How to keep your hair healthy

MANILA -- Frequent styling and treatments can damage your hair. Here are some tips to take care of your crowning glory.

According to Dr. Michelle Manuel, a dermatologist, having healthy hair means keeping the scalp healthy.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Manuel compared the scalp to soil, noting that the plant's growth is directly related to the quality of the soil.

She also shared some tips on how to take care of one's hair.

* Do not abuse hair treatments (i.e. rebonding, perming)

According to Manuel, frequent hair treatments like rebonding, perming and coloring can cause severe damage to the hair.

"'Yung mga cosmetic that we put on our hair, nakaka-dry din kasi nasi-strip off 'yung oil," she said, adding that chemicals often used in salons can sometimes be too strong for the hair and scalp.

"Ang hair natin can take a lot of abuse. Medyo matibay ang buhok. Kaya lang, kung every day mo inaabuso, rurupok at rurupok din siya."

* Do not use shampoo every day

Shampooing can strip the scalp and the hair of natural oils.

"Ang advice is not to wash your hair every day. Ang pagsa-shampoo, every other day, that is, kung hindi naman masyado ikaw nasa labas nagta-trabaho, mga field work, hindi naman masyadong nadudumihan buhok mo, okay lang na every other day mo i-wash," Manuel said.

* Do not apply conditioner on the scalp

According to Manuel, applying hair conditioner on the scalp can cause hair fall.

"Don't condition every day and don't condition up to the roots because that will soften the roots and it will make the hair fall."

She also advised using conditioner only on the tips of the hair.

* Consult specialists before using any medicine for the scalp.

Different people have different hair and scalp quality, and using medicines may do more harm than good.

Manuel advised those who are interested in using medicines on their scalp to consult a doctor or hair specialist first before doing so.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to choose the right sunblock

MANILA -- Choosing the right kind of sunblock for your skin is important to maximize its benefits.

In choosing a sunblock, most people think that picking one with the highest sun protection factor (SPF) is the best.

"Usually the SPF we recommend is not lower than (SPF) 15. The higher you go, it doesn’t really mean na pantay 'yun sa proteksyon mo. SPF 15 gives you around 93%, and sa mga studies 50% gives you 95% protection, 2% lang ang itinataas," explained Dr. Cynthia Tan, a dermatologist in an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok".

Most products available in the market have SPF that ranges from 15 to 50.

Aside from choosing the right SPF, one should also choose a product that is right for the skin type.

Tan said a sunblock lotion is perfect for use all over the body. However, a sunblock gel is better for those with oily skin, especially if they want to use the product on their face, while those with dry skin should opt for sunblock creams.

To maximize the effect of sunblock, it should be reapplied every two to two-and-a-half hours, especially when swimming.

Physical, chemical blocks

Tan also explained that different sunblock products can either function as a physical block, or as a chemical block.

"Ang sunblocks kasi pwedeng chemical block siya. Ang chemical block, they use the chemicals. Ang chemicals ang naga-absorb nung rays. Ang physical kasi, parang tinakpan mo siya ng opaque material para mag-reflect na lang 'yung light, hindi siya maabsorb," she added.

Sunblocks with zinc oxide and titanium oxides function as physical blocks.

For Tan, sunblocks that function as physical blocks are better than chemical blocks, since some chemicals cause allergies.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How heat can cause varicose veins

MANILA -- Spending time in the sauna or soaking your feet in a tub of warm water after jogging or working out in the gym can cause varicose veins, a dermatologist warned.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. Gwen Wong, a dermatologist, explained that heat can cause veins to bulge and become visible on the surface of the skin.

"I think the heat, it's contributing to 'yung lumalabas ang ugat," she said.

Although the condition may be temporary, repeated exposure to heat may cause the condition to be permanent.

"Pwedeng temporary, pero kapag paulit-ulit, gym tapos sauna tapos gym, maaring maging permanent," Wong said.

Varicose veins and spider veins are caused by poor blood circulation.

