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.”

Would you shell out for a slimy snail facial?

As they slowly crawl about the garden, slimy snails can be an unsightly and an unwanted thing to see to say the very least. However, a ‘snail facial’ (yes, you read that correctly!), could actually offer anti-aging benefits for your skin, according to those offering this bizarre new procedure.

Having live snails slowly inching their way around your face may sound the stuff nightmares are made of, but this practice is being used as a beauty treatment in Japan.

Beginning today, the Clinical Salon health spa in the Ebisu district of Tokyo, is offering the snail facial for those brave enough to endure five minutes of snails being let free on the cheeks and forehead to randomly move around as they see fit.

This is part of a 60-minute treatment called the Celebrity Escargot Course. The treatment will set you back a whopping £161 (Y24,150), but the secreted snail mucus is said to contain several proteins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which can apparently stave off dry skin, remove dead skin and minimise inflammation.

The hour-long therapy begins with the face being washed prior to the molluscs being placed on cheeks and the forehead. A series of massages comes next, followed by the use of masks, electrical pulse machines and creams containing snail mucus; all to make sure the live secretions infiltrate the skin.

Yoko Miniami, sales manager at Tokyo’s Clinical Salon which offers the treatment, said: “This salon is the only place in Japan where you can try a live snail facial. Snail slime can help the recovery of skin cells on the face, so we expect the snail facial to help heal damaged skin.”

Tokyo is probably a little too far to travel for Brits who have overdone the sunbathing during the recent hot weather – which is still continuing in the UK – but Miniami says the snail facial could help those with the after-effects of sun damage. She commented: “We are interested in the fact that snails have a function that can help heal skin damaged by ultraviolet rays.”

During the last two years in Japan and South Korea, snail face creams, serums and masks have become popular for many people looking to reduce wrinkles and have better skin. This is on top of other ‘out there’ treatments such as nightingale faeces facials and live fish pedicures.

These ‘alternative’ skin treatments are not for everybody however and may only appeal to a small percentage of those who wish to have younger looking skin.

Proven and popular treatments for acne and wrinkles include Differin Gel, Differin Cream and Epiduo Gel. They are available today from Medical Specialists Pharmacy with or without a prescription. If you are a little squirmish, they could prove a much better option than slithery snails being let loose onto your face!