In summer most of us have been taking care of our skin to protect it from sun damage. We all need a firm amount of exposure to the sun after all direct sunlight is important for our health as it is the main source of Vitamin D (Required for healthy bones and teeth). However, after a short while in the sun, the body can make all the vitamin D it wants and after that the unprotected exposure to the sun can have very unsafe health effects. Sunlight contains three kinds of Ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB and UVC rays. All three types are very hazardous, but thankfully UVC rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don’t reach the Earth. UVB rays cause the most instant damage to the skin but both UVA and UVB rays lead to the premature ageing of the skin as well as skin cancers.

Living in hot areas it is practically impossible to avoid the sun. Especially those who have an active outdoor life are quite heavily exposed to the sun. Fortunately, there are simple ways of staying safe in the sun;

A key help is the use of sunblock. What one desires to be aware of are the details. All sunblocks have SPF which stands for sun protection factor, and refers to the time that it takes for ultraviolet radiation to produce skin redness with sunscreen protection as compared to the amount of time it takes without sunscreen protection This means that with an SPF 30, a person can spend time in the sun 30 times longer than before without being sun burnt. One must then be aware of what SPF to use and what duration to apply the sunblock for.

Most experts say that the sunblock used should be at least SPF 15 and contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zine oxide, An SPF 15 protects the skin from 93 percent of UVB rays while an SPF 30 would be a good idea. As far the duration it is helpful for, most sunblocks instruct that they need to be reapplied ‘frequently’. This is a very vague instruction, health experts say that is imperative to reapply sunblock every two to three hours and even more regularly than that if one is excessively perspiring or has been in water. Sunblock should be reapplied throughout the day since it does not give all day protection. It is necessary to apply sunblock everywhere. A lot of the time people miss out their hands, ears, neck and feet, which is unfortunately since these parts get burnt very easily. Also most of the time, people do not put onscreen on their lips, believing that they do not need protection. This is quite a dangerous misconception as lips can become sun burnt too and excessive exposure to the sun has been linked to lip cancer. This is proven by the fact that there are many lipsticks, lip glosses and lip balms available which each contain sunscreen.

One should purposely not use sunblock because they are using other face products and sense that sunblock will have no effect then. One can easily use sunblock with other products; care should just be given to apply the sunblock right at the end. This is because water that is contained in water based foundations and moisturizers etc. can break down to sunscreens. There are many fine options of moisturizers with sunblock available and they should be convenient for those who forget to put on sunblock of those with dry sensitive skin.

A common misconception is that if it’s cloudy there is no need to wear sunblock. This is not really true as clouds cannot block UV rays, so one can still get burnt when it’s cloudy. Also UV rays can be reflected from water, concrete and sand so it is even possible to get sun burnt while in the shade.

Taking care of our skin is personal responsibility and one that that should be taken sincerely. Just because it is a hassle or inconvenient does not mean that we should shirk from this job. While UVA or UVB rays are invisible to us, their dangerous effects have become only too easily visible.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Childbirth is one of the most noteworthy events in a woman’s life. It is an unforgettable experience that the majority women cherish for the rest of their lives. Such experiences truly become a life time treasures if the husband is present during childbirth. The partner’s support during labor plays an imperative role.

In ancient times, childbirth took place at house, with support from the female family members. When the procedure of birth moved to hospitals, this support system was replaced by the nursing staff However, due to the nature of their work, the attention of nurses remains divided amongst a number of patients, with laboring women often left alone, physically as well as emotionally. Subsequently, after the natural childbirth arrangements, in the 1960’s and 1970’s families desired to be present and become an integral part of labor. As a result, life partners are now there during childbirth in most US hospitals it has also been established in Turkey, Sweden and Germany. Unluckily, this is not a custom practice in Pakistan. Though, it cannot be denied that the husband’s support during labor can play a vital role in making the experience of childbirth momentous, physiologically and psychologically.

The husband’s presence plays a significant role in ease the stress. Even simple taken steps, such as holding the woman’s hand, rubbing her back providing support and information and talking to her an act as buffer against stress. Such soothing gestures made by the husband are confidential and unconditional. In accompaniments, showering women in labour with feel affection and love gives them the much needed power and vigor to deal with pain more efficiently.  Also the husband’s support in walking, moving, and changing position during labour can be of great support in actively responding to labour. These practices promote early and normal progression of labour which may protect the woman’s body from shearing forces that can cause trauma. All these interventions also help decrease the pain perception which in turn decreases the need of pain relieving modalities.

