Internal wellbeing outweighs outward appearance, says global aesthetics expert VANESSA BROWN
WE may be living longer, but ‘healthy life expectancy' is dropping alarmingly, warns a leading health and aesthetics expert.
Vanessa Brown, head of sales and marketing, Europe, Middle East and Africa for US-based health laser company Erchonia, cites figures from the King’s Fund, an independent health think-tank, showing that an average life span for a man is 78.8 years, but that males suffer poor health for their final 16.4 years.
Women, on the other hand, live an average of 82.8 years, but can expect an even longer period of infirmity – reckoned to be 20.1 years.
“What’s worse,” says Brown, “life expectancy is around a year lower than 2011-2013, and while the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic didn’t help the statistics, it really is time we took more care of our ‘real longevity’ or health span.
With her background in beauty and wellbeing, Brown, 28, who is also founder of health and beauty business VL Aesthetics, knows how much some people spend on outward appearance, without thinking about inner health and whole-life longevity.
“For instance, Gen Z – people born between 1997 and 2012 – are tipped to be the first generation to average over 100, but how many of those extra years will they truly enjoy? Can they make 100 years the new 50?” asks Brown.
“Fortunately, I’ve seen a customer realization recently that our looks reflect what's happening internally. External treatments simply counter ageing often caused by eating badly, little exercise, and other poor lifestyle decisions like smoking.
“In our clinic clients now ask more about improving internal health than external appearance. Medical and scientific advances mean there is so much more we can do, from supplementation and lifestyle choices and treatments within the regenerative medicine area.
“And feeling better internally, brings positive impacts on your relationships, your drive and determination, and work environment.
“So, what I would call the ‘overfilled’ look, is giving way to more subtle visual enhancements and injectables that encourage your body to regenerate itself, because the body's a clever thing. It just needs help sometimes, because cellular function doesn't work as efficiently when we age. So, we need to kick start that cellular process.
“A big trend now, is polynucleotides, also known as salmon sperm, an injectable gel-like products, used to reduce wrinkles by re-booting the body's cellular processes.
“Each session takes just five minutes and a full course costs approximately £1,000, which compares well with the long-term cost of Botox and fillers, which are arguably less natural and more invasive.
“PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections are another big thing, using your own blood after a revitalizing process. This regenerates your skin and slows ageing or assists with joint problems.
“It’s sometimes more efficient to target key areas, as traditional medicines and supplements simply disperse their benefits over the whole body without helping parts in real need.
“Many people, including myself, use a readily available skin prick test to have their blood analysed and key markers identified regularly, because there's no point taking a vitamin, if you’re not deficient. Everyone's cells and DNA are different, so we each need a bespoke program to suit.
“Laser treatments also come into play, boosting our mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, which convert nutrients into energy essential for cell, tissue, and organ health.
“Another hot topic is NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) which plays a key role in our metabolism and energy, but production falls with age. However, studies show that your biological age can be 18 months younger after a month’s NAD dosage.
“Having your biological age tested – it’s not expensive – can also give you a good inner health marker and the DNA results can pinpoint any predisposition to certain diseases, so you can possibly act sooner to slow or prevent them. You could say it’s like taking out a ‘health pension’.
“There is a lot going on in this field. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has recently pledged $1billion a year for research on how its people can enjoy the world’s longest health and life spans.
“We don’t have initiatives like these yet, and though there are new longevity and wellness places in London and other parts of Europe, the US is years ahead.”
Brown argues that longevity doesn’t have to be expensive though and it’s never too late to start: “Taking the correct form of NAD, I recommend Nuchido Time+ for instance, which costs less than 50p a day and you will quickly begin winding back your biological clock, sleeping better and enjoying higher energy levels.
“And don’t live a sedentary lifestyle either - exercise costs nothing and keeps your heart healthy – walking is the simple way to better health.
“Avoid processed foods, saturated fats, dairy if you can, and especially sugars which pile on weight and cause spikes of inflammation in the body. Try to choose proteins and organic vegetables that aren't covered in pesticides, and eat sourdough bread, which is really good for the gut health.
“It’s been said many times that it’s never too late to give up smoking, and I say the same about vaping; we don't know its long-term effects, but it’s surely not healthy to willingly draw an alien substance into your lungs.”