Reasons why coconut oil is perfect for hair treatment!

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Coconut oil is an amazing natural remedy for treating a wide range of hair issues. Since coconut oil contains no harmful chemicals and is 100% natural, it acts as an excellent home remedy for treating dry, damaged hair.

Here's why this wonder oil is considered as one of the best and safest options for hair treatment:

• Coconut oil can be used as a deep conditioning treatment as it penetrates hair more deeper and faster than other conditioners. Massage coconut oil into your clean scalp and tresses ensuring that every hair is properly coated. Leave it for at least 2 hours or overnight for the oil to soak in. Remember, the longer you keep it in your hair, the more conditioned your hair will be. For best results, use a plastic shower cap or a large sheet of plastic wrap or a towel to wrap up your hair. Wash your hair to remove the oil using a shampoo.
• It is also an excellent source for treating dandruff. Apply coconut oil into your scalp and let it stay for at least half an hour or overnight to treat that itchy, flaky dandruff. Wash off the oil using your favourite shampoo.
• Simply applying coconut oil mixed with lime water and lime juice can help prevent hair loss and lengthen the hair. Because coconut oil has lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, which are responsible for maintaining good hair health.
• Applying a small amount of coconut oil on your tresses after showering will help keep your hair moisturised all through the day.

Anger management: Don't bottle up your anger!

Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan

​New Delhi: The American Psychological Association defines anger as an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong.

Anger or wrath is an intense emotional response. It involves a strong uncomfortable and emotional response to a perceived provocation.

Some have a learned tendency to react to anger through retaliation. Others have the tendency to bottle their anger up inside.

It's a common perception that controlling your anger is better than spewing out bitter words which you might regret later, often resulting in crumbling relationships.

However, controlling anger can also lead to health problems later in life. This is because, anger is a very strong emotion and can greatly affect your physical wellness in ways you don’t even realize.

Many of us suppress our anger in order to escape the after-effects of venting it out. But bottling up this emotion can actually cause greater problems.

Apart from heart problems, anger can become the cause of numerous other problems. Take a look!

1. Headache:

Holding in anger is the biggest cause of headaches. According to studies, repressed anger, even more than depression or anxiety, was more likely to cause headaches.

2. Digestive problems:

Anger can affect every part of the digestive system. When you are angry, it activates the "flight or fight" response in your central nervous system. Your digestion can shut down because your central nervous system shuts down blood flow, affects the contractions of your digestive muscles, and decreases secretions needed for digestion.

3. Sleepless nights:

Anger can rob you off your peace of mind night after night, making you feel like it’s impossible to “let go” and leave it behind for the night. Repressed anger can make you restless and keep you wide awake after a stressful day.

4. Aggravates anxiety:

Anger is a powerful emotion that intensifies anxiety and compromises therapy leading to serious health consequences. Suppressing your anger can worsen the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a condition that affects millions of people.

5. Depression:

Anger, related with depression can be a reaction to the perceived hopelessness of a situation or even frustration over recurring states of depression. If you are facing a problem that doesn’t offer any effective solutions, holding the anger within yourself can make you angry and obsessively grieve over it, causing depression. 

6. Increase blood pressure:

Studies have indicated that angry people have higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.

7. Skin problems:

Prolonged anger can harm your body's skin. People, who bottle up their anger, often have skin diseases such as rashes, hives, warts, eczema and acne.

8. Heart diseases:

There is a strong risk that the anger plays a role in heart diseases. In fact, a 2002 large study published in the journal Circulation stated that angriest people faced roughly twice the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and almost three times the risk of heart attack compared to subjects with the lowest levels of anger.

So, it's always better to resolve the issues that tend to get you angry.

World Osteoporosis Day: Nurture your bones with diet and exercise

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Our bones, like the rest of our body need special care as they continue to replenish our cells and support us.

The functions of the bones in the human body are abundant and critical. The bones play a vital role in supporting our bodies, giving us strong skeletal frameworks that enable us to live on land without collapsing under our own weight.

Our bones also act as a storehouse for calcium, an element that plays a vital role in the functioning of cells throughout our bodies, as well as in the transmission of electrical impulses along our nerves.

As the bones become thinner with age, the older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis – a common disease of the bone.

As per experts, women have an increased risk of osteoporosis then men because of genetic factors, age, menopause, and lifestyle.

