Laser Hair Removal And Sun Exposure

imageHair removal is a goal for many people, especially during the summer months. While the results can be fabulous, you should know the rules around cosmetic laser hair removal treatments.

Stay out of the sun, as tan increases the risk of side effects, so if you have a tan either from sun exposure, a tanning salon or sunless tanning products, you will need to wait until the tan fades completely before undergoing laser hair removal.

Cosmetic lasers hair removal works best on people with lighter skin tones and darker hair.  Beware that changes in pigmentation can occur to anyone. These changes can be hypo-pigmentation which is lightening of the skin or hyper-pigmentation which is darkening of the skin.

Do not tweeze, wax, bleach, or use depilatories during cosmetic lasers hair removal.  These hair removal methods can disturb the hair follicle and interfere with your treatments.

Below are four common types of hair-removal lasers:

The Nd:YAG Laser is the preferred system when it comes to hair removal for dark skin because it has weaker melanin absorption. Some lasers cannot tell the difference between the melanin in hair and the melanin in dark skin. This means they have the potential to injure the skin.

  • Pros: The Nd:YAG has longer wavelengths than other hair-removing lasers, meaning that in addition to being safe for dark skin, it has the most potential to destroy hair at the bottom of the  hair shaft.
  • Cons: Because it absorbs less melanin, it requires more treatments for optimal results.

The Alexandrite Laser has a slightly longer wavelength which makes it use able on a wide range of skin tones.

  • Pros: Because of its size and repetition rate, it is one of the quickest hair-removal lasers available.
  • Cons: Despite its long wavelength, it still achieves a high melanin absorption, so there is a significant risk for discoloration and burns on all but very light skin.

 The Diode laser is one of the newest and most commonly used laser systems today. It is designed for fair to medium skin types.

  • Pros: It absorbs melanin and also penetrates deep into the hair follicles. The longer wavelengths also decrease the risk of skin damage.
  • Cons: There is not enough data to assess its long-term results.

The Ruby Laser is the oldest type of hair-removal laser, and has a higher melanin absorption rate than most other lasers on the market, making it most appropriate for very light skin and light hair removal.

  • Pros: Effective, even on very fine hair.
  • Cons: Because of the high melanin absorption, it should only be used on very fair skin.

Remember, not everyone’s skin is suitable for cosmetic laser hair removal, so make sure you do-your-homework, and find a certified clinic and practitioner.

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Why Do My Natural Vitamins Have Synthetic Ingredients?

imagesWhen people think of vitamins, most of us think about healthy and natural, but vitamin supplements can be artificial, and in fact, many vitamin supplements produced today are artificial.

There are six categories of nutrients used in the manufacturing of vitamin supplements today.

  • Natural source – the nutrients come from vegetable, animal or mineral sources. however, the vitamin still undergo processing and refining.  
  • Nature-identical synthetic – These nutrients  are manufactured in a lab with the molecular structure identical to the same nutrients in nature.  This process is preferred because of the cost and scarcity of natural resources. Most standard vitamin supplements on the market today are this type.
  •  Strictly synthetic – These nutrients are manufactured in a lab , Synthetic vitamins can have the same chemical constituents, but still have a different shape (optical activity). This is important because some of the enzymes in the human body only work properly with a vitamin of the correct shape. When we give the body concentrated forms of synthetic nutrients, it doesn’t always appear to have an appropriate delivery system.
  • Food cultured –  Raw material are  grown in yeast or algae; and through the process of culturing – it creates new nutrients.
  • Food based extracts which come from whole food sources. This is not a popular method as the nutrients have unstable levels and a limited shelf life.
  • Bacterial fermentation –These nutrients are produced by genetically altering bacteria which can produce nutrient by-products.

Supplement manufacturers often add fillers to their vitamins during manufacturing to make the pills or capsules more appealing, and easier to swallow.  Just like processed foods being loaded with additives and fillers, the same goes for vitamins.