"Pag ang blood nagfo-flow, let's say sa lower legs, hindi na nakakabalik dahil dun sa ating mga valves eh depektibo na, especially pagka medyo nagkakaedad na tayo. At minsan eh hormonal, or minsan nga, tama 'yun, dahil sa pagiging obese ng isang tao o mabigat ang timbang, hindi na po nakakabalik [ang dugo] ng maayos sa puso," Wong explained.

People who spend many hours standing or sitting can also suffer from varicose veins.

"Depende po ito sa lifestyle, kung ano 'yung trabahong ginagawa. Halimbawa, buong araw nakatayo, o buong araw nakaupo, kailangan meron din tayong ginagawang mga ehersisyo," Wong added.

One can prevent varicose veins from developing on the legs by raising it above the heart while resting at home.

"Kailangan ini-li-lift po 'yung legs above the heart. Hindi po effective yung inilalagay lang sa silya," Wong said.

Although varicose veins can be treated through sclerotherapy, severe cases of varicose and spider veins may require surgery.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Losing hair? You could be suffering from stress

MANILA -- Stress and illnesses can cause hair loss, according to a dermatologist.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok", Dr. Rica Mallari said it takes around three to five years for hair to grow fully.

After five years, the hair will die, and new hair will grow out from the same root.

Mallari added that 90% of a person's hair is continuously growing, with the other 10% falling out.

However, certain conditions can cause growing hair to die prematurely, causing hair fall.

"Kasi kapag nagbuntis, nanganak, kahit 'yung fever, minsan 'yung nag-grow pa, hindi na nag-gogrow, parang nawala 'yung balance sa body," Mallari said, adding that 40% of a person's hair can fall out after suffering from stress or illness.

Excessive hair fall usually stops after a few months, once a person's body has recovered from the imbalance.

The cycle of hair growth and hair fall may continue as long as the imbalance is not addressed.

In some cases, the roots also lessen in size, causing stunted hair growth, or even hair loss.

"Kapag nawala na 'yung root, hindi na tutubo ang buhok," Mallari said.

Mallari advised those suffering from excessive hair fall and hair loss to consult their doctors before taking any medication.

If hair fall is due to stress, or hormonal imbalance, addressing the imbalance can solve the problem.

"Mahirap talaga magpa-grow ng buhok," Mallari added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Nickel in early iPad likely triggered allergy in boy

SAN FRANCISCO -- Nickel in a first-generation iPad likely triggered an allergic skin reaction in an 11-year-old boy, a case that highlights an increasingly common condition linked to the rapid adoption of consumer electronics, according to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday.

Dr. Sharon Jacob and Dr Shehla Admani, who are both dermatologists, studied severe skin rashes afflicting the unidentified 11-year-old boy for more than six months, before discovering that his daily use of an Apple Inc. iPad may have brought on the condition.

The boy's iPad, among the first versions of the device launched in 2010, tested positive for nickel, they said. The boy's dermatitis improved significantly after he started using a tablet case and began avoiding known sources of nickel in general, the study's authors said.

The dermatologists said a cover only provides coverage of the screen and leaves the back of the device exposed.

The report was the latest in a series of studies that have linked nickel content in electronics such as computers and smartphones to allergic reactions. Nickel is a common allergy-inducing metal.

It's unclear if all iPads contain nickel, or just the first generation of the device, such as the boy's. The researchers said other common sources of nickel exposure for children included ear piercings, clothing fasteners, dental work -- which people come into contact with constantly -- laptops, cell phones and toys.

Apple defended the safety of its products.

"We have found that allergies like the one reported in this case are extremely rare," the company said in a statement. "Apple products are made from the highest quality materials and meet the same strict standards set for jewelry by both the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission and their counterparts in Europe.

"We rigorously test our products to make sure they are safe for all our customers," it said.

Jacob and Admani wrote that this was the first time an iPad had been reported as a potential source of nickel "sensitization" in children.

"With the increasing prevalence of nickel allergy in the pediatric population, it is important for clinicians to continue to consider metallic-appearing electronics and personal effects as potential sources of nickel exposure," the dermatologists said in the study.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com