EXPERT ADVICE
Discover expert skincare advice tailored to your skin’s needs. From tackling acne and oil control to fine lines and wrinkles, our science-led guides help you achieve a healthy, radiant complexion
EXPERT ADVICE
Let’s Make-Up: the new beauty launches to have on your radar in September
Founder Ada Ooi has created this device to transform your serums into micrometre particles in order for them to be more easily absorbed into the skin and enhance their efficacy. It’s also portable and rechargeable via USB.
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Cupping therapy: is the alternative treatment good for sore muscles?
26 MAY 2021 Cupping therapy is a well-known alternative therapy – but is it actually good for you and your muscles? There’s a never-ending list of treatments you can try that promise to support your body and improve your workout performance. From the fact-based advice, such as eating enough protein and prioritising sleep, to the wackier trends (hello, IV drips), there’s something for everyone. Somewhere in the middle lies tissue therapies. You’ve probably tried – or at least heard of – some of these, such as sports massage and foam rolling. But have you ever considered using cupping to ease muscle tightness? It’s a slightly more extreme form of tissue therapy, thanks to the obvious bruises it leaves. If you’ve ever seen an Olympic swimmer with markings on their body as though as an octopus has got their suckers on them, you might know what we’re talking about. So, if it’s good enough for professional athletes, is it worth it for you too? WHAT IS CUPPING? “Cupping is a type of therapy originating from China that involves placing cups on the skin to create a suction,” says cupping therapist Ada Ooi. This is an ancient tradition that is often used in relation to ‘qi’, the bodies energy flow, but is also used as a form to support the physical body. “The practitioner creates a suction from a special pump to vacuum out the air once the cups are on your skin, or by heating the cup before placing it on your body. How long the cups stay on your skin depends on what is being treated. It could be a few minutes or could be up to half an hour,” says Ada. “For some treatments, ‘moving cupping’ can be used, where the cups are moved around the body to guide the flow of blood, but a lot of the time the cups remain static on the body.” WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CUPPING? “Cupping works by increasing blood flow to your fascia and muscles and stimulating the lymphatic system,” says Ada. “It can bring in oxygen and nutrients and guide immune cells into the particular area to loosen tension.” The idea is pretty much “out with the bad, in with the good”, explains Ada, as stimulating blood flow to the area can help with inflammation. It makes sense as a practice – the body naturally stimulates blood flow to injured areas (hence the redness, heat and swelling when you hurt yourself). Cupping is simply an extension of that, promoting natural healing benefits, but can also be “especially great for people who might have been suffering from chronic tension, to a point that their ‘knots’ are too hard or too sore to touch and break up adhesions that are blocking flow,” says Ada. Research has shown that cupping can help to ease pain and relax muscle tissue: a 2017 study from Illinois State University found that cupping eased IT band tension and improved hip mobility 24 hours after four stationary cups were placed along the area in question. But research is limited and there’s no official consensus as to whether or not the treatment works in practice as well as it does in theory. Cupping therapy: is it good for you? I’ve had cupping once – a somewhat unplanned event that was recommended during a sports therapy session I’d attended for my tight shoulders and back. The therapist explained that they were applying cups to encourage blood flow to the treated muscles after breaking down the knots using massage. This was to remove the waste products that are released both during exercise and massage, but also to encourage my body to heal the broken tissue. The cups felt warm when applied and a little uncomfortable when on (although the area was already pretty numb from the massage). I can’t say whether it was the massage or cupping that helped ease my tight shoulders. But, after getting over the initial muscle sensitivity that I find lasts up to 48 hours after tissue therapy, I definitely felt looser. The only problem was those huge bruises, which made me look as though I’d been abducted by aliens. They didn’t necessarily hurt for that long, but they did take a while to go down. “If your cupping marks are very angry, massaging something like arnica gel into the area can help promote healing and reduce discomfort,” advises Ada. “If you don’t feel any further discomfort, you can continue to use a heating pad or hot water bottle on the cupped areas to promote circulation and relax the muscles. Sometimes people feel tired or have the flu like symptoms after cupping – a temporary reaction by your immune system to the cellular waste that cupping helps to release. Listen to your body and rest if you need to.” So, is cupping worth it? Well it probably shouldn’t be your first port of call if you’re after a way of ridding muscle tension, but it can be a great option for those who are looking for alternative and complementary tissue therapies to ease stiff muscles. But let’s be honest: if you’re hoping to get out in a backless dress after lockdown, you could opt for a less bruise worthy treatments. Article written by Chloe Gray - STYLIST Read the article here