Diet and physical exercise play a vital role in ensuring healthy bones.

Diet and osteoporosis

• Foods rich in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, strontium, boron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium are important to help maintain healthy bones as well as to reduce your risk of fractures.
• Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are the best source of calcium.
• Other foods such as green vegetables, cereals and juices also have calcium.
• Fatty fish like as mackerel, salmon, and tuna are a great source of vitamin D.

Exercise

• Weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises can help maintain bone density while preventing osteoporosis.
• However, high-impact weight-bearing exercises such as dancing, running, and jumping rope should be avoided if you've already broken a bone.
• Low-impact weight-bearing activities such as speed walking stair-step machines, light weigh lifting, walking, etc, can be incorporated as an alternative.

World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated annually on 20 October to raise awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

Seven ingenious ways to use fruit and vegetable peels!

Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan

Imagine you're eating a fruit. You peel the fruit, devour the juicy, delicious pulp, enjoy every second of it, relish it and you're done.

Now what do you do with the fruit peel? Why, throw it of course, what a question to ask!

This is exactly where you're going wrong. Stumped? Don't be.

It's second nature for everyone to throw away those fruit skins and peels away right after you're done enjoying the benefits of what's inside it. But what you weren't probably aware of, was that fruit skins are also helpful and can aid you in everyday life.

Want to know what they are? Then you need not look any further!

Given below are seven amazing ways you can use those fruit skins or peels for your benefit. Take a look!

1. Revitalizing your skin: Soft, fuzzy peaches have skin that is rich in vitamin A and potassium, which are great for your skin. So, next time you treat your taste buds with the fleshy fruit, don’t forget to pamper your skin. Add a little white sugar to the inside of the peach's skin and then use it as a gentle scrub on your face. Your skin will feel hydrated and revitalized.

2. Keep brown sugar from solidifying: Lemon zest is great for keeping brown sugar from turning hard. You can simply throw a piece of lemon peel in the brown sugar jar, ensuring that you completely remove the pith and pulp. It will help in keeping the brown sugar moist and soft for months in the cabinet.

3. Plant pots: Watermelon, grapefruit, coconut and avocado shells make perfect plant pots to grow your seeds. After you scoop the pulp out of your favourite citrus fruits or avocados, use their shells to make your own biodegradable seedling pots. Put mud and seeds in the shells and hang them to let your seedlings to start sprouting in spring. Once the seeds begin to grow, you can plant the entire pot in the ground and save yourself a little time, space and money!

4. Cracked heels: Papaya peel is rich in vitamin A and papain which can help remove dead skin from your soles and make them feel refreshed. Just rub the pulpy side of the papaya skin on your feet soles for cleaner, softer heels.

5. Soothing the eyes: Tired and puffy eyes are a daily beauty hang-up and nothing seems to work on them. Potato peels to the rescue! Yes! All you have to do is gently press the inside of the peel onto your eyes and let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes. The vitamins in potatoes are great for relieving inflammation.

6. Making jelly: If you like your apples peeled, you could use the rind to make jelly. It will involve some of your time but the delicious homemade apple jelly/jam will be worth it. And all you need is the apple peels, lemon zest, water and sugar.

7. Treating diarrhoea: Strange as it may sound, fruit peels have an amazing effect on diarrhoea, especially pomegranate skin. Boil pomegranate skin in water, add a cinnamon stick and allow it to cool. Drink the mixture and it will help to cure diarrhoea. You can make this in advance if you want and stick it in the fridge.

Snake bite: Quick tips that you should follow

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: We often feel scared and shocked at hearing if someone has been bitten by a snake. Well, have you ever thought what should be the first-aid given to such a person? We tell you what you must do when you are bitten by a venomous creature. Take a look:

Dos

Call the ambulance immediately.

Victim should stay calm and still as movement can cause the venom to move quickly through the body.

Clean the wound, but don't flush it with water.

Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing.

One should remove jewellery and tight clothing before the infected area starts to swell.

Don'ts

Do not use a tourniquet or apply ice.

Do not cut into the wound or try to remove the venom.

Do not attempt to suck the venom out by mouth.

Do not use a cold compress on the bite.

Do not give the victim any medications unless directed by a doctor.

Do not raise the area of the bite above the victim’s heart.

Don't drink caffeine or alcohol, as it could speed the rate at which your body absorbs venom.

