If you have always desired to be Snow White (without the circus of dwarves), but do not want to put your skin through excessive peeling (Obagi) or lasers, a tomato (not an apple), may be your antidote. Crystal Tomato is a revolutionary health supplement made with specially-grown tomatoes that are naturally-rich in colourless caretenoids, making them one of nature’s most efficacious whitening ingredient.

The result of 10 years of research and development by laboratories in Israel (and we know how advanced in technology, Israelis are), these precious tomatoes contain a high concentration of colorless caretenoids – Phytoene and Phytofluence, which have been proven to benefit skin and improve its clarity. I won’t bore you with all the scientific data and charts. All you need to know is that these two will increase protection of DNA and skin cells against oxidative and UV damage when you have them in higher quantities in your skin…via the consumption of Crystal Tomato. This supplement also contains L-Cysteine, an amino acid which already exists naturally in you and this helps to maintain the structure of proteins in your body and promotes healthy skin by encouraging collagen formation.

What’s great about Crystal Tomato is that it not only has the ability to lighten dark skin and pigmentation, such as acne scars and age spots on your face, it also works to lighten marks on your body, including dark underarms! This supplement is safe and approved by HSA (Health Sciences Authority) Singapore. In fact, one of the scientists behind Crystal Tomato, is Dr Alain Khaiat, who is an advisor with HSA and president of Seers Consulting who provides consultancy services to several regulatory authorities and associations in the areas of Cosmetics R&D and Safety Evaluation.

Crystal Tomato is marketed and distributed by Gromark Consumers Enterprise. It retails for $169 for a box of 30 caplets at selected clinics. For a list of stockists, contact Gromark at 6253-4388 or email [email protected]

I’m at the age where I get excited by any product with the words anti-ageing or youth in it. Sad I know, but this is the fact of a woman’s life as she grapples with the ageing process. So naturally, I got my granny knickers in a twist when I received an invite from The Body Shop about the launch of their new product, Drops Of Youth – in the form of an oh-so-cute terrarium plant. On top of that, the event was held at the new The Marmalade Pantry at the Stables, which I’ve been wanting to check out.

It was a great event where we heard testimonials about the product which is made from plant stem cells harvested from criste-marine which grows on the rocky Brittany coast. Why this plant? It was selected as this succulent plant is able to thrive in the most dry and in-hospitable climate, sustaining itself by drawing nutrients from the air surrounding it. On our skin, this organic anti-ageing potion is said to enhance surface skin renewal to reveal smoother, fresher and healthier skin. It is to be used together with your serum, or added to your day and night moisturizer to give a surge of hydration and kick-start the cell repair process. Launched island-wide yesterday, Drops Of Youth is retailing for $58.90 for a 30ml bottle.

Verdict: The concentrate is lightweight and absorbs easily into my skin without any sticky residue. My face feels more supple and does seem more luminous. While I am not looking like an 18-year old adolescent yet, I did get mistaken for a 25-year old recently (I’m actually 35 years old!).

I’ll leave you with some pictures from the Drops Of Youth media launch:

What do you think of youth-enhancing concentrates? Do they work?

Is there such a thing as drops of youth?

Stay tuned next week to find out…

Gold – this glittering metal has been used since ancient times to heal the sick and save lives.  The use of gold in modern medicine began around 1890, when the German bacteriologist Robert Koch discovered that compounds made with gold inhibited growth of the bacillus that caused tuberculosis. Since then, medical uses of gold have expanded greatly. It is used in surgery to patch damaged blood vessels, nerves, bones and membranes. And it is used in the treatment of several forms of cancer. Injection of microscopic gold pellets helps to retard prostate cancer in men. Women with ovarian cancer are treated with colloidal gold. And gold vapor lasers seek out and destroy cancerous cells without harming their healthy neighbors.

The anti-aging benefits of gold can be traced back 5,000 years to Cleopatra, who was said to sleep in a gold face mask every night to enhance the suppleness of her complexion and preserve its natural luminosity. In addition to antioxidant and antimicrobial powers, gold is praised for its purported ability to ward off UV damage, tighten lax skin and reduce the appearance of discoloration. Some believe it can slow the breakdown of elastin, keeping skin firm and taut; other proponents believe gold increases circulation, eliminating toxins from the body and speeding up tissue repair.

Which brings me to the reason why I was up early on a Saturday morning, popping gold-leafed canapes in my mouth…I was invited by La Prairie for the launch of their new Cellular Radiance Emulsion. At the workshop, group training manager of Starasia, Michelle, educated us on the benefits of gold and how their new product, containing this magic ingredient, will help bring radiance and suppleness to dull skin.

