Blush magazine 2018

BLUSH MAGAZINE 2018

inside this issue

• LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER • MAKE UP & SKINCARE TIPS • CHOOSING A WIG • NATURAL & ORGANIC BEAUTY HOME STYLE •MAGGIE’S CANCER CENTRES • LIVING WITH A STOMA • SKINCARE and much, much more...

ARE YOU COUNTING SHEEP?

Ask your healthcare professional about the benefits of night compression in lymphoedema management • • •

Reduced swelling1 Improved pain management1 Comfort and sense of relief1

JOBST® RELAX

Source 1: Whitaker, J (2016) ‘Lymphedema management at night: views from patients across five countries‘, British Journal of Community Nursing, 21 (Sup10) pp. S22-S30

2452/917

MORE THAN JUST A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

THERAPIES. HAND IN HAND. www.bsnmedical.co.uk

170003361 - JOBST Relax Advert - Patient Version.indd 1

15/09/2017 14:36

Contents BLUSH MAGAZINE 2018

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER

CHARITY FOCUS:

FEATURE: LIVING WITH A STOMA

Hair, brows and lashes after Chemotherapy Page 5 We need to talk about...BROWS Pages 12-13 How to choose the best lipstick for your Skin tone Page 6

Maggie’s offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends.

Help is offered freely to anyone with any type of cancer. Simply drop-in at any time!

Hints and Tips for New Ostomates Page 72 Frequently Asked Questions Page 74 Tender Loving Skincare Page 75

Travel Insurance...Your questions answered Page 77 Ten tips for Cancer Carers Page 81 Spotlight on under-eye shadows Page 11 Living with and beyond Bowel Cancer Ready, Pedi, Go! Page 15 Page 82 Spring Refresh Page 21 Brushing up! Our go-to make up brushes for eyes and face Page 10

HEALTH

Wigs - A complete Guide Pages 26

Eat Yourself Well Page 60 Which Water? Bottled or Tap? We sort out the confusion Page 63

Hair Loss Options Page 29

Find the right Workout For You Page 38-39

HOME

Take 5...Healthy short breaks

Make your home BLUSH..Bring a softness into your decorating with this year’s must-use shade Page 55 Home Heroes Page 59 Refresh your Sleep Routine Pages 46 A Tidy Home = A Healthy Mind Pages 52-53

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

FASHION...the top 10 key trends everyones talking about Page 69

Telephone: 01959 543 659

BLUSH MAGAZINE 2018

Page 71

NATURAL & ORGANIC

skincare

Inside Beauty Page 22 Essential Selection...Choose aromatherapy and discover the wonderful world of essential oils Page 23 Organic Beauty Page 25 Time to Meditate Page 43

MONEY SAVING...Which Insurance do you really need? Page 72

Bold Media Ltd 184 Main Road Biggin Hill Westerham Kent TN16 3BB

Pages 75-80

Editor: Robert Jones

Advertising Executives:

Editorial Assistant: Jo Lewis

Carol Charman Claire Hollingdale Kenny Hider Louisa Haines Marc Gatland

Team: Westgate Media Printed By: Micropress Printers Ltd

inside this issue

• LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER • MAKE UP & SKIN CARE TIPS • CHOOSING A WIG • NATURAL & ORGANIC BEAUTY HOME STYLE •MAGGIE’S CANCER CENTRES • LIVING WITH A STOMA • SKINCARE and much, much more...

All information is correct at the time of going to press.

All rights reserved. Articles may not be reproduced without written permission from Bold Media Ltd and Maggie’s Cancer Centres. Whilst every care is taken compiling the content, neither Bold Media Ltd nor Maggie’s Cancer Centres assume responsibility for the affects arising from this publication.

Page 3

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER Finding out you have cancer is traumatic enough, but the added stress of the appearance related side-effects can feel overwhelming. This can have serious consequences on self-esteem and confidence during what is already a difficult time. There are ways that you can use what you already have in your make-up to combat these changes.

Cancer support charity, Look Good Feel Better was formed in the UK in 1994 by the beauty industry to help women combat the visible side effects of their treatment. Their free confidence boosting skincare and make-up work-shops and Masterclasses are held all over the UK and to date they have supported more than 130,000 women.

The two-hour sessions are led by trained beauty volunteers, who share tips and techniques to help with eyebrow and eyelash loss as well as changes to the skin.

Top tips from Look Good Feel Better • •

•

•

•

•

Skin will often be much drier during treatment so it’s a good idea to use a gentle cream cleanser, followed by a rich moisturiser to allow the skin to absorb and benefit. Make sure you use gentle products suitable for sensitive skin.

Chemotherapy can cause high colour, flushing and blotchiness, using a green colour corrector can help to even out skin tone and disguise redness. Apply a very small amount to affected areas before your foundation. Be careful as a little goes a long way - you don’t want to end up looking like shrek!

Blusher can instantly lift the face and give definition to cheekbones. Lighter skin tones should opt for coppers and bronzes. To apply, smile to find the fullest part of your cheeks, place the brush here and then gently sweep towards the hairline, emphasising those gorgeous cheekbones.

Eyeliner can help to define and shade the eyes, creating the appearance of eyelashes that may have been lost through treatment. Using an eye pencil, roll the tip on the back of your hand to soften before applying. Start at the outer corner of the eye and work slowly to the halfway point on both the bottom and the top eyelid. You may way to use a cotton bud to blend the line, giving a softer effect.

Using the diagram, plot the three points of your eyebrow with your eye pencil; the inner edge, the arch and the outer edge. Then join the dots with a series of gentle arching feathering strokes, which will give the illusion of fine hairs.

Continue to build them up until you have achieved the desired look, it will get easier the more you practice.

If there is one cosmetic product that can cheer someone up instantly, it’s lipstick! Lips may become dry during treatment so look for lipsticks that have moisturising properties.

For more information on Look Good Feel Better, including how to find your nearest session and easy to follow tutorials please visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk Page 4

Hair, brows and lashes after Chemotherapy

Here are some top tips and product recommendations for hair, eyebrows and lashes affected by chemotherapy.

Care for hair

Which shampoo?

Some shampoos are harsher on new hair than others. My New Hair (mynewhair.org) has some great tips on choosing a gentle product and suggests looking at ingredient lists before you buy a shampoo. Look for something that has wheat protein or vitamin E and, if you have a sensitive scalp, aloe vera or geranium. If you can, find a shampoo that contains disodium and cocoamphodiacetate, which is derived from coconut oil and is a really mild cleansing agent.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo ticks most of the boxes.

For most women, hair loss is devastating. When the hair on your head grows back, it often looks and feels different, which can be a shock. The colour and texture may have changed and it may have come back curly when it was originally straight. Although it usually settles down over time, managing your hair in the interim can be a challenge.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo

‘When hair grows back, it often looks and feels different’ Nice ‘N Easy Colour Enhancer hair dye £3.75

Creating lost or thinning eyebrows

Will dye harm my hair?

Many people want to know when it’s safe to colour their hair. Cancer Hair Care (cancerhaircare.com) recommends that as long as your hair and scalp are healthy and you have about 2cm of hair growth, it’s fine to go ahead. There are plenty of clever techniques and natural colours to use both at home and at the salon. You might want to try a semi-permanent colour so that you can see whether it suits your skin tone with short hair. Superdrug stocks a good range of affordable colours from Nice’N Easy.

There are many ways to do this. An everyday option is to draw eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil or powder. Getting the right colour will depend on your skin tone, eye and hair colour. You could go to a makeup counter or high-street chemist and experiment. Taking a friend for advice can be really useful.

You might want to try Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil or Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift, which has a brow pencil, brow highlighter and a brow brush.

There are lots of brow powders to try, including Freedom Duo Eyebrow Powder or BareMinerals Brow Powder. You might find that using a powder and a pencil together works for you.

Once you have your brows in place, you might want to use an eyebrow gel to keep them there. There are lots of gels on the market, both clear or coloured. If you want a waterproof option, Browcote may work well for you.

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil £2.99

Browcote Waterproof Brow Sealer £6.99

Freedom Duo Eyebrow Powder RRP £4

Creating the illusion of eyelashes If your eyelashes have thinned, you’ll need to treat them with care. A gentle eye makeup remover can help. Avoid waterproof mascaras because they’re really difficult to remove and will put further strain on the lashes.

If your lashes are sparse, using a lash primer can help. Clinique has a really effective one that you can apply before your usual mascara to give the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes.

If your lashes have thinned or fallen out completely, you may want to try false lashes. They can be tricky to apply at first, especially if you’ve lost all your lashes, but with practice you’ll become more confident.

Page 5

IDENTIFY YOUR UNDERTONE First, the basics, Everyone’s skin has undertones of either yellow or pink.

Yellow is warmer, pink is cooler.

Knowing your undertone is enormously helpful when you’re trying to figure out which lipsticks look best on you. A quick way to identify your skin’s undertone is to look at the veins on your wrist. If they are blue, and you also gravitate towards wearing blues, whites and greys, you’ve got pink undertones. If your veins appear more green, you have a warmer yellow undertone. If they appear to be both blue and green you are the lucky owner of a neutral skin tone (meaning equal pink and yellow tones), and you can wear any colour.

How to choose the best lipstick for your

Skin tone Most of us have a bunch of lipsticks in our beauty bag, some that we wear all the time, some that never get touched. There’s a reason for that. You may have fallen in love with a lipstick in the store or on Beyonce’s face, but when you put it on yourself it just doesn’t work?

Here are a few tricks for finding the right lipstick that works with your complexion...

TEST BEFORE YOU BUY When testing a new lipstick, try it on your lips so you can see its true colour and how it looks on your skin (use a cotton bud). Alternatively try it on the pads of your fingertips rather than the side of your hand, as they are a little closer to lip colour.

This will also show you the texture of the lipstick - whether it’s very sheer, totally matte, shimmery and so on.

As a general rule, a matte finish tends to make lips look thinner and it can be ageing, while shimmery shades and glosses makes lips look fuller.

Page 6

LIP SHAPE There are some general rules that apply to certain lip shapes like darker colours making lips look smaller and lighter colours making lips appear bigger. So take note of whether you want to accentuate or minimize your lip shape before you start narrowing down lip colours so it won’t be overwhelming!

CONTOURING What to Know Use the right shade. Your contouring product shouldn’t be more than two colours deeper than your complexion. If your skin is light to deep, go for taupes and grayish browns. Darker skin tones should try warmer, cognac colours.

For a Bold Look: A CREAM

Creamy contours, like sticks and palettes, are more dramatic than powders.

Blend in a small amount with your fingers, a brush, or a damp Beautyblender sponge, then build more colour for a stronger result.

Don’t contour everything. You can sculpt your entire face, but that doesn’t mean you should. Using the contouring product of your choice, try your cheek hollows: Start from the middle of your ear and move toward the corner of your mouth, stopping midcheek. Shade additional features based on your goals, whether it’s a smaller forehead (apply along your hairline and temples), a more pronounced jawline (buff underneath chin), or a slimmer nose (blend soft For natural-looking parallel lines on either side). dimension, go for a liquid matte bronzer. Work it Try “invisible” contouring. This layering between your fingers and technique is great, you’re elevating the press it into the hollows of bone structure without a ton of product. your cheeks to give a touch Begin with a light application, then add of warmth. colour until you get a subtly carved-out look, you should get compliments on your features not the product.

For a subtle Look: A LIQUID

Avoid products with shimmer (they reflect light). You’re adding a sense of depth with matte taupes or cool browns that absorb light.

Balance it all out with blush and highlighter. It makes it wellrounded and pretty!

Highlighting

For a Polished Look: A POWDER

Contouring powders are sheerer and also ideal for shiny skin. Dust on a translucent powder, then apply the colour. This prevents it from sticking to the natural oils in your skin.

Use the right shade. Choose a colour that is paler than your skin; anything darker will read as blush or bronzer, which isn’t what you want. If you have light to medium skin, go for a pale pearl, and if you have dark skin, try a rose-gold, golden, or bronze hue.

Pick the right finish. Use mattes and soft shimmers in the day and save anything extra glittery for night.

Know where to highlight. You want to highlight your face’s high points: your cheekbones, brow bone (and just above your arches), chin, Cupid’s bow, and the bridge of your nose. Steer clear of your inner cheeks, the sides can be glowing and illuminated, but if it wraps around the front, it’ll appear greasy.

Or just use a glowy skin care product. Use a rich moisturiser that gives a believable, lit-from-within finish. Apply on top of your makeup on the cheekbones. The texture of the moisturiser should reflect the light and mimic the dewy radiance Page 7

Page 8

Full coverage natural look Smooths and blurs pores Made with good-for-skin ingredients BAREPRO ÂŽ Liquid Foundation & Concealer www.bareminerals.co.uk

Page 9

BRUSHING

UP!

One of the most important beauty tips is to invest in good makeup brushes. Having the right brush can make all the difference for your technique and application. You can spend all the money in the world on high-end products, but without the proper tools to apply them you are not getting the most out of your makeup.

EYE SHADOW BRUSHES

Here are our go-to makeup brushes for eyes and face, along with some extras for special events or just when you need a more detailed application.

Bobbi Brown “Eye Sweep” Brush

MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

Applies the right amount of shadow to the lower lid and crease. Can also be used to apply base colour over entire lid

Use when applying all over colour, a soft crease, and to buff and blend colours together

SONIA KASHUK Small Shadow Brush

Perfect for applying shadow underneath the eyes and to cut your crease for a more dramatic look

NARS #45 Smudge Brush

Use when applying shadow over your eyeliner for a lasting effect

FACE BRUSHES MAC 116 B Blush Brush

The best we’ve ever used! This makes blush look more natural and is great for apple of cheeks application.

Beauty Blender

Elf Small Tapered Brush

The best way to apply foundation.

Run under water until it expands then squeeze out all excess water.

It makes foundation look natural, blended, and fills in pores.

Ideal for a more precise way to apply bronzer and contour. It helps shape your face, but is still fluffy so you don’t get super harsh lines.

Bobbi Brown Face Blender

Use this brush after you have done all you face makeup to blend and buff everything together, which provides a more natural look

EXTRA BRUSHES Real Techniques Expert Brush

Great for applying foundation if you need a more full coverage look. Easily buffs foundation into skin and pores. Is also great for cream bronzers/countour cream Page 10

Laura Mercier Fan Brush

Use fan brushes to apply powder highlighters to your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.

BAREMINERALS Precision Face Brush

This is for a VERY chiseled look with powder or cream bronzers and contour cream/powder. Great to define those cheek bones

Spotlight on

UNDER - EYE

Shadows

TIPS ON HOW TO CAMOUFLAGE THOSE DARK CIRCLES

T

o cover dark circles you need two things: a soft synthetic bristle brush and a moist concealer in a specific shade. To find the right one, you need to determine the actual colour that the discolouration appears to be. It’s simple colour theory from there.

Remember making a colour wheel in high school art class? You were given red, blue and yellow paint and from those three colours you were shown how to create a rainbow of colours that include green, violet and orange, in addition to six tertiary colours. If you remember where each colour lines up in the circle you can easily determine what colour concealer will work best to camouflage dark circles. You can buy a colour wheel at any art supply shop or find one online and print out. Opposite colours will cancel each other out when applied on top of each other.

CONCEALER

Most commonly, under-eye circles have a slightly blush look, which means an orange-toned concealer will hide the blue.

Some under-eye circles have more of a purple cast to them, which needs a yellow-toned concealer. Red-violet under-eye circles should use olive (yellow-green). If you have blue-violet discolouration, use peach (yellow-orange). Equally important is knowing the right colour concealer to look for, so make sure to select one that is close to the level of lightness or darkness of the overall skin tone. In other words, if you need an olive concealer, don’t use a dark olive if you have fair skin!

Not all concealers are the same. They can range from sheer and watery to drier formulas with heavier coverage. The best formula to utilise colour theory with are sheer to medium in coverage.

Also look for a formula that is moist and not too dry, since the eye area has no pores. The drier formulas that are best for facial blemishes are too dry and will appear cakey around the eyes.

If dark circles are a major concern for you, if possible try lessening the darkness instead of covering it up. Invest in a good daytime eye cream. Most women are under the impression that the skin around their eyes is actually a darker pigment,which is not true in most cases. Because the skin around the eyes is seven times thinner than the rest of the face, the skin in this area is somewhat transparent. The vein and muscle tissue beneath the skin is the real culprit of dark circles. The more hydrated the skin around the eye area becomes, the less dark your under-eye area will appear. In addition to helping eliminate the darkness, and as an even better bonus, eye cream will help the delicate eye area form and moist to prevent it from ageing at the rate it would age otherwise.

Women should invest in an eye cream by the age of 18 or so and use it daily, regardless if they wear makeup or not!

Page 11

Lets talk.....

BROWS

For those who grew up over-plucking and under-grooming, the new bold brow can be daunting - but it knocks years off.

We live in the age of the eyebrow - specifically the ‘bold brow’. It’s thick, arched and groomed using a plethora of gels, waxes, pens, pencils and ‘brownscaras’. And it seems that everyone from newsreaders and actresses to the Duchess of Cambridge has brows that make as much statement as their hair and clothes.

It’s a trend that isn’t going away either. We’re spending over £20 million and counting on brow products in the UK, there are over two million how-to tutorials online, and now the world of brows even has its own language.

Having ‘on fleek’ brows (translation: a social media term that essentially means ‘looks good’ or ‘perfectly executed’) is most definitely a good thing, for example. But what to do if yours aren’t so #onfleek?

