What is acne?

Acne is a long term skin condition that manifests when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog up the hair follicles. The region’s acne generally affects are the face, chest, and back which occurs because the skin on those faces has a high number of oil glands.

A brief history of acne

Acne, contrary to popular belief, is not a newly formed nuisance. They have actually been around for thousands of years and have plagued people around the world. During the excavation of ancient Egypt, archeologists have dug up historical records that lead us to believe that even Pharaohs had an acne problem. This persists throughout the years, from Cleopatra all the way to today people have battled this condition. However, the real revolution in understanding how acne works happened in the mid-twentieth century and it’s the one that we use to this day.

The sequence of events that explain the formation of acne is the following

• Blockage of the skin follicle by dead skin cells
• Bacterial invasion of the pore of the hair follicle
• Changes in sebum production
• Lastly, inflammation

The cause of acne

The scientific consensus on what causes acne is very clear. 80 percent of acne cases are actually caused by genetics. Research shows that hormones called androgens are the key part of the cause by inducing increased production of sebum, in both sexes.

Most cases of acne, report that the inflammation begins around the same time that the individual hits puberty. During puberty, the aforementioned androgens cause follicles of the skin to expand and produce larger quantities of oily sebum.

The androgen hormones testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are all causes of acne. Individuals who have complete androgen insensitivity syndrome do not develop the skin condition, thus showing us that androgens are the key.

High amounts of stress can also be the cause behind the severity of the acne outbreak, however not the primary factor of its creation.

Foods

There is zero evidence to support the claim that certain foods are directly responsible for the creation of Acne. However, there is very solid evidence that suggests that certain foods have an effect on the severity of the outbreak of acne.

• Low sugar diet (lower glycemic load diet) have been proven as effective in reducing acne by multiple random and nonrandomized trials
• While there is no concrete evidence, Milk contains the whey protein and hormones such as IGF as well as precursors of dihydrotestosterone.
• Eating greasy foods does not increase the acne nor does it cause it
• Vitamin B12 may trigger similar skin conditions to acne if daily intake exceeds the recommended dosage How to deal with acne?

While not all dermatologists agree and subscribe to the benefits of each technique, one thing they agree on the fact that there isn’t one universal solution. Every patient responds to treatments differently, therefore it’s imperative that every patient is examined individually and carefully.

There are four grades for acne from 1- Mild all the way to 4- Severe. Once your dermatologist has examined your skin, they will assist in choosing the right method for you, topical or oral.

• Topical treatments focus on killing the acne-causing bacteria and/or decreasing the oil of the skin
• Oral acne treatments work internally, usually prescribed if the patient has acne cysts and nodules.

Most well-known treatments for acne

1. Salicylic acid is the most common treatment from mild to moderate acne. Most commonly used by preteens as it can be found available in most drugstores. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that dissolves excess oil and exfoliates away the dead skin cells
2. Benzoyl peroxide is another common remedy for cleansing the bacteria that causes breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide is also quite dangerous with side-effects such as drying the skin out and being strong enough to even bleach your clothing. We do not recommend using it however if you choose to use it regardless, make sure that the formula doesn’t contain more than 2 percent benzoyl peroxide. While it does nothing to combat the bacteria, it’s considerably harder on your skin.
3. This is “a tale as old as time” between sulfur and acne. Sulfur based remedies for acne date as far back as the days of ancient Egypt. While it might smell like rotten eggs, sulfur is extremely effective in drying up pimples and whiteheads. It sucks up the oil from the skin, not allowing it to build up. However, the smell is a deterrent for most people.

There are over 100s of remedies that could help with any of the events we mentioned earlier that help in the creation of acne. Basically, anything that decreases the oil levels, clears dead skin cells and combats bacteria is nowadays marketed as a cure for acne.

Our recommended cure

RF micro-needling technique

RF micro-needling technique uses microneedles to deliver energy into the deep into the dermis in order to raise collagen levels in the skin. For a long time, this technique has been used in clearing up wrinkles, scars, and rejuvenation of the skin, however, research in the Journal of Dermatology of May 2014 shows that it can also be useful in combating acne. The research conducted trials for 12 weeks on 25 patients and the conclusion was that radiofrequency micro-needling is a safe and effective treatment for acne vulgaris

If you wish to learn more about acne and the state of your skin, please feel free to visit our advanced medical center in Abu Dhabi. We offer free skin analysis and our dermatologists will assist you in choosing the best possible method for dealing with acne and other skin conditions.

The post What is acne and how to deal with them? appeared first on Acacia Advanced Medical Center.

