Women most happy with their body at the age of 34

A new study into female body image has found that women finally grow to accept their body and are most ‘happiest’ with it at the age of 34.

This is apparently the age when the majority of women will begin to love and appreciate their lumps, bumps and wrinkles.

By their early 30s, many women will have more knowledge about diet and exercise in regards to what works for them, and this is around the age when women have usually settled into a committed long-term relationship. Although model Kelly Brook, who turns 34 in November, may disagree with the last point after her controversial break-up with Rugby player Danny Cipriani, which hit headlines recently.

Celebrity skin guru, beautician Nichola Joss says: “I have female clients of all ages and those in their early to mid-thirties typically have great body confidence. They work hard to maintain the best body shape possible, are educated about eating well and treating their body with respect. This brings them satisfaction. Crucially, at 34 maturity levels are high. Many 34 year olds I know have experienced either a loving relationship or close personal friendship and these bring confidence, both inside and out.”

The new study into female body image was conducted by skin and body care firm Sanctuary Spa, and found that roughly 40% of British women will closely look at themselves in the mirror whilst naked each day, and an additional 25% looking once each week.

There are around 16% of women however who are so body conscious due to wrinkles and other problems that they simply cannot bring themselves to properly look in the mirror without clothes on.

It seems the stomach region could be contributing for a lot of the female body hang-ups, with 57% of women in the study saying they would most like to change their stomach, and indeed 10% flatly refuse to wear a bikini when they are on the beach.

Over half of women (65%) – are so fearful of revealing pictures of themselves whilst in a bikini being plastered on Facebook that they will let this fear influence their choice of attire.

On the flip side, there was some positivity from those surveyed and women seem to be most proud of their breasts (30%), legs (22%), and shoulders (19%).

In terms of their celebrity body aspirations, unsurprisingly given her nickname of ‘The Body’, actress and model Elle MacPherson has the best bikini body according to half of women, whilst Kylie Minogue claimed the most votes for best beach bum (43%), ahead of Jennifer Lopez (32%) and Carol Vorderman (8%).

Women most envy Holly Willoughby’s curves (48%), followed by Catherine Zeta Jones (22%) and Nigella Lawson (17%).

Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, ambassador for Sanctuary Spa Active Reverse Body, had the second most envied arms (25%), behind yoga enthusiast Jennifer Anniston (47%).

Bussell commented: “For me body confidence is all about being healthy, strong and happy in my own skin. I also think good posture improves confidence and can take years off your appearance. Always pull out of your waist to create space between your hips and ribs, which improves core strength and helps you to look and feel more confident.”

ASA ban Proactiv acne product ads after spotting difference in UK and US versions

A company who use various celebrities to promote their range of skincare products have been slapped down with a ban from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for misleading claims in their television adverts.

Advertisements for a supposed ‘miracle’ spot cream have been played repeatedly in the UK on a shopping channel, starring acne-plagued pop stars such as Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. However, watchdogs have now put an end to this advertising campaign.

The ads for Proactiv’s acne products depict Perry endorsing Proactiv and subsequently informing viewers how the products had helped to banish her skin problems. More ads on Proactiv’s website show Bieber, Elle Macpherson and Avril Lavigne giving their seal of approval.

However, the chain of events that kick-started the removal of the ads from the shopping channel and other sources was initiated after a woman decided to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority, stating that the promotional adverts were misleading to viewers because the British versions of the products do not contain the same active ingredient included in the American brand.
The woman who filed the complaint to the ASA had a very good point when she argued that it was more plausible the celebrity endorsers would have used Proactiv’s American version, and not the UK one. Guthy-Renker UK Ltd (GRUK), the direct marketing company responsible for the controversial ads, attempted to deflect any criticism and claimed that featured ‘stars’ had been given the UK formulations of Proactiv products to try.

Despite their protestations however, the ASA have now forbid the ads on the grounds that the adverts suggest skin improvements are seen from continual usage of the product, whilst five of the seven celebrity backers said that they had merely used the UK Proactive range for just ‘several weeks.’

A statement made by an ASA spokesperson said, “We considered the overall impression of the ads was that the celebrities were continued and regular users of Proactiv and noted the same endorsement claims were included on the US Proactiv website. We noted the signed statements, which related to only five of the seven testimonials, said the celebrities had each used the UK formulation of the product for a period of only several weeks, between one and three years before the ads appeared. We noted the ads were targeted at a UK audience and that the UK Proactiv products had a different active ingredient to the US version. In that context, we therefore considered the claims of continued use had not been substantiated. We concluded that the ads were misleading. The ads must not appear again in their current form. We told GRUK to ensure endorsements and testimonials in future ads related to the product being advertised.”

Medical Specialists Pharmacy are always fully honest with our patients and do not mislead – the products listed on our website are exactly what you get. If you are a woman who is suffering from acne, we have various highly effective treatments available to help you.

Dianette is one such medication. Your body makes both male and female sex hormones and the hormones (androgens) stimulate the grease-glands in your skin and hairs that grow from it. If you produce too much androgen, or if you are particularly sensitive to their effects, the grease glands may produce too much sebum. This can block the grease-glands, which can become infected and inflamed causing acne spots. The main action of a special hormone in this medicine (cyproterone acetate) stops androgens affecting the skin. Dianette is also an oral contraception for women and can work to treat hirsutism or female hair loss. A six month course will cost the equivalent of just £9.99 per month.

Alternative treatment is the non-hormonal medication Spironolactone. This medication has actually been used for over 20 years as an anti-androgen in the treatment of acne and hirsutism, and is currently the most widely prescribed medication for these problems in North America. Treatment works out from as little as £17.63 per month following an online consultation with one of our doctors.