In the short months following the couple’s engagement, the magnitude of her influence on the public could not have been anticipated. It seemed every woman in the country was looking for ways to emulate the future queen. Dubbed the so-called “Kate Middleton Effect” by the media- almost every garment Kate wears appears to sell out in days, if not hours. And this is still the case today.

On April 26th Kate wore a blue tweed Rebecca Taylor skirt-suit. Within just 30 minutes the outfit had completely sold out online. Kate is often praised for “reinvigorating the British monarchy”, but she has also been named as one of the reasons for the sudden surge of brides to be under-going cosmetic treatments. Far beyond dressing like Kate, it seems today’s modern brides are keen to go even further to have their own fairy tale wedding, much like the Duchess.

Bridalplasty

According to a survey of 5000 brides by confetti.co.uk we are in the midst of an epidemic of pre-wedding cosmetic surgery. Blushing brides are seeing their wedding as an opportunity to fix what they don’t like about their appearance. An increasing number of women are turning to so-called Bridalplasty to enhance their looks for their big day.

In fact, out of those surveyed, 51% have opted for tooth whitening treatments and veneers to ensure their teeth sparkle like the Duchess of Cambridge’s pearly whites at her wedding to Prince William last year.

The survey also found that one in 10 women are opting for Botox in the pursuit of the ultimate wedding aesthetic.

According to Confetti wedding expert, Kate Thompson, she believes that ‘bridalplasty’ may be largely down to the vision of beauty Kate and Pippa Middleton wowed us all with last year.

‘For a great many modern brides, the wedding becomes a catalyst for those who have something that bothers them about their appearance.

But it is important that if you are looking to have non-surgical treatments before your wedding, you ensure that it is carried out by professionals. Only seek advice and treatments from fully qualified doctors. At Natura, our doctor, Dr. Xavier has helped hundreds brides enhance their appearance before their big day. Listen to our patient, Dena talk about how Natura helped her get ready for her big day.

The 23 year old recently admitted that she preferred the ‘natural look’, and the model turned actress certainly showed that when she dined out wearing little or no makeup. Her natural look revealed a less than perfect complexion, with her skin appearing red and spotty.

But Lily isn’t alone. Thousands of women still suffer from mild acne long after their teenage years, when the problem is more common.

Most skin experts believe that an increase in the male hormone, testosterone, is one of the main causes. It creates an excess of sebum — an oily/waxy substance produced by the sebaceous glands to lubricate the skin. Too much sebum causes a build-up of oil and dead skin cells in hair follicle pores. Bacteria make their way to the blockage, and the growth in bacteria causes acne.

Many facets of modern life are also thought to exacerbate it, including junk food, the excessive consumption of sugar, hormone imbalances and stress. Interestingly, there’s also a growing school of thought that acne is genetic.

Lily was recently named as the Body Shop’s first brand ambassador and has since launched her own make up line, as she refuses to wear anything that has been tested on animals. She said she doesn’t often change her beauty products and tends to opt for the ‘less is more approach’.

‘I like to go for taupe colours, a really natural look. I like products that enhance, rather than mask your face. I don’t tend to experiment a lot with make-up, I just do what I do, but I like to play with different lip colours.’

However, the model should perhaps look at her daily skin care routine if she wants to try and manage her outbreaks. French pharmaceutical company Avene has a great range for treating skin prone to spots. Here is a step-by-step guide to how to use The Avene Cleanance range for problematic skin.

Step- 1

Splash face with water and wash with Cleanance Soap Free Gel Cleanser, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. This Soap-free cleanser eliminates impurities and excess sebum without stripping the skin.

Step- 2

Using Cleanance Ani-Shine Purifying Lotion, apply to the face with a cotton pad, after thoroughly cleansing. This Astringent toner purifies skin and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation. Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine-free.

Step- 3

Spray a fine mist of Avene Thermal Spring Water and wait a few moments for face to dry.

