Celebrity Life

Like every industry, skincare is prone to trends and fads, star ingredients and total duds. What’s in store for the future? We find out from doctors Lisa Chan and Maryam Zamani.

Let’s talk skin care, the very practice of taking care of your skin, usually on your face, neck and chest (ah, the décolletage). The concept includes everything from clinical treatments to at-home products and even nutrition.

You’re doubtless familiar with the balms and lotions, the acids and tools that all promise to support your skin’s integrity, improve its appearance, and relieve you of distressing rosacea flare-ups, cystic acne, dryness, fine lines and other concerns.

But the plethora of products and formulas on the market can be an overwhelming and difficult sphere to navigate — so we’re taking a closer look at the skincare trends of today and what could be in store in the future.

[Editor’s note: Dr Lisa Chan is participating in this interview feature solely for informational purposes and does not endorse or promote any of the products contained herein.]

Skincare Trends of Today and Tomorrow

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say skincare has gone mainstream, with a less “cosmetic” angle given to the practice. After all, it’s a science. Today’s products include various options for all genders, ages, skin types and conditions, and there’s simply more awareness and education on the treatments and ingredients one can use.

“A large part is due to the rise of social media,” says Dr Maryam Zamani, a leading oculoplastic surgeon and facial-aesthetics doctor. She pinpoints videos and photos of before-and-after transformations, skincare journeys and reviews. In the last two years, we’ve been living online, one result of working at home, remote learning, general social distancing and outright isolation.

We’ve even seen tech — “beauty gadgets” — making its way into the market. Previously confined to professional spas and clinics, various devices making use of radiofrequency, red/blue light and pulsed light are now portable, user-friendly and ready to buy for the home.

“But we have to be careful”, warns Dr Lisa Chan. The general practitioner stresses not immediately buying into the latest fad, as not all of these gadgets are properly reviewed or evidence-based.

Last year, a common skin concern was clarity — keeping the face free from acne, rosacea flare-ups and perioral dermatitis, all conditions that daily mask-wearing has potentially exacerbated. But a long-established concern commonly cited to both Dr Zamani and Dr Chan is tired-looking eyes — dark circles, puffy lower lids, dehydrated skin and even upper facial wrinkles. These days, the eyes are often all that can be seen in public.

“I’ve also noted an increase in patients asking for hair-loss treatments,” says Dr Chan. “Some of them have a condition called alopecia areata, which can be triggered by stress.”

Actives and other ingredients

The rapid rise of high-strength exfoliants and retinoids on the market is both welcome (they’re highly effective!) and a little worrisome. Dr Chan says that though they have their place in treatment, care must be exercised when it comes to their use, especially for over-the-counter products.

“I’ve seen patients with extremely irritated skin, because they used too much, too fast,” she says. Start with a lower frequency of application, step up concentrations gradually and use as prescribed by your doctor. You don’t want to risk triggering a reaction that can take weeks or months to resolve.

When creating products for her luxury brand MZ Skin, Dr Zamani focuses on filling them with powerful actives that work together synergically. The strength or percentage do matter, to an extent. Clever formulations produce faster and more effective results, with less skin irritation.

Dr Maryam Zamani

Dr Lisa Chan

Vitamins A and C can be applied in the evening and the morning respectively. As retinoids and antioxidants, they help boost cell turnover, speed up healing, brighten the complexion and protect against ultraviolet and free-radical damage.

“Personally, I don’t advocate trying too many new things,” Dr Chan says. “If you’ve already found what works for you, that’s the best product for you, so stick with it.”

We even saw pandemic-related skincare trends, such as sunscreens with blue-light protection, for people using screens continuously. And Dr Chan says there’s been increasing interest in natural and organic ingredients, which could supplement or even replace high-strength exfoliants and retinoids. Think about betaine salicylate, a fatty acid derived from the sugar beet plant that’s often used as an alternative to beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) in Korean skincare products.

“I think transparency of ingredients has become a big trend,” Dr Zamani adds. As consumers become more educated, brands work to highlight their ingredients, the benefits and to justify their product claims. “Education is powerful and key, especially in skincare,” she says.

Looking forward

So what trends in skincare can we expect in the coming year? Maybe a less-is-more approach, with shorter beauty routines and tailor-made skincare regimens.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what new research will be done regarding Cannabidiol [CBD],” says Dr Chan. “Some studies have shown it has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it interesting for potential use in patients with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and acne.”