Manufacturers put additives into your vitamin tablets for many different reasons:

  • Fillers – to add volume to tablets and capsules 
  • Bulking agents – to top up the content of the pills or capsules 
  • Binders – used to stick ingredients together in a tablet 
  • Anti-caking agents – to stop the ingredients clogging up machines 
  • Coatings – to make swallowing easy 
  • Preservatives – to save ingredients from spoiling 
  • Emulsifiers – to bind water to fats 
  • Colours – to look more appealing to the consumer 
  • Flavours – to alter the taste, even in tablets that are swallowed whole 
  • Sweeteners – to make flavour more palatable, again, even for tablets  

Here are a few of the non-essential ingredients that can be added to your vitamins:

Artificial Colors  – These artificial colors are added to compensate for color loss due to exposure to light, air, temperature extremes, moisture and storage conditions.  Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40,  Yellow No. 5,  Yellow No. 6  

Hydrogenated Oils –  are used as fillers, particularly hydrogenated soybean oil. Unless soy is organic, it will be genetically modified.

Magnesium Stearate – This is used as a lubricant so that the vitamins don’t stick together.  One study links this compound to creating a suppressed immune system, by creating a biofilm in the intestines. This biofilm blocks the body from absorbing any nutrients.

Titanium dioxide – this colourant is used to make tablets bright white. It is not an ingredient found in any natural food.

Sodium selenite and selenite – toxic, inorganic chemical sources of selenium.

Always read the ingredients of your vitamin or supplements, and know what you are taking.

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Lens Color and Sun Safety

imageWhen talking about sun safety, we talk primarily about the skin, however, protecting your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun is just as important as applying sunscreen.

Lens colors affect how much visible light reaches your eyes, so it is important to know which colour lenses would be right for you.

Make sure your lenses are dark enough to keep your eyes comfortable, and that you wear your sunglasses every time you go outside.  Just like wearing sun screen, wearing sunglasses needs be part of your lifestyle.

Dark Colour Lenses: Brown, Gray & Green

These colour lenses are great for everyday use and outdoor activities. Darker shades are intended to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in moderate-to-bright conditions.  Darker colour lenses limit colour distortion.

Dark colour lenses are great for general daily use, and provide true colour perception, and aid in preventing eye fatigue during outdoor activities, where glare is not an issue.

Light Colour Lenses: Gold, Yellow, Amber, Red & Rose:

These colors excel in moderate to low light conditions.  They provide excellent depth perception, enhance contrasts, improve the visibility of objects and make your surroundings appear brighter.

Light colour lenses  are great enhancers for vision by giving you high contrast, enhanced depth perception, and reduced glare. They are helpful for any sport where distance needs to be judged such as golf or racquet sports.

Here is a quick colour break down to help decided what colour lenses are best for you:

The basic rule of thumb for choosing a lens is to consider color opposites. Blue is opposite of Yellow and Red is opposite of Green. Red lenses will absorb Green light and Yellow Lenses will absorb Blue/Ultraviolet light, and vice versa.

Green – green lenses work the same in any light conditions, so can be used for any outdoor activity.  Green tints reduce glare, while offering high contrast and visual sharpness.

  • Good for general purpose use
  • Offers even color perception
  • Dims glare while brightening shadows
  • Provides good contrast for low-light conditions

Gray – Gray is a popular neutral tint that allows the eyes to perceive colors in its purest form. Gray tints reduce brightness and glare. Choose gray for driving and outdoor sports.

  • Good for general purpose use
  • Reduces eye fatigue
  • Provides true color perception
  • Minimizes glare, especially off water

Brown / Amber – These lenses are great for activities like tennis, golf or other sports where distance is a factor and must be calculated.  Brown tints reduce glare and block blue light, giving them the ability to brighten vision on cloudy days.

  • Good for variable conditions
  • Enhances contrast
  • Improve depth perception

Yellow/Orange – Yellow and orange tints increase contrast in low-light conditions. These tints tend to make objects appear sharper both indoors and outdoors.