For those of us over 40 who either grow up ignoring our brows or plucking them into thin tadpoles and just maybe using a generic shape

this revolution can feel a bit overwhelming. It is worth embracing though, because the new bold brow is a great anti-ager. We underestimate the huge transformative impact the fuller-looking brow has, it adds a fresh and youthful appearance to your face in a way that wearing a bright lipstick or having a blow dry just cant compete with.

“You’re trying to enhance what STEP BY STEP you have Taking the leap from now brow wow brow is best undertaken naturally, but toin baby steps. It’s definitely not a look to try on a Monday also thicken and morning when you’re running late. sharpen it at the To begin with, simply get experimenting with an eyebrow same time.” pencil. You’re trying to enhance

Page 12

what you have naturally, but also thicken and sharpen at the same time. Build up the intensity of the colour and shape gradually, because it takes time to adjust to seeing yourself with bolder brows.

PAY A PRO Alternatively, have a session with an expert. You can take a trip to Selfridges, for example, where Bobbi Brown has launched its new Brow How service(from £15). Your brow specialist will talk you through make-up and grooming recommendations so you can follow the same steps at home. You’re encouraged to take photos on your phone and are given a step-by-step guide to take away with you.

On the High Street, experienced threading brow therapist like those at Shavata in House of Fraser, from £13, or at Superdrug, from £5, will work with your individual face shape and brow structure to get best results.

If you have no brows, try Lola Brows (from £25, see lashperfect.co.uk).

The professional applied semi- permanent tinted gel formula (in six shades) adheres to any individual hairs, rebuilding shape, volume and thickness, and can be applied directly on the skin, too. It takes around 30 minutes and is smudge and waterproof for up to three weeks. Long enough, we think, not only to get used to, but to learn to love what a bolder brow could do for you.

“Brow therapists will work with your individual face shape.”

CELEBRITIES WITH

BRILLIANT BROWS

Duchess of Cambridge

Kate Winslet

Nigella Lawson

DO TRY THIS AT HOME FAKE SOME FULLNESS

Temporarily disguise thin brows with a tinted volumising gel that contains hair-thickening fibres.

Brushing it back into the brows ensures the colour is deposited at the roots, which gives the most realistic volumised look.

ADD LENGTH

To work our where brows should end, hold a make-up brush from the edge of your nose along the outer corner of your eye up to the brow.

Mark this point with an eyebrow pencil so you know where to extend your brows to. Mimic the natural shape of the hair by filling in with light, curved strokes with a brow styler.

FAIR HAIR?

Grey and blonde brows blend into skin, making our features look unbalanced. A soft brown tint subtly disguises light hairs but won’t overpower the rest of your face. As tinting makes brows look more pronounced, it can also divert attention away from fine lines around the eye area too.

TAME UNRULY BROWS Trimming away longer, coarser hairs is the fastest way to maintain brow shape. Comb hair upwards and use small scissors to trim the longest hairs evenly in line with the top of the brow. For the most natural effect, stagger the length by cutting the hair closest to the temples slightly shorter.

Page 13

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27/02/2018 09:18

Ready

PEDI, GO! Hear that? It’s the sound of

your feet cheering lass!

thanks to our DIY masterc

With summer fast approaching, it means it’s time to put away those boots and bring out your favourite strappy sandals. While this is mostly good news, you’re not alone if you’re a tad bit afraid to show odd those feet after their winter-long hibernation. But there’s no need to fret - with just a little bit of TLC, you’ll be ready to show off your toes in no time at all...

!

Topoplishtsimpudge, thweanit

di id To avo after your pe ount m in a m s u 5 1 ero nails, a gen apply oil over your et fe le r c f you of cuti e top o lide your th r e v s o c nd CLEANSE Soak your feet in a bowl of warm water - not steaming in clingfilm, a s on. shoe

hot, as this can dry out your skin. Make your own soak using one-part Epsom salts along with one part baking soda and a few drops of essential oil. The salt softens the skin and cuticles.

BUFF After about five to seven minutes, dry your feet thoroughly and buff hard skin on the heels and balls of the feet using a foot file.

RUB IT IN Smother feet in a rich foot cream, massaging it into the many de-stressing pulse points on the soles of your feet.

TIDY UP Trim and file your toenails. Never cut nails at an angle as it can cause ingrown toenails. Rather make a few small cuts across your nail with scissors or clippers - don’t try to clip each nail in one go. File in one long stroke, from left to right using an emery board.

PREP Remove any residue from your nails and prepare for your paint by sweeping a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover across each toe. Weave kitchen towel in-between your toes to create some space so it’s easier for you to paint.

PAINT IT ON Apply a base coat, and then follow this with two coats of your desired colour in thin, smooth layers. Remember to take the nail polish to the edge of the nail - this helps the polish last longer.

FINISHING TOUCH End with a top coat for a hard-wearing finish, and then apply cuticle oil to the base of the nail bed to nourish.

E S S E N T I A L K I T

Page 15

BUILDING A REGIMEN FOR ALL

SKIN TYPES F

inally! Summer has arrived and that means long days and even longer nights under the sun. Easily everyone’s favourite season, summer marks a time of beaches, shorts, and bikinis. While most of us have all our summer staples wardrobe-wise let us not forget the most important part of your outfit: your skin!

You’ll be showing it off more than usual this season and spending much more time outside under the rays of the sun. Yes, we know, sounds like fun, but if you’re not taking care of your skin during these summer months you could wind up regretting it later in life. So before it gets too hot, build a summer skincare regimen that will not only protect your skin but help it retain that youthful glow far after the summer has gone.

The foundation of any skincare regimen is cleanse skin.

Without it, the entire process won’t be effective.

Generally, it’s only necessary to wash your face every evening, but in the summer, morning and night cleansing is best. For the warmer months lightweight everything will be your best option to keep your skin hydrated without feeling weighed down. Foaming cleansers are a favourite for oily skin, and cleansing milks would be a great option for those with drier skin. Find a great cleanser that leaves your skin feeling clean without feeling dried out and use twice a day.

TONE

CLEANSE

After cleansing the next step in a good skincare regimen is toner. Using a toner after cleansing is a pretty simple Page 16

step that can go a long way in maintaining and improving the condition of your skin. The main purpose of using a toner is to restore your skin and prepare it for the rest of your routine. This is particularly important in the summer because you want your products to really penetrate the layers of your skin without leaving anything behind. This is where a good toner comes into play. With daily use right after cleansing, you’ll notice smoother and more refreshed skin.

MOISTURISE

MOISTURISE

The most important part of any skincare regimen, especially in the summer, is sunscreen. Regardless of the season, protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun is essential in preventing serious issues like skin disease and skin cancer. Fortunately, there are tons of options from lotions to sprays to gels that contain SPF (Sun Protection Factor) which is the perfect solution to your sunscreen needs. There are even foundations, primers and BB creams with SPF for those of us who love to wear makeup year round. When choosing your sunscreen product think about your lifestyle and personal preferences. Do you wear makeup? Well, you should be thinking about a base that has SPF. Not a fan of heavy creams in the summer? Try a gel or spray that is more lightweight. Honestly, it’s less important what kind of product you’re using versus using the right products correctly. For starters, make sure you’re using a product that contains SPF 15 or higher. Also, opt for a sunscreen that is water resistant and also promotes UVB and UVA protection. Finally, sunscreen is to be applied 15-30 minutes before you hit the streets to allow for complete absorption into the skin.

EXFOLIATE Since summer tends to be more humid, many people think they are able to moisturise less in the warmer months.

Wrong! It’s just as important to moisturise your skin every single day in the summer to keep it soft and glowing. If you’re part of the oily skin tribe this can sound a little daunting as adding moisture to oily skin in high temperature can turn into a bit of a disaster. The trick is to understand your skin and moisturising products that will work with it, not against, it. If you deal with dry skin, use a lightweight cream moisturiser that contains fatty acids.

For oily skin a serum is a better option or a moisturiser that contains salicyclic acid. For women with a deeper skin tones, moisturisers with vitamin C are great for keeping skin bright and fading dark spots. You should moisturise after you cleanse your face so essentially twice a day. For an added layer of moisture invest in a good facial mist which will be your best friend on the hottest days when the heat and humidity leave you feeling a sticky mess. Spritz all over and feel instantly refreshed!

SUNCREAM

Although this isn’t a daily process (we would recommend 2 or 3 times max per week), exfoliating is an important step in a complete skincare regimen. Exfoliators remove dead skin cells and can help unclog pores, both of which can lead to breakouts. This step is equally important in all seasons, but it’s definitely worth noting that sweat generally being outside in natural conditions can wreak havoc on the best of skin so exfoliating at the very least weekly is a must!

In the summer, less is more so keep your regimen simple with a few staple products that you know work for you and be consistent.

You’ll look amazing on your summer vacation, and your skin will thank you once Old Man Winter rolls around again.

Page 17

Page 18 SHI-90847-1804-637_SHISEIDO_UK_BLUSH MAG_E1_ESSENTIAL_ENERGY_SS18_420x297.indd Toutes les pages

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Skincare enters a new era.

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NEW Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream *

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Page 19 16/04/2018 17:28

_I

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You can use it:

0 8 O

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Page 20

-I I

I­

Lixir Night Switch BHA/AHA 10%, £20

Add a few drops to your night moisturiser for a deep cleanse, and wake looking refreshed.

Beauty Bio Bright Eyes Patches, £40 Apply patches underneath eyes; the cooling effect reduces puffiness instantly.

The Works Evening Detox Cleansing Water, £22; The Works Detox Spray-on Exfoliant, £28 Wash away your day with this excellent double act: exfoliate first then cleanse for a visibly skinbrightening effect.

Givency Dahlia Divin Eau de Toilette, £59.50

A sophisticated scent that smells spring-like we’re so ready for that!

Dermalogica PreCleanse Balm, £44

Especially good if you’ve been stuck in city pollution - removes grime brilliantly.

SPRING

REFRESH Our pick of the best new seasonal beauty buys to make you feel and look fresh and fabulous Lixir Univeral Emulsion, £45

A moisturising nourishing balm that’s absorbed instantly.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Limited Edition 150ml, £23.50 One of the best-selling for good reason - the perfect cleanser, stunningly packaged.

Mr Smith The Foundation, £26

Use on wet or dry hair before styling - the scent is incredible and works a treat on dry ends.

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NATURAL ORGANIC SKINCARE

FAIR CARE

Inside

Give your intimate areas some natural nourishment with these new Fair Trade products.

Fair Squared is a certified Fair Trade and natural personal care brand, which has now brought us a new intimate care range.

Made with sustainable, hand picked ingredients and crafted using traditional methods, Fair Squared uses natural and organic ingredients.

The products range from body care must-haves to natural intimate products.

We particularly like Women’s Intimate Shaving Soap in Apricot, perfect for cleansing your skin whilst you shave, helping you to avoid skin irritation and shaving rashes.

With a pH-balance of 4.5, it is also suitable for shaving the sensitive skin of the intimate area.

Beauty

MAKE-UP MATTERS When was the last time you gave your foundation and concealer brushes a wash?

Was it the recommended once a week?

If you’re not a regular cleaner of these tools, why not invest in some new cleaning aids to help you - such as the Brush and Sponge cleaner from Nanshy.

The 100 per cent natural solid balm formula removes the most stubborn make-up, such as oils, pigments and silicones, and bacteria, which build up on your tools and clog pores.

Enriched with coconut milk to nourish and lightly scent, grapefruit and bergamot essential oil and vitamin E oil to soften, your sponges and brushes will be good as new.

Simply dampen the sponge or brushes in a little warm water and gently massage into the soap, working into a lather in the tin, to help dissolve the dirt.

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CLEAN BEAUTY

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We all know the importance of taking our make-up off at the end of a day, and now the process has been made a little more luxurious thanks to Pacifica.

Pacifica Micellar Waters are powerful, yet gentle, helping capture and lift away dirt, oil, impurities and make-up without harsh rubbing or even rinsing.

There are three varieties available, Coconut water for stressed skin, Cactus Water for all skins, and Kale Water, infused with glycolic acid for skin brightening, and for oily blemish prone skin.

SKIN SUPPORT

If you’re suffering with problem skin, but are concerned about your chemical load, why not try Pai’s rich Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream.

Packed with highly effective certified organic plant oils and butters, including jojoba oil and shea butter, these ingredients actively support the natural moisture barrier, while still allowing skin to breathe, so your skin feels deeply nourished.

Calming calendula brings visible relief to patches of irritation, while comfrey helps to combat itchiness and contains a clever compound, allantoin, to improve the appearance of dry skin.

This product was developed with eczema, psoriasis and urticaria-prone skin in mind and is free from irritants thought to exacerbate these conditions.

Essential

SELECTION Choose aromatherapy and discover the wonderful world of essential oils.

T

he world of complementary health offers us some incredible benefits, not just for body but for balancing mind and spirit too.

This is very much the case when we talk about aromatherapy. a therapy that has stood the test of time over centuries - for good reason.

Aromatherapy is a way of treating the whole body, rather than just the symptom, using gentle essential oils and plant extracts, which have powerful healing powers.

There are many different ways you can incorporate aromatherapy into your everyday routine; in aromatherapy treatments, the essential oils are applied externally. In addition, they can be used in oil burners, diffusers, drops in the bath, and in body and bath products. You can even add a couple of drops of oil onto a tissue for regular inhalation.

FOR THE SKIN

Aromatherapy is wonderful for the skin, offering a vast number of benefits.

This is because essential oils can help rejuvenate tissues and improve the elasticity of the skin, promoting the elimination of old cells and increasing the production of new ones. You could opt for lavender for its cleansing properties.

It is also known that essential oils such as chamomile are supportive to those who suffer with eczema and psoriasis.

And don’t forget that tea tree is excellent for its antiseptic and antibacterial power..

FOR GENERAL WELLBEING There is an essential oil to help with a whole host of health issues, so why not head to your health food store for their recommendations of the best for you?

♦For digestion: Try rosemary for constipation, or perhaps peppermint to ease indigestion. ♦Muscular pain: Aromatherapy performs very strongly for those needing some muscular support, with some of the best essential oils including ginger and marjoram. ♦Winter warming: Frankincense has a multitude of uses, helping to soothe throat and chest problems. You could also try eucalyptus for easing congestion. ♦Hormone balance: Try rose or geranium to balance hormones.

FOR STRESS

Stress is something that affects all of us at various points, thanks to the demands of modern life.

But aromatherapy really comes into its own in helping to ease the effects of stress and anxiety, and so if you are suffering with excess levels, it is well worth investing in essential oils.

Lavender is excellent for relieving stress, as well as supporting good sleep, while clary sage is very relaxing.

Frankincense is also useful in times of anxiety.

USE SAFELY Do remember tha t essential oils are powerful, and so you must follow the correct usage advice, always adhering to safe blending levels.

When buying esse ntial oils, be sure to check they are therapeau tic grade, and rem ember, any aromatherapy brand will be able to provide specific info rmation about wh ich oils are suitable for you, and will offer advice on how to use . You may also wis h to seek the advice of a trained Aromathe rapist on the safest and bes t use of essential oils for you needs,

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ORGANIC Beauty O

ur skin is our body’s largest organ, so we need to think about what we put on it just as much as what we put in it. The impact of the daily cocktail of substances that we put on our skin is only just beginning to be understood, and while one product may contain very small amounts of some of these ingredients, it is the cumulative effect of applying various products that causes concern. It’s no surprise that a number of beauty brands are choosing to go organic, providing shoppers with an alternative to non-organic products on the market. Organic has become the buzzword in beauty for brands to use, but sadly it doesn’t always stand true.

Unlike organic food, there is currently no legal certification regulation in place for organic beauty. This means that any brand can make an organic claim, no matter what ingredients the products contain. Look along the beauty aisles and you can find organic claims to beauty products that contain only very tiny amounts of organic ingredients, sometimes as little as 1%. To label a product as organic when it only contains minute quantities of organic ingredients is misleading, and it begs the questions: WHAT IS THE OTHER 99% MADE OF.

WHAT DOES ORGANIC BEAUTY ACTUALLY MEAN? Certified organic beauty products, such as the ones that carry The Soil Association logo, have to follow rigorous standards which state what ingredients and processes can and can’t be used leaving you reassured that when you buy a certified organic product, you are getting the real deal This Means: No animal testing No GM products No synthetic colours or fragrances No silicone oils or derivatives Less waste and pollution

COSMOS ORGANIC CERTIFICATION Organic certification is the only way you can be sure of the quality and integrity of the growing number of organic beauty products that are now available in shops and online. This is why The Soil Association has teamed up with four European certification bodies to develop a new Cosmetics Organic Standard, or COSMOS standard.

The aim of this standard is to harmonise organic standard globally, so whether you are buying organic beaut products in Spain or Singapore, the organic criteria will be the same.

This is good for you and the industry.

WHAT’S NOT ALLOWED? Strict EU laws ensure any food product labelled organic meets legal standards and is independently certified by a recognised body.

Unfortunately, there are no EU regulations concerning the labelling of organic or natural beauty products. The only way to be sure you’re buying a genuine organic beauty product is to look for an official certification label from either The Soil Association or COSMOS organic or natural products. Making small changes to the products you choose by buying organic could make a big difference to your health, climate change, animals and the environment.

ORGANIC BEAUTY & WELLBEING WEEK 15th - 21st May Page 25

WIGS

A complete guide...

The great thing about wigs are that you can try them on, take advice and get organised so that you have an image that you feel happy with in advance of losing your hair. It really can be a great confidence booster to know that when and if you need it, you are already prepared. The terms used and technical jargon alone can be a challenge but don’t worry because we are here to help you navigate your way through all the options. Wigs and hair replacements can open up a whole new world of style and image for you.

So let us introduce you to hair options that are best suited to your situation.

