Body Art

Preparations Before Getting a Tattoo

Editor

There are things you need to do before getting a tattoo besides researching about the process and looking for the best tattoo shop in the area. Whether you’re a first-timer or you’re getting a second tattoo, you need to observe the following to make sure the tattooing process goes smoothly.

Things to Avoid
Never drink alcoholic beverages or take drugs the day before getting a tattoo. Don’t take medications that will thin out the blood. If you’re taking prescription medicine, you should tell the artist before the procedure. Avoid tanning and chemical peels before getting a tattoo as well as weightlifting two days before the appointment.

Book an Appointment
This should be a given. Take time to talk to the artist and decide when you want to get the tattoo. This will give you more time to prepare. Besides, most tattoo shops in Singapore require customers to book an appointment or go through a consultation process. You should also take a reference photo of the design you have in mind..

Remove Hair
Although most tattoo artists are prepared to remove hair on the area where your tattoo will be inked, it will be easier for you both if you can do this in advance. Talk to the artist ahead of time about the procedure so you can both come up with an arrangement.

Get Enough Sleep
You should avoid getting stressed the day before getting a tattoo. You’d be less anxious during the procedure because you’re well-rested.

Eat and Drink
If it’s going to be a long session, make sure to eat a proper meal before the appointment. Drink lots of water too.

Dress Appropriately
Wear something comfortable and loose. It should be easy to take off without having to fully undress. Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes especially if it’s going to cover the tattooed area later. Avoid wearing too many accessories.

Pack Supplies
Bring food, a bottle of water and other supplies that will make you feel comfortable. If it’s going to be a long session, you might want to bring a book, pillow or a music player.

Possible Complications
There is a possibility of getting allergies because the ink contains different substances that could trigger a reaction. Ask for a patch test if it’s available. Tattoo removal can also cause complications. Infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Go to the doctor if you see prolonged swelling, rash, redness, flaking, and bumps on the tattoo.

You Can’t Get a Tattoo
There are reasons why the artist might refuse to ink a tattoo. Reputable shops should screen customers for potential health problems. Children and pregnant women are usually not allowed to get a tattoo even if there are no possible complications and there is consent. People with existing health conditions are asked to go to the doctor for advice. If you have an impaired immune system for example, there is a risk that the wound will not heal fast. You should talk to the tattoo artist about any health problems that might complicate the procedure.

Sports World

22 Obscure Sports You Need to Try

Editor

If extreme sports bore you already, you should try some of these less known sporting events.

Aeronautical Pentathlon – Participants compete in six events such as basketball dribbling and shooting, fencing, swimming, shooting, and obstacle course.

Beard and Moustache Growing – Having a nice facial hair is considered a sport. Participants are judged based on the thickness, cut and design of the hair.

Bog Snorkeling – Participants swim in the bog using only their flippers without relying on traditional arm strokes.

Bossaball – This is like playing soccer and volleyball on a trampoline. Participants have to get the ball across the net by using any part of the body.

Botaoshi – The participants are divided into two teams with the objective of capturing the opponent’s pole or defending it.

Canoe Slalom – Participants have to get through river rapids by avoiding contact with gates along the course.

Cardboard Tube Dueling – This was created by the Cardboard Tube Fighting League. The goal is to break the opponent’s cardboard tube while protecting your own.

Cheese Rolling – A ball of cheese is rolled down a steep incline and all the participants go after it or try to get to the finish line.

Chess Boxing – This sport consists of eleven rounds of boxing and chess. There are three ways to win the match; a knockout, a checkmate or though judge’s decision.

Cycleball – Players on bicycles all try to get the ball through the goal using the wheels of their bikes.

Extreme Ironing – Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Try ironing while underwater, riding a ski or climbing a cliff.

Ga-Ga – It is a modidifed form of dodgeball. Players smack the the ball around to hit the other players at or below the knees or the wall.

Kabaddi – Two teams consisting of seven players each attempt to tag each other while chanting kabaddi.

Mountain Unicycling – Mountain bicycling is considered an extreme sport. Try doing it with a unicycle for the extra thrill.

Pesapallo – This is called the baseball of Finland. It’s the same as baseball except for a few variations in pitching.

Race Walking – Competitors try to reach the finish line by speed-walking. They should always have one foot on the ground or they will be disqualified.

Roller Derby – Participants from two groups skate around a track while one member of each team will try to lap players from the opponents.

Snow Polo – It’s a traditional form of the sport but played on a different field. Not everyone can play polo, so snow polo is even rarer. Another variation, unicycle polo, is also gaining popularity.

Steeplechase – Runners clear obstacles such as hurdles, barriers, and water pits. It’s a modified form of obstacle racing.

Toe Wrestling – Instead of the more popular arm wrestling, participants try to beat each other using their toes.

Underwater Hockey – The rules of a regular hockey game apply, but the participants play under the pool.

Zorbing – If you think cheese rolling is silly, try strapping yourself to two plastic balls then roll down a hill.

