Lifestyle

When raised according to the ill-founded principles of intensive agriculture, cotton is one of the most ecologically destructive crops which can be planted. In response to disease and insect pests, the majority of cotton producers become dependent on a chemical arsenal which impacts heavily upon the soil and surrounding environment. The scale of this problem can be understood ...more

New medical students are frequently surprised to learn that, excluding the digestive tract, skin represents the largest organ of the human body and is responsible for such a diverse range of functions. Most individuals take their skin for granted, rarely considering its importance, unless forced to, perhaps by consequence of health or cosmetic reasons. In healthy individuals, ...more

Beauticians and cosmetic consultants will frequently classify an individual’s facial skin type according to surface characteristics. Their five classifications are useful in the sense that they provide some practical recommendations for daily care. It should be remembered, however, that surface characteristics of skin will vary considerably according to factors like general ...more

There are two common methods for defining an individual’s skin type. Medical practitioners evaluate the distribution of pigmentation, and subsequent susceptibility to sun damage caused by ultra violet radiation. While all skin types will eventually be damaged by extended sun exposure, some individuals have more protection on account of their genetic makeup. Let’s take a ...more

There are many products available for skin cleansing and treatment. Sometimes it can be difficult selecting the best one for the job. Natural beauty consultants or knowledgeable staff within the pharmacy and health food sectors will usually provide helpful information and advice, but before shopping around for organic skin care products, it helps to know what you’re after ...more

Ageing is a complicated process involving the interaction of numerous biological factors with the external environment. Along with inevitability, it is the transient and elusive characteristics of ageing that frequently capture attention. Most of us will know someone who appears ten, even twenty years younger than their chronological age. It also seems true that profoundly ...more

It is now widely accepted that indiscriminate exposure to the ultra violet radiation of sunlight contributes to permanent skin damage and visible signs of ageing. Depending on certain genetic characteristics and skin type, a percentage of incident ultraviolet radiation will be directly absorbed in a way that affects the growing cells. Sunburn is the skins immediate response ...more

For most healthy individuals, a periodic exfoliation will help keep the skin supple and smooth. By removing the extreme outer layer of dead, flaking skin, there is likely to be an increased rate of renewal and less opportunity for pores to become clogged or inflamed. Clear pores enable the lubricating oils known as sebum to flow freely to the surface where they provide a moisture ...more

Often without intending, many of us instinctively assess an individual’s health and vitality through subtle nuances of skin colour, brightness, and texture. Through this habit, we derive descriptions of individuals appearing “a bit off colour”, “pale” or “green about the gills”. Because the appearance of skin really does reflect the inner state of physical health, ...more

Extremes of temperature, excessive sun exposure and alcohol consumption may all contribute to the condition telangiectasia, more commonly described as broken capillaries. Whenever these tiny vessels become dilated, they are likely to be visible at the skin surface, particularly around the nose and cheeks. The usual cosmetic treatment is known as sclerotherapy. This involves ...more