A few years ago, hairstylist-to-the-stars Jen Atkin went to dermatologist-to-the-stars Simon Ourian with what she described as a “full-on sun-damage moustache”.
Melasma or pigmentation leads to discolouration, wherein brown or grey patches break out across the skin, leading many to slap on layers of make-up, which more often than not makes the problem worse.
Enter Ourian. Armed with his patented, non-invasive Coolaser technology, the cosmetic dermatologist in Beverly Hills, Atkin revealed, "helped take it away".
The founder of Epione Beverly Hills, who counts the Kardashians, Lady Gaga and Sofia Vergara among his celebrity clients, reveals his skincare and lifestyle hacks to The National ahead of his virtual talk at Abu Dhabi Beauty Week on Friday, February 5.
How does Coolaser technology work?
During the Coolaser procedure, the treatment area is first cooled with a special device, then a series of light pulses are flashed on the surface of the skin to stimulate cell repair and collagen growth. It’s a revolutionary method to arrest the appearance of ageing, and may be used to treat facial lines and wrinkles, sun damage, skin pigmentation and acne scarring.
What are some other non-invasive procedures you favour?
It is important to start off with analysing the skin's condition before recommending any procedure.
For instance, if you want to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin, you can look into microdermabrasion. When you have a small amount of skin damage from the natural process of ageing and sun exposure, this procedure may be a good option. You can reduce dark spots and enlarged pores, as well as diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and increase circulation to promote healthier skin with this nearly painless procedure.
For good skin, take time for yourself ... and avoid touching your face as much as possible
Chemical peels are a great alternative to anti-ageing facial treatments because they gently strip away layers of dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth, cleansed and blemish-free. The treatment can also reduce the signs of ageing and appearance of scars. Recovery time can vary depending on the type of peel you have, and it generally takes a week to see results.
At what age do you recommend women start using anti-ageing skincare products?
The key is really to focus on a healthy lifestyle and on skincare products that boost cell renewal and collagen production, as well as repair damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. On average, mid-twenties is the recommended age to start.
What are your top lifestyle hacks for good skin?
Take time for yourself! Stay hydrated, get enough sleep and control your stress levels. These might seem obvious, but they are highly effective steps in your skincare ritual. Always remove make-up before bed – religiously. Another daily essential should be wearing sunscreen and finding a beauty routine that matches your skin type and concerns.
Despite all the precautions you take, some skins are just more prone to pimples and acne compared to others. So, if you do break out, resist the temptation to touch or scratch the bumps. This can make the problem worse and can cause scarring. In general, avoid touching your face as much as possible.
Good skincare is a combination of care, common sense and cosmetic intervention – do you agree?
Less is more and a good base is non-negotiable. I believe that everyone is born with beautiful skin and my goal is to enhance the natural beauty that was always there. Great skincare results are only meaningful when they give you that extra boost of confidence. My ambition is to provide my clients with the treatments, products and tools they need to achieve rejuvenated, radiant and healthy skin in the comfort of their own homes.
On that note, tell us more about the skincare line you’re launching in Abu Dhabi?
Having worked in this industry for more than 20 years, I am very aware that we all have different skincare needs, and this is why I designed the MDO portfolio, to ensure each product provides solutions to specific skincare concerns. MDO [focuses on] anti-ageing solutions: from the Hyaluronic Filler and Powerful EGF Ampoule treatments to the Intense Hydrating Moisturiser, which can be used daily to target signs of ageing and dehydration.
What else can we expect from your participation at Abu Dhabi Beauty Week?
It is always such a warm welcome to Abu Dhabi, which is an exciting market – not just for me, but for the whole beauty industry. I cannot wait for my masterclass with the amazing Miriam Abadi talking all things skin, learning more about skin types and effective treatments for home use. We will also be talking about the benefits of the MDO skincare line, which will all be available at the pop-up beauty boutique at Yas Mall.
Simon Ourian will be part of a panel discussion on Friday, February 5 from 2pm to 3pm. To register, visit retailabudhabi.ae, and for a chance to win a free consultation, follow @retailabudhabi
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
LIGUE 1 FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Nice v Angers (9pm)
Lille v Monaco (10.45pm)
Saturday
Montpellier v Paris Saint-Germain (7pm)
Bordeaux v Guingamp (10pm)
Caen v Amiens (10pm)
Lyon v Dijon (10pm)
Metz v Troyes (10pm)
Sunday
Saint-Etienne v Rennes (5pm)
Strasbourg v Nantes (7pm)
Marseille v Toulouse (11pm)
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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