Blog posts of '2021' 'August'

Looking to tackle pesky hair concerns without blowing your budget? These easy, affordable DIY hair masks use household remedies that you probably already have at home.

The problem: Thinning hair

The fix: Make a “banana protein smoothie,” which consists of amino acid-rich bananas and eggs to enhance hair elasticity, strengthen, and add thickness.

How to use it: Blend two egg yolks, two ripe bananas, two to three tablespoons of honey, half cup of conditioner, and two tablespoons of olive oil, until fully pureed. Slather all over and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes; rinse with cool water.

The problem: Brittle hair

The fix:  While dry, brittle hair is a struggle on its own, it can also lead to increased breakage and dullness. Egg yolks are an easy fix, they will help strengthen and nourish hair follicles.

How to use it: Mix a little lemon into the yolks to lessen the egg smell. When applying, put the mixture on hair from roots to ends and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to really penetrate into hair.

The problem: Messy waves or curls

The fix: Honey and syrup are natural humectants (ingredients that attract and lock in moisture) and can treat curls while hydrating thirsty hair.

How to use it: Mix a half-cup of molasses or maple syrup, 1/4 cup of olive oil, four tablespoons of honey, two bananas, half-cup of water, four tablespoons of lemon juice, and two tablespoons of all-purpose flour (adjust according to desired thickness). Mix together ingredients, removing any lumps, and warm over the stovetop. Separate hair into four sections, evenly apply the sweet concoction, and cover it up with a shower cap; let sit for 45 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

The problem: Dry, damaged tresses

The fix: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Otherwise, you’re only a hair away from split ends, frizz, and breakage. Opt for an intensive overnight treatment if your average conditioner isn’t cutting it.

How to use it: Take a tablespoon of coconut oil, warm it in the microwave, massage into damp hair, and sleep on it. Wear a shower cap and lay a towel on your pillow to prevent a greasy mess. In the morning, shampoo it out. Only use coconut oil on dry and damaged areas, which typically occur from the mid-shaft to the end. If you have finer hair, pick a lighter oil, like olive or avocado, as coconut oil can weigh strands down.

The problem: Itchy scalp

The fix: Soothe and moisturize. An itchy scalp can be caused by myriad problems, from something as serious as psoriasis or as minor as dryness. Your solution? Tea tree oil.

How to use it: Drip three drops of the oil on a cotton swab and dab onto the scalp. If the oil is irritating, dilute 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to one cup of warm water. To combat dryness, break a Vitamin E capsule and rub the oil on itchy areas to help moisturize skin, slough off dead skin cells, and unclog hair follicles. Leave the oil on overnight and rinse out in the morning.

The problem: Faded dye job

The fix: Intensify vibrancy. Add a jolt of red with a cranberry juice rinse. To warm up ashy blonde hair, substitute the cranberry juice rinse for chamomile tea. Or bring out golden tones with some champagne.

How to use it: Tilt your head back over the sink and carefully pour the juice over clean, detangled hair. Once every section is soaked, dry your hair section by section on low heat to lock color in place. Rinse and condition after.

The problem: Dullness

The fix: Lock in shine. Think of the outermost layer of your hair, the cuticles, as shingles on a roof; and those shingles must lie as flat as possible for shiny strands. Anything from friction to hot water to humidity can ruffle up the cuticles, resulting in a lackluster mane. Residue and product buildup are also culprits of sapping shine.

How to use it: To clarify and smooth cuticles, pour an apple cider vinegar rinse (a tablespoon of vinegar to half cup of water) over damp hair and comb through. Let it sink in for five minutes, rinse with cool water, and follow up with conditioner.

The problem: Dandruff

The fix: Keep flakes under control. Dandruff is a scalp disorder that involves rapidly shedding dead skin cells. How to slow down cell turnover and fight dandruff? A ginger root scalp spritzer: ginger has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the scalp and keep dandruff in check.

How to use it: Finely grate half a ginger root into two cups of water and boil until it’s one cup of tea. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and olive oil. Mist the brew directly onto scalp, let dry, and shampoo out.