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001 Skincare London Winner at the Journal Business Awards
001 Skincare London were nominated and the winner in the category Culture Fusion at the Journal Business Awards
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Rooney Mara’s Facialist Shares Tips to Getting Glowing Skin at Home
It's no secret that everyone's daily routine looks a little different these days, but did you know that every little change can affect your skin? According to celebrity facialist Ada Ooi of 001 London Skincare, whose A-list clientele includes Rooney Mara and Ellie Goulding, lifestyle changes like increased stress, tweaking your diet and prolonged screen time can all irritate your skin and lead to concerns like dullness, breakouts and dryness.
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What You Need To Know About Cupping Therapy
22 JULY, 2021 First, what is cupping therapy? “Cupping uses similar principles to popular skin therapy gua sha – where a tool is used to bring inflammation or illness to the skin’s surface so pain can be relieved. It involves placing cups on the skin on certain parts of the body to create a suction, creating broken blood vessels just beneath the skin, which break up adhesions which might be creating tension or blockages.” Tell us more… “Cupping also stimulates the lymphatic network to get rid of excess fluids and promote waste management. One unique property of cupping is that it uses negative pressure. This means that without heavy-handed massage, cupping is able to release tension by separating the fascia from the muscle and lengthening the muscle fibre and connective tissue. This then creates space for essential elements necessary for healing while removing the build-up of toxins. Combined, this can effectively relieve muscle pain.” So, who’s it for? “Cupping works well for anyone with water retention, muscle tension or someone who needs a 'kick' to move circulation along. It's a treatment that is able to get under your skin to unknot, unblock and reboot. Cupping is especially good for people who suffer from chronic tension, to a point that their 'knots' are too hard or too sore to touch. It works by increasing blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed, which can in turn relieve muscle tension, which then improves overall blood flow and promotes cell repair.” What are some of the main benefits? “From a Western medicine point of view, cupping is able to draw fresh blood to a painful area and heighten its healing response. The simulated blood flow arouses cell metabolism and repair, resulting in the formation of new connective tissue. The suction softens tensed soft tissue by dissolving adhesions and helps release unhealthy torsion, normalising muscle position. It also drains excessive fluids and toxins while new blood stimulates the joints, lifts and lengthens fascia and reactivates entrapped nerves within our body. “In Chinese medicine, heightened blood circulation means ‘qi’ (the vital life force said to flow through the body) is able to move through the body more effectively, and during the process imbalances are pacified and reset, allowing for effective transport and transformations of nutrients and essences. As the cups move around the meridian network across the body, they are also able to stimulate and nourish the reflexive organ systems.” Cupping works well for anyone with water retention, muscle tension or someone who needs a 'kick' to move circulation along. Ada Ooi Beauty & Wellness Guru How does it work? “The practitioner will place the cups on your skin. Then – depending on the area that’s being treated – they will create a suction either from a special pump to vacuum out the air or heat the cup before placing it on your body. How long the cups stay on your skin depends on what is being treated, so this could be a few minutes or up to half an hour. “The negative pressure from the cup forces capillaries in injured or tense areas to hold stale blood and cellular debris and attract them to the surface. The circulatory and lymphatic drainage system will then process them to give space for oxygen, nutrients and new cells. “One way of cupping is to cup along