Latest from Vogue Arabia
Vogue Arabia
2 days ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
Ultracol is The Cool, New K-Beauty Injectable in Town
It's safe to say that K-beauty's innovative and avant-garde approach to beauty has got faces glowing across the globe. And its latest, Ultracol, seems to be painting an equally promising picture. Developed by the Korean company Ultra V, this injectable has gained popularity for its collagen-stimulating properties, resulting in safer and longer-lasting results. But what makes it such a crowd favourite? The experts break it down. What is Ultracol? 'Ultracol is a polydioxanone (PDO) based injectable biostimulator designed to stimulate natural collagen production in the skin,' explains Dr Christine Hall, a K-beauty expert and GMC registered general practitioner in medical aesthetics. 'It's primarily used for volumising, lifting, and improving skin texture on the face, neck, and even certain body areas.' Also known as liquid threads, PDO threads began their journey in surgery as a suture material. Ultracol uses this material and a unique technology to turn it into microparticles. Dr Milena Al Mansuri, dermatologist and founder of Dubai's Milena Aesthetics Clinic Group, says that it's the perfect example of technology transfer from classical medicine to aesthetic practice. 'Having become the basis for mono lifting threads, PDO proved to be a reliable and biocompatible component. The cosmetic industry went further: Ultracol is the world's first PDO microsphere filler and is a controlled injectable powder that can be diluted with injection-grade water and administered into the skin,' she adds. How does it work? The magic of Ultracol lies in these very PDO microspheres. According to both experts, when injected into the dermis, they trigger a controlled reaction or an inflammatory response, activate immune cells called macrophages, and stimulate fibroblasts responsible for stimulating the production of collagen types I and III. Over time, this results in the natural restoration of volume, reduction of wrinkles, and improvement in overall skin texture. 'The PDO particles in Ultracol begin to degrade after approximately six months and are completely absorbed by the body within 12 months, leaving no residue,' clarifies Dr Hall. 'This process ensures that the skin remains rejuvenated with no long-term foreign material left behind.' Additionally, Dr Al Mansuri says that the PDO breaks down into glycolic acid during biodegradation and gets completely eliminated from the tissue. What to expect? Ultracol is an injectable biostimulator, which means that it doesn't add instant volume. It can be offered in two forms — Ultracol 200 mg for deeper volumising effects and Ultracol 100 mg for finer applications. 'The treatment is primarily used for facial rejuvenation, targeting areas such as the under-eye region, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and even the forehead,' adds Dr Hall. 'Additionally, Ultracol can be applied to body areas requiring lifting and skin tightening, such as the neck and hands.'
Vogue Arabia
2 days ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
Are we Overdosing on Health and Beauty Supplements?
There was a time when grocery lists entailed bread, milk, green vegetables, chicken, and eggs. Now, however, the average shopping cart is a curated arsenal of biohacking essentials — collagen and biotin gummies, pre- and probiotic gut-health drinks, melatonin melts, protein powders, and a plethora of vitamin and mineral capsules that promise a healthy life ahead. But are we going overdoing it to the point where it can be unhealthy? Here's what the experts have to say. Why supplements? Designed to fill the nutritional gaps, supplements are meant to assist or 'supplement' one's diet. 'The food we consume may not contain all the essential nutritional elements required,' says Eshanka Wahi, culinary nutritionist, wellness coach, and founder of Eat Clean With Eshanka. 'Supplements are a great source of nutrients that can help improve your overall health and may reduce the risk of some health conditions.' According to Kripa Jalan, nutritionist and founder of Burgers To Beast and CEO of The Primary RX, supplements work by providing your body with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, or other botanical extracts in concentrated form. 'Depending on the formulation, they can help restore deficiencies (iron or B12), support biological functions (magnesium for sleep or omega-3s for inflammation), or promote certain outcomes (antioxidants for skin or probiotics for gut health).' Having said that, the expert also believes that for them to work, supplements need to be bioavailable, correctly dosed, and taken consistently. 'Randomly popping pills that are trending on Instagram won't cut it.' An overkill? Whether it's the rise in health awareness, a focus on wellness, or smart marketing strategies, the sudden surge of supplements is real. Evidently, they no longer play a supporting role. 'The boom reflects something beautiful — people are invested in their health,' says Jalan. 'But the downside is a 'more is better' mindset and market that thrives on that.' As an expert in the field, she has seen people treat supplements like wellness insurance, layering multiple pills without a clear purpose, or relying on them to do the job of whole foods, sleep, and stress management. The issue with the boom? Misguided belief. 'Many people are following it as a trend,' says Wahi. 'A lot of people take supplements and eat refined and overly processed foods — supplements aren't going to do any good to your body in such a case.' The dark side Consuming too many supplements can also prove to be harmful. According to Wahi, anything that is consumed in excess does not get absorbed by the body. 'Secondly, fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K can build up in your system and become toxic over time. Excess biotin can interfere with lab results and even cause skin breakouts — ironically opposite of what people are trying to achieve.'
