the blonde wood foyer, you get the impression you have walked into a uber cool Los Angeles holistic plastic surgery centre, (Nip/Tuck viewers will know what I mean!) I half expected to see a Thai celeb with black glasses, a nose-job bandage and paparazzi outside, (for the record no surgery, plastic or otherwise is conducted there.) It feels calming, inviting and safe, yet medical at the same time and I immediately loved it. The Tria was unlike any other spa I had walked into before. Gone were the gongs, bamboo and Buddhas, all replaced with a centre that is there for one reason only, to make you feel better, and for some actually get better! The men and women are divided into two separate very large identical sections, consisting of indoor pool, with a vast array of spa jets, hydrotherapy massage sprays, whirlpools and jacuzzi jets. Along side this is the obligatory sauna and steam rooms. I spent a good half an hour pressing buttons and being massaged by various powerful jets. My sore shoulders were particularly happy with the hose jets that pummelled the stress away. I was sad to have to leave the pool to my anti-ageing facial, but I was lead into a double height vast atrium with another large jacuzzi plunge pool, set a constant 34 degree centigrade temperature. The heat is combated by a mosaic encrusted ice crusher which supplies you with ever-flowing ice cold ice to spread over your warm and relaxed body. The 26 treatment rooms are arranged around the hot/cold bliss jacuzzi thing, with half of them on the 2nd floor mezzanine level which overlooks the pool.

Look into my eyes…my eyes…my eyes… and sleep…
We both chose to have the Chrono-Reverser facial. This 60 minute facial uses anti-ageing alpha-hydroxy acids and vitamin C to create a uniform glow and regenerate skin cells. I wasn’t sure what it meant either, but it has anti-ageing and regeneration in one sentence, so we thought we would have to give it a go.  In keeping with the Tria style, the room was spacious, with lovely high ceilings, again in the synonymous hues of walnut and cream, of course with the obligatory spa music. After the 45 minutes padding around the various spa facilities I was already extremely relaxed and gormless, so the facial was just the cherry on the serenity cake. Various potions and lotions were massaged, applied, and removed from my face, all finished off by a sublime head and shoulder massage. Needless to say I was snoring away by the time the treatment had ended. My only complaint is that 60 minutes was not enough, It was just too good!  If things could not get any better I was sleep-walked up to the outdoor rooftop pool, which by now was under the cover of a million twinkilng Bankok stars, and was offered a cup of yummy lemongrass and ginger tea.  Bliss.

The Tria is massive, which is another reason why it doesn’t feel like a normal spa. I usually like a small, inviting and intimate spa, which I think lends itself to relaxation and serenity. The Tria although large in stature still managed to evoke these emotions. In a way I felt like a kid in candy shop, every corner you turned, albeit a huge one, offered another delightful spa delicacy waiting to be devoured, and I cant wait to go back to see what I missed.

Where?
TRIA Integrative Wellness
998 Rimklongsamsen Road, Bangkapi
Huay Kwang
Bangkok 10310
Thailand

Reservation Hotline: +66 (0) 2660 2602
Tel. +66 (0) 2660 2600
Fax. +66 (0) 2660 2601
info@triaintegrativewellness.com

What and How Much?
Chrino-Reverser facial – Baht 3500/ 60 mins (HKD890) includes free use of all the Tria spa facilities.

Facials, facials, facials.  Facials to get rid of your wrinkles, facials to make your skin whiter, facials for blackhead removal, with such a plethora of choices in Hong Kong to treat your most important asset, where should you go and what should you do?  The papers are littered with special offers, and packages from various salons around town, most of them very cheap, but using questionable Chinese skincare products. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to your face,  I believe in using the best products and the best therapists in town.

With this in mind I visited The Beautiful Skin Centre in Pacific Place for the new anti-aging Murad IP5 Illuminating Peel Facial.  Now that is quite a mouthful, and at $1400 dollars it isn’t cheap, but what is it, what is it supposed to do, or more importantly how young will I look?

