How To Get A Long Lasting Tan Safely

A recent article in a British newspaper entitled “Why are we still dying for a tan?” highlighted that, despite all the education and dire warnings, people are still being just as irresponsible in the sun as they've always been. It appears that young adults are the worst culprits with one British teenager telling the reporter that her parents thought she was wearing factor 15 but actually it was cooking oil! (See my blog on 10 August).

Skin cancer is now one of the most common cancers among teenagers and young people and the number of people developing malignant melanomas is rising. Seemingly young people are still completely unaware of or choose to ignore the serious consequences of sunbathing without adequate protection.

However, it really is possible to enjoy the sun safely without wrapping yourself like a mummy, and (contrary to popular belief among many young people in particular) burning off the top layer of your skin is not a prerequisite to acquiring a long lasting tan. In fact, if tanning is your goal, burning your skin will have no benefit but will simply ensure that your skin peels and your tan fades that much quicker.

There are simple things that you can do to reduce the risk of skin damage from the sun while still seeking that sun kissed look that so many of us covet.

· First and foremost use a good sun cream. Look for one that provides both UVA and UVB protection. Use at least a factor 20 – even if you think you have relatively dark skin. If fair, it is wiser to opt for a factor 30 or above. Remember, sun cream will not stop you from developing a long lasting tan, it merely ensures that you can stay out in the sun for longer safely.

· Make sure that you apply the sun cream regularly, especially after swimming.

· Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your head and eyes and avoid putting your face in full sun (the wrinkles will come soon enough without any help!)

· Stay out of the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm – think of it as time set aside for a leisurely lunch!

· Take a t-shirt or wrap with you and if your skin begins to look even slightly pink, make sure that you cover up

If you follow these simple rules, not only will you reduce the risk of premature aging or developing skin cancer, you will also come home with a long lasting tan that may even linger until the following spring.

Teenagers And Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has become a multimillion dollar industry which is no longer the property of the rich. Your average person doesn’t even blink at the idea of a tummy tuck or liposuction to improve a less than perfect body and a nip and a tuck here or there to create a younger looking face is just that – a nip and a tuck!

Of course research has always been the key to ensuring that your surgery is problem free. The many and varied horror stories regularly printed in magazines and newspapers emphasize the importance of investigating your chosen plastic surgeon fully to ensure that he really IS qualified to do what you want him to do. But despite all the scary stories, the temptation of a ‘quick fix’ continues to attract people.

Holidays which include cosmetic surgery are now common. People can combine a fortnight in the sun with a ‘boob job’ for example and increasingly exotic destinations are now advertising surgical procedure facilities as an added incentive to book. Rightly or wrongly, people are beginning to think cosmetic surgery is less and less of a big deal, regarding breast implants as a ‘small procedure with little risk.’

But even more worrying in today’s society is our young people’s view of cosmetic surgery. They are bombarded daily with glossy magazines showing celebrities with stick like figures and unnaturally large breasts. This is what teenagers today are beginning to think is typical and they hold with the belief that if your body doesn’t fit this picture, then cosmetic surgery is not just an option but a necessity.

All this begs the worrying question: When looking at themselves and others, exactly what do our young people today regard as 'normal'?

Young boys think that all women’s breasts point directly outwards and upwards. Young girls believe that anything below a size D cup in unacceptable; that the problem of a flabby tummy should be solved, not by exercise, but with a tummy tuck; that additional fat can be removed by liposuction without the need to diet.

A recent program shown on British TV brought in a cross section of teenagers ranging from 12 to 18 years old. Nearly all those interviewed stated that they would happily go ahead and have various procedures ranging from tummy tucks to nose jobs. They were asked to view a typical teenager’s naked body (female) and decide what, if any, changes should be made under a surgeon’s knife. Unbelievably they came up with 50,000 pounds worth of surgery that they felt was not just desirable but necessary! In reality there was nothing wrong with the young girl's physique. It was a perfectly ordinary body, typical of a 16 year old. Unfortunately however, that was not the opinion of her peers.

This exposes a disturbing trend in our young people today. A belief that any imperfection, however small, should be corrected. Many teenagers are blissfully unaware of the risks associated with all cosmetic surgery procedures and these hazards urgently need to be reiterated.

But perhaps more importantly, young people need to be educated about what is ‘normal’. Schools are now generally very thorough in explaining the importance of safe sex and the use of contraception to adolescents, but they appear to leave teenagers floundering when it comes to educating them about their own bodies. This results in too many young people having a completely false image of what is normal in today’s society - one that they cannot possibly live up to.