Encouraging reasons to wear a wig

Let’s take a look at some of the positive reasons to wear a wig or hairpiece •

Look good and feel better – There is nothing vain in caring about your appearance and style. Our hair is just one of the ways we express our individuality and image and for most people styling it is part of their daily routine. So when our image is altered by hair loss, a wig or hairpiece helps you to continue with a look that feels comfortable and familiar.

Most people who wear one agree that when they look good it helps them to feel better.

•

“New you” make over – Do blondes, brunettes or redheads have more fun? Now is your chance to be as daring as you wish.

Whilst you can often replicate your normal hairstyle, you can also have fun with trying different looks and styles.

•

Flexibility – You can have several different styles, customise them to suit your face shape, wear them with accessories, try them on in advance and decide when and where you wish to wear them.

•

•

•

Confidence - Covering your head with a wig or hairpiece can be a great confidence booster and help you to feel less selfconscious about the change in your image.

Extra time in bed – You can pop a wig onto a stand overnight and hey, presto it is there ready in the morning. Most synthetic wigs are easy to take care of, only need washing occasionally and are left to dry naturally, returning to their style with very little effort needed from you. No need to get up half an hour early to wash and style your hair!

Take control – If you are upset by hair loss

then wearing a wig or hairpiece helps you to take control of the situation. You decide what style, make, colour and texture wig you wish to wear. Wigs and hairpieces have advanced tremendously in the past few years and the choice available is bigger than ever.

Page 26

Chemotherpy Wigs and hair replacement options for chemotherapy wearers With a little care and time spent on selecting the right wig, it can be customised to look like your current style or you may opt for a complete new look and embrace the opportunity to have a whole new image.

When dealing with hair loss as a side effect to chemotherapy we always plan for the hair to grow back – as this really is normally the case. It’s true to say that your new hair may be a different texture and colour but expecting it to grow back is the right way to plan.

This means that when choosing a wig, you will need a “temporary” wig option (6 months to a year). In other words this is something that you are not going to wear long term. I know that this may not seem temporary to you as 6 months can feel like a long time. But it’s good to know this as it may define the type of wig you buy. For example some wigs are for long term wearers and are either very expensive or require complete baldness to be glued to (thus not suited to you). As

we take you through the many options you will see that there really are some fantastic choices of wigs and something to suit everyone.

Hair Loss Professionals Understanding what services are available

There are some truly talented and dedicated professionals waiting to offer you specialist hair loss services.

Until faced with dealing with hair loss many people have never visited a professional wig supplier or are unaware of professional hair loss services. From specialist hair extensions designed for hair loss to custom made wigs that you can swim in, there are some amazing products, services and ideas to help with hair loss.

It’s really important to understand what may be suitable for you at this time. For example some custom-made wigs take up to three months to make or a specialist volume hair extension system may need a commitment of both your time and finances.

For that reason, it’s important to find a professional who is experienced in offering services to people wishing to disguise hair loss.

Below is a list of hair loss specialist services: • Specialist salons who advertise wig customising services • Wig suppliers (NHS and private) • Hair loss specialist • Hair loss clinic • Hair replacement specialist • Trichologist

Always check that the service you are looking at has someone with experience in advising people with hair loss caused specifically by cancer treatment.

Ready made Synthetic wig Ideal at any stage of hair loss as can be worn with or without hair and whilst waiting for new hair growth – this is the most popular choice of wig worn during treatment.

A few key points: • NHS funded with a prescription • Easy to care for, wash and leave to dry as they reform their shape naturally • Don’t use heated appliances - hair dryers, hot irons and so on as heat may melt the wig • You may need a new wig every 6 months as if worn every day for 6 months they will naturally get a static build up which may produce a frizz to the hair - this is normal • Cheaper than real hair - Price is between £80.00 to £300.00 (and upwards)

Synthetic Hair (may also be called Modacrylic Fibre or Acrylic) Synthetic hair is a man-made fibre which is produced to look and feel like real hair. But unlike real hair you cannot use a hairdryer (or any heated appliance) or it will melt the wig. The styles and textures are designed to be washed with a special shampoo and conditioner (a bit like a fabric wash and softener). You then simply place on a stand and allow to dry naturally - very easy.

Nowadays the quality of synthetic hair is so good, that most people choose synthetic wigs over real hair. They are easier to take care of, more cost effective and with a little practice can look every bit as real as human hair. They cost from £60.00 with an NHS prescription or privately from £80.00 to £300.00 (upwards for custom made or long hair).

Synthetic wigs are the most popular choice

and most widely recommended type of wig for cancer treatment wearers. This is because they are easy to take care of, cost effective, NHS funded (with prescription), and look and feel every bit as real as real hair. They are available in hundreds of styles, textures and colours.

Real (Human) hair Real hair is human hair. The majority of hair is collected from women in Asia who have long, good quality hair. The hair is then treated and dyed into a range of colours. Hair is collected from all around the world so textures and colours vary.

Because the hair is natural it means that it can be coloured, permed and enhanced - just as real hair can be. This also means that a real hair wig needs more care than synthetic hair. As each time it is washed (just like your own hair) it normally needs blow-drying and styling to look good. Wig suppliers often offer a “cleaning” service where by real hair wigs can be cleaned and restyled – but this does mean organising this.

There is often the perception that human hair will offer a better quality of wig but over the last few years we have seen synthetic hair take on a new lease of life. The quality is now fantastic and offers a truly good alternative. However, when integrating your own real hair with hair extensions and weaves, in order to cover areas of hair loss, or with new hair growth, it is normally better to use real hair for optimum blending.

People often ask if they can have their own hair made into a wig, the collection of human hair to be made into wigs is a very specialized area and there are currently only around 12 people in the UK who specialise in this. If your hair is more than shoulder length, long, in very good condition, and you have plenty of it, then you may like to ask if your hair could be made into a wig.

It will commonly take at least 10 weeks to make your wig and be very expensive (£2500 upwards).

Finding a good wig supplier There is a large variation of wigs available so that whatever your hair type, skin colour, age and style there is something out there to suit you. While it’s possible to buy wigs from the following places some department stores, high street stores, mail order, hair salons and online shopping sites - a professional wig supplier is the person who will have most experience to offer you the widest variety of options.

a local wig supplier. You normally have to pay around £60.00 towards the cost but you may also be entitled to a free wig and pay no charge.

Private wig supplier

You can also visit a private wig supplier. As wigs are becoming a more mainstream fashion item, it is important to find a supplier who has experience in advising people with hair loss and those going through cancer treatments (as it is completely different from being just a fashion accessory). These individuals are trained to offer this service and normally do so with care, passion and empathy for your situation

Budgeting and paying for a wig Most people will qualify for some help towards the cost of a wig from the NHS to cover hair loss.

But there is nothing to stop you from choosing to buy a wig privately if you wish. Below we explain payment options and ideas.

Budgeting As well as your wig, don’t forget to budget for the items below as these will not normally be covered by your NHS prescription so you will need to fund these costs yourself.

• Wig stand From £4.99 upwards • Care and styling products From £3.00 upwards • Wig brush and styling aids From 3.00 upwards • Wig/skull cap From 0.50p Upwards • Accessories From £1.00 upwards

Private payment– meaning that you pay in full.

You may not be offered an NHS prescription.

Therefore, you may decide to select a wig that is not covered by your NHS prescription such as a real hair wig or a wig outside of the NHS range on offer.

Private Health Insurance-If you are

having private treatment then your oncologist may ask you to visit your GP in order to be referred as part of the NHS wig prescription service.

It is well worth calling your local NHS wig supplier to ask for their help as they can often point you in the right direction.

NHS support- Speak to your nurse or consultant

about your referral letter and details of your local supplier.

It may be that you will qualify for help towards costs of a wig from the NHS because your hair loss is due to a side effect of medical treatment. If so you will normally be limited to using a supplier that is recommended by your local NHS authority. These are suppliers who have the contract agreement with the NHS to supply you a wig. You will normally receive a referral letter which will tell you the details of agreed suppliers.

NHS

Did you know that there is no such thing as an NHS wig?…the NHS do not make wigs - they outsource the supply to various wig shops. You are most likely to be given a prescription (letter) which refers you to

Page 27

Experiment with your hair this year with the experts. From short to long, add extra volume with extensions, we’ll find you the perfect colour and the best cut to suit your style.

Book an appointment online at www.charlesworthingtonsalons.com or phone 020 7831 5303

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OPTIONS

If you have Hair Loss

There are many pr actical ways to cope with hair loss. They do not make the problem disappear, but they can make life a bit easier for you during this difficult time.

Some hospitals have staff who can show you how to wear different types of headwear. They can also give you ideas and tips on how to cope with hair loss.

You can ask your nurse whether there is anyone who can help you. You could also ask a professional hairdresser for advice.

Some hospitals run hair and beauty programmes for people affected by cancer. Your nurses should be able to tell you if your hospital has these programmes, or if there are any near by.

Most of these programmes are for women, but the Look Good Feel Better For Men website has information for men affected by cancer. It includes practical tips on coping with hair loss.

“After treatment, I went back to work and was in a meeting. I felt uneasy going back with no hair, so I wore a baseball cap – I couldn’t find anything else!”

WIGS

Many people choose to wear a wig, as they want to look the way they usually do. You may not want people other than close family and friends to know you have cancer. You might choose a wig in a similar style to your usual hairstyle. Or you might take the chance to try out different styles. If you have only lost some of your hair, there are also half wigs and three-quarter wigs that may be suitable for you.

HATS

Hats are also a popular option. They come in many different shapes, styles and colours. They are common fashion accessories, and they can be very practical because they keep your head warm. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat outside is also a great way of protecting your head and scalp from the sun.

Department stores usually have a good selection, and there are also specialist hat

shops. Try on a range of different styles to find one that suits you and feels comfortable.

SCARVES & BANDANAS Scarves are another option. They are available in different colours and materials, and are light and easy to wear.

The best fabrics to use are cotton, light-weight wool, or blends. Satin-type materials tend to slide off the head too easily.

“Headscarves allowed me to be creative and play with different looks.

I had fun doing this. They also helped me to cope, especially because I got compliments.”

TURBANS

Turbans are available in different materials, such as velvet, silk, cotton and towelling.

They are popular and comfortable to wear, especially in hot weather. They are available from some chemists, department stores or specialist wig shops, and from some specialist suppliers.

HAIR ACCESSORIES AND REPLACEMENTS

If you normally have a fringe, you can get one on a Velcro® band from some wig suppliers. Some suppliers also make turbans and scarves with optional fringes or headbands with hair attached. You can also order hats, headbands or bandanas with attached hair from specialist suppliers.

Hairpieces and clip-in hair can be used to thicken thin hair or to cover up small areas of hair loss, for example from radiotherapy. They are only suitable for you if you have some hair. You can attach them using glues, clips or double-sided tape.

Avoid extensions, weaves and any plaiting or bonding systems, as this will put extra tension on the remaining hair. This can affect hair growth and could cause more hair loss. Remove any hairpieces and clips before sleeping to avoid damage to your natural hair.

“I started wearing a bandana when I lost my hair. Some people, who I have known for years, didn’t recognise me with the bandana!.”

CHANGE IN HAIRSTYLE

If you have not lost all your hair, you may find that a change in hairstyle helps cover up the hair loss. There are specialist hairdressers who can advise you on a change of style that is most suitable for your situation.

HAIR TRANSPLANTS

Surgery to replace hair is only suitable if you have permanent hair loss, for example after radiotherapy. A hair transplant surgeon will take hair from a part of your head to cover the area of hair loss. The surgeon will test a small area first, to see if the hair transplants well. Techniques have greatly improved in recent years and the result can be very natural-looking hair. But this procedure is not suitable for everyone. It is important to talk to a specialist surgeon if you are thinking about this. Contact the Institute of Trichologists for a list of qualified cosmetic surgeons.

“I lost all my hair, but it was okay. I decided to just be myself and be bald.”

PROUD TO BE BALD

Although we have talked about various types of headwear, you may prefer not to wear anything on your head. Or some people like to show their individual style by using accessories. It is important to do what feels right for you.

Some hospitals and support groups run programmes, such as Look Good Feel Better, that give expert advice on make-up and skincare.

Your nurses can tell you if there is a programme like this in your hospital or at a nearby support group.

At first, you may not feel confident going out and carrying on with your social life.

But hopefully, as you spend more time with other people, your confidence will grow.

Page 29

Stepping into the light and elegant new premises of Julia Lampard’s hair salon in Guildford, it’s easy to see why the business has made the move. Julia has taken full advantage of the large, dual-aspect space to create a glamorous, relaxed setting that might well make her customers wish they could linger over tea and magazines long after their hair has been cut and blow-dried.

The new address also enables Julia to achieve an aim dear to her heart – by offering privacy to clients who come for the salon’s wig service, set up twelve years ago in her previous premises a stone’s throw away. In a dedicated consulting room with its own facilities for washing and cutting, customers who have suffered hair loss as a result of cancer treatments or alopecia can try on wigs from a huge range of styles. With referrals from a growing list of local and London hospitals, Julia and her team of seven can now accommodate those clients who need a completely new head of hair with just as much comfort as their regular hairdressing clients.

“We want people who are undergoing a personally challenging time to feel one hundred percent safe with us,” Julia says. “We don’t simply supply and fit a wig, we care for the well-being of our clients to restore their confidence in themselves"

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www.jlwigs.com

The process of choosing and fitting a wig begins with an hour-long consultation during which customers can select from more than a hundred premium-quality human and synthetic hair wigs from just three carefully chosen suppliers. When a style and colour have been chosen, a fitting is arranged at this stage. An important part of the service is cutting and personalising the wig to make it look natural. The techniques needed are different from normal hair cutting, Julia explains, because with synthetic hair there is no new growth to give movement and texture. “If you cut a wig in the same way as you cut living hair, it will look like a wig. To create a natural look you have to go at it in different ways.”

We also offer a fabulous range of natural eyebrows made of human hair.

As well as leading the field in her innovative approach to cutting, Julia has gone the extra mile for customers by designing and patenting a muslin wig liner. Exclusive to the Julia Lampard salon, the liner is designed to increase the wearer’s comfort by preventing chafing, and keeping the wig secure and the scalp cool.

And when the wearer’s own hair eventually grows back, perhaps fragile and brittle at first, Julia is on hand again. “When people who have been poorly have their hair cut for the first time in a long while they can’t believe the difference,” she says. “Even when they think there is nothing they can do with their hair, we can find ways to create a lovely style. And when they say, thank you, I feel like me again, I’m thrilled.”

"I was delighted with the caring and kind way I was treated in difficult circumstances" Vivienne "Wonderful experience with such beautiful people" Marylin "This salon has been a life saver. I was seen so promptly and the staff have been exceptionally supportive" Bali www.julia-lampard.co.uk

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Henna Herbals & Cosmetics

Your store for natural & chemical free cosmetics, skincare and hair products including henna, indigo, shampoo & specialised hair tonics Redeem your 20% discount by using code BLUSH20 at checkout *when you spenf £30 or more

Especially designed for those with sparse or no eyebrows, these pens contain no chemical or harsh ingredients, they are henna based so give a long lasting all day colour. Henna pens come in 4 shades for eyebrows and lots of lovely eye and lip liner colours. These pens are especially useful for those who have lost hair through illness.

WIG CUTTING, STYLING & FITTING

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Other items include body & face oils with argan, & coconut, all perfect for dry and sensitive skins & our ever expanding top quality specialised soaps, shampoos and conditioners from around the world that will be kind and bene icial to your skin.

Give yourself a healthy tan with this 100% all natural and organic self tanning solution the world's first Eco certified self tan.

We offer a full range of peelable and washable nail polish and now have a great range of plant based nail polish in lots of gorgeous shades.

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Find the right workout FOR YOU

So you’re not exercising as much as you should be? Join the club! We look at some common issues that get in the way and how to revive your workout mojo...

Perhaps you’d love to make it to the gym more than you manage, or you’ve tried to take up running every spring for the last few years - but never turned it into a habit. It’s not just you - by the age of 50, only 32 per cent of us get active for 30 minutes at least once a week.

Government guidelines suggest, as a minimum, we should be doing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, plus muscle-strengthening activity on two or more days, so lots of us are lagging way behind. Exercise is often difficult for women for a number of reasons, some women feel guilty for taking time out from family life and many are out off from bad experiences of PE at school, or feel self-conscious in the gym.

We’ve rounded up some of the most common reasons women struggle to do enough exercise and find ways to get over barriers.

“Do your workout in the morning - not only will it give you an early zap of energy, you’ll also sleep better that night”

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IF YOU NEVER HAVE THE TIME...

This is a big problem for women who may be working full-time as well as looking after a family.

But there are still ways to fit in a workout Build exercise into your day For example, use your work lunch hour to go for a jog or a fitness class, or your could run or cycle for at least part of your commute so your workout has a practical purpose and doesn’t eat into extra time.

Set your alarm clock just ten minutes earlier and do a mini workout at home. Try the 7

Minute Workout App (free, IPhone and iPad), which involves 12 high-intensity bodyweight exercises performed super-fast.

Use a Workout App or website in your living room - websites like yogaglo.com and pilatesod.com let you choose routines to fit whatever time you have, even if that’s just 15 minutes while the dinners in the oven.

Schedule exercise sessions Just like a meeting - mark the time in your diary, set a phone reminder and treat workouts as a must do, not an add-on to your day,

IF YOU FIND THE GYM BORING

Many people find the gym monotonous, so don’t be so hard on yourself if you don’t enjoy it. Get experimenting to find the right workout for you.

Varying your exercise regime keeps you motivated You could alternate weight sessions with something fun, like showgirl inspired Burlexercise (burlexercise.co.uk) or consider training for a mini-triathlon.

