Skinlongevity

It is now assumed that lifestyle adjustments and other interventions can influence an estimated 1200 of the approximately 1500 active genes – and possibly also the approximately 21,000 that are switched off. Furthermore, we influence our microRNA with every action. These are small nano-messengers that have an influence on our protein production and are constantly being formed. They are considered another genetic code. It can be influenced favorably or unfavorably by lifestyle factors.

At clinic utoquai, our doctors and health specialists offer you a comprehensive skinevity/longevity concept based on five pillars, with which you can simply flip the (aging) switch, feel younger, more dynamic and more vital again – and also look like one.

What do I need? – The consultation

Are you generally interested in our innovative longevity/skinevity concept, but would like to learn more about it first? In a detailed consultation, we will give you an insight into a therapy tailored to you and your needs with its various modules and will be happy to answer your questions about the topic in peace and quiet. We charge 300 CHF for this consultation, all other prices depend on the extent of the diagnostics and the therapies you want and make sense. If you decide on our longevity/skinevity concept after this informational meeting, a detailed survey of the current condition of your body will first take place for an individual, targeted treatment.

How young am I actually? – Diagnostics

At the beginning of each treatment there is a precise diagnosis of the current condition of the skin, hair and other organs. Because at clinic utoquai we do not treat according to the “watering can principle” and certainly not according to the motto “a lot helps a lot”. Rather, it is important for us to find out how your body, your skin and your hair are really doing – in order to then create your very personal, holistic master plan for a more vital, healthier and more beautiful life. To do this, we would like to get to know you and your entire lifestyle better on the basis of a detailed anamnesis. The whole thing is combined with state-of-the-art high-tech analysis methods and tests, in which we sometimes already work hand in hand with artificial intelligence (AI) for particularly precise results.

Epigenetic age test

Using a simple saliva sample, the test determines the biological, epigenetic age using so-called methylation markers on the DNA. It can deviate significantly from the calendar, chronological age – unfortunately in both directions. The good news is that these methylation markers are generally reversible and can be shifted in a positive direction by adopting a healthier lifestyle. A second control test after a certain period of time provides information about this. The test can be done directly at the clinic utoquai, but also at home. The analysis is carried out in an external laboratory.

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Big hormone check

In cooperation with one of the leading endocrinological laboratories in Germany, the Hormone Center at the Opera in Munich, we can precisely determine your hormone levels in the blood based on numerous parameters such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, pregnenolone, androstenedione, prolactin, DHEA and thyroid values and then offer further measures. In order to compensate for hormone deficits in a very targeted manner, it is important to check the values annually and, if necessary, to optimize the dosage.

Vital substance analysis

The body cannot live without vital substances such as vitamins, minerals, secondary plant substances, fatty acids and amino acids. Some he can form himself, others have to be supplied from outside. A deficiency of one or the other vital substance can have more or less strong effects on health, well-being and also the beauty of skin and hair. During the vital substance analysis, we check whether your body’s values are in the green zone or whether there are deficits, taking into account your diet, previous illnesses and possible pre-existing complaints. These can then be remedied with vital substance doses through dietary supplements, infusions combined with a change in diet.

Skin and Hair DNA Test

In this revolutionary test, a swab is taken from the oral mucosa with a cotton swab, simply and pleasantly for the patient. In terms of skin, five factors that accelerate the aging process can be investigated: collagen degradation, glycation (saccharification of the connective tissue fibers), pigmentation, antioxidant protection and sensitivity. This test is also possible for criteria that trigger hair loss. Here, inflammatory processes, the level of antioxidants, a lack of vitamins and minerals, and blood circulation in the scalp are examined. This gives you information about the future degree of hair loss. Because as long as there is no remedy for hair that has already fallen out, prevention or “damage limitation” in the form of timely therapy is the be-all and end-all for people affected by hair loss and at risk. There are now many therapies at our clinic that can preserve living and existing hair for a very long time if it starts in time.

VisiaScan

A high-resolution UVA camera is used to create a three-dimensional image of the skin under black light. This is analysed by special software and visualises the structure, wrinkles, pigment shifts, pore depth and irritations of the skin. Based on the results, the subsequent treatment and care recommendations can be optimally adapted to the individual needs of your skin.

Bioimpedance Body Analysis

In this non-invasive measurement method, fat, water and lean mass in the body are determined by means of a weak current flow sent through the body, and the body mass index (BMI) is also determined on the basis of height, weight and age. In addition, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is also determined. It provides information on whether there could be a health risk from too much abdominal fat (visceral fat). To do this, the waist circumference is divided by the hip circumference in centimeters. The higher this quotient, the higher the proportion of abdominal fat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a WHR of over 0.85 in women and more than 0.9 in men can already be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

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Allergy/food intolerance test

With the help of various tests, but also through the visual check of the facial skin, we can check whether certain reactions of the body are more likely to be due to an intolerance or a real allergy.

Skin cancer screening

Photodamage not only accelerates skin aging, it can also lead to skin cancer. Unfortunately, despite many educational campaigns in recent decades, it is still on the rise. White skin cancer is considered the most common type of cancer in both men and women. However, if detected at an early stage, it is easy to treat and can also be cured. Even more important is the timely diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer and its precursors, the so-called melanoma. Diagnosed too late, melanoma is still a fatal disease in many cases. A skin cancer screening every one to two years is the best prevention for this – especially in people with many moles or a genetic predisposition to skin cancer in the family. A light magnifier is used to check skin changes during screening. This alone can distinguish benign skin changes from malignant melanoma. For even more safety, devices are used that support our dermatologists in the evaluation through artificial intelligence (AI) with an adaptive algorithm. The further development and research in this field are immense and with the help of a questionnaire we collect your assessment of some of the questions on this topic that are important to us.