First time Sex: Tips on how to get it right

Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan

​New Delhi: Are you about to or deciding to step into marital bliss? Are you feeling the pangs just thinking about your first night? If that's the cause of your anxiety, there's no need to worry.

Most couples foster nervous speculations and deep seated performance anxiety about their first night of closeness and this is not unusual.

Every man wonders whether he will be able to make a good impression on his spouse on their first night together and vice versa.

Maybe it's because of your friend's experiences on their respective first nights or other things that you might have read on the internet, that you're getting anxious and understandably so. After all, this part of a married life holds high importance too.

Knowing the exact way to get it right is a complicated task and if gone wrong, you may end up facing a catastrophic situation in your bedroom.

The anxiety can stem from a number of factors like self–doubt, fears, misconceptions, unawareness and lack of information and it can also be due to unrealistic expectations. Below are some simple tips ways to deal with it:

1. Don't harbour any expectations:

Remember that the first night is not about proving yourself. This goes especially for men. This has nothing to do with proving your manhood. Don’t get trapped in that cycle.

2. Premarital sex counselling:

If you're worried because you're not a virgin and think this will put a dampener on your first night, this is for you. Counselling helps in reducing the anxiety and in understanding yourself better. You can be assured that your fears and anxieties will be addressed in a professional manner, providing you with the insight you require.

3. Talk to your friend or close ones:

Sharing things that worry you with people whom you are close to is equivalent to therapy. Tell them about what is making you anxious. You may get their perspective as well as suggestions on how to handle the anxiety.

4. Introspection:

Setting aside some alone time to tackle this issue head-on may help you in figuring out the main reason for your anxiety. Ignoring it or pretending that it is not important will not make your anxiety go away.

5. Talk to your partner:

Even tough today's generation doesn't think twice before engaging in premarital sex, there are couples around, who prefer to consummate their relationship after they get married. Talk to your respective others about what you expect the first night to be like. Talk even about birth control methods. Try to be open and confide about what you are looking forward to and what you are apprehensive about. This won’t just make you aware about each other, but will also help your partner to be sensitive to your needs and vice versa.

6. Be honest with yourself: 

Ask yourself what exactly is making you anxious? Is it the idea of sex or the act in itself? Is it your inhibitions and shyness? Is it self-doubt? Is it that you are afraid of it? Or do you feel it is an act establishing approval or accomplishment?

7. Information is the key:

Get proper information about what to expect, especially if you haven’t been involved in a sexual relationship before. Clear your doubts and become aware of what you can expect.

Always remember that you have the rest of your married lives to find out more about each other at every level – mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and sexually. It is not necessary you consummate your marriage on the first night itself. That is an expected notion and it doesn’t exactly have to be yours too.   

Tips that will help you shed extra kilos!

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

If you are someone working on weight loss, you probably would want results fast. And to achieve that, you need to follow a pattern of healthy habits although it might sound tough for you.

But, that doesn't mean you'll have to give up all your favourite sweets or cut out entire food groups, it's all about small sacrifices combined with specific techniques like - cutting down on calories, being physically active, making lifestyle changes that will aid in healthy weigh loss plan.

However, you should also remember that taking baby steps - and not giant leaps - can give you that lasting results.

Here are a few tips that will help you lose weight quickly:

Workout: Try to do cardio for at least 30 minutes a day. Any workout that gets your heart rate up will burn calories. Activities such as dancing, aerobics and swimming are a good option.

Yoga and meditation: Certain yoga poses and practicing meditation are believed to aid in weight loss naturally as doing these help you reduce cravings by lowering your stress levels.

Walk: Experts suggest that 45 minutes of daily walking is important to lose weight and fat in most relatively sedentary people.

Water: Drink plenty of water to lose weight fast - yes , you heard it right. Unlike sports or energy drinks and other beverages that contain about 100 calories in each serving, water has zero calories and carbs making it the perfect drink for weight loss.

Drinking water also helps flush out toxins from the body while keeping you hydrated throughout the day.

Breakfast: Make sure that you have your breakfast everyday no matter how busy you are. The fact that many people skip breakfast thinking that it might help them lose weight, but the practice does much more harm than good. Skipping breakfast can make you to eat more later in the day.

Healthy diets: Stick to a healthy diet focusing on vegetables, fruits, fish, skinless poultry breasts, non-fat diary foods and water-rich foods. Limit intake of starches, added sugars and animal fat from meat and diary foods.