Step- 4

Follow with one of the 3 mosturisers. Choose the one which best describes the way your skin behaves.

Cleanance Anti-shine regulating lotion

Moisturiser absorbs oil and provides long lasting mattification.

Clean-Ac

A hydrating and soothing moisturiser for skin that is irritated or dehydrated by acne treatments. Complementary care to dermatological medications and treatments.

Cleanance K Oil control lotion

Daily treatment helps eliminate clogged pores, blackheads, blemishes to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion. Non-irritating formulations clinically proven to change the pattern of cycle causing acne breakouts, reduce excess sebum, and restore skin’s balance.

Following rehydration filler treatment, it is fairly common for some patients to experience some degree of redness or bruising. This is down to the nature of the treatment which involves administering multiple pin pricks of this finer, thiner rehydration filler.

Teosyal a company which produces the filler have recently launched a range of complementary makeup products for concealing the redness and bruising. Made in Switzerland – this range is also great for sensitive skin. These products are receiving great press and have been nominated for awards for their effectiveness. They all have anti-ageing properties, as the products contain Hyaluronic acid, renowned for its youth enhancing benefits.

Teosyal Covering Repair Concealer

In the range is a 4 shade covering repair concealer, which is a makeup containing hyaluronic acid. It is suitable for covering redness, dark spots, under eye circles and also for post wrinkle injection treatment. The four shades mean that you can get exactly the right colour for your skin tone, as well as covering up any post treatment redness or bruising . It is fairly common for patients to excperience some degree of redness or brusing, which is down to the nature of the treatment. The treatment involves administering multiple pin pricks of the finer, thiner rehydration filler.

This make up will appear to be thinner than others but this is because it does not dry the skin out. Too heavy and it would be quite obvious and noticeably sit on top of the skin. The hydrating nature and smooth application of this product means it sits invisibly on the surface of the skin whilst at the same time providing skin with great coverage.

For larger areas there is a sponge, which you can use to ‘dab’ the product lightly on to the imperfections. Then use a concealer brush to apply the product to smaller areas such as under eye circles and blemishes and blend the product gently into the skin. Make sure your brush is not too hard though. If the bristles aren’t soft enough you could irritate the skin, this is especially important if you have recently had treatment.

The Teosyal Covering Repair Kit is great for honeymoons and holidays as the palette of colours means you can always have the right colour makeup- even with a tan. The unique formula means imperfections are subtly and effectively corrected. Leaving skin looking enhanced, bright and radiant.

This Week…. B is for Blueberries

So this week we are looking at blueberries. Perhaps less popular than the nations favourite- strawberries, this unsung hero of the fruit bowl is a great addition to many dishes. Throw on your cereal in the morning, or why not try our delicious muffins. Made with blueberries and yogurt, these cakes are low in fat and high in taste!

So why are they good for us?

The antioxidants found in blueberries help prevent long-term cell damage. Antioxidants fight free radicals to protect your skin from environmental factors, which can cause skin to age.

A diet containing food high in antioxidants is one of the simplest, most natural things you can do when it comes to enhancing your health and beauty.

Anthocyanin’s, members of the phytochemical group known as bioflavonoids, give blueberries their characteristic pigmentation. More importantly, these colouring agents possess powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote overall health. If you’re concerned about blotchy, dull or sun-damaged skin, eating blueberries and other anthocyanin-rich plant foods on a regular basis could help clear up problem areas and leave your skin looking clearer, firmer and younger looking.

These cakes are a healthy alternative to the usual high calorie equivalents you can buy in supermarkets and coffee shops.

By replacing caster sugar with maple syrup, you can dramatically reduce the sugar content as a teaspoon of maple syrup has half the sugar content of a teaspoon of sugar.

Though relatively small, by replacing white flour with wholemeal you slightly increase the fibre content of the cake.

And perhaps most importantly? The blueberries, which not only make the cakes wonderfully moist in texture, but also keep the skin looking younger and healthier.

