by Mollie Millington | May 23, 2023 | beauty, health, product review
My friends from Boston University came for a visit in March. It was years ago the three of us were together and we packed a lot into a weeklong visit. Now that we are all in our 40’s, there were many discussions about skin care, body aches and pains, and perimenopause (we sure know how to rock and roll!). We also discussed vitamins and supplements we take now that we are older (top tip: don’t get old). Eryn swore by collagen, which she has been taking since November. She saw her finger nails become stronger and experienced less aches and pains.
I decided to see what all the fuss was about for collagen. Like many supplements, most brands state that it takes 30 days+ to see an difference. This makes a lot of sense in terms of hair and nail growth. It also seems to be very much a trending supplement, much like menopause products which are also gaining momentum. The Global Collagen Report started that the collagen market is worth $9.1 billion in 2022 (which is approximately £7 billion), making it quite lucrative.
What do the professionals think about collagen supplements? Dr. Hana Patel, GP specialist in womens and mental health and GP Expert Witness, told me the NHS does not recommend patients take collagen as there isn’t enough evidence to support its effectiveness. Dr. Patel went on to say that are many studies, however, that show that taking up to 10 grams a day, may help with skin health, joint health, bone density and muscle mass.
How to choose a collagen supplement
I know I was overwhelmed with choice as I started to look into it. Eryn takes Beyond Collagen Multi Collagen for Women (which Oprah also recommends) which is a powder but I could not find it in the UK. Dr. Patel shared that although collagen can be absorbed in all forms, studies show that more is absorbed per gram in the powder form, as there are not other additional substances added to it. You may want to take this into account when choosing a collagen product. Other factors to consider are ease of administration (do you want to be able to swallow a pill or make a drink) and if what kind of collagen you want. For example, Type I collagen typically is move from bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) or even bones. It can be found in your body in skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Type II collagen can also be found in the body in your cartilage, bones, and connective tissue. Type II collagen often is made from chickens. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Holland and Barret have an informative summary over on their site if you would like to learn more.
So I put some feelers out on Twitter to see what people would recommend. A few people responded with Arbonne Skin Elixir Collagen Booster. I already have an Arbonne consultant and she takes it too. As it is vegan, it doesn’t contain any collagen but instead encourages your body to make more.
Stacey, founder of Planthaya, contacted me to try out her Glow Natural Collagen Support, which is also vegan. Its three key ingredients help promote your body’s natural production of collagen, which will improve skin elasticity. The instructions recommend taking on an empty stomach for best results.
Osavi is a brand I had not heard of before and are health, nutrition, and food supplements company who focus on creating supplements which are high quality and pure. They just launched two different collagen formulas, one for tendons and ligaments* and another for joints and bones*. These products use collagen peptides (the collagen protein has been hydrolysed). Osavi also shared with me that their Tendons & Ligaments collagen is formulated using patented TENDOFORTE® bovine[i] bioactive collagen peptides, made by world-leading producer Gelita[ii], which are optimised to stimulate the production of collagen in the body. TENDOFORTE stimulates the biosynthesis of new extracellular matrix molecules, reducing the risk of injuries and rupture of ligaments and tendons. TENDOFORTE® is clinically proven to increase tendon strength and flexibility, reduce the risk of injury and result in a faster return to training. I was impressed by the clinical trial results they shared with me that highlighted the effectiveness of TENDOFORTE®. I have high hopes for this one because as a runner, I am always getting injured!
Lastly, I went to MyProtein to see what they had to offer because they always have sales and who isn’t trying to save money these days? I bought their collagen capsules and also was intrigued by their collagen gummies so I bought both (on sale).
