Celebrity Life

The physical changes experienced by new mothers can often be distressing. Dr Lisa Chan suggests some therapies to address them.

Pregnancy is a time of transformation and anticipation, but the postnatal period can be difficult as mothers adjust to the way their bodies have changed. The top four concerns that new mums bring to me include:

Stretch marks: Also known as striae gravidarum, stretch marks can form over the abdominal, buttock and breast areas during pregnancy. Rapid weight gain and stretching of the skin can result in dermal tears, which can become discoloured and atrophic. Stretch marks are notoriously diffi cult to treat, but a combination of peeling creams, microdermabrasion, light and laser therapies can help improve and minimise their appearance.

Sagging of abdominal skin: After giving birth, the skin over the belly can look saggy or loose, especially if there’s been excessive or sudden weight gain during the pregnancy. Regular cardiovascular and core muscles-trengthening exercises can create a more toned abdominal area. For targeted treatment, ultrasound, radiofrequency and electromagnetic energy-based devices help boost collagen production, reduce fat and enhance muscle defi nition. In severe cases, surgical removal of excess
skin may be considered.

Postpartum incontinence: The pressure of a growing uterus during pregnancy, vaginal or forceps-assisted delivery can all cause weakening of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. Besides buying diapers for their baby, some new mothers may find themselves needing protective pads to deal with urine leaks. Treatment includes Kegel exercises, yoga and pilates, which help to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. There are also high-intensity electromagnetic energy-based devices that induce deep pelvic floor muscle contractions for a similar effect. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages, bladder training, losing weight and scheduled fluid consumption, can help. In cases where improvement isn’t seen with the above, options include devices that can be inserted into the vagina or the urethra, and surgery.

Vaginal laxity: Most new mothers will recover within six months of delivery, but with multiple vaginal deliveries or trauma during childbirth, weakening of vaginal muscle walls and chronic “looseness” can occur. This can result in reduced sensation and satisfaction during intercourse, lowered self-esteem and a drop in intimacy among partners. Besides Kegel exercises to tone up vaginal and pelvic floor muscles, newer CO2 laser, radiofrequency and electromagnetic technologies can also help stimulate vaginal tissue growth and tighten related muscles.

It’s not uncommon for new mothers to go through a period of postpartum blues. With attention to high-quality nutrition and exercise, as well as good social and medical support, mums can get back in shape in no time. Not only do these ladies deserve to look and feel their best, their energy and focus can be where it’s most needed – on the miracle of a new baby.

Follow Dr Chan on Instagram for more beauty tips and musings.

The post Dr Lisa Chan on Staying in Shape Post-pregnancy appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

This month, Dr Lisa Chan advises on ways to keep the infamous "maskne" under control during the pandemic

Unless you’re one of the rare few who are genetically blessed with clear skin, chances are you’ve experienced acne at some point. It’s estimated to be present in up to 90 percent of the population, so most of us know all too well that sinking feeling as we wake up to an unsightly red bump on the face.

With increased mask-wearing, I’ve been seeing more cases of facial acne at the clinic. Also known as acne mechanica or “maskne”, these lesions are not only disfiguring and damaging to our self-esteem, but they can also be extremely painful and require a lengthy period of recovery.

Acne tends to form over areas of the body that have increased sebaceous gland activity, such as the face, chest and back. When hair follicles get clogged by excess sebum and dead skin cells, bacteria can proliferate and cause Infection and inflammation. Triggers include drugs such as corticosteroids, hormonal changes during midlife and puberty, carbohydrate-rich foods and stress. Friction against the skin and heavy make-up can also lead to a build-up of sebum and bacteria.

The Best practices to avoid maskne

• Using gentle cleansers and water-based, non-occlusive creams;
• Avoiding abrasive soaps and irritating peels;
• Wearing minimal and non-comedogenic make-up;
• Using a cotton pad with toner or micellar water as a facial wipe after strenuous activity;
• Keeping hands away from the face;
• Changing masks daily;
• Applying topical benzoyl peroxide to easily affected areas (forehead, nose, chin) as a preventive measure.

If you’re suffering from a breakout, don’t panic and definitely don’t try to pop that pimple on your own! Picking at the lesions can deepen the infection and worsen hyperpigmentation and scarring.

Acne treatment involves oil control and elimination of bacteria. If the breakout is mild (whiteheads, blackheads, papules or pustules), it can be treated with topical creams such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, azaelic acid, salicylic acid and dapsone.

In more severe cases involving nodular or cystic (deep, painful and pus-filled) acne, a combination of topical, oral and light-based treatments such as lasers and intense pulsed light will be needed. Oral medications such as isotretinoin, antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives and spironolactone may have a variety of side effects, so it’s best to be followed up regularly by a physician. Steroid injections or incision and drainage of a cyst can also be performed to quickly reduce inflammation and the chances of scarring.

All types of acne take time to treat, so patience is your best virtue. Given the current pandemic, mask-wearing doesn’t seem likely to end anytime soon. It may be challenging, but with self-love and a good skincare regimen, healthy and blemish-free skin can still be a reality.

Follow Dr Chan on Instagram for more beauty tips and musings.

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Bringing the gift of sight to the less fortunate.

The post Starting an eye care revolution with mobile clinics appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Bringing the gift of sight to the less fortunate.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Bringing the gift of sight to the less fortunate.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Jason Lee, the founder of SIX, talks about the artisanal Singapore fragrance brand’s social mission.

The post How this homegrown fragrance brand is championing mental wellness appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Jason Lee, the founder of SIX, talks about the artisanal Singapore fragrance brand’s social mission.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

If 2020 was the year everyone decided to put their health first, then 2021 is about maintaining these newfound healthy habits for a lifetime. The traditional gym can be a scary place for the uninitiated, but many new boutique gyms today offer a much more holistic approach, tailored to each individual’s physique and fitness goals.

