The Nation Newspaper

Tag: wellness

  • Dangerous manicures to avoid

    Dangerous manicures to avoid

    Getting a manicure should be an opportunity to pamper yourself as you beautify your digits; unfortunately many ladies fail to realize that they could actually be putting their lives in danger at the manicurist. How? Investigations reveal that quite a number of nail studios pose a health hazard to clients due to their insanitary conditions. Furthermore lovers of acrylic nails need to be wary of a dangerous substance some contain, Methyl Metacrylate; a banned substance in many states in the US. Here are some of the dangers of exposure to MMA.

    MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) is an ingredient that was commonly used in early nail enhancements. It was used by orthopedic surgeons during bone replacements surgeries as bone ‘cement or grout’ and it has also been used in flooring products. Unfortunately it was not designed to be in contact with human skin. In the 1970s, the US Food and Drug Administration received a number of injury complaints associated with the use of MMA. As such, the FDA stated that the substance is poisonous. MMA is banned in 30 states.

    It is said that MMA can cause cancer, nail infections, respiratory problems, eye, nose and throat irritation, permanent nail deformities and allergic reactions. How? In order for MMA to adhere to the natural nail, the nail has to be buffed and etched, significantly. This procedure thins and weakens the natural nail, and puts it at a higher risk of absorption. While the strength of MMA is effective as an adhesion for bone and teeth in the medical and dental industries, it is not suitable for soft tissue such as the nail plate.

    Furthermore, because MMA is an extremely durable, hard substance, if the nail enhancement gets caught on something and breaks, it could tear the entire natural nail off its bed, an experience not a few acrylic nail wearers have been through. MMA liquid also burns the skin when it comes into contact. So when next you have a manicure/pedicure, take the time to confirm that the products used on you don’t contain this ingredient.

  • How to stop puffy eyes

    How to stop puffy eyes

     

    Everyone has suffered from puffy eyes at one time or the other; either because you did not get enough sleep, drank too much alcohol, partied too hard or simply find that yours is hereditary. Here are a few tips to banish puffy eyes or under-eye bags to keep your skin looking young and healthy.
    There are three ways to get rid of puffy eyes or under eye bags. Number one, you need to get moisturizer to help your body to de-puff your under eye bugs and get rid of all the toxins that build up there. There are quite a lot of eye creams formulated with ingredients to remove eye bags. Also note, that sometimes your diet can cause a lot of extra fluid to actually collect under your eyes, so if you had a salty meal the night before, you are going to wake up the next morning with more fluid under your eyes, so try to correct your diet a little bit there.

    The second thing you can use is a little secret, nothing more than paper tape. So if you did have had that high salt meal and you know you are prone to these bags the next day, put a little paper tape under your eyes when you got to sleep, the night before, and when you wake up in the morning take away the tape, you will not have the same collection of fluid under your eyes. That’s a secret way to minimize the bags.
    And the third way to get rid of under eye bags after they appear. Anytime you wake up, and see bags under your eyes, and need a quick fix. You can take a very cold shower to constrict all the blood vessels and de-puff, and also do two sets of jumping jacks for 30 seconds each. That circulation is really going to help rev your body up and help drain away some of that extra fluid that collected there.

     

  • Google incorporates mobile devices into wellness 

    Google incorporates mobile devices into wellness 

    Want to keep fit and diet without going to the gym? You can do that in the comfort of your bedroom with handy do-it-yourself (DIY) instructions on your mobile device. Yes, easy exercise and diet regimen are now available on handsets. Google has incorporated in mobile devices into fitness regims to improve the efficacy of workout sessions and tips for healthier life.

    To show that technology should be a part of everyday life, Google organised ‘Get Fit with Google’ to demonstrate how mobile devices can be incorporated into fitness regimens.

    Its Communications and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said this was necessary because people search online daily for health/fitness/gyms to improve on their well-being.

    He spoke at Google’s get fit programme in Lagos.

    He said Google decided to incorporate mobile devices into fitness regimen health/fitness/gym because people search for fitness regimen in December and January across the world, while in Nigeria, it follows a quarterly pattern as people search for gyms more than health, wellness or fitness. ”Yet that search goes down in the first quarter because of other things that compete for time. We want people to sustain that tempo round the year because health is wealth, now they can get instructors to help them out in the comfort of their homes, using their mobile devices,” said Kola-Ogunlade.

    At a group session where the mobile devices were tested, Analytical Lead at Google, Mr Abdulsalam Abdullateef,  demonstrated how a various Android apps and Android wearable devices can be used during exercise or just to make daily activity much easier.

    He said some devices, for example, can be used for checking the weather news, asking for directions and surfing the internet as well as taking dictation, among others.

    “People should check their  health numbers through: ‘Ok Google’, ‘Let’s Recap’, for a description of the devices and apps. For example, Tabata and  Fit App, which works with an accelerometre on Android smart watches to measure distance walked, calories burnt, heart rate, among others, during workouts.

    Participants were put through their paces with aerobics and cycling session, among other exercises.

    Chef Uzo Orimalade was also on hand to demonstrate practical way of getting the best out of fruits, vegetables and water/teas as snacks or whole meal.

  • Advocacy group to promote wellness in Lagos

    To promote improved wellness, Indulge Nigeria Limited, along with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and other partners, is organising its wellness programmes with a Lunch and Learn seminar on  September 30 in Lagos.

    Its Managing Director, Dr Bisi Abiola, said the event designed to promote healthy lifestyle will be followed by the Feel Good Festival (FGF), which is an outdoor wellness picnic.

    This, she said, is to promote quality family time and relaxation.

    She said there will also be aerobics, sports and healthy meals.

    Others are games, fresh air, music, and dance performances to thrill, along with free medical checks, including eye test,  dental and body hygiene.

    Mrs Abiola said parents should come with their children so that they can play at the exclusive ‘Children Village’.

    “The Feel Good Festival is a one-stop destination for a holistic lifestyle experience for the entire family,” she said.

    Mrs Abiola said there will also be the wellness award gala night on November 25 in Lagos, to celebrate wellness ambassadors who committed their resources in promoting healthy lifestyle.