Healing By Nature - Honey

Wound Healing By Nature - Honey

Before the discovery of antibiotics, honey was used on wounds to prevent and treat wound infection. You probably already have this botanically derived therapy right in your kitchen cupboard too!

The use of honey in wound healing dates back to the Sumerians in 2000 B.C.. The high sugar content can dehydrate bacterial cells, while acidity can inhibit growth and division of many bacteria. Honey also has an enzyme, glucose oxidase, that reduces oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria.

The most potent naturally occurring honey is thought to be Manuka honey. It is derived from the flower of the tea tree bush which has additional antibacterial properties.

More recently, widespread prescription of antibiotics have resulted in the problem of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of hard-to-kill super-bugs such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).  The use of honey as a wound antiseptic is not only desirable, but highly preferable (Journal of Wound Care, 2004).This is because, since honey is technically not an antibiotic, the use of honey on wounds does not contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Be Skin Smart

Learn to recognise the early signs of skin cancer.

• Examine your skin regularly at least once a month. All areas of the skin should be inspected, including the hands and feet, genital areas, eyes and mouth.

• Learn the danger signs of skin cancer and see a dermatologist early if you detect ay new or changing moles, freckles or skin growths.

• Go for regular skin checks by a Dermatologist at least once a year.

• If you have risk factors for melanoma or skin cancer, you may require more frequent monitoring.

• Your Dermatologist will use a special tool called the Dermoscope to detect early changes in your skin.

• Consider the use of photography as an aid to track your moles or skin lesions.

• Teach your children about the risks of sun exposure and sun burns. Encourage them to apply sunscreen regularly when they are outdoors.

Be Sun Smart

Overexposure to ultraviolet light is a preventable risk factor for skin cancer and premature skin aging. Keep in mind the following precautions:

• Avoid peak sunlight hours from 10am to 4pm.

• Avoid artificial tanning parlors.

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 regularly and liberally. Reapply every 2 to 4 hours when working or playing outdoors and apply half and hour before swimming.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or sun protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirt and pants. 

Beware Of The Stubborn Rash - It Could Be Skin Cancer!

Have you noticed a stubborn scaly rash that simply refuses to go away?

It is important to take note that not all skin cancers are pigmented like moles. Non-pigmented skin cancers such as squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer are in fact more common than mole cancers.

In the early stages, these cancers may not appear alarming at all. They have been mistaken for eczema or a case of skin allergy.

These skin cancers are linked to chronic or intense overexposure to ultraviolet rays. Some patients who are on long term medications which suppress the body's natural immunity (immunosuppressants) also have increased risk of developing skin cancers.

Thankfully, these cancers are highly curable when detected and treated at the early stage. Therefore, it is very important that any new growth or unusual-looking rash be promptly evaluated by a dermatologist.

Should you sign up for that laser package?

In recent years, a novelty has jumped onto the bandwagon of hyper-consumerism. I am referring to the phenomenon of laser packages.

Clinics offering low-price, express laser treatments have become a common sight.

Creative marketing has also coaxed potential customers into thinking that laser treatments on a frequent basis (daily, or even several times a day) are not only necessary but also highly desirable. Customers are encouraged to sign up for laser packages, even if they do not have any skin problem at all.

This is a disturbing trend.

Patient or consumer? Laser, as a licensed medical device, has been used to address and treat specific skin problems in patients. Each treatment has its accompanying benefits and risks. While the patient receives treatment which is specific to his or her need, the consumer, on the other hand, buys a product, often on impulse. The consumer would not have any more information of the product than what they have heard from advertising campaigns or social media. The consumer may not really need the product or service, but wants it anyway. The consumer cannot fully comprehend the effect that rampant laser treatments would have on the skin.

Encouraging over-consumption. A favourite marketplace gimmick is the sale of packages. A lump sum of money is paid upfront for a pre-determined number of treatment sessions. And since the person buying is not a patient but a consumer, the cost of the package would largely depend on the size of his pocket. Economies of scale is used to sweeten the deal for the customer: the more you buy, the cheaper per treatment it becomes. In the end, the consumer parts with a month's pay on that package. A package that the consumer does not really need, and is unlikely to completely utilize.