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Howard Murad a few weeks ago, and by talking to him about skincare and his profession as a dermatologist, there is  no wonder why he is one of the world’s foremost authorities on skin health and skincare.  He has developed this new anti-aging facial to exfoliate, lift, plump and illuminate – all in one treatment. “This professional facial takes skin resurfacing to a new level by removing non-functioning cells and increasing cell to cell communication between healthy cells,” Murad said.  The facial comprises of five very high performance exfoliators and brighteners that resurface your skin, followed by Murad’s Immuno-Skin Complex which is said to plump up the skin with antioxidants to maximize cell renewal and ‘vaccinate’ skin against age-related degradation.

Tucked away in a secret corner by the entrance to the Conrad hotel in Pacific Place, The Beautiful Skin Centre is tiny, and easy to miss.  But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in service and stature.  Part of the same family as The Elemis Day Spa and The Victorian Spa in Disney, The Beautiful Skin Centre is arguably one of the best beauty salons in Hong Kong.  As I settled down into my treatment room, my therapist Clara chatted to me about the Murad skin care range, and other products that the salon carry.  She was extremely knowledgeable and excited and I got the impression that she takes her job very seriously, and tries and tests all products herself so she can have a comprehensive judgement when she suggests products to her clients.  I immediately felt at ease, as I had complete confidence that she knew what she was doing.

The treatment starts with the IP5 Illuminating Peel.  Clara informs me that IP5 stands for intensive peel 5, as it consists of five active components -Glycolic, Lactic and Salycylic Acids, which exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, alongside Indian fig extract and ‘vitamin c ester’ to stimulate cell renewal.  There was a slight tingling sensation, but nothing uncomfortable, in fact it was quite refreshing.  This was followed by a glorious acupressure facial which I was told would help my collagen production and encourage lymphatic drainage.  Two ticks in my books in the search for everlasting youth, and the removal of excess champagne and cosmos from the night before.  Finally Murad’s Cooling Recovery Mask was applied at the same time as the Eye Lift Concentrate, which according to Clara is proven to increase skin firmness by up to 75% in just 15 minutes, due to the magic super-hydrating Hyaluronic nanoparticles.

Being a beauty writer I get subjected to all manner of facials and treatments, and one thing that often bothers me is a salons allegiance to a brand.  No matter how good the salon, their products are ‘the best’, and you have to use ‘this particular line’, or it wont work etc.  But one thing that strikes me about The Beautiful Skin Centre, is that even though they are backing a few brands, they really believe that they are in the best interest of the client.  They choose the products, not the products choosing the salon, which is often the case.  There was  no hard sell after the treatment, and being totally honest, my skin looked incredible afterwards.  I was literally glowing, and I don’t think it had ever felt so smooth.  At $1400HKD, it is on the more expensive end of the facial scale, but for a once a month treatment, I truly think it is worth it if you care about really looking after your skin.

How Much? How Long?
$1400 for approx 75 minutes.

Where?
The Beautiful Skin Centre
Shop 344, Pacific Place,
88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2877 8911
Email: beautifulskincentre@schinac.com

How much is beauty worth to you?  With most beauty products that promise amazing results costing thousands of dollars, we cant help but wonder if its worth it, or if its all a big marketing and packaging campaign?  BBHK have hunted down and tested the five best affordable beauty products in Hong Kong that will help you achieve the results you want, and leave you with enough money in your wallet for a whole night of cosmos! Hurrah!

1)  Redskin Caviar Eyemasks – approx $5-$10 per mask (you may have to order them girls, so print out this picture to take along to the store) – Sasa

BBHK recently discovered these magic Korean gems in Sasa, and we can’t get enough of them.  Depending on the quantity or any promotions, they are super cheap, but better still they are super fab. The little packet opens to reveal two cotton caviar serum infused eyemasks that sit perfectly under each eye to reduce puffiness and increase moisture to dry tired eyebags. We then rub the rest of the lotion over our neck and face.  Most of the jargon is written in Korean, so we don’t know whats in them, but as they are always sold out and have to order we are sure the locals cottoned on to this little secret a long time ago!  We place them under our eyes after cleansing and toning in the morning, then gets ourselves fashionably ready for the day, perfect our hair, peel of the eyemasks and voila our bags are gone, and our eyes are bright for the day ahead and no one knew about the eight cosmos and the few cheeky glasses of Champagne the night before!

