Summer Beauty Trends - Drop Dead Gorgeous Lashes

 Summer heat and humidity dictates an essential change in skincare routine and when it comes to makeup it goes without saying that less is always more. Adjusting to the hot trends this summer, beauty focus is naturally going to be on clear radiant skin and flaunting glammed up dreamy lashes.

If you’re not naturally blessed with diva-grade lashes don’t lament, gone are the days of wishing you had longer, thicker eyelashes. With new technology and product invention, taking your sparse eyelashes from nothing to fabulous is as easy as applying a growth stimulating lash serum.

Naturally Flirty Flutter With LashGenesis™

Currently I am in love with this luxuriously rich, and deeply nourishing, amino acid based serum that helps you grow fuller, longer and sexier lashes in as little as, six to eight weeks. LashGenesis by AminoGenesis contains a unique patented Hair Growth Formula, that contains amino acid, multi-vitamins, select moisturising agents and plant and vegetal extracts to boost natural eyelash grown.

The Science Behind LashGenesis™

LashGenesis™ helps grow your lashes by stimulating blood flow to the lash root, nourishing eyelashes effectively and protecting new, growing lashes from damage by preventing breakage, dryness and weakening of lashes because of cosmetics, the sun or the environment - all helping to promote the growth of longer, thicker and more glamorous looking eyelashes.

LashGenesis™ In Action

Packed full of proteins, stimulating botanical oils, multi-vitamins, flower infusions and herbal extracts, LashGenesis™ patented Hair Growth Formula grows thicker, longer, more glamorous lashes and help solve the problem of thinning, damaged, short and brittle eyelashes.

• Conditions and protects delicate growing lashes with powerful moisturising agents.
• Its combination of plant-based active ingredients enhance the strength, length, thickness and vitality of lashes.
• Boosts lash growth and thickness.
• Nourishes and protects sparse, thinning lashes
• Adds glossy definition, shine and thickness to lashes instantly.
• Helps to promote and encourage fuller, longer lashes over time. 
• Containing active ingredients that are proven to be effective.
• Hypo-allergenic - Non-irritating.

Different Faces Of Alopecia: Alopecia Areata & Traction Alopecia

This week I am sharing with you my recently published article on hair disorders in Laha Magazine

Hair is an integral part of our physical beauty. The thought of loosing hair makes any woman or man very nervous & unhappy. In my clinic 60-70% the patients I see have some sort of hair loss or thinning complaints. Hair & diseases associated with hair is a vast subject that’s why in dermatology we have a dedicated sub-specialty, which deals mainly with hair & the problems associated with it. Today we will shed some light on two of the more commonly presented hair loss causes in our clinical practice: Alopecia Areata & Traction Alopecia.

Alopecia Areata: Commonly know as the patchy hair loss alopecia areata is a condition of the scalp and other hairy areas of the body that begins with the sudden appearance of one or more small, round or oval bald patches which gradually enlarge over a period of weeks.

Why It Happens? Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys hair follicles.

About a fifth of people with this condition have a family history of alopecia. A major life event such as an illness, pregnancy, or trauma can be the reason hair loss in some patients. Alopecia areata usually begins as one to two patches of hair loss, most often on the scalp. It may also be seen in the beard, eyebrows, and arms or legs.

 

Treatment: In its mild to moderate form alopecia areata heals its self. The hair grow back fully in a few months (8-24), whether or not treatment is used.

For more severe hair loss, (alopecia totalis), treatments can help change the course of the condition. Typical treatments may include:

·      Steroid injection under the skin surface

·      Topical corticosteroids

·      Topical immunotherapy

·      Topical minoxidil

·      Ultraviolet light therapy

·      Use of wigs

Irritating drugs may be applied to hairless areas to cause the hair to re-grow.

Traction Alopecia (mechanical damage)

Damage to the hair can be self inflicted either by intentional or unintentional means. Some people going through stress continuously pull at their hair until it comes out. Styling hair by bleaching, braiding and straightening can also cause damage and results in hair being lost.

