Melissa Gladding is in the business of minimising the effects of ageing. The Bays-based businesswoman is behind the boutique beauty brand Facetime and, with husband Michael, is on a constant quest for the newest, next big thing in skin therapy to assist clients in their anti-ageing aims.
We thought then, given our Ageing Well theme this month, she would be well-placed to share some of her findings, opinions and advice with readers of all ages, especially as she is currently embracing the transition of one stage of life to another…
As I transition into my 30s, I begin the adventure - and challenge - of motherhood. More so than ever before as I move into my second trimester of pregnancy, my body is consistently changing. Areas that I was never concerned about are becoming more important to me. I personally have always had a passion for skin, health and beauty but even more so as I experience ageing of my own.
Today, it seems women are taking better care of themselves than ever before. And I mean in all areas of life, fortunately. In my profession, skincare has evolved so much and continues to do so at great pace. Michael and I spend so much time on research to keep up with the pace of change and offer innovation through what we do. It’s really about mind — and manufacturing — over matter: If you feel young at heart, there’s no reason why your outside can’t match your inside.
So, what are the secrets to ageing gracefully? How can you ensure your best is yet to come? In over a decade of hands-on experience in the beauty industry, I’ve guided hundreds of women through the process of finding the perfect balance and formulating forward-thinking plans to maintain their youthfulness.
Skincare: Active serums, moisturisers, eye serums, and other age-defying skincare products can help diminish signs of ageing.
My best recommendation would be to get the right advice from skin experts that is specifically designed for your skin, budget and goals. It’s vital that what you use every day, twice a day, on your skin works directly towards the changes you want to achieve with your results.
Skincare 101 – WEAR SUNSCREEN! Yes, 365 days of the year. Protect yourself from the number one ageing element we expose ourselves to – the sun. UV exposure causes collagen breakdown and oxidative stress, resulting in laxity and heavy lining. It’s 2018 and sunscreens have come a long way: Forget gluggy thick white creams, there are now all manner of sun filters from powders to silky primers, SPF drops and more.
Advanced Skin Treatments: Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) – a fantastic way to utilise your own healing responses to create firming, tightening and evening out of skin tone NATURALLY. Safe and super effective with very little downtime, CIT can be done at any age 4-6 weekly, limitlessly.
Enzyme Therapy - A facial experience and finish like no other. Properly formulated transfer messenger enzymes utilise a process called ‘reverse osmosis’ to strengthen the integrity of the skin to create a healthy environment for cells to thrive in. It promotes immense delivery of fresh oxygenated blood to the skin, which can be seen immediately afterwards - we call this “the plasmatic effect.” Enzyme therapy treats beyond the surface and works with the skin to create a result you can instantly see and feel. It’s pregnancy safe and an incredible treatment for even the most compromised sensitive skins.
Working out: Whatever your motivation to workout — feeling good, blowing off stress, losing weight — you can add one more to the list: staying young. So, it keeps you young on the inside, but what about the outside? Your skin is the largest organ in your body and the only one you can see. Anything that's good for your body is good for your skin. Movement stimulates blood flow, which delivers fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, you also energise lymphatic drainage which detoxifies the skin, both resulting in a nourished and glowy complexion.
Hands/Décolleté: Your face, hands and neck are three body parts that get the most sun. But since you're busy slathering moisturisers and anti-ageing products on your face, your complexion may look young, while your hands and décolleté betray that with brown spots, texture and wrinkles. The exact same products you use for your face can go on your hands and décolleté too.
As my skin changes, so does my skincare that I use to take care of it. Changing up my regime is like giving my skin different food – it excites the cells so they never get bored and your results never plateau.
One last word of advice…Women who age gracefully have something big in common: confidence. Self-care is key to ageing well and, whilst skincare is a good place to start, this should never be just skin-deep!
