Hugh Jackman treated for skin cancer, again

LOS ANGELES | Oscar-nominated Australian actor Hugh Jackman has been treated for skin cancer for a third time in a year, a spokesman said Tuesday.

The 46-year-old first had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removed last November, when he posted a picture on Twitter of himself with a plaster on his nose. He did the same in May.

His spokesman Alan Nierob confirmed to AFP that Jackman had been treated for a third time. He declined to give any other details, but E! News cited a representative as saying that the star is now “all good.”

BCC is the most common form of skin cancer, with over 2 million cases diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

It usually develops on exposed skin such as the head, neck and back of hands, but is especially common on the face and nose. People who use tanning beds have a much higher risk of getting it.

Jackman, known for his roles in the “X-Men” blockbusters, was also nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for 2012′s musical adaptation of “Les Miserables.”

source: interaksyon.com

How singer Abby Asistio fought against alopecia and got her hair and groove back

Since she was four years old, singer and songwriter Abby Asistio has been suffering from alopecia areata, a type of hair loss condition that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles resulting in partial or complete loss of hair on the scalp and the rest of the body. Alopecia areata can be hereditary; it affects both men and women at any age.

Baldness, which is a result of the condition, can have its emotional toll on the patient. In a society where hair is considered an essential part of self-imaging, having thick hair in men and women is considered as added plus points in one’s level of attractiveness. Shampoo commercials, for instance, always play up having long and lustrous hair as vital in defining how a beautiful woman should look like.

Abby shared her own anxieties as a woman who was going bald due to alopecia, “I learned how to cope with having alopecia though I’ve been wearing wigs and hats. Iba yung feeling na maging malaya ka lang, be who you are, and not be judged for the way you look. Well, it came to a point that even if people were judging my appearance because of my condition, I was actually fine with it. I got used to having alopecia, na nakakalbo ako.”

 

Now 28, and sporting a pixie cut that flatters her pretty face and enhances her cheerful personality, Abby has grown her hair back and was sharing her journey during a recent hair forum organized by popular hair regrowth product Novuhair.

Abby revealed that she lived through the entire process of experiencing hair fall: Alopecia Areata (partial bald spots on the head takes place), Alopecia Totalis (total hair loss on the scalp), and Alopecia Universalis (all hair body hair is lost). She even tried other hair loss remedies including chemical-based products that have resulted in negative side effects. She was just starting to finally embrace her “baldness,” when upon prodding from family and friends, Asistio decided to give Novuhair a try. She experienced remarkable results in just a few months of regular use. Things are looking bright for her as she recently launched her album “Beautiful,” which was also sponsored by Novuhair.

“It’s really a great thing that I was introduced to Novuhair because since I used it, nagkaroon ako ng hope ulit na kaya ko pa palang humarap sa mundo na walang tinatago, walang sumbrero, walang wig, na buhok ko lang talaga (I gained hope and realized that I can face the world without hiding anything, no hats, no wigs, just my hair).” Asistio emotionally said.

Learn more about Abby’s inspiring story by CLICKING HERE.

About alopecia
At the Novuhair forum, guest speaker Dr. Ma. Rica S. Mallari of the Philippine Dermatological Society (FPDS) explained the hair loss condition.

Dr. Mallari said, “Alopecia areata is usually asymptomatic but sometimes there’s itching and burning sensation. It is common and is not difficult to diagnose, but sometimes it can be difficult to manage. Its causes are family history, stress (which is a major factor), and other medical illnesses like autoimmune disorders. What happens is the immune system of the person sees the hair follicle as a foreign object. So instead of attacking the virus and bacteria it attacks the hair follicle so the hair couldn’t grow properly, it falls off, and gets pulled off immediately. The aim of our treatment is to stimulate hair growth but we cannot alter the genetic susceptibility.”

Dr. Mallari added, “As we all know, hair is very important to all of us. So when you start losing hair, you become depressed. It covers a lot of cosmetic, psychological, and medical issues because sometimes when you have hair loss, there might be an underlying medical problem going on. You have to have it checked also. There are lots of causes of hair loss. It can be congenital (present from birth), acquired (obtained), focal (one bald-patch), diffused (all-over), non-scarring (you can grow your hair back), or scarring (you cannot grow back the hair because the follicle is already destroyed).”

During her talk, Dr. Mallari explained that hair loss has different causes. It can also be associated with the abnormalities of skin, nails, and teeth. Careful history and examination of the patient are needed. “We can do blood tests if there are some endocrine problems, diabetes, or thyroid problems.”

“Another is the hair pull test,” noted Dr. Mallari on another way to detect the reason for the hair loss. “We can also look at the hair under the microscopic equipment if there’s an abnormality in the hair shaft. There are times that we need to do a scalp biopsy to be able to make a definite diagnosis.”