Try a team sport It gives you that element of competition that makes exercising more interesting. The Back to Netball (englandnetball.co.uk/mygame/back-tonetball) and Back to Hockey (englandhockey. co.uk) schemes are aimed at women of all ages.

Set yourself a challenge having a goal like a charity event you have to train for can motivate you. Try ParkRun (parkrun.org.uk) a free 5K run that takes place on saturday mornings throughout the year and you can track your weekly improvements on the website.

“Build exercise into your day - Use your work lunch hour to go for a jog or set your alarm clock just ten minutes earlier and do a mini-workout at home” IF YOU’RE TOO SELF-CONSCIOUS

going.

Try classes streamed over the internet, which you can do in Sport England’s research has found many women are deterred your living room. Usually, these from physical activity early in life. work with a video conferencing If you were last to be picked in app that allows just you and the each PE class, it’s not surprising instructor to see each other. You you might not love exercise now. can find everything from barre Body image issues can also be a workouts to Pilates taught this concern - and top of all that, you way. might feel self-conscious about A beginners course - whether joining in when you’re older. that’s in yoga or belly dancing - is another great way to get Hire a trainer Whether it’s a personal trainer in the gym or a into a new activity - you’ll be starting at the same level. Fancy one-to-one yoga teacher, it can running? Try a beginner’s course boost your confidence, helping you feel sure you’re getting your at your local running club or use workout right. Just a handful of the Couch to 5k app to build up sessions can be enough to get you slowly.

IF IT’S ALL TO MUCH HARDWORK

On a cold, rainy day it’s not surprising the sofa might seem more appealing than dashing outdoors. Getting sweaty on warm days may not be tempting either - especially if you’re experiencing menopausal hot flushes.

Work out close to home You’re much more likely to make it to the gym if it’s just around the corner than a 20-minute drive away.

Keep it low-intensity Research has found that regular, low-intensity exercise can boost flagging energy levels. Walking is one of the best all-round exercises - consider joining Ramblers (ramblers.org.uk) to make it sociable.

Do your workout in the morning Not only will it give you an early zap of energy, you’ll also sleep better that night. Try a pre-work class - clubs like Virgin Active and David Lloyd run short sessions of 20-30 minutes durations.

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Time to

Meditate Learn about the power of meditation to promote relaxation and aid wellbeing.

Used to clear the mind, to ease stresses and to help us to relax, meditation is an ancient practice that is increasingly being used to cope with modern day demands.

In fact meditation, along with mindfulness, have become buzzwords in recent years, and there is good reason for this, as both can help us to better cope with excess stress and allow us to relax.

Meditation effectively teaches you how to be still, and whichever type of meditation you choose - and there are a variety - the reality is that most of us could benefit from practicing it, whether we do it every day, or just in times of stress.

THE ART OF MEDITATION

Meditation is based around the mind, helping you to put yourself into a state of calm and stillness.

The definition of mediation is a means to reflect upon, ponder, or contemplate, and it comes from the Latin meditari, which means to think about or consider.

You will also likely be familiar with meditation if you take part in yoga, as the two are hugely linked and complementary to each other.

The benefits of mediation range from reducing stress, improving concentration, can support cardiovascular and immune health, as well as increasing self-awareness and encouraging wellbeing.

CHOOSE YOUR TYPE

The wonderful thing about meditation is that anyone, of any age and ability, can take part, and you can gain different things from practicing.

There are different techniques of meditation, based around different philosophies, and the further you get into meditation, the more you may lean to a specific form. Variations of meditations include transcendental meditation (TM), guided visualisation and qi gong. Mindfulness is also considered a form of meditation.

The actual premise of mediation is very simple; you will place the focus on breathing, on being aware of yourself, and of your mind, training the mind to be conscious. It would often be practiced while sitting, while repeating a mantra, with the eyes closed, and in a quiet, peaceful environment.

If you are interested in learning meditation, there are many books and DVDs that can help, but perhaps the best way is to find a local class, where you can learn from an expert. Your health food store will usually be able to recommend a reputable teacher. If you choose to do it at home, ideally find a quiet and uncluttered place, which allows you to be still.

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Refresh

YOUR SLEEP ROUTINE

Experts say “toxic sleep” is on the rise among middle-aged women - so here’s how to make over your sleeping pattern and feel revitalised every morning

T

hink you’re getting enough? Even if you don’t have chronic insomnia, you may be struggling with what Professor Mark Cropley, a health psychologist from the University of Surrey, terms “toxic sleep”. This is really common among women in middle age as it’s often connected to stress and inability to switch off. With toxic sleep, your shut-eye is shallow and disrupted. You may not feel as though you’re lying awake for hours but you probably aren’t going into the deeper sleep phases you need to wake feeling refreshed. And that’s bad news for your overall wellbeing.

WHY SLEEP MATTERS It lowers the risk of dementia

US research found that during sleep, your brain gets “cleaned” - and substances called beta-amyloid plaques, which are linked with Alzheimer’s, are cleared away.

It helps cancer-proof your body

One study found that sleeping for less

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than six hours a night puts your at a 50% higher risk of bowel cancer.

And it may be that the hormone melatonin, produced when you sleep, could help protect you from the cell damage that can lead to cancer.

It boosts your immunity A study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found sleeplessness causes a spike in white bloody cells, which is the same way the body reacts to stress.

It’s a powerful anti-ager Yes, it really

is beauty sleep - a study from University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Ohio found the skin of women who sleep well recovers more quickly, and shows fewer signs of ageing.

It whittles your waist A study from the University of Stanford, Us, found poor sleep leads to raised levels of ghrelin, a hormone that makes you feel hungry, and lower levels of leptin, which is linked with feeling full. That’s why you may have found you eat more after a bad night’s sleep. Get enough and you’ll have much more control over what you eat.

It protects your heart Sleep

suppresses the internal inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

FIVE WAYS T0 DETOX YOUR SLEEP

1

HIT YOUR “OFF SWITCH”

Taking time to unwind in the evening clears your mind of the day’s stresses and allows you to sleep better. That doesn’t have to mean sitting quietly and meditating - anything that creates a barrier between your busy day and bedtime will work, whether that’s baking or socialising. Whatever you do, turn off your tech - the blue light from tablets and smart phones interferes with production of sleeping hormone melatonin, so switch it all off a couple of hours before bed. There’s also a good reason to have a bath before you fit the sack - the gentle raising of your bedroom temperature triggers your sleep mechanism. The mineral magnesium is a natural relaxant so add a couple of handfuls of this for an extra blissful bath.

Try BetterYou Magnesium Flakes, £9.95 for 1kg, betteryou.com

2

RESET YOUR BODY CLOCK

Your circadian rhythm, also known as the body clock, is controlled by a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a group of cells that respond to light and dark signals. In the day, the SCN sends signals to raise your body temperature and produce hormones like cortisol, while suppressing the release of sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. When it’s dark, the SCN triggers production of melatonin, which makes you feel drowsy - and it keeps it churning out during the night to keep you asleep. So, ideally, we’d go to bed at sunset and get up at sunrise. That’s not practical in modern life, but sticking to this inbuilt pattern as closely as possible will help you sleep more deeply, says Professor Russell Foster, professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford University. He recommends exposing yourself to daylight as soon as you get up to reset your body clock each day.

“Routine is important for your circadian rhythms,” he says. “As far as possible, you should try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day.” And get to bed

3

Transform

YOUR

DETOX YOUR BEDROOM

SLEEP

Your bedroom may be an afterthought when you’re rushing around all day - but to optimise sleep, it should be your slumber sanctuary.

Keep it tidy and snooze-ready there’s nothing worse than stumbling, tired, into your bedroom only to remember you dumped the clean laundry on the bed that morning. “Blue’s a good colour for a bedroom as our brains associate it with calmness,” says colour blogger Martha Roberts (thecolourfile.com). “Research found 58% of people with rooms painted blue woke up feeling happier and more rested, compared with those in rooms painted othercolours.” Your room also needs to be cooler than you might think studies show 16-17C is ideal.

Programme your heating to switch off about an hour before bed, so your room reaches the optimal temperature by the time you hit the sack. Invest in heavy curtains to keep out excess noise and light too. as early as you can - you fall into the crucial deeper sleep phases earlier in the night, so going to bed before midnight can give you more of a chance for that refreshing type of slumber.

4

TRY SLEEP-CLEANING SUPPLEMENTS

Sleeping pills are a bit of a sticking plaster solution - they can be addictive and it’s far better to resolve the underlying causes of poor slumber. But natural alternatives can help. There’s evidence the herbs valerian and passionflower, used traditionally to aid sleep, can help ease insomnia and improve your kip quality - we love Schwabe Pharma Bonuit, £9.99 for 30 tablets, which contains both.

Innovative new Benenox Overnight Recharge, £12.49 for 135ml, is designed to deepen your slumber - it contains vitamin B6 to help you relax.

“Turn off your tech the blue light interferes with production of sleepy hormone melatonin”

5

DRINK YOURSELF-SLEEPY

No, not with wine. “While alcohol can help you fall asleep initially, too much can interfere with the deeper sleep phases, which is why you often feel tired after drinking”, says Dr Neil Stanley.

Instead, reach for cherry juice Montmorency cherries were shown in a Northumbria University study to significant improve quality and duration of sleep. Volunteers who sipped 30ml of the cherry juice, twice a day, were found to have increased levels of melatonin, slept for 25 minutes more and had better quality sleep. Try CherryActive Concentrate, £9.29 for 210ml, Holland & Barrett. And we should all avoid caffeine - or should we? For Dr Stanley, it’s personal. “Everyone’s sensitivity to caffeine is different,” he says. “If you enjoy a coffee in the evening and don’t find it makes you jittery, the relaxation and enjoyment it gives you probably outweighs the negative effects.” Judge for yourself - if you find you still feel alert after drinking tea in the afternoon, try knocking off caffeine after lunchtime.

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A TIDY HOME=

a healthy mind Declutter the space around you and give your mood - and life - an instant lift Ever feel like you’re drowning in stuff? Do you have teetering piles of books, mountains of clothes, appliances you’ve never used and random items that don’t seem to have a home? Many of us struggle to deal with our clutter because actually finding the time to decide what to do with it can feel overwhelming.

But it pays to get better at this because living and working in cluttered surroundings can have a detrimental effect on our emotional wellbeing.

Psychological research has proved Page 52

that clutter affects our brain’s ability to concentrate and process information, and has a powerful effect on both our mood and self-esteem.

Clutter impacts on our energy levels, stealing our focus. Too much clutter and we feel overwhelmed, anxious and distracted. Remind yourself that you hold power over your possessions - not the other way round!

Read on to discover six ways a thorough tidy-up can instantly boost your mood...

1

LIMIT THE LOAD

If your loft is full of mementoes, stop and think how many of them are special to you. You may think you remember every painting from your son’s school years, but your brain only stores the important details. So mirror your memory, saving one or two items - maybe frame and display them - and bin the rest.

Culling ancient “treasures” will make you feel lighter and more positive.

The importance should be places on the person, not the item.

2

How to de-clutter in minutes!

IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP

A bedroom strewn with the detritus of life will not make for a restful night.

If the clutter’s reminding you that you’ve got jobs to do then it’s the equivalent of having electronic devices in your bedroom pinging away, demanding your attention.

To lower stress levels you should clear everything of the floor and minimise what you keep on your bedside table.

Also, remove anything work-related or that has zero purpose in your bedroom. Think about how you want your bedroom to feel - and take daily action to maintain your sanctuary.

3

DO GOOD

Still hanging on to that sewing machine/fancy juicer/ acoustic guitar that you’ve never actually used? Tell yourself “I’m not using that right now” and give it to someone who might appreciate it. One of the joyful things about de-cluttering is that you get oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, from giving your stuff to those who really need it. So give that juicer or guitar to a relative or neighbour.

You’re then putting that item to good use and getting a feel-good boost into the bargain.

4

LOVE COOKING AGAIN

A thorough de-cluttering transforms cooking from a chore to a pleasure. If your kitchen is overrun with too much stuff, you can easily be stifled.

This may ultimately deter you from cooking altogether, leading you to opt instead for quick, unhealthy options.

Once you get rid of the “just in case” equipment and only have a spoon you always use when you cook, you’ll work so much more efficiently. Lower the visual noise by clearing everything that doesn’t warrant a place. Decide that kitchen counters and islands are no longer a dumping ground, putting stuff away immediately. This will soon have a positive effect on your mood - as well as your inclination to cook.

•ASK YOURSELF IF IT SPARKS JOY

Use this criterion to decide what to keep. Hold the item firmly in both hands and pay attention to how your body responds. If it doesn’t bring you joy, you will notice that your body feels heavier. Remember that your are not choosing what to discard but rather what to keep.

•DECLUTTER BY MATERIAL

5

GET ENERGISED

Do your spirits sink as you walk in the front door? According to feng shui, the condition of the space that greets you when you first enter your home has an immediate effect on your energy. Create an entrance that allows you to come and go with minimal obstruction and it will give your life a lift.

Coats, shoes, hats and gloves need to be organised in a streamlined way (hooks, shoe rack, baskets). Pare them down to only essential, regularly used items. If you have a console table, clear away anything that shouldn’t be there, and put important letters in a folder in your home office (if you have one!). Remember that a tidy home makes us feel content - and safe in the knowledge that we’re always prepared for an unscheduled visit.

6

Keep in mind the material that each thing is made of and place items made of similar material near each other.

The three main categories are cloth, paper and electric, simply because these are often the most scattered around the house.

•TIDYING PAPERWORK Place all those paper that require action in a “pending” box. Once you’ve finished tidying up your papers, set aside a specific time to deal with all the items in the pending box in one fell swoop

FEEL MORE FOCUSED

When it comes to clutter, paperwork can be particularly problematic. You may be reluctant to let go of documents you once needed for work, yet their presence may chip away at you, hampering your concentration and making you feel anxious, backlogged and behind. Be realistic - decide what you need to support where you are today and where you’re heading, and if it’s supporting a previous life, bin it! Getting rid of fusty old information that doesn’t serve you now will give you an instant lift. You’ll feel more current and clear.

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HOME BLUSH Bring a softness into your decorating and styling schemes, with this year’s must-use shade

On-trend combination

Stepney Rose brushed cotton throw, £79.50, ianmankin.co.uk

HOW TO USE

♦Work as an accent colour for a look that’s not too feminine. A splash of blush can soften a room instantly, and there’s plenty of accessories to choose from. ♦Think texture with blush pieces in velvet, faux fur, even feather. It’s a colour that adds depth to others. ♦Go for bold shapes - an upholstered chair or buttoned footstool in blush is an easy style addition. ♦Make it a feature wall, using paint or wallpaper. Decorate the wall behind your bed or sofa in blush, add a few cushions in the same shades and your 2018 style makeover is done! ♦Blush will warm up a neutral room and is a great shade for layering with. Look for sumptuous throws, quilts and blankets to give your bed a blush hint

Bright idea

Lecia ceramic lamp, £50, oliverbonas.com

Hang up

Ceramic hanging pot, £30, orlakiely.com

Top trio

Memphis nested tables, £95 for three, jdwilliams.co.uk

Wire work

Antwerp pendant lamp in pink, £99, noxuhome.com

Take a seat

Turino chair, £499, livingitup.co.uk

Flower power

Bloom cushion in rose, £60, torimurphy.com

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Home heroes

STYLE BURST Give a plain wall instant wow.

Soledad sun mirror, £199, laredoute.co.uk

EASY CHAIR Perfect as an accent chair in an accent colour! Fitz cocktail chair in primrose, £369, swooneditions.com

Give your interiors a style boost

Sometimes a room just needs a lift, and often that can be achieved with a single hero buy, whether that’s a piece of striking furniture, bold artwork or an amazing cushion on your neutral sofa. Look for something that catches your eye, that you really love, and you’ll add a talking point to your home too.

Velvet adds an instant touch of luxury and there are some amazing colours in upholstery,while cushions and rugs give you the chance to turn up the pattern in a room.

PRETTY PRINT Floral and vibrant!

Liberty London Celestial Meadow cushion in magenta, £110, amara.com

PERFECT PAIRING A statement shade with a luxe amber polished resin base for this floor lamp. Coronet base, £340; Empire shade, £95, both pooky.com

GIRL POWER Striking Frida Kahlo print, £45, audenza.com

FLOOR SHOW Turn your floor into a bold feature. Sanderson Poppies rug, from £690, stylelibrary.com

TRUE BLOOM Add a shot of hot pink to a grey scheme with this ruffled rose design. Rosa pouffe, £180, raggedrose.com

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EAT

yourself

WELL Good nutrition is our first line of defence against disease. Here’s our guide to what to eat to beat common problems

BEAT INSOMNIA During sleep, we lay down new memories, and most of the body’s growth, rejuvenation and repair occurs - so getting enough is vital. In addition to adjusting lifestyle factors, consuming melatonin-producing foods can help.

Insomnia is the subjective feeling of excessive wakefullness, whether from difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep or waking unfreshed. Most people experience insomnia at some stage of their life - usually when they are worried or stressed. Insomnia can last just a few days (for intance, jetlag), from one to three weeks (stress), or last longer term (anxiety, depression, illness or alcohol abuse).

People with a persistant insomnia are more likely to have a serious accident, and to develop depression and high blood pressure or heart disease.

Adults need seven to eight hours’sleep, but this reduces with age.

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If you sleep less, but wake feeling refreshed, you are getting all the sleep you need.

Foods that can help •

•

Eat a healthy, wholefood diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates (such as cereals, bread, pasta), fruit and vegetables, avoiding overly rich food, especially at night.

