Looking good isn’t just for the ladies. And neither is enlisting
professional help. Steven Rowland, our blokes’ bloke, tries a treatment you
thought was strictly for the fairer sex…
The years haven’t been kind to me. Actually, I haven’t been kind to me. Nights
in the pub and days in the sun have taken their toll. I’m 34 and feel I
could do with looking a little younger.
Like ladies, guys are starting to turn to Botox. And while the idea of joining
the special club appeals, having what’s known as “sausage poison” injected
into my face, doesn’t. Instead, I go to John Tsagaris at London’s Energy
Bodies clinic for the “natural alternative” – beauty acupuncture, endorsed
(apparently) by Sean Connery.
Tsagaris says it works by “accelerating anti-inflammatory activity and
removing toxins from the skin” to prevent wrinkles and smooth lines. How?
With needles. Lots of ’em. First, they’re inserted into my feet, legs and
arms to calm me (surprisingly, I barely feel them). Next, I get a facial
massage, and then the money shot – dozens of needles inserted into my face.
Is it worth it? I’m more relaxed, my skin feels firmer and healthier and, a
week later, my mates say I look younger! Just as well at £175 an hour.
John Tsagaris at EnergyBodies (0871 903 0000, Energybodies.co.uk). Or visit
Acupuncture.org.uk.
THE ESSENTIAL POST-PUB SKIN SAVERS
1. Lab Series Night Recovery Lotion, £31.65
Revive while you kip, courtesy of hydrating bark extract and so much vitamin C
it almost counts as one of your five-a-day. Almost.
Best for… After booze, and before bed.
2. Nickel Morning After Rescue Gel, £25.50
Does what it says on the tube. There’s menthol to refresh you, caffeine to get
blood pumping and soy protein to make you glow.
Best for… Days when Resolve and Nurofen just ain’t enough.
3. YSL L’Homme Anti-Fatigue Treatment, £25.49
Sweep this ice-cool stick over your face to blitz puffiness and mattify oily
patches. And it smells of YSL’s L’Homme cologne – bonus!
Best for… Pre-date perk-ups.
4. L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue Eye, £11.22
This contains guaranine to bust bags, collagen to smooth lines and
light-reflecting particles to hide night-of-shame dark circles.
Best for… Faking lots of sleep.
5. Biotherm Homme Aquapower Oligo-Thermal Refreshing Lotion, £17.50
Splash on this cooling gel straight after shaving – amazingly, each bottle
contains the hydrating power of 5,000 litres of thermal spa water.
Best for… Looking smart, fast.
WORDS: ELLIE O’MAHONEY PHOTOGRAPHY: PIXELEYESPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK
STOCKISTS: DR OETKER (0113 823 1400), SAINSBURY’S (0800 636262) BIOTHERM
(BIOTHERM.CO.UK), LAB (0870 034 2921), L’ORÉAL (SUPERDRUG NATIONWIDE),
NICKEL (NICKELSPALONDON.CO.UK), YSL (BOOTS NATIONWIDE)
WORDS: GEMMA ASKHAM, ELLIE O’MAHONEY PHOTOGRAPHY: WENN,
PIXELEYESPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK, REX FEATURES, WENN, GOFFINF.COM ILLUSTRATION:
GRANT COWAN
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