TOP TIP:  Always keep a few sachets in the fridge for a extra chilled and turbo charged depuff!

2) Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Essence -HK$98 -  Mannings 

So often BBHK trawls through the local section of Watsons and Mannings to find out what beauty products the local gals are using, however with most of them being written in Chinese, we haven’t a clue what they do.  Their questionable before and after shots don’t seem to appease the untrusting BBHK eye, so we were delighted to discover this Japanese product from a Malaysian beauty blog which was singing its praises.  Apparently they sell one every 4 seconds in Japan, so we couldn’t wait to try it out, and we were really pleasantly surprised!  Hyaluronic acid is one of the active ingredients that is in many of the most expensive beauty products on the market. In a nutshell Hyaluronic acid is a moisture absorber that attracts moisture to the layers of skin that need it the most, to maintain young, plump skin.  Its one of the buzz components of uber expensive skin-care products than make beauty experts go dizzy with excitement, so imagine our surprise when we discovered for under $100HKD we could find it on our shelves here in Hong Kong!  By placing a dollar size blob on your hand and patting it for a few seconds over the face, the paste-like liquid turns rather sticky, then after a few more pats it absorbs into the skin.  Finish off with your moisturiser.  If applied before bed, the lotion will continue to nourish the skin throughout the night.  BBHK tried if for a month, and was really happy with the results.

3) Nanoblur HK$175 /30ml – Mannings
This is one of those so called miracle products that just seem too good to be true.  This little tube of lotion claims to ‘Take 10 years off your appearance in 40 seconds or less’.  The before and after shots are so extreme that they seem quite unbelievable, however the stuff is quite fabulous and more importantly, it’s cheap!  Originally developed to cover up the imperfections in the skin of Hollywood celebrities for their new worst enemy, high-definition TV (which shows every lump, bump, wrinkle and open pore in complete large clarity for the whole world to see), this elixir of youth literally plasters in all the fine lines and pores to show the illusion of perfect, poreless youthful skin.  Used either under or over your foundation, the secret to this ‘finisher’ (not a primer) is in the millions of ‘microprisms’ that reflect and ‘blur’ over your natural imperfections.  Better still its safe, contains those magic peptides and amino acids, and is free of chemicals – Parabens, sodium Laurym and Suplhate.  Interestingly the company claims that it works 4x better on Asian skin, so we are sure our local sisters will be slapping this on their faces in no time!  Too good to be true? Well BBHK doesn’t think so, but at only HKD$175, its cheap enough for you to try for yourself!

4)Snoxin Serum HK$295 /30ml Mannings
In recent years practically every skin-care brand has launched their version of a face serum, but what is a serum and why are they so expensive?  In summary a serum is the product in a skin-care range that contains the active ingredients that are supposed to be actually making a difference to your skin.  While the cleanser cleans your skin, the toner closes your pores and puts back in lost moisture from astringents in your cleansers, and the moisturiser acts as a final step to keep your skin topped up from being dry all day, a serum is then the missing link that in recent years scientists  have managed to develop to drive the active working ingredients into your skin.  Because the serums contain these pricey active ingredients such as peptides, nano-peptides, hyrolonic acid (see above) and amino acids, paired with the research and development to make these products possible, unfortunately makes them the most expensive part of your daily routine, however possibly the most important.  Until now…  According to Indeed Laboratories, makers of Snoxin serum, their potion is 4 times more effective than 10 leading department store serums which cost almost their weight in gold. Now BBHK cant verify their own tests, but by looking at the list of ingredients they do contain all the magic ingredients that are supposed to make the high-end serums do what they say on the tin.  By combining six of the most effective anti-aging peptides in their highest allowable non-prescription concentration, there is no reason why Synoxin is not as good, if not better than is more expensive counterparts.  To make your Mastercard (and the Husband) even happier, the makers suggest you use Synoxin instead of a moisturiser, saving you even more pennies.  They also claim that it works best on areas with the thinnest skin, i.e. the eyes, which is where we need it the most.  If their before/after shots are to be believed, the results are staggering.  BBHK are about to start their own 56 day trial (which is their recommended significant improvement time period), but for only HK$298, we think its worth the same risk that the uber expensive brands have to offer, but with more left in your Prada wallet!