Vogue Arabia
2 days ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
Contemplating Collagen Supplements? Here Are All The Benefits
Sometimes, being a beauty editor is a bit like being a doctor. Mention your job, and people start firing questions at you: should they take collagen? Which collagen is best? And are the health benefits of collagen really as good as they sound? This is similar, I imagine, to how a doctor might find themselves being shown any number of lumps, bumps and rashes while making polite small talk at a dinner party. Occasionally people ask other things… perhaps about red light masks, or retinol, but for the most part these days, the questions are all about collagen. And for good reason. Collagen can help with everything from improving skin firmness to strengthening weak nails and supporting good gut health. What is collagen? 'Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body,' Hannah Alderson, BANT-registered nutritionist, hormone specialist and author of Everything I Know About Hormones: Six Steps to Optimal Health & Happiness , says. 'But it's not a 'complete' protein.' This means it doesn't contain all nine essential amino acids that constitute a protein cell. But still, it's not without its benefits. How collagen works 'Collagen acts like scaffolding – giving structure, strength and elasticity to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues,' Alderson continues. 'Think of it as the glue that holds everything together, from your complexion to your joints.' Nerds will appreciate that the word collagen actually comes from the Greek word for glue. Yes, there are different types of collagen both in the body and in the collagen supplements we consume. In the body, over 28 types of collagen have been identified, though there are five that we tend to concentrate on. These types of collagen appear in skin, nails, hair, bones, muscles, joints and organs. Then, when it comes to collagen supplements, there are two main types of collagen: bovine collagen and marine collagen. Bovine collagen 'Bovine collagen is derived from cows and typically contains Type I and Type III collagen,' Alderson tells British Vogue . 'These types of collagen support skin, muscles, bones and connective tissue.' Bovine collagen is found in a cow's connective tissue, bones and hide, and as with humans, it acts like a structure-supporting glue. Marine collagen 'Marine collagen, on the other hand, is sourced from fish and is primarily Type I, making it particularly effective for skin health,' Alderson explains. Marine collagen can tend to be more bioavailable, meaning it's more straightforward for the body to absorb, which can mean that it absorbs faster and more efficiently. What are the benefits of collagen? Whichever type you take, marine or bovine collagen, the list of benefits is long. 1. Skin hydration 'Collagen can help with skin hydration, elasticity and the appearance of fine lines,' says Alderson. An important thing to note, though, is that collagen can only do so much to mitigate certain lifestyle factors. Things like how much alcohol you drink, whether you smoke, if you wear sun protection and how hydrated you are can make a marked difference, too. 2. Improved bone density Bones with high density are more resilient to cracks, breakages and fractures – all important things as you age. A 2018 study of post-menopausal women found that certain collagen peptides significantly increase bone mineral density. Other studies have shown that collagen can help increase bone density in people with diagnosed osteoporosis or osteopenia, both bone disorders caused by a loss of density. 3. Stronger nails If weak, flaking nails are one of your biggest pet peeves, collagen could help restore them to their former glory. 'As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is essentially the building block that keeps skin firm and elastic and supports healthy hair and nails,' says Vida Glow founder Anna Lahey. 4. Gut-lining support 'Collagen can help support the integrity of the gut lining, though more research [in this area] is needed,' says Alderson. The gut lining is a semi-permeable layer that controls what passes through the gut and into the bloodstream. For example, the nutrients from food, electrolytes and water are things that should pass through the gut lining and into the bloodstream. Things like bacteria and toxins, though, absolutely should not. When the integrity of the gut lining is compromised, it can become lax and let these harmful substances into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. Collagen can help this mucus layer work as it should. 5. Joint comfort and mobility Stiff, aching joints are something that collagen can help alleviate, says Alderson, particularly in 'active or ageing individuals'. However, as with all collagen benefits, the only way to truly reap them is through consistency.