From female-specific training and body-building to pre- and post-natal training and rehabilitation, these gyms are geared towards helping us achieve our unique goals and to understand there’s no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to effective training.

Joint Dynamics

We’re all guilty of trying to find quick fixes — 30-day transformations, two-week weight-loss programmes, we’ve seen them and tried them all. But Osmond Chiu, gym manager at Joint Dynamics, gives us a stern reminder: “Staying fit and healthy is a marathon, not a sprint.”

“Hong Kong is indisputably a commercially driven city and so is its fitness scene,” says Chiu. “A lot of trainers in Hong Kong are too caught up with the idea of getting their clients visible results in the shortest time possible." While you may get pleasant results at first, it’s unsustainable for the long term and puts people in danger of injuries and subsequent weight gain.

His gym, Joint Dynamics, focuses on intelligent movement to get results in a sustainable and scientific manner, where training is highly personalised to fit individual needs and goals, physically, mentally and physiologically. “Our clients see us as a one-stop-shop to achieve their goals, for losing weight for a wedding or to run their fastest marathon, or simply to be healthier. Our clinicians and trainers work hand in hand to help them achieve their goals while keeping an eye on all aspects of the client,” says Chiu.

Personal training is only a fifth of what Joint Dynamics offers. Other services include physiotherapy, women’s health, osteopathy and sports therapy. Injury prevention and rehabilitation are extremely important, but commonly neglected — we don’t tend to think about treating ourselves until we’ve hurt ourselves. But at Joint Dynamics, integrated and holistic programmes are key.

Says Chiu, “It goes without saying that our bodies only attain their fullest potential when we move well, pain free.”

Pherform

Established in 2016, Pherform is one of the few gyms in Hong Kong that caters specifically to women, offering female-specific training in a small-group format. The programme is designed for women to train on a daily basis, while targeting different systems in the body, structured around metabolic conditioning and improving strength and power.

“We’re on the cusp of changing the mindset of women from training for aesthetic outcomes to utilising our bodies to reach their full capacity,” says managing director Stephanie Poelman. “Women’s bodies can be strong mentally and physically, and it takes a few early adapters to pave the way for more women to appreciate what we’re capable of.”

Poelman comes from a fitness background of team sports and says she thrives best when surrounded by a community of like-minded people. “Being around others always made me more excited for the sport than being on my own. That’s why I believe in and love group training so much.”

At Pherform, she strives to create the same for her clients. Classes are kept small, so coaches can supervise and give feedback to each member. And to keep the community strong, there are always fun challenges and special events on Pherform’s social calendar.

Along with a community of staff and members to motivate you and keep you accountable throughout your journey, newcomers to Pherform undergo the Kickstart 30 programme. For 30 days, the team will work with each participant to define their goals and, more importantly, remove obstacles to see their potential. You’re not blindly turning up to class just for training, but the team will push you towards understanding how your body works, as well as educate you on topics such as nutrition, sleep, recovery and mindset.

Ozone Fitness

Diana Purdy, founder of Ozone Fitness, was in her early forties when she first set foot in a gym, and felt much as any of us did when we first started out — completely intimidated and clueless about what we needed to do to get best results. She had no choice but to pay for hundreds of hours of personal training to ensure her workouts were effective, and becoming a certified personal trainer herself along the way so she could better educate herself about her workouts.

When starting her own gym, Purdy offered clients what she couldn’t have in the beginning: a friendly environment where personal trainers teach clients how to use equipment without the need to pay for costly personal training. Ozone also provides free fitness assessments, body-composition analyses and personalised workouts, regardless of whether you have a personal trainer.

Personalised training matters because everyone has different genetics, limitations and training needs. Ozone’s personalised training is tailored to an individual’s specific fitness level, lifestyle, objectives and schedule.

“Add to that one-on-one personal training — someone who cares, who can keep you motivated, hold you accountable and ensure you’re using correct form with every repetition — and you have a winning formula!”

Ozone also houses a beautiful, heated Himalayan pink-salt floor next to a live jellyfish aquarium. The warmth of the salt and the negative ions it produces helps boost your mood, calm the nervous system and aids muscle recovery. Purdy calls it absolute bliss to stretch out on the floor after a workout, and adds, “For some clients, it’s their favourite part of the gym.”

Calibrate Studios

Stephanie Cuvelier played rugby and netball professionally for many years, and it was only when she retired that she had a huge wake-up call. “I realised that sport doesn’t equal health. And that the sacrifices you make will eventually take a toll one way or another,” she says.

There was a gap in Hong Kong for establishments that combined exercise physiology, which Cuvelier studied in Australia, with personal training. “What I found lacking was somewhere or someone who could really connect the dots — physical, mental and emotional health — and apply it to everyday lives,” says Cuvelier. Calibrate Studios is her vision of the perfect space, bringing together education backed by evidence-based research with the practical component of training.

Personal training is at the core of Calibrate Studios, with group classes from six to eight members per session to ensure quality supervision. “No two individuals are the same. We may tell similar stories, but each person’s body is unique,” Cuvelier says.

Pre- and post-natal training is another speciality of Calibrate Studios. Proper rehabilitation post-partum is an aspect that many new mothers neglect.

“This type of training is a speciality not just of mine, but most all of our trainers,” says Cuvelier. “There’s a lot of misconceptions about training during and after pregnancy and we believe it’s crucial for women to understand the importance of training safely through pregnancy. Potential damage can easily be prevented with education, along with pelvic floor work and core strengthening. This is what you’ll learn at our Calibrate classes.”

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