your meridian network to stimulate internal organ systems, such as the liver and spleen meridian for both physical and mental waste management. In this case, instead of leaving the cup static, the 'moving cup' technique will be used, which involves gliding across the meridian network to invigorate and produce internal reflexive response, stimulating internal movements for moving qi or getting rid of toxins. “The cupping marks on your body indicate the level of blood, toxin accumulation or dampness accumulation in your body. The colour and pattern of the marks reflect the level of stagnation in that area. Everybody is different by nature, and will react differently to cupping, but as a general rule, the darker the colour, the more stagnation could be present.” Is the process the same for facial cupping? “Almost. Although they follow the same principle, the type of cup used is different for your face. They are usually a lot smaller and softer too. Facial cupping also doesn’t leave bruises, because the suction isn’t as strong, and the cups are constantly moving.” What’s the difference between dry and wet cupping? “The cups used can come in different materials and shapes and sizes. With wet cupping, your practitioner will gently prick your skin with a needle before or after applying the suction cups to draw out a small, controlled amount of blood to loosen any stagnation you have. Please ensure you approach a certified Chinese medicine practitioner for this, as wet cupping can easily become infected if not done in a hygienic environment and controlled manner. Dry cupping doesn't require any pin pricks.” We’ve got to admit, it looks painful… “Cupping really shouldn’t hurt, despite what the bruises might suggest. Sometimes you can feel tired and have flu-like symptoms after cupping, as the body can be overwhelmed by all the actions coming together. If this happens, listen to your body, as it is telling you to rest, keep warm and take a nap. You’re sure to wake up feeling light and relaxed. It's important to remember these flu-like symptoms are only a temporary reaction by your immune system to the cellular waste that cupping helps to release.” Cupping really shouldn’t hurt, despite what the bruises might suggest. Ada Ooi Beauty & Wellness Guru How quickly can you see results? “You’ll feel a warming sensation and relaxing benefits almost instantly, and this will last from days to weeks depending on your treatment. But like any other therapy methods, I encourage regular and consistent treatments for the body to learn its way to recovery and balance.” Are there any risks associated with it? “Risks mainly surround who the practitioner you choose to perform cupping is. It’s hugely important you visit a qualified professional, otherwise you can suffer from pain or infection, and over-cupping can lead to blisters.” And what’s the aftercare process? “Like with gua sha, it’s best to avoid showering at least two hours after body cupping, and keep yourself very warm to avoid any dampness, as this can turn into cold when entering the body when your blood vessels are wide open and active. If possible, take a shower before your cupping sessions. For facial cupping, since there is very limited ‘trauma’, contact with water is fine.” How can you get started? “Always do your research and find a qualified practitioner who will be able to properly assess what you and your body needs.” Ada offers both cupping therapy and gua sha tension release services in her London clinic. To find out more about her or to book an appointment, visit 001london.co.uk. BOOK THE CUPPING BODY TREATMENT with our Clinic Therapist DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme. Article by Heather Steele - SHEERLUXE Read the full story here
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Everything you need to know about cupping therapy. This traditional body treatment is an A-list favourite - but what really are the benefits?
Cupping therapy might be having a modern resurgence, fuelled by a host of A-list and athlete devotees - from Jennifer Aniston, Kaley Cuoco and Gwyneth Paltrow to Michael Phelps and Justin Bieber - but the treatment can actually be traced back to ancient Chinese, Middle Eastern and Egyptian cultures. Here, celebrity facialist, Traditional Chinese Medicine authority and founder of 001 Skin , Ada Ooi, breaks down the origins and benefits of this history-steeped therapy.
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How Does Lily Allen Get Her Picture-Perfect Skin?
Lily is definitely a fan of bespoke treatments; she shared a photo of herself having an acupuncture facial with Ada Ooi of 001 Skincare, a treatment which combines variations of micro-sculpting modern gua sha, LED/micro-current therapy, aromacology and acupuncture on your face and body to address your internal and external wellbeing. "Lily personally loved the 360 approach to skincare and wellbeing," says Ada.
