A new article in The Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences reveals that African American women aged 60 and older who volunteer in elementary schools are not only more physically active than their non-volunteering counterparts, but seem to sustain this physical activity over time. Specifically, those who volunteered burned twice as many calories as those who did not.

This study, led by Erwin Tan, PhD, of the Johns Hopkins University, suggests that the country’s investment in national and community service programs can simultaneously be an investment in public health.

“For our volunteers,” Tan said, “volunteering with children may be as good for their health as a gym membership. For our children, the wisdom that our older adults have is priceless.” He added that, due to their enjoyment of working with children, the volunteers may be more willing to keep up with this approach in the long term, compared with traditional exercise programs.

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Celebrities and Hollywood elite celebrated the launch of the revolutionary new skincare line – CellCeuticals Biomedical Skin Treatments – from world-renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Garth Fisher and beauty industry veteran Paul Scott Premo during Oscar weekend at Social Hollywood located in the heart of Los Angeles.

Kim Kardashian, Tia Carrere and other chic Hollywood A-listers toasted the launch of CellCeuticals at the trendy and sophisticated lounge where tabletops adorned with impressive CellCeuticals displays and flat screens displaying the company’s elegant advertising spots on a continual loop provided the revelers with a glimpse of this high-tech skincare line that was created as an alternative to plastic surgery procedures. Guests imbibed champagne and pomegranate cocktails while noshing on lobster sliders and mushroom panini, as the celebration continued well into the night. At the conclusion of the evening, everyone was sent on their way with a coveted gift bag containing the entire line of CellCeuticals skincare.

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A layer of “dark cells” in the retina that is responsible for maintaining the health of the light-sensing cells in our eyes has been imaged in a living retina for the first time.

The ability to see this nearly invisible layer could help doctors identify the onset of many diseases of the eye long before a patient notices symptoms. The findings are reported in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

“Our goal is to figure out why macular degeneration, one of the most prevalent eye diseases, actually happens,” says David Williams, director of the Center for Visual Science and professor in the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester. “Macular degeneration affects one in 10 people over the age of 65, and as the average age of the U.S. population continues to increase, it is only going to get more and more common. We know these dark retinal cells are compromised by macular degeneration, and now that we can image them in the living eye, we might be able to detect the disease at a much earlier stage.”

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Collagen-enhancing wrinkle face creams are among the most popular anti-aging products on the market.  A healthy supply of collagen (along with elastin), after all, are your best bets for maintaining youthful skin.  Are they really as effective as they are purported to be?

The Case Against Collagen-Enhancing Wrinkle Face Creams

Detractors of collagen-based products note the fact that collagen is a large molecule and cannot be readily absorbed by the skin.  We agree, of course.  Think of it like trying to fit a basketball on a hole in a golf course – it’s never going in.  Same with collagen, which will actually sit idly on your skin.  Products infused with collagen, while good moisturizers, aren’t going to facilitate long-term effects in terms of anti-aging benefits.

Collagen Products That Work

If you’re looking towards collagen for your anti-aging skin care, look for wrinkle face cream products that stimulate collagen production.  Instead of dumping the molecule on your skin, it finds ways to encourage your skin to naturally heighten its supply of collagen, leading to firmer and tighter skin.

Many products contain active ingredients like Cynergy TK that spur collagen production.  Make sure to look for them in the marketing materials before buying into any anti-aging wrinkle face cream.

I have treated and researched thousands of patients in my dermatology practice at the University of Miami since I opened the University of Miami Cosmetic Center in 1997. The most astonishing finding is that 80% of people incorrectly assess their skin type. Incorrectly identifying your skin type causes you to use the wrong skin care products.

Here are some examples:

One study from Korea showed that many people underestimate how oily their skin is. I have found that many people with oily skin think that they have dry skin, and they use unnecessary moisturizers that are making their skin oilier. This can lead to acne, large pores and blackheads. Those with oily skin should stick to serums rather than using moisturizing creams and lotions.

Acne is worsened by friction. Therefore those with acne should avoid facial scrubs and microdermabrasion. Facials should only be done by experienced aestheticians. Anti-aging creams, especially the expensive ones, often lead to adult acne due to the ingredients that they contain. If you have acne, look for products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid. Avoid products with the natural ingredients coconut oil and avocado, and the chemical ingredients socetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl palmitate, and isopropyl myristate. (These can be found in hair conditioners so avoid hair products with these ingredients as well!)

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