Fighting the Effects of Aging

[영어도우미]

Fighting the Effects of Aging

"Wow, how do you keep yourself looking so young? What's your secret? You look gorgeous!" Who wouldn't want to hear these kinds of remarks? But every time you look in the mirror, you see reality staring back. Spots, wrinkles, dry hair and a pervasive sag are the unavoidable effects of age on our bodies. But women these days are no longer resigned to sit and watch their bodies decay. They are now becoming much more aggressive in combating the effects of time.

 

 

 

 

◆Avoid the knife, look to protein and estrogen

Plastic surgery is both expensive and worrying, with sometimes dangerous side effects. A less intrusive approach to fighting aging is a simple switch in skin care products -- something many cosmetic companies are eager to tell you about. But now some Korean women are exploring the wisdom of their grandmothers, trying out folk remedies to stop the wrinkles. One popular method involves putting fresh fish on your face. That's right: the Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon is said to be great at fighting crow's feet. Some women claim that simply applying a slice of salmon below your eyes for 10~15 minutes every other day can banish dark circles under or around the eyes. Another folk remedy employs the estrogen-like plant substances called phytoestrogens found in pomegranate extract. You just soak a cotton ball in pomegranate extract and put it on your face for 30 minutes. 

◆Talk to the experts

More intensive "anti-aging" solutions are now being offered in Korea. Made popular in the U.S. in the 1990s, the therapies offer customized care under the counsel of medical experts that include hormone enhancement, special diets and exercise.

St. Mary's Hospital of the College of Medicine in the Catholic University of Korea opened the country's first anti-aging clinic in 2003. Doctors from six departments including urology, family medicine, internal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology participate in the treatments. Now such clinics are found at several more places, including Ewha Women's University Mokdong Hospital, Chungang University Medical Center, Kyunghee Medical Center, Cha Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center. La Clinique de Paris, a firm with 25 years of experience in anti-aging treatments, has also opened in Korea, with branches in Shilla and the Grand Hilton Hotel. Customers undergo a customized care regimen that combines various therapies including hormone treatment, anti-oxidizing agents, diet and exercise, yoga and massage therapy.

 

Tips for Anti-Aging

1. Eat plenty of fish and beans for their high-quality proteins. Pine nuts, fish and oilve oil are good for moisturizing skin.
2. Eat green and yellow vegetables and fruits every day to get essential vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidizing substances.
3. Drink about 2 liters of water every day.
4. When outside, apply UV cream. Control stress levels with meditation. 

for full story: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200701/200701170008.html 

 

VOCABULARY LIST:

pervasive - present or noticeable in every part of a thing or place

resigned - to make yourself accept something that you do not like because you cannot change it

intrusive - unexpected, unwanted

regimen - any set of rules about food and exercise that someone follows, especially in order to improve their health

 

DISCUSSION POINTS:

1. Are you concerned about aging?

2. Do you follow a beauty/ skin regimen?

3. Do you look younger or older than your actual age?

4. Do you follow any of the tips mentioned above?

5. Are anti-aging products popular in your country?

6. Are there skin products for both men and women?

7. Have you noticed signs of aging on your face? (crow's feet, wrinkles, dry hair, pervasive sag etc.)

8. Would you consider "going under the knife" to look younger?