• Filters out hazy light that is hard on the eyes
• Good for using at Dawn and Dusk
•Provides greater clarity in fog, haze, and other low-light conditions

Pink and Red – These colours provide better visibility on the road, by improving visual depth & reducing eye strain.

  • Provides good road visibility
  • Offers greatest amount of contrast

Blue and Purple –   These colours block the glare from visible white light. Useful for outdoor sports,  such as snowboarding, biking, or sailing.

  • Helps define contours
  • Reduces glare
  • Enhances color perception

What ever colour choice you pick, remember the most important thing is to wear your sunglasses!

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Expiration Dates – How long is too long?

multivitamin-tabletsWe all have expired vitamin bottles in our medicine cabinets. Some we take daily, while others are taken on a more infrequent basis.  So what happens if your vitamins expire… are they still good?

Vitamins in general should be stable for up to five years if stored properly: however, there are some exceptions.  Water-soluble substances (vitamin C, B-complex vitamins) are susceptible to a process called deliquescence, in which humidity causes some compounds to break down.

As vitamins begin to degraded – whether from oxidation, exposure to humidity, light, air, or heat, they are safe to consume but will have lost their effectiveness.  Some manufacturers may increase the vitamins strength by adding up to 40% more than what’s stated on the label, so that the vitamins are at 100 per cent strength at the time of expiration.

Signs of vitamins past their expiry dates vary: look for changes in color, physical appearance, taste, or smell.

So how should we store vitamins to maximize their potency over time? Keep your vitamins in a cool, dry place, away from heat and light, and make sure they are sealed in an air-tight container, and always follow storage directions on the label.  Also, don’t remove the little silica gel packet, it helps remove moisture from inside the bottle.

 Do not keep your vitamins in your bathrooms and kitchens, because of the humidity and temperature changes.

Refrigerators, can be a good option for those vitamins that you consume once in a while; however, vitamins that you consume on a daily schedule will breakdown quickly because of the frequent opening and closing  of the container; which can cause condensation and expose the vitamins to moisture.

Pressed tablets, such as aspirin, are more porous and allow a greater influx of oxygen once the bottle has been opened and will alter the supplements chemistry, limiting their effectiveness. Try purchasing encapsulated or coated vitamins.

The biggest factor that determines shelf life is product quality.  Look for supplements that have high amounts of essential material and low levels of nonessential material. The supplements must be packaged in opaque and secure containers in a sterile, dust-free, dehumidified environment.

Products if stored properly in unopened bottles should last at least two years before any loss of potency occurs.

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What is SPF?

sunscreenThere are many choices for sunblock: creams, mousses, sprays and powders, ranging from SPF of 15 to SPF of 55 or higher.

Sunscreens are made with dozens of active ingredients that either use “absorbers” to create a chemical reaction to absorb UV rays or physical barriers that reflect and block UV rays. Many sunscreens incorporate both methods.

What is SPF?

Sunscreens are rated by the strength of their sun protection factor (SPF). The SPF number refers to the product’s ability to prevent UVB rays from damaging the skin.

A product with SPF 15, filters out approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays.

A product with SPF 30, filters out approximately 97 percent of all incoming UVB rays.

A product with SPF 50, filters out approximately 98 percent of all incoming UVB rays.

  • It should be noted that no sunscreen, regardless of strength, will stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication.

To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, the average adult needs about 2 or 3 tablespoons of sunscreen to cover their body and 1 teaspoon to cover their face and neck. That’s about half of a 237ml  bottle of sunscreen for a full day at the beach.

Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to  bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important, so reapply the same amount every two hours.

Sun tips:

  • Sunscreen should be used on any exposed skin including ears, lips, feet etc
  • Use a lip balm with SPF and reapply often
  • Apply sunscreen on cloudy days – UV rays can pass through clouds
  • Sunscreens have an expiry date; they contain chemicals that may not work as well after the expiry date
  • Sunscreens can be affected by extreme changes in temperature, so leaving your bottle of sunscreen out in the sun all day, can destroy some of the chemical compounds and make the sunscreen much less effective.
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The Days Before The Big Race

running-shoes_13602015Whether you are a seasoned runner or a first timer, here are some tips to help you stay organized and keep you relaxed… which will help you run a better race.

The days before the race:

  • Keep to your regular schedule, eat correctly, hydrate and get sleep.
  • Re-read your race package and double check that you have everything you need.
  • Will it be cold/warm on race day? Will it be windy or raining? Find out the weather conditions and follow the forecast in the days before the race.
  • Research the route you will be running.  Find out what type of terrain you will be running on, as well as how many hills there are on the route and when they happen in the race.
  • Have a good idea on the size of the race population so that you can prepare yourself to stand in a crowded race corral with hundreds or thousands of participates.
  • Expect the unexpected –  What if your shoe comes untied or you have to go the bathroom or you get a blister.  By preparing for these scenarios, you’ll have a specific plan in place.

The night before the race:

  • Make sure that everything you need for the morning is ready to go. Pack your race bag, lay out your clothes and runners and know what time you need to leave the house.
  • The night before,  go to bed at a reasonable hour for you to get plenty of sleep so that you’ll feel good the next morning.

Race day:

  • Allow yourself plenty of time to travel to the race start area,  check in, and warm up – factoring in the large crowds and street closures.
  • The race start area will be chaotic. At the start of the race there will be lots of people running shoulder to shoulder  in a small space. You will have to navigate around slower runners while faster runners are overtaking you. Being prepared for this, and do not get swept along with the crowd and start off at a pace that is too fast for you. Take a few minutes to find your pace.

After the race:

  • Cool down
  • Stretch
  • Hydrate
  • Celebrate!!!!
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Local 5K, 10K, & Marathons Happening in May & June

marathon-runners-580x387Victoria BC is known for its  scenic beauty and great temperate weather. So, if you are a runner, Victoria is a little slice of heaven.  There are Marathons, Half marathons, 10K’s, 5K’s, and Fun Runs almost year round. No matter what your physical ability: there is an event for everyone.

Below are a few of the runs that are taking place during May and June.

Harriers Elk/Beaver Ultras | May 14, 2016

The fast and flat 10 kilometer trail circuit around Elk and Beaver Lakes is considered as one of the premiere races of its type in North America. Runners complete 10 laps for the 100K division, 8+ laps for 50 Miles and 5 laps for 50K while walkers complete 4 laps for 40 km. The First-Time Marathoners will complete 4+ laps.

Oak Bay Half Marathon |  May 29, 2016

The Oak Bay Half Marathon is a Victoria classic! This run features a half marathon, a 10km route and a half marathon relay option.

Runners can expect to experience all that Oak Bay has to offer as they take on an extremely scenic course with a good portion of ocean front running. The race itself attracts a field of casual to elite local runners and has been steadily growing year after year.

Victoria Spring Sprint- 21st Annual Victoria Brain Tumour Walk | May 29, 2016

When you register and fund-raise for Spring Sprint, you join a nation-wide movement  transforming the future for brain tumour patients and families. This means funding critical research into the cause of and cure for brain tumours. It also means ensuring the 55,000 Canadians living with the disease have access to Support and information programs that are uniquely needed.

Victoria Goddess Run | June 5, 2016

The Victoria Goddess Run is a women’s running event with a 5k, 10k, and half marathon option. The three runs all happen on the same day and are the culmination of a three day Goddess festival featuring a number of speakers and activities happening in conjunction with the race expo and pick up.

CFB Esquimalt Navy Run |  June 19, 2016

The Navy Run – 10k, 5k and kids fun run is a family-oriented, inclusive community event. The Navy run routes start and finish at CFB Naden in Esquimalt. Runners follow looped courses that take them through the streets of Esquimalt. Even the kids can get in on the challenge! Involve the children and discover a fitter family lifestyle. Get excited about improving your health. Do it because you can!

Raymond James Father’s Day Run/Walk for Prostate Cancer | June 19, 2016

Raymond James Father’s Day Walk Run is a fun, family-friendly event, hosted on Father’s Day, that raises awareness and funds for free programs and services for all Vancouver Island men and the families that love them. The event is a timed 10 Km Run and a 5 Km Family Walk / Run, followed by brunch and live entertainment.

MEC Victoria Race THREE | June 26, 2016

The third Victoria MEC race happens out at Royal Roads. This run steps things up offering the first half marathon of the season along side the usual 5k and 10k runs.  MEC Victoria, with the support of CRD Regional Parks, is pleased to present Race THREE: stunning routes through Royal Roads and surrounding area.

Regular running helps to reduce your risk of  heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.  Running will also help  boost your mood, so get out there, start running and be safe!

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Safety Rules for Runners

running-shoes_13602015Most running safety rules are common sense; and by taking a few precautions while out running  you can avoid getting injured or becoming a victim.  Here are a few steps to stay safe on your next run:

Before you start:

Take a moment and give yourself a safety check.  Are your shoes tied? Do you have ID? Are you familiar with the route? During your run, watch out for uneven sidewalk, roots, rocks and branches.  Always avoid running alone in unpopulated or heavily wooded areas and avoid unlit routes. Carry a fully charged cell phone and always call police if you see something or someone suspicious.

Leave word:

Make sure your friends or family know your running routes and inform someone of which route you are running.

Night Running:

Make yourself visible! Wear light or bright colored clothing that are highly visible; think about wearing a reflective vest for your night time or early morning runs.

Cars:

Many drivers are distracted, so don’t assume that they see you. Be sure to make eye contact with drivers at street crossings, and always be extra careful of stopped cars waiting to make a turn. Stop and wait until they make the turn, or run behind them.  Always run on the side of the road or the sidewalk where you are running facing traffic.

Cyclists:

Watch out for cyclists and other runners. If you’re approaching a runner or cyclist, communicate with them and let them know which side you’re passing them on.  Before you stop or turn around on a trail, always look over your should to avoid a potential collision with an oncoming cyclist or passing runner.

Listening:

Avoid using iPods or wearing headphones—you need to be able to hear approaching vehicles, cyclists and people. If you must use headphones, run with the volume low and with ear-buds, just use one.

What to Carry:

Put your driver’s license in your pocket or wear an ID tag on your shoe and it’s always a good idea to have a small amount of cash on you, in case of emergency.

If a location or person makes you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts, and remove yourself as quickly as possible.

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What is Laser Therapy?

klaserLaser therapy is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses a specific type of light that is turned into very specific wavelengths. Laser stands for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

This type of laser therapy utilizes red infrared light on areas of injury or wounds in order to mend the soft tissue and give relief from acute and chronic pain.

Photons (a particle that carries energy proportional to the radiation frequency) of light energy are absorbed by the injured cells, and transformed into biochemical energy within those cells. This converted energy increases the production of new proteins needed for cellular repair.

Lasers modalities are classified according to their power output:

  • Class 3b—maximum of 500 milliwatts/0.5 watts
  • Class 4—anything over 500 milliwatts/0.5 watts

Power is a crucial factor when it comes to laser therapy. Power is measured in watts. A higher-powered laser is a brighter light, and  can produce more energy per unit of time. When it comes to doing laser therapy treatment, a higher-powered laser (Class 4) provides the benefit of having a brighter light, which penetrates deeper into the tissues, which enables the practitioner to treat deep-seated pain conditions.

The Class IV K-Laser used at Diversified health utilizes these three infrared wavelengths, allowing for deep penetration into the body.