Great for breakfast with fresh fruit or as healthy snack during the day.

Wonderfully Moist Blueberry Cakes

Keeps for 24 hours in the fridge

INGREDIENTS

2 large free-range eggs, separated
50g maple syrup sugar
25g wholemeal flour
200g strained Greek yoghurt
Lemon zest and juice of half a lemon
100g blueberries

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and fill a muffin tray with muffin cases.

2. Mix the eggs yolks with the maple syrup well. Beat in the flour, then the yoghurt, lemon zest and lemon juice until throughly blended.

3. Whisk the egg whites until stiff. Fold them into the yoghurt mixture.

4. Add a third of the mix to each of the cake cases, then add a few blueberries to each.

5. Divide the remaining blueberries to the mixture and very gently fold. Add the mixture between the cake cases.

6. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, until the top is brown. The cakes will rise like a souffles and then subside. Allow to cool before lifting out.

Serve with greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Make the most of Summer 2012, whether it’s a holiday, or you are throwing a jubilee party, Natura can help you look and feel great, whatever you have planned.

High street favourite H & M have been slammed by doctors after their latest summer campaign features an alarmingly tanned model.

Cancer experts have said that the retail giants have irresponsibly advertised their new swimwear collection by using a model with an incredibly deep bronzed appearance. The adverts have been used across Europe in magazines, on TV, on billboards, as well as the company’s website.

The model at the centre of the controversy is 28 year old Brazilian model, Isabeli Fontana. It is not yet clear how the model achieved her deep tan, doctors are unsure whether it was from fake tan or whether she achieved it by lying in the sun. However, it seems that either way, the company is being accused of promoting an unhealthy and potentially life threatening approach to safety in the sun.

Dr Ralph Braun, from the Early Skin Cancer Centre at Zurich University Hospital, said: ‘I find this advertisement very alarming and borderline.

‘Many people, especially the young, will try to emulate this and will try to be just as brown, although with some skin types this is just not possible.’ Swiss Cancer League spokeswoman Cornelia Egli said: ‘This completely contradicts our advertising efforts.

H&M have been quick to defend the campaign and told the Swiss press they chose a model with darker skin in order to best show the strong colours on sale this season. They claim Fontana, the model featured in the controversial campaign, was selected for her naturally dark skin and that her Brazilian nationality is another contributing factor.

However, pictures published of the model appearing in other campaigns show her with a considerably lighter skin tone. Representatives for H & M went on to say, “Of course we think that this is an important subject, however the aim with our campaign is to show our swimwear collection, which we think that Isabeli Fontana is doing in a good and inspiring way,”

Inspirational or not, there is no denying that in order to achieve a tan like Isabeli’s in the campaign, one would be putting themselves at high risk of burns and more seriously, skin cancers.

The story comes just a few weeks after a New Jersey mother was summoned to court after her 5 year old daughter was subjected to dangerous UV rays as a result of accompanying her mother whilst she used a sunbed. The mother is now facing charges after police said she brought her 5-year-old daughter into a tanning booth.

It caused the girl to suffer burns to her body, according to the Essex County prosecutor’s office. Patricia Krentcil, who herself is very tanned, was charged with second-degree child endangerment. No one under the age of 14 is allowed to use a tanning booth, according to New Jersey state law.

Krentcil, 44, told The Associated Press her daughter got sunburned by being outside on a recent warm day. She said her daughter, however, had mentioned to school officials when she complained of itching that she had been to a tanning salon with her mother.

For the first time, a study by the University of Toronto, has found that cosmetic treatments can take up to an average of nine years from person’s age appearance.

In addition to quantifying the procedure’s ‘youth-giving’ effects, researchers found that the findings held true even when the patients were younger to begin with. They also took into account other factors, which could potentially influence a person’s looks.

Perhaps one of the most interesting conclusions from the research, (published in a report by The Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery) was that the more individual procedures the patient had, the greater the number of years between real and perceived ages.