Five ways to get pregnant fast!

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Suppose you and your partner have been trying hard for a baby for quite sometime, but still have not been able to conceive. There are possibilities that you missed out on some rules that might help increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Here are a few tricks to boost your fertility and get pregnant fast:

Frequent sex: Experts suggest that a woman's chances of becoming pregnant are high if she has regular sex.

Figure out when you ovulate: One of the most important things to getting pregnant fast is knowing when you ovulate.

You can become pregnant only when a sperm meets an egg and that egg only comes usually once a month, around day 14 in your cycle.

It is said that women with very regular 28-day cycles can just count 14 days from the first day of their period to determine their ovulation date. However, if your cycles aren't regular, an ovulation kit can help you pinpoint your most fertile time.

Since the egg only survives for a day or two, there's only a limited window each month during which you can actually get pregnant. Hence, it is important to know that the most fertile time is around the time of ovulation.

Know the positions: Experts are of the view that different sex positions play a key role in getting pregnant. Although there is no scientific proof on the best sexual positions for baby-making, it is believed that having sex in the 'missionary position' (man-on-top position) is best as it allows for deep penetration so the man's sperm can be ejaculated as close to the cervix (the opening of the womb) as possible.

Maintain an ideal weight: Being too thin can hamper your fertility, but being overweight can affect your fertility as well because too much body fat produces excess estrogen, which can interfere in ovulation.

Take folic acid: Folic acid is important for women who are trying to get pregnant. Experts suggest that women who take folic acid before trying for a baby (ideally for at least three months before conceiving and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) have fewer chances of having a baby with conditions such as spina bifida.

World Arthritis Day: Easy alternative cures to ease arthritis pain

Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan

​New Delhi: In this day and age of technological advancement and dependence, arthritis is a common problem, especially with people who are 40 years old and above.

Arthritis is a degenerative and painful medical condition marked by inflammation in the joints that can lead to pain and stiffness.

Conventionally, doctors treated arthritis with the use of anti-inflammatory medications as well as painkillers.

Some medications, however, can lead to side-effects and therefore, naturally approaching its treatment is the way to go now. Today, on World Arthritis Day, we'll tell you exactly how you can go about it.

But, before you try these remedies, ensure that you consult your doctor.

1. Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese medical practice in which needles are inserted into specific points on the body, accupuncture is believed to re-route the energies and restore balance. Studies have proven that acupuncture can reduce arthritis pain.

2. Go herbal: There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that can aid in reducing joint pain. Some herbs that can be used especially for the treatment of arthritis pain include devil’s claw, boswellia, bromelain, stinging nettle, ginkgo and thunder god vine. It is advisable to consult your doctor before going ahead with this option.

3. Shed those extra kilos: Your knees carry more than 50 percent of your body’s weight and therefore, the more you weigh the more your knees will hurt. Extra weight can put lot of pressure on the joints, knees and hips. Therefore, by reducing strain on these joints, you will be able to improve your mobility, prevent any kind of damage to the joints and decrease pain. What better way to do that than losing weight? You'll be doing your body a favour for the long term as well.

4. Massage: Arthritis pain is mostly caused because of stiff joints that can be treated with a stimulating massage. Regular massaging of the joints may help you to reduce stiffness as well as pain and thereby, improve your range of motion. However, it is recommended that you make sure your therapist is well-experienced with working on people suffering from arthritis. 

5. Meditation: Strange as it may sound, meditation is a relaxation technique that can help in reducing arthritis pain by enabling one to cope with it and reducing stress. Several studies have found that meditation helps some people soothe their joints.

6. Turmeric diet: The Indian yellow spice is well known for its anti-inflammatory qualities. The chemical called curcumin helps in reducing arthritis pain. Therefore, do include turmeric in your diet. Having a glass of turmeric milk at night or in the morning is recommended.

7. Hot and cold therapy: Taking long, warm showers in the morning can ease stiffness in the joints. Cold treatments are best used for relieving joint pain. To use this form of treatment, you may wrap a gel pack or a pack of frozen vegetables in a towel and softly place or dab it on the painful joints to enjoy quick relief.   

Are you making these first aid mistakes?

By Udita Madan 

New Delhi: Required and used by everyone, first aid is a necessity within every single household. First aid supplements should always be kept handy and around you at all times.