Any tai-tai worth her salt will know that La Prairie is known for their anti-aging skincare range made up of luxurious and top of the range ingredients like caviar, platinum and gold. One of their bestsellers is a serum called Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold under their Radiance Collection, which contains colloidal gold, flecks of gold and liquid crystals to rejuvenate skin. This Cellular Radiance Emulsion SPF30 is the latest add-on to the collection, and a complement to their bestseller.

Testing the products, the gold flecks in the serum were obvious and my hand was instantly “blinged” up when I applied it. Topping it off with the emulsion, there was indeed a radiance to my hand as promised by the products. The texture was a little too rich for my liking upon application but after a while, the slight stickiness went away when the product was fully absorbed.

Besides gold, the emulsion also contains other skin-loving ingredients like a Unique Brightening Complex that contains a patented molecule that brightens the skin and helps prevent age spots from forming, Extract of Silver Vine which blocks almost 100% of carbonylation which is responsible for decreasing light transmission of the skin and Boswellia Extract, a topical anti-irritant to reduce cellular stress, a cause of redness and irritation.

I don’t think that I am going to use the La Prairie products daily as I am quite happy with my current regime. Instead, I am going to save these goodies for special occasions when I need to glow. Or after a particularly rough week. Or perhaps when I am feeling like Cleopatra and soaking in my milk bath…

The Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold is retailing at $1050, while the Cellular Radiance Emulsion SPF30 is $750. Available at La Prairie counters at Tangs, Metro Paragon, Takashimaya and Robinsons.

To launch its new Bi-White REVEAL Deep Cell-Whitening Spot Intervention, designed to target all dark spots – acne marks, freckles, age spots, sun spots, hand spots and brown spots, even the most stubborn ones, leaving skin visibly fairer, more unified and healthier after four weeks, Vichy Singapore wanted to demonstrate the product’s efficacies with a fun and interactive Facebook app.

Called the Vichy Spot Removal Application, you can upload your photo and use an anti-blemish tool to remove your spots. You can then choose to publish your flawless photo on your profile page to share with your friends, and or publish it on Vichy’s album. Everyone who plays with the app will be applicable to win a full-sized product and attend a Vichy workshop where you will have the chance to win a year’s supply of Vichy products worth $1200!

Remove your spots here at Vichy Singapore now!

Get your copy now before it’s sold out (yes that’s what happened for the last issue!). What you’ll find inside:

Aesthetics 101

-       Top 10 Aesthetic Treatments & Plastic Surgeries

-       Aesthetic Tips: How to find a suitable doctor

Imperfections Special

-       Whatever your problem or budget, there’s a treatment here for you.

Laser Genesis - A non-ablative solution for younger-looking, glowing skin.

Fraxel Dual - Get rid of pigmentation faster with this new laser.

Revlite – Treat melasma and other pigmentation with this gentle laser.

Matrix IR – Smooth away wrinkles without downtime with the revolutionary elōs fractional technology.

Ask The Dermatologist

-       Dr Ang Chee Beng talks about laser treatments and how they can help improve skin.

Breast Fillers - Get shapelier breasts without surgery.

LPG - Knead and roll your way to a slimmer body.

Indiba - This treatment uses heat to burn off fats.

Beauty

-       Beauty Chat: With entrepreneur Merry Riana

-       Tried & Tested!  YouTube Guru Sarah Chaudhry and her top five beauty picks.

-       Ask The Beauty Expert: We get beauty and health tips from Lily Kew, founder of Glow Spa.

-       Acne Away! Top 8 grooming tips for men.

-       Ask The Beauty Queen: All your fashion and beauty woes answered.

Anti Aging Special

-       All About Fillers with Dr David Loh

-       New Face Lift: Sculptra: Find out about a new collagen treatment that will help put back what time has taken out.

Lifestyle and Wellness

 Hydrafacial – A cutting-edge technology in non-laser skin resurfacing for clearer  and more beautiful skin.

Cool Sculpt – Latest non-invasive procedure to selectively reduce fat in problem areas using a patented cooling technology.

PPx Pro  - Photopneumatic Profusion (PPx Pro ^TM) is five times safer, faster and more effective in treating acne, eradicating pigmentation and removing unwanted hair.

Exercise

-       Power Plate Workout: Shape up faster and more efficiently with this workout of the stars!

Ask The Plastic Surgeon

-       Find out how you can reverse signs of aging with facial rejuvenation by Dr Marco Faria Correa

5 Minutes With…

-       Dr Joyce Lim: This skincare doyenne talks about pigmentation and her solutions to skin imperfections.

Ask The Dentist

-       Dr Edward Liew from St Andrews Dental Surgeons clues us in on how to have a perfect smile.

Ask The Lasik Surgeon

-       Q&A with Dr Steve Seah from Optimax Lasik Centre

Industry Happenings

-       A sneak preview into the latest products and machines for all your beauty concerns.

What’s In The News: Cosmeceutical Skincare, Latisse, UltraShape 3, Vaginal Resurfacing

Excites!