Patients looked nine years younger if they had had a combination of 3 different procedures. The findings demonstrated direct correlation between looking younger and having a varied number of treatments.

Forty first-year medical students were shown before and after photos of 60 year-olds. They were then asked to estimate the ages of the 53 women and 7 men before having any treatments and then afterwards

The patients had all had a variety of facial treatments and had each undergone between one and three procedures. 22 had a face and neck tightening, 17 had a face and neck tightening as well as an eyelid lift and a further 22 had a face and neck tightening, an eyelid lift and Botox.

Perhaps to be expected, those patients who had had more lifts looked notably younger than their peers who had had fewer procedures.

Those who had undergone one procedure looked an average of 5.7 years younger, while those who had had two procedures appeared 7.5 years younger.

The patients who had a total of three skin procedures, looked 8.4 years younger, in the eyes of the medical students.

The study has help strengthen evidence in the industry that not only do skin rejuvenation treatments work, but the results are visible in the perception of those around us.

The process of having these treatments must be done over the course of several weeks- even months. This can be favourable though. The cumulative effects of having a package of treatments means you will ultimately look younger, but the gradual progression to younger looking skin won’t be overly obvious to your friends.

Many celebrities undergo cosmetic treatments to ensure they look their best when on the red carpet and in front of the cameras. Demi Moore spends thousands of dollars maintaining her quite remarkable appearance. Many plastic surgeons and doctors have said that in their professional opinion Demi has undergone several treatments including Botox, rehydration fillers, Titan neck tightening and laser resurfacing.

Foods containing Vitamin C, lycopene, omega-3s, caffeine and isoflavones in soy can help keep your skin looking young and healthy. Many of the same foods that can boost your defences against skin cancer (the most common type of cancer) will also help keep your skin smoother and ward off wrinkles. Every week we will be sharing a summer recipe that will help keep your skin looking healthy- and taste great too.

This Week… A is for Avocados

Avocados contain Vitamin E

An antioxidant, this works with selenium and has a powerful action against free radical damage. It also helps the skin retain moisture. Premature wrinkles, pale skin, acne, easy bruising and slow wound healing may indicate a deficiency

Guacamole, a dip made from avocados, is originally from Mexico. The name is derived from two Aztec Nahuatl words – ahuacatl (avocado) and molli (sauce). The trick to perfect guacamole is using good, ripe avocados. Check for ripeness by gently pressing the outside of the avocado. If there is no give, the avocado is not ripe yet and will not taste good. If there is a little give, the avocado is ripe. If there is a lot of give, the avocado may be past ripe and not good.

Perfect Guacamole Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 ripe avocados
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1-2 chillies, stems and seeds removed, finely chopped
Handful of corriander, finely chopped (finely chop some of the stalks too, these have great flavour)
Juice of one lime or lemon
Pinch of coarse salt and black pepper
1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped

Serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish at your next barbeque.

METHOD

1. Cut avocados in half. Remove seed. Scoop out avocado from the peel, put in a mixing bowl.

2. Using a fork, mash the avocado. Add the chopped onion, corriander, lime or lemon, salt and pepper and mash some more. Chillies vary in their hotness. So, start with a half of one chilli and add to the guacamole till you have it as hot as you would like. Keep the tomatoes separate until ready to serve.

Remember that much of this is done to taste because of the variability in the fresh ingredients. Start with this recipe and adjust to your taste.

3. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole to prevent oxidation from the air reaching it. Refrigerate until ready.

4. Just before serving, add the chopped tomato to the guacamole and mix. Garnish with coriander leaves, lime wedges and sliced chilli.

Despite our less than exotic weather and the wettest April on record for over a century, our skin still needs protection.

Leading fake tan manufacturer St Tropez conducted research recently into the dangers of sunbathing and the results were startling. They found that over a third of the British public feel they don’t need to protect their skin from dangerous UV rays whilst at home in Britain.

