Spa Review: Aramsa Spa (PART 1/2)

SPA REVIEW
Aramsa Spa: A Lush Haven In An Urban Jungle

By Kareena Ally | reprinted from http://www.streetdirectory.com
Photos Robert J. Steiner

ARAMSA Spa is a spa unlike others. Set in a tranquil park, amidst canopied tress, foliages and acres of greenies, it is 7500 square metres big and boasts of an architecture that mirrors its setting: countless open spaces, various garden themes, as well as see-through floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

From the reception to the therapy rooms, a sense being one with nature permeates as you feast your eyes on the beautiful landscape and gardens, the brainchild of Nature Landscapes.

The spa boasts more than 20,000 plants from over 200 species – a testimony of its objective to create a nurturing and holistic approach to wellness.

Traversing on a cobblestoned path to your assigned therapy room is nothing less than therapeutic. You will be greeted by carefully manicured gardens – bromeliad elliptical garden, fern garden, secret garden (ginger and herbs), scented garden and heliconia garden – each one a feast for the eyes.

Indeed, all your senses will be hyped up for your upcoming therapy.

Aramsa Spa has 14 rooms, and each has its own garden. There are four double suites, three premium suites, five standard suites, and two Vichy shower / hydrotherapy suites.

The Vichy shower, nicknamed the ‘rain dance’, combines the therapeutic benefits of massage and water.

Recommended for those with back injuries, this treatment “shoots” water onto you while you lie down on a treatment bed. The cascade of hot water, which is controlled by a computer panel, is pure heaven!

The hydrobath comes equipped with colour therapy, recommended for those who want to remove unsightly cellulite.

Pick from an array of treatments ranging from exfoliation, body wrap, water, face, eye and back therapy.

Otherwise, opt for the Garden Spa Packages. This includes the highly popular tropical Java Lulur, Botanical Energy, Mineral Infusion, Rain Dance and Lavender Drizzle, to name a few.

Source: Spa Review: Aramsa Spa (PART 1/2)
Click here for Part 2: The spa experience at Aramsa Spa

Are You A Walking Smell Bomb? (Part 2/2)

Are You A Walking Smell Bomb? (Part 2/2)
How to detect and fix body odour

By Dr Shyneth Galapia | Reprinted with permission from Ezyhealth & Beauty magazine

Click here for Part 1

Body odour may also be influenced by poor hygiene, age (more common in adolescents, adults), gender (male) and diet. Dr Chan says, “Food like garlic, curry, strong spices and too much red meat can contribute to body odour.”

There’s a solution to whatever is causing body odour. Hygiene is of utmost importance. A little help from deodorants and antiperspirants are often enough to get rid of the offending odour.

Visit a dermatologist when these tricks fail to solve your odour troubles or if you suspect that a medical problem are is causing your body odour.

NECK
Odour trouble: Neck stench (accumulation of sweat)

How to fix:
– Apply absorbent agent such as baby powder
– Don’t allow sweat to dry; wipe it off right away

UNDERARMS
Odour trouble: Underarm stink (increased number of sweat glands, accumulation of sweat)

How to fix:
– Routinely apply deodorants or antiperspirants
– Get rid of underarm hair

CHEST/BACK
Odour trouble: Smelly torso (accumulation of sweat)

How to fix:
– Apply an absorbent agent such as baby powder
– Trim or get rid of chest hairs
– Wear cotton undergarments or use garment shields to help absorb the sweat. Lightweight clothing is also recommended
– Wipe off sweat right away

FEET
Odour trouble: Smelly feet (increased number of sweat glands, accumulation of sweat, fungal infection)

How to fix:
– Keep your feet clean and dry (don’t forget the spaces between your toes)
– Wear a clean pair of cotton socks everyday
– Use foot deodorants and antiperspirants
– Go barefoot when you can, to allow air to dry your feet
– Consult a dermatologist for fungal infection

GROIN/GENITALIA
Odour trouble: Malodorous groin (increased number of sweat glands; vaginal infections)

How to fix:
– Make sure to wash your private parts thoroughly each time you bathe
– Using a gentle feminine wash may help keep the area fresh
– Wear cotton undergarments to help absorb the sweat
– Consult a doctor for vaginal infections