The problem: Excessive shedding

The fix: Treat the scalp and strengthen the hair follicle. Serious hair fallout can be caused by a multitude of things: stress, a major life change, illness and pregnancy to name a few. We suggest doing a mayonnaise-based mask one to two times per week to help prevent shedding and heal the scalp, which is often the root of the problem.

How to use it: In a small bowl, combine three tablespoons of mayonnaise, one teaspoon of honey, three drops of rosemary oil and three drops of lavender oil. Mix until smooth. Apply onto clean, damp hair and massage into your scalp. Place a shower cap on your hair and allow to sit for up to an hour. The combo of ingredients includes nutrients that will smooth the hair, boost shine and strengthen the hair follicle. The essential oils and honey also have anti-inflammatory benefits to calm the scalp and prevent additional fallout.

The problem: Flat hair

The fix: Add some bounce. Give lifeless hair a boost with an oatmeal and almond oil hair mask.

How to use it: Combine ½ cup of oats, 2 tablespoons of almond oil and ½ cup of milk (regular milk is best). Mix ingredients well. Apply the mask all over hair and leave it on for 20 to 40 minutes — the longer the better. Then wash out and style your hair as usual. Your hair will look full and super bouncy.

Diabetes can feel like an information minefield but understanding the condition can be the first step towards managing it. We are here to simplify the subject and help you grasp the basics.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood glucose (AKA blood sugar) to become too high. The amount of sugar in someone’s blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin. For someone without diabetes, food is digested and enters into the bloodstream. As this happens, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy. However, when someone has diabetes, their body is unable to break down the glucose into energy. This is because there's either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin produced does not work properly.

What are the different types of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes

This is where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, meaning you have to inject insulin to control blood glucose levels. There are different types of insulin that can be injected at different times. There is the long-acting, basal insulin that keeps blood glucose stable overnight or in between meals, then there’s the fast-acting, bolus insulin taken before eating or drinking something that contains carbohydrates.

Type 2 diabetes 

This is where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells don’t react to insulin. This is much more common than type 1. Most people need medicines to control their type 2 diabetes, but it can also often be managed through healthy eating, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Gestational diabetes

For some, diabetes and pregnancy go hand in hand. During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of blood glucose that their body is unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as gestational diabetes, a condition that usually disappears after giving birth. Gestational diabetes can sometime cause premature birth and other problems for you and your baby if left untreated, but the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and managed effectively.

Who can get diabetes?

Although there is nothing you can do to prevent type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and by being active.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

It is super important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible. If left untreated, it can slowly get worse and lead to serious complications, including damage to your kidneys, eyes, and other organs. Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Feeling very thirsty
• Needing to urinate more frequently than usual, particularly at night
• Feeling very tired
• Weight loss
• Loss of muscle bulk
• Itching around the penis or vagina
• Frequent episodes of thrush
• Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
• Blurred vision

With type 1 diabetes, these symptoms can appear quickly over several weeks, or in some cases, even days. Alternatively, with type 2 diabetes, these symptoms can appear very gradually, often going unnoticed for long periods of time.

See your GP if you think you have symptoms of high blood sugar.

Proteins are wonder workers that are crucial to good health. The word ‘protein’ comes from the Greek ‘proteos’, meaning ‘primary’ or ‘first place’. This gives an indication of its importance among nutrients! Proteins are made up of amino acids that join together to form long chains. You can think of a protein as a string of beads in which each bead is an amino acid. Your body uses amino acids to build and repair tissues, and make enzymes, neurotransmitters and hormones that are involved in hundreds of bodily functions. They are an important component of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

For proteins to be properly utilised, we need adequate stomach acid to break them into usable amino acids from animal and plant sources in our diet. The production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach naturally diminishes as we age, and - worryingly - it is also suppressed when we stress a lot. In its wisdom, the body pulls energy, blood and attention away from digestion when our nervous systems enter fight or flight mode and sends all available resources to the muscles in preparation for running or fighting. When we suffer from chronic stress, the stomach simply does not produce sufficient hydrochloric acid to make good use of the proteins we consume. 

