Epicuren X-Treme Cream Sunscreen SPF 45: This beach bag must is great for protecting you from the sun and an added bonus? It has honey in it!
Epicuren Noni Herbal Elixir: I love this multipurpose elixir on so many levels. Why? It’s great for bug bites, sunburn, after waxing lotion and more …. and it’s all natural!
Bliss Maximum Moisture Cream: To know me is to know my love of all things from the Bliss brand. This is a great lotion to keep your skin hydrated, smooth and the scents are amazing – especially the Blood Orange + White Pepper and the Lemon & Sage.
Havanianas Flip flops: Can flip flops be fabulous? YES! Being smart & safe is just as important as being sexy! Pack these for the beach but also for after a night wearing killer stiletto heels. Your feet will thank you!
UBER App: Load this App up on your phone ASAP. It’s a great way to plan ahead for a safe ride home. Live Right at Night ladies & gents!
New Chapter Daily Multivitamin: As a doctor I’m often asked what multivitamin I trust, and I always say New Chapter! I trust and believe in them so much I pop them myself every morning! Getting a good dose of vitamins and minerals is a key component for better health this summer, and all year long!
Cooler Cleanse: Need to hit the reset button for your body, inside and out? I swear by the Cooler Cleanse when I need to give my body some TLC. Within just a few days I look and feel better than ever. P.S. Just try not to love the Grapefruit Mint juice!
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream: This is the perfect alternative to heavy foundation which no gal wants to wear in the summer! Not only does it provide coverage that isn’t heavy, but it’s also packed with SPF 35. Be sure you keep this makeup-must in your handbag all summer long!
Fabulous Sunglasses: Picking out these accessories is just as much about the how the shape flatters your face as it is about ensuring that your pair has UVA and UVB protection. As Karl Lagerfeld says “Sunglasses are like eye shadow. They make everything look younger and prettier.”
Vita Coco Coconut Water: Doctor’s orders dictate you must stay hydrated and replenish your electrolytes all summer long. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of fun with your hydration! Coconut Water supplies both! My favorite brand? Vita Coco all the way!
Author: Dr. Yael Varnado
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Save the receipt for that breast pump ladies because it’s tax deductible! Yes that’s right since 2009 if you set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare spending a breast pump is a tax-deductible item. August is National Breast Feeding Awareness Month and August 1st – 7th is World Breast Feeding Week. Did you know that according to the U.S. Surgeon General, “75% of U.S. women start out breastfeeding but by 6 months less than 13% are exclusively breastfeeding their little one?” Well, don’t beat yourself up about not breastfeeding, ladies. Britain has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the developed world, the majority of women stop within six weeks. In 2005 data showed less than 1% of Britain’s babies were exclusively breast fed at 6 months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your little one’s life. And there are numerous benefits to you and your baby if you choose to and are able to breastfeed. Read on to see some of the baby and mommy benefits of breastfeeding. First and foremost it allows a mother to bond with her baby. An added bonus is that breastmilk is absolutely natural and FREE! It requires no mixing of formula or temperature testing.
Breastfeeding after delivery stimulates the uterus to contract and become smaller. As a mom continues to breastfeed it actually leads to weight loss for her and weight gain for baby; as breast milk is like “liquid gold” – it has all the nutrients a baby needs to grow.
HARVARD here I come … Research has shown that breastfed babies have higher IQ scores, in addition to better brain and nervous system development.
Breast milk contains your baby’s first needle free immunizations because the milk contains immunoglobulins that are passed from mother to child. These immunoglobulins have been show to protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Studies have also revealed breastfed babies have a decreased risk of developing childhood cancers, allergies, obesity, and diabetes.
The health benefits of breastfeeding aren’t just for baby. Mothers who breastfeed are at decreased risk for anemia, osteoporosis, and breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. Additionally, exclusively breastfeeding can decrease (but not eliminate) the risk of pregnancy in women who are not using contraception.