HEAD
Odour trouble: Smelly hair and scalp (increased number of sweat glands, oil, dandruff, cigarette smoke, dust)

How to fix:
– Wash hair regularly
– Consult a dermatologist for dandruff and scalp disorders

GENERAL HYGIENE PRACTICES
– Bathe daily, even twice or thrice a day if you sweat profusely
– Wear clean, dry clothes. Bacteria strive in moist environment

Special thanks to Dr Chan Yuin Chew, Dermatologist, Dermatology Associates, Gleneagles Medical Centre and Dr Eileen Tan, Dermatologist, Eileen Tan Skin, Laser and Hair Transplant Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre.

Sources:
1. Are You A Walking Smell Bomb? (Part 2/2)
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/003218.htm
3. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sweating-and-body-odor/DS00305

Are You A Walking Smell Bomb? (Part 1/2)

Are You A Walking Smell Bomb? (Part 1/2)
Sweat is actually odourless, so what you need to do is check on your hygiene

By Dr Shyneth Galapia | Reprinted with permission from Ezyhealth & Beauty magazine

AT SOME point in our lives, all of us have experienced being next to a person with body odour. It’s never a pleasant experience to sit next to a smelly classmate or be crammed on a train full of sweaty people.

More importantly, people with body odour may suffer from personal and social relationships. Feelings of embarrassment and decreased self-confidence are common.

SWEATING IT OUT
Sweating is the body’s biological way of regulating temperature, that’s why sweating is more profuse when it’s hot. Composed mainly of salt and water, sweat produces a cooling effect on the body as it evaporates from the skin.

Although about two to four million sweat glands are distributed on the skin, some body parts are more likely to sweat because they have more sweat glands.

According to Dr Chan Yuin Chew, a dermatologist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, “The palms, soles and underarms contain a lot of sweat glands.”

Sweat glands occurring over most parts of the body are called eccrine glands and they are responsible for producing the watery component of sweat.

Those found in hairy areas such as the scalp, armpits and groin are called apocrine glands. Bacterial breakdown of sweat produced from these glands is most likely to produce body odour because it contains protein, carbohydrate, ammonia and fats.

As these glands only mature during puberty, young children rarely develop body odour.

Several factors influence the way people sweat. Certain foods (spicy) and beverages (hot and those with alcohol or caffeine) can make you sweat.

Other factors that increase sweating include certain medical conditions (fever, hyperthyroidism, heart attack, tubeculosis, malaria) and medicines (morphine, anti-depressants).

“When one is excited or angry, there is increased sympathetic activity and one will notice that he or she will start sweating more profusely,” says Dr Eileen Tan, a dermatologist at the Eileen Tan Skin, Laser and Hair Transplant Clinic in Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre.

DECODING BODY ODOUR
Body odour is an unpleasant smell produced by a sweating and unhygienic person. Most of us would point to sweating or perspiration as the culprit, but it is not.

Sweat is actually odourless.

Dr Tan says, “Body odour is caused by a natural process involving sweat that occurs on the skin’s surface. However, if sweat is left on the skin for a long period of time, the bacteria that normally live there feed on it and break it down. This process releases chemicals that cause the unpleasant smell.”

Source: Are You A Walking Smell Bomb? (Part 1/2)

Essential Tips For A Beautiful You

Essential Tips For A Beautiful You
Everyday tips for the maintenance of your hair, skin and body

By Aileen Lane | Reprinted with permission from Ezyhealth & Beauty magazine

MANY women believe that having a wardrobe with the latest season’s clothes is sufficient. They feel that walking out the door with a smart outfit, immaculate shoes and the latest designer handbag completes their look. However, being perfectly dressed is just one side of looking great – the other part is being well-groomed and using makeup.

To achieve a great look, equal attention must be dedicated to each of these aspects.

When makeup is used correctly, your skin will look clearer, your dark circles will be less apparent, your eyes will look brighter and your lips more defined.