Although we tend to eat a lot of protein as a society, we still see many people suffering from arthritis, knee, hip and joint dysfunction, thinning hair, ageing skin, brittle nails, cellulite, anxiety and depression – a good indication that we are not digesting our proteins well.

Is it any wonder then that collagen is so popular? Besides the visible benefits for skin, hair and nail health, collagen has been lauded for its ability to treat intestinal permeability. It is also taken to strengthen joints and increase bone health, boost muscle mass and support heart and nervous system health. 

Good quality collagen is hydrolysed, which means it has already been broken down into very small absorbable particles and is convenient to use. No need to handle questionable animal parts and cook your own broth for days on end.

The three main types of collagen used for supplements are types I, II and III.

 Type I Collagen - 100% found in marine (fish) collagen, and present in smaller amounts in porcine (pig) collagen and some forms of bovine (cattle) collagen. Type I makes up 75 - 90% of the collagen found in your skin, hair, nails, organs, bones and ligaments. For skin and beauty applications, type I collagen is considered to be the best. Type I also stimulates the production of type II in the body.

 Type II Collagen – found in chicken and bovine collagen. Type II collagen makes up the fluids and function of the cartilage and joints. Its main supplemental purpose is for the treatment of joint pain and arthritic conditions, as well as being a dietary protein source. Type II collagen makes up 10% of the total collagen in the body and 50 - 60% of the protein found specifically in our cartilage.  

Type III Collagen - Found together with type I in porcine (pig) and bovine (cattle) collagen if from bovine hide. Type III collagen is the second most abundant collagen in tissues, most commonly in those with elastic properties such as skin, lungs, intestinal walls and walls of blood vessels. It is also found in fibrous protein in bone, cartilage, dentin (a strengthening coating on teeth), tendons and other connective tissues.

Type I and III are mostly found together, and are beneficial for hair, skin and nail health, strong bones and digestive health. Type II is most beneficial for joints. Note that if you take type I, your body can make type II from it. If you decide to use both kinds, be sure to take them at different times of the day: type I and III in the morning, and type II at night before bedtime on an empty stomach.  An important consideration is to always seek out collagen from clean sources - free range and pasture-raised beef or chicken, and fish free from contaminants and heavy metals. 

Burnout refers to a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. When you begin to feel like you are burning out, everything in your life is affected – your career, social life, family and relationships as well as the image you have of yourself. You may feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet the demands of life. Our ‘always on’ modern-day culture coupled with the daily stresses of life and the high expectations we place upon ourselves create a clear recipe for burnout.

Stress and burnout are closely related. The stress could be a result of anything, including trauma (for example retrenchment, divorce, bereavement, accident, and injury, etc.), financial issues, work pressures, an abusive relationship or illness. When we perceive ourselves to be under threat physically or psychologically, the adrenal glands activate the sympathetic nervous system and release a flood of hormones including adrenalin and cortisol. This instinctual acute stress response is sometimes called ‘fight, flight or freeze’. The primitive response to stress prepares the body to react to the danger as it did for our ancestors, and it may become a default pattern. 

Under extreme or prolonged stress, this cascade of hormones floods the body constantly and overloads the adrenals. This eventually results in a depletion leading to adrenal burnout or chronic fatigue. It can also lead to systemic inflammation, making you susceptible to illness and chronic health conditions. 

Burnout is not plain exhaustion or job dissatisfaction. The truth is that you may not even realise that you are suffering from burnout until you are presented with a health crisis or a mental or physical breakdown.