Laser abuse. The truth is, more is NOT merrier. Daily laser treatments are excessive, dangerous, and of questionable benefit. Dermatologists do not recommend it. Instead interval of 4 to 6 weeks is routinely advised for safety. Post-laser skin is allowed to heal, and sufficient time to lapse for assessment of treatment outcome. As a medical treatment device, laser exerts profound effects on the skin, even at sub-therapeutic doses. A well-documented complication arising from abuse of laser treatment is skin tone discolouration, uneven pigmentation and subsequent appearance of white patches on the face.

So, before you commit to that laser package, ask yourself, " Do I really need it?"

Thirties and Terrified...Not.

Acne Action 

Skin renewal slows down; combine this with oily type skin, acne continues to be a problem. In addition to physician prescribed effective skin care, clinic-based treatments hasten recovery and maintains results.

Chemical peel – the more superficial Clarifying Peel is perfect for unclogging whiteheads and decongesting the skin.

Laser peel targets acne causing oil glands, shrinks the glands, and reduces pore size. It also gently exfoliates dead skin cells and comedones.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) kills acne-causing bacteria which reside in the oil glands. This treatment  involves the application of a primer onto the  skin, followed by irradiating the skin with light source. It controls excessive sebum production and stimulates collagen synthesis for healing of acne scars.

Wrinkle Warrior

Wrinkles result from weakening and gradual depletion of collagen and elastin in the skin. Fine lines start to appear in thin skin around the eyes. Pigmentation is the result of combination of UV radiation, hormonal stimulation and acne.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing is a state of the art laser technology which is optimized for treatment of stubborn wrinkles, scars, large pores and pigmentation. It penetrates deeply into the skin for regeneration of new collagen and tightening of sagging skin. There is minimal downtime after laser treatment. Some facial redness is expected after the treatment, which goes away within 3 days. Tiny scabs may be evident during the recovery period of 5 to 7 days, though these can be easily concealed with make up.

Botulinum toxin injections should begin earlier than later, before permanent signs of aging set in. Apart from erasing frown lines, botulinum toxin can be used to smooth out a dimply chin, eliminate crow’s feet, slim down square jaws, and upturn the corners of a droopy mouth. Safe, minimal to no downtime.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are often used in combination with botulinum toxin to plump up facial crevices, restoring the youthful contours of the face. The treatment is safe with minimal to no downtime.

Pigmentation Patrol

Chemical peel provide tightening and resurfacing results due to its action on the deep dermis. Dramatic improvement in terms of skin tone, pigmentation and fine wrinkles can be achieved in just 1 session.

Laser Rejuvenation targets unwanted pigmentation as well as stimulates collagen synthesis in the dermis. Skin feels supple immediately after treatment, and signs of aging are reduced. This treatment has minimal to no downtime, and can be repeated as part of an intensive rejuvenative regime, or as a complement to maintenance anti-aging program.

Eyebags, dark circles and “oil seeds”

Start with effective skin care. An eye cream should contain anti-oxidants to protect the skin against environmental stressors and premature skin aging. It should also contain lightening ingredients to target excess pigments in the skin and reduce congestion below the skin.

Hyaluronic acid injections can be use to firm and plump the skin, giving a smooth contour to the eyes and brighten tired-looking eyes.

Pigment laser can improve dark circles caused by excess pigmentation. This also has the added benefit of stimulating collagen production within the skin to smooth out wrinkles and strengthen the skin.

Laser resurfacing can remove wrinkles and stimulate new collagen under the skin. It is used to thicken the thin eyelid skin and is use to improve wrinkles, pigmentation and dark circles under the eyes. Syringoma, commonly referred to as “oil seeds” around the eyes can be effectively treated with long lasting results.

Thirties and Terrified?

A woman in her 30s has a lot going for her. Marriage, babies, family, career. These events may have significant impact on a woman’s health and skin.

Adult acne: Some girls do not quite grow out of it. Acne continues to plague many women. This may be compounded by stress, pregnancy or going off the contraceptive pill.