1. How weight loss occurs

Today we want to teach you one very simple and important lesson regarding weight loss. Most people have a very elaborate plan when it comes to their weight loss solutions. The usual suspects are “go to the gym” and “eat healthy”; however for these solutions most people who have let themselves gain a little extra weight have many excuses. 

Do these sound familiar?

a) I don’t have time for the gym 

b) I don’t have a convenient place to work out

c) I cannot find a proper diet

d) I can’t afford a proper diet

e) I don’t have the resources to hire a trainer

Every single one of us can compile a list of top 100 excuses for not losing weight and changing our habits. However, this is only the case because the solution to weight loss has been over-analyzed and discussed; when in reality the solution is very simple:

Consume fewer calories a day, than what you spend.

When you start looking at the weight loss process like this, it helps you fight off the common excuses. Let’s try it!

a) I don’t have time for the gym – You don’t need a gym to lose weight, simply eat fewer calories

b) I don’t have a convenient place to work out – You don’t need convenience, you just need to find entertaining ways to spend more calories than you consume.

c) I cannot find a proper diet – Any diet is a good diet if you track what you intake and make sure to always spend more

d) I can’t afford a proper diet – Consuming fewer calories, in most cases is less expensive than consuming more

e) I don’t have the resources to hire a trainer – The internet is your trainer, simply research how much calories each activity spends. Then you can simply make sure to consume less than what you spend

It’s extremely simple!

2. Do not start many things at once

This is a very important aspect of losing weight. The number one reason most people quit their weight loss program is that they feel miserable once they start them. That’s why most people quit in the first two weeks of attempting to lose weight. This is caused by giving your brain multiple negative stimulants throughout the day. Working out is an unpleasant activity at the start, your body is sore and it’s telling you to stop. Similarly, eating healthy can cause disruptions in your everyday life, especially if you are used to consuming comfort food. 

These are two very powerful negative stimulants for your brain. Since it’s your brain’s job is to protect you and the brain is noticing the body experiencing inconveniences – the brain is constantly telling you to stop your activities. That is why, if you do not have a set date and target for losing weight, it’s best to start slowly. 

Scientists say that it takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to build a lifestyle.

Our advice here is, pick one activity whether is working out or dieting and stick to it for 21 days before starting another. If it’s dieting, after 21 days your brain will get accustomed to consuming fewer calories and it will become its habit – meaning it will not view dieting as a negative stimulant. Similarly with working out, after your body gets accustomed to the stress and challenges of working out, it will start to crave it. That’s why you can hear athletes constantly saying “I have to get my workout in for the day, otherwise my body is completely desynced”. 

Habits are one of the hardest things to break, so they can be your enemy or your friend! Choose wisely!

1. Change your mindset regarding weight loss

We’ve all heard of the instinct called fight or flight. When this happens, your body is able to exert incredible amounts of stamina, will power, endurance and strength. Today, we will discuss how this very instinct can help you with your path of losing weight and staying healthy. Previously we talked regarding negative stimulants, especially when working out these same stimulants trigger our fight or flight instinct. 

Similarly like our habits, this instinct can become our best friend or our greatest enemy. 

So how can we achieve this result? – Change your mindset!!!

Most of us that have tried losing weight have done it for vanity reasons like “I want to look good for my wedding”; “I want to be able to wear a bathing suit”; “I don’t want to be ashamed of my body” etc. However, our health should always be our primary reason for losing weight! Train your brain to think like this: Every day that I’m not working out, being physically active or eating healthy – I’m shortening my lifespan. Our bodies need exercise and healthy foods in order to last longer. Learn to trigger your fight or flight instinct when you are not working out or eating healthy. Let it scare you into doing these, unpleasant at the start, activities. 

Do not wait for your doctors or your body itself to trigger this instinct in order to make yourself lose weight, expand your lifespan and feel good without that!

If you wish to find out more details regarding diets and exercising, or even try our very own slimming package, we would advise you to take a look at our services right here on the website. However, you are more than welcome to come by our clinic and have a discussion with one of our doctors regarding weight loss. 

The post 3 very important things you need to do to lose weight! appeared first on Acacia Advanced Medical Center.

This is our list of most harmful ingredients for your hair and scalp!

1. Isopropyl alcohol

–       Most widely available shampoos today, use this substance. Isopropyl alcohol is a very handy substance – for cars! It’s most common use is as a part of our anti-freeze substance we place in our engines. While alcohols, in general, are bad for our skin and hair, we should definitely avoid placing this on our scalp. The main reason why alcohols are bad for our skin is the fact that they strip our skin of its’ natural oils – which in large quantities can be very harmful.