Stool analysis

Constant bloating, diarrhea or persistent constipation? With a test, the sample of which you can take from the comfort and discretion of your home, we examine your stool in the laboratory for the microbiome (dear and bad) bacteria, parasites, viruses and inflammation parameters and determine the pH value. These values provide information about possible food intolerances, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, but also more serious gastrointestinal diseases. A disturbed intestinal microbiome can also have an impact on the skin, hair and the entire aging process. Scientific knowledge on this relatively young topic is constantly growing, which is why this is also a focus of our Skinevity concept.

Vascular ultrasound

Vascular diseases have now become a true widespread disease and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the No. 1 cause of death in industrialized countries. Fatty deposits in the arteries (plaques) can clog the vessels, lead to occlusions and thus to strokes, heart attacks and circulatory disorders of the legs (intermittent claudication/open leg, etc.). The veins can also cause problems if they dilate and cause varicose veins, edema and ulcers on the legs, as well as unsightly spider veins. We can examine arteries and veins without strain and completely painlessly for you as a patient using ultrasound. If there is an illness, we will discuss the further procedure with you. As these examinations are becoming more and more sophisticated and specialised, we carry them out in cooperation with practices specialising in this focus.

Sleep analysis

A good deep sleep is probably the cheapest longevity recipe. Because while we are slumbering, the cells of our body regenerate in all organs and, of course, in the skin. If you sleep badly for a long time, you not only feel it in the energy level of your body, but unfortunately also see it in the mirror. Particularly fatal and also dangerous is the so-called sleep apnea, in which nocturnal breathing pauses occur due to narrowed throat ducts.

3 to 5 percent of the population suffer from it, but among men between 40 and 60 it is already 20 percent, and among 65 to 70-year-olds even up to 60 percent are affected. To determine whether you are also one of the sleep apnea candidates, you no longer necessarily have to go to a sleep laboratory. Using WatchPAT, an innovative sleep apnea screening device, you can easily measure your sleep at home. And this without the chest and abdominal straps as well as nasal cannulas, which are often perceived as uncomfortable, but only with a finger probe. This detects the smallest changes in the arteries and small arterioles that are triggered by breathing interruptions.

The evaluation will then follow in the clinic utoquai. The WatchPAT was recently compared with a polysomnography (PSG), i.e. a real sleep laboratory, in a META analysis, and very high similarities were found in sleep phase detection and the most important indices (RDI/AHI/ODI). In addition, we advise you on other measures to improve your sleep.

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Look younger with natural beauty boosters

In aesthetic medicine, the trend today is towards bio-lifting. Beyond conventional fillers, botulinum toxin, laser treatments, surgical procedures etc. (which, depending on the indication, still have their right to exist and are and will continue to be a focus of our clinic), a very current focus of research is on active ingredients that stimulate the skin’s own regeneration processes, support cell communication, slow down micro-inflammation in the skin and promote the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. Connective tissue booster. They therefore offer the skin a completely natural help for self-help – and virtually without side effects. These are the new Skinevity experts:

Biostimulators

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers have been proven substances for decades to give the skin a plumper, smoother and younger appearance. They have currently faced real competition from so-called biostimulators. Behind this are substances that “work together” with the natural growth factors in the body and thus stimulate collagen production in the body again. The tissue renews itself, the skin looks smoother and firmer again.

In contrast to the plumping effect of hyaluronic fillers, this process does not happen instantaneously, but only becomes visible after several weeks to months. This improvement in appearance bit by bit therefore also looks particularly natural. Some of the substances are also suitable for treating hair loss.

The following substances are biostimulators:

Polynucleotides/PhilArt:

So-called polynucleotides are a completely new treatment approach. Behind this are injectable fillers based on protein building blocks, which are biotechnologically obtained from the DNA of salmon in a high-tech process – highly purified and absolutely compatible with the human body, of course. Polynucleotides have an anti-inflammatory effect, have an antioxidant effect and stimulate the connective tissue cells (fibroblasts) in such a way that they produce more elastin and collagen again – as in younger skin.

Four different polynucleotide products are offered under the trade name PhilArt:

• for the face,
• for the sensitive eye area,
• as a hybrid filler in combination with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and
• for the treatment of hair loss but also sparsely growing eyebrows.

Radiesse®:

Radiesse® consists of a filler gel and so-called microspheres, which are calcium-based microspheres. By injecting this dermafiller, the production of new collagen in the treated area is stimulated. The biostimulator can be used to tighten the skin, but also to build up volume.

HArmonyCA™:

A newer product derived from Radiesse is HAmonyCA,™ which adds hyaluronic acid to the biostimulator. This biostimulator, which is still relatively young, combines calcium hydroxyapatite, which stimulates collagen production, with the dermal filler hyaluronic acid. On the one hand, existing wrinkles can be plumped up from the inside with an immediate effect; at the same time, the biostimulator acts in the depth of the skin and gradually improves the result.

Sculptra®:

Biostimulator baseSculptra®is poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic substance based on the body’s own lactic acid. It stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin and thus tightens the connective tissue. Wrinkles can thus be visibly smoothed out gradually.

UltraCol:

UltraCol is based on the biodegradable active ingredient polydioxanone (PDO) in the form of microparticles. In aesthetic medicine, PDO has been used for thread lifts for some time and has also been used as a very compatible suture material in surgery for over 30 years.