Expression lines: She may begin to detect a hint of frown lines and crow’s feet appearing. Be it a grimace, a squint, a pout or grin. Years of animation cause the skin to fold repeatedly, giving us the distinctive frown lines, crow’s feet or forehead lines.  

In younger patients, these lines convey an appearance of age, fatigue and frustration.

Over time, the wrinkles become permanently etched into the skin. Early treatment prevents the formation of permanent lines.

Pigmentation: excessive sun exposure and not using sunscreen, leads to  pigmentation and coarse pores.

Aging and pigmentation: Skin aging may not seem like a big deal to a woman in her 30s. Yet the process of aging is already underway in the cellular level. The discipline and care that she applies to taking good care of her skin in her 30s will pay off. Sensible skin care or treatments will be able to fend off the signs of premature skin aging later on in life.

Free radicals are produced in our skin, which breakdown the collagen and elastic tissues. These are neutralized by anti-oxidants found in the skin. Unfortunately there are not that much of it going around, so we depend on supplementation to boost the anti-oxidant levels in our body. We should also abstain from unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and bingeing.

Eyebags, dark circles and “oil seeds”: If you have had dark circles since youth, then it is most probably due to genetics causing the accumulation of pigments around the eyes. If your eyes are naturally deep-set, you will also appear to have more prominent dark circles. Dark circles are also caused by congestion of blood vessels located below the very thin skin under the eyes.

As we age, the skin starts to appear wrinkled and sag, look puffy, aggravating the already obvious dark eye circles.

If you have allergies like eczema or rhinitis, these conditions may also contribute to the problem.

Dark eye circles are a complex problem, cause by one or more of the above factors

Vitamin D deficiency - The Silent Enemy



5 - 10min of sun provides more than
daily requirement of vit D



Did you know that vitamin D was not only important for bones, but also for nearly all other tissues in our body? Yet, unknown to many of us, we may be suffering from the effects of Vitamin D deficiency!

So vital is the vitamin for normal cell function, a lack of it can result has been linked to cancer, heart disease, and immune system abnormalities. Chronic insufficiency of vitamin D in your diet also results in feeling of tiredness and fatigue.

Increase your vitamin D intake and reduce the risk of cancer by 60 to 77% - is a compelling reason to be vitamin D–sufficient.

The main natural sources of vitamin D are oily fish and sun. Salmon contains the highest amount, among the fishes. Humans also get abundant vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. The minor sources of vitamin D are found in fortified foods such as milk and yogurt, and vitamin supplememts.

Despite these, deficiency in vitamin D is occurring more frequently than previously expected. A study showed that individuals who were drinking a glass of milk and taking a multivitamin daily and eating salmon at least once a week were still vitamin D-deficient.

What should we do to ensure that we keep our vitamin D at the health-friendly level?

Go into the sun! Yes, one of the most efficient (and free) way to ensure that you get more than your recommended daily dose. 10 minutes of sun exposure to the arms and legs can produce the equivalent amount of vitamin D found in 1 kg of salmon, or 100 egg yolks!

Wait a minute, we know that too much sun causes skin cancers and skin aging. How then can we get our vitamin D fix safely?

The key is sensible exposure to sunlight. 5 to 10 min a day is sufficient. No need to bake under the sun.

Despite this, dark skinned individuals will not be able to absorb sufficient UV because of the blocking effect of the pigments in the skin. Societies which dictate that large part of the skin be covered by clothing, contributes to vitamin D insufficiency.

Unless a person eats oily fish frequently, it is very difficult to obtain that much vitamin D on a daily basis from dietary sources. Excessive exposure to sunlight, especially sunlight that causes sunburn, will increase the risk of skin cancer.

Therefore, we would still have to fall back on vitamin D supplements to meet our body’s needs.

Recommendations for adequate daily intake of vitamin D are 200 IU for children and adults up to 50 years of age, 400 IU for adults 51 to 70 years of age, and 600 IU for adults 71 years of age or older. Without adequate sun exposure, children and adults would require more supplementation at approximately 800 to 1000 IU per day.

Sensible sun exposure and the use of supplements are needed to fulfil the body’s vitamin D.