2. Silicones

• Have you ever wondered why your hair looks smooth and shiny? It is because most shampoos and hair conditioners have silicones in their substance and most of them have no nutritional value for our scalp or hair. The way silicones work is they coat your hair to give it the shiny look, however as there is no way to apply this only on your hair and not your scalp – this can be a highly harmful substance. Coating the scalp can cause clogging your pores and not allowing your skin to breathe naturally. Silicones should only be used in products that are applied to the ends of the hair – very carefully. Otherwise, they should be completely avoided.
• Additionally, be on the lookout for the silicone Dimethicone. This, recently, has been classified as a toxin that requires further study by the Canadian Government.

3. The most important one on the list – Sulfates

–       Once again we have been tricked by all those marketing campaigns that circle the globe. It’s almost a standard now that all shampoos should foam beautifully, however, this is very much the opposite. The reason most of our shampoos or hair foam like that is because of the high concentration of sulfates in the product. The most common sulfates that populate the market are SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate). But why are they harmful? According to the American College of Toxicology, sulfates can cause damage to our immune system, damage to our skin and it’s layers and our scalp in general.

4. Cocamide DEA

–       This ingredient is probably the trickiest one on the list. Cocamide DEA is made by mixing fatty acids from coconut oil and diethanolamine. The reason it’s the trickiest substance is that it’s associated with coconut oil, which in itself is very helpful for our skin and our body in general. However, diethanolamine is a very dangerous substance. As of 2012, it’s listed as one of the known chemicals responsible for the development of cancer.

Make sure to avoid Cocamide DEA at all costs in your hair and scalp products

5. Next on our list is Parabens

–       Paraben is a chemical compound that has often been linked to hormonal misbalance and skin irritation. Furthermore, Parabens have been closely tied to the development of breast cancer. Most notable parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben.

6. The wolf in sheep’s clothing – Propylene Glycol (PG) and Polyethylene Glycol

• Propylene Glycol is one of the most common causes of scalp and skin irritation. It’s listed as one of the top 10 ingredients almost all shampoo and hair-care products have, however, it’s on the list that can cause potential health risks. The way these substance works is by breaking down the healthy hair proteins and disrupting its cellular structure in order to make the hair look shinier and smooth. If your shampoo has large doses of this substance, a change in product should take place!
• Polyethylene Glycol is an amazing substance that does its job extremely well. The primary job of this substance is to clean ovens from the grease that has accumulated on them throughout the years. If applied to your hair, it will make your hair brittle and weak.

We do not use harsh oils on our hair regularly, thus we do not need a substance to help remove such oils at the risk of damaging our hair severely.

7. Last but not least, we have synthetic colors

–       Have you ever asked yourself why most synthetic colors are banned from food and ingestion, however they are perfectly safe to use on our head? Well, the sad truth is that regulation is much stricter with ingestion products than it is with hair-care products. Artificial colorants should be a top priority ingredient to avoid, mainly because of the toxins that they are made out of. If you notice an increase in skin sensitivity and irritation, please look at your shampoo bottle for large quantities of these. On top of that, the synthetic hair colorants block follicles which inhibits hair growth.

It is never too late to start looking deeper into the products you use daily. We sincerely hope that this article will help you provide better protection for your family and friends in the future. Taking care of our bodies and our loved ones should be a primary concern for everyone, the more you know – the better off you will be.

We are not simply a clinic that will help you get back the hair you lost throughout the years, whether is genetically or by using some of these products, we also want you to be able to take care of the new hair we provide for you in the future.

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The origins of chiropractic dates back to the late 19th century. Its’ name is derived from the two Greek words “chiro” (hand) and “praktikos” (practical). Daniel David Palmer was the founder of chiropractic treatments. However, it is believed that most of the chiropractic troubled history is associated with its’ founder.  As you will learn today, chiropractic was disputed by modern medicine for most of its life. The crisis originally began when D. D. Palmer claimed that he received the knowledge from the “other world”. Even though the effects of chiropractic were undeniable, this claim alone was enough to hinder its path for the years to come.

The spreading of the practice

During the early years, chiropractic was mainly a family secret; however, around 1898 D. D. Palmer started teaching it to a few students at his newly founded Palmer School of Chiropractic. This was a pivotal moment in the practice, as one of the students in the school was D. D. Palmer’s son, Bartlett Joshua Palmer (B. J. Palmer). B.J. Palmer became incredibly committed to the cause of spreading chiropractic, however with a much more sensible path than his father. He took over the school in 1906 and became the most notable person in chiropractic.