Eat food containing trytophan, needed for the production of the sleep -inducing hormone melatonin.

These include turkey, banana, oats, honey, wholegrains, dairy products, oily fish, plus some nuts and seeds. A light bedtime snack

that includes complex carbohydrates (wholegrains) and low-fat dairy products milk or live yoghurt provides calming substances such as magnesium and calcium as well as tryptophan.

•

Drink Montmorency cherry juice: it’s one of the few foods to contain melatonin, so can help you sleep (also available as a supplement).

OPEN TURKEY SANDWICHES Serves 4 Spread 4 slices oated wholegrain bread with a little butter, then top each slice with 1tbsp of sour cherry jam or cranberry sauce. Take 250g of sliced cooked turkey breast and arrange the turkey and a few fresh spinach leaves on top of each slice.

SUBDUE STRESS Everyone has a different stress threshold. When you’re fit , well fed and happy in your relationships, for instance, you can cope with more pressure than when you are unfit, have missed a meal or have stayed up all night arguing. Symptoms of stress result from the production of the hormone adrenaline, which prepares your body to flight or flee. Energy would ordinarily be consumed by the action of fighting or fleeing, which neutralises the stress response. Nowadays, however, the need to fight or flight or flee rarely occurs, so the effects of stress can build up, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted. Stress can contribute to lowered immunity, low sex drive, indigestion, high blood pressure, heart attack and stress.

Foods that can help

you're stressed, select foods with a low to moderate glycaemic index (GI), to help maintain an even blood glucose level.

Go for lean meats, fish, wholegrains, fruit and vegetables. For breakfast have branbased cereals or porridge with fruit,unsweetened yoghurt/fromage frais and semi-skimmed milk.

•

LOW-GI FOODS eat freely Bran cereal, baked beans, most fruit and vegetables, including sweet potatoe, carrots, mangoes, kiwi fruit, peas, grapes, oranges, apples, pears and berries.

•

MEDIUM-GI FOODS eat in moderation Brown rice, wholewheat pasta (cooked al dente), honey, dates, new potatoes (boiled), dried apricots, figs, bananas, potato crips/chips, sweetcorn, porridge oats, muesli.

HIGH-GI FOODS go easy Parsnips, baked or mashed potatoes, cornflakes, raisins, doughnuts, bread.

•

Foods to avoid •

Tzatziki with crudites Serves 4 Blitz 250ml low-fat Greek-style natural bio yoghurt, 1/2 cucumber, handful of mint leaves, 1 garlic clove, zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon in a processor until smooth. Serve with carrot, pepper and courgette, mangetout, broccoli and cauliflower cut into finger-sized pieces.

Go easy on foods with a high GI and, if you do eat them, combine small amounts with lower-GI foods to help even out blood glucose levels.

Stress raises blood glucose and fat levels, ready to fuel muscles during fighting or fleeing. So, when

SOOTHE INDIGESTION AND HEARTBURN These conditions often come on within 30 minutes of eating and may be caused by eating too much, exercising, bending or lying down. Eating carefully is key.

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a tern used to describe any discomfort felt centrally in the upper abdomen as a result of over eating. This includes feeling of distension from swallowing air, flatulence, nausea, heartburn, acidity, abdominal pain and sensations of burning. Heartburn is a more specific term referring to hot, burning sensations felt behind the chest bone, which may spread upwards towards the throat. One of the most common causes of heartburn is acid reflux, in which stomach contents reflux up into the oesophagus (the tube connecting the mouth and stomach). This brings stomach acids and enzymes into contact with the sensitive lining of the oesophagus, and can also trigger painful spasm of muscles lining this part of the gut.

Foods that can help

Try to eat little and often throughout the day avoiding overfilling your stomach, and take care not to stoop, bend or lie down immediately after eating.

•

• • •

Eat bland, non-acidic, easily digestible foods such as cooked white rice, oats, scrambled eggs, ripe bananas, well-cooked leafy vegetables, watermelon, chicken broth and yoghurt. Plain crackers and digestive biscuits are also worth trying.

Milk and yoghurt provide calcium salts that help to neutralise excess acid.

Try papaya: this contains digestive enzymes that may help.

Drink probiotic drinks or eat live bio yoghurt to maintain a high population of probiotic bacteria, which play a key role in intestinal health.

Foods to avoid •

•

• •

Avoid eating large meals (three or more courses) that are rich (for instance with cream sauces) or “heavy” (including pastries, gateaus or cheesecake).

Steer clear of acidic fruit juices, coffee and alcohol as much as possible, as these are the most common culprits for triggering symptoms.

Avoid late-night eating.

Don’t drink fluids with meals, as these dilute digestive juices (al-though water or milk are desirable if you have reflux).

Soothing banana rice pudding Serves 4 Combine 200g cooked white rice sprinkled with cinnamon, 2 ripe bananas, mashed, and 300ml low-fat vanilla bio yoghurt. Serve cold or warmed through (don’t overheat), with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Page 61

BEAT BLOATING •

Although bloating is commonly linked with over indulgence or eating a rich, fatty diet, it can also occur after eating relatively little in those with functional disorders of the gut. Ensuring adequate intake of digestive enzymes can help.

•

Your salivary glands, stomach, small intestines, liver and pancreas produce a variety of digestive enzymes needed to process food properly. These include proteases, which break down dietary proteins, amylases, which digest carbohydrates, and lipases, which break down dietary fats. As you get older, you tend to produce less intestinal enzymes and less stomach acid, which can lead to a number of health problems, from bloating, wind and heartburn to irritable bowel syndrome and malabsorption.

Foods that can help •

Digestive enzymes are found in pineapples, kiwis and papaya.

•

• •

Consume more fruit, veg, salads and juices - these contain potassium, which helps to flush excess sodium from the body to reduce fluid retention.

Magnesium plays an important role in salt and fluid balance; food sources include, fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, wholegrains and dark leafy veg.

Drink peppermint, ginger or fennel tea - these can help reduce bloating.

Eat live bio yoghurt or other sources of probiotic digestive bacteria.

Foods to avoid •

Cut back on salty foods and “windy” foods such as beans, lentils and onions.

Switch to lactose-free dairy products if you have a lactose intolerance.

BLOATING CHECKLIST

- Eat slowly, chewing each mouthful well.

- Avoid fizzy drinks, drinking through a straw, chewing gum and sucking on boiled sweets - these increase air-swallowing and gassiness.

- Seek medical advice if symptoms last more than two week.

Settling Peppermint Tea Place a handful of fresh mint leaves in a warmed glass or china teapot. Add freshly boiled water and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Strain into cups and drink hot or cold three times a day.

MIGRAINE Migraine affects one in ten adults, with three times more women affected than men.

A severe headache, it’s described as a throbbing pain on one side of the eye. Nausea and vomiting can also occur. Some people experience a warning “aura” up to an hour before, tingling or speech difficulties. Migraine is associated with widening of blood vessels in the brain so nerve tissue becomes congested.

Sweet potato and spinach stir-fry serves 4 Fry 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, in 2tbsp olive oil for 10 minutes. Add 1tsp turmeric, 100ml water and 1 red onion, chopped, and cook over a gentle heat, stirring, until the water has evaporated and the potatoes are tender. Add 1 bag baby spinach, washed, and heat until leaves wilt.

Season with ground black pepper.

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Foods that can help

• Follow a well-balanced diet, avoiding refined carbohydrates, fasting or skipping meals.

•

•

•

Consume more olive and fish oils these have been shown to reduce the frequency, duration and severity of migraine.

Eat magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach, sweet potatoes and wholegrains, as magnesium levels are consistently low in people with migraine.

Reduce fat intake: studies show that cutting dietary fat from 66g to 28g daily reduces migraine frequency, intensity, duration and the need for medication.

Trigger foods

Many foods are known to trigger migraine, especially milk and chocolate (the prime culprits, at 43 and 29 per cent), German sausages, cheese, fish, wine, coffee, garlic and eggs. Other

reported dietary triggers include beans, beef, citrus fruits, corn, fried foods, nuts, pork, shellfish, tea, tomatoes, caffeine and artificial sweeteners.

Follow an elimination diet that avoids common dietary triggers for two weeks, then reintroduce excluded foods, one at a time, to see if any trigger your migraine. Keep a food diary to pinpoint associations for at least two weeks, or long enough to cover three migraine attacks (bear in mind that trigger foods are usually eaten/drunk 24-48 hours before the migraine occurs). All foods related to suspects must be eliminated (for instance, all dairy products if milk is suspected), and other factors such as work stress and stage of menstrual cycle must also be taken into account.

Which water?

•KNOW YOUR WATERS

Bottled or tap?

Mineral or spring?

We should be drinking more water, but what type is right? Here we sort out the confusion

Ask a health professional and they’ll tell you it’s not the type of water that matters, simply that we drink more of it. How much you need varies according to body size, sweat rate and how much exercise you do, but two litres or eight glasses a day is ideal.

And while all fluids count - yes, even tea, coffee and fizzy drinks - nothing beats pure water for sugar - and calorie-free healthy hydration.

•TAP Vs BOTTLED WHICH IS SAFER?

Both are safe to drink, its just that they go through very different processes. Tap water is chemically treated, spring and mineral waters aren’t, but they’re very strictly tested. Tap water is neutralised and then disinfected with chlorine, which you may be able to smell or taste, but it’s at very low, completely safe levels.

Some tap water contains fluoride, either naturally or added, and there’s evidence this helps prevent dental cavities. Again, it’s at safe levels. The taste of tap water varies from one region to the next and you may want to use water filters if yours is very hard (high in minerals) and scales up your kettle, or you don’t like the taste (filters remove small metals and minerals).

60%

of the UK population drinks one serving or less of pure water a day Source: The Natural Hydration Council

•THE BUBBLY STUFF

Some mineral water is naturally sparkling, some is carbonated before it’s bottled. Some studies suggest its acidity contributes to tooth decay and loss of calcium from bones, but the studies tend not to differentiate between sparkling water and sugary, fizzy drinks, so we don’t think there’s conclusive evidence that fizzy water itself is harmful. Soda water has sodium bicarbonate added to increase the carbonation, making it taste slightly salty. It can contain up to 0.5g salt per litre, which, if you were to drink that daily, would be 20% of your recommended daily salt intake.

The UK buys more than two billion litres of bottles water a year, all regulated by the Food Standards Agency and the Department for Environment , Food & Rural Affairs. “Bottled drinking water” or “table water” will list its source as municipal (from the tap) or natural. This water will have been treated so there’s no harm in it. Spring water must be from an underground, natural source, be bottled at source and be microbiologically safe without treatment.

Natural mineral water is spring water that must come from and identified and protected source, and cannot be treated. It must be proven to be free from pollution and consistent in its composition of minerals; it can’t have ingredients removed or added. Spring and mineral waters aren’t sterile and may contain sodium, so aren’t suitable for making up infant formula.

•CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT

How far has the water travelled - do you really need one from Fiji? Can you choose one in a recycled (and recyclable) bottle? Or carry your own bottle?

There are lots of myths surrounding the refilling of plastic bottles. The only real issue is the proliferation of germs because people don’t wash out bottles between uses. To save waste and have peace of mind? Buy a reusable alumnium or good-quality plastic bottle, wash it thoroughly between uses and don’t share.

•WHY CHOOSE BOTTLED?

Manufacturers may suggest it’s healthier or purer but really, the only reason to choose it is for convenience or taste.

•THE HEALTHIEST H20 Fizzy, filtered, from the tap, with lemon or a bag of herbal tea. it all counts.

The healthiest water? THE ONE YOU’RE MOST LIKELY TO DRINK.

Page 63

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A superior tonic that's been perfected over 234 years.

It's why we're the nation's favourite.* *Schweppes is the #1 branded product for tonic water. Based on Nielsen volume and value MAT 02/09/2017 & CGA volume and value 15/07/17. © 2018 European Refreshment. All rights reserved. SCHWEPPES, CREATOR OF BUBBLES, the FOUNTAIN DEVICE and the 196 GRAPHICS are registered trademarks of European Refreshment.

Page 64

Koko Dairy Free Koko Dairy Free is part of First Grade International; they are the largest importers of coconut in the UK & part of a family run business which owns the largest coconut plantation in the world! The plantation & factories are located on the East Coast of Somalia in Indonesia, with 20,000 people employed. The company provides housing for employees & their families, as well as medical facilities, a school, places for worship & stores for buying food & clothing. This provides employees with all the benefits of living in a village community.

Our coconut trees are unique; they are hybrid coconut trees that are shorter than the usual coconut tree so we can assure you that no animals are involved in harvesting the crops. Men with scythes on long poles are used to harvest them instead. The coconuts are then transferred by barge along waterways to the processing plant. It is a very ecological & sustainable process.

Products Koko Dairy Free is a delicious range of coconut based dairy alternatives. The Original, Unsweetened and Light coconut milks have a fresh, light neutral taste and made from freshly pressed coconuts. Koko Dairy Free Original was the first purely coconut dairy alternative to come to market. With a fresh taste and just a hint of coconut with similar characteristics to semi-skimmed milk it was one of a kind. Koko Dairy Free Light has a mild, light taste. This low fat version is perfect for those who are more calories conscious but still want a similar taste to dairy.

Unsweetened is the newest member of the Koko Dairy Free family and the first unsweetened coconut milk. With no added sugar and a fresh, pure taste this milk is great for those watching their sugar intake. Koko Dairy Free plain milks are perfect in hot drinks, mixed up in a smoothie, splashed over granola or cereal or used in sauces or cooking. Koko Dairy Free Chocolate is silky & smooth and is great as a refreshing cold milkshake, as a hot chocolate or mixed in with protein shakes.

Koko Dairy Free Plain yogurts is silky and smooth and made with freshly pressed coconut cream and live dairy free cultures giving it the true taste of yogurt. It is perfect with fruit, granola or cereals, mixed up in a healthy smoothie and in dips and cooking.

Koko Dairy Free fruit yogurts come in four deliciously tempting flavours; Strawberry, Raspberry, Peach & Passionfruit and Coconut & Lemon. They are made with dairy free cultures and real fruit pieces and taste just like dairy yogurts, available in small pots, they are perfect as a convenient snack or dessert.

Koko Dairy Free Spread is made from freshly pressed coconut oil and has a buttery taste and texture.

It is perfect in sandwiches, cooking on toast.

Page 65

A GRIPPING NEW IDEA

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Gabor are proud to support Blush

Gabor style Kiana available through John Lewis, Charles Clinkard and other leading retailers.

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Bliss! +HEALTH KICK Two nights for two people, including full English breakfast, neck, back and shoulder massage, indulgent foot massage, two dinners, a picnic lunch and Nordic walking, costs from £754. Call 0800 089 3929 or visit prideofbritainhotels.com

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Join yoga and mindfulness teacher Kirsty Gallagher at an empowering retreat deigned to zest up your life.

Find her at Les Passeroses, a gorgeous stone farmhouse , for a week of bliss from 20-27 August 2017 +HEALTH KICK Seven nights from £690 per person (sharing a triple room), including all meals, chia and tiffin, vinyasa flow and yin yoga,meditationa and philosophy classes.

Head to the beautiful hills of Argyll for a health-giving stay at ecoYoga. This stone bothy on the River Liever is home to a yoga space, as well as a communal kitchen, dining room and 10 cabins. You can even take an alfresco bath next to a rushing waterfall. Guests can also head out on foraging trips for soft berries from June until September. +HEALTH KICK Hatha, ashtanga and lyengar yoga retreats from £445 per person for four nights.

Head to the sun for a health boost at the Hillside Beach Club near Fethiye. Indulge in complimentary sunrise and sunset yoga, enjoy a digital detox on the adult-only, silent beach (no mobiles allowed!), relax in the Turkish hammam and get moving with Pilates, Latin dance, aqua fitness, beach volleyball and more. +HEALTH KICK Five nights’ full board from £699 per person, including return flights from London Gatwick.

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Page 71

WHICH INSURANCE DO YOU

really

NEED?

Insurance isn’t the sexiest subject, but get the right policies in place and your money will go further

FIND THE RIGHT FIT

We all need car, buildings and contents insurance. Beyond that, tailor cover to fit your family and finances.

If you have dependants, you really need life insurance.

Travel insurance is essential, as the financial consequences of falling ill abroad can be devastating. Life events, like weddings, may also be worth covering - especially as the average one costs around £30.000.

Work out if your paying insurance against the financial impact of something happening or whether you’re paying out so you won’t kick yourself if you haven’t got insurance.

TIP Carefully read each policy.

Only 11% of home contents policies automatically cover personal possessions, including jewellery and other valuables, outside of the home.

Page 72

Don’t double up

Before you take out a new policy.

Check you’re not covered elsewhere. Contents cover, for example, may include holiday baggage. You may have to pay extra to add valuables to a general contents policy, so compare that against the cost of taking out separate cover. You may also have a packaged bank account or credit card with phone cover.

TIP Before you rely on Travel insurance packaged with your bank account, check each year how much it would pay and what’s excluded.

AVOID AUTO RENEWAL

LOOK AFTER NUMBER ONE

As well as insuring your possessions, think about yourself. The two go-to policies should be life insurance because you need to think about what would be left behind if you died, and income protection, because there is a chance you could be out of work for more than six months during your working life you need to be protected.

But just 39% of mums have a life insurance policy, and fewer than one in ten would be able to pay three months of bills if they or their partner lost their income. You’re even more vulnerable if you work for yourself. If you’re self-employed with financial commitments but no safety net, income protection - which pays out a percentage of your earnings could be very valuable.

TIP Some employers will help out if you get ill, or pay out for death in service, so you won’t need as much insurance. Check what’s on offer.