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Cupping and Gua Sha Treatments for the Body Wellness and Aesthetic
Over in our Clinics this month you can get 15% off our Cupping & Gua Sha Cellu-tox Treatment. Ada's unique Inside-Out treatment strategies combine Chinese Medicinal principles and Western Aesthetic & Wellbeing techniques. Designed based on Ada's unique Medi-Meridian treatment strategies combining Western therapy and Chinese Medical principles, using a variety of techniques to stimulate the Meridian networks. Gua sha is used to break down stagnated tension and fluids accumulated within the body, kick start increased blood circulation for nutrients and oxygen to enter and flushing waste through the lymphatic system. Flow cupping and static cupping intensifies blood flow to deliver collagen and elastin within the skin to firm and tighten over time. What is Cupping? Cupping is a form of treatment in Chinese Medicine which involves placing cups on the skin on certain parts of the body to create a suction. This works to increase blood flow to your fascia, muscles, stimulate lymphatic system and create reflexive reactions along the Chinese Meridian network. It increases oxygen and guides the immune cells to the desired area to enhance Qi flow to encourage healing in that chosen area. It works by increasing blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed, which can in turn relieve muscle tension, which then improves overall blood flow and promotes cell repair. A balanced Qi is essential for good health. Cupping works by “opening” the pathways in the body through which Qi flows and a free flow of Qi is essential in supporting the function of the body’s tissues and organs. Cupping essentially utilises similar principles to Gua Sha: creating broken blood vessels just beneath the skin, it breaks up adhesions that are blocking the flow of Qi and nutrients to different parts of the body. These red marks that form will then be transported through our waste system, arousing new activities for healing at the same time. This is a popular treatment as it produces very quick reliefs to the body. By relieving tension and promoting relaxation, which is great for people with busy and intense lifestyles. It has a positive effect on regulating the immune system and controlling inflammatory processes. Whilst treating muscle tension, cellulite and water retention. Cupping is associated with leaving red marks on the skin, this is caused by the intense suction that increases circulation by dilating capillaries, causing them to rupture causing bruises. However there are many different ways to cup that don't have to leave red marks. By combining methods of lymphatic drainage and the Chinese Meridian network, our clinic therapist can perform no mark cupping at our clinics. We offer a range of Cupping and Gua Sha treatments at our clinics, click here to find out more or book now! (Enter code "Cupping15" at checkout to enjoy 15% off the following treatments) Cupping & Gua Sha Tension Release | £150 (60 mins) / £225 (90 mins) Cupping & Gua Sha Cellu-tox Treatment | £150 (60 mins) / £225 (90mins) For further enquiry please email us at bookings@001london.co.uk
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Facial Acupuncture Changed My Mind about Getting Botox
Not ready for injectables? Try this instead. 1 JULY, 2021 Working in the beauty industry, I’ve been lucky enough to try out many different facial treatments over the years. From cryotherapy to seaweed wraps – if there’s a buzzy skincare technique out there, my face is fair game. But, having tried out many a whacky facial, I now approach treatments with a fair amount of scepticism. If someone had told me having just one facial would make me reconsider getting botox, I probably wouldn't believe them. But that’s exactly what happened after I had a recent facial with celebrity skin & wellness expert Ada Ooi. Hell yes I needed a fix. My skin has been playing up since I got my cats (yes I am such a worrying mom you don't want to have human children with me 😆). I can't tell you how important it is to get sufficient sleep and not only that you need good quality of sleep. Throughout this period (until now) I haven't been able to deep sleep, both of my cheeks have age spots peeping through (well age of course play a part I just turned 41 last week), and I have also been having on and off spots at random places plus a patch of dry bumpy stress acne across my forehead (last time I had that was 13 yrs old). I can't wait until lock down to finish, even when its lifted though, I need to get over my "commitment phobia" to finally book a