Thanks to a new processing method, this carrier material can now also be used as a filler, creating a natural lifting effect. UltraCol is suitable for extensive injections in the cheeks and mouth area, but also for more difficult indications such as dark circles under the eyes or wrinkles under the eyes.

PRP treatment:

PRP therapy can also be used to repair cells and stimulate collagen formation. PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. After a blood sample and special preparation of the plasma, it is injected into the area to be treated with very fine needles, similar to mesotherapy. The growth factors it contains stimulate cell regeneration, stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. The treatment is also used for hair loss.

Which of the biostimulators is ultimately the right one for you depends on the individual findings tailored to you and, of course, your personal wishes.

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Stem Cells & Exosomes

We all carry an important key to younger, fresher and smoother skin: the body’s own stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC). They are the precursor cells of connective tissue and are found almost everywhere in the body. The endothelium (inner lining) of the blood vessels of adipose tissue is particularly rich in MSC. Here, for example on the abdomen, taken with a needle in a minimally invasive procedure and extracted in a special preparation process, they are injected into the areas affected by skin aging, similar to fillers.

There, the stem cells not only stimulate collagen synthesis, but also extend the life phase of the cells, have an anti-inflammatory effect and support repair processes in the tissue. Today, it is assumed that the anti-aging effect does not come from the stem cells themselves, but from their secretome. This refers to all substances released by the stem cells to the outside world, such as growth factors, cytokines (regulators of cell growth) and proteins.

Incidentally, the discovery and research on so-called exosomes, which are part of the secretome, is completely new in this field. Behind this are the body’s own, tiny-small vesicles (vesicles), which are surrounded by a lipid shell. They are found in every human cell and are released by it to communicate with other cells and tissues. In the future therapy of cancer, but also in autoimmune diseases, great hopes are already being placed on the tiny organisms. In aesthetic medicine, their regenerative properties are already being used today.

Exosomes contain, among other things, proteins and growth factors that stimulate collagen formation, promote cell renewal, improve skin quality and are also effective against hair loss. In therapy, exosomes obtained from specially grown cells are injected into the corresponding treatment area using a fine needle. As a patient, you are immediately “socially acceptable” again, the first results appear after a few weeks and improve over time.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy could also be described as the anti-aging cocktail from within. Using a special meso gun with wafer-thin needles, a variety of substances such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids or antioxidants can be placed 0.2 to 4 mm deep under the skin. In this way, the microcirculation of the skin is improved, the supply of nutrients is optimized, pollutants are better removed and the formation of new collagen in the dermis is stimulated.

Mesotherapy can be used not only to treat wrinkles, enlarged pores and a dull, gray complexion, but also cellulite and stretch marks. In the case of hair loss, mesotherapy is even a focus of our treatment concept.

Hormones

They make us women or men, control metabolic processes and organ functions. And they play a decisive role in how fit, healthy and vital we feel throughout life into old age and how youthful we look: hormones. The meaning of the word alone reflects its enormous power: It comes from the ancient Greek verb “hormao”, which means “to set in rapid motion” or “to drive”.

Without hormones, nothing works in our body, because the cells and thus the organs would simply lack the messenger for their brisk communication with each other. Hormones are formed by certain cells, primarily in glands, and released into the blood. Due to their great influence on all organs (and the psyche), hormones also play a decisive role for skin and hair. According to current research, around 30 different hormones and hormone groups alone are active in the skin cells.

But the hormonal system is also an extremely fragile network that can become unbalanced due to external influences and changes again and again in the course of life. A deficiency or excess and a resulting imbalance of messenger substances can lead to beauty blemishes or skin diseases in addition to sometimes serious effects on health. This can be seen on the skin, for example, in

• Dryness,
• Wrinkle,
• loss of elasticity,
• Pimples,
• cellulite,
• red veins,
• Rosacea or
• Hair loss.

All of this can be brought back into balance by hormone administration from the outside and/or inside.
Incidentally, the widespread fear of hormones for well-being and beauty is largely unfounded: treatment is always carried out with so-called bioidentical hormones, which are produced from natural substances in the laboratory, but have the same structure as the body’s own hormones. This allows them to dock in exactly the right places in the body according to the key-lock principle and thus develop their full effect.

Our credo: We do not manipulate nature, we imitate and support it with hormones. Very important: The hormones (some of which are also available over-the-counter) are not sweets that you should order at will from the Internet and approve as a daily pill cocktail, possibly according to the motto “the more, the merrier”. Only those hormones that the body really lacks should be replaced, and in exactly the amount that would be present in a younger body under ideal conditions.

To find out, we at the clinic utoquai together with the renowned Hormone Center at the Opera in Munich will create your individual major hormone status in all details and also check genetic risks and pre-existing conditions. Only then do we make recommendations regarding the type, quantity, duration and also the best, most effective form of application of hormone substitution. With precise adjustment and regular monitoring of hormone levels, no undesirable side effects are to be expected.

And these are they, the seven most important shooting stars for the longevity of skin, hair but also the entire body:

Estrogens:

Estrogens are the femininity hormones and consist of a whole group of around 30 different hormones. The most important are the very potent estradiol and its weaker “sisters” estrone and estriol. They are formed in the ovaries, but also in fatty tissue.

Estrogens have a positive influence on many levels:

• regulate the cycle,
• support a pregnancy,
• protect the heart,
• prevent osteoporosis and
• regulate libido as well as mood.