Trichotillomania or Hair Pulling
Some children and less often adults play with their hair by pulling on it or twisting it. This can be part of a behavioral problem or a bad habit that is often done unconsciously. If the behavior is not stopped permanent hair loss can result from the constant stress on the hair. Its best to seek the help of a mental health professional to solve this problem.

Hair Styling Treatments
Many people change the appearance of their hair by using chemical treatments like dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, relaxers and permanent waves. If correctly done and done using reputable products, it is rare to have any damage. However, hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. Hair can also break if the solution is left on too long, if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach is applied to previously bleached hair. Some chemical relaxers do contain powerful chemicals and there have been instances of people get chemical burns from these products resulting in permanent hair loss. Only go to qualified hair stylists and if doing it yourself make sure you only use reputable products and follow the product directions.

Hair Braids/Weaves
Many black women and some black men braid their hair or wear hair weaves. Under normal conditions these cause no problems. However if the weave is attached too tight or the braids are wrapped too tight, they put a constant strain on the hair follicle. If this is done for an extended period of time permanent hair loss can result. This is known as Traction Alopecia and is fairly common among people who braid or weave their hair. Make sure the person applying the braids or weave is qualified to do so and don't wear braids or weaves continuously for extended periods of time.

 

USA Adopts New sunscreen labels - Learn how to read the fine print

New labels should help consumers choose and use sunscreens more wisely

If you’re shopping for sunscreen this spring you’d notice the bottles, tubes and canisters on the shelves may not look different, but on a closer look you’d find gone are the misleading terms such as - "waterproof" and "sunblock”. Added are new warnings that some products don't protect against wrinkles and skin cancer and that others do so only as part of a larger sun-protection plan.

These changes are the result of new labeling rules from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The long-delayed rules cover all sunscreen products shipped by large manufacturers since mid-December. The switch is a huge undertaking, as it will include not only the beach and sport products, but also every makeup, moisturizer or lip balm that carries an SPF (sun protection factor) number.

Big question is will the new labels help consumers better protect their skin from sun damage? Simple answer is yes! — If consumers take the time to read the fine print and then choose and use the products wisely.

Labels inform consumers that sunscreens help reduce the risk of skin cancer, according to a 2011 final rule. (Photo curtsey of FDA)

Get Educated In Sun Screening:

• SPF numbers still matter -This is the number that tells you how well a product protects you from sunburn, caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The numbers range from 2 to 100 or more. For a good margin of safety, choose products with SPF’s of at least 30 to 50. Keep in mind that you get the promised protection only if you apply the product liberally and often (at least every two hours).

• Low SPF’s now come with a warning - Products with SPF’s below 15 must carry warnings that they protect only against sunburn, not skin aging or skin cancer. Such products are often sold as "tanning lotions," are not recommended by dermatologists.

• Broad spectrum claims are backed by testing - Dermatologists have long recommended broad spectrum sunscreens, those that offer significant protection from both UVB and UVA rays. Both kinds of rays contribute to wrinkles and skin cancer. Finally, now all products must pass a standard test before they can make that claim.

• Water-resistant does not mean waterproof - Labels can no longer say that sunscreens are waterproof or sweat-proof, because all of them wash or wear off. The new labels can claim water resistance, but must inform consumers how often to reapply the product when swimming or sweating — every 40 minutes or every 80 minutes. These claims also must be backed by, testing.

• Sunscreen is never enough - Broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF’s of 15 and above now carry labels that say they "can reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging" if used as directed — in combination with limiting your time in the sun, especially at midday, and wearing long sleeves, pants, hats and sunglasses.

Those additional measures are probably more important than any sunscreen.

The watchdog group, which will update annual sunscreen recommendations in May, the group has been critical of hyped sunscreen claims and unproven safety. It also wants FDA to approve sunscreen ingredients available elsewhere in the world that it says are more effective.

The FDA, the industry and dermatologist panels, approve that the products on the market are safe and effective but the advice: “Not to rely on sunscreen alone is important”. Sun protection is a total package and includes shade, broad-brimmed hats and common sense.