Whenever I try a product for review, I make sure to test it for a while before passing judgement and my opinions on to you. With collagen, it is a bit tricky because I wasn’t expecting to see any effects within the first 30 days. I decided to start with Arbonne Skin Elixir because I bought it and it came with a 30 day guarantee. It was one of the few products I was testing that had a flavor, acai, which is very mild. I have the Skin Elixir with my breakfast and had initially had trouble getting it to dissolve in about 400 ml of water. It is easier if you add the sachet to the glass, THEN the water. Who knew? Having an extra glass of water to start my day helped wake me up a bit. It has now been 30 days and unfortunately, I have not noticed any difference. This is to be expected, however, and if I didn’t have so many other products to try, I would stick with it for another month. Arbonne have me a second box as a free gift with my order, so I am saving it for the end of all this product testing. If you would like to try it, you can use the code ARBONNE10 for 10% off your purchase.
This week, I started taking both Osavi products which will give me the recommended 10g a day, per Dr. Patel. I was told I can take a serving of each type every day. This morning, I added one to my porridge and this evening, I added the other to my coconut yogurt. It truly does not have a taste and I didn’t notice any changes in the food texture either. So far, that is a good start!
How do they compare?
Below is a chart I made to summarize the major differences between all the products I will be testing (please note the pricing is from April 2023 and may have changed since publication). Dr. Patel shared that although there are no specific trials to support added ingredients in collagen supplements, in the body, lysine and vitamin C work together with collagen to help keep connective tissue and joints strong and healthy. Therefore, they might be something to look for on the label. You will have to keep checking back to this post to see how the other products compare as I try each one for 30 days.
Finally, Dr. Patel said that collagen can be absorbed in all forms, but studies show that more is absorbed per gram in the powder form, as there are not other additional substances added to it. There seems to be a variety of ingredients in the products I am trying, as you can see above. The convenience of a capsule or gummy appeals to me, but if something works there is no reason not to be able to stick with it. Dissolving a powder into a glass of water doesn’t take too much time.
What are you thoughts on collagen supplements? How long did it take you to see a noticeable result? Which form do you prefer (powder, capsule, other)? Leave a comment below and let me know.
*Thanks to Planthaya and Osavi for the complimentary samples. All opinion are honest and my own.
[i] Osavi’s Bovine collagens are clinically tested collagen peptides that target specific needs, which are kosher, and halal certified.
[ii] TENDOFORTE® is made by Gelita. Gelita is a German producer that is the world’s leading supplier of collagen proteins for the food, medical and pharmaceutical industries. The brand works in the market since 1875, currently having factories on five continents, more than 20 plants production and 2.8 thousand employees all over the world.
by Mollie Millington | Aug 10, 2022 | beauty, exercise
Ever since a friend’s wedding in 2017, I have wanted hair extensions. While I am not a true tom boy, I am not very girly. For example, rarely do I wear make up. If I do, it is just mascara, eye liner and lip gloss. My outfit choice is usually jeans and a t-shirt (or running gear). Coveting hair extensions seemed very odd given my normal aesthetic. I don’t style my hair and usually it is in a pony tail due to my warm working conditions. But my friend looked so beautiful on her wedding day, with thick flawless blonde hair, I wanted to look beautiful too.
It took me a few years and a year of saving my money (thanks to the pandemic) to gather my courage and invest in extensions. I went to Vixen and Blush, where my friend had her extensions done. They offer a free 30 minute consultation to discuss the various application processes, which combination of length and volume would best suit, and how to maintain the hair. Aside from the price, the maintenance was what I was most worried about. How often would I have to wash my hair? Could I wear a ponytail? Could I go swimming? Would I be really hot with all the extra hair? These were all the things I was unsure of and would factor into my decision. The team at Vixen and Blush patiently answered all these questions and even gave me a few test extensions so I could see how it would look and feel before committing. This was also reassuring as I have an allergy to some chemicals (none are used in micro rings) and assured me there wouldn’t be a reaction. They have been great with questions while my extensions are in too. I ended up with micro ring extensions that should last two to three months if I took care of them properly. These types of extensions can also be re-used, which was another key selling point for me. I didn’t want to be wasteful as this is actual human hair and the service price is reduced if you are re-using hair.
This post is to help those who are extension-curious and sporty, like me. The advice I offer below will be based on what Vixen and Blush suggest, along with my own experiences. Please be sure to follow the advice your stylist gives if you decide to invest in extensions as not all extension hair and application methods the same.