Skin, mucous membranes and hair also benefit greatly from the effect of estrogens:

• help in the formation of new collagen in the connective tissue,
• support the production of supple lipids and the moisture binding agent hyaluronic acid,
• promote blood circulation,
• protect against hair loss and
• push hair density.

The other side of the coin: From the early 30s, the production of these messenger substances in the body already decreases slightly, from the mid-40s, with the possible onset of menopause, even significantly. In addition to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, weight and metabolic problems, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, cognitive disorders and possible depressive moods, this also leads to visual changes: The skin becomes thinner and drier, is less elastic and is more prone to wrinkles and sagging.

In the area of the mucous membranes of the vagina, tissue loss and dryness can be particularly unpleasant and lead to itching and pain; incontinence is also possible. An imbalance of male and female hormones, both of which circulate in women’s bodies, can lead to increased hair loss or thinning of the crown. At the same time, for this reason, menopausal women often grow hair in places where they don’t want it at all: on the face around the mouth as a so-called “lady’s beard”, for example.

This deficiency can be treated with bioidentical estrogens, which are usually given through the skin as patches or gels today. In this way, they enter the bloodstream directly without detours. For the treatment of vaginal dryness, estriol and pratseron suppositories or ointments are also suitable, which are used locally and thus do not have a systemic effect on the whole body. In addition, the vulva and vagina can be regenerated using intimate lasers. Hair loss can be improved with an estradiol-containing hair tonic.

Progesterone:

Progesterone is the second important hormone of the female body. This messenger substance also has a whole range of positive (and sometimes also annoying) effects on the body. In the fertile phase of women’s lives, progesterone is released immediately after ovulation and, together with estrogen, also ensures that the fertilized egg cell can safely implant in the uterine lining in the event of pregnancy.

In general, it is responsible for a slightly increased body temperature in the second half of the cycle and thus for a stronger feeling of warmth, but can also trigger weight gain due to increased water retention and breast tenderness. Progesterone is also a soul flatterer: it has a balancing, pain-relieving effect and promotes a good night’s sleep. And progesterone also has a significant influence on beauty – by the way, this is also one reason why pregnant women often seem to shine from the inside and have enviably plump, beautiful skin.

The messenger substance boosts blood circulation in the skin and, according to the latest findings, apparently also inhibits collagen-degrading enzymes that can damage the elasticity of the connective tissue. And since progesterone also has an inhibitory effect on the male sex hormones in women’s blood, it can improve hair growth. As early as 40, many women feel a drop in this messenger substance in the body, which then leads to a relative estrogen dominance, which can manifest itself with sudden weight gain, breast tenderness, cellulite, fibroids but also heavier bleeding.

It can be treated with nature-identical progesterone in the form of capsules, but also creams and gels. Attention: Over-the-counter creams with homeopathic “progesterone” are also offered on the market. This is about as if you wanted to use a homeopathic sugar-based contraceptive pill.

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Testosterone:

Although testosterone is one of the masculinity hormones (androgens) in the body, it is also found in the blood of women. However, their level is about ten times lower than in the male body. What many people don’t know is that androgens are the mother substances for the formation of estrogen in fat cells. This becomes particularly important during menopause, when estrogens are no longer formed in the inactive ovaries, but only in the adrenal cortex and fatty tissue.

In the male body, testosterone has numerous important functions, but there are also some myths surrounding the man-maker. For example, high testosterone levels are often associated with aggressiveness, which has been refuted in several studies. On the other hand, low testosterone levels can lead to anxiety, sleep disorders and depressive moods. In both men and women, testosterone can increase libido. It promotes the development of muscles, prevents fat deposits in the abdominal area and ensures firm connective tissue. A balanced testosterone level also protects men’s hearts from cardiovascular diseases.

Hair loss in men is not, as is often assumed, directly due to a high testosterone level, the matter is more complicated. The breakdown of testosterone produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is ten times stronger than testosterone.

In the case of so-called androgenetic alopecia, i.e. hereditary hair loss, the hair roots react particularly sensitively to this hormone, the follicles are weakened and in turn produce thinner and shorter hair. Testosterone can be replaced in the form of patches and gels. For women, too high a dosage should be avoided at all costs, as this can lead to skin impurities and acne, increased hair growth on the body, but also menstrual cycle disorders.

Melatonin:

Melatonin is the antagonist of the stress hormone cortisol and is released by the pineal gland in the diencephalon in the dark. It has a sedative effect, which is why we get tired in the evening (in the best case). Melatonin, by the way, regulates the sleep-wake rhythm in all mammals and is therefore part of our “internal clock”. The concentration of melatonin in the blood rises slowly, reaching its peak in the middle of the night, around two or three o’clock. In the early morning hours, the hormone concentration drops again.

Melatonin has become known above all as a “miracle drug” for shift workers and against jet lag. It helps the body to find a more balanced sleep-wake rhythm again, despite changing working hours or time zones. But melatonin is also an excellent free radical scavenger and, according to numerous studies, seems to be even more effective than the cell protectors vitamin C and vitamin E. As a result, it can protect the skin cells from premature skin aging, prevent wrinkles and other signs of time.

And the external application of a melatonin solution on the scalp also seems to have an influence on the hair: In androgenetic alopecia (AGA), i.e. hereditary hair loss, it seems to stimulate the hair follicles, at least in the early stages of men and women, and thus promote hair growth again.

It is not yet entirely clear whether this is an antiandrogenic and/or antioxidant effect. Melatonin is best suited for external administration to rejuvenate the hair roots and for internal administration to improve sleep, mitochondial regeneration and anti-aging in the “pulsatil” releasing form.

