No doubt about it -- exercise helps circulation and can give you a healthy glow. But for your skin's sake, you ought to walk for exercise and not run.

When you pound the pavement, the force of your body jostling can cause collagen to break down, which can lead to sagging skin, says dermatologist Dennis Gross of NYC. Hey, running is not so great for your knees either. I guess walking is the way to go -- although I don't plan to abandon the run just yet. How about you?

(via In Style magazine, August 2008)

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Is Madonna's macrobiotic diet and ultra-intense fitness regimen ultimately healthy? Her hands these days are a roadmap of veins. There's sinewy and Madonna-sinewy -- check out these pictures -- do you think she looks like the picture of health?

Five UK experts share their observations and advice from afar:

• Cheeks: Her protruding cheekbones are due to a lack of fat and ageing -- fat departs the face as we age.
• Body: A muscular size zero is not the rage -- fit and healthy is in. Also, hormonal balance requires rest.
• Hands: Loss of oestrogen due to menopause may cause collagen to thin. Also, as we age, veins don't return to normal size after exercise.
• Hair: A deep-moisturizing treatment is in order, and the roots-showing-through-look is not age-appropriate.
• Diet: Her macrobiotic diet is healthy, but possibly too acidic. A few more raw vegetables and fresh fruit may be in order to produce fresh blood cells and prevent loss of too much muscle and body fat.

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We all want good skin, and we've all heard of countless different ways to go about getting it, but sitting in an enormous bowl of Ramen noodle soup? That's a new one.

A Japanese spa is offering just that: the opportunity to dip yourself in noodles to get a healthier glow. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it!) it's not real noodles (just noodle-shaped spa treatments) but it is real broth. The pork-based broth contains collagen, hence the skin-enhancing benefits.

The treatment costs about $29 -- would you do it? I think I'll pass, and save my Ramen noodles for meals only.


Via Luxury Launches

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When it comes to beauty products, synthetic ones will usually have quicker results than all-natural ones. But sometimes a girl (or boy!) just wants to use something from good old Mother nature, and with all the chemicals that go into everything these days, who can blame us?

Here's a skin care product for the hippie in all of us: Avocados. A certain sugar that is unique to avocados can boost collagen and improve the structure of the dermis. Make sure to save some for your salad too, though, because they're good for you both inside your body and outside of it.

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This sounds more like an advertisement than anything, but Restylane (a cosmetic treatment) is now said to actually make the skin produce more collagen according to a new study.

Collagen, the part of the skin that makes it look "young", is a treatment millions go for each year an the attempt to keep those young looks. Restylane is used by millions of people, and it's generally injected around their lips, cheeks and foreheads.

It now appears that the product has effects beyond even what its manufacturers claim. First off, this ought to make the manufacturer of that product scream for joy. Secondly, it will probably spike sales temporarily.

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