Signs and symptoms

• Feeling irritated and argumentative, or losing your temper often 
• Reacting irrationally or disproportionately 
• Strain in personal or professional relationships 
• Chronic fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy and feeling ‘flat’ 
• Depression, decreased motivation and discouragement 
• A weak immune system or constant illness 
• Feeling tearful, overwhelmed and anxious, or suffering panic attacks 
• Feeling numb or empty 
• An inability to focus or concentrate, poor memory or foggy thinking 
• Poor decision-making or unhealthy choices 
• Weight gain or loss, or an increase or decrease in appetite 
• Increasing or new medical conditions
• Digestive issues 
• Despair, loss of hope or faith, cynicism or negativity, and self-doubt 
• Ineffectiveness

Recovering from a burnout

First, acknowledge that you are burnt out! Pushing through will not fix the problem. Working on discovering the root cause of your burnout rather than just treating the symptoms is known as the functional approach. A functional wellness coach will nurture, guide and motivate you to explore and recover from burnout and offer nutritional, supplementation and movement suggestions as well as mindfulness tools and strategies for lasting transformation. You may see both a coach and a therapist as a compatible dual treatment for burnout.

Get some sleep

Are you getting between seven and nine hours of quality sleep per night? Poor sleep has dire consequences for your body and mind, including a weakened immune system and poor cognition. If your sleep is compromised by insomnia, intermittent waking or sleep apnoea, this can exacerbate or even lead to burnout. Practise good sleep hygiene by avoiding screens one hour before bedtime, keeping electronic devices out of the bedroom, having a light early dinner, practising relaxation exercises, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol at night.

Practice mindfulness  

Being able to process emotions constructively is crucial. Breathing techniques, meditation, visualisation and other stress management tools can help. Becoming aware of what is happening in your body and mind under stress and training them to respond differently can calm the sympathetic nervous system and reduce anxiety. 

Nutrition

Poor nutrition (processed and junk foods, sugar, hydrogenated fats and chemicals, etc.) leads to a greater chance of burnout. Your diet impacts everything, including your emotions. During burnout, you might not have the motivation to make healthy eating choices. But your body needs the right amount of crucial nutrients as fuel to function optimally.

Move!

Movement or exercise increases feel-good hormones like endorphins, induces relaxation, and promotes energy and mental clarity. Make time for movement in your life even if you do not feel like it and time is tight. Find the right movement for you, whether it is yoga, pilates or trail running and cycling. Just remember that exercising when ill or fatigued may increase the stress response. Exercise gently when you feel you can. Only you can be the judge of what’s right for you.

Get rid of everything which is toxic

Get rid of toxic relationships or situations in life and seek those that uplift you. This includes the people with whom you choose to interact, as well as environmental toxins. Become conscious of chemicals (including parabens, pesticides, plastic, synthetic chemicals and pollution in air, food and water, etc.) and avoid them as much as possible by making better choices. 

Adjust the way you react to situations

Obstacles in life are unavoidable. We cannot change the things that happen to us, but we can choose how we respond to them. Take control with a more problem-solving, optimistic attitude. Setting and achieving goals is a great motivator. Make necessary small changes. Having a purpose that is fulfilling and makes you feel valued for your unique gifts is an antidote to burnout. If you are willing to work at it, lasting change is possible.

Hyaluronic acid is so much more than just another fancy-sounding ingredient on the product formulation list. Here are three reasons why you should add it to your skincare routine. Naturally found in skin, and hailed as one of the best skin care ingredients to help in the fight against aging - and incredibly beneficial for your skin’s good health too -  hyaluronic acid is a wonder molecule that benefits all skin types.

Why all this fuss around hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide molecule which is one of the main components of connective tissue within the skin. It forms a gelatinous matrix helping to stimulate collagen synthesis as well as assisting the skin to retain more moisture. More collagen and better hydrated skin equal a younger looking complexion.

When the skin is exposed to harmful social and environmental extremities such as UV rays which means sunburn, the skin becomes inflamed and the cells in the dermis stop producing hyaluronic acid. This also increases the overall degradation of collagen and elastin fibres. It is critical to supplement your skin daily with a product that contains hyaluronic acid to assist with moisture retention and to enhance the elasticity and tensile strength of the skin. 