Cost
Aside from the initial fitting and purchase of the 18″ 3/4 head natural hair extensions (over £700 but no need to tip in the UK), I also had to buy a Tangle Teaser brush (£20), silk scrunchies and headbands (~£30), a shower cap (£5), a flat iron for beachy waves (£30, never used it) and very fancy shampoo (£30 per bottle because my hair is oily). Vixen and Blush charge £50 to remove the extensions, which you are credited with if you come back within seven days to have them refit. Refitting costs approximately half the price of the initial fitting. I figured if I am spending that much money to have the extensions fit in, I want to ensure I am taking care of them properly.
Hair extension maintenance
Vixen and Blush emphasize that you should always blow dry your hair when you have extensions in. This is because wet hair will stretch and possibly cause the rings to move. I rebelled a few times this summer because it was just too hot in my flat to blow dry my hair. They did say if you were at the beach on holiday, you could rinse your hair with fresh water and let it air dry once in a while (not in a plait or under a hat). Last summer, I was marathon training while I had my extensions in so it made it challenging to follow their next tip: don’t let your hair get oily. I used a lot of dry shampoo and didn’t dry my hair often workouts, which lead to some matting at my roots by the end of the 12 weeks. When you have extensions, you should sleep with your hair in a braid/plait to avoid pulling on hair. Alongside this, only low ponytails and hairstyles are allowed (no top knots). Finally, comb or brush your hair from the bottom up, while holding on to a bunch of your hair. Your comb will not get very far with the extensions in. One good tug will be enough of a reminder to stop you from doing it again. I have also accidently removed a single extension now and again because I was blow drying my hair and brushing it out without holding on. (I saved it for reuse at a later date).
Can I run or swim with hair extensions?
Yes, you absolutely can! I found running to be a little bit hotter with my extensions in and ponytail on my neck rather than up high. I needed to plan my workouts a bit more around when I would be washing my hair and be able to blow dry it. Having more hair made it a bit trickier to fit it all under my swim cap, but I was able to do it in the end without my googles leaking.
Are they comfortable?
At first, they feel heavy and as if they are pulling on your scalp. But this only lasted a few days. They didn’t bother me when I slept either.
Are they worth it?
All in all, I am very happy I got them. Earlier this summer, I had them put in for a third round before I went to France on holiday. I cursed them a few mornings when I had to blow dry them rather than sleep in, but they made me feel a wee bit prettier and were fun to toss over my shoulder. (I also now know that women who have long luscious locks probably have hair extensions too and are not just naturally beautiful.) Top tip for those who are low maintenance like me: sleep with your hair in a plait and you will have wavy hair the next day. No need for a curling iron!
If you have any other questions about exercise and hair extensions, please leave a comment below or speak to your hair stylist. I am by no means an expert and followed the advice of the team at Vixen and Blush.
by Mollie Millington | Oct 19, 2018 | beauty, running, sponsored post
Preparing for a desert ultra like Wadi Rum Ultra takes a lot of planning and organization. Slowly you need to build up miles, gather the specific kit you will need, try out said kit, research camping food, try said camping food, and prepare your feet. Then, in the last three weeks before the race, you need to add in sauna or Bikram yoga sessions, make sure your luggage doesn’t go over the weight limit, and finally go see a chiropodist/podiatrist for a “medical pedicure” one week out. This bit of advice can from my friend, Becs, who has done countless ultras, including Marathon Des Sables. I don’t usually get cosmetic pedicures unless I am going on a beach holiday. Turns out “medical pedicures” are very different.