Growth hormone (HGH):

Growth hormone or human growth hormone (HGH) is one of the anti-aging hormones with the greatest power. Particularly high amounts of it are released by the pituitary gland at night during sleep, intensified during the deep sleep phases. HGH, in turn, stimulates an insulin-like peptide hormone called insulin-like-growth-factor 1 (IGF-1) in the liver. Among other things, this protein ensures the growth of muscles and bones and also stimulates fat loss. It is not for nothing that it is often used by bodybuilders as a doping agent.

It also plays an important role for beautiful, firm and healthy skin, as it stimulates collagen formation, helps against micro-inflammation and promotes wound healing. While children and adolescents have quite high growth hormone levels, they drop significantly to a quarter to a third in adulthood. This also explains the high energy level and the body’s good ability to regenerate at a young age – and vice versa.

A natural antagonist of growth hormone is the hormone insulin. Studies have shown that overweight people with high insulin levels have lower levels of the power hormone in their blood than normal-weight people with balanced, low blood sugar levels. This is also one of the reasons why dinner cancellng, i.e. fasting in the evening, can lead to an increased release of HGH at night and at the same time also ensure a deeper, more restful sleep. Conversely, opulent multi-course menus in the evening can ensure that less growth hormone is produced. Lack of sleep can also cause the HGH in the blood to drop.

Important: Numerous over-the-counter HGH preparations such as capsules, nasal and mouth sprays are offered on the Internet. You can save the money: Due to its size, the HGH molecule cannot pass through the mucous membrane at all. The only effective form is prescription HGH injections with pens, which patients can self-administer once a week.

Pregnenolone:

Pregnenolone is the mother of many steroid hormones such as androgens, estrogens, but also progesterone. It is largely produced in the adrenal cortex. Women and men have about the same levels of the messenger substance, but these already drop significantly in the mid-20s. Pregnenolone has a particularly large influence on our brain and psyche. It improves memory, the ability to concentrate and helps against fatigue and energy loss.

In the brain, it has a positive effect on falling asleep and staying asleep by activating the GABA receptors, and can alleviate anxiety, stress, burn-out and depression. At the same time, like all steroid hormones, it has an inhibitory effect on inflammatory joint diseases. In the pre-cortisone era, it was therefore used, for example, to treat rheumatism.

As a starting substance for female sex hormones, pregnenolone has a stabilizing effect on progesterone production and helps with cycle irregularities, breast tenderness, water retention, menstrual and menopausal symptoms. Due to its stress-reducing effect, pregnenolone also has an indirect influence on the appearance of skin and hair. Stress hormones can constrict the blood vessels, reduce blood flow and also have an influence on the protective barrier layer of the skin or scalp. The result can be irritation, pimples or dryness or even eczema.

Vitamin D:

What disguises itself as a vitamin for historical reasons is actually an important hormone precursor (pro-hormone) from which many other hormones are produced: vitamin D. The best-known representatives of this group are vitamin D2 and D3. The body can only produce vitamin D in combination with UVB radiation from sunlight.

It is assumed that around half of the population in Germany suffers from a vitamin D deficiency. In the low-light season, this undersupply can be even higher. Skin color influences how much vitamin D is formed in the skin. The lighter the skin, the faster vitamin D can be formed. For people with darker skin who live in sun-poor zones in northern Europe, this can quickly lead to an undersupply.

Vitamin D is important for hard bones and strong teeth, it strengthens the immune system, strengthens the muscles, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces vascular diseases and apparently also has a positive effect on the psyche. Low vitamin D levels seem to promote depression, but also the so-called winter blues, seasonal mood swings. In terms of beauty, vitamin D promotes the regeneration and growth of skin cells, strengthens the immune system and protects against free radicals that attack skin cells and lead to a premature aging process.

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Andropause vs. Menopause: Not Comparable

Menopause in men and women is completely different. While the term female menopause makes perfect sense, the male counterpart to it, the often-cited andropause, is at least controversial. In women, menopause is the time of the last menstruation in life. You only know this in retrospect, because only after 12 months without bleeding can you assume that this was really the last one and that you are in postmenopause.

From this point on, the follicles in the ovary are used up, which means that no estrogens are produced, but only small amounts of male hormones. The drop in estrogen levels happens quite rapidly, which often causes the classic menopausal problems such as

• Flushing,
• sweating,
• Insomnia,
• Irritability,
• Fatigue and
• Dryness of the skin and mucous membranes.

In men, on the other hand, testosterone levels drop from the age of 35, but not abruptly, but very slowly, on average by only one to two percent per year.
While menopause also brings infertility to a woman, this is not the case for men. This is also the reason why 75-year-olds can still become fathers.

Another difference: Menopause affects all women without exception (albeit with symptoms in different severity), andropause tends to affect men with low testosterone levels and thus not all representatives of the male sex.
If the level falls below a certain threshold, it is called a testosterone deficiency. And only when this leads to serious problems and restrictions in the quality of life such as a lack of libido, erection problems, depression, anxiety, lack of energy, a greater loss of muscle mass and a significant increase in fat (especially on the abdomen) can hormone therapy be useful.

The Middle Kingdom – Gut Health & Nutrition

You are what you eat: This old wisdom has lost none of its relevance today. Quite the opposite: Today, researchers can demonstrate on numerous levels the serious influence the intestine has on the longevity of the entire body. What used to be called the intestinal flora is now called the microbiome. What is meant is the same thing: the sum of all microorganisms, i.e. bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Today, it is assumed that the human body has as many of these microscopically tiny allies as somatic cells: around 30 trillion. The microbiome forms a very complex, symbiotic ecosystem, strengthens the immune system and defends the body from pathogens. Every organ in the body benefits from a healthy intestine and thus also skin and hair.