When you think about supporting your immune system, you probably think about vitamin C. But how are they actually connected? As the seasons change, many people may begin stocking up on orange juice or vitamin C supplements. In fact, vitamin C is one of the most commonly taken supplements in the world – but what does it really do for the immune system? And is it possible to take too much vitamin C? 

What does vitamin C do for the immune system?

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for humans, but the body cannot make vitamin C on its own. You need to consume vitamin C through external sources, such as through your diet or supplements. Like the B-complex vitamins, vitamin C is water-soluble. Because our bodies do not store water-solubles well, vitamin C needs to be replenished every day. 

Vitamin C helps support the immune system by supporting various functions. It is a potent antioxidant and helps fight oxidative stress which is important for a healthy immune response. It also supports the functioning of white blood cells, which are major components of the immune system. 

Which foods are high in vitamin C?

Ensuring your diet has an adequate amount of vitamin C is the first way you can help support your immune system. Some fruits that are high in vitamin C are citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes, as well as less common fruits like pineapple, kiwi, and watermelon. Many vegetables are also rich sources of vitamin C, including broccoli, spinach, green and red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. 

What is the difference between Ester-C® and vitamin C?

If you’ve ever stood in front of a vitamin C display at the pharmacy, you may be overwhelmed by the seemingly endless array of options. What is actually the difference between Ester-C® and regular vitamin C? In short, vitamin C is acidic and may cause stomach irritation for some people. Ester-C® was created as a response to this problem; it is a non-acidic, well-absorbed version of vitamin C that is gentler on the stomach. During the production of Ester-C®, vitamin C metabolites are also created that help to enhance the retention of vitamin C in your body.* Studies show that Ester-C® increases vitamin C levels in white blood cells for up to 24 hours or up to two times longer than regular vitamin C.

What happens when you have too much vitamin C?

According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, vitamin C has very low toxicity and is not believed to cause serious adverse effects if you have taken too much. The most common complaints after high intakes of vitamin C are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and other gastrointestinal effects related to the unabsorbed vitamin C in the intestine. 

Quite often, feelings of fatigue can be overcome through changes to diet and physical activity. Many people rely on caffeine and other quick fixes to get an energy boost. Although coffee and sugary foods may give you a brief burst of energy, this is often followed by an energy slump. This can lead to poor dietary choices and the cycle persists.

Here are some of our nutrition tips to fight fatigue:

• Blood Sugar Balance

Keeping your blood sugar levels balanced results in sustained energy during the day. Choose slow releasing, complex carbohydrates such as wholegrains. Complex carbs are the body’s primary energy source – providing fuel for both brain and muscles. Put it this way, you would not drive your car without fuel, so do not try run your body on empty either. Very low carbohydrate diets often leave you feeling weak and tired as you are not getting enough glucose from carbohydrates in the diet.

Choose wisely and watch portion sizes but do not totally eliminate this food group. Wholegrains such as oats also contain a number of B-vitamins, aka the ‘energy vitamins’, which are essential for turning the food you eat into useable energy.

• Check your iron levels

Fatigue can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying vitamin or mineral deficiency. The most common of which is low iron – or anaemia. Iron deficiency is especially common in women, especially those of childbearing age. If you are feeling constantly tired, look pale and keep getting ill, it might be worth having a blood test to check on your iron status. You can certainly improve iron levels through diet.

Choose sources of haem iron, which are absorbed more easily in animal foods such as shellfish, red meat, poultry and fish. Non-haem iron is the type found in plant foods such as spinach, kale, beans, lentils, nuts and eggs. Increase absorption by consuming vitamin C alongside iron rich foods.

• Protein

By adding protein to each meal and snack, you will slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream, ensuring energy levels remain stable. As well as the typical animal sources, do not forget about vegetarian sources of proteins such as nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. The latter are a great source of iron, a lack of which can result in weakness, fatigue and apathy. Unfortunately, our bodies cannot absorb iron from vegetarian sources as well as they can from animal sources. Therefore, to increase absorption, ensure you eat your beans and lentils with foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C.