She also thinks we might see more genderless products — in terms of marketing a product wholly based on the efficacy of its ingredients, and not simply targeted towards a particular gender. “I do believe there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the skin, so it’s exciting to see what new products are on the way.”

Dr Zamani predicts the use of probiotics in skincare will continue to rise, as the skin microbiome has been the subject of much recent discussion. This has resulted from the increase in skin problems, such as adult acne, which can be exacerbated by an imbalance in the microorganisms on the surface of the skin.

She explains that bacteria within the skin’s microbiome protect and defend the skin from pathogens, but disruption through over-cleansing leads to a compromised skin barrier. Probiotic skincare — the addition of live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you — may accelerate the healing processes and boost the natural defence mechanism of the skin.

“As a line of defence for the skin, the microbiome — similar to gut flora — is definitely an interesting space to target for next-level skincare,” adds Dr Chan. This leads to an interesting point. If you think of applying probiotics to the face as being similar to ingesting them as antibiotics, what other holistic beauty trends might we see that borrow from the idea of treating the entire body and not just the face?

“I actually have a very holistic viewpoint when it comes to beauty,” Dr Zamani says. “The best routine is supported by a healthy, balanced lifestyle.” She also encourages making your skincare routine an enjoyable and relaxing experience. “During the week, find 20 minutes for a mini treatment. Using at-home masks can help slow you down. I like to have a candle lit, stretch my limbs and use a lovely at-home mask to feel fresh – this will automatically help reduce stress. It’s one of the main reasons I created the [MZ Skin] LightMAX Supercharged LED 2.0.”

And for Dr Chan? “To me, holistic skincare is just about staying healthy and keeping your mind and body in balance: nourishing the skin from inside out, making sure you eat healthily, exercise appropriately, address stress and get sufficient sleep.”

A regular contributor to Prestige, Dr Lisa Chan is a general practitioner whose focus is on aesthetic medicine. The founder of MZ Skin, Dr Maryam Zamani is an oculoplastic surgeon and facial aesthetics doctor who treats a full range of skin concerns.

[Correction: This article was printed in the February 2022 issue of Prestige Hong Kong without the aforementioned disclaimer. Dr Lisa Chan participated in this interview feature solely for informational purposes and did not endorse or promote any of the products contained therein. We regret the error.]

(Hero image courtesy of Christin Hume via Unsplash, featured image and image 7 courtesy of Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels, image 1 courtesy of Anna Shvets courtesy of Pexels, images 2, and 6 courtesy of MZ Skin, image 3 courtesy of Shiny Diamond via Pexels)

The post Best Face Forward: Skincare Trends of Today and Tomorrow appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With lockdowns turning us all into our own skincare experts, smart beauty gadgets are taking the world by storm. We sift through the offerings at JOYCE Beauty’s new Gadget Bar for the best devices for face, body and hair

Given the hectic nature of our daily lives - not to mention the extreme circumstances we’ve found ourselves in for more than a year - indulging in a visit to a beauty salon or spa hasn’t been easy. That's why the beauty industry’s current “tech-celeration” trend and the proliferation of gadgets in the beauty industry are both much-needed and very welcome. In fact, with so many new gizmos on the market, it’s never been easier to find the right one for you, whatever your requirements or concerns may be.

JOYCE Beauty, Hong Kong’s ultimate luxury beauty destination, offers a unique selection of devices, each promising professional-level treatments and results – all in the comfort of your own home. These smart beauty gadgets are guaranteed to transform your entire beauty regime, giving you not only complete control over your routine but also the best skin and hair ever.

This month, part of the JOYCE Beauty counter at Lane Crawford ifc will be transformed into the Gadget Bar – a repository of the most inventive and up-to-date devices for face, body and hair. Here’s our own pick of what’s on offer.

LYMA

Lyma is a beauty brand that combines science, nature and technology to help you look and feel your best. The ground-breaking beauty brand has introduced the world's most powerful, transformative, portable skin-renewal system that uses laser-based light therapy, which was formerly available only at a clinic. Now, you can have it at any time you like.

From active acne and scarring to sagging skin, unwanted texture, rosacea, wrinkles and cellulite, this laser delivers never-seen-before results.

After just 15 minutes of daily use, your skin won’t just improve but be transformed. Originally developed as a medical laser to heal injury, this at-home and completely safe light therapy eliminates surface bacteria, delivers deep cellular regeneration and hydration, and uses oxygen to improve the skin’s texture.