Straights versus Mixers

This disputed started around the same time B. J. Palmer took operations of the school. The initial teaching of chiropractic was extremely against the use of instruments in the practice. B. J. Palmer and his father were part of the “straight chiropractors” and heavily criticized other practitioners who were using instruments in their work. However, B. J. Palmer’s soberness of the situation is the reason we see chiropractic as part of modern alternative medicine today. He realized that in order to establish chiropractic as a valid medicine, he will need to change his course. In 1910, he publicly accepted the use of X-ray machines in chiropractic. Furthermore, he went on to create the first neurocalometer in 1924 which was a temperature-sensing device. As you can probably imagine, this caused a very strong reaction from the camp B. J. Palmer was representing.

By 1924, it is estimated that only 12% (3000) of all chiropractors were straight and 82% (22.000) were mixers.

The decision that could’ve changed everything!

There was a very interesting way to secure the place of the practice in medicine, however, B.J. Palmer and his father both refused this option. If they were to classify chiropractic as a religious science, it would have been protected by the US constitution. While both of them considered it to be a religion, they decided against it to avoid confusion with Christian Science.

The early disputes of chiropractic

Because of the previous statement by the founder, a road was opened for public criticism of the practice. In the beginning, organized medicine was leading the heavy opposition of chiropractic. Organized medicine went as far as having D. D. Palmer jailed for practicing medicine without a license. Additionally, thousands of other chiropractors were jailed for the same reason. In order to protect the fellow chiropractors and provide legal assistance for the prosecuted, B. J. Palmer founded the UCA (Universal Chiropractors’ Association). The UCA argued the terminology of organized medicine, stating that chiropractors “analyzed” and not “diagnosed”, “adjusted” and not “treated” diseases.

The feud of UCA versus AMA (American Medical Association)

The prosecutions didn’t stop by using semantics; instead, the pressure from the AMA grew stronger. Despite UCA proving their first test case in 1907, prosecution cases were increasing. One of the AMA’s most effective weapons was propaganda against the UCA. The American Medical Association went as far as labeling chiropractors as an “unscientific cult” in 1966. Furthermore, from the UCA’s conception, the AMA frowned upon its members associating with “unscientific practitioners”.

The long-standing feud saw its climax in the federal antitrust suit against the AMA by co-defendants Chester A. Wilk. The first trial in 1981, was filed due to violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act, however, in this trial, the AMA emerged victoriously. In 1983, the plaintiffs appealed for a second trial due to improper jury instructions and they were granted a second trial. However, in this case, the roles were reversed. The AMA had the burden of proof, meaning they will need to establish a scientific basis for boycotting chiropractic. In September 1987, the case concluded with the UCA being victorious. According to the judge, “AMA’s actions were considered restraint of trade to contain and eliminate the chiropractic professions”.

Chiropractic now

The practice has gone far and beyond its original conception. Although D. D. Palmer was the founder, his otherworldly claims hurt the practice much more than it helped. Many chiropractors today, consider B. J. Palmer as the true origin face of chiropractic. While the merits of the alternative medicine were undeniable, these crucial mistakes early caused a significant delay in the widespread of the profession. From Kansas, the first state to issue a chiropractic license in 1913 all the way through Louisiana in 1974 all 50 states In the USA is able to issue licenses.

Since the conclusion of Wilk vs AMA, a wave of scholarly interest hit the chiropractic in the early 1990s. They were now considered a valid part of alternative medicine and even approved by health physicians and the AMA.

Chiropractic for you

Chiropractic can find its use in almost every part of modern medicine. With the advancements in technology, we are no longer victims of propaganda; we can witness with our own eyes the merits of this profession. We do not need to look further than YouTube itself, where we can find amazing evidence of the benefits chiropractic patients get.

We are bringing the merits of chiropractic near you with our medical center. Our chiropractors are eager to help you with your medical issues today! Book your appointment today and enter the beautiful world of alternative medicine that has helped so many people before.

The post The troubled past of chiropractic appeared first on Acacia Advanced Medical Center.

Now and then, we injure ourselves, we fall out of clumsiness and burn from not paying enough attention. We also gain and lose weight, grow in height, give birth, and all these things lead to one or the other, scars, or stretch marks. Before we go ahead and start explaining the crucial function of the skin and how it protects us, let us remind ourselves that scars and stretch marks are signs that we’ve been hurt or experienced some trauma, but it also means that we have healed. There is no need to be insecure when it comes to scars, but for those who just can’t get used to theirs or have them in a highly visible place, there is a solution.

The Skin and The Scars

The skin is similar to silk, very soft and gentle, but unfortunately, just like silk, it can tear. The skin is the biggest organ in our body, and has a lot of important functions from protection to the natural ventilation of the body and also helps us feel.

