A facelift in 3 days sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? Well, this is what Dr Nicholas Perricone’s 3-day diet promises you: clear healthy skin that looks younger too. You can look as good as new just by changing your diet – no exorbitant costs or unpleasant cosmetic surgery necessary. But, can you trust such a promise? Well, it doesn’t come lightly.

Dr Perricone is a clinical and research dermatologist and CEO of NV Perricone MD, Ltd, a top skin care company. He comes with outstanding medical credentials, a host of bestsellers and appearances on Oprah, Larry King and more. Perhaps it is worth giving this a go.

What does it involve? Like it says: 3 days of following a particular diet formulated by Dr Perricone. (The diet is outline below.) Here’s the theory behind it:

According to Dr Perricone, wrinkles, aging and unattractive-looking skin is a result of inflammation. His programs and products aim to reduce inflammation. By eating in this way, one can eliminate puffiness; work on defining facial contours; anti-aging and skin firming. His emphasis is on eating salmon – twice a day in fact. The purpose is to get the DMAE and omega-3 essential fatty acids to be most effective. The melon and fresh berries in the diet are important for hydration and for their antioxidant content.

Before we get to the meal-plan, here are some tips for success:

• Follow the diet exactly i.e. don’t make any changes. When it comes to diets, just one step out of line can make all your work null and void. It’s only 3 days, so stick to it.
• Drink 8 glasses of pure, distilled water daily. (You can only drink water or green tea on this diet.)
• Eat your protein first (fish, meat).
• Buy the freshest salmon you can find.
• If you find you are getting hungry, increase the amount of greens you have with your meals.
• Purchase all the food you require and plan your meals beforehand as this will make it less easy to “slip up”.
• There are some delicious salmon recipes out there. As a start, check out:http://www.great-salmon-recipes.com/
• Of course no caffeine, processed foods, sugars, red meat and carbohydrates. Only what is in the diet.

You are working on your skin from the inside out – no need for skin care products. This diet in fact benefits your whole body – not just the skin. Dr Perricone has a holistic approach, so within 3 days, you’ll be feeling better as well. (Remember you have to follow the diet strictly.) You may find such a benefit that you want to roll straight into his 28 day plan which is for skin rejuvenation and weight loss.

But, to start, here’s the plan you follow for 3 days to natural healthy skin:

½ cup cooked oatmeal

2-egg omelet and/or piece of grilled salmon

Wedge of melon and fresh berries (no fruit juice)

Tall glass of distilled water

125 – 150g grilled salmon or sardines in olive oil or ½ cup canned salmon

Green salad, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice

Wedge of melon and fresh berries

Tall glass of distilled water

Apple

Slice turkey breast

3-4 hazelnuts or almonds

Tall glass of distilled water

Fresh grilled salmon with a green salad (as per lunch)

½ cup steamed non-sweet vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, spinach – not potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips)

Wedge of melon and fresh berries

Tall glass of distilled water

½ pear or green apple

Thin slice of chicken breast

3 – 5 hazelnuts or almonds

Image credits: consumedithis; mccun934 ;Rune_T