With zero damage to the skin and no need for goggles, a 500mW near-infrared laser such as this has never been so easily accessible; totally pain-free, it’s completely safe to use at home.

At HK$20,999, the Lyma System Starter Kit also includes a 30-day supply of LYMA Active Mist and a Lyma Priming Serum – a special three-step system to give you the best results. The laser is also compatible with any oil and serum products available at JOYCE Beauty.

CELLRETURN

With its own LED module patent, the CELLRETURN LED Mask series offers a high-tech solution for skin problems and can tackle everything from wrinkles to double chins.

It utilises LEDs of three wavelengths, with each mode providing a different combination of wavelengths and near-infrared rays. The Red Mode is effective in improving skin transparency, density, hydration, elasticity and pores; the Blue Mode is ideal for troubled skin, possibly due to external irritation or cold wind; and the Pink Mode combines RED and BLUE wavelengths for concentrated care.

We love the Iron Man-esque look of the Platinum masks, which are equipped with more than 1,000 multi-coloured LED lightbulbs to generate near-infrared rays that penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and eliminate blemish-causing bacteria.

At HK$16,600, the LED Mask Platinum comes in white and features wireless charging, a nine-minute fast mode and a dual cover.

So that you’re completely covered, whatever your concerns may be, there’s also the CELLRETURN Hair Alpha-Ray (HK$18,000) for the hair and scalp, as well as the Alpha Neckle Ray (HK$7,700) for the neck.

For best results, the LED Mask Platinum should be used 3-4 times a week. Hair Alpha-Ray should be used 3-4 times a week for 20 minutes every day. Neckle Ray should be used three times a week for a minimum of 5 minutes up to 20 minutes per session.

Pair the treatments with serums and hair masks available at JOYCE Beauty. For the face, we suggest Omorovicza's Blue Diamond Concentrate, whereas, for the scalp, a good recommendation is the MD's Scalp Essentials.

NuFACE

If you’re already au fait with beauty gadgets, NuFACE should be a familiar name. It promises a five-minute, at-home facial lift that improves your facial contours and skin tone while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Choose from five levels of intensity up to 335 Micro Amps – its gentle microcurrent technology stimulates the face and neck. Plus, an app helps you keep your treatments on track.

For best results, it should be used for five minutes five times per week for about two months, and reduced to two to three times a week in the following months.

Both the NuFACE Trinity Facial Toning Device (HK$2,910) and Mini Facial Toning Device (HK$1,735) are available at JOYCE Beauty, as well as the pocket-sized NuFACE Fix Line Smoothing Device (HK$1,350), which is the world’s first pen-sized microcurrent device cleared by the US FDA for cosmetic use, and perfect for attacking fine lines and wrinkles.

PMD

For those with oily and blemish-prone skin, PMD’s Clean Pro is a must-have double-edged device. At 7,000 vibrations per minute, the ultra-hygienic silicone soft bristles help break down dirt and oil deep within the pores. On the backside, the gemstone facial massager is perfect for massaging in serums and moisturizers.

The Clean Pro (HK$1,400) is available in Blush with Rose Quartz and Black with Obsidian and comes with four customisable modes. For those whose blemish woes don’t stop at the face, the Clean Body (HK$1,240) can be used in other areas where the skin suffers from breakouts due to sweat, debris and ingrown hair.

Available in blush and navy, it includes three interchangeable/replaceable magnetic heads: a silver-infused loofah for gentle exfoliation; an aluminium oxide exfoliator to buff away rough, calloused skin; and a relaxing body massager to relieve everyday body aches.

Sarah Chapman

Sarah Chapman’s Pro Pore Refiner (HK$1,345) puts the sought-after skincare authority’s expertise right in your own hands. This three-step extraction device removes all the deep-set gunk in the pores, leaving the skin smooth and supple.

It features yellow-light thermo-therapy and ionic cleansing, which opens the pores and brings negatively charged dirt to the surface of the skin; blue-light thermo-therapy and ultrasonic vibrations, which massage over blocked areas and loosen them up; and white-light extraction with different intensity levels to remove all dirt and sebum.