A quarter of us automatically renew our home insurance instead of shopping around, so we miss out on savings of up to £59 each. Since April last year, renewal documents have had to remind people what the paid the previous year and what they will be charged for the current one. They also include reminders to check cover and shop around.

TIP Companies tend to keep their best prices for new customers, and once they’ve got you, they can easily sneak through increases, overtime that could mean you paying a lot more than if you shop around.

DRIVE DOWN COST

Pick a pet policy

Pet insurance gives you peace of mind that you can look after your four-legged friend, with a record £1.8m now being paid out in claims every day.

But you have to do your homework to find the right policy to suit your pet and your purse. There are some policies that look really cheap, but what they actually pay out on is minimal and once your pet has had a particular illness or

injury, it will be excluded going forward.

TIP An annual policy may look better value, but if your pet is treated during the year, you’ll be stung at renewal time. Most owners go for costlier lifetime cover (this still needs to be renewed each year.

CHOOSING THE PERFECT POLICY Avoid insurance pitfalls with these tips from the Money Advice Service üRead the terms and conditions, checking for exclusions to your policy and additional charges. üShop around to make sure you get the best deals to suit your family and finances. üTake note of the eligibility criteria for individual policies. üCheck the insurance cover meets your needs and that any pay out

will cover what you’ve lost. üDon’t buy on price alone. A cheaper policy may not cover your complete claim if you need it. üBe honest with the details you give so that you disclose relevant information üCheck the excess that applies to your policy.

For more advice and information, visit moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Car insurance premiums are at record levels and if you have a new driver in your family, you’ll be feeling the pinch more than most. One way around this is telematics, where the insurer fits a tracker to a car to monitor driving. If you demonstrate you are a responsible driver, you’ll be rewarded with a lower premium.

More than half of parents would consider saying that they are the main driver of a vehicle that is mostly driven by their child to save money. But if your child is doing the bulk of the driving, you’ll be committing a type of insurance fraud called “fronting”, which can land you in court. Insurers can also refuse to pay out for damage to the car and cancel the policy. It can also leave you with a criminal record.

TIP You may be quoted a lower price a month before the renewal date on your car insurance than the day before, so do your homework to lock in the price early.

DON’T MISS THE PPI DEADLINE

Around 45 million payment protection insurance (PPI) policies were sold over 20 years from 1990. They were designed to cover loan repayments if the policy holder fell ill or lost their job, but PPI was massively mis-sold to people who didn’t need it or would not be eligible to make a claim. Millions of people have already received payouts and now a final deadline for claims has been set for 29 August 2019.

If you’ve got a niggling feeling that you could be entiled to compensation, there’s lots of help available. There’s no need to use a claims management company - which will skim off up to 40% - there are lots of simple online tools you can use instead. Which.co.uk and Resolver.co.uk can guide you through the process

Page 73

Cancer care that’s as individual as you are We pride ourselves on giving our patients truly tailored cancer care.

Meeting individual needs, whether you’re an inpatient, outpatient or using our many care services and facilities.

Specialist Oncologists Cutting-edge treatment Complimentary therapy Support for you and your family We’re conveniently located in Wimbledon, within easy reach of central London and the Home Counties.

Call us on 020 8247 3351 or email us at info@cancercentrelondon.co.uk

49 Parkside Wimbledon SW19 5NB cancercentrelondon.co.uk Page 74

For cancer support

JUST COME In If you or someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, Maggie’s can help.

Maggie’s has cancer support Centres across the UK, all designed to help make cancer easier to manage. You don’t need an appointment and all our support is free. www.maggiescentres.org Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust (Maggie’s) is a registered charity, No. SC024414

Page 75 Maggies_Blush_Mag_PRINT.indd 1

23/04/2018 09:57

Chris’s story Chris Noble and his wife, Sarah, came to Maggie’s after their four-year-old son, Alex, died from neuroblastoma. Chris tells us how Maggie’s helped him and Sarah to communicate as a couple through such a difficult time.

In September 2012, a week after his fourth birthday, my son, Alex, died after a twoyear battle with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. The day after Alex’s funeral, feeling empty, exhausted and lost, my wife, Sarah, and I decided to go along to Maggie’s Edinburgh.

At the time, we were both in bits. We had no expectation that anyone would be able to help us, but figured it couldn’t hurt.

Before I went to Maggie’s I felt sure that no one would or could understand my grief.

After I visited I realised I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Maggie’s made us feel welcome, comforted and reassured. We saw the Clinical Psychologist, Deirdre, every week, and somehow she just seemed to understand.

Having sessions one hour a week meant you could survive the rest of the week – that’s how it felt.

You hear about a lot of bereaved couples splitting up. As much as the counselling we had at Maggie’s was about cancer, it was also, effectively, marriage counselling.

Sarah and I would deal with things at different times, and sometimes things would bottle up. As a couple we’d argue, but the default reaction would be that a visit to Maggie’s would help sort it out.

It’s now two years since we visited Maggie’s and we’re stronger as a couple than before, and more capable. Even so, we know that Maggie’s is always there for us, whenever we need it.

“The support we found at Maggie’s was simply invaluable and it gave us real strength to move forward as we tried to piece our lives back together.”

To find your nearest Maggie’s Centre visit maggiescentres.org Page 76 Maggies_Blush_Mag_PRINT.indd 2

23/04/2018 09:57

Chris and Sarah with Alex (right) and his little brother Luke

Page 77 Maggies_Blush_Mag_PRINT.indd 3

23/04/2018 09:57

Sharron at Maggie’s Nottingham Page 78 Maggies_Blush_Mag_PRINT.indd 4

23/04/2018 09:57

Support for relationships Cancer can put a strain on our relationships, making it hard for couples and families to communicate through such a traumatic time. Maggie’s can help people with cancer and their loved ones to work through these issues, keeping families together as they go through cancer.

When we’re going through a difficult time, we tend to rely on the people we’re closest to – our partners, family and friends. But cancer can also put pressure on these relationships.

Maggie’s can help with all of the relationship issues that can come with a cancer diagnosis, whether those are to do with changes in the way our bodies look or function, psychological issues like depression, stress and poor communication, or practical stuff like how to organise family life around cancer treatment, or how to explain cancer to children.

Sharron Power and her husband Will came to Maggie’s when Will was diagnosed with throat cancer. Usually calm and laid-back, for Will the pain and discomfort of treatment – as well as uncertainty about the future – made him short-tempered and uncommunicative. He was sleeping on the sofa and Sharron struggled with the lack of affection and intimacy, which

she missed in their relationship. She was also left to look after their three children.

“Will became almost a different person,” says Sharron, “and I felt like I had lost the person that I turned to.

“I found the lack of intimacy in our relationship really difficult, and coming to Maggie’s made such a difference. Saying it out loud helped, because you can feel like you’re going a bit nuts: he’s getting over cancer, why am I worrying about that?

“But coming to Maggie’s and talking about it with the staff made me realise that I wasn’t in the wrong to be thinking about how it made me feel; that I shouldn’t feel bad about those things and saying them was better than not saying them. It took a while, but now things are good between us again, and Maggie’s really made a difference.”

“Coming to Maggie’s and talking about the problems in our relationship made me realise that I wasn’t in the wrong to be thinking about how it made me feel.

That really made a difference.”

To find your nearest Maggie’s Centre visit maggiescentres.org Page 79 Maggies_Blush_Mag_PRINT.indd 5

23/04/2018 09:57

CULTURE CRAWL

Join us for a night walk to support people with cancer.

Friday 28 September Maggie’s Culture Crawl is an amazing way to have fun and get a unique behind-the-scenes experience of some of you city’s most iconic landmarks.

To find your nearest Culture Crawl and register today visit: maggiescentres.org/culturecrawl Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust (Maggie’s) is a registered charity, No. SC024414

Page 80 Maggies_Blush_Mag_PRINT.indd 6

23/04/2018 09:57

Schroders is delighted to support the work of Blush Magazine

Please remember that the value of investments and income from them may go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount originally invested.

www.schroders.co.uk/investor Marketing material. Issued in March 2018 by Schroder Investment Management Limited, 31 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QA. Registered No: 1893220 England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. UK11674 SCH47749

Page 81

Living with and beyond

BOWEL CANCER These topics below describe how bowel cancer can affect your daily life and where you can get help and advice.

BODY IMAGE Cancer and its treatment can change how you think and feel about your body. You may feel sad, angry or worried about any changes to your body. You may have scarring, numbness or other side effects of treatment that can make you feel self-conscious or affect your confidence. Talking about how you feel can help you to cope. You could talk to someone close to you or you could ask your specialist nurse for help.

Changes to your body can lead to sexual problems if you feel self-conscious, you find sex uncomfortable or you are worried about new relationships. The Sexual Advice Association gives practical tips in its booklet, Intimacy & sexuality for cancer patients and their partners.

If you have a stoma, you may feel less attractive or you may worry that other people can see it through your clothes. Until you get used to looking after your stoma, you might worry about smells or leakage. Your stoma care nurse can help you with any worries you may have. Having a stoma should not stop you doing the things you enjoy. There are companies that sell attractive underwear, swimwear and other products that can help you feel more comfortable. Ask your stoma care nurse for more information or visit the Colostomy Association website for a list of suppliers.

EXERCISE You may not feel like exercising when you are having treatment but regular physical activity can help to reduce some side effects, such as extreme tiredness (fatigue).It can help you stay at a healthy body weight and improve your quality of life. Recent research shows that regular exercise may help you live longer after bowel cancer treatment.

Start off gently and, when you are ready, try to build up the amount of activity you do each day. You might start off with a walk around the house and then move on to a short walk outside. As you get your strength and energy back, you’ll be able to do more. Try to build up to 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise, such as fast walking, at least five days a week.

Be careful not to lift anything heavy while you are recovering from treatment. Speak to a physiotherapist if your job involves manual

work. They can also give you advice on when you can start exercising and what exercises would be best for you. You might like to try gentle forms of pilates, yoga or tai chi, which can help build strength in your stomach area (abdomen).

WORK As soon as you are diagnosed with cancer, you are protected as a disabled person by the Equality Act 2010. This means your employer must make any reasonable adjustments needed to allow you to continue working. For example, they might allow you to change your working hours or use your sick leave allowance for hospital appointments. If you have had time off work and are thinking of going back, you may want to ask if you can start off with just a few hours, gradually building up your hours when you feel able to.

If you think you’ve been treated unfairly at work, you should speak to your employer first. If there is still a problem, you can contact ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), Citizens Advice or your union, if you have one.

MONEY AND INSURANCE You may be worried about money, for example, if you’re unable to work or you need to pay for things like extra childcare and travel to hospital. You can get help with some costs and you might be able to get some benefits or grants.

NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you live in England, you can get free prescriptions if you are having treatment for cancer or the effects of cancer. You will need to fill in a form that you can get from your GP. You will then get a certificate that allows you to get free prescriptions for five years. You will be able to renew your certificate if you are still having treatment. You may be able to get free prescriptions even if you are having private treatment. Ask your GP or hospital doctor for more information.

If you have a low family income, you may be able to get help with travel costs for hospital appointments. The NHS in England, Scotland and Wales has a low income scheme. In Northern Ireland, you can also get help with health costs.

If you have an insurance policy, such as critical illness cover, income protection or mortgage payment protection, you may be able to make a claim when you are diagnosed with cancer.

You can find out more about this by reading Macmillan Cancer Support’s booklet on insurance from their Financial guidance series of information.

If you are a driver, you will need to notify the DVLA if you have any side effects that could affect your driving, such as peripheral neuropathy. The government website has more information about when and how to get in touch. Some people have found it hard to get information about what help they can get with money and have had problems claiming benefits.

CHILDCARE There may be times during your treatment when you need extra help with childcare.

Family and friends may be able to help or you may need extra childcare from a nursery or childminder. A social worker will be able to tell you what help is available locally.

DIET We’ve created a comprehensive information booklet suitable for people during and after bowel cancer treatment.

Your diet and lifestyle: living with and beyond bowel cancer describes how diet and physical activity can help you cope with symptoms of bowel cancer and the side effects of treatment TRAVEL If you plan to travel during your treatment, speak to your healthcare team before you go.

They can tell you how your treatment might affect your plans. They can also give you a letter to take with you, listing the medicines you are taking and what they are for. This can be helpful if you’re travelling abroad. If you have a stoma, your Stoma Care Nurse can give you a card that explains, in several languages, what your stoma supplies are for. Always carry some supplies in your hand luggage in case of baggage delays.

If you’re travelling to Europe, you can get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives you free or cheaper health care.

You should also make sure you have travel insurance. Some high street companies offer insurance to people with cancer but there may be some limits to what they’ll cover you for. There are also specialist companies that insure people with illnesses such as cancer.

Some of these can be more expensive so you might need to shop around.

Ten tips for cancer carers Being a carer for someone with cancer can be hard work, physically, emotionally and practically.

It may be a role you’ve suddenly found yourself in, and feel unprepared for. It can feel daunting to start with, so here are a few tips to help you get started in the caring role:1.

Being prepared. You’re going to be managing a number of appointments, and be given a good deal of information. The person you’re caring for will have treatment dates, visits to GP and the hospital, and dates to pick up medications. Anticipating what equipment you might need to access, and any practical changes around the house, can help stay one step ahead.

2.

Keep a file for all the relevant paperwork. It helps to have all relevant phone numbers including out of hours services, GP, specialist nurse, etc on your mobile, and/or by the phone. Have a list of questions to take to hospital appointments, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if something isn’t clear.

3.

Keeping communication going. You’re going to be the main link in a vast communication loop. It can be too much to keep remembering who to ring, answer questions, keep appointments etc. There are handy apps available for this, (such as ‘Jointly from Carers UK’, for example) which helps you keep all the information and numbers in one place. You can also text out group updates etc, to family members, so you’re not permanently answering the phone.

4.

Think about who and what you can tap into for extra help, Think ‘resources’ – who, or what, is around you for advice, company and taking time out to look after yourself. If someone offers help, it’s handy to be able to guide them to the sort of things you would value assistance with – cutting the grass, buying in some shopping, sitting with your loved one whilst you go out, cooking some meals for the freezer, helping with transport to hospital appointments and treatments.

5.

You also may need practical caring help. Ask your GP and or local medical practice what help is available. Social services can carry out an assessment and see what additional help you may need.

Recognise when some of the practical tasks are becoming more difficult – lifting someone, or washing them etc. Sometimes it’s more about finding someone else to pick up the children, help with the cleaning or collecting prescriptions.

6.

Find out what you may be entitled to financially –as finances can be stretched when you’re in the caring role. You can access this information from various cancer and carer’s websites or cancer information centres. It’s tempting to think you’ll manage, but there will be extra costs, heating, food, extra equipment etc.

7.

Acknowledge your feelings – caring for someone close to you can tap into many emotions and feelings along the way. Guilt sometimes, if you’re tired, frustration, tears, feeling isolated and overwhelmed, and learning to live with the uncertainty around the future. You’re only human and there may be days when you’re feeling over-whelmed and exhausted – and it’s tempting to feel a failure. This is not true though you’re doing a great unpaid service.

8.

Seek support. Caring for someone can feel lonely at times. Find family and friends who will listen, and help out if necessary. Take steps to look after your own wellbeing. If you’re struggling emotionally and with fatigue, have a talk with your GP about how things are. There are carer’s support groups, and helplines, as well as places you can visit to talk with someone. There is also considerable support online from many cancer charities, and support groups for people caring for someone with a specific cancer.

9.

Be open and communicative with the person you’re caring for: You’re in this together. You may find your roles are changing…and you’re more a carer and overseer than an equal partner in the relationship, be it parent, child, partner, or friend. If your loved one becomes temporary or permanently more unwell, you may be assuming responsibilities that were previously theirs. Talk to each other about how this may feel.

Keep the communication doors open. Caring is hard work, but also can provide deep and meaningful times together.

10. Take time out for you – you’ll need breaks away from the situation, whether it’s for a couple of hours here and there, a day off, time with friends and your own hobbies. Caring can be very intense, and it’s tempting to put the other person’s needs first all of the time. However, for you to do the job properly, you’re going to have to nurture yourself too. Don’t feel guilty about it.

Page 83

Hints and Tips for New Changing your colostomy bag When cleaning around your stoma, it is not unusual for slight bleeding to occur.

If, however, there is blood coming out from inside the stoma it is important to seek medical advice, Before applying your bag/flange, put it in a warm place e.g. on top of a radiator or under your arm for a few minutes to improve adhesion.

Standing upright while applying your clean bag will help to eliminate folds and creases and ensure a good seal on flattened skin.

When fitting a one-piece bag bend the top half of the flange away from the body so you can fit the bottom half accurately around the stoma, then press the rest of the flange into position. You may find it easier to position your flange correctly if you stand in front of a mirror.

Stomas can change in shape and size, especially during the first few months, so check weekly for any changes. Place the backing paper that you remove from the flange over your stoma the look in the mirror to check that the mole is the right size.

There should be a 1-2mm gap around your stoma. If the whole is too big this can lead to sore skin.

If it is too small the flange will rub up against the side of the stoma, or the adhesive may not stick securely, allowing motion to collect behind the flange and cause leaks.

Hairs around the stoma site can impair flange adhesion. A small electric razor give a really smooth shave and is much safer than an ordinary razor. To protect your stoma while shaving cover it with a cardboard tube from inside a toilet roll or the lid of a small aerosol (i.e. adhesive remover spray). Before using a new type Page 84

of appliance, patch-test it on a small area - the other side of your tummy is best - in case of a reaction to the adhesive.