Nature’s answer
Like Abby, other celebrities who went through their own hair loss problems and have shared their Novuhair testimonials include TV host, natural health advocate, and trivia expert Kim Atienza; hairstylist and fashion designer Fanny Serrano; beauty queen Gwendolyn Ruais; and athlete Andrew Wolff.

“We started positioning Novuhair to all kinds of hair and it is a specialty and we’re proud that Novuhair can give hope to people suffering from Alopecia and hair loss. Just as our tagline says Novuhair, nature’s answer to hair loss,” President of Nutramedica Inc. Sheila Mae Velilla said.

Velilla explained that Novuhair is made from all-natural ingredients and helps in preventing excessive hair fall. It also aids in stimulating hair growth, improves the overall cosmetic properties of the hair, helps eliminate dandruff, prevents hair-graying, and alleviates scalp itchiness. The product has 13 mainly active ingredients and herbal components that rejuvenate and nourish the scalp and hair.

Moringa oleifera or malunggay is one ingredient that helps restore the skin’s condition and prevents falling hair. Sweet almond oil, another ingredient, is a moisture-rich oil that contains vitamins A, B1, B6 and E, as well as minerals such as magnesium and iron. Scientifically known as prunus amygdalus, sweet almond oil easily penetrates the hair shaft and follicles, relieving hair dryness and itching and providing nourishment to the hair to promote hair growth.

Lavender helps relieve itching, and like rosemary another ingredient, it contains properties that help combat dandruff and disinfects the scalp. Lemongrass helps clean the scalp’s pores, while peppermint is known to slow the growth of bacteria and fungi, aside from having a relaxing effect on the muscles. Other ingredients are Zingiber officinale (ginger), Panax ginseng (Ginseng), Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola), Biotin (hair and nail vitamin), Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry), Dexapanthenol (Vitamin B-5), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Cocos mamillaris (Virgin Coconut Oil), Mentha piperita L. (Peppermint oil), and Carthamus tinctorious (Safflower). The product is available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide.

Abby remains a passionate advocate of promoting public awareness on alopecia. Through her Beautiful Project, Abby has been helping raise the confidence of those who are similarly afflicted with the condition via inspirational talks, social media, and charity projects. Being a brand ambassador for Novuhair, she added, is one way of pushing her cause.

On her experience, Abby added, “Somehow my actual crowning glory is back and it’s because I’ve been using this natural product Novuhair. It’s a product that I’ve been continually and religiously using. If Novuhair would be able to help any other person suffering from alopecia or hair loss in general, it would be such a great thing, not just for them to look better, but to feel better from the inside out.

“I think the more there are uncertainties and doubts, the more you are called to put your trust and faith in God. When I tried Novuhair, there were so many fears inside me but when I took a leap of faith, wow, my hair grew back,” she said.

To learn more about Novuhair, visit their website at www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, or follow the brand on Twitter at @NovuhairUpdates.

source: interaksyon.com

Botox for beginners: When to get it, how to get it

Wrinkles. A word that most women do not like to hear and most definitely do not want to see on their faces. Basic facial movements, like smiling, frowning, and squinting, can eventually lead to having wrinkles, and they can make you look tired or angry even when you’re not.

One of the well-known treatments to reduce facial wrinkles safely and quickly is Botox or Botulinum toxin. An injection of Botox blocks muscular nerve signals. This in turn weakens the muscle so that it will not contract, therefore diminishing the chance of unwanted wrinkles.

Plastic surgeons at Manila Doctors Hospital’s Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology Center explain the three most common Botox procedures and when you may need them. 







Excessive Underarm Sweating

Do your sweaty underarms irritate you and make you more self-conscious?

Excessive sweating is mostly caused by metabolic, neurologic, and other systemic diseases, but healthy people without any medical history of such can still experience excessive sweating. Strong bursts of emotion, like anxiety, and extreme heat can trigger hyperhidrosis, or the abnormally excessive sweating condition, but there are some people who suffer from hyperhidrosis all the time.

The procedure lasts for 45 minutes or less for both armpits and the results will be seen between 3 to 7 days after the procedure.

Crow’s Feet Botox

Most people also call crow’s feet as “laugh lines.” These eye wrinkles are inevitable signs of aging that begin to form at the corners of your eyes when you reach your mid-twenties. These lines appear because the skin loses its elasticity as we age. The body’s production of collagen and elastin, proteins that are responsible for the skin’s elasticity, lessen as the one age.

Frowning, laughing, and even smiling can cause these eye wrinkles to appear. It would be impossible for one to avoid smiling and laughing just to avoid these laugh lines on your eyes.

One way to minimize the appearance of crow’s feet is through Botox. It helps reduce eye wrinkles and relaxes your eye muscles so they will not contract. It blocks the chemical signal in your nerves that tell your muscles to function. The appearance of crow’s feet is minimized three to seven days upon the procedure.