The US National Guard’s Motto is “Always Ready, Always there” .. this is a similar situation for breast milk. A mother regulates her body temperature and therefore her breast’s temperature, resulting in her milk always being at the right temperature for her little one. This eliminates the need to have, heat, and clean plastic bottles that can break down and release chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA). Exclusively breastfeeding is also a way to go green. It decreases waste and your family’s carbon footprint. And the quality of a mother’s milk changes to meet a baby’s needs. Milk produced in the evening has a higher fat content than milk produced in the morning. The fattier evening milk actually helps keep your little one satisfied and aids with sleep. Breast milk sits better in your baby’s belly this means your little one’s digestive track can better absorb breast milk versus formula or cow’s milk. Easier digestion means breast milk leads to less diarrhea, constipation, gas and spitting up. Since breast milk helps encourage bowel movements your baby should do “number 2” two to three times a day but it wouldn’t be unusual for your baby to have a bowel movement after every feeding.
Babies can eat up to 10-12 times a day whether you are breastfeeding or using formula. Since babies feed around the clock don’t worry if you can’t breast feed for every meal. Even if you only breastfeed during the day your baby will still gain all the benefits of breastfeeding if he or she has formula at night.
Breastfeeding your baby is a very personal and individual decision. For some breastfeeding is not an option because of the inability to produce milk or the difficulty in coordinating it with their lifestyle and responsibilities e.g. multiplit births or a newborn/infant with medical needs. As statistics have shown less than 13% of U.S. women exclusively breast feed their baby after 6 months. If you would like to learn more information about how to breastfeed while you are in the hospital speak to a lactation consultant or the Labor and Delivery team and inquire about their baby friendly initiatives. Most importantly DO NOT FEEL GUILTY if you cannot or choose not to breastfeed your baby. You are still a fabulous mommy!
Dr. V’s Feeding Tips:
- Crying is a LATE hunger cue – meaning a baby is VERY hungry when he/she cries to be fed. Earlier signs of hunger include rooting, chewing on his/her hands, and opening of his/her mouth.
- Always remember to offer your second breast to your baby during feedings. He or she may not want more milk, but it’s important to try.
- NEVER heat plastic bottles in the microwave, or wash them in the dishwasher – heat can cause the plastic to release toxic chemicals.
- Make sure you and baby are always belly-to-belly for feedings.
- One must have item for breastfeeding moms is the Boppy!
#LiveRightAtNight ……… Happy National Girlfriend’s Day
#LiveRightAtNight ……… Happy National Girlfriend’s Day
Ladies, can you imagine how lonely it would be for Oprah to fly alone in her private plane to fabulous places all over the world without Gayle? Well, I can’t and is not only the beginning of the weekend but it’s also National Girlfriends Day and I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate with an adult beverage!
Take a moment to think about it. Who was your girlfriend that got you through tough times? Who loved you like a sister? Who had your back and brought you back to reality when “what’s his name” ran a Jedi mind trick on you and told you the reason he couldn’t be with you was because of YOUR baggage, NOT HIS (yeah right. He has the full complete LV Damier luggage set)!
As you go through your day today, let the women who have been instrumental in your development into the fabulous woman you are now know that you love them and appreciate them so very much. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to an ex-BFF and saying “Just wanted to let you know you were a great girlfriend!” You never know what she may be going through in life and it may just very well make her day!
Beyonce is right ladies, Who runs the world?? GIRLS!! And no one will take care of you and love you like your girls. Here’s a list of things that a group of women shared they have done for their girlfriends. Yes these are all real. What would you do?
- Who held your hair back while you were kissing the porcelain GOD?
- Who left the club alone and drove your car home so you could go home with that cute guy?
- Who loaned you her crotchless fishnets to go on a date?
- Who paid for your trip because she really wanted you to come because YOU are the life of the party?
- Who stood beside you at YOUR wedding and cried tears of love and happiness?
- Who threw you a surprise birthday party despite you being an absolute drama queen?
- Who joined Weight Watchers to support you & lost more weight than you? DAMMIT!!
- Who pretends to be your lesbian lover when a super-annoying guy at the bar won’t leave you alone?
- Who is always down to roll to the club after yet another failed relationship so you can find a new guy and be on to the next?