The research, commissioned to mark Sun Awareness Week, showed that Brits were not particularly clued up when it came to myths and truths about UV exposure. One in ten believe that the sun in the UK isn’t as strong as it is in more tropical climates and 20 per cent of the public think you can’t catch the sun through glass. Perhaps the most worrying of the findings showed a further fifth of the population think you need to burn in order to get a tan.

Keen to raise awareness on the importance of safe, model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy says: “Being a mum, I’m keen to pass on beauty advice to the next generation so if you’re at a festival, on your lunch or in the park this summer, enjoy the sun safely by protecting your skin whatever the weather.”

The findings went on to show that one in three Brits spend at least 30 minutes of their lunch-break basking in the sun when the weather’s hot. Out of those who enjoy lunchtime sun, 50% said they didn’t apply SPF, which raises concerns around daily sun safety as we head into summer.

Those aged 18-24 years appear to be the worst offenders. Over half of this age group admitted they spent sunny lunch breaks sat in the sun, but just 15 per cent said they applied SPF to protect their skin when exposed to sunshine.

The study also found that men are far less clued up about how to be safe in the sun. Over 34 per cent said they wouldn’t wear SPF to protect their skin when sunbathing in the UK. Whilst a huge 86 per cent of men and women stated they felt healthier and happier with a tan.

And that is just at home.

Over a fifth of the British public said they feel under pressure to return from holiday with a golden glow, despite admitting they find sunbathing uninteresting. Northern Ireland was the region that felt the most pressure to be tanned after holiday. Nearly 40% of those surveyed said that they ‘needed’ to return from holiday with a golden glow.

But the dangers of unprotected sun exposure go far beyond looking pale after holidaying. In addition to the superficial implications such as wrinkles, sagging and pigmentation there are far more serious problems to worry about such as skin cancers.

So what can you do?

• Say ‘no’ to sunbeds

• Avoiding the summer sun between 11am and 3pm

• Cover up with light clothes and sunhats

And perhaps the easiest thing we can all do to stay safe in the sun? Wear a good SPF. Years ago nearly all daily moisturisers contained SPF, however that has dramatically dropped now with only 18 per cent of the most popular daily moisturisers containing SPF.

French brand Avene has a range of daily moisturisers for all types of skin, which contain at least SPF 20. So by applying first thing as part of your daily routine you can make an important and educated step towards being safe in the sun this summer.

Sun Awareness Week starts on April 30th 2012.

As a known smoker, Catherine Zeta Jones is one of many women who have suffer the side affects of smoking. Smoking causes skin to dramatically age, so it was particularly surprising to see Catherine with a flawless complexion. The Welsh film star looked healthy and line free when she appeared alongside her husband at the 2012 Windward School benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn, spoke to Radar.com about Catherine’s new look. He said, “Catherine Zeta-Jones looks like she’s beginning to follow in her husband Michael Douglas’ plastic surgery footsteps,”

“Her cheeks look somewhat plump, and may be due to injections of a filler like Sculptra. Her forehead and crows feet are also very smooth for a woman her age, likely a result of Botox injections,” he explained.

The smoothness of her cheeks makes Catherine look young and healthy, and while she is both, the healthy skin tone of her cheeks may have been supplemented with a small amount of filler. This helps explain the lack of lines around her mouth as well as the firmness of her lower face.

Dr. Youn explained, “Botox is typically not injected under the eyes, though, hence the wrinkles in her lower eyelids,”

It’s not safe to use Botox below the eyes, so there are still fine lines and wrinkles there, but the tops and outer edges of the eye are smooth and healthy looking. Catherine is a perfect example of how a combination of Botox and fillers can help keep the face young with minimal intervention.

Catherine and her family have been under significant stress since husband Michael was diagnosed with throat cancer in August 2012. It is therefore understandable that given the recent stress and persistent press scrutiny, Catherine may have needed some help from non-surgical treatments. She has however, managed to strike a balance between preserving her natural beauty and stalling the sands of time.