Anti-aging. What to use and what not to do.

What can I do or use to stop my skin from aging?

Hydrotherm is a massage system which places warm water-filled pads on top of a regular therapy couch. Your entire massage is carried out while you are face-up, on your back. The brainchild of British sports and remedial therapist John Holman, it is generally acknowledged as the World’s first truly 3 dimensional massage system. Your massage therapist will use the 3 dimensional massage technique to slide their hands between you and the pads to give you your massage.

The hydrotherm massage system was originally designed to benefit massage therapists. Conventional massage usually creates downwards pressure for a therapist and can cause stress on wrists. Using the hydrotherm system allows the therapist to “pull” rather than “push”, so the massage is less tiring. Happily, this unique massage is also great for spa-goers, too, as there are no uncomfortable face holes or cricked necks to contend with – just deep relaxation. It also enables deep tissue massage to be given without pain.

What is hydrotherm massage good for?

Hydrotherm massage helps to:

• relieve stress on joints and muscles
• encourage swift recovery from muscle and joint pain or strain
• relieves back pain
• improve your sleep
• the Hydrotherm Tranquil Sea Massage has been especially designed by the Amethyst Trust for people undergoing treatment for cancer

As with any massage, you should always tell your therapist in advance if you are, or think you might be, pregnant, or have any medical conditions or are receiving any treatment or medication.

What to expect from a hydrotherm massage:

A hydrotherm massage makes a good choice of spa treatment for anyone who can’t lie on their front, perhaps because of mobility problems or disabilities, or because of pregnancy. Indeed, hydrotherm massage is good for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable lying face-down on a massage couch.

Hydrotherm massage could also be an option for those who feel self-conscious turning over on a therapy couch mid-treatment.

The placement of the warm-water pads is designed to give your back perfect spinal alignment; your knees are slightly raised and your hands rest below the pads to encourage your body to relax.

Thanks to the heat from the pads (30-40 degrees), a hydrotherm massage can be beneficial if you suffer from neck pain, lower-back aches or stiff muscles. The heat helps warm your muscles up, which makes the therapist’s movements more effective.

Oh, and don’t worry – you won’t get wet; the water in the pads is thoroughly sealed in.

At the end of the treatment, your therapist will help you into a seated position so that you can swing your legs off the couch and get your feet onto the floor.

Hydrotherm can be a very soothing and deeply therapeutic form of holistic massage. If you let yourself relax into the experience, you may find that you initially feel as though you are lying on the water, but end up feeling as though you have been lying in the water.

Hot tip

Hydrotherm massage is very different to the usual kind of massage that you experience on a couch – so expect the unexpected. The massage can feel a little disconcerting as the water in the pads makes sloshing sounds, and your body shifts as your massage therapist moves your body against the pads. If you’ve ever sat on a water bed, the hydrotherm pads feel a little like that – just relax and try not to fight the sensation.

Your body is directly against the plastic pads, so there’s also an initial odd feeling when you realise that you’re not lying on towels or a sheet. However, as soon as your therapist begins your treatment, they will apply oil to your body, so very soon, you’ll move smoothly against the plastic. The hydrotherm system was originally designed to benefit therapists. Massage usually creates downwards pressure for a therapist and can cause stress on wrists. Using the hydrotherm system allows the therapist to “pull” rather than “push”, so the massage is less tiring. Happily, the hydrotherm system is also great for spa-goers, too.

SUN, SUGAR, ALCOHOL, AND SMOKING

I’m not saying you have to cut all of these things out as that is so hard. Little and often is ok otherwise they will prematurely age your skin.

The next ingredient to look out for is Vitamin A

What does it do to your skin? Vitamin A thickens and stimulates the dermis – where your collagen, elastin, and blood vessels are – so it reduces wrinkles and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. There are varying degrees of vitamin A – if you have previously used a product with vitamin A in it and reacted badly – it may just be that you may have not found the right one for you yet.

Maybe try using it once a day at first or try a lower percentage of Vitamin A and then work your way up to a higher dose. 

Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic acids

I find that these acids sometimes get a bad rep but used in the right way they can be highly effective and beneficial to the skin.

When they are used as topical exfoliants they will resurface the epidermis and are great for acne, oily, dry, and anti-aging skin.

You have to be careful if you have sensitive skin not saying that you can’t use it but I would definitely patch test first. Glycolic and lactic are better for dryer and aging skin and salicylic are more for an oily and combination skin.

Don’t go too mad straight away less is definitely more and just be guided by your skin.

VITAMIN C & E
Between brightening dark spots and helping to protect against UV damage, there’s a lot vitamin C can do for your skin.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that brightens dark spots smooths fine lines, and, importantly, scavenges free radicals from the environment, pollution, and UV radiation 

Vitamin E helps support the immune system, cell function, and skin health. It’s an antioxidant, making it effective at combating the effects of free radicals. These two work well together as vitamin C is traditionally waterbased (newer formulas include oil-based vitamin C) and vitamin E is oil-based thus protecting both parts of the cell.

Hyaluronic acid
Naturally found in the body, hyaluronic acid secures moisture and creates fullness—youthful skin naturally abounds with hyaluronic acid.

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