- Who always tells you “You are so RIGHT!” knowing damn well you are wrong?
- Who loans you breast pasties or a bra because you know you can’t leave the house like that!? Your best girl friend THAT’S WHO!
Ladies, let’s celebrate #LiveRightAtNight and National Girlfriend’s Day! Kick off the weekend right! Share your funniest stories, enjoy some laughs and tell your girlfriends how much they mean to you.
Wishing you a fabulous weekend
Dr. V
#Live Right At Night …. Summer Chafing
Okay ladies, it’s time to get real and talk about something that many suffer from but no one wants to talk about… CHAFING. Yes, it’s as common in the summer as barbeques and warm weather, yet we rarely talk about it! There’s nothing less chic when you’re heading out for a day or night on the town and your killer sexy strut is stalled by chafing pain. Suffer in silence no more! I’m here to bring relief by sharing everything you need to know about Summer Chafing: How to Treat It, How to Beat It, and WHY it happens in the first place!
What is Chafing & What Causes It?
Moisture & Sweat – Sweat and moisture are the culprits! Whether you’re walking the streets in hot weather or working it out in the gym sweat and moisture can contribute to chafing and irritate your skin. Why? Sweat becomes trapped in areas and irritates your skin which leads to chafing as this irritated skin contacts other skin or your clothes.
Speaking of Clothing – Even Couture clothes rub! And as clothing rubs against common chafing areas (your thighs for instance) the resulting friction can lead to red chafed skin. The chances of chafing really increase if you wear ill-fitting clothing. Also, the fabric you choose to wear makes a difference. Try to stick to fabrics that let your skin breathe. These breathable fabrics will ensure you sweat less and definitely stay away from rough or scratchy fabrics.
Body Composition: Our body shape and being overweight can increase the risk of chafing. For instance, if you have extra skin or weight in your thighs, underarms or even upper body, these areas can rub together with other parts of your skin and the friction may lead to chafing. Ladies, this does not mean that your thighs were meant to NOT touch naturally .. so don’t go crazy and start checking out the costs of lipo!!
How can you PREVENT Chafing?
The real keys in Chafing Prevention are decreasing friction and moisture. This means you can:
Stay dry and try not to get too sweaty – Easier said than done in hot summer weather but do your best to keep your skin dry (carry some baby powder on you and apply it before you head out for the day) in areas that are prone to friction or get a little more sweaty. This also means you want to wear fabrics that are more breathable and wick away moisture, and of course never hang out in wet clothes!
Lubricate areas to prevent chafing – Reducing friction on your skin is key, and you can do that by applying petroleum jelly or products like Gold Bond or Lanacane Anti-friction creams or gels. These the products out, and figure out which works best for your body’s chafing “hot spots.”
Dress right – Whether walking around or exercising in hot weather, prevent chafing by wearing anti-chafing gear. This means clothes should fit properly, be comfortable, perhaps even wick away moisture! Compression shorts and accessories like Spanx are great to prevent friction that leads to thigh chafing – a big summer culprit!
What are some ways to TREAT Chafing?
It’s important you follow the anti-chafing methods outlined above but what do you do when chafing has already struck?
- Clean the chafed area gently and be sure you pat it dry.
- Treat the area with something like petroleum jelly or appropriate balms.
- If you’re past the point of normal chafing.. for example the area is reddened and painful, burns and may even be blistered, talk to your doctor who may prescribe a medicated ointment. This could be key to preventing infection!
- Give your skin some time to heal in general before you become too active again, and if you can, take care of the area before you head out again (choose your apparel carefully).
Now go out and enjoy those summer days and nights chafe free!