A bag can be left in place while you have a bath or take a shower. Some people with a colostomy prefer to take their bag off while in the bath or shower, but remember to choose a time when your stoma is less active i.e. before rather than after a meal.

Changing your bag away from home Don’t forget your emergency kit when you go out. It can be just a spare bag and an adhesive removal wipe inside a disposal bag in a pocket or the zipcompartment of a handbag or you may prefer to carry more supplies in a makeup bag or similar discrete container.

People who have a stoma are entitled to use accessible toilets where there is a wash basin and a bin for disposal on hand.

EMERGENCY KIT

You can obtain a RADAR key which opens locked toilets all around the UK. When you know you may have to change your bag in a toilet cubicle where no running water is available, wet wipes or a small spray bottle filled with water may be useful. Some stoma appliance companies produce sachets of gel for cleaning around the stoma.

Clothes peg(s) can be used to keep your clothes out of the way while you remove your bag and clean around your stoma.

Used bags can be disposed of in sanitary bins in Ladies toilets.

If you are concerned about disposing of bags while away from home, a stoma bag with a liner, which contains the waste and can be flushed down the toilet, is available. Check with your stoma nurse if these flushable bags, produced by Clinimed would be suitable for you.

If you use a drainable bag, try flushing the toilet before you use it, just to make sure that the flush is actually working. ◊Stoma bags, the flange already cut to size. If you are going to be away from home for a considerable time and/or are concerned that your output may be looser than normal it may be useful to include a drainable version of your usual bag, just in case. ◊Adhesive remover (wipes take up less space than an aerosol) ◊Dry wipes. ◊Wet wipes, a small (spray) bottle of water or a sachet of cleansing gel in case water is not available. ◊Other additional products that have been recommended by your stoma care nurse. ◊Disposal bags. ◊Mini air-freshener/odour-eliminator spray.

Remember to check the contents of your emergency kit and renew bags and other products on a regular basis.

LIVING WITH A STOMA

New OSTOMATES Dealing With: ODOUR Most stoma appliances have a filter which incorporates a deodorizer, so odour shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you are not happy with the filter on the bag you are currently using, there are other bags made by different manufacturers that you could try.

Odour could mean leakage or the filter may have come into contact with the contents of the bag making the deodorizer ineffective. If you suspect this is the case change your appliance as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about odour while changing the bag: ◊ Spray an air-freshener/deodorizer in the bathroom /toilet cubicle before you remove the bag and again before you leave. ◊ Put drops or granules deigned to neutralize any odour (available from manufacturers and suppliers of stoma care appliances) or a Tic Tac mint into a clean bag before you stick it in place.

BALLOONING This occurs when wind becomes trapped inside the bag causing it to inflate.

Wind that escaped through the stoma should be slowly released through a filter usually placed near the top of the bag.

Filters vary in efficiency so if you find that your bag regularly inflates it is worth trying other bags to see if the filter is more effective.

A filter can become blocked if it gets wet: ◊ To keep the outside dry, place a sticky patch (supplied inside a box of bags) over the filter when you take a bath or shower and when you go swimming. ◊ If the inside of the filter becomes wet because it comes into contact with the

stoma output it’s time to change your bag.

Using a two-piece, clip-on closed bag or drainable bag will allow you to release wind without changing the bag.

One-piece closed bag with an integrated vent that can be unclipped to release wind is now available from Clinisupplies.

PANCAKING This occurs when the output collects around the stoma instead of taking a downward turn and falling to the bottom of your bag. One of the reasons this happens is because there isn’t enough air in the bag.

To help the motion to fall to the bottom of the bag: ◊ Cover the filter with one of the sticky patches that are supplied in each box of stoma bags. This will keep air inside the bag, but if the bag begins to overinflate you will need to remove the cover from the filter to allow the gas to escape. ◊ Lubricate the inside of the bag with baby oil or one of the many products available from the various supply companies. Squirt a little oil or gel into your bag and give it a good rub around before you stick it on. Take care not to get any oil or gel on the adhesive as this can reduce the effectiveness of the seal. ◊ Before you put it on check that the back and front of the bag are not stuck together by pushing a finger through the hole in the flange to separate them. ◊ Place a scrunched-up tissue inside the bag to keep the two sides apart. ◊ Stoma bridges (small foam cubes which can be stuck on the inside of the pouch to keep the two sides apart) are available from Opus healthcare.

Sometimes pancaking can lead to faeces leaking between the flange and the skin/ Always check that the flange is firmly sealed around the stoma, but if leakage

continues consult your stoma nurse.

LEAKAGE Ask your stoma nurse about: ◊ Products which can help to give a really good seal around the stoma. ◊ Alternative bags.

Remember: Some medications may change the output from your stoma: ◊ Antibiotics may cause diarrhoea ◊ Painkillers may cause constipation.

Enteric coated or modified release tablets are designed not to dissolve until they have reached the latter part of the intestine, so they may appear unaltered in the stoma bag without having any therapeutic effect.

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you if alternative medication without these side effects is available.

Page 85

LIVING WITH A STOMA

Frequently asked Questions What is the difference between a colostomy and an ileostomy?

When food leaves the stomach, it enters the small intestine. This is a long coiled tube about twenty feet long, where food is digested and nutrients are absorbed. the last part of the small intestine is called the ileum. If the ileum is brought out through the abdomen to form a stoms (ostomy), this is called an ileostomy.

FIVE FACTS ABOUT A COLOSTOMY • The name comes from combining the words colon and ostomy • It allows faeces to leave the body without passing through the anus.

• The output tends to be formed and firm.

• A closed bag is used and changed about two or three times a day.

The above applies in most cases, but there may be exceptions e.g.

• The name comes from combining the Sometimes it may be easier for a surgeon to create a colostomy on the right-hand words ileum and ostomy. It allows side. The output from some colostomies faeces to leave the body without may be fairly liquid particularly if only a passing through the large intestine 1 An ileostomy is most commonly formed small amount of colon remains. (colon). here at the end of the small intestine, • It is usually on the right-hand side. before it joins the large intestine.

• The output tends to be fairly liquid - Normally waste matter continues it journey from the small intestine directly into the the consistency of porridge or thick 2 A colostomy may be formed at any large intestine or colon, where salt and soup. point along the large instestine (colon) water are absorbed. If the colon is brought • A drainable bag is used and but most commonly here in the out through the abdomen to form a stoma emptied four or five times a day. descending or sigmoid colon. (ostomy) this is called a colostomy.

WHAT CAN I EAT NOW THAT I HAVE A COLOSTOMY? HOW WILL I MANAGE WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD? Just because you have a colostomy it does not mean you have Make sure you plan ahead. In the weeks leading up to your to change what you eat. In the first four to six weeks after holiday, order sufficient stoma supplies. It is also important to check that your travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions; if surgery, to give your bowel a chance to recover from the operation, you will probably be advised to eat little and often not inform the insurance company about your stoma. and to avoid foods which are high in fibre. It would also be Pack twice as many stoma bags as you think you will need in worth being careful of foods with skins and pips. When you case a change in bowel habits while away or travel delays. have fully recovered you should be able to return to enjoying a Include your supplies in your hand luggage. If you take a small normal, healthy, balanced diet. aerosol e.g. adhesive remover it must be inside a transparent If as time goes on you suspect a food may be causing a resealable bag which you must remove from your hand luggage problem i.e. wind or loose output, check that this is really the at security and place in a tray for X-ray. culprit before you cut it out altogether. The best way to do this At the airport, if there is any output in your stoma bag it is advisable, if possible, to change or empty it before you go is to keep a record of the food you have eaten and the symptoms you experience. through security. Of all the people with stomas who travel abroad However, a word of warning to new ostomates. Don’t always every year, only a very small minority get stopped. Although it assume that a particular food was responsible for one bad isn’t essential to take a travel certificate or a letter from your experience. It may just be coincidence so do try it again at doctor, it may be useful to have one in your hand as you go least three times separated by at least a week. It’s not through the scanner just in case. necessarily what you eat, but how often you eat and how While away, dispose of used appliances as you do at home. It is much. Your stoma will work best if you eat regularly; three acceptable to place double-wrapped bag in the bin in the small meals each day are better than one large meal in the bathroom. You may, however, prefer to empty it first; using a evening. drainable bag makes this easier. Another option is a bag with a And remember, we are all different. Colostomies are formed liner that can be flushed down the toilet. If you think it would be for a variety of reasons such as cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s more helpful to use a different type of bag while you are on holiday it is important to trial it for a couple of weeks before you disease etc. and in some cases a health professional may recommend a diet for an underlying medical condition. go to make sure it is suitable for you.

Page 86 FIVE FACTS ABOUT AN ILEOSTOMY

Tender Loving

STOMA SKINCARE

SKIN CARE

Even the most experienced people with ostomies will attest to the fact that the skin around the stoma and under skin barriers (also known as peristomal skin) can become irritated. This can happen happen for a variety of reasons. The good news is that there are simple ways to remedy and help prevent the situation.

Use these tips to give your skin the care it needs.

Sometimes my stoma bleeds a little when I wash it.

Is this normal?

Your stoma may bleed easily when rubbed or bumped - this is normal. The bleeding should resolve quickly. If bleeding does not stop, contact your stoma nurse or a healthcare professional.

The skin around my stoma is red and irritated.

What can I do to remedy it?

The peristomal skin should not show signs of irritation, rash or redness. It should look similar to the skin anywhere else on the body. A properly fitting skin barrier and the right barrier formulation help protect the skin from being irritated by the stoma drainage. If red, broken or moist skin around the stoma is discovered, seek the assistance of your stoma nurse.

What does stoma powder do and how often should I use it?

Stoma powder (not talcum powder) is used to absorb moisture from broken skin around the stoma. By absorbing the moisture the ostomy skin barrier will be able to adhere well and allow the skin to heal. When using stoma powder, make sure to brush of the excess before applying your pouching system. Too much powder can interfere with your pouch seal and cause leakage.

How do I remove my skin barrier to avoid tearing the skin and causing skin damage?

To remove the pouching system, gently peel the barrier away from the skin, starting at the top and working downwards, while pressing against the surrounding skin. This may avoid any skin tearing associated with an adhesive barrier.

What type of product should I use when washing the skin around my stoma?

All you really need to clean around your stoma is warm water.

If you prefer to use soap, be sure it is a mild soap and does not contain any oils, perfumes or moisturisers as they may interfere with the skin barrier from adhering. Be sure to rinse any soap from the skin and dry well before applying your new pouching system.

Do you have any tips to help skin irritation?

• • • •

Change your pouch on a regular schedule before it leaks.

If drainage is leaking under the skin barrier of your pouching system change your pouch promptly.

Consider using accessories (such as barrier rings, stoma powder) to help prevent leakage under the skin barrier.

Measure your stoma frequently to be sure your skin barrier fits correctly with no skin showing between the barrier opening and your stoma.

How often should I change my skin barrier?

Wear time of a pouching system is based on personal preference and stoma characteristics and output, but three to four days is considered “normal”. The best time to change your pouching system is in the morning before having anything to eat or drink.

I have itchy adhesive residue on my skin and it won’t come off with water. What’s the best way to remove it?

Consider using a universal remover wipe in this scenario. A universal remover wipe is a pre-moistened wipe with a built-in remover that helps dissolve residues from adhesives and tapes.

These wipes are made specifically for use on your skin.

I think my stoma has shrunk, and my skin barrier doesn’t seem to fit now. I noticed the skin around my stoma is getting red. What can I do?

It is important to measure your stoma using a stoma measuring guide before every barrier application, as the size if your stoma can change over time. The skin barrier should fit around the stoma so there is no skin visible between the barrier and the stoma. If you discover red, broken or moist skin around your stoma, seek the assistance of your stoma nurse.

I have a small leak under my skin barrier. Should I patch the leak with tape or paste?

It is important to change pouching system if you suspect a leak, as leakage can affect the health of your peristomal skin.

Page 87

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STOMA AND TRAVEL

TRAVEL INSURANCE ...Your Questions Answered

Q: What criteria do insurance companies consider when calculating travel insurance premiums?

A: ♦ Age of person(s) to be insured

♦ The level of cover required ♦ Countries to be visited ♦ The period of travel, whether it’s an annual multi-trip or a single trip ♦ Any pre-existing medical conditions ♦ Extensions in cover required ie. winter sports, hazardous/sporting activities, gadget cover

Q: How and why does having a stoma affect travel insurance premiums?

Q: I have had a stoma for a few years and never had a problem with it. Do I still have to inform the insurance company?

A: It is advisable to do so but often depends on the insurers’ medical declaration requirements. If you have as stoma then you will be having prescriptions on a regular basis for the bags and supplies, so the likelihood is that it would have to be declared.

Q: Are follow-up appointments and routine colonoscopies regarded as ongoing treatment?

A: A stoma itself has little to no effect. The insurers, however, need to know the type of stoma and, more importantly, A: No - these are check-ups the reason why one has a stoma, as this following surgery/treatment. An may affect the premium. example of ongoing treatment is Answers can include: ♦ bowel/anal/rectal cancer; ♦ crohn’s disease; ♦ diverticulitis; ♦ bowel perforation or as a result of internal injuries suffered in a car/motor cycle accident; or ♦ an accident at work.

Q: How soon after surgery is it possible to obtain travel insurance?

radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

If you are on a waiting list for treatment or investigation you will need to make your insurer aware.

Q: If stoma surgery occurs during a period covered by annual travel insurance is it necessary to inform the insurance company?

A: An illness or diagnosed condition for which you have received advice, or you have experienced symptoms or received treatment. Different insurers will have their own list of conditions they need to be informed about before you travel so you should always pay close attention to the isurers’ medical warranty.

Q: Is stoma supplies are stolen or lost does travel insurance cover the cost of sending out further supplies?

A: The cost of replacement is covered subject to the policy excess but the cost of sending out supplies is usually not covered. However, if you are able to source supplies in the country you are visiting and purchase such items, as long as a receipt is produced then the cost can be reimbursed once you return home. The CA (Colostomy Association) can give advice on such suppliers in the countries you are visiting.

REMEMBER:

A: Yes - This is a material fact and any changes to the medical declaration A: This depends on the type of surgery and during the period of insurance must relevant recovery period. Insurers ask be advised so insurers can if the surgery was less than six weeks reassess the risk and charge an ago, six to twelve weeks or over 12 additional premium if deemed weeks and then quote accordingly. necessary or in extreme cases refuse to continue your cover.

Q: What is a pre-existing health

condition?

repatriation expenses (the costs of getting home - in the worst cases this may involve the hire of a private medical aircraft to fly you home). Also cover does not apply if taken ill in international waters i.e. on a cruise ship. All travellers relying on the EHIC should check the exact cover provided as they can vary - treatment is usually limited to state hospitals and some insurers will waive the excess if a portion of the medical costs have been recovered by insurers.

Q: Is it advisable for holders of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to travel in thee EU without travel insurance?

A: No - However, sometimes the EHIC is the only available option as a full blown travel policy may be too costly due to the proposer’s medical history and other factors. The EHIC does not provide cancellation and curtailment cover or

♦ It is important to obtain alternative travel insurance quotations and compare on a like for like basis, so you can make an informed decision as to which insurer to use; ♦ to check the limits of cover and the level of excesses applying; ♦ to take a note of important contact details in case of a serious emergency as well as a note of the policy number and the insurer; ♦ to check the policy cover and documentation to make sure they are in order and meet with your requirements; ♦ to read the claims procedures and note what information is needed to support a claim: ♦ it is often wise to carry additional supplies of your regular prescribed medications in your hand luggage in case your bags are delayed; and ♦ the cheapest policy may not always be the best.

Page 89

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Page 90

One man’s account of his experiences with his ileostomy I was a 52 year old, happily married man, employed as a Sales Team leader in an office in Peterborough. I didn't know what a stoma was until I woke up after surgery with one, in my case, an ileostomy. I had heard of a colostomy, but only just. It was a hole roughly the size of a 10 pence piece through which a one-and-a-half-inch section of my small intestine poked out slightly below my belly button to the right-hand side of my abdomen. It was similar to a colostomy, but lower down and on the opposite side. Which, in some ways, was a shame, as I had been marked and measured for new trousers to allow for a colostomy only days before! It was formed to allow the remainder of my small intestine to rest and repair following removal of a cancerous growth which involved removal of my rectum. It was alien and repulsive to me initially (some things are better left unseen!) but, with the help of my Stoma Nurse and YouTube videos! quickly settled to become a part of my life.

I had to learn to fit a pouch over the stoma which stuck to my tummy and allowed liquid food waste from my stomach to be collected in the pouch. I drained it at regular intervals by opening (and re-securing!) one end over the toilet bowl. The bag itself then had to be replaced daily in a carefullycrafted exercise which involved peeling it away from my tummy, cleaning the stoma and surrounding skin with dry wipes (standard wet wipes were no good - and rarely flushable) and replacing the bag with a new one from which I had carefully cut out a hole just the right size to fit over the stoma - too small would cause the stoma to become constricted, too big would invite leaks.

The engineering of the pouch manufacture was amazing (once I had discovered the right make and model for me) a colloidal adhesive kept it in place and I even used Manuka honey to promote healthy skin. Caring for the skin around the stoma was very important, in addition to a gentle cleansing regime, barrier wipes and sprays helped stop the glue from irritating the skin and causing it to breakdown around the stoma. The changeover had to be achieved in record time in case the stoma decided to 'work' during the exercise - a factor over which you have no control. Being male, I also had the unenviable task of shaving - very delicately - around the stoma to allow the glue to stick properly.

And so, it was back to work for me and my truly inseparable new friend, trying not to make any sudden movements or allow the pouch to become caught by my trouser belt. Only two minor mishaps in a year - a good result.