treatment and set it in stone on my diary. So tonight I needle all over my face, skull and body to really stimulate key meridians, draw blood to the areas, release tension and most importantly I switched off the light, turned on some music, had a heavy duvet over me and focused on breathing into my core. Still feeling drowsy now but I am happy to already be seeing a much more happy, flushed and revitalised face 😊 Please guys, share with me, what are the things you do to wake up your skin or simply pamper yourself at home? #acupuncture #acupunctureworks #facialacupuncture #faceacupuncture #cosmeticacupuncture #tcm #guasha #guashafacial #microsculpt #acupressure #acupuncturist #cupping #celebrityfacialist #tcmwellness #wellness #wellbeing #meditation #breathingexercises #core #qigong #taichi #facialmassage #lymphaticdrainage #chinesemedicine #meridian #tcmlivingwell #tcmstudent #facesculpting #qi #yinyang What is acupuncture and how can it benefit skin? ”Acupuncture helps to stimulate the body's natural processes of cell reproduction and growth", says international facialist and TCM practitioner Ada Ooi. "It has been shown to increase blood circulation throughout the body, meaning more efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients, it also increases lymphatic activities to flush out excessive toxins and water, which can help depuff and brighten the skin.” "For lines and wrinkles, acne/pigmentation or scars, I apply the ‘surround the dragon’ methodology. I surround the concerned area with multiples needles or micro intra-pins to help boost metabolism while stimulating new cells to grow or recover from the issue.” My acupuncture facial with Ada Ooi With a celebrity client roster which includes Rooney Mara, Lily Allen and Ellie Goulding (plus some royals thrown in there too), Ada is known in the beauty business for her unique take on skincare therapy, which often combines traditional Chinese Medicine with facial-massage techniques. Her treatments don’t come cheap, but oh boy do you notice a difference straight away. Ada started off by steaming and cleansing my face, before performing a thorough facial massage. This wasn't a soothing process FYI, we’re talking deep tissue massage, lymphatic drainage and ‘ouch-that-hurts-but-ok-carry-on’ pummelling. Ada performed the massage on half of my face first, before showing me the difference in my skin. Sure enough, the left hand side of my face looked lifted, tightened and more sculpted. After the facial massage came the acupuncture – the real star of the show. Frown lines are caused by repeated action of underlying muscles associated with facial expression. Squinting and frowning consistently tend to leave deep wrinkles in the skin between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose, across the forehead and at the corners of the eyes. Yes I can use different techniques to treat them including this "surround the dragon" method to stimulate regrowth activities, regulate liver qi and we have had great case studies. But individuals' daily habits are equally important. Now the sun is out here are a few things that can really help prevent any further formation of frown lines: . 🕶 Wear sunglasses, it prevents you from squinting from the sun . 🌞 Don't forget to SPF your forehead . 💧 Hydrate and moisturise the forehead 👐 Massage, tap / stretch the skin with serum/ moisturiser . 🚭 Don't smoke. Smoking breaks down collagen contributing factor of wrinkles, not to also mention the habitual lines across the entire face for the inhale gesture . 📨 To book facial acupuncture treatment: bookings@001london.co.uk . #cosmeticacupuncture #tcm #facial #intradermal #frownlines #wrinkles #acupuncturelife #collageninductiontherapy #acupunctureworks #acupuncture #liver #qi #kidney #yinyang view Ada positioned needles all over my face (as well as a few in my feet and ankles) and left me to relax for a few minutes. She then pinpointed my frown lines – which have become deeper and a permanent fixture on my forehead in the last year or so – with thicker, larger needles. The idea is that these larger needles would create trauma in the area (similar to microneedling) which results in blood rushing to the area, boosting collagen production and in turn, plumping the skin. When my facial was over and I was handed a mirror, I definitely thought my face looked tighter, more lifted and seriously glowy – but Ada assured me that my skin (and in particular, my frown lines) would appear even better as the days went on and she was absolutely right. In the next 2-3 days I noticed that my frown lines were 100% smoother than they were previously. Had they completely vanished? No, but that botox appointment I’d been considering for the last six months had gone straight to the bottom of my priorities. ©@chloeburcham It’s now been about 8-weeks since my facial with Ada and I’d say that my frown lines are beginning to slowly reappear. So while it may not be an ultra-long lasting alternative to botox, if you’re looking for something to give your skin a youthful boost, acupuncture might just be it. BOOK THE PINPOINT WELLNESS™ TREATMENT with Ada Ooi Article by Chloe Burcham - Grazia Read the full story here