Smooches,
Dr. V
#Live Right at Night: Sun Bathing Safely
#Live Right at Night: Sun Bathing Safely
Ladies, I hope you are having a fabulous and sunny summer involving lots of fun and as Kimora would say: “Fabulosity”!! It’s summer time and as I pen this week’s entry for Live Right at Night (which is more of a Live Right All Weekend Long) I’m actually on vacay myself I have to admit that this week I need to take my own advice…It’s confession time:
I am an addict … A sun addict that is. I admit it! I love the sun .. There I’ve said. I was born in Australia and lived down under and loved playing outside till my hair turned light brown and blonde. Even as a teenager there was nothing that brightened my spirit more than feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays on my face. One of my best friend’s mom was a doctor and used to tell us that getting some sun even at a tanning booth was good for us and released endorphins .. so duh, following the doctor’s orders we ran with that idea. I worshipped and laid out in the sun on numerous beach vacays until one year after returning from Jamaica I had burns on my face that my dermatologist referred to as “sun damage.” What? All I heard was damage… You mean like wrinkles? Scars? Permanent? Now at the time this occurred I was a medical student, and clearly knew all about skin cancer.. but I kept thinking not me, I mean “black don’t crack” My mom and my grandmother look fabulous! I also kept thinking, well “black people” don’t get skin cancer! But yes, they do.
My relationship with the sun has grown up as I’ve grown over the years and although I still love it and enjoy sitting out on a beach I’ve learned that the skin I’ve got today is the skin I’m gonna have tomorrow and forever, so I have to love and treat it right. Finally, I listen to my mom who has been screaming at me for years to “wear a hat!” Fact ladies: There are tons of cute and sexy wide-brimmed hats out there these days to match your fashionable swimwear. I also use sunscreen. Epicuren is one of my personal faves. It’s made with honey and rubs nicely into your skin without feeling greasy or heavy. I also use it on my face. The great thing about their line is that they even have a product with Zinc Oxide that rubs in clear without the white chalky ghostly look.
Now if you have a weak moment and just have-to sit out and get a little tanned up (which I’m not condoning) then the Maui Babe’s Browning lotion is my ultimate favorite lotion. And if you lay out and get just a bit too crispy then I recommend Epicuren’s Noni Elixir. It works really well to calm burns of any kind including sunburns, and also soothes bug bites (which I seem to get everywhere I go) so it’s truly multi-purpose!
We’re in this 12-step program of weaning ourselves from the sun together ladies! To begin, let’s start out strong and make sure to use a moisturizer with SPF everyday. Little changes now in our sun loving habits will make a big difference later! Your skin and mine will thank me later.
Smooches from Turks and Caicos,
Dr. V
Ovarian Cancer AGAIN takes a loved one from Pierce Brosnan
Our deepest condolences go out to Pierce Brosnan and his family as his beloved daughter, Charlotte, (both shown above) lost her 3-year battle with ovarian cancer, at the young age of 41. It is so sad to hear that another beautiful life has succumb to this terrible disease. Although ovarian cancer awareness month isn’t until September it’s important that EVERY woman EVERY DAY know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer because it can affect any of us. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute report that 1 out of 100 women will get ovarian cancer in her lifetime. The risk goes up exponentially to 5 out of 100 if one family member has had ovarian cancer, and 7 out of 100 if two or three relatives have had it. Many of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific, such as abdominal pressure, bloating, and pelvic pain. Only 20% of ovarian cancers are found before the tumor has spread beyond the ovaries. The frightening thing about ovarian cancer is that it is hard to detect early. Many times, women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage and is hard to treat.
According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer ranks 5th in cancer deaths among women. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2013 more than 22,000 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer, and more than 15,000 will die from the disease. Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over age 50, but can also affect younger women. In the case of Pierce Brosnan’s daughter, Charlotte she had a strong family history as her mother, actress Cassandra Harris (pictured below) and grandmother both died from the disease, and she may have even have had a genetic mutation such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 which significantly increases one’s risk for ovarian cancer. Although the exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown scientists are working hard to figure out genetic markers, and things that not only increase but also decrease our risk for developing this disease.
Pierce Brosnan and wife Cassandra Harris, Charlotte’s mother.
Because of the aggressive nature of ovarian cancer and the nonspecific symptoms it is important that women be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, because the sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better the chance for recovery.
For more information about ovarian cancer click here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ovary/page2 Become informed and help us stop ovarian cancer!
Dr. V