Researchers even suspect that the psyche also plays a role in this complex scenario, this possible gut-brain-skin axis is currently hotly debated in science. Skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea and acne could be a consequence of this interaction.

The bad news: Like all cells in the body, the microbiome ages over time. The bacterial composition changes, but so does the function of the intestinal immune system. The good news is that this process is quite reversible. Researchers were able to prove this at least in mice. By transplanting the gut microbiome from young to old mice, the immune response of the senior mice improved.

But you also have the opportunity to influence the microbiome and thus make better use of the body’s own Better Aging Studio in the intestine. The easiest way is through the targeted supply of vital substances such as vitamins, trace elements, minerals, but also pre- and probiotics. This works through a balanced diet, but also with supplements and/or infusions. These are the latest findings of research on the Middle Kingdom:

Everything in the blue zone?

Blue Zones is a term coined by New York Times bestselling author Dan Buettner. In his search for areas with the world’s oldest humans, he came across five geographical longevity microcosms scattered around the world. In addition to the Japanese archipelago of Okinawa, these were the small town of Loma Linda in California, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, the province of Ogliastra in Sardinia and the Greek island of Ikaria.

Each of the regions has its cultural, climatic and other characteristics, but Buettner found decisive similarities in lifestyle: The inhabitants in the Blue Zones

• smoke little or not at all,
• drink no to moderate amounts of alcohol (usually red wine),
• eat mostly plant-based, local and unprocessed foods and
• eat a lot of legumes.

A lifestyle that many modern, health-conscious city dwellers also maintain. The seemingly decisive (longevity) add-ons: Family and friends are a high priority for all people in the Blue Zones, social commitment or even a certain spirituality (as with the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda) are important. In addition, there is permanent moderate physical activity, partly due to the traditional way of life as a fisherman, shepherd or farmer.

As you can see, orienting yourself a little towards the people in the Blue Zones, putting more vegetables, legumes, nuts, good oils, fish and seafood on the menu, planning at least one longer walk every day and planning enough time for friends and family alongside your job is certainly not rocket science and can also be easily done in Zurich, Berlin or Vienna.

In silence: Silent Inflammation

According to the latest studies, blemishes, sensitive skin, early wrinkles, neurodermatitis, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, mood swings, but also more serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes or rheumatism can be the result of so-called silent inflammation, i.e. a silent inflammation in the body. Similar to high blood pressure, it does not hurt and goes unnoticed for a long time, but it can have serious consequences for health.

This silent inflammation often occurs with an imbalance of the intestinal microbiome, which leads to an intestinal barrier disorder. Toxins from intestinal bacteria can thus increasingly enter the bloodstream and fuel inflammation. People with a lot of visceral, i.e. abdominal fat, seem to be particularly at risk – regardless of whether they are really overweight or still in the range of normal weight.

An incorrect diet apparently plays a major role in the quiet inflammatory process, as it can trigger the inflammatory processes again and again like an accelerant. Here, too, the nutritional principle of the Blue Zones can be helpful. In other words, a diet with food that is as unprocessed and plant-based as possible. However, foods with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fatty saltwater fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring, but also vegetable oils from olives, rapeseed and flaxseed, are particularly important. It is best combined with vegetables in bright colours such as broccoli, red and yellow peppers, aubergines or cabbage. It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant polyphenols.

Interestingly, according to current studies, the frequently used anti-diabetes agent metformin seems to have a positive effect on the intestinal microbiome as well as on its barrier function and thus also on silent inflammation. At the same time, it has a regulating effect on blood sugar levels, lowers the feeling of hunger and thus makes it easier to lose weight. Metformin is therefore sometimes already used off-label as an anti-aging drug for non-diabetics.

Tiny little body guards: prebiotics and probiotics

It has been proven that certain prebiotics and probiotics have a positive influence on the microbiome of the intestine, the entire body and thus also on the youthfulness of skin and hair. About the terminology: Prebiotics are what we often refer to as dietary fiber. Indigestible components of food that are food for the intestinal bacteria and can therefore keep the intestinal flora in balance every day, even in small quantities.

Prebiotics can be easily taken with food. Fruits such as apples, pears or citrus fruits contain plenty of pectin, for example, and the skins and peels in particular are extremely rich in pectin. The prebiotic inulin is found in chicory, parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus and salsify. Rye, oats, bananas and tomatoes contain a lot of oligofructose and resistant starch is found in boiled and cooled potatoes as well as rice, for example in potato salad or sushi.

Probiotics, in turn, are the bacteria that live on the prebiotics. The most important inhabitants of the intestine are the lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria) and bifidobacteria. Numerous studies have been able to prove the enormous influence that the tiny microorganisms in the intestine also have on our skin. They help moisturize, soothe hypersensitive skin, protect against sun damage (at least in mice), counteract the growth of acne bacteria and are effective against dandruff.

Lactobacilli but also bifidobacteria can be found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, kombucha, miso, soy sauce as well as in natural yoghurt, kefir and buttermilk. In addition to food, probiotics can also be taken in the form of dietary supplements. Through a stool analysis, we can put together the preparations tailored to your needs.

Fitter through fasting?

When it comes to the most effective anti-aging diet, opinions differ. One swears by intermittent fasting, the next by low carb (or low carb high fat), some are loyal followers of the good old food combining diet and still others follow the principles of Paleo, 5:2 or, especially with high blood pressure, rely on the DASH diet.