Taking care of the following areas will help you along the way:

• Skin – Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin. Getting in the habit of cleansing, toning and moisturising every morning and night will remove dirt, excess oil and perspiration. This will reveal your radiant skin underneath – a perfect canvas to start applying your colours.

• Body – With the hot climate, it’s a great idea to get into the habit of showering regularly. Always put on deodorant.

• Hair – Your hair should always be maintained by a regular trim every four to six weeks. If you colour or highlight your hair, ensure your roots are always touched up.

• Nails – They should always be neatly filed and cleaned, including what’s under them. If you always wear open-toed shoes, always indulge in regular pedicures.

• Teeth – Brush your teeth twice a day and floss nightly. Carrying mints in your handbag is essential if you smoke or drink coffee.

Aileen Lane is the Lead Consultant/Director of Nutri-Style Nutrition and Image Consultants. For queries, go to http://www.nutri-style.com or email info@nutri-style.com.

This story cannot be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the permission of Ezyhealth

Source: Essential Tips For A Beautiful You

Quick Makeup Tips For Everday

Applying makeup on your face needn’t be a chore with these helpful and practical tips• If you’ve applied too much blusher, simply dust over with loose or pressed powder until the colour is subdued.

• When applying mascara, always keep a cotton swab handy. It’s perfect for removing any smudge.

• Your eyes and lips should always be made up but they should never compete for attention. Always remember that a heavy, smoky eye calls for a neutral lip; likewise, a bright red or dark lipstick works best with a neutral eye.

• To keep lipstick off your teeth, once your have applied lipstick, put your index finger into your mouth and pull it out. The extra lipstick will come off on your finger.

• If you’re making a quick change from day to night makeup, a coat of lip gloss over your lipstick will give you a glossy evening finish.

• When applying makeup, always apply in a dabbing motion. Never rub as this removes the product underneath.

• Having sharp pencils will not only give you more accurate application, but it is more hygienic, especially if you wear contact lenses. Get in the habit of giving your pencils a quick sharpen after use and store in the fridge.

Aileen Lane is the Lead Consultant/Director of Nutri-Style Nutrition and Image Consultants. For queries, go to www.nutri-style.com or email info@nutri-style.com.

This story cannot be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the permission of Ezyhealth

Source: Quick Makeup Tips For Everday

Green Tea Bag Gets Rid of Eye Bags

EGCG-content has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce puffiness even more

SO you’re still not ready to go to a cosmetic surgery clinic to remove your eye bags. Wanna try an alternative eye treatment that’s natural and non-invasive? We’ve all heard about how placing straight-from-the-fridge used tea bags on your eyes can help minimize swelling and dark circles. But did you know that, among all the teas, green tea is the most effective?

This tip from our favorite eco-friendly site, www.treehugger.net:

Got puffy under eyes that no cream can fix? Do a tea bag compress. The tannin in tea bags has been proven to reduce swelling (baggy under eyes) and discoloration (dark circles).

Either put your used tea bag in the fridge or let it cool down for a half hour. Then damp the tea bag over your eyes for 10-15 minutes.

If you’re looking for that extra oomph, try using a caffeinated tea bag. It will reduce the inflammation even more.

Green tea bags work best because not only do they have caffeine, but they also contain EGCG (another anti-inflammatory).

According to Dermatologist Andrea Kunin, coauthor of the DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual, EGCG helps remove under eye fluid buildup (the main culprit for under eye circles and bags).

Plus, green tea’s packed with antioxidants. So why not kill two birds with one stone?

What do you think about this tip? Would you try it? Leave a comment.

Source: Green Tea Bag Gets Rid of Eye Bags

How To Create Smokey Eyes With Eyeliners

Fashion makeup artist and 88DB.com member Fionna Lau shares her tips

I haven’t met anyone who does not know or does not want to have smokey eyes makeup. Everyone loves the smoky eyes look. Do you know that you can achieve the smoky make up look by using eyeliners too? Yes!

Creating smoky makeup looks is one of the most popular eye makeup and timeless makeup ever known. It is always in fashion and suitable for all types of eyes. It can be worn as a casual everyday makeup or as a formal evening make up look. This eye makeup for Asians is an absolute favourite!