It encompasses every aspect of a medical emergency. You may have got out of sticky conditions that could have become serious had you not had first aid around you.

Be it a sudden illness or a sudden injury like a bee sting, a deep cut, sprain or a fracture, etc. or even a small one, for instance, something as minute as a shoe bite. Doesn't it always help to have a band-aid or some kind of antiseptic around?

But, many people do some things while giving first aid to themselves or others that shouldn't be done.

To ensure complete medical safety, below are a few points that you should make sure you don't do while giving first aid.

1. Allowing adhesive bandage to stay on a cut for days on end: When you put antibacterial adhesives on a cut, keeping it on for days will increase the moisture on the cut. After a day, remove the bandage and let it heal on its own. If the cut is deep, change adhesive bandage twice a day. Make sure the entire area is clean and dry.

2. Rubbing eyes: A speck of dirt, dust or other debris in your eye irritates you. Rubbing eyes doesn’t help you get rid of it, but causes more damage. Rinse your eyes with clean water and if the itching or discomfort continues, check with your doctor.

3. Hot compress on a sprain or fracture: If what you are dealing with are aches and pains, heat works great. However, the same will not work on a sprain or fracture. Application of heat on sprain can increase swelling. RICE treatment is what is required on a sprain, i.e. rest, ice, compression, elevation.

4. Hot water on frozen skin: If you have a frozen patch of skin, don’t think of running hot water over it to warm it up. It increases the risk of damaging skin. Soften the affected part with lukewarm water.

Trying natural ways for pearly white teeth? Research first

London: You can use strawberries, banana peel or even coconut oil to get sparkling white teeth, but try these options only after proper research, suggests an expert.

Uchenna Okoye, clinical director at London Smiling Dental Group, doles out guidelines, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Strawberries

Claim: Mash up a ripe strawberry, dip your toothbrush in it and brush carefully over teeth. Within two weeks, your teeth will be whiter.

Dentist’s Verdict: True. Strawberries contain citric acid, which can weaken the surface hardness of your teeth. But it also contains the more gentle malic acid, and the riper the strawberry becomes, the higher the concentration of malic acid compared to the more harmful citric acid.

So choose a really ripe strawberry, rub it on your teeth and just like exfoliating the skin, it does remove superficial debris. The malic acid won’t actually break down the stain molecules, but the surface clean gives your teeth a whiter appearance. A gentle and effective natural whitener.

Turmeric powder

Claim: Mix half a teaspoon of dried turmeric powder with a few drops of water and stir to create a thick paste. Dip your toothbrush in (it will be stained yellow) and clean teeth.

The usual cleaning time of two to three minutes is doubled, because of the time it takes to rinse the yellow from your teeth and gums. The abrasive qualities of the bright yellow spice (derived from a root) will clean your teeth.

Verdict: False. This is a recipe for disaster. The rule in dentistry is that anything that will stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. All spices stain teeth but yellow spices are the worst. Far from whitening your teeth, using turmeric will make them even more discoloured.

Banana peel

Claim: High levels of potassium, magnesium and manganese in bananas can help remove stains from teeth.

Simply peel a ripe banana, and rub your teeth with the insides of the peel for about two minutes. After three weeks, your teeth will have whitened.

Verdict: True. If you rub the skin it can act as a gentle exfoliator and will remove some surface stains, but the banana will not reach inside the pores on the surface of your enamel - so no true ‘deep’ clean will take place.

Cider Vinegar

Claim: Rinsing with apple cider vinegar (mixed two parts of water) will make teeth whiter and protect teeth and gums from bacteria.

Verdict: False. Cider vinegar is a favourite of ‘detox’ devotees. Once swallowed, it mixes with pancreatic secretions in the intestines and turns alkaline, but when it hits your teeth, it is an acid, albeit a weak one. This makes the enamel on your teeth less resistant to damage - like wetting a chalk and then scraping off the surface.

Coconut oil

Claim: A 3,000-year-old Ayurvedic way to clean teeth is to swish a tablespoon of oil (usually coconut, sesame or olive oil) around your mouth for 20 minutes every morning. The coconut oil sticks to the oil in the cell membranes of any bacteria in your mouth, so when you spit it out, you are ridding your mouth of unwanted micro-organisms. Used by stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, who claim it whitens teeth and improves complexion.