Forehead Botox

Most people, especially women who are 30 and above, would periodically check their foreheads looking for signs of wrinkles. These fine horizontal or vertical wrinkles, commonly known as frown lines, start to appear across the forehead and eyebrows. Aside from the decreased production of collagen, other factors that contribute to the appearance of forehead wrinkles are smoking, too much sun exposure, and stress.

Botox can help reduce the appearance of these fine lines in the forehead. In crow’s feet, for instance, the botulinum toxin in botox relaxes the muscles and prevents them from contract that results in wrinkling of the skin.

Side effects of this non-surgical cosmetic procedure are minimized if done by a doctor. The Manila Doctors Hospital’s Aesthetic Surgery & Dermatology Center (ASDC) takes a holistic approach to cosmetic procedures. With reputable board-certified plastic surgeons and dermatologists, ASDC offers multiple services for your health, beauty, and wellness need in a hospital environment that’s both safe and responsive.

This month, for a limited period, ASDC offers discounted botox procedures. For more information, visit the MDH website, on Facebook, and Twitter. Or, call (+632) 524-3011 local 4527.

ASDC is located at the Ground floor of Manila Doctors Hospital, 667 United Nations Ave. Ermita, Manila.

 source: interaksyon.com

BB cream is a girl’s BFF

There was a time when the beauty innovation that is the BB cream was but a trend suited only for porcelain-skinned girls of the younger generation. Foundation for kids, as I once heard someone put it. But with every BB cream that has been launched, the formula has proven itself resilient, with staying power both on the skin and the cosmetic counter.

What I just learned, though, was that the BB cream was actually invented by a German dermatologist in the 1950s –– it’s not a Korean formulation, but a Korean actress popularized it when she used it to cover laser surgery scars after she had gotten into an accident. As Korean girl groups and dramas grew in popularity, so did the BB cream, its fan-base increasing particularly in Asia.

I have tried quite a number of BB cream brands to test if the product works on all skin types –– not just the already perfect ones of Korean pop stars. I have also given away many half-full tubes for the following reasons: 1) Too white, 2) Too sticky 3) Too orange. Yes, there was this one that I thought was going to be the right shade for me because it was a little darker, but it turned me a bright shade of Snooki. Or Mariah on American Idol.

For a time, I was using this drugstore brand because of its higher-than-usual SPF content of 20. I am a sunblock freak and also, lazy, so anything that offers the benefits of two products in one tube is good in my book. Just my luck, this BB cream formula was discontinued and replaced with a formula that is targeted more to teens (I know this because the packaging is now Barbie pink). Also, it has become too thick to my liking. So I am now back to foundation, but in this heat, it just melts and sometimes even streaks (Thank you, sweat!). BB creams are just the ideal makeup product for the summer because it provides coverage and SPF.

Pond’s recently launched their first BB cream formula, Pond’s BB+ Cream, in two variants, Flawless White for the lit-from-within skin and Age Miracle for those concerned with concealing fine lines and age spots. Pond’s Flawless White Whitening BB+ Cream has GenActiv cover formula which is said to lighten dark spots by inhibiting melanin production, while Pond’s Age Miracle Anti-Aging Expert BB+ Cream has Intelligent Pro-Cell Complex which stimulates cell regeneration to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Both with SPF 30, Pond’s BB+ Creams provide better sun protection than most BB creams. It also goes on sheer.

At the launch held recently, Pond’s announced that they will be launching more shades to their BB cream lines to better cover the wide range of skin tones of the Filipina. Here, Pond’s BB+ Cream’s new ambassadors and members of the Pond’s Beauty Council share what they love about BB creams and why they choose to use Pond’s Flawless White Whitening BB+ Cream and Pond’s Age Miracle Anti-Aging Expert BB+ Cream.

source: philstar.com

Teens with acne told not to wash often

A U.S. dermatologist advises teens plagued with acne not to wash their faces too often -- in fact, that may make it worse.

"Don't wash your face too often," Dr. Kent Aftergut of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said in a statement. "Acne isn't caused by dirt, so frequent washing won't help, and scrubbing instead may irritate your skin to make acne even worse."

Those affected should wash no more than twice a day using a medicated face wash containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide -- available in products purchased over-the-counter -- Aftergut recommended.

However, a dermatologist could prescribe more powerful treatments for acne that doesn't clear up, Aftergut said.

Aftergut said recent data showed teens who eat a diet high in dairy products and sugar might worsen acne. High sugar consumption can also stimulate the body's production of certain chemicals that drive acne and milk contains hormones that can do the same, Aftergut said.

Teens need some dairy to provide calcium and vitamin D so dermatologists don't recommend stopping these, just consuming in moderation and maintaining a balanced diet, Aftergut said.

source: upi.com