One thing is certain: Unfortunately , there is no one form of nutrition that makes all people happy and looks more beautiful and younger. But one thing is also certain: A certain calorie restriction of 20 to 40 percent seems to have positive effects on the metabolism, has an anti-inflammatory effect, boosts repair processes in the body, increases fat burning, regulates blood sugar levels and can prevent diabetes.

But: If you live unhealthily for 50 weeks a year, you will be able to achieve little or nothing for your health with two weeks of therapeutic fasting or a short crash diet. Rather, the decisive factor is a change in diet that can be easily maintained permanently and without the feeling of deprivation in everyday life. At clinic utoquai, we work with our nutrition experts to create your own personal nutrition plan based on a detailed medical history form and tests for allergies and intolerances , which is adapted to your preferences, your age and your individual life situation.

The health cocktail from the inside: Drip Spa

Hand on heart: In stressful times, you don’t always manage to eat a really healthy and balanced diet. Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements can then be a way to replace the vital substances that the body lacks. The problem is often the correct dosage, but also the so-called bioavailability of the active ingredients. This is because vital pills reach the liver via the stomach and small intestine – only then can they be distributed in the body via the blood.

However, it is not always possible to determine exactly how many of the active ingredients actually arrive at their destination. Infusions with highly concentrated vital substances, also known as Drip Spa, go directly into the blood without a detour. At clinic utoquai, after a micronutrient analysis using a blood test, we will put together your very own personal power cocktail of health boosters such as vitamins A, C, E, B vitamins, coenzyme Q10, zinc, magnesium and taurine. These different vital substance infusions can provide new energy, strengthen the immune system, support the body in detox processes, give the skin new radiance, stimulate hair growth or even help you lose weight.

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Anti-Aging Treatment: Smart Skincare

The path to beautiful, radiant, smooth and healthy skin always leads through targeted skin care – including consistent sun protection. But the beauty market with its numerous products is almost unmanageable. And almost every day a new active ingredient is hyped, which is touted as the ultimate solution against all signs of time. For the dermatologists and skin experts at the clinic utoquai, however, two things count above all when it comes to the ideal care routine: a very high level of effectiveness, coupled with optimal tolerability.

We know which active ingredients have been proven to rejuvenate the skin according to current studies and are now considered the so-called gold standard, i.e. unsurpassed, in research. And also which ones you can literally save yourself, because they are first and foremost hot (marketing) air. These are the most effective beauty boosters in cosmetics:

Growth factors/peptides

Growth factors are endogenous peptides that are based on tongue twister names such as

• Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF),
• Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) or
• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF).

In medicine, they have long been used to improve wound healing after tissue injuries.

Their big advantage: They can communicate with our body’s own proteins and, due to their small size, really penetrate the skin. There, they stimulate fibroblasts (connective tissue cells), stimulate cell renewal and the formation of new elastin and collagen fibers in the connective tissue, all of which ensure firmer, plumper and smoother skin

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin, belongs to the group of A vitamins and is one of the most potent anti-aging ingredients of all. In the skin, it is converted into vitamin A acid, stimulates the connective tissue cells to form new collagen and elastin fibers, and at the same time can block enzymes that break down collagen.

Retinol can improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin and helps form new supply channels to cells. In cosmetics, different types of retinoids are used in different concentrations. So-called retinol esters such as retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate are particularly mild and also suitable for sensitive skin, pure retinol is suitable for normal skin and retinal is a particularly strong retinoid, but surprisingly it is better tolerated by some skins than retinol.

Prescription retinoic acids such as tretinoin or isotretinoin are used to treat severe acne. Important with all retinoids in beauty creams: Slow creeping in and a very low concentration of active ingredients at the beginning help to reduce side effects such as redness (“retinol brand”), dryness or greater scaling.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)

In recent years, niacinamide has been the subject of a real hype. Not entirely without reason. The vital substance is the biologically active, water-soluble form of vitamin B3, which the body can use directly. Niacinamide has a pore-refining, anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating effect and helps in the formation of ceramides, which are important for an intact skin barrier. In addition, the active ingredient has antioxidant properties and helps to build new connective tissue fibers.

Thus, niacinamide offers a corresponding benefit for every skin type: from oily, blemished and large-pored skin to sensitive or mature skin. The active ingredient is considered very well tolerated and is usually offered in concentrations between 5 and 20 percent.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C acts like a protective shield on the skin cells by protecting the cell nuclei from the destructive effects of aggressive free radicals and thus from premature skin aging. The body produces these itself, among other things – through environmental influences, stimulants and UV radiation.

But the water-soluble vitamin has even more positive properties for our whole body: It plays a role in fat burning, stimulates the immune system and is decisively involved in collagen formation in connective tissue. Vitamin C also has a brightening effect on pigment spots and can also prevent them by slowing down the formation of the brown skin pigment melanin. By the way, smoking and stress are real vitamin C robbers!

Hyaluronic acid

When it comes to hydration for the skin, there is hardly a better and more tolerable substance than hyaluronic acid. No wonder, because the skin miracle with the unique hydro-power is a completely natural substance: It is found in a variety of body tissues, from the vitreous body of the eye to the intervertebral discs of the spine. About half of the body’s own hyaluronic acid is found in the skin.