The skins layers act as a protective barrier from outer sensations such as injuries; it self-repairs, but it’s not by any means perfect or flawless, and that’s why a lot of times, we are left with scars. The scaring happens when the body produces a protein called collagen to repair the damaged skin.

But let’s not forget that we should be thankful for our skin’s proper function because some people facing hemophilia have serious trouble when it comes to natural blood clotting, and this can be a life-changing condition.

Types of Scars

So, what types of scars are there, how do we get them and can we get rid of them?

Keloid scars

These scars are the result of an overly aggressive healing process. They are overgrown, firm, and rubbery and can vary from pink to brown. They are not nice to look at and can be caused by all sorts of wounds, cuts, and burns. Treatments include surgery to remove the scar, steroid injections, silicone sheets, and in cases of smaller Keloid Scars, cryotherapy.

Contracture scars

These types of scars happen when you burn yourself, so the skin starts to tighten itself, and sometimes, as a result of that, we can be uncomfortable to move or twist that part of the skin. Serious cases of contracture scars may also go deeper and affect the muscles and nerves. Treatments include applying a silicone gel; Steroid injections; Laser treatments; Surgery, reducing the size and redness of the scar, and improving skin movement.

Hypertrophic scars

These are raised, red scars that are similar to keloids but do not go beyond the boundary of the injury. Hypertrophic scars may appear red or purple and are raised above the skin level. They may also feel warm and become itchy. Treatments include injections of steroids to reduce inflammation or silicone sheets, which flatten the scar.

Acne Scars

Acne scars are usually the result of inflamed blemishes caused by skin pores engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, and If you’ve ever had severe acne, you probably have at least a scar or two to prove it. There are many types of acne scars, ranging from deep holes to scars that are wavy in appearance. Treatment options depend on the types of acne scars you have, so it’s best to have a dermatologist take a look at them.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are long, tiger-like stripes that develop on the skin. They occur when the skin is suddenly stretched, and a lot of people have them, although they tend to affect more women than men. They can occur on a range of body parts such as the abdomen, breasts, hips, flank, buttocks, thighs, etc. after a period of intense growth, often due to pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, or puberty.

Stretch marks can cause problems with self-confidence and anxiety. Although there are a lot of over the counter creams and lotions proposed as treatments, their effectiveness is not the best. Some types of stretch marks on some types of skin fade away on their own, so you should ask your dermatologist whether it is smart to treat them with laser therapy.

The best way to handle stretch marks is by trying to prevent them in the first place. If you drink normal amounts of water, use a collagen-based cream to hydrate your skin, follow a healthy and nutritious diet, do moderate exercising and control rapid weight gain when pregnant, you should be fine and even though marks might appear, they will be significantly smaller and will fade faster.

Old vs. New Treatment

Back in the days, ‘ people didn’t have that many options about scars, although there was a trend that occurs even today, and that is camouflaging the healed scar with a tattoo. Men used to grow beards to cover up acne scars, and women used a lot of make-up to conceal their marks.

As medicine advanced over time, so did scar treatments in the form of creams and ointments, but to be honest, they were not as effective as intended.

Today thanks to technological development and constant research, we no longer have to put all our faith in creams, even though there is an advancement in the ingredients that are used and are much more reliable than before.

There are a lot of options for treating scars, and although the result might not be 100% flawless skin, it can significantly reduce the scar until it’s almost not noticeable. Other treatments include Chemical peels, Filler injections, Laser treatment, Radiotherapy, Surgery, Vitamin E intake, Collagen intake, etc.

If you’re not sure which type of treatment will work best for your scar or stretch mark, we advise you to talk to your doctor or dermatologist, have them examine the spot, and define the methods that would best suit to treat it.

You Survived

All in all, scars and stretch marks are a very normal thing, and every one of us should expect to get some throughout our lifetime. They say that people with scars have the best stories, so instead of making your scar insecurity, try and make it your medal. Nevertheless, some scars that are visible such as acne scars, can lower our self-esteem, but luckily for us, we can get them removed almost perfectly. So next time you get a scar or a stretch mark, do not dwell, remind yourself that you survived and that you are just a couple of treatments away from getting your skin back to normal.

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How the changes in our life impact our health? 

Did you know that while humans aren’t the fastest species, we are one of the most durable? We might not be as fast as cheetahs, but we ca run much longer than them. Every species has developed throughout the years with the skills and body to be able to survive. Some of the fastest ones on this earth have developed that ability to hunt better. Humans on the other hand, have developed insane durability to be able to farm, fight and produce goods to survive.  