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SUMMER SKINCARE
JULY 15, 2021 As we fully immerse ourselves into the Summer months, it's important to think about our skincare routines as the weather warms up. There are 3 key points to create the best summer glow: Clarifying congestion, deeply infusing hydration, protecting and helping skin recover from UV damage. And, never forget to care for the eyes. Scroll down to see our summer essentials collection that we have put together for each skin concern. Deeply Infusing Hydration. During the warmer months, skin hydration products are a must-have for your beauty regimen. Skin that is not hydrated enough will become dry, tight and flaky. The dry flaky cells on the surface also don't reflect light as well, making the skin look dull, rough and unhealthy. Hydrated skin looks healthier, smoother and softer. In relation to our “Treat from within” it's important to drink more water and Include fresh fruits, fruits with high water content, and green leafy veggies in your diet. This will not only keep skin hydrated but will also give you a bright looking skin. The products we would recommend to deeply infuse hydration into your skincare would be, the HF-DERMAL MICRONISER™. Designed with the latest advanced high frequency 0.3 micron atomisation technology, 001’s HF-Dermal Microniser™ nebulised exclusively the Alpha-Glow Flash Facial Serum into micrometre particles, facilitating the absorption of the serum and enhancing the efficacy of its precious active ingredients. By truly infusing hydration, expect to see a refined texture with a lasting translucent glow. The second product would be the Resurface & Radiance Hydro-Lipids Micro-Peel. An exotic, brightening, moisturising & nourishing fruit peeling, for intense radiance and refined pores without irritation. Helps retain skin‘s natural moisture to keep it looking fuller & plumped. Protecting and helping skin recover from UV damage. It's important to invest in products that have UV protection in them as it Protects Your skin from UV rays, the depletion of the ozone layer has increased our risk of sun damage from harmful UV rays. It helps maintain an even skin tone, sunscreen helps prevent discoloration and dark spots from sun damage, helping you maintain a smoother and more even skin tone. We recommend our Active Marine Collagen Serum, rich in Multi-Algae actives, Co Q10, Vitamin C and Green Tea, this serum provides lasting hydration and an immediate collagen-plumping effect, to visibly even out lines and wrinkles. An innovative antioxidant-packed complex assists in repairing environmental damage and intensively brightens, reducing dullness and boosting radiance. The next product we recommend is our AOX B-Complex Collagen Cream. A balancing & detoxifying moisturiser with a soft & dewy finish. Enriched with essential B-vitamins including Niacinamide to aid cell turnover; Marine Collagens, to help bind water & firm and plump skin from within; a cocktail of antioxidants, to help fight and repair environmental damage. Don’t forget the eyes! It is so important to care for our eyes in the upcoming summer months. A time where hayfever allergies cause puffiness around the eyes and more time out with friends causes lack of sleep and dark circles. We recommend using two of our eye serums to help depuff and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend two eye serums, first up is the Aox Hydro-Correct Bright & Tight Eye Serum. A multi-action hydro-gel eye treatment serum that helps brighten and tighten the delicate eye area. Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera work in synergy to deeply and instantly hydrate, depuff, cool, add tonicity and smooth fine lines. The second serum is the Poly-Peptides Focus Contour HA Eye Serum. A performance-led, multi-action eye treatment formulated with neuropeptides, to help regenerate skin from the inside. A multi-tasker, it addresses all the issues affecting the delicate eye area (crows feet, under-eye bags, dark circles, puffiness and droopiness)
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