Vogue Arabia
4 days ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
This 5-Minute Plank Routine Will Sculpt Your Body in 3 Weeks
How about starting your day with 5 minutes of plank exercise? That's what coach Nathalie Errandonea-Mewesfounder of fitness platform NRG BarreBody whose classes promise to give you "the elegance of a ballerina (Nathalie is a former ballet dancer) and the strength of an athlete". "Plank exercises are essential for strengthening deep muscles, especially the abdominals and back," she explains. They improve posture and reduce the risk of injury. By practicing regularly, we gain stability, tone and efficiency in her daily movements." By following a planking routine 3 to 5 times a week, for between 5 and 10 minutes, the first results can be seen on the body in 3 to 4 weeks, "with a firmer stomach and straightened posture", she details. "If you continue, you'll get better muscle definition in the trunk. This not only strengthens your physique, but also your self-confidence." On the program, then: "10 different variations of planks, 30 seconds each, 5 minutes to strengthen and shape your figure for summer." Practised in the morning, these exercises gently awaken the muscles, while establishing a regularity that will enable lasting results to be drawn without spending too much time on them, according to the coach. 10 plank exercises for rapid strengthening This move strengthens the core and shoulders while improving flexibility, stability and circulation. Start in high plank position: Hands under shoulders, body in a straight line from heels to head, abs engaged. Switch to downward dog: Push into hands, hips up to form an inverted "V", heels down. Return to plank: Bring the weight forward, shoulders over wrists, hips in line with for 30 seconds. 2. Bent-knee plank This movement strengthens the glutes and hamstrings, while challenging the core and stabilizing the hips. Start in a plank, knees bent close to the ground, arms straight, back straight, abs engaged. Extend one leg backwards in an arabesque, keeping your hips stable and straight. Bend the knee of the raised leg (towards the chest), then fully extend it again. Repeat for 30 seconds (15 seconds each leg). 3. High hip with rotation This movement improves hip mobility while strengthening the obliques and core stability. Start in high plank, hands under shoulders, body aligned, abs engaged. Bring one knee toward your chest, balancing on the other leg and hands. Gently turn your torso from left to right, opening your hip on the side of the raised leg. Alternate the movement, controlling the rotation and engaging the for 30 seconds (15 seconds each leg). 4. High hip with body-weight shift This movement strengthens the shoulders and core, and improves dynamic body coordination. Start in high plank, hands under shoulders, body straight, abs engaged. Bend both knees, keeping your back straight, then slowly shift your body weight to your feet. Regain momentum to push body forward, returning to high plank position, shoulders in line with wrists. Repeat movement: 30 seconds. 5. Lateral high plank This movement improves thoracic mobility while strengthening the obliques and lateral stability of the trunk. Start in high plank on one side, hand directly under shoulder, body aligned, feet stacked or slightly staggered. Twist your free arm under your body (Thread the Needle), keeping your hips elevated. Bring arm back to starting position, maintaining movement: 30 seconds (15 seconds each side). 6. Lateral hip on elbow This movement strengthens the hip abductors and obliques, and improves the body's lateral stability. Start in side plank on one elbow, elbow under shoulder, body aligned, feet stacked or slightly staggered. Slowly raise the outside leg upwards, keeping the body stable. Lower the leg gently without lowering the the movement for 30 seconds (15 seconds each side). 