Verdict: False. There is no scientific evidence at all that ‘oil pulling’, as it’s called, will whiten teeth, or even remove bacteria. It’s possible that the act of swishing the oil around your mouth will dislodge some bacteria or debris, so followed by a careful brushing session, your teeth may look cleaner. But no science shows that oil pulling will make your teeth any whiter.

IANS 

Why should girls have all the fun: 5 advanced skin treatments for men!

Looking good is no more only a woman’s thing – as corporate culture demands men to appear graceful too. But, men being outdoor creatures – often have a hard-time to maintain their skin and often end-up with skin-issues. However, the urban man is taking it way too seriously and going for skin treatments – for keeping all their skin-related woes at bay. Permanent Makeup Expert and Executive Director of ALPS Beauty Clinic, Ms. Gunjan Taneja Gaur, reveals such fantastic skin treatments for men to have their share of beauty:

Ozone Treatment: (For Acne, Whiteheads & Blackheads)

Acne is a problem not only witnessed by adolescent boys – but by men of all ages. This treatment not only heals acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, but prevents these from re-occurring too. It makes use of ozone that is filled with disinfectant properties and hence, helps in reducing acne-borne infections. It also increases the blood circulation that aids in the removal of white heads and black heads while infusing a radiant glow too. So, go for ozone treatment, if you want a clean & clear skin. It also gives boost to the dull skin, by toning and firming it for a younger and brighter look.

Red Laser Treatment: (For scars-marks)

Acne scars & marks occurred after improper treatment – can mar the look of a gentleman. A healthy regeneration of the skin may help tackle this problem. Red laser works deeper in the skin where cell regeneration process takes place, it stimulates this process of skin renewal there, by giving it a fresher and brighter look. Apart from cell regeneration, laser treatment is enriched with anti-infective & anti-inflammatory properties too. Hence, it is considered best for men with sensitive and acne prone skin. It also helps in increase micro circulation; which makes our skin appear full of life and glowing. Men with dull complexion, scars, acne marks, tanning, fine lines etc. should go for this treatment without even thinking twice!

Yellow Laser Treatment: (For Dark Circles & Fine lines of around-eye area)

Dark circles are very common amongst urban men who have to sit in front of computer screens all-day-long! Save yourself by opting for the Yellow Laser treatment for the around-eye area. The yellow laser works in the same manner as does the red laser but is mild in intensity and is devoid of infra-red rays. Hence, it can be used over the sensitive parts like – the around eye area, without any worries. It helps to rejuvenate skin around the eyes there by reducing dark circles & wrinkles. So, guys with prominent dark-circles can immediately opt for a Yellow Laser Treatment.

Micro Derma-abrasion Treatment: (For Intense Marks)

Meant for removing scars, spots, tan and even burn marks on the facial skin; a Micro Derma Abrasion Treatment is a must for problematic skin. This treatment involves deep & mechanical exfoliation of the skin to remove the outer most, dead layer – gently and evenly. It is a non-invasive and painless therapy that helps to remove the upper, tanned and scarred layer of the skin. The procedure includes combination of fine crystals and vacuum suction applied to the skin. This treatment helps to diminish tanning, acne scars, burn or accidental scars, hyper pigmentation, fine lines & dull complexion etc.

Chemical Peels: (For Strong Tanning & Scars)

Chemical Peeling is skin-treatment used to improve and smoothen-up the texture of the facial skin using chemical formulation. It causes the dead skin layer to eventually peel off while washing/removing the peel. The regenerated skin appears smoother and less problematic than the older skin. A non-fussy one – chemical peel, is a 15-minutes job that ensures removal of old and damaged skin-layer – revealing an all-new replenished skin of the tougher-sex. So, as men face a lot of sun-exposure and therefore extreme tanning – these peels prove utterly helpful.

Thus, if you too suffer from these skin problems, don’t shy away from taking any such treatment – just because you’re a MAN. Ditch this cliché – go for expert supervision by visiting any fully equipped salon and get ready to flaunt a new you! All these treatments are available at ALPS Cosmetic Clinics!

Are you coming in the way of your weight loss?

Have you been concerned with your weight loss lately? Do you feel you're doing everything in your power to reach that particular kilogram, yet unable to? Yes, most of us do go through that plateau phase.