The modernization of our society and the industrial revolution have caused staggering increases in people who work office jobs. Furthermore, advancements in technology require us to develop computer skills to be competitive among our peers or even for entertainment. This modernization leads to a lack of outdoors activity which in turn leads to a lack of exercising, decreased durability and increased spine distortions in the population. 

What can be done to stabilize the damages we are constantly doing to our bodies by living, what is considered today, a normal life? 

Our bodies are designed to improve under stress and pressure. Every part of our body needs to get its own “exercise.” For example, our joints become “rusty” if we do not use them for a longer period, our digestive system (our metabolism) considerably slows down if we only eat one meal a day, our immune system doesn’t understand how to fight regularly everyday bacteria if it is not exposed to these pathogens. Even our mind forgets how to solve problems if it isn’t challenged daily.  

What can cause bad posture? 

Currently, two major factors contribute to a bad posture.  

1. A) Sitting for extended periods in an unnatural position for our body
   

As we explained before, our bodies are not designed for this lifestyle that the modern era is forcing us into.  

1. B) Unbalanced exercising 
   

Unbalanced exercising is a problem mainly among teens, young adults, and people who do physical labor as their everyday job. Usually, for these groups exercising involves certain muscle groups to be activated for longer during their working hours, thus leading to a similar problem of irregularities in everyday activities.   

What are good posture exercises?  

Good posture exercises should do two very important things, which are activating the weak muscles and stretching the tight muscles.   

Now that you understand what are the causes and what you need to look for in an exercise, let’s show you five exercises you can do at home to better your posture! 

1. The reverse plank bridge exercise. This exercise activates muscles like your middle trapezius, your rhomboids, erector spinae, and your neck flexors. On top of that, it stretches your pecks, your long head of the biceps, your front deltoids and your neck extensors. 
   

Sit down on the floor naturally.  

Place your hands on the floor, slightly behind your back 

Pull up your feet closer to your body, so that your knees can bend at a 90 degrees angle 

Slowly lift your midsection until your body, from your shoulders to your knees, forms a straight line, like a plank.  

1. Childs pose. This resting pose stretches and lengthens your spine, glutes, and hamstrings. The child’s pose helps to release tension in your lower back and neck.
   

Sit on your shinbones with your knees together, your big toes touching, and your heels splayed out to the side. 

Fold forward at your hips and walk your hands out in front of you. 

Sink your hips back down toward your feet. If your thighs won’t go all the way down, place a pillow or folded blanket under them for support. 

Gently place your forehead on the floor or turn your head to one side. 

Keep your arms extended or rest them along your body. 

Breathe deeply into the back of your rib cage and waist. 

Relax in this pose for up to 5 minutes while continuing to breathe deeply. 

1. The Arch Up. Lay down flat on your stomach and stretch your arms forward in front of your head.  
   

This exercise consists of three movements. All three movements require you to tuck your chin and do an external rotation of your arms (thumbs should go upward).

Shoulder flexion. Push your arms and shoulder blades upwards and try to raise your arms as high as possible without bending them. 

Horizontal abduction. Lift your arms as high as possible to the side, and try to bring your shoulder blades together. 

Shoulder extension. Push your arms upwards (thumbs up) and lift them as high as possible. 

1. Wall Angel. Stand with your back against a flat wall with your feet about four inches from forward from the wall. Maintain a slight bend in your knees. Your glutes, spine, and head should all be against the wall. 
   

Bring your arms up with elbows bent, so your upper arms are parallel to the floor and squeeze your shoulder blades together, forming a letter “W.” Hold for 3 seconds. 

Next, straighten your elbows to raise your arms to form the letter “Y.” Make sure not to shrug your shoulders to your ears. Repeat this ten times, starting at “W,” holding for 3 seconds and then raising your arms into a “Y.” Do 2-3 sets. 

1. The cat and cow. The cat and cow is a great spine mobility exercise that you can do to help energize your low back muscles.
   

 Begin by kneeling on all fours with your hands positioned under your shoulders and your knees positioned directly below your hips. 

Exhale and arch your spine gently.
Hold this position for 2 seconds.
Inhale and tighten your core muscle while you round your back.
Hold this position for 2 seconds.
Aim for ten repetitions.

Before you start doing any posture exercises, we advise you to see a professional. Other things than your habits might impact your posture. If the professional says that it’s from habits, then continue with these exercises; otherwise, follow the doctor’s instructions. 

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When did people first start to experiment with the idea of anti-hair loss treatment?   