This smokey eye tip is for day looks –

1) Firstly, line the rim of your upper eyelids with black eyeliner pencil, making sure it goes into the lashline.

2) Go over the top of the black eyeliner with a brown eyeliner pencil starting from the outer ends of the eye to the centre of the eye.

3) Softly shade the eyelids using short strokes and smudge the brown eyeliner with your ring finger. For the bottom eyelids, rim with the brown eyeliner instead of black to soften the smokey eye.

4) Smudge the eyeliner along the rim with your ring finger, and draw another line again. For a more intense smokey look, you can do the same as the top lid – rim with black and followed by brown, and smudge. I prefer to use a more creamy formula eye pencil as it draws easily than a waterproof eyeliner pencil.

5) Pad a little translucent loose powder over the lids to seal in the creamy formula. Although it may smudge on the bottom lid during the day.

It doesn’t matter as it adds effects to the overall raw smokey eye look!

Copyright © www.fionnalau.com

Learn how to create smokey eyes with eyeliners.

How To Get Rid of Body Hair (Part 1/2)

How To Get Rid Of Body Hair (Part 1/2)
Whether temporary or permanent, you are spoilt for choice if you would like to remove body or facial hair

By Verlaine S Ramos | Reprinted with permission from Ezyhealth & Beauty magazine

HAIR removal has been practiced for centuries in many cultures. Whether it is the face, armpits, legs, bikini line or other body parts, many women (and even men!) would like to have smooth, hairless skin for different reasons, but mostly for aesthetic purposes.

Many options are available to remove unwanted hair, most of which are just temporary, although there are a few that offer permanent hair reduction and removal. Choosing the best method, or combination of methods, really depends on your preference, budget, time availability and skin type.

TEMPORARY HAIR REMOVAL

Plucking
With the use of tweezers, plucking is the most common and inexpensive way of removing hair, especially for the occasional coarse hair or a small group of hairs. Since the hair is pulled from the hair shaft, the results last longer. However, it can be very time-consuming and painful, and may cause damage in the hair follicle such as folliculitis (inflammation), ingrown hairs or hyperpigmentation.

Tip: Choose tweezers that are made from stainless steel and have a rubberized or non-slippery covering, which offers better grip.

Shaving
Shaving is the most temporary way of hair removal because it just cuts the hair off at the skin surface. Results last from one to three days, so it needs to be done every so often to maintain a “hair-free” appearance. Shaving may cause skin irritation, cuts and stubbles.

Tip: Always apply some type of moisturizer (water, shaving cream, body wash) to the skin to help the razor glide over the skin and prevent cuts or scrapes.

Waxing and sugaring
Waxing involves applying warm or cold wax (which are usually attached to strips) onto the skin and quickly stripping off the hardened wax, thus removing large amounts of hair at one time. Sugaring is similar to waxing; only it uses a thick sugary substance that’s like caramel. In both methods, hair is removed from the roots, so regrowth usually takes weeks, and hair usually becomes softer, lighter in colour and much sparser.

Tip: Sugar waxes are easier to clean up because they can be rinsed with water. Redness is normal after waxing; to relieve it, apply an ice pack or rub on tea tree oil.

Depilatories
They come in gel, cream, lotion, mousse and roll-on types. Depilatories contain a chemical called thioglycolate, which literally melts hair away, and the effect lasts for around a week. They can cause serious skin irritations because they can dissolve not just the hair but also the keratin in skin.

Tip: Always test any depilatory on a small area of your skin first for allergic reactions, at least 48 hours before applying it to a large area. Follow instructions religiously, as leaving them too long can result in irritations, too.

NEXT: OTHER FORMS OF HAIR REMOVAL

The articles cannot be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the permission of Ezyhealth

How To Get Rid of Body Hair (Part 2/2)

Whether temporary or permanent, you are spoilt for choice if you would like to remove body or facial hair

By Verlaine S Ramos | Reprinted with permission from Ezyhealth & Beauty magazine

Click here to read Part 1: Types of Temporary Hair Removal

Threading
In threading, a long twisted loop of thread is rotated rapidly across the skin, so the hairs are trapped within the twisted string and are pulled off. This is an ancient manual technique that originated from India, and has become popular in other parts of Asia as well. It is fast and benefits those who are allergic to waxes or depilatories.