Products are available now at the Gadget Bar by JOYCE Beauty at Lane Crawford ifc

The Gadget Bar by JOYCE Beauty, Lane Crawford, ifc mall, Central

The post The Gadget Bar By JOYCE Beauty: Professional-Level Results in Your Own Home appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Whether you’re missing your salon blowdry or your on-point pedicure, here are some handy beauty gadgets that’ll help you achieve a professional look while in your own home. C1 Hair Straightener by Corioliss For incredibly straight hair, C1 Hair Straightener by Corioliss is the brand for you. The plates have been specially designed to lock […]

The post 8 Best Beauty Gadgets for your Skin and Hair for 2020 appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Angela Caglia – celebrity esthetician, skincare trailblazer and anti-aging pioneer is also the latest beauty export to arrive in Hong Kong. The skincare aficionado herself introduces how she brought Hollywood’s most talked about facials from her flagship Bel Air spa into the comfort of our homes.

We speak to Angela about how her skincare line (most known for her coveted La Vie en Rose quartz face roller) became a cult classic, her everyday skincare routine and a list of famous faces who swear by Angela Caglia skincare.

[caption id="attachment_169989" align="alignnone" width="4478"] Celebrity facialist, Angela Caglia.[/caption]

How did you come up with your best-selling La Vie en Rose face roller?

I've been giving facials for 25 years and we always use the gadgets. Women (and men) come in like clockwork every month for facials. But nowadays schedules are constantly full and people are not coming in as often as they should because of other obligations. I created [La Vie en Rose] so that they can have that facial experience in their own at home. You can get similar results at a fraction of the cost and it’s convenient too.

[caption id="attachment_169984" align="alignnone" width="2800"] Angela Caglia Vibrating Rose Quartz Sculpting Roller is available at Lane Crawford. HK$1,530.[/caption]

How does it work?

We started off with a traditional roller that works great. It’s designed to help with lymphatic drainage, puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. The cooling effect of the stone tightens the skin. Recently we’ve launched our vibrating rose quartz sculpting roller which delivers 6,000 sonic vibrations per minute. This helps sculpt and lift from the dermis and muscles, making it a more effective exercise.

The design is so beautiful! What’s your inspiration behind the design?

I’ve sold gadgets before but they required charging and looked really masculine. I needed something that women would actually want to use – it needed to be beautiful (almost like a piece of jewellery), effective and easy to use. I also wanted to give people that moment where it was just for them and not their husband or their kids; a personal moment where they can enjoy themselves and feel good, because no one else is probably giving them a massage or facial. I think a lot of people can appreciate that.

Of all the different types of crystals and their energies, why rose quartz?

The rose quartz is a love energy crystal and a self-esteem building crystal. I was the first to put the rose gold with the rose quartz together because I think pink on pink is just so beautiful!

What are the best products to use it with?

I love to use it with my detox serum. This is one of my popular serums. This is one of my most popular serums. It also has a treatment in it. I have a lot of clients that are acne-prone and this is the hyaluronic acid with chlorophyll which oxygenates the skin so it's actually a light green. I also have sage extract which purifies and also a little tea tee oil that kills bacteria. It goes right into the skin. It also has meadowfoam seed oil which is packed with antioxidants.

How do you use your roller and what’s your personal beauty routine?

I don’t wash my face in the morning and do my deep cleanse at night. I use my rose quartz roller with my new anti-pollution cleansing oil. After that, I apply my detox serum on my T zone. And then finish off my souffle moisturiser.

[caption id="attachment_169985" align="alignnone" width="5000"] The products Angela Caglia herself swears by. Facial in Mask 3-piece Set HK$455; La Vie en Rose Face Roller HK$510.[/caption]

Who are some of your famous fans?

Sting. Minnie Driver. Barbara Streisand. Chrissy Teigen. Helena Christiansen. Hillary Duff. Those are the only ones I’m allowed to say!

What’s next for Angela Caglia?

We really want a stronger presence in the Asian market. I foresee myself being in Hong Kong at least twice a year. I’ve also been busy building up the product line as I would like to introduce a wider range for different clients. At the moment, I have an anti-aging vitamin C serum that won’t oxidise in the works!

The post In Conversation with the Rose Quartz Facial Goddess, Angela Caglia appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Here are the favorite five beauty gadgets to elevate your everyday regime to help you achieve that oh-so-glamorous look.   Instant Auto Curler by Glamorise  One of the best curling devices on the market, it is easy to create glamorous curls at the touch of a button! The automatic rotating barrel creates the curls effortlessly […]

The post Deluxe Beauty Gadgets You Need  appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.