5) NATS. Restore Cleanser HK$199 – Philip George Salon / Watsons
Now if you girls are as lazy as me, I tend to wipe my makeup off with Nivea facewipes that I keep by the bed.  Recently I was traveling through Heathrow airport when I was spot-searched and to my horror a red beacon started flashing above my head accompanied by a sobering fog horn.  Within seconds I was surrounded by a number of security personnel.  Having watched Bangkok Hilton many years ago, and numerous episodes of the harrowing Banged Up Abroad, my toes started to curl in my Jimmy Choos and I started to freak out about the true contents of the various packets of tea and After Eight mints I had smuggled into my luggage by my so-called friends.  I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life in a cockroach infested prison cell chained to a prostitute called Porn.  “Are you aware Madam that you have traces of TNT explosives on your person?” said the burly immigration officer.  “WHAT?! No!”  As my life flashed before my eyes they pulled the Nivea face wipes out of my bag and said, “Ah! These often show up as TNT on the machine, the chemical compound of the wipes mimic explosives.”  I was packed up with a smile and sent on my merry way back to Hong Kong, and needless to say I have never used those wretched wipes on my face ever again!

Finding a great affordable cleanser has always been a concern of mine, they are either super expensive or really drying on the skin, and make my eyes sting.  This new-to-Hong-Kong cleanser from NAT, does the job perfectly!  It removes all traces of make up, including stubborn mascara as well as cleaning the skin without causing any harm.   Concocted from various  pure pressed plants, flowers and herbs from plants that have known healing benefits, the NAT range is using aromatherapy at its best, with a really reasonable price.  Three Cheers!

With all the late nights and sunny days, Hong Kong life can attribute to premature aging (gasp!).  Well I know us Hong Kong girls will swear blind that we enjoy our lives more, we rattle on about the retric, partying, junking, hiking, shopping and stress, which makes us party more, junk more, and shop more, but are we aging more than our friends back home?

Cue new Pevonia Botanica Myoxy-Caviar Line.  A firm favourite of Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Britney Spears, this new anti aging range is creating quite a stir in the beauty world.  Caviar derived from the higest quality Sturgeon, combined with pearl extracts are said to actually reduce the wrinkles.  Well is it true?  Well we haven’t tried it yet, (review to follow), but If the reviews online from around the world are to be believed then the answer is yes!

“I saw a noticable difference within 2 weeks, wrinkles seemed less noticable. My skin seemed to look younger and smoother. I have used countless creams and moisturizers over the years, this is the best ever.”- MRS A, USA

“Myoxy Cream is worth my 50 years of searching for the ultimate face cream. It smells YUMMY, clean and crisp, it is light and fluffy and gives you a beautiful glow. Even more so since I just got back from a week in Mexico and the cream makes such a health glow! I love it. Worth the money.”- MADDIE,  TEXAS

“One of the reasons I purchased this is it is supposed to help extend my visits between Botox injections. It seems to be doing the trick. Lots of nutrients & it contains retinol so I don’t have to use a separate product to get it.” – JANE

At HK$2180 the Myoxi Caviar repair cream for 50g costs about the same as a 50g pot of Beluga, but if the results are to believed then this girl is going to stop spreading it on her blinis and start slapping the Pevonia version on her face…

The Myoxy-Caviar Line

TIMELESS BALM CLEANSER    120ml / HK$520
TIMELESS REPAIR LOTION       120ml / HK$460
TIMELESS REPAIR SERUM        30ml / HK$2280
TIMELESS EYE CONTOUR        30ml / HK$2380
TIMELESS REPAIR CREAM        50ml / HK$2180
YOUTH-RENEW CAVIAR HAND & FOOT CREAM    50ml / HK$600

Where?