Tip: Go for fully-trained threading technicians with good reputations, and make sure he or she uses 100% cotton threads.

Epilators
A mechanical epilator works like many tweezers – it has a rotating head that grasps multiple hairs and pulls them out simultaneously. Epilators come in corded, rechargeable and battery-operated designs, with different speeds and tweezer strengths. Regrowth takes several days or up to weeks.

Tip: Make sure you exfoliate the area to be epilated first. Always pull the skin taut to avoid pinching.

PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL

Hair Reduction
Laser-assisted and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are two procedures that offer significant hair reduction that is more lasting, especially after several treatments. These methods can be costly.

Laser
This medical procedure works by passing laser light through the skin, which targets the dark pigment, called melanin, in hair. When the light beam hits the hair follicle (where hair growth originates), the intense heat destroys the hair follicle instantly.

Hair colour and skin type are the key factors that influence the success of laser hair removal. It is most successful on people with dark hair (brown or black) and light skin. However, it can also be used safely on people with darker skin types. Some side effects can be dyspigmentation, blistering, scarring and crusting.

Intense pulsed light (IPL)
IPL is similar to laser in terms of principle of targeting melanin in hair follicles, however, a specially constructed filtered flashlamp that emits wavelengths ranging from 500 to 1200 nm is used, instead of one wavelength used in laser. The pulses of light in IPL are very short in duration, so discomfort is minimal. Some disadvantages include temporary redness and increased or decreased pigment in the treated area.

Permanent hair removal
At present, electrolysis is the only method that permanently removes body hair. In electrolysis, a small, hair-thin probe is inserted into the hair follicle, followed by a pulse of electric current that damages and eventually destroys the hair follicle.

Sources
1. www.dermatology.about.com/cs/hairremoval
2. www.skinbiology.com/hairremovalmethods.html
3. www.emedicine.com/derm/TOPIC503.HTM

The articles cannot be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the permission of Ezyhealth

Spa Review: Aramsa Spa (Part 1/2)

Aramsa Spa: A Lush Haven In An Urban Jungle

By Kareena Ally | reprinted from www.streetdirectory.com

Photos Robert J. Steiner

ARAMSA Spa is a spa unlike others. Set in a tranquil park, amidst canopied tress, foliages and acres of greenies, it is 7500 square metres big and boasts of an architecture that mirrors its setting: countless open spaces, various garden themes, as well as see-through floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

From the reception to the therapy rooms, a sense being one with nature permeates as you feast your eyes on the beautiful landscape and gardens, the brainchild of Nature Landscapes.

The spa boasts more than 20,000 plants from over 200 species – a testimony of its objective to create a nurturing and holistic approach to wellness.

Traversing on a cobblestoned path to your assigned therapy room is nothing less than therapeutic. You will be greeted by carefully manicured gardens – bromeliad elliptical garden, fern garden, secret garden (ginger and herbs), scented garden and heliconia garden – each one a feast for the eyes.

Indeed, all your senses will be hyped up for your upcoming therapy.

Aramsa Spa has 14 rooms, and each has its own garden. There are four double suites, three premium suites, five standard suites, and two Vichy shower / hydrotherapy suites.

The Vichy shower, nicknamed the ‘rain dance’, combines the therapeutic benefits of massage and water.

Recommended for those with back injuries, this treatment “shoots” water onto you while you lie down on a treatment bed. The cascade of hot water, which is controlled by a computer panel, is pure heaven!

The hydrobath comes equipped with colour therapy, recommended for those who want to remove unsightly cellulite.

Pick from an array of treatments ranging from exfoliation, body wrap, water, face, eye and back therapy.

Otherwise, opt for the Garden Spa Packages. This includes the highly popular tropical Java Lulur, Botanical Energy, Mineral Infusion, Rain Dance and Lavender Drizzle, to name a few.

Click here for Part 2: The Spa Experience at Aramsa Spa

Source: Spa Review: Aramsa Spa