Besides this, the calming and caring presence of the partner defuses the mother’s anxiety, tension and fear. This consequently reduces stress hormones in the body that have the potential to decrease uterine contractions, and cause fetal distress. Moreover, it can also decrease the need of instrumental deliveries, caesarean sections and drug interventions. Hence, it is evident that such valuable support by the husband guards the woman against all kinds of stresses of labour by strengthening her endurance.

The husband’s presence during labour gives women not only physiological but psychological support as well. Research showed that soon to be mothers are highly satisfied with husbands who express care and sympathy during childbirth. The husband’s reassurance, acknowledgement and motivation boost the wife’s self esteem during the arduous process. Furthermore the presence of the partner helps women regulate their own emotions; this has been illustrated by that fact that women whose labour and delivery was attended by their husbands have a lower incidence of postpartum depression.

The support of the partner also serves to fortify the relationship. It helps the woman feel respected and valued, which promotes a sense of accomplishment throughout her life. Moreover, it allows a healthy transition for the couple into parenthood as it helps them to accept the responsibilities of their child more readily. It has been established that women who had their husband’s support during labour were able to continue breastfeeding for more than six months. This reveals that such support also strengthens mother child bond as the partner’s presence provides vigor and hope to a woman, which helps her in nurturing her child.

Most husbands can readily appreciate the choices, needs and behaviors of their spouse, and therefore should be allowed at the wives, side at the time of delivery because their presence impacts the birth process. However, the presence of the partner alone is not enough. Unfamiliarity with the medical setting lack of knowledge intense emotional attachment and anxiety are also factors that can lead to feelings of fear, unease and helplessness. This can be overcome by prior information, orientation and continuous assistance from a healthcare professional. Thus, it is recommended that not only should partners be allowed, their presence should be encouraged during the process of childbirth in hospital in the country. Putting her own life at risk, a woman begins this laborious journey of childbirth with positive aspirations, and the support of her partner helps her to undergo the ordeal of labour safely.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Bags are the most significant fashion accessory for nearly every honored human on this planet, the biggest evidence being the fact that before we’re even born, a large colourful one with cute little teddy bears printed on it, sits in the corner waiting for us with all the little clothes and accessories we will require right after we open our eyes for the very initial time. One needn’t say more.

However, it’s a first day at the Montessori, or the very last day at high school, there’s always a bag hanging down our shoulder, carrying the whole thing we need, and more. But the older one gets, the smaller becomes the bag.

But to women, handbags aren’t bags that hold their belongings, for a handbag adds to a woman’s individuality and personality what a TVR Griffith 500 adds to a man’s the necessary “bling” Hence, when it comes to essential accessories; nothing quite tops a lady’s desire list like a gorgeous handbag. But because most of us can’t necessarily have the funds for a classic chanel or an original Gucci, we more or less bond to use local material which isn’t half bad.

In fashion-able Pakistan, the summer of 2010 has manifested the arrival of several fresh new labels and rather attractive new trends for handbags. With our local fashion prospect turning more international by the minute, one can notice a giganormous shift in the way handbags are being designed and crafted. Both top-notch designer labels and local handbag makers are pushing the style with colourful fabrics, modern add-ons, a typical embellishments and shapes.

Taking motivation from international brands, most designers are changing laces and sequins for large clear crystals and cracked glass in a variety of shades and on a mixture of fabrics and textures. Colours like burgundy, lilac, cotton-candy shades of soft pink and muted yellow are being selected over browns, beiges and blacks, more because women can only wear, say, a pistachio-hued dress so a lot of times, they why not interpret the trend into their wardrobe in the shape of new bag.

For the younger lot, cross body bags are a massive hit, hailing from the original military trend seen on international ramps all last season. Their anti-clutch selection also makes them easier to carry. If funky adequate, cross body bags can also swap chunky neck laces for they can add bling to any plain top.

Hollywood movies have also started influencing women’s fashion a great deal, of late, with ‘fanciful’ forms and capricious adornments’. Step into any trendy handbag store and you can find yourself a Queen of Hearts clutch or the City rip-off.

Then again, there are always the timeless, collectible, ornate jewellery bags in traditional finish and semi-precious stones. Diamantees, innovative Swarovski crystals (for those who can have enough money for them) and additional metallic detailing are also in great demand. Wild leopard-skin and animal-print bags in a tapestry of furs and jewels are also making a reappears for the wild hearted. Also holding their ground for yet one more season is the oversized diversity only because they are just great for every woman, accessible in nearly and style, colour and shape.

But no matter what the form or size or price tag, women always make sure they set a bag like life is full of emergencies and for that reason and that purpose only, a handbag should be everything you are, because it unquestionably reflects so.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites