I haven't experienced having a facial treatment in my 40 years of existence. Friends would tell me to join them in their pampering sessions but I always decline. There was one time that a dermatologist friend of mine offered a Diamond Peel treatment but I said that I wasn't ready. Ang pakiyeme ko, 'di ba?

I feel that there is a need for me to visit her but I choose to delay it. I have the tendency to feel uneasy by just thinking that my face would undergo any procedure or treatment. I need to do something with my clogged pores and white heads especially on the nose area because they are really, really disturbing and don't look good at all. I have no choice but to look for a product that can get rid of my skin problems effortlessly and fit my laziness when it comes to skin care.

Who would have thought that the quick solution to my skin perennial problem would be solved buy a Korean skin care product worth Php18.00 only? The product that I am talking about is so tiny that when you go to your favorite beauty section in malls or drugstores, it's really hard to notice.

I had a chance to discover this product when I visited the Puregold branch near Bunso's school. I had ample time so instead of going home to work, I decided to have my quick "me time" to break my routines in a bit. In Puregold I spent time reading beauty product labels then I came across with this product placed in a very cute sachet but could do so much, I tell you. 

The name of the product that I am talking about is iWhite Korea Pore Purifying Balm. In just a small amount, smaller than pea-size, it effectively helps loosen up and absorb stubborn pore-clogging oils, dirt, and toxins present in the pores of my nose and my entire face as well.

As written on its packaging, these are its ingredients and what they can do.

It contains Kaolin to help control oil and improve skin's balance to fight breakouts. 

It's infused with antibacterial properties to ensure that your pores are purified after use.

It contains Salicylic Acid to effectively penetrate the pores and exfoliate from within making it effective in reducing breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads.

These are the detailed ingredients of iWhite Korea Pore Purifying Balm:

Glycerin, Water, Stearic Acid, PEG-32, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Kaolin, Lauric Acid, Carica Papaya Extract, Mango Extract, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Oldenlandia Diffusa Extract, Honeysuckle Extract, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

This is how to use it:

Before washing the face, apply a small or generous amount on the T-zone or areas with enlarged pores and deep-seated dirt. Massage for one to two minutes. Wipe off with a clean tissue then wash the face.

Do you know that iWhite Korea Pore Purifying Balm is a great partner product to iWhite Korea Nose Pack or Whitening Pack? If you want a more fair or flawless face, use them hand-in-hand. In my case, I use iWhite Korea Pore Purifying Balm with iWhite Korea Nose Pack. Effective nga talaga! I'll try using it with the Whitening pack very soon!

iWhite Korea Pore Purifying Balm + Nose Pack = great beauty partner

On cleansed face, apply a generous amount on the T-zone or on areas with enlarged pores and deep-seated dirt. Leave it on for one minute then start massaging it in a circular motion for another one minute. Wipe the balm off completely with a clean tissue. Apply iWhite Korea Nose Pack or Whitening Pack for best results in eliminating blackheads and whiteheads.

Based on experience, one 2.2 ml sachet goes a long way. It lasts more than a week even if you use it daily. If I am not mistaken, I've emptied the sachet after two weeks kasi ginagamit ko lang siya madalas sa T-zone ko. With regular use, my pores become smaller and cleaner. Ganyan lang kasimple!

What is your holy grail when it comes to purifying your pores?

When I was very young, I began to be conscious of my body image at age 10. I heard my friends talking about menstruation, baby bra, pubic hair (Yes, they were talking about it.), spray net, body mists, and deodorants. I was so hesitant to ask my mom about that stuff. All I remember was she taught me to use Avon's Feeling Fresh Deodorant after taking a bath or shower because I was complaining that "Tawas", the antiperspirant/deodorant recommended by my grandmother, made my armpits sweaty and sticky. "Feeling Fesh" became my best partner in keeping myself free from body and armpit odor aside from using an antibacterial soap, Safeguard, to wash my body, and Palmolive Shampoo to wash my hair. These three products worked for my body chemistry and helped me to become free from body odor especially armpit odor at a very young age. That's why when I became a mom, I did the same thing with my boys. Like my mom did, starting them young worked.

Kuya and Bunso would easily get sweaty and their armpits would smell stinky or "maasim" when they reached the age of three. Paps and I encouraged them to use Arm and Hammer Deodorant after taking a bath using Safeguard Pink because after trying and testing, we discovered that these two brands suited their body chemistry. They would always stay fresh for the whole day. During that time when Arm & Hammer Advance Original would easily go out of stock, I would let them use Milcu Underarm & Foot Deodorant Powder, which they would usually apply on their feet before putting their shoes on.

Preventing Armpit Odor

Our family uses Arm & Hammer Advance Original and Milcu Underarm & Foot Deodorant Powder as deodorants for years. Why? They are safe to use, easy to find (Arm & Hammer doesn't go out of stock anymore.), versatile, don't stain clothing, keep the armpits dry and fresh-smelling, and protects the armpits from bacteria build-up and odor for 24 hours.

Instilling good grooming and hygiene in all forms should be done during our kids' formative years. Reminding them constantly and teaching by example are two of the best means to educate kids on practicing good grooming and hygiene. In doing so, they can never forget the importance of keeping themselves clean, neat, and well-groomed. Forming a habit can lead to better body image projection and not feeling inferior.

*****
The contents of this article were lifted from my messages to two teenage boys who asked me about my recommended deodorant brands a few years ago. To know some details about it, you may visit #AskAAPM for details.

When considering cosmetic surgery, insurance coverage is one of the most common concerns and is often the deciding factor in choosing whether or not to undergo surgery. If you want a breast reduction surgery, you're probably wondering whether your healthcare providers will cover the procedure. 

Cosmetic vs Medically Necessary Breast Reduction

Most health insurance plans don't cover any cosmetic surgeries, but they will cover reconstructive surgeries and medically necessary procedures. In some cases, a breast reduction is done for cosmetic purposes. You may feel self-conscious about your breast size and choose to undergo a reduction to increase your confidence in your figure. 

In other cases, breast size is linked to physical health issues, and surgery may be necessary to fix these problems. Many women have chronic back and neck pain because of their overly large breasts. Chronic pain can limit your mobility and seriously impact your quality of life. Large breasts often lead to poor posture, and this combined with the weight of the breasts can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness in the arms, hands, and fingers. 

Another common problem is rashes, infections, or inflammation underneath the breasts. Large breasts tend to trap moisture and heat, which can cause painful skin issues. Some women also develop permanent shoulder grooves where their bra straps sit because their breasts are too heavy for a bra to fully support. 

Other serious issues associated with a large breast size include exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, and chronic headaches. If you experience these symptoms, it's clear that a breast reduction is necessary to restore your health. Most insurance plans use these symptoms to differentiate between cosmetic and medically necessary breast reductions. However, it can still be complicated to have the surgery covered. 

How to Know If Your Insurance Will Cover Your Breast Reduction

The first thing you need to do is check if your health insurance lists breast reduction as an exclusion. If it does, your insurance will not cover the surgery. Fortunately, most insurance plans do not have an exclusion for breast reduction. This doesn't mean that they'll cover all breast reduction surgeries, but you have a chance of getting the procedure covered. 

Most insurance plans require that a certain amount of tissue be removed for the surgery to be covered. If less than this specified amount is removed, they believe that the breasts were not large enough to cause pain or health problems and that the surgery was only done for cosmetic purposes. 

The amount of tissue that needs to be removed varies based on the insurance company and plan. Some plans take your height and weight into consideration, and some specify an exact amount for everyone. Many insurance companies require that the surgery remove at least 500 grams of tissue to be covered. 

How to Get Your Breast Reduction Covered

If you believe that your insurance might cover your breast reduction, there are a few steps you should take. First, start documenting your symptoms. If you experience back or neck pain, posture issues, numbness, skin irritation, or any other problems because of your breast size, you should record when the symptoms started and whether they've progressed over time. 

If you've seen other medical professionals for these problems, try to get documentation of your visit. This includes massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors. You should also document other treatments you've tried for the health problems. Many insurance plans require that you try other treatments before surgery, so keeping track of everything you've tried to reduce your pain will be very helpful. 

Once you have some documentation of your symptoms, it's time to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. Your surgeon can identify posture issues or other problems and may diagnose you with symptomatic macromastia, which is the medical term for overly large breasts that cause chronic pain and other problems. This diagnosis is key for getting your insurance to cover the surgery. 

If your surgeon believes that your breasts are affecting your health, you can then reach out to your insurance company and request coverage. You and your surgeon will fill out paperwork and submit it to your insurance company, and they will hopefully approve the surgery. If they deny coverage, you can make an appeal. During this process, you'll have to supply extra documentation to your insurance company. You can get letters of support from other medical professionals, and your surgeon can give more information to your provider. 

All insurance plans are different, and some will cover breast reduction more willingly than others. If you want the surgery only for cosmetic reasons, it's unlikely that it will be covered. If you have documented health problems resulting from your breast size, you have a better chance. It can be time-consuming work to convince your insurance company to cover the surgery, but it's worth it to improve your quality of life. 

The doctors at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami provide breast reduction along with a wide variety of other procedures. Dr. Altman completed the prestigious Jerome P. Weber Fellowship before founding the Plastic Surgery Institute. Dr. Ghersi served as a faculty member in the plastic surgery department of the renowned Cleveland Clinic and completed an exclusive fellowship at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. Dr. Oeltjen was an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami before entering private practice. You can learn more about these doctors and their services here: www.psimiami.com.

This is a guest post.

Weight loss is hard, and it often takes months, if not years, to achieve your desired physique through diet and exercise. And even for the most strong-willed of people, the constant effort that weight loss entails often becomes taxing. For this reason, many people who want to lose weight are tempted by liposuction. But is liposuction a viable replacement for weight loss? First, it's necessary to examine some of the important differences between the two procedures. 

How Does Liposuction Differ From Weight Loss?

Often, people who work on losing weight talk about losing fat. While fat mass is technically lost when you lose weight, what many people don't realize is that you don't actually lose the fat cells themselves. The fat loss that happens when we restrict calories and/or exercise more involves lipolysis, or fat cells opening up and essentially spilling their contents. This is how your body accesses the energy stored in fat cells. When you don't eat enough calories to power yourself through the day, your body must turn to its energy stores--to fat--in order to get the energy it needs. 

While the fat cells stay put, once they have had their contents used by your body, they flatten. So while they still remain present, they take up significantly less space. This is how progressive fat loss over time makes you look smaller. 

Liposuction also can help you look smaller than you are, but the process is fundamentally different. Liposuction involves taking a thin tube, called a cannula, and inserting it under the skin. The cannula then "vacuums" fat from under the skin. Unlike in weight loss, this removes the fat cells themselves, which do not typically grow back. Thus, you might think of liposuction as a more permanent form of weight loss. 

Can I Just Get Liposuction Instead of Losing Weight?

It seems like a great idea--you could just undergo a brief surgical procedure and save yourself the effort and pain of weight loss, right? While this might sound plausible in theory, the reality is that liposuction is best reserved for target areas. For one, full-body liposuction, even if one could theoretically afford it, would cause too much tissue trauma. 

The majority of plastic surgeons advise patients to be at or near target weight before undergoing liposuction. For many, even when you're at your target weight, "problem areas" still persist. The best way to go about weight loss and liposuction is to lose what you can on your own and then use liposuction to reduce stubborn fat. For many people, this stubborn fat is on their stomachs, love handles, or upper arms. 

You might wonder whether you can simply get liposuction on known problem areas before losing weight. This is theoretically possible, but undergoing liposuction would first create an unbalanced and unnatural-looking physique. And if your doctor can't see the proportions of your ideal physique, he or she may over- or underestimate the amount of fat they need to remove. 

Of course, if you think you are close to your ideal physique and are ready to undergo liposuction, having a consultation with a plastic surgeon can help you determine whether or not you have lost enough fat to be a great candidate. Plastic surgeons take great pride in their work, and they also are committed to helping you become more confident, so chances are good that they'll be honest with you. Your surgeon might say you're ready for a procedure, or they may recommend you lose a little more fat on your own before undergoing liposuction. 

How Do You Know If You're a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

As noted above, the best candidates for liposuction are typically at their target weight (or close to it). However, there are some other considerations to bear in mind, too. It's vitally important that you have realistic expectations about the procedure and what it can do for you. Many plastic surgery practices offer visualizations--these technologies take a photo of you and then show you the estimated result of your plastic surgery. While the result may not be exact, it should give you a general idea of what to expect. 

Of course, if you are planning on undergoing a liposuction, being in good general health is a must, as is understanding the healing process. Because of the initial swelling after the procedure, some patients panic and worry the procedure didn't work. However, particularly if you are committed to icing and resting the area, as well as wearing compression gear if needed, the swelling will usually go down sooner. 

In your initial surgical consultation, make sure that you are honest with your surgeon when it comes to your expectations for the procedure. Your surgeon can explain to you whether your expectations can be realistically addressed with your chosen procedure, and he or she also can answer any questions you have. Plastic surgery is often a collaborative experience, so having an open dialogue with your surgeon is a must. 

Ready to Get Started?

If you have never had a cosmetic procedure done before--or even if you have--making the decision to undergo a liposuction procedure might seem like a daunting one. However, for many, this is a decision that helped them become happier and more confident. If you are looking into liposuction and are in or near New York or Chicago, Doctors Plastic Surgery may be the practice for you. This practice has the benefit of being staffed by a team of surgeons so you can find a doctor who specializes in the type of surgery you need. And since Doctors Plastic Surgery is committed to helping everyone achieve the body they want, this practice offers affordable prices for high-quality procedures. 

This practice offers periodic specials, and they also offer financing, which can save you from putting your procedure on a high-interest credit card. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, or if you just want to know more about the practice, visit their site today at www.doctorsplasticsurgery.com.

This is a guest post.

Do you have balance problems, or suffer from dizziness? Do you feel extreme nausea or an aversion to bright lights? These could be symptoms of labyrinthitis, an inner ear infection that can be severely debilitating and can even lead to hearing loss. If you think that you may have labyrinthitis, it's important that you seek expert medical help at the earliest opportunity. This can alleviate the symptoms, and lead to a quicker recovery. Here are four facts about labyrinthitis:

What is Labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is so called because it is a condition that causes inflammation of the inner ear canal, an area of the body known as the labyrinth. Because the labyrinth is inflamed, it can't function as it usually would. As one of the labyrinth's duties is to regulate balance, it typically produces a lack of balance or coordination, along with severe and prolonged spells of dizziness.

The Causes of Labyrinthitis

The most common cause of labyrinthitis is an infection – usually viral. It can also occur as the result of a head trauma, an allergy or reaction to medicine, or as a side effect of extreme stress. It is often the case that labyrinthitis follows an upper respiratory tract infection or flu. As the early symptoms of labyrinthitis can be flu-like, some patient may think that they are still suffering from that initial condition.

Sufferers of labyrinthitis may feel very ill and have difficulty in carrying out their everyday functions. Appearance-wise, however, they may not look any different, except when their balance problems become apparent. It is effectively an invisible illness, and this can bring added difficulties to the sufferer. Some people have difficulty in perceiving that an invisible illness can be severe, so sufferers may be made to feel that they are making the illness up or exaggerating the effects of their condition. This can result in sufferers feeling isolated or even more stressed. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of labyrinthitis can provide support and information that will help you cope with this. 

Labyrinthitis may resolve spontaneously after a few weeks, but it may also linger or re-occur for long periods afterward. This is one reason that it's essential to get expert medical help. There is also the possibility that the condition can cause long-term or permanent damage to the balance and auditory system.

One form of treatment is designed to restore balance control, this is known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The sufferer will follow a series of carefully implemented exercise, designed to retrain the brain's balance function. These can include concentrating on a fixed point while moving the head from side to side, or movements that are designed to create dizziness and eventually reduce the negative vestibular reactions that they would usually cause.

Antibiotics can also be prescribed to fight any infection or virus that is causing the labyrinthitis, whilst other drugs can prove useful if administered early enough. If you have any symptoms of labyrinthitis, you should contact your ear, nose and throat doctor today.

Vertigo, dizziness, or a spinning sensation can be very frightening. If you have been suffering from disorders of the hearing and balance system, the professionals at the Becker Ear, Nose & Throat Center can provide specialized care that is tailored for you. Get the help you need, visit their website now at https://www.beckerent.com.

This is a guest post.

I started my fitness journey in June 2017 when I felt that my state of well-being was already compromised. I would feel nauseous every time I would wake up in the morning or in the middle of my work towards the end of the day for a month. That prompted me to visit our family doctor because I suspected that I was having an increase in blood sugar level. When I got my laboratory results and went back to my doctor for a follow-up check-up, he said that I was fine and a little shooting-up of my blood sugar level was insignificant to what I was feeling. Then I told him that I wanted to lose weight because maybe that would make me healthier. Then he handed me a list of his diet plan that helped him lose weight safely immediately prior to his heart bypass operation.

*You may read about the diet plan that I used here: How to Lose 52 Pounds Safely in 2 1/2 Months

I was 10  kilos overweight back then. My ideal weight should be 54-55 kilograms based on my height. After five days of trying that particular diet plan based on Atkins, I was able to shed off two kilos without feeling weak or hungry. Finally, I found a diet plan that suited my needs and lifestyle, I said to myself. I followed it religiously for less than two months until I reached my ideal body mass index. From then on, I was able to control my cravings for sweets and got easily full by just eating a well-balanced meal with the right serving. To maintain my ideal weight, I followed an exercise routine that would make me stronger too and not just toned or thinner.

*You may read about the exercise routines that I did and still do: 

Easy Exercise Routine that Burns Body Fat Quickly

Easiest Arm Toning Exercise for Women to Get Rid of "Bat Wings"

When I reached my fitness goals, that was the time that I was given the privilege to join my first ever fun run, Sunpiology Resolution Run. I was very excited because, through this, I would be able to see if I could be tenacious enough to run for at least five to 10 kilometers. Aside from testing my endurance, doing it with my blogger friends would make this endeavor a fun and fruitful one!

What is Sunpiology Resolution Run? 

Sunpiology Resolution Run also known as Sun Life Resolution Run is an event that aims to uplift our spirits and motivate us to start the new year towards our optimum health goals. This event is headed by our all-time favorite Star Magic celebrity, Piolo Pascual, that is held annually with a partnership with Sun Life Financial Philippines, one of the country’s largest leader in insurance and mutual funds. It is the running half of the SunPiology Duo, an obstacle course with pit stop inspired by diabetes prevention through a Fit and Fab Well lifestyle.

This year it was held on January 20, 2018 at GHQ Grandstand Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. It was open to running and walking enthusiasts of all ages: 500-meter run for kids, 500-meter walk for adults, and 3K, 5K, and 10K running distances for teens and adults. The registration fee was so affordable which was made online or in-store. A race kit was inclusive of the said fee that contained the following items: a race shirt, singlet (for kids), Sun Life Poncho, Sun Life P. A. Insurance Card, loot bag, and Sun Life Sun Visor. Aside from the race kit, we were able to enjoy the freebies and refreshments from the sponsors' booths, feasted our eyes with "artista" sightseeing, and most of all enjoyed running/walking with my blogger friends while doing something healthy with a purpose.

What did I realize after joining the event?

At first, I was afraid to join my friends when they decided to run for a 10-kilometer distance, however, I gave in. After joining the event, I realized that I couldn't run consistently but it could be doable. With all honesty, I ran and walked alternately because I was too afraid that my body especially my heart couldn't tolerate the stress. Well, I guess, I made the right decision. It was my very first time to try running and I had no prior training. Taking it slowly was not bad after all although the adrenaline rush was intense especially when we were about to reach the finish line. 

It was funny that I just knew that we were monitored by the organizers until we reached the end. Kulelat ang ranking ko, Mars at Pards, pero keri lang! I enjoyed it. 'Yan ang mahalaga! We were so proud of our friend, Jhoanna Tacorda, because she belonged to the first 100 runners who reached the finish line.

I realized that my 40-year old body needed more time to prepare before I would join another running event. I was hoping that Sunpiology would include a walkathon. I could definitely do it even if it should be more than 21 kilometers! 

Uulit pa ba ako? Of course! It's one of the healthiest ways to de-stress with friends. Ang sarap magpawis kasama ang mga tunay at game na kaibigan! There will be more time to prepare for the 10th Sunpiology Resolution Run in 2019. According to the organizers, it will be bigger which makes it more and more highly-anticipated! Nakae-excite, 'di ba? 

By the way, aside from Jhoanna Tacorda of Playful Life with Kids blog, I would like to say thank you to Roselle Toledo of Snapped and Scribbled blog and Reylen Castro of Made It Through Mum blog na kasabay kong gawin ang "takbo-lakad-takbo" stint ko sa fun run na ito. Kaming tatlo ang halos sabay-sabay  na natapos. I would also like to thank, ABC Digital Media and Consultancy for the awesome experience!

I invite you to like Sun Life Financial Philippines on Facebook to keep yourselves updated.