Actually, since the beginning of recorded history, men and women have searched for cures for hair loss. For over 5.000 years, people have used countless herbal solutions, medical-sounding cosmetics, nutritional supplements, usually with very little or no results. Everything from electric shock devices to herbal methods has been alleged to work as anti-hair loss treatments.   

One of the oldest discovered methods for anti-hair loss treatment was found in Egypt, written on papyrus over 2.000 years ago.  

Hippocrates, in ancient Greece, conducted a study that stated:  

“Eunuchs are not affected by gout, nor do they become bald.”  

This statement proved factual. Castration before or shortly after puberty reduces testosterone and DHT levels in the blood to such degree that hair loss is prevented.   

Another case of historical figures being affected by baldness is the mighty Julius Caesar. At the height of his power, Caesar’s hairline was receding. After a few failed treatments, he decided that the best solution was to wear a laurel wreath around his head to hide his hair loss. The trademark laurel became a symbol of power and virility. 

Perhaps the longest-standing trend, however, not for hair-loss treatment but to cover it, is the wig. It originated in the 1600s when French King Louis XIII started wearing one to cover his bald spot. The trend quickly took a swing, and very soon, all French and English upstanding citizens, lawyers, prosecutors, admirals, governors, started wearing them. Today, that trend is still alive but with much smaller and less noticeable wigs!   

The modern ages approach to hair-loss    

While the world was getting more modern, so did our anti-hair-loss treatments! The beginning of the 1900s marked a new type of revolution. The anti-hat movement took a stride, and it proclaimed that wearing hats was the main cause of hair loss. They urged men all around the world to stop wearing their hats and let the air and sun touch their scalp so that it can rejuvenate it, and the hair-loss would stop. However, we all now know that hats are not to blame for hair loss.  

The 1920s became even more modern and more optimistic. This decade marks the beginning of using electricity as a tool to combat hair loss. In the United States, exotic gas-filled clear glass combs were raked across the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Amazingly, they were still sold into the 1950s.   

The first invention to actually work!  

Japanese dermatologist Dr. Shoji Okuda published his method for using hair transplant grafts to replace hair-loss from the scalp, eyebrow, mustache, and pubic hair areas. Dr. Okuda removed hair follicles from the back of his patient’s heads and transplanted the grafts to new locations on the head, thus looking to having more hair. Unfortunately, his work went unnoticed in the West because of World War 2.  

In 1952, Dr. Norman Orentreich, a dermatologist in the US, was doing a study regarding vitiligo. In this study, he was looking into the effects a patch of skin would experience if it were transplanted to a different part of the body. Here he noticed a very interesting thing, the patches of skin that grew hair, continued to do so even when transplanted into areas that normally do not grow hair. Initially, this theory was widely disregarded as bogus by the scientific community. However, in 1959 when he published his paper on donor dominance, he asserted that hair follicles taken from the back of the scalp could grow anywhere on the head. The hair follicles were genetically designed to keep growing hair, no matter their location. This method marked a new trend, and for the next 20 years, full-size grafts were the standard technique for hair transplants.  

The evolution of grafts  

Grafts initially consisted of full patches of hair growing skin being transplanted. Because dermatologists needed to work In multiple instances transplanting the patches, it gave the patients an “under construction” look. This issue was later fixed by the introduction of mini grafts and soon after that – micrografts. The micrografts gave the transplant a much more realistic look.   

The second invention that worked!   

In 1979 the second invention for anti-hair loss treatment that works was discovered as a side-effect. The medication Minoxidil – a pill designed to treat severe blood pressure, was discovered to have this interesting side-effect, however only in a small number of patients. It wasn’t until 1988 that the lotion Minoxidil was approved for treating hair loss. The lotion was originally sold only by prescription.   

In 1989 the medication Finasteride became the second prescription medication that was approved as a hair-loss treatment. It was originally and, to this day, sold as the brand name Propecia. It doesn’t guarantee full reverse of the process of hair loss; however, it does halt it, and in some cases, a small percentage grows back. Improvement has been noted in eighty-five percent of the men that tested the product.   

Lastly, in 1995, micrografting evolves into follicular unit micrografting. Follicular unit micrografting involves identifying and preserving the natural clusters of hair follicles from strips of donor tissue. This method is greatly minimizing the biggest risk from this transplant, which is damaging and risking the follicles themselves. Furthermore, all the grafts in this procedure are kept moist and chilled, which helps in reducing graft transplant failure.     

Today, we have learned the biggest milestones and most interesting moments in the anti-hair loss treatment history. From rubbing, shaping, reducing the scalp to drinking various mixtures to electrocuting people to reduce their hair-loss, it has been quite a journey. Thankfully, today we have methods such as the follicular unit micrografting and the Propecia medication, so we do not have to wear laurels to work!   