More than Skin Urban Spa
1st Floor, 8 Gilman’s Bazaar, Central, HK.
Tel.: 2815 5590

Bodywize Yoga . Day Spa
Shop 2, 2/F, 1 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, HK.
Tel.: 2838 5686
Amrita Spa
1st Floor, 8 Gilman’s Bazaar, Central, HK.
Tel.: 2815 5590
Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel
1 Sky City Road East, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong.
Tel.: 3969 1888

The desk of BBHK get inundated with various lotions and potions with promises of youth, perfection and glamour.  Whereas most of these do feel and smell fabulous of the skin, they tend to come with a lofty price tag to match.  But can skincare make a difference and not empty your wallet?

Australian skincare and body range NAT may have the answer.  By using pure plant extracts and aromatherapy, NAT believe they are tapping into the source of nature to combat skin problems, and create beautiful complexions.  Akin to the popular but more expensive Aromatherapy Associates range, NAT have concocted various ranges using pure pressed plants, flowers and herbs from plants that have known healing benefits.  Is it a lot of mumbo jumbo?  Well if the products we have trialed, then we would say the answer is no.

Divided into three ranges, NAT.FACE, NAT.BODY, and NAT.AROMA,  the various products have been developed to best suit the user, with ‘replenish’ for normal to dry skin, ‘rebalance’ for combination skin, ‘rejuvenate’ for dry dehydrated skin, and ‘restore’ for sensitive and fragile skin.  We tried products from the ‘restore’ range, including one of their most popular items, the Restore Serum.  This is a night serum, that can be used alone, or under a moisturiser.  Containing pure rose oil, the serum glides onto the skin, and smells divine.  They claim that the vitamins in the essential oils boost collagen while you sleep, and antioxidants help to plump up the cells for a youthful and healthy complexion.  Regardless, pure products at that price are a sure winner, and  a bargain in the BBHK books.

Cost
HKD$100 – HKD$280
Restore Serum $220

Where
Watsons (Store Locator)

Philip Georg Salon
1 Duddell St. 23rd Floor. Central. Hong Kong. Tel: 25 243 143

Founder of the hugely popular and successful skincare company Murad, Dr Howard Murad came to Hong Kong last week to launch his new book “The Water Secret” and his new water based product, “Daily Eye Lift”.  TVB host Rebecca Yeung, had a chat with him last week at the launch, and BBHK were there to eaves drop…

Q. Hello Dr. Murad, How are you? Welcome to Hong Kong!
Dr. I’ve many questions want to ask you today. First, many women nowadays very concern about aging, is it really difficult to slow down the aging process?

By focusing on Inclusive Health, a three prong approach to care, you can not only slow down the aging process but also help reverse the visible signs of aging. The Water Secret demonstrates that the fundamental marker of youthful good health is the ability of the cell membrane to efficiently hold water. This can be accomplished by tending to your internal, topical and emotional self care. Everything from getting regular exercise, taking daily supplements, getting a good night’s sleep and taking time for oneself will encourage an increase in intercellular water.

Q.Dr. Murad then what is the Three-Tropical Solutions that you just mentioned?

To help with the topical prong of Inclusive Health, look for a simple three-step process that addresses 1) Cleansing/Toning, 2)Treating/Repairing, 3) Hydrating/Protecting and that meet the needs of your unique complexion. A fool proof routine is one that you’ll follow faithfully as consistency is a key factor in long-term skin health

Q.Dr. Murad, today I know you’re going to introduce a new breakthrough anti-aging patent ingredient?

Yes, a powerful Peptide sequence, Immuno- Skin Complex, that communicates with your skin-sending a signal triggering a vigorous immune response against the factors that age your skin. Encourages skin to produce more collagen and Elastin so it’s stronger , firmer and more radiant, just like young skin.
We’ve launched a complete anti-aging skin care line called Murad Professional, all the products contain this powerful ingredient Immuno-Skin Complex to comply with 3- step skin care routine.

Q.Dr. Murad, since eyes area is the most fragile and fast aging area, any product can help to delay the aging process?

Yes, our new Daily Eye Lift is a targeted, concentrated formula that immediately relaxes fine lines while lifting and tightening skin. The under eye area will be noticeably firmer after the first use. Continued use will boost skin’s resilience through increased production of collagen and elastin. Daily Eye Lift features Immuno-Skin Complex™, a proprietary compound comprised of immune modulators that help boost the skin’s defense to fight future fine lines and next generation peptides developed to repair existing damage.