  • 800 nanometers penetrates the deepest
  • 905 nanometers most efficiently targets the hemoglobin molecule
  • 970 nanometers most efficiently stimulates micro-circulation in the tissues

Some conditions that may typically be treated by laser therapy include:

  • Acute injuries, such as strains, sprains, knee and neck pain and shoulder injuries
  • Repetitive-use injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis
  • Traumatic injuries, such as post-motor vehicle accident with cervical back strain/sprain
  • Chronic issues such as frozen shoulder, arthritis and fibromyalgia pain

Laser therapy treatments help the body to stimulates the production of ATP (a molecule that carries energy), and the cells use this energy to bring in nutrition and remove toxins. It also stimulates formation of collagen which is needed to repair injured tissue, and decreases pain by stimulating nerve cells, which block pain caused by inflammation.

Laser light increases the formation of blood vessels and increases circulation, while also increases the effectiveness of the lymphatic system by reduce swelling and bruising.

If you have any questions about how the Class IV K-Laser can help your injury or condition, please contact the clinic at 250-382-0018.

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Prebiotics and Probiotics

www.marksdailyapple.comResearch shows the “gut” does more than just process food and fluids.  We have zillions of microorganisms living and thriving in our bodies which help defend against infections. To make sure your immune system can cope with the stresses of everyday life you need a healthy level of probiotics and prebiotics in your body.

After the age of 2, your gut flora becomes static. The bacteria that has been living within you from birth is now part of your genetic make-up and cannot be changed. There are over 10,000 unique species of good bacteria in our digestive system. Each of us has a unique number of bacteria that are as distinctive as a fingerprint.

What is a probiotic – The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yogurts (with live, active cultures), sauerkraut, and pickles. Fermentation is the process of adding yeast to a food to change its structure, by breaking down sugars and starches.

Foods containing high amounts of probiotic include:

  • Yogurt (with live cultures)
  • Kimchi (a spicy fermented cabbage)
  • Dark chocolate
  • Pickles
  • Some soft cheeses (such as Gouda)
  • Sourdough bread
  • Fruits such as bananas and tomatoes
  • Vegetables like artichokes, green beans, leeks
  • Whole-grain breads
  • Honey

Most probiotics are destroyed by our stomach acid. Only a fraction, about 1% makes it to the intestines to grow. So a good rule of thumb is to choose a probiotic with the largest number of different organisms and the largest number of total organisms (bacteria or CFUs, probiotics are measured in CFU’s – colony forming units)

  • 10 different organisms, 40 Billion CFU
  • 10 different organisms, 200 Billion CFU
  • 8 different organisms, 450 billion bacteria
  • 8 different organisms, 900 billion bacteria

One of the most popular ways to introduce probiotics to your diet is by eating yogurt. It’s the live bacteria in the food you eat that make it full of healthy probiotics. Since heat destroys the bacteria, make sure the label on the yogurt says live or active cultures. Most yogurts are pasteurized, which kills the bacteria. Those yogurts with live cultures add them back in after the pasteurization process.

What is a prebiotic – Prebiotics are “the food” for probiotics. Taking prebiotics helps probiotics work more efficiently and stimulate the growth of bacteria. Prebiotics are found in fruits, vegetables, such as garlic, leeks, onions, and bananas.

How are these bacteria identified? The genus is the first word in a bacterium’s name; it’s the large group to which the bacteria belongs. The species is the type of individual bacteria. Some bacteria have several strains, or differentiations of the species, and this is identified by the last part of the name. Here are a couple examples of common bacteria:

  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus can be found in many yogurts and soft cheeses. It helps to convert lactose and other sugars into lactic acid.
  • Streptococcus thermophilus is a friendly bacteria are also used to make yogurts and cheeses.
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus helps convert lactose into lactic acid
  • Bifidobacteria is a family of bacteria that help prevent and treat various gastrointestinal disorders and infections.

Our health depends on factors such as what we eat and drink, how much stress is in our daily lives, and how much activity and exercise we get; taking prebiotics and probiotics will help keep our intestines healthy and help maintain our immune system.

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