Life After The Menopause

Life after the menopause doesn’t have to be a nightmare, in fact, believe it or not, it can actually the best thing that’s ever happened to you.

Most women dread the thought of the menopause believing that it might cause them to lose their femininity and somehow turn them in to an old crone overnight. Who in their right mind would look forward to hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, fatigue and the loss of their sex drive?

But while there are unquestionably many women who do experience terrible menopausal symptoms, is it really as dreadful as we’ve been led to believe?

Perhaps not. There is an emergent group of women who are convinced that going through the menopause has brought on an incredible transformation.

Far from losing their joie de vivre, they claim that the menopause has actually given them a completely new lease of life.

Internet sites and forums are buzzing with postings from women asking what’s wrong with them because, far from the expected nightmare, they have gone through the menopause without any problems or side effects at all. Others talk of the marvellous sense freedom it has given them – not having to worry about monthly periods for example.

For many women, having pre-menstrual tension ruling their lives for so long, the loss of their period actually liberates them from the horrendous mood swings and, despite the negative hype about sex lives drying up, many women actually feel sexier, healthier and find themselves with loads of energy.

The dread experienced by most women approaching the menopause is partly the result of the message that they’ve been given by today’s society, but in fact only approximately 25% will experience symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and aches and pains and of those that do, 85% find that these symptoms disperse naturally within a few years. Indeed, a lot of women are not even aware that they have gone through the menopause.

In actual fact this anxiety about the menopause is really very much a western attitude. In many eastern countries such as India, women have the same symptoms but view the menopause as a very positive thing because getting older gives them more status, not less.

Of course menopausal symptoms can be bad, but if you enter the change with the attitude that you will get though it without major problems, you really will be making it easier for yourself.

The menopause does not thrust women into premature old age and, if it’s approached with the right mind-set, life after it can be completely energizing, leading to a huge boost in confidence and zest for life.

So perhaps it’s about time we stopped dreading the thought of life after the menopause and begin to think of it as our rite of passage, embracing the change and the fantastic freedom it brings.

Hysterectomy Surgery - Tips to Follow Before Your Operation

Hysterectomy surgery is a major operation but it is also a very common one. By following a few simple rules you can prepare for your hysterectomy operation and ensure that you are giving yourself the best possible chance to recover quickly without complications and pain.

The first thing that usually takes place before a hysterectomy is a visit to the hospital for a pre-operation assessment. During the assessment the following will take place:

• You will have a blood test.
• Your weight will be recorded.
• You will have an ECG
  
• You will be given the opportunity to speak to a physiotherapist who will give you exercises to do after your surgery (for example, how to get out of bed the correct way).
• You will be able to talk to a doctor about your forthcoming operation.
• You will be given information leaflets all about the surgery you are having and how to look after yourself - in particular, dos and don'ts after the operation.
• You will be given some anti-bacterial wash. Make sure that you ask for this if it is not offered.

It is advisable before any surgery to stop drinking alcohol and smoking for at least a week. The fitter you are, the quicker your recovery.·

Make sure that you do ALL household chores that you think will not wait BEFORE your operation as you will not be able to do them afterwards. The more organized you are, the easier your life will be.

Four to five days before your hysterectomy surgery wash yourself every day and wash your hair at least once with anti-bacterial wash. Use clean towels after every shower and get into clean bed sheets each time. This is time consuming but well worth it as the anti-bacterial wash will remove any bacteria from your skin which in turn will decrease the risk of infection.

Just before going into hospital for your operation, assemble the following items to take with you:

• A new hairbrush to avoid getting germs from the old one and a small mirror.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• A new facecloth; wash cream; face cream and deodorant.
• Clean towels.
• Clean nightclothes for each day spent in hospital.
• Pants and pads as you may experience a little bleeding after the operation.
• A small travel bottle of anti-bacterial gel. This is useful while in bed to clean your hands before meals.
• Anti-bacterial wipes for use on toilet handles.
• A small packet of mints/sweet/snacks and drinks in case you get peckish!
• A small amount of change.
• An IPod if you have one. This can help when you are trying to get to sleep as wards can be noisy.
• A mobile phone. This can be used on silent mode.
• Loose clothing to come home in as you may be quite swollen.

Following these simple tips can help to reduce the worry of going into hospital for hysterectomy surgery and ensure that your stay there is as comfortable and stress free as possible.