Q.Dr. Murad, then how do we know our skin already shown sign of aging and take appropriate care as earlier as possible?

We have a high technology skin diagnosis machine called Reveal Camera can detect different types of problems beneath the skin that we’re not aware in our daily life. i.e. pigmentation, fine lines, dryness, oiliness and resilience etc.  Today we’ve a demo to show how this machine can detect the skin problems

Q.Dr. Murad, then how could we solve these kind of problems on eyes area?

Beauty eye care tips and how the Murad Professional Daily Eye Lift can help!

Q.Do we need to drink eight glassfuls of water a day?

Eight glasses means eight trips to the bathroom, flushing the system of vital nutrients and minerals. Colorful raw fruits and vegetables are the best form of water for your cells as they provide structured water so that the hydration stays in your system long enough for your body to put it to good use, not to mention the nutritional benefits of raw fruits and veggies over plain H20. Try to replace one glass of water a day with a raw fruit.  Eat your water and you won’t need to count your glasses. If you replace at least one glass of water a day with one serving of raw fruits or vegetables, it’ll help you to stay hydrated significantly longer.

Q. People always said cells don’t renew themselves quickly or easily, is it true?

False! The common pathway to aging and disease is cellular water loss. The health of our cells is the ultimate marker of the true health of our body. Within 10 weeks, virtually every cell in your body has turned over. By practicing Inclusive Health, you will give your body the best opportunity to produce healthy, strong cells in as little as 10 weeks.

Q. Is it we can get the nutrition we need from “healthy” organic foods?

False! Although there are some foods that should always be purchased from the organic section of the produce aisle, you should try to incorporate a few select organic products into your diet where possible. Don’t subtract form your current eating plan, just add to it!

Q. Dr. then we should buy what kind of organic fruits?

The most important fruits to buy organic are apples, Cherries, Pears, Nectarines, Peaches, and Strawberries. When not organic, these fruits often trap toxins – enemies of a healthy body and beautiful, glowing skin!

Q. Is it true that exercise causes dehydration?

No. By eating your water and taking daily supplements, you are flooding your body with nutrients that are vital in keeping your cells hydrated during exercise and regular activities.

Q. Are our looks mostly genetically determined? Just like some people say about Shanghai women, are they born with beautiful skin?

No. You may have no control of your genetic makeup but you do have control over the health of your skin and your cells. Beautiful skin is healthy skin. Healthy skin is beautiful.

Q. Dr. is it true that Modern stress is unavoidable?

False! Cultural Stress® is a phrase I use to describe the type of constant and pervasive stress through living a maxed-out, multi-tasking life. Cultural Stress takes a dramatic toll on overall health so it’s important to understand it so you can address your stressors. Take steps to combat stress by surrounding yourself with people you care about, quieting your mind by turning off your cell phone and television long before bed, participating in a physical activity, and of course, smiling and laughing freely. These small efforts will bring you big emotional changes, helping you to de-stress and enjoy life!

Q. Then how we can make relax our emotion? Is it we should ignore the naysayers from without and, more importantly, those from within?

Allow yourself to achieve your maximum potential and always remember, the best is yet to come.

Q. Is inflammation bad for us ?

Inflammation is routinely advertised as something bad for your health. In truth, inflammation is a warning sign that the body is trying to heal itself and thus a key to survival. To put this into perspective, disease causes inflammation, inflammation does not cause disease. Inflammation is a symptom of something else going on in the body that ushers the inflammatory response for help. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to “treat’ inflammation as you have to treat the causes of inflammation thus helping to heal your body and improve your health.

Q. What are the 10 steps to Inclusive Health?

1.   Eat Your Water
2.   Hydrate & Take Supplements
3.   Maximize Cellular Water and Muscle
4.   Practice Self Discipline
5.   Savor Sleep
6.   Try Something New
7.   Give Back
8.   Water Your Skin
9.   Relax
10. Celebrate Your Successes!