But, the question is, are you really doing everything right to reach your destined weight? No, the answer is not in your genetics and neither is it natural. However, you may be, unintentionally of course, obstructing yourself from achieving your goal.

But worry not! Because listed below are a few things you may be doing wrong, along with ways you can fix them!

1. Too much eating: Eat healthy, the doctor said. But nowhere did he mention eat a lot! Health food does not imply hogging on it. Excess of anything is bad and this statement holds true in the case of health food as well. If the amount of calories you’re consuming is higher than the number of calories you’re burning each day, it's only going to add to your waistline.

Do it right: Include more of protein-rich foods in your diet. Also keep track of the amount of food you’re eating. Don't overeat and check your portion sizes. Ensure that you eat a balanced meal so that you consume all the nutrients.

2. Not eating enough: Now, welcome to the other side! Yes, there are people who are probably not eating the right amount, which means lack of the right nutrients. This can also hamper your weight loss goals. Nutrients are fuel for the body and for that you need to eat but eat right. Neither to little nor too much.

Do it right: Eat at least 3 balanced meals per day and 2 snacks. You can also eat small portions every couple of hours. By doing this, you’ll keep your metabolism running high and you’ll ensure that you’re getting enough food to support your activity for the day.

3. Nibbling your way out: Oh, how we love to cheat! Those little 'bites' you come across everyday – the plate of cookies on the table for the kids, a bite of a delicious snack from a friend when you're stuck with just a salad, the so-called “I need a break” snack at work, et al – all add up! You're simply raking in the calories this way.

Do it right: Allot a cheat day every week or simply save the “bites” for the special foods you can’t live without.

4. The lying fitness tracker: Ever found yourself thinking, “That can't be right!” after a workout session? Well, the bitter truth is that you're probably using it wrong or the most possible problem is that you trust your tracker too much.

Do it right: A piece of advice would be to not trust machines too blindly. Technology isn't that advanced yet. This does not in anyway mean that if you run on the treadmill for 30 minutes and it says you burned 300 calories, you can go eating 300 calories worth of extra food. 

5. Temptation: If you're one of those who give in to temptation easily, this advice is for you. You probably keep your favorite food stocked up. Food like chips, popcorn, etc. But are they good for you? You know the answer better than anyone. NO. Guilty are we? Simple. Stop buying them.

Do it right: Surround yourself with healthy foods. Those that you will actually consume. Don't buy those food items that you know will end up in your stomach and ultimately send you on a guilt trip.

6. Water intake: This is one of the most common reasons of not being able to reach that desired weight loss goal. You're probably not drinking enough water. Were you aware that most of the times you feel 'hungry' is because you're actually thirsty? Confused? Don't be. Next time, just try drinking a glass or two of water when you feel 'hungry'. It will probably be just the thirst calling out to you.

Do it right: Keep a water bottle handy wherever you go. If you don’t like refilling constantly, buy a gallon and make it your goal to finish all or most of it by the end of the day.

7. Not sleeping tight enough: Yes, lack of sleep is another major reason that may be keeping you from reaching your goal. Fatigue and tiredness can lead to poor food choices, so ensure that you get sufficient sleep, which is 6 to 8 hours.

Do it right: Fix a proper bedtime for yourself. Make sure that you sleep at the same time everyday and wake up at a fixed time as well. This way, your body clock remains balanced.

All the best! 

Breast cancer: Lose weight to lower your risk

Being overweight doesn't just make you feel upset and frustrated. It can also have serious implications on your health. And one such ill effect of being obese is breast cancer.

Also Read: Top five foods that fight breast cancer

Studies have linked obesity to breast cancer in women after menopause. Many studies have also linked BMI to breast cancer risk. However, BMI affects risk differently before and after menopause.

Here's is how you can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by following a few tips while keeping you stay in shape:

• To maintain a healthy weight, it is important to exercise regularly – moderate to vigorous activity for 45 minutes, 5 times a week. More exercise is associated with an even lower risk.
• Vigorous physical activity such as jogging for 45-60 minutes, five days a week or more can reduce breast cancer risk slightly.
• Studies suggest regular less-strenuous physical activity, such as walking, may also lower the breast cancer risk.
• Try to keep your body-mass index under 25 ( you can use an online calculator to find your BMI).
• Eating a diet that’s high in vegetables and fruits, high in whole grains, lower in fat - especially saturated fats and low in alcohol.