Using my Simplyhealth Active Plan, I found a place in London that meets the criteria for reimbursement under the chiropody/podiatry benefit of the Active Plan. I went to Margaret Dabbs for a “medical pedicure” at cost of £85 for a 45 minute appointment. I traveled from work to Marylebone on a sunny afternoon at the start of October and wasn’t sure what to expect. “Medical pedicures” are performed on dry feet by a podiatrist or chiropodist. The purpose is to thoroughly exam the feet, addressing any issues (such as nail fungus, ingrown toenail nails, dry skin, bunions, calluses, etc), shape/file the nails, and remove dead skin.
 |
| Using the drill to buff off skin around my toe nails |
When I arrived at the clinic, there were several women having manicures with nail polish on the ground floor of the clinic. My podiatrist, Laura, brought me to the basement into a small private room. She began by disinfecting my feet while explaining what she was going to do as it was my first time. She examined my feet very carefully, looking in between and under each toe. I am lucky as my foot condition was ‘mild’ according to Laura. She said my feet don’t have a lot of fat on them (they are quite narrow) and I didn’t have too much dry skin built up. She proceeded to cut, then file, my toe nails. She also buffed the nails before she put oil on my cuticles and explained that cuticles should never be pushed back as they compromises the protection around your nail bed. Cosmetic manicures and pedicures have got it all wrong. Who knew?
Laura took a ‘drill’ (which it kind of is) to file down the rough skin around the bed of each nail. She used a scalpel to carefully scrape off all the dead skin on my feet and heels. Next, she used a big rough file to further smooth the skin on my feet. The treatment ended with the application of lotion to leave my feet feeling super soft and smelling fresh.
 |
| Laura taking a close look at my tootsies |
Although Laura was not a runner, she had seen many runners for the same reason I was there. She told me that it was good that I came in at least a week before my race. To keep my feet in prime condition, I was to continue to moisturize in the lead up to the race but not to file (if I wasn’t racing, I was supposed to file every day). We discussed black toenails (touch wood I have never experienced this) and she said that if I get one, I am to leave it alone unless it becomes painful. She assured me if a black toenail falls off, it will grow back, although perhaps a little differently.
 |
| Scraping dead skin off with scalpel |
Because me feet were in good condition, Laura said I could come back quarterly for a “medical pedicure” or sooner if I had any problems. She was easy to talk to and I am very happy with how soft and smooth my feet were. It did seem like a bit of an indulgence so I am glad my Simplyhealth Active Plan will reimburse me for the cost. I think if my feet had a lot of issues, it would be something I would want to do regularly. Although it didn’t prevent me from loosing any toenails, I think I would definitely do it again if I signed up for another desert race.
The clinic emailed me the receipt the same day, which I will submit to Simplyhealth. I did contact the clinic prior to booking to ensure their staff were registered with HCPC in order to meet the Simplyhealth criteria. Hopefully I will have time this weekend to make my claim online.
 |
| Final result |
Have you ever had a “medical pedicure”? If so, why? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge and allowing me use of their Active Plan. All opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | Oct 19, 2018 | beauty, running, sponsored post
Preparing for a desert ultra like Wadi Rum Ultra takes a lot of planning and organization. Slowly you need to build up miles, gather the specific kit you will need, try out said kit, research camping food, try said camping food, and prepare your feet. Then, in the last three weeks before the race, you need to add in sauna or Bikram yoga sessions, make sure your luggage doesn’t go over the weight limit, and finally go see a chiropodist/podiatrist for a “medical pedicure” one week out. This bit of advice can from my friend, Becs, who has done countless ultras, including Marathon Des Sables. I don’t usually get cosmetic pedicures unless I am going on a beach holiday. Turns out “medical pedicures” are very different.
Using my Simplyhealth Active Plan, I found a place in London that meets the criteria for reimbursement under the chiropody/podiatry benefit of the Active Plan. I went to Margaret Dabbs for a “medical pedicure” at cost of £85 for a 45 minute appointment. I traveled from work to Marylebone on a sunny afternoon at the start of October and wasn’t sure what to expect. “Medical pedicures” are performed on dry feet by a podiatrist or chiropodist. The purpose is to thoroughly exam the feet, addressing any issues (such as nail fungus, ingrown toenail nails, dry skin, bunions, calluses, etc), shape/file the nails, and remove dead skin.