Do You Want To Transform Your Skin?

Do you want to transform your skin?

Have to noticed the fine lines creeping up on you? Blotchy pigmentation and sun spots? Dull tone, sallow appearace with no glow in sight?  

All of these are the result of the effect of environmental stressors on your skin over the years. One too many sun tan, perhaps? Photodamage, caused by the sun’s harmful rays, is the main cause of wrinkles and age spots that you may already see on your face.

As our skin ages and is exposed to UVA and UVB rays, the turnover of skin cells slows significantly, throwing off the balance between growth of healthy new cells and the sloughing of old, damaged cells. Collagen and elastin fibers begin to break down, causing the skin to lose resilience resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.

Daily exposures to UV light then accelerates this aging process and may cause uneven colouring.

Turning back the clock

If you have experienced sunburns, daily sun exposure, hormonal changes, stress and environmental pollution, then your ski will likely show signs of premature aging.

What is skin transformation?

After a detailed consultation, an individualized skin treatment regime will be prescribed for you.  The treatment regime will restore the cellular turnover, increase collagen and elastin production and remove unwanted pigmentation; to reveal clearer and firmer skin.

If you are looking to turn back the clock, look no further!

Oral Sunscreen - Protection Against Skin Aging

With the gradual depletion of the ozone layer, there has been growing concerns about the level of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth and the increase in the incidence of sun-related diseases such as hyperpigmentation, photoaging and skin cancer. UV has many detrimental effects on the skin: it can directly cause DNA damage, and it can create so-called "reactive oxygen species" (ROS) or "free radicals." ROS are high energy molecules that collide with proteins and lipids in the cell and cause direct cellular damage. This damage is responsible for the effects of UV on skin: premature aging and a wrinkled and worn appearance.

Luckily, nature has provided us with a natural defense against the ROS rogues - antioxidants.Antioxidants quench the reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease sunburn response. Antioxidants result in significant reduction in the number of ultraviolet induced sunburn cells and DNA damage.


Polypodium Leucotomos extract (PLE), which is taken orally, is one such antioxidant.


PLE has been traditionally used in Central and South America for the treatment of different inflammatory skin disease. Studies done on PLE have shown it to possess a range of benefits that include reduction in hyperpigmentation, skin firming effect which helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and slows down aging of the skin.

Patients who had taken PLE, demonstrated significantly less hyperpigmentation after 48 hours following UV exposure.

For all those sporting junkies out there, take an oral sun protectant like PLE in addition to topically applied sunscreen for fail-safe protection the harmful effects of UV.

Have fun in the sun!

EPF - Anti-Oxidant For The Skin

From Simply Her, Aug 2010. By Justina Tan

Much like how SPF measures the level of sun protection in your skincare, Environmental Protection Factor (EPF) measures how well an antioxidant protects the skin from free radical damage, including damage from UVrays.

The main culprit in premature skin ageing, free radicals are formed through everyday activities like eating, drinking and breathing. Sun exposure, smoking, stress, pollutants and alcohol worsen it by increasing free radicals in the body. This sets off a cycle of free radical formation in the body.

There are several types of free radicals.

Primary free radicals are unstable molecules that are created as a result of exposure to environmental assaults like UV rays and air pollutants.

Secondary free radicals, formed from exposure to primary free radicals, tend to damage the protective lipids in skin. Free radical activity also occurs within surface skin cells. All these result in visible signs of ageing like lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, sun damage, loss of firmness and elasticity.

Antioxidants like vitamins C and E occur naturally in the body to prevent free radical damage. But when there's a lack of antioxidants, or if the production of free radicals is excessive, cell damage can still occur.

Can You Eat Your Way To Younger Skin?

Consuming antioxidant-rich foods, such as broccoli, berries, spinach and tea, is beneficial to the body. But Dr Jean Ho, consultant dermatologist at Jean Ho Skin and Laser Clinic and visiting consultant dermatologist at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, says that applying antioxidants directly on the skin has a more targeted and concentrated effect. "A good antioxidant serum can increase antioxidant activity in the skin eight-fold, something that can't be achieved by taking an oral antioxidant supplement," she says.