One year on and my dedication to the routine paid off - I was lucky enough to have the ileostomy reversed and was returned to a 'new normal' which, whilst not perfect, suits me better, although I know several people who have chosen not to go bag less, preferring to remain in charge of when they feel the need for a comfort break. The experience has taught me that not all disabilities are visible - being challenged for using a Disabled toilet when I needed to empty the pouch was among the worst. And I now have new respect for my insides, which I had never really considered before!

Chris Thompson

Page 91

People living with a stoma, like Doreen, told us exactly what they want from their ideal bag and we listened.

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CONFIDENCE® BE – For all you want to be – The most innovative range of ostomy bags from Salts Healthcare Being told that you need to have a stoma due to cancer, a bowel condition or a trauma is a daunting prospect which leaves many people wondering whether they will be able to live their normal lives as before. Whether you want to be secure, Be active, Be discreet, or just Be yourself, there’s new CONFIDENCE® BE – the most exciting product range Salts Healthcare have ever developed. Our designers listened to people’s opinions and created a brand new product with a clever range of features to help everyone feel comfortable in their own skin, confident in their abilities and free to live life.

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In both closed and drainable, Confidence® Be is available in a choice of 3 colours – black, white and stone – allowing you the freedom to match your stoma bag to your underwear, swimwear and clothing. It features a sleek new fabric which is highly waterrepellent and clever anti-sag stitching helps to bag to stay in shape during wear time, even well full.

Dawn is a new Confidence® Be user. She is 53, has a colostomy and leads a very active lifestyle, walking her dog, gardening and running around after her grandchildren. She also enjoys swimming and has a hot tub at home, which she enjoys using in the evening.

Dawn uses Confidence® Be and loves the stylish cover material which dries very quickly after showering, bathing or swimming.

That means Dawn doesn’t need to waste time waiting for her bag to dry, or have damp patches on her clothes if she get dressed in a hurry.

As a nursery worker, Dawn doesn’t want to advertise the fact she’s wearing a bag to her colleagues and the children. The new Confidence® Be profile has been designed to look great, no matter how long you wear it. The smart anti-sag stitching helps to keep the bag in shape and prevents drag even when full, providing maximum comfort for Dawn. The new textile fabric will also stay sleek without bobbling or fraying over time. Simple, discreet aesthetics mean the bag looks less like a medical device, so Dawn can be confident and feel good about herself at all time.

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Page 93

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a dedicated delivery and support service.

George and Kate’s story Having a stoma has given George and Kate a new lease of life and the support they are receiving is helping them live it to the full.

After retiring in 2010, George was diagnosed with a tumour in his bowel resulting in a stoma. George used the Respond service from day one. He has been so pleased with the service that now his wife Kate is using it too.

“I can’t fault the service.

They bend over backwards to acommodate you. Respond really do deliver on every promise they make” Kate had previously suffered from cervical cancer and as a result of radiotherapy, she suffered damage to her bowel. Two years ago her condition worsened and it resulted in a stoma. “I have always been with Respond. If you want something they will do it for you, they really do go the extra mile”.

George and Kate usually pick up their supplies from their local care centre in Perth. Kate explained: “We enjoy going in and picking them up and having a chat”.

Recently, they have taken advantage of the delivery service as their daughter was due to give birth to their first grandchild and they were staying with her to help.

“We asked the Respond team to deliver our supplies to our daughter’s house and they delivered exactly as

Respond Healthcare Ltd hello@respond.co.uk respond.co.uk 180418_RSP_A0423 George and Kate A4 v3.indd 1

promised. What a service! Just what you need when you have your first grandchild due any day!”.

“They really do go the extra mile” Recently, George has taken advantage of the Respond events by attending one held in Dundee. George said: “I did a talk at one of the events last year in Dundee.

I told everyone about my experiences. If sharing my story can give confidence or inspire just one person then it’s worth doing”.

“Friendly, sympathetic and understanding”

With the support and reassurance that they receive from Respond, George and Kate can now relax and enjoy the important job of being grandparents!

Interested in joining our service?

Call us for a chat on 0800 220 300

respondltd @respondltd @respondltd 19/04/2018 17:37

We deliver...

The building blocks of our home delivery service In addition, PharmaCare, our registered pharmacy service, is to put you first. We deliver all brands of stoma, continence can dispense your prescription medicines along with your and accessory products discreetly to your door and with text appliances in one convenient delivery. message delivery updates we work hard to ensure our service To find out more about joining the supports you.

We offer personalised pouch cutting and a wide choice of complimentary items. Our friendly customer service team is available Monday to Friday, 8am – 9pm and has over 20 years experience in providing expert product advice from all manufacturers.

SecuriCare home delivery service visit www.securicaremedical.co.uk or call us on

0800 585 125

SecuriCare® is a registered trademark of CliniMed (Holdings) Ltd. SecuriCare (Medical) Ltd. a company registered in England No. 1793254 SecuriCare (Medical) Ltd, Cavell House, Knaves Beech Way, Loudwater, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 9QY. Tel: 01628 850100 Fax: 01628 810839 Email: info@securicaremedical.co.uk © SecuriCare (Medical) Ltd. 2016 PID 3394

9062 SecuriCare Boxes Ad AW.indd 1

26/07/2016 12:33

Don’t let sore skin be part of your life Many people with a stoma share similar questions and concerns: they often worry that their skin may become irritated from faeces, urine, or the adhesive products and appliances used. You should make sure your skin is treated gently and protected from faeces, urine and chemicals by the correct use of the right products that will reduce the likelihood of skin problems.

The area your stoma bag is attached to is called the ‘peri-stomal’ area and it is vital this area is kept clean and in good condition as it is the base your stoma products will be placed on.

Skin problems can range from slight irritation and itching to severe pain and bleeding or weepy skin. Left unprotected, the skin condition may worsen, leading to discomfort for you and difficulty in getting your appliance to stick.

Good skin care is therefore a crucial part of any stoma routine to ensure the maintenance of healthy skin and assist in proper stoma bag adhesion, so here are a few tips for you to consider: • Only use warm water to clean the skin around the stoma; baby wipes and soap may irritate the skin.

• The best skin protection is a well-fitted and comfortable pouching system – always make sure your appliance fits snuggly around the stoma.

• Take your time when changing your pouch; careful removal will help prevent injury to the skin.

• Make sure the skin is completely dry before applying a new pouch (avoid using lotions, oils and moisturisers that can affect adhesion of the pouch).

By Victoria Murray Senior Clinical Specialist, Critical & Chronic Care Solutions Division, 3M • Ensure full contact between the adhesive and your skin by pressing gently with your hand.

• Men that need to shave around their stoma should avoid shaving creams.

Use clean warm water and a new disposable razor instead.

• Use protective skin barriers to protect the skin around your stoma.

• There are excellent products available to help protect the skin around your stoma. Applying 3M™ Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film to a peri-stomal site will provide long-lasting protection against enzymes and other harmful elements present in urine and faeces.1 It will also protect the skin from any damaged caused by the use of adhesives.2

Contact us at C3SD@mmm.com to receive samples and our patient information leaflet.

1

Jones D, Powell G, Burton J, Marshall J, Edwards A. (1999) An effective barrier against the ravages of proteolytic enzymes on peristomal and perianal skin. Presented at the RCN Gastroenterology and Stoma Care Nursing Conference, Eastbourne 1999.

2 Arrowsmith M, Schuren J (2005) Laboratory Studies and general characteristics of Cavilon skin care products. 3M data on file.

Remember, if you have any concerns always seek advice from your stoma care nurse or doctor.

Victoria has been with 3M both in Australia and the UK for over 12 years providing education and support to patients, carers and health care professionals in a wide range of settings. Prior to that Victoria was a Tissue Viability Nurse and District Nursing Sister in the UK. She is passionate about educating and improving the lives of people living with acute and chronic skin and wound care conditions and firmly believes that keeping skin healthy and intact should be a top priority.

Want less ouch under your pouch?

3M™ Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film For gentle yet effective protection to the delicate skin around your stoma.

Use a Cavilon no sting barrier film wipe every time you change your appliance to protect against adhesive damage and to prevent and treat sore skin.

For a free sample please visit www.3M.co.uk/stoma or call us on 01509 613 192 3M and Cavilon are trademarks of the 3M company. © 3M 2017.

Page 97

Feel the difference, experience the benefit of award-winning stoma care

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Award Winning silicone ostomy products set to change your life Revolutionary silicone ostomy technology designed to improve the quality of life for ostomates, was awarded the Queen’s Award for Innovation on advice of the Prime Minister on 21st April 2018 Trio healthcare was recognised for the development of a patented silicone based range of ostomy products that are designed to address issues caused by conventional products.

Abdominal stomas are surgically created intestinal openings which are a result of treating conditions such as colorectal and bladder cancer, Crohn’s or colitis. The stoma output such as faeces and urine can damage the surrounding skin when it comes in contact. At one time or another, all ostomates will suffer from leakage, which has a dramatic impact on their skin, ability to manage the stoma, social life, and psychological wellbeing.

Conventional ostomy products, made from hydrocolloid, contribute towards sore skin and leakage issues. To combat this, Trio has developed a unique, silicone adhesive that can be used around the stoma to provide an instant but secure, skin-friendly adhesion to the skin.

Trio Responsive Silicone® Technology is a secure but comfortable solution that allows the skin to breathe normally, even perspire, whilst maintaining a secure connection. The patented formulation leaves no residue and its waterproof nature prevents absorption of any faeces or urine providing a complete barrier, which allows the skin to naturally heal underneath.

The development of the pioneering technology – which is manufactured in house -has enabled Trio to launch a revolutionary range of silicone-based accessory products in an industry dominated by hydrocolloid. These products are seen as a precursor to the natural next phase of ostomy products coming out of Trio’s pipeline. The company is currently in the development phase of a new, innovative ostomy system to complete the range.

“Too many people around the world are suffering from leakage and irritated skin, so as a company we have made it our mission to provide an alternative solution. Our products offer reassurance and comfort, so the wearer can get on with their everyday lives without fear of sore skin.”

- Lloyd Pearce, Managing Director of Trio Healthcare”

If you struggle from ostomy related issues or want to try the latest award winning technology, contact the Trio® customer care team and request your free sample by quoting BLUSH18 on 0800 531 6280 or email mail@triohealthcare.co.uk.

You can find out more about the Trio silicone ostomy range on www.TrioOstomyCare.com.

Page 99

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Page 102 3135Convatec_me+_radar_key_A5_Advert_ST4.indd 1

16/04/2018 09:22

18 09:22

Support when you need it After bowel cancer it is not unusual to notice that your toilet habits aren’t what they used to be, particularly so if you’ve had ostomy surgery as part of your treatment. This can make going out to public places more stressful, but fortunately there are options available if you need to access amenities with more space, privacy and on-hand washing facilities – fast.

You’ll have noticed ‘Accessible or Disabled Toilets’ in most public places, but you’ll often find them locked unless you have a special key. The National Key Scheme (NKS) was developed to prevent accessible toilets from being damaged and misused. The keys used to unlock these public facilities are commonly referred to as RADAR keys (which stands for Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation). These keys can be used by people who need additional space and access to running water alongside a toilet. Toilets fitted with NKS locks can be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations in most parts of the country.

Billy has a urostomy due to bowel cancer and recalls a time he was grateful for his RADAR key: “On a trip to Crieff I arrived in the town centre after a long drive to find that the toilets didn’t open for another half an hour. Feeling that my urostomy bag would not last that long to be emptied, I noticed that the accessible toilet had a Radar key system. I always carry a Radar Key in my spare pouch pocket. I was relieved to find the door opened when I used the key and found that the toilet inside was clean and well laid out, (had I needed to change a bag there was ample space).”

One of the advantages of accessible toilets for men with ostomies is the availability of a sanitary bin to dispose of used products. But they are helpful for relieving anxiety for women too. Angela from Eastbourne said “All the times I have used my key have been because the queues have been long at the normal toilets and it meant I did not have to worry about having a leak.”

Sometimes it’s not possible to use an accessible toilet, but any toilet will do and when you need one in a hurry! In these circumstances, it can be helpful to show your ‘Can’t Wait card’. Showing the card communicates that you have a medical condition and would appreciate access to a toilet without undue delay. It’s important to note that the cards don’t guarantee access to all toilets and there may be instances where it’s not possible to use facilities for reasons related to security or health and safety (in the instance of staff toilets for example). However, when used with a smile and a polite request you may find they open doors and help avoid unnecessary distress.

For those travelling by air, the Sunflower Lanyard scheme may prove useful. This scheme was rolled out across UK airports last year and indicates to airport staff that the wearer has additional, hidden, needs that should be considered to ensure a smooth experience through the airport. It is used by people with dementia, autism, hearing loss and ostomies, amongst other conditions, and enables travellers to discreetly identify themselves to staff to ensure tailored help and support can be offered throughout their journey.

Karen has an ileostomy and says “The lanyard gives me free fast track through security, as well as further alerting staff that I may be carrying medical supplies, and they are aware of a disability if I get stopped. I just feel more in control.”

Members of ConvaTec’s FREE me+™ lifestyle support programme can request RADAR keys and Can’t Wait cards from the me+™ team, free of charge, by calling 0800 467 866 and quoting Blush Magazine. Sunflower lanyards can be obtained at any of the airport’s assistance desks.

Page 103

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We are offering a 5% discount to all Blush readers, simply use the code 55018DF8 at checkout or mention to our customer service team if you decide to phone your order through.

Our range of products include both washable and disposable incontinence wear from many well-known brands such as Hartmann, Kylie, Abena, Lille, P&S, Tena and iD plus a wide range of accessories to help make life easier when If you have any queries dealing with incontinence. or questions, then please call us, we have We recognise that the knowledge and incontinence can affect experience to help people people of all ages and so with incontinence and our range offers products stoma requirements.

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Page 104 20180419 - Blush Magazine Ad.indd 1

19/04/2018 12:14

Blush Edi

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Adult Incontinence - Causes and Management If you leak urine on a regular basis and for no apparent reason, you may have incontinence. Unfortunately, it remains a fairly taboo topic even in today’s modern world, however, there are more people living with incontinence than you may think.

The NHS estimates that between 3 - 6 million people in the UK are living with some degree of urinary incontinence, with women leading these numbers, mainly due to pregnancy, childbirth and the menopause.

Other causes can include; • • • •

• • • •

Nerve damage (usually from surgery) Obesity Family history of incontinence Diuretics (medicine that makes you urinate more. These are often used in patients who have cardiac conditions) Enlarged prostate gland Constipation Excessive intake of caffeine and/or alcohol Decreased cognitive function (usually due to old age)

It's important to note that although incontinence may be more prevalent in the elderly, it is not an inevitable part of ageing.

Treating and Managing Incontinence

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary leaking of urine or faeces. There are varying levels of incontinence as well as different types; • Stress Incontinence – when you leak urine lifting something heavy, coughing or sneezing.

• Urge Incontinence – a sudden and urgent need to urinate, even when your bladder is not completely full.

• Overflow Incontinence – when you›re unable to fully empty your bladder which causes frequent leaking.

• Total Incontinence – when your bladder is unable to store any urine at all and causes you to pass urine constantly or have frequent leaking.

Causes of Incontinence There are a number of reasons why you may develop incontinence. In women, pregnancy and childbirth are the main reasons, mainly because the pelvic floor muscles become stretched and therefore become weak.

Incontinence is not a disease in itself but is often a manifestation of an underlying disorder. A good treatment plan will take any underlying causes into consideration, ensuring you get the optimum treatment.

complication which can result in urinary and faecal incontinence.

A build-up of faeces in the bowel can put additional pressure on the bladder, causing it to contract at random, even when your bladder is empty.

A healthy, balanced diet with the recommended six to eight glasses of water per day is key to ensuring your bladder, kidneys and bowels function as they should.

Bladder training This is a type of behavioural therapy.

You can do it yourself, or you can get a program put together from your continence nurse or GP practice. It is usually used if you've been diagnosed with urge incontinence.

Training your bladder is about controlling when you go to the toilet and how often. The idea is to train your bladder to only contract at certain times, rather than having random, sporadic contractions.

Lifestyle Changes Your lifestyle can have a huge impact on your risk of developing incontinence.

Drinks that are high in caffeine like coffee, tea and carbonated sodas can play a big part. Caffeine is a natural diuretic which will make you develop more urine and can also irritate the bladder. Try and reduce your daily intake of these types of drinks, especially in the afternoon so you can enjoy a better night’s sleep with minimal toilet disruptions. Alcohol is also a diuretic and should be avoided for the same reasons.

Being overweight can increase your chance of developing incontinence.

Extra weight can put strain on the pelvic floor muscles, stretching and weakening them. This leads to less control of your bladder and an increased chance of leaks.

Constipation is an obstructive

Incontinence Products Incontinence products are an effective way of managing your condition. They are highly absorbent, can control odours at their source and are extremely discreet. You can choose between washable or disposable products and most come in different sizes to suit your needs.

Apogium provide a wide range of products for all forms of incontinence.

Visit www.apogium.co.uk or call us on 0115 985 4422 for more information.

Page 105

Blush Editorial - Adult Incontinence.indd 1

19/04/2018 15:05

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Page 106

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• The spray can be applied from any angle (360 degrees), offering greater reliability† • The removal of the propellant helps ensure: • the product is not cold on the skin • it’s more environmentally friendly • there’s more product in the can† • Suitable for all ages For a life more ordinary

SWITCHING TO LIFT PLUS 360 PROVIDES YOUR CCG WITH COSTS SAVINGS * Drug Tariff Jan18 † Compared to traditional aerosol technology Code: AL/3208/03.18/0.001 Date of Preparation: March 2018

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