|
| Using the drill to buff off skin around my toe nails |
When I arrived at the clinic, there were several women having manicures with nail polish on the ground floor of the clinic. My podiatrist, Laura, brought me to the basement into a small private room. She began by disinfecting my feet while explaining what she was going to do as it was my first time. She examined my feet very carefully, looking in between and under each toe. I am lucky as my foot condition was ‘mild’ according to Laura. She said my feet don’t have a lot of fat on them (they are quite narrow) and I didn’t have too much dry skin built up. She proceeded to cut, then file, my toe nails. She also buffed the nails before she put oil on my cuticles and explained that cuticles should never be pushed back as they compromises the protection around your nail bed. Cosmetic manicures and pedicures have got it all wrong. Who knew?
Laura took a ‘drill’ (which it kind of is) to file down the rough skin around the bed of each nail. She used a scalpel to carefully scrape off all the dead skin on my feet and heels. Next, she used a big rough file to further smooth the skin on my feet. The treatment ended with the application of lotion to leave my feet feeling super soft and smelling fresh.
|
| Laura taking a close look at my tootsies |
Although Laura was not a runner, she had seen many runners for the same reason I was there. She told me that it was good that I came in at least a week before my race. To keep my feet in prime condition, I was to continue to moisturize in the lead up to the race but not to file (if I wasn’t racing, I was supposed to file every day). We discussed black toenails (touch wood I have never experienced this) and she said that if I get one, I am to leave it alone unless it becomes painful. She assured me if a black toenail falls off, it will grow back, although perhaps a little differently.
|
| Scraping dead skin off with scalpel |
Because me feet were in good condition, Laura said I could come back quarterly for a “medical pedicure” or sooner if I had any problems. She was easy to talk to and I am very happy with how soft and smooth my feet were. It did seem like a bit of an indulgence so I am glad my Simplyhealth Active Plan will reimburse me for the cost. I think if my feet had a lot of issues, it would be something I would want to do regularly. Although it didn’t prevent me from loosing any toenails, I think I would definitely do it again if I signed up for another desert race.
The clinic emailed me the receipt the same day, which I will submit to Simplyhealth. I did contact the clinic prior to booking to ensure their staff were registered with HCPC in order to meet the Simplyhealth criteria. Hopefully I will have time this weekend to make my claim online.
|
| Final result |
Have you ever had a “medical pedicure”? If so, why? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge and allowing me use of their Active Plan. All opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Dec 1, 2017 | beauty, healing, product review
My skin is pretty sensitive. I have a skin allergy which NHS doctors say manifests as eczema. I get little clear blisters that are itchy and eventually weep. Over the last 10 years, I have used topical steroids on and off to help keep the symptoms under control. At its worst, my hands are severely covered with open wounds and possible staph infections. My skin is more sensitive when seasons change too so it is important that I take proper care of my hands when autumn turns to winter.
Last year, I had an eye doctor appointment to renew my drivers licence that diagnosed me with cataracts. Everyone was surprised with the news as I am not even 40 years old. My mom spoke to a few of her colleagues from the hospital and discovered that long term steroid use can potentially cause cataracts. Since only the strongest topical steroid (Dermovate) heals my flare ups (along with special soaps, lotions, shampoos, to avoid the ingredients I am allergic to), I am keen to find alternatives to help me manage the condition. In fact, my current episode started over a year ago, and still persists.
|
| Current state my hands |
A few weeks ago, I as sent some samples of Dermalex Eczema. It is meant to treat eczema by replenishing the moisture and healing the skin’s natural barrier. I was keen to try it out. Since receiving the samples, I used the steroid cream in the evening before I go to bed as it will maximise the contact time. When I leave the house in the morning, I apply the Dermalex. It is very thick and doesn’t have a fragrance. It rubs into my skin easily without leaving a greasy or oily feel. With the combo, my skin has been really good without any new flare ups larger than a 5p coin (stress sometimes exacerbates the condition). There is another sample in my bag for application during the day.