• Dark, leafy greens

Popeye got it right; spinach contains large amounts of magnesium, which is essential for energy, strength and stamina. It also relaxes muscles and can aid sleep. In short: if we do not get enough of the stuff, we feel tired and weak. Magnesium deficiency is surprisingly common, so make sure you add spinach and other leafy green vegetables to smoothies, salads, soups and stews.

• Vitamin C

Adequate amounts of vitamin C are crucial for a healthy adrenal system, which helps prevent feelings of fatigue from both physical and emotional stress. Remember, cooking significantly reduces the vitamin C content of food, so ensure you get some raw fruits and veggies in your diet daily.

• Water

Even being mildly dehydrated can leave you feeling weary and fatigued. As well as drinking enough water throughout the day – at least 1.5 litres, you can also top up your levels through foods such as watermelon, cucumbers and citrus fruits

When it comes to acne, blackheads are one of the milder forms. Unlike other kinds of acne, blackheads are not red or inflamed, but they certainly are persistent. They can turn an otherwise good-skin day into a mediocre one. So, in the quest for good-skin days every day, here is everything you need to know about how to improve blackheads and how to decrease the appearance of your pores.

Blackheads are a type of non-inflamed clogged pore and are also known as open comedones. Once exposed to the air, the top of the clogged pore oxidizes and turns black (hence the term “blackhead”). Whiteheads are also a kind of comedone; however, they are called “closed comedones” because they are covered by a layer of skin cells that prevents them from oxidizing. Learning how to improve blackheads can be a game-changer, because if you do not send them packing, they stick around for the long haul. Some blackheads stay for weeks and some for months if they are not extracted. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are often taken care of by the body—they usually clear up within one to two weeks.

What causes blackheads?

Now we know that blackheads occur over time as sebum (an oily substance), makeup and other environmental debris build up within pores. But why? There are a few factors that influence the formation of blackheads, among them:

• Hormones: Blackheads most commonly crop up during puberty because hormone levels trigger a spike in sebum production. However, they can appear at any age. Shifts in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and stopping the birth control pill can also trigger blackhead formation.
• Smoking: Tobacco smoke can cause resistant blackhead formation, especially in women.
• Occlusion: Use of occlusive (prevent or retard water loss) skincare and hair care products can trigger blackhead formation. Plus, things that physically come into contact with skin such as a headband, hat, phone or even your hands, can block the oil glands, congesting the skin and triggering blackhead formation.

Blackheads love to hang out on noses and chins, but that does not mean they do not wander. Beyond the face, you can also find them on the back, neck, chest, arms and shoulders. The reason? These areas have lots of hair follicles.

How do you improve blackheads?

Once you spot a blackhead, what is the best way to actually remove it? Slowly and gently. Try using exfoliants or exfoliating masks as part of your skincare routine; it is the easiest way to gradually release the debris from a congested pore. Follow up with a daily salicylic acid treatment. Salicylic acid is an ideal ingredient in oily skin—it penetrates the oil gland effectively and triggers exfoliation. Not all blackheads are alike; some may be larger and deeper than others. Resist the urge to squeeze any blackhead as it can injure the skin—and potentially trigger discoloration or scarring. Plus, you run the risk of introducing bacteria into pores. It is also best to skip the blackhead-removal tools; if misused, they can cause hyperpigmentation and increase inflammation. The best course of action to treat and prevent blackheads on the nose, chin, cheeks and anywhere else on the face is to adopt an effective skincare regimen. By simply adding one (or two or three) of these formulations into your regular routine, you will say hello to a clearer complexion in no time.

• The best cleanser for blackheads - Look for a mild cleanser that will not strip your skin of moisture, which actually can trigger the overproduction of sebum and contribute to the formation of new comedones.
• The best toner for blackheads - Adding a powerful punch of skin-boosting ingredients via a toner will help remove the last traces of pore-clogging dirt and debris that cleansers might leave behind. 
• The best blackhead treatment - Consider adding a targeted acne treatment to your routine, one that has a combo of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, like Vichy Normaderm Corrective Anti Acne Treatment. Glycolic acid is an AHA that penetrates deep into the skin, scooping out and neutralizing pore-clogging impurities. Salicylic acid is a larger molecular size, so it stays on the surface of the skin longer and works as a chemical exfoliant—an excellent pore cleanser.
• The best blackhead-removal mask - If you are looking to turn up the intensity on your skin pampering—and blackhead banishing—try a charcoal mask. Its end goal is to gently draw out the oil and dead skin that create those pesky blackheads, while increasing hydration.

