Apr 22
Don’t let the sun fry your skin
Posted by Christine in health on 04 22nd, 2008| icon3No Comments »

Everybody wants to get a tan, especially during the spring break. We just love to flaunt that sun glow that tells “I have been to the beach.” But, being under the sun is not that all fun. There is the scary downside – the sunburn, which goes beyond the skin and that itchy burning sensation. In fact, it will eventually result in aging and skin cancer. Nobody wants that, of course.

Basically, the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that at some level helps the skin fight nasty germs and skin diseases. UV rays are even important to Vitamin D3 production in the body. However, overexposure to UV is very dangerous, especially now that the ozone layer has significantly depleted. Such part of the atmosphere is supposed to protect us from the sun’s harm. Not anymore though, because we are taking things for granted. That’s why sun protection now lies within our hands. We need to wear sunscreen even if it’s not spring break.

The sunscreen has SPF or the sun protection factor, which is the length of time that the sunscreen protection works on the skin before it start with redness (erythema). In short, it is how long you can stay out under the sun before having a sunburn.

SPF varies according to skin type. If a person has a fair skin, it means it burns more faster than a person with a dark skin. For instance, SPF 15 enables a person, who burns after 20 minutes, to spend 15 times longer (300 minutes) under the sun without getting burned. It is important that a sunscreen has a broad spectrum, which protects the skin from all types of UV rays (UVA and UVB rays). Take note that sunscreens differ in the active ingredients and filters they contain. The higher the SPF, the better!

The sunscreen protects the skin in two ways:

1.The chemical filters absorb some ultraviolet rays, and then convert them to heat. Remember that such filters mostly absorb UVB rays than UVA rays.
2.Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are common physical filters that reflects rather than absorb both UVA and UVB radiations.

Here are the basic ways to protect the skin from the sun:

1.Avoid the sunlight between 11:00 A.M. And 4:00 P.M.
2.Always wear sunglasses to protect the eyes during outdoor activities.
3.Stay under the shade or use an umbrella as much as possible.
4.If the UV index become three or higher, it is best to wear a hat and other protective clothing.
5.Wear sunscreen even if the sky is cloudy. It does not mean there’s no UV rays. Take note that it is an invisible light. It gets through haze, fog and even light clouds.
6.Wear at least an SPF 15, but it’s better to use a higher SPF. Always refer to the label on its application. Make sure to reapply after swimming or heavy sweating.
7.Kids and teenagers have more delicate skin than adults, besides the fact that they love staying outdoor to play. They need extra protection.

Again, it is important to wear sunscreen all-year round, not just in the summer or spring, or a beach vacation.

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Mar 7

Trouble catching 40 winks? I can relate to that. There are those nights that you almost cry to sleep not because your sad but because you’re so frustrated because you can’t sleep.  I have included in my night prayers the wish that I hope I can have a goodnight’s sleep, even for the weekend.

Have tried going the path of sleeping pill intake last year but all it did was to make me groggy which made me feel more frustrated and panicky. Plus, the fact that they are prescription made me spend more because of frequent trips to the doctor which as almost always have consultation fees even if all they did was to feel my chest and back and ask me the same questions.

I became more depressed and I decided to stop the pills.  I became more fearful as the stint of sudden deaths by accidental sleeping pill overdose. Don’t want to suffer the fates of Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith. But what is there left to do? Sleep is still non-existent and depression is creeping in.

Never thought that spas could actually cure insomnia. Well, at first,  I agreed it can help for relaxation but after constant personal testimonials from friends, there are actually spas who are countering sleep disorders with natural therapies designed to induce untroubled slumber.

The Mayflower Inn and Spa in Connecticut has a Sleep Better, Sleep Well program that teaches healthy sleeping habits through self-induced hypnotherapy, dream analysis, “sweet surrender”  massage and asanas ( yoga positions) that release tension.

A “drift to sleep” program is being practices at the Ritz-Carlton Spa Naples.  This is ritual for deep snoozing. They give St. John’s wort tea, lavender body scrub, milk batch and a polarity massage, followed by a 30-minute power nap under a down-filled duvet.

At Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona, their resident doctor conducts a informal “dream circle” to help you interpret unconscious musings.

We all need to sleep to feel refreshed and have a clear mind for the next day. We do spend a lot on the most comfy beds, pillows and pills. Why not for a spa as well?

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Feb 18
Look younger without the knife
Look younger without the knife

Our obsession on aging has led some to go under surgery just to look younger.

I daresay that there’s nothing wrong to wish for a more youthful appearance but not to the point of  cutting your skin in half and end more messed up in the process.

Perhaps Hollywood poses the most number of people who go into almost-life threatening measures to look 20 to 30 years younger. In the most ironic situations, the media seems to glorify those who were able to beat aging and promote the surgeries which the celebrities went under.

The 50’s is a point in life that most people tend to avoid as much as possible and try not to think about.  But being in your 50’s actually gives you more freedom. At this stage of your life, you have made milestones on your job, you have raised stable adults, and you are old enough to be wise and yet still young not to use canes when walking.

If you have the bucks to spend and you have been completely briefed on the repercussions of lying on the operating table to remove the lines and look like you’ve just completed college, then it’s your decision. But with all the stories of surgeries going wrong and resulting to death, it might be worthy to look at ways on how to look like you haven’t aged in ages.

1.  Enroll in body and mind-enhancing exercises

Signing up for yoga, pilates and all those exercises that clear the mind and concentrate on easing your inner self. The main exercises focus on breathing freely and making sure that you know how to focus on one thing and one thing only. Multitasking has become one of our priorities as to accomplish more tasks once. This is not bad but tends to take away the moment of appreciating that beauty of one situation and concentrate on the stress of the millions of things that we have to do.

2. Pamper yourself on a luxury spa vacation

Most of our lines are caused by stress.   Spas has evolved from being just a facility with rooms for backrubs to a place for wellness treatments as well as guidance on everything from nutrition to nurturing ourselves.  Spots for luxury spas are booming like pimples on an oily skin and therefore there are a lot of choices and no excuse for you to make a reservation.

3.  Appreciate and flaunt what you have

It might be easier said than done but it is actually simple to do. Take time to pause and look around you. At the tender age of 50, you’re still alive with the average lifespan is declining.  You still have a roof above your head and you still woke and read this post.  All of us have problems to deal with so there’s no reason to feel worst for ourselves.

4.  Compare yourself with others

This may sound narcissistic but it works when viewed in an objective way.  Take time to look at your yearbooks and compare yourself with someone there whom you still know up to know and see what edge you have over them.  Knowing that someone is going through the same experience you have and yet looks kind of worst and help them in any way you can. Now, there’s the redeeming value.

5.  Do something spontaneous and safely outrageous

Doing something unplanned and yet most enjoyable is a way to feel good, and when you feel good, you look good.  Operative word here is doing something that is SAFELY outrageous.  Consider your health first.  If you have diabetes and you want to go on a chocolate fest, then do some other thing.

6.  Never underestimate the power of makeup

Putting on a little bit of blush or a concealer won’t hurt and will definitely make you glamorously young. Go for the makeup that are chemically good for  your skin. If the Ambush makeover team is on your neighborhood, then make yourself noticeable in the streets.

The key to looking like you just drank from the fountain of youth is to feel good about yourself. Sure, there are things that you did 20 years ago that you can’t do now.  But then again, there are things that you can do now that you weren’t able to do back then. I am not against surgical enhancements, but I also se no harm in going the natural way.

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