Dr Howard Murads new book The Water Secret and his new Daily Eye Lift featuring Immuno-Skin Complex™ is out now in Hong Kong.

The best bit about this fab 1999 clip is Linda Evans of Dynasty Fame. She is rumored to have had face work such as lip Collagen, chemical peeling, cheek implants and a brow lift.

It is possible for a celebrity her age to have had a face lift since her neck doesn’t show any sagging skin.  Other of the procedures that Linda probably got is a blepharoplasty or eye surgery, removing the bags that appears under the eyes with age in some people and lifting the upper eye lid in case that is needed.  But the question is, did she use the Rejuvenique Electric Facial Mask?

From your late 20′s to your early 30′s you may start to see the first signs of aging.  These changes may be small at first, but crow’s feet, dark eye bags, crows feet and open pores are all things that are almost inevitable…almost.  Find out what our lady friends across the big pond are doing to combat aging.

1) Small lines in the corners of eyes, or crows feet, are usually the first area of the face that is prone to aging.  Small but increasingly deeper lines from the corner extending outwards are more likely to make you look older that you are.  It is best to try not to get them in the first place.  Living in a hot place like Hong Kong, we are more exposed to the sun that in other parts of the world, but make sure you wear sunscreen and sunglasses everyday to prevent early offset of these lines.

Doctor’s Fix – Botox or Dysport, known as Botox’s twin or cousin,  is still the treatment of choice for this problem in the USA.  Botox is a substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax, whereas the newer Dysport is also an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A, but it is 3 times cheaper, but also 3 times weaker, so therefore ends up costing about the same.  But the good news is it is said to last up to a year, whereas Botox tends to last about 3 months. Therefore more ladies (and men) are turning to Dysport in the USA.

2) Dark Circles and Eyebags. “No matter how much concealer I put under my eyes, they always look dark and tired”.  Sound familiar?  As we age, the fat beneath out lower lids start to protrude and  the muscle becomes loose.  Genetics have a massive part to play in the problem, but add to that late Hong Kong nights out,  with too much drinking, eating and sun exposure is a recipe for eye-bag disaster.

Doctors Fix -In America it is becoming more popular in inject hyaluronic acid fillers into the hollow parts to give the illusion of less eye-bags.  There is therefore no place for shadows to hide, therefore visually removing the dark circles and eye-bags.  Ladies as young as their early 20′s are having this treatment to prevent the eye-bags developing in the first place.  Other methods being used are chemical peels, IPL lasers or fractional lasers to help tighten the skin in the area, or of course there is the last point of call, the surgical lower blepharoplasty, or lower eye-lift.

3) Nasolabial Folds are the lines that start to appear from the nose around the sides of your mouth, otherwise known as smile lines.  However the older you get, you don’t need to be smiling for them to appear.  They appear when fat is lost from around the area, and start to appear in the mid 30′s but become very apparent in the 40′s.

Doctor’s Fix – Again, hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are the most popular treatment of choice in American patients.  If the fold are more pronounced, then cheeks may be injected too to plump out the area.

3)Age Spots.  Years of spending time in the sun causes damage to the skin.  Age spots or sun spots are caused from sun exposure and burning from possibly as far back as when you were a child.  It takes years for them to develop, but once they pop out they start to appear at an alarming rate.  If they are not looked after, they may become darker and cause your skin to turn crepey. Nice.

Doctor’s Fix – The first point of all in The States for sun spots is hydroquinone, generally applied in a gel, it helps to disperse the menaline more evenly in your skin.  A retinoid is then used to remove the top layer of skin to hopefully reveal sunspot-less, younger looking skin.  For deeper and more stubborn spots, then lasers are used to zap them away.

BBBHK TOP TIP- Before resorting to cosmetic surgery, try using a lemon daily on the spots to lighten them.  The vitamin C in the lemons act the same was as the hydroquinone by dispersing the menaline more evening and lighting the skin in those areas.