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Why should you take care of your gums?  

Your gums are the foundation that holds your teeth together. Without a strong and healthy foundation, shining white and healthy teeth can cause big problems in the long run. Gum diseases are a far more serious matter than broken or ill teeth. Gum diseases start when plaque builds up under and along the gum line. This firm-like substance is full of bacteria. Such infections can cause damage to the gum and the bone, leading to disease and even tooth decay. This earliest form of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to become tender, inflamed, red, swollen, and incredibly prone to bleeding. If you have experienced bleeding gums, make sure to talk to a dentist right away! 

Gum diseases are usually painless; that is why it’s quite hard to detect that there is anything wrong with your gums. Unfortunately, most people find out about their gum disease when their gums start bleeding, which usually is quite deep into the process.  

The latter stages of gingivitis are periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, these diseases directly affect the bones and fiber that support your teeth. If left untreated, the whole structure of your mouth can be affected.  

Fortunately, gum disease is preventable and treatable, if caught before it reaches the stage of advanced periodontitis.  

How to apply proper gum care? 

Brushing  

Firstly, the most important part of gum care is brushing your teeth! Dentists recommend doing this after every meal; however, we understand this is usually unrealistic as we do not carry toothbrushes and toothpaste to work. We advise you to brush every meal, but we urge you to do it at least twice a day. Brushing will help remove any food leftovers between your teeth and along your gums. Furthermore, you should scrap your tongue daily with your toothbrush to remove any lingering bacteria. 

Additionally, make sure to change your toothbrush every 3-6 months or once it’s bristling start to fray. If your gums start to show any signs of disease, consult your dentist regarding your toothbrush of choice. Using a toothbrush with very firm bristles can cause further damage to your gums.  

Also, the toothpaste of choice is very important. Make sure to select the brands that offer pro-gum effects. If you are not sure about which one to choose, look for the toothpaste that contains fluoride. If you are showing signs of gum disease, our recommendation is to pick two brands of pro gum toothpaste that suit you the best. Make sure to alternate between toothbrushes every six months for maximum effect.  

Flossing 

Flossing is an important addition to your gum care routine. In most cases, liquids can get into crevices that our toothbrushes usually can’t. During the activity of brushing our teeth, we floss them with regular water to remove the toothpaste. It’s vital to add flossing liquids into your daily gum care routine. While we cannot carry our toothpaste and toothbrush to work, carrying a flossing liquid, on the other hand, is possible! Make sure to floss after every meal, at least twice a day. 

Dentist appointments 

Advice  

While each one of us knows their own body, it’s always best to consult a professional. Dentists can spot any gum disease and improper gum care immediately; furthermore, they can recommend a proper course of action. Dentists can also recommend the right toothbrush and toothpaste for you to use. Going to the dentist shouldn’t be only for technical work on your gum and teeth. If you are paying for that appointment, make sure to also leave with better knowledge of your own body.  

Regular cleaning 

Every one of us should visit the dentist’s office at least twice a year. Regular cleaning and checkups can lead to a very healthy mouth. Even if you apply all the things we are teaching you today, you still need to do these regular checkups. The appliances we use at home will never match the ones our dentists use to clean our teeth and provide gum care. Dentist equipment reaches even the most difficult places and removes teeth and tar from them, leading to having no lingering food or bacteria in our mouths.  

What is gum depigmentation? 

Gum depigmentation is the process of bleaching the gums in which they turn from brown and black to pink or their natural color. The laser gum depigmentation vaporizes and removes a thin top layer of the gum tissue, destroying the cells that produce melanin. The new tissue that emerges during the healing is pink instead of brown. Why are we talking about gum depigmentation? Well, we want you to have a great smile on top of having amazing oral health and gum care routine. Having a great smile is not as simple as having healthy white teeth. Brown or black patches on the gums can ruin even the most beautiful smiles. 

How does gum pigmentation happen? 

The most common cause is genetics. However, gum pigmentation is simply excess melanin building up in the gums and making them brown or black instead of pink. Do not worry; the extra pigment doesn’t indicate unhealthy gums or any disease. Apart from genetic factors, other causes of gum pigmentation are smoking and using certain medications.  

Please note that gum de–pigmentation is not suitable for patients with oral disease, periodontal disease, patients taking blood thinners, and patients with thin gum tissue or prominent tooth roots.  

Gum depigmentation does very little to affect the overall health of the gums. It’s purely a cosmetic procedure. If you wish to have healthy gums, we would advise you to follow the other tips in this post.  

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Staying clean, healthy, and hydrated at all times will always be the best skincare routine!

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