Your regular toothbrush only cleans the inside, outside and biting surfaces of the tooth. Do not forget to clean the surfaces between the teeth, where bacteria can multiply if left undisturbed. How to keep your month healthy? Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on and between your teeth. It must be removed regularly, or it can cause gum inflammation, cavities, and bad breath. The area in between the teeth is difficult to reach with a toothbrush and an interdental product is recommended to use in these areas. It is recommended to start cleaning between your teeth in your early adulthood every day to keep your mouth fresh and healthy.

When you start cleaning between your teeth, your gums can feel sore and bleed but do not stop since bleeding gums are often a sign of gum inflammation. If you do not notice an improvement within a few days, contact your dental professional.

How to clean between the teeth?

There are different interdental cleaning devices such as floss, dental picks or interdental brushes. An interdental brush is the most efficient tool to keep your teeth healthy and prevent gum inflammation and cavities. What product you need is dependent on your individual needs and preferences. Ask you dental professional for advice. 

How to care daily for your teeth?

Keeping gums and teeth healthy is fundamental to prevent gum inflammation and cavities. Dental plaque constantly forms on all surfaces of the teeth. Adults are advised to complement their daily toothbrushing routine with interdental cleaning.

Step 1: Toothbrushing

Softer, high-quality filaments ensure gentle cleaning, and a tapered brush head makes it easier to reach the back teeth.

Step 2: Cleaning between teeth

The choice of interdental cleaning devices depends on individual needs and preferences. There are several ways of cleaning between your teeth, depending on the size of your gaps and what you prefer yourself. In large gaps the most effective method is to use an interdental brush. 

Interdental cleaning for children

Cleaning between the teeth is usually not recommended until all the permanent teeth have emerged completely. If your dentist or hygienist has advised you to start cleaning between the teeth earlier than that, you should, of course, follow this recommendation.

The importance of the microbiome to the health of your scalp If you are looking for the secret to great hair, you need to start with the scalp. Like the skin on our face, the scalp is made up of oil and sweat glands and an invisible ecosystem of microorganisms: the microbiome. If this becomes unbalanced, it can become irritated and more prone to oiliness, sensitivity and dandruff. This is why it is important to ensure you are paying just as much attention to your scalp as you are your hair – especially when it comes to addressing a range of everyday concerns such as greasiness and dandruff. So what’s the best way of caring for your scalp and how can you tell if you have a problem?

• Oily hair

If you find that your hair becomes greasy quickly, you may have an unbalanced microbiome that is creating excess levels of sebum. You can help to combat this excess sebum with an oil control shampoo. It will help rebalance your scalp. Once it is cleansed and clean, you should start to notice a big difference in how healthy your hair looks and bounciness and shine will be restored.

• Dandruff causes and treatment

Dandruff is caused by an increase in bad bacteria and can be a tell-tell sign that your scalp microbiome has become unbalanced. The most effective way of addressing this scalp concern is with a targeted shampoo to purify and soothe the scalp reducing flakes after just one wash. Detoxing the hair from product, sweat and sebum can also help to reduce dandruff.

• Dry and damaged hair

If your hair is feeling dry and damaged, you may not immediately think of the scalp as the cause. But, like the skin on our face, the scalp can be affected by aggressors in the environment which over time can weaken its barrier function and affect the overall health and vitality of the hair.

• Hair loss and thinning

There are many reasons for hair thinning and loss such as the menopause, pregnancy, stress and hormone imbalances. But no matter the cause of the problem, you can help to improve it by addressing any visible signs of imbalances within your scalp’s microbiome.