7. High hip with arms behind the back This movement develops core stability and strengthens the shoulders, while improving body balance. Start in high plank, hands under shoulders, body aligned from heels to head, abs engaged. Raise one arm and place it behind your back, keeping shoulders and hips stable and well aligned. Hold the position, without letting the body tilt or the movement: 30 seconds (15 seconds each side) 8. High plank with raised leg and fold-out This movement strengthens the glutes and hamstrings, and improves core and hip stability. Start in high plank, hands under shoulders, body aligned, abs engaged. Lift one leg back, keeping foot pointed and leg straight. Bend the knee of the raised leg (heel towards buttocks), then extend it again (fold out), keeping the raised leg arabesque. Keep hips and trunk stable for 30 seconds (15 seconds each side). 9. High hip with arabesque leg This movement strengthens the glutes, engages the core-stabilizing muscles and improves hip mobility. Start in high plank, hands under shoulders, body aligned, abs engaged. Raise one leg backwards in an arabesque (straight leg slightly raised). Bend the knee of the raised leg, bringing the knee towards the chest. Re-extend the leg behind you in arabesque, keeping control and stability of the the movement: 30 seconds (15 seconds each side). 10. Back elbows This movement deeply strengthens the abs and shoulders, while improving postural control and core stability. Start in a forearm plank, elbows under shoulders, body aligned from heels to head. Gently rock forward, rolling on your toes, shoulders slightly in front of your elbows. Move backwards, bringing the weight back towards the heels while keeping the body straight. Repeat for 30 seconds.
Vogue Arabia
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
Why We All Want to be a Pilates Princess
Pilates has been having a major moment in the fitness and wellness industry, so much so, that it could arguably be the workout of 2025. What was once a workout that was used mainly for rehabilitative purposes — its founder, Joseph Pilates, came up with the exercises as a way to rehabilitate injured war prisoners during World War I — has now acquired a mass following, with celebrities like Meghan Markle, Lori Harvey, Adele and Hailey Bieber swearing by it. The functional, low-impact workout is a type of strength training in which you perform a series of repetitive movements — with or without equipment — that improve posture, balance and core strength, stabilise joints, increase muscle endurance and encourage mindfulness. And right now, it is dominating social media. A search for 'Pilates' on TikTok yields over 400 million results. No doubt you will have seen the viral videos of male bodybuilders wincing as they try a reformer Pilates class for the first time, or the morning routines of self-named 'Pilates princesses,' a trend of Gen-Z and millennial women who have made Pilates not only a lifestyle, but an aesthetic too. Picture Stanley Cup-wielding, tote-carrying women dressed in matching Lulu Lemon sets, going to their semi-weekly Pilates class where they perform mermaids, clams and The Hundred like synchronized swimmers, before grabbing an iced matcha on their way out of the studio. 'Pilates princess describes a lifestyle of self-care focusing on Pilates — in other words, a combination of fitness, wellness and luxurious way of living,' explains Maryliz Phillips, studio manager of Sol Pilates in Dubai. 'The concept of a 'soft life' seems to also be attached to the term of 'Pilates princess' where it refers to a lifestyle that prioritizes ease, relaxation and minimal stress.' Pilates has been around for over a century, so why the recent obsession? 'Pilates gives people what they're actually missing: presence,' say Elvina Mannapova and Rasha Bilal, founders of EVOLVE mind&body in Riyadh. 'Pilates isn't just about sculpting your body — it reconnects you to it. In a world full of social media, scrolling, and overstimulation, there's something special about slowing down enough to feel your toes move and realize, 'I exist. I'm here.''