Its special ability: Hyaluronic acid loves water, can store up to 1000 times its own weight like a sponge and is therefore almost a guarantee for well-moisturized, plump skin. Unfortunately, the body’s own hyaluronic acid production slowly decreases from the mid-20s. However, the depots can be replenished with a beauty cream with the active ingredient. Several types of hyaluronic acid are often included: short-chain hyaluronic acid molecules penetrate the skin more easily and cushion it from the inside, while long-chain hyaluronic molecules work more on the surface and have an immediate plumping effect there.

Fruit acids & Co.

As the name suggests, fruit acids come from unripe fruits such as lemons, apples and grapes, but also from milk and sugar cane. The most well-known fruit acid used in cosmetics is glycolic acid. Fruit acids are also called alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). In addition, there are the gentler poly-hydroxy acids (PHA), which are also suitable for very sensitive skin, such as gluconalactone and lactobionic acid as well as beta-hydroxy acids (BHA). The best-known representative among the BHAs is salicylic acid.

Acids in beauty products not only bring the pH value of the skin into an acidic and therefore healthy range, they are also real anti-aging experts. In different concentrations, they are the ideal candidates for sun-damaged skin, regardless of age. Through their peeling effect, they loosen loose horn cells from the skin, leaving the complexion finer-pored, smoother and even out the skin tone. PHAs penetrate the skin more slowly than AHAs, but are similarly effective, making them ideal for more mature, sensitive skin. BHAs, on the other hand, are perfect for oily, coarse-pored skin that is prone to blemishes. They penetrate into the pores, dissolve fats there, have an anti-inflammatory effect and even have a moisturizing effect.

Important when using acids in beauty products: They make the skin more sensitive to light. A high sun protection of 50+ is therefore especially important in the sunny season.

Stem cells

When we talk about stem cells in cosmetic products, we always mean plant stem cells. Animal or human stem cells are prohibited here, among other things, for ethical and legal reasons. What all stem cells have in common, however, is their ability to develop into different cell types.

In the case of plants, there is also the special feature that practically all cells have the ability to regenerate any damaged part of the plant. This is important because plants in nature are exposed to numerous extreme stresses such as UV light, heavy metals, insects and microorganisms and must therefore be real survivors. So-called phyto-stem cells in cosmetic products usually come from the shoots, roots, bark and sometimes from the fruit of apples, raspberries, orchids or coneflowers.

In order not to exploit nature, extracts from plant stem cells are produced in the laboratory using biotechnological methods for cosmetics. Phyto-stem cells act as a wake-up call to the skin’s own stem cells. They stimulate cell regeneration, protect cell DNA, have anti-inflammatory properties and can thus maintain youthful skin.

Q10

Q10 is a vitamin-like co-enzyme that is needed for fuel production in cellular power plants (mitochondria). They play an important role in supplying highly energy-dependent organs, such as the heart, liver, immune system and our skin. The body can produce Q10 itself to a certain extent, but with age the reserves of this vital substance dwindle.

Q10 has an antioxidant effect, has a regulating effect on blood lipids and protects the heart. In the skin, it inhibits collagen-degrading enzymes and stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers in the connective tissue. Q10 also seems to have a positive effect on hair growth by stimulating the production of the important hair building block keratin. Whether this also works via shampoos and hair tonics or only systemically via Q10 capsules is still the subject of research.

Sun: light and dark sides

Many people know it, but most still don’t really want to admit it: Unfortunately, the sun is the No. 1 skin enemy. Around 80 percent of skin aging is due to UV radiation. Both UVA and UVB radiation are dangerous; but short-wave infrared A radiation also causes skin damage.

UVA and infrared-A penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissue, lead to the formation of free radicals and accelerate the action of collagen-degrading enzymes. UVB rays penetrate less deeply, trigger sunburn, but also cause long-term skin damage through a direct attack on DNA. We are particularly exposed to UVA light because it is present throughout the day and also throughout the year with a relatively constant intensity – it can even penetrate through a cloudy sky or glass panes.

The consequences of sun galore: premature skin aging, DNA damage and, in the worst case, even skin cancer. The best precaution is offered by consistent sun protection, tailored to the skin type and the intensity of the sun, which can be displayed on every weather app today as a so-called UV index. If it is 0 to 2, you usually don’t need any protection at all – especially not on short distances from home to the supermarket. However, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) also recommends the use of sun protection products from UV index 3 onwards. In our latitudes, this is already reached on a sunny spring day, in the high mountains it climbs to 4 to 6 at this time of year. Then, at least in the midday sun, a sun protection factor of at least 30 for children and at least 20 for adults is recommended. If the UV index climbs to 7 and higher – which is the case almost daily in summer on the North Sea and Baltic Sea – it is best to protect yourself from radiation with a high or very high SPF of 50 or 50+.

Skin Care for Longevity: Facials & Massages

Face and body treatments, massages, but also daily skincare at home, are much more than intensive skin care or mere caresses. Through touch, messenger substances in our body can be influenced, which play a direct role in health and beauty.

For example, a facial or body massage releases large amounts of the messenger substance oxytocin. This so-called neurotransmitter is also known as the cuddle, bonding or happiness hormone. The body releases it not only when we are pleasantly touched, but also when we fall in love. In expectant mothers, it triggers labor, it is released during breastfeeding and also in the baby when it sucks its thumb.

Oxytocin ensures that the heartbeat and breathing become calmer and blood pressure drops. As an antagonist of the stress hormone cortisol, it therefore has a calming, anxiolytic and harmonizing effect. This benefits all organs, but of course also the skin. Skin aging can be slowed down, micro-inflammation is alleviated and the supply of nutrients is improved. It is even assumed that oxytocin could also have a positive influence on skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or acne by inhibiting cortisol.