Other tips to keep your hands healthy as winter arrives:
- Avoid an ethanol-based hand sanitizer as this will dry out your skin. So will hot tap water when washing your hands. Opt for warm water instead.
- If you need to wash your hands, apply a moisturiser afterwards to keep the skin hydrated. Keep travel sized lotions handy wherever you might wash your hands. My Dermalex is only 30g.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. In the summer, we get hot and water seems more necessary. We still need to drink it in the winter!
- Protect to your hands from the cold by wearing mittens or gloves when you are outside. The cold wind can dry them out and cause them to be chapped, which is a break in your skin’s natural barrier.
- If your house is very dry, invest in a humidifier to keep moisture in the air. Or keep a ceramic or metal pan of water on the radiator (please be careful not to use anything flammable!)
Any cuts or cracks in the skin are not only painful, but also allow a place for infectious materials to enter the body. When my hands were at their most severe, I found it really embarrassing to shake hands with people or to offer to cook food. I was also scratching my hands a lot, which looked a bit mad! Now that I have the knowledge and tools I need for proper hand health, I can be confident that a big flare up will not occur. I think Dermalex will be a key part of this plan too.
 |
| One of my more severe flare ups last year |
Thanks to Dermalex for giving me a sample to try. All opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | Dec 1, 2017 | beauty, healing, product review
My skin is pretty sensitive. I have a skin allergy which NHS doctors say manifests as eczema. I get little clear blisters that are itchy and eventually weep. Over the last 10 years, I have used topical steroids on and off to help keep the symptoms under control. At its worst, my hands are severely covered with open wounds and possible staph infections. My skin is more sensitive when seasons change too so it is important that I take proper care of my hands when autumn turns to winter.
Last year, I had an eye doctor appointment to renew my drivers licence that diagnosed me with cataracts. Everyone was surprised with the news as I am not even 40 years old. My mom spoke to a few of her colleagues from the hospital and discovered that long term steroid use can potentially cause cataracts. Since only the strongest topical steroid (Dermovate) heals my flare ups (along with special soaps, lotions, shampoos, to avoid the ingredients I am allergic to), I am keen to find alternatives to help me manage the condition. In fact, my current episode started over a year ago, and still persists.
|
| Current state my hands |
A few weeks ago, I as sent some samples of Dermalex Eczema. It is meant to treat eczema by replenishing the moisture and healing the skin’s natural barrier. I was keen to try it out. Since receiving the samples, I used the steroid cream in the evening before I go to bed as it will maximise the contact time. When I leave the house in the morning, I apply the Dermalex. It is very thick and doesn’t have a fragrance. It rubs into my skin easily without leaving a greasy or oily feel. With the combo, my skin has been really good without any new flare ups larger than a 5p coin (stress sometimes exacerbates the condition). There is another sample in my bag for application during the day.
Other tips to keep your hands healthy as winter arrives:
- Avoid an ethanol-based hand sanitizer as this will dry out your skin. So will hot tap water when washing your hands. Opt for warm water instead.
- If you need to wash your hands, apply a moisturiser afterwards to keep the skin hydrated. Keep travel sized lotions handy wherever you might wash your hands. My Dermalex is only 30g.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. In the summer, we get hot and water seems more necessary. We still need to drink it in the winter!
- Protect to your hands from the cold by wearing mittens or gloves when you are outside. The cold wind can dry them out and cause them to be chapped, which is a break in your skin’s natural barrier.
- If your house is very dry, invest in a humidifier to keep moisture in the air. Or keep a ceramic or metal pan of water on the radiator (please be careful not to use anything flammable!)
Any cuts or cracks in the skin are not only painful, but also allow a place for infectious materials to enter the body. When my hands were at their most severe, I found it really embarrassing to shake hands with people or to offer to cook food. I was also scratching my hands a lot, which looked a bit mad! Now that I have the knowledge and tools I need for proper hand health, I can be confident that a big flare up will not occur. I think Dermalex will be a key part of this plan too.
|
| One of my more severe flare ups last year |
Thanks to Dermalex for giving me a sample to try. All opinions are honest and my own.
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