Aesthetics & Beauty Guide Jan 2011

Finally finished wrapping up Aesthetics & Beauty Guide (ABG) January 2011 issue (it’s a coincidence that it looks so Christmassy btw). People, especially women, are always envious of me whenever I tell them what I do – which is review beauty treatments for work. Indeed, I have to admit that my job is pretty amazing and in this issue, I get to try out an array of procedures to treat skin problems as well as test-drive the latest slimming machines (goodbye love handles!) in our Imperfections Special! In fact, you will even read about the very treatment that super-svelte Dr Georgia Lee uses on herself to maintain her figure!

Find out what the top 10 most popular aesthetic treatments are and the kind of research you should do on your doctor before going for a procedure. Want to improve yourself but not keen to go under the knife? Then check out our feature on Sculptra – a non-surgical face lift, and breast fillers for shapelier breasts in 60 minutes flat! I also chat with successful entrepreneur, Merry Riana, to find out her success and beauty secrets, and if this multi-hyphenate (author, businesswoman, motivational speaker, mentor and mother) can keep herself groomed to perfection, you have no excuses!

ABG will hit newsstands end January, look out for it! Now, I just to to finish my other magazine, The Republic (http://www.therepubliconline.com/) and I’ll be freeeeeeee…:)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Spent a luxurious Sunday pampering myself with Reviva Labs facial products. Here’s what I tried:

1. Collagen Fibre Eye-Pad Kit (US$38)

Instructions:

First I applied the Skin Energizing  Gel (which comes with the product) under my eyes then pasted the collagen eye pads on top of it. Using water, I dabbed at the eye pads till they were transparent and adhered to my eye area. The eye pads molded easily and felt comfortable. After 15 to 20 minutes, I peeled them off.

Results:

My fine lines look minimised and my undereye area looked tighter. Weekly usage will enhance the Botox-like effects and result in smoother, firmer undereye area, reduce wrinkles, puffiness as well as dark circles.

2. Light Skin Peel (US$20)

Instructions:

I applied this thick paste, which smelt like fruity clay, all over my face. There was a slight tingling sensation and I left it on for 5 minutes or until it dried completely, then gently rubbed it off. 

Results:

My favourite so far! My complexion was radiant and had a slight pinkish flush after the treatment. It would be great if the acid peel came with a brush or spatula to make application more hygenic.

3. Collagen Fibre Skin Brightener Pads (US$13)

Instructions:

An interesting product and treatment where you cut the collagen pads according to the area you want to treat, dab water to make it adhere and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. According to Reviva Labs, this product contains Alpha-Arbutin, and a study on Chinese women has shown that this ingredient has the most skin lightening effect after one month, compared to other products tested.

Results:

The area where I pasted the pads looked slightly clearer, however my pigmentation still looks the same. For progressive lightening, I have to use this two to three times a week.

For more information, check out: www.revivalabs.com

Aesthetics & Beauty Guide (ABG) is the first aesthetics magazine from Singapore to bridge the information gap between medical professionals and the layman. In every issue, you will find detailed treatment reviews , the lowdown on the latest aesthetic treatments available and profiles of qualified medical professionals – basically, your go-to guide for all things aesthetics.

I started ReviewAntiAging.com last year in my personal pursuit to look for the best aesthetic treatments for myself. My partnership with ABG has allowed me to share my vast experience with a wider pool of women (and men!).  In the name of “work”, I’ve reviewed almost 20 treatments and looking at my skin now – smooth, radiant and taut, I’m definitely a big believer that aesthetic treatments can help you get better skin and maintain your complexion for many years to come.

In this inaugural issue of ABG, you’ll get a crash course in Aesthetics 101, reviews of the latest and most effective aesthetic treatments, hear from Dr Georgia Lee as she talks about her new skincare range, get all your acne questions answered by renown dermatologist, Dr Joyce Lim, get the skinny on the newest slimming treatments to get rid of your wobbly bits, and many more health and beauty tips.

ABG is available at all major newstands and bookstores, get your copy before it’s sold out (I hear that Kino and Borders have had to replenish and copies are being stolen from doctors’ clinics)!

Dr Georgia Lee

Cosmeceuticals represent the marriage of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Examples of products typically labeled as cosmeceuticals include anti-aging creams, serums and moisturisers. Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products with biologically active ingredients purporting to have medical or drug-like benefits.

And, who better to create these products than doctors themselves.  Several doctors have come up with their own skincare range to better serve their patients as well as tap on the burgeoning skincare industry.

They include:

Dr Georgia Lee with drgeorgialee skincare. Read my interview with her about her new “baby” here:

http://www.reviewantiaging.com/drgeorgialee-skincare.html

Dr SM Yuen with his Rose-2 range:

http://treatment.com.sg/product_rose.htm

Dr David Loh of David Loh Surgery who will be launching his luxurious line in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more updates here.