Next look out for the Top American New Cosmetic Beauty  Innovations…

Having a tough time coping with the pollution and non-stop crazy Hong Kong lifestyle?  Then how about having some multi-vitamins for the skin?  Euoko’s new product, the P21 Vitamin Mist contains deep-sea marine derivatives that revive and perfect the skin’s surface in an easy to use spray on mist. A boost of multiple berries provides the added antioxidant support that protects you from the elements so that the skin doesn’t age before it’s time.

Constant exposure to environmental aggressors such as chemicals, stress, UV radiation, dietary imbalance and pollution, all degrade the skin’s capacity to protect itself and affect the perfect micro-environment in which the skin’s cells can renew and rebalance. The P-SERIES helps to prevent skin cells damage caused by oxidative and UV stressors, detoxifies and protects the skin from harsh environments, decreases redness and irritation caused by UV exposure and smoothes and rehydrates for a healthier skin appearance.

P21 Marine Vitamin Mist (HK$660 / 100ml) from Joyce Beauty

They say that beauty is only skin deep, but how can we ensure that our skin is in tip top shape from within?  By drinking adequate amounts of water, we can stave off dehydration and get our circulation pumping for bright, plumped and youthful skin.

We need water for virtually every function such as digestion, bloody circulation, regulating body temperature, and detoxification.  Our blood is made up of 83% water, our brain is 74% and our bones are 22%,  therefore it is no surprise that water is necessary for our survival, the function of our body system and vital to our health.  Most importantly with regards to beautiful sparkling skin, and dark eye circles, we have to combat dehydration.

Many conditions can be improved by drinking water.  Cracked lips and dry mouths only occur when you are extremely dehydrated, so by drinking 8 glasses a day of the magic elixir, many common ailments can be treated such as exhaustion, constipation, asthma, headaches, depression, as well as visual benefits fine wrinkles, dark circles and sallow skin.

WeightLoss
Another health benefit of water is in fat metabolism.  So by drinking water, you can kick start your fat-loss.  The kidneys need water to aid in the detoxification process.  If we don’t have enough water in our body, then the waste from our kidney is passed onto our liver, which then cant do its own job properly.  One of the livers main jobs is to assist fat metabolism, so if the kidneys are clean and functioning properly, then so can the liver.  Voila, water can help you lose weight!

How much water should we be drinking?
A simple way to check if you are drinking enough water is to check the colour of your urine.  If it is light and clear, then you are drinking enough water, however if it is dark in colour, and opaque, then you need to up your intake.  Try to gradually increase your intake to about 2 litres a day so your body gets used to it.  Try drinking little and often, rather than gulping down gallons at a time.

What else counts as your daily intake?
Coffee, tea, sodas and alcohol all contain toxins so are therefore not included in your quota.  In fact if you do drink a cup of coffee or wine, then you are advised to have a glass of water after to process the toxins.  In the real world that is unlikely to happen, but fresh fruit and vegetables do help in hydrating the body, so tuck in!

New Natural Mineral Water for Nails, Skin and Bones
Tap water in Hong Kong can be safely consumed, however there are many health benefits to natural mineral water than cant be obtained from the tap.  For a water that is strong in health and beauty benefits, try new Snowy Mountain from Australias premium spa and natural spring region.  Snowy Mountain is high in silica which  has been long been regarded as nature’s building block and is our answer to healthier, younger looking, more radiant skin, hair nails and bones.

It also contains a neutral PH, which is our own body’s natural balance and calcium and magnesium for strong bones and teeth, muscle re-generation. All these natural factors combined are responsible for a smooth, soft and silky taste.

John Milionis, Managing Director of Snowy Mountain said “We are very excited to finally bring Snowy Mountain Water to Hong Kong. Bottled water containing silica is very rarely found in most bottled waters, we believe that Hong Kong will be able to reap the health and beauty benefits fully. Being in such a hot climate, water helps regulate and maintain body temperature. Drinking enough water daily will help remove all the pollutants and toxins from your body and will keep your body going throughout the busy workday.”

So the million dollar answer for beautiful, youthful skin and a fast metabolism.  Drink Water. Gambei!!

Snowy Mountain is available in the following retailers in Hong Kong: Park N’ Shop, Park N’ Shop International, GREAT Food Hall, TASTE and Fusion by Park N’ Shop.  www.snowymountain.com.au