Skin Care Tips

The 5 Most Common Causes of Pimples and Breakouts

Editor

Most people generally link their pimples to stress, but did you know that stress is only one factor among the many that causes acne and pimples? Advertisements done by the media are also quick to pin the reason down to bacterial infection, but truth is that’s not all of it. A lot of reasons and factors come to play when it comes to frequent occurrence of pimples.

When the body’s metabolism is being altered due to unhealthy lifestyle practices, it changes the composition of our fat layers — which then causes the formation of pimples and acne. This article will present some of the common reasons behind such imbalances.

1. Low water intake
Water intake is vital to the body as it supports all the biological processes that sustain us. It also acts as a vehicle to flush out and eliminate various wastes from the body while maintaining enough moisture and humidity at the same time. If the body’s water consumption is inadequate, the wastes are likely to remain and kept stored. These wastes are carried in blood to the other parts of the body, which might just be the reason behind the recent pimple on your face.

2. Hormonal imbalance
When we fail to get hold of our own emotions, it triggers the release of hormones in quantities more than what is required. Such hormones creep their way into the skin to trigger feelings like anger and stress through tactile means. This prompts the subcutaneous fat to ooze out of the skin’s pores, making it sweaty and oily. It also clogs pores which results to pimples and acne.

3. Junk food
Junk foods in general are harmful to the body despite of their addictive taste, specifically when it comes to causing pimples and acnes. Refined flour in these unhealthy foods harm the digestive processes of the body. If the waste matter is not eliminated properly, they are likely to be coated with alkaline mucus secretions. The excess of these may end up combining with the skin and come out through the pores, causing pimples.

4. Flavored juices
Artificial sugar commonly found in bottled and tetra-packed juices is notably difficult to breakdown. If consumed excessively, the body’s metabolic and digestive secretions increase which may lead to an imbalance. This urges the subcutaneous fat to ooze out of the pores of the skin, turning into acne or pimples that are most visible on the forehead.

5. Staying up late
If you are an avid night owl, unfortunately for you staying up late at night has been found out to be a main reason behind frequent formation of acne and pimples. Sleeping late beyond the ideal time forces the mind and the body’s metabolism to be in an alert and active state. Hormones are then prompted to secrete in the body, and when too much waste is being thrown away it is likely to lead into large pimples with the presence of pus.

Skin Care Tips

How to Protect Your Skin From the Harmful Air Pollutants

Editor

Singapore is generally known as a green and clean city-state, but if you think the frequent episodes of haze do not suggest the air’s true condition then you might as well give it a second thought. Even if you can’t smell anything foul in the air, Singapore actually has a higher carbon dioxide emission per capita in comparison to other developed countries.

Air pollution can cause myriad issues for the people residing around, but lately it has also been one of the trending words in the field of skincare after research discovered the harmful effects it brings onto the skin. Dirty air was never great for the skin as it has a lot of harmful particles, with some tiny enough to latch and slip through your pores.

You are not doomed, though. There are things you can do to protect your skin from the pollutants lurking in the air and this article will present some of them.

Cleanse
Pollutant particles might still be lurking on the surface of your skin or lodging in your hair follicles as you read this sentence, which is why the first step in protecting your skin has to be getting rid of these. It might require additional products to use and more time in the bathroom, but giving your skin a deep cleansing effectively removes more dirt compared to merely just washing.

Exfoliate
It is also equally important to get rid of the dead, polluted cells latched on the skin’s surface every time you wash your face. If anything, it’s a must. When it comes to exfoliating, be sure to use a product that is gentle enough on the skin even with regular use since it is ideal to exfoliate at least two-three times a week.

Antioxidants
Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals unleashed onto the skin by pollutants in the air. A lot of dermatologists advise applying a day cream rich in antioxidant vitamins on the skin if you plan on spending a day outdoors, and an addition of a vitamin C serum is also highly ideal. Not only does it give your skin the protection it needs but it also curbs and even reverses the age spots triggered by air pollution.

Treatment
Facial masks have greatly improved over the years. Gone were the days we relied solely on the cliché of black-colored mud packs and cucumber slices placed over one’s eyes. There are now masks sold in the market which will not only maintain the youthful vigor of your skin, but also block receptors that air pollutants usually latch onto. Using them ideally for at least once a week can further protect your skin.

All About Beauty

Every Girl’s Guide to Switching Up Their Cleansing Routine

Editor

Unless you’re born with a flawless skin, you’ll have to deal with pimples at some point in your life – especially during your teenage years. Zits are often caused by dirt, stress or hormonal changes, and every girl knows that the best way to prevent this skin woe is to practise a good skincare regimen. Interested in getting acne-clear skin? If so, then check out these easy skincare upgrades to achieve a glowing and smooth complexion every day.

1. Switch Your Regular Soap Into a Facial Foam
Perhaps you think that regularly washing your face with soap is enough to keep it clean, but using harsh bar soaps actually does the opposite since it dries out your skin and causes it to overproduce oil. Plus, some soaps are difficult to lather, making it a bit challenging to cleanse your face. To keep this from happening, simply switch your good old soap bar into a gentle cleanser in the form of a facial foam.

2. Use Gentle Exfoliators
Exfoliating twice a week is a great way to cleanse your skin off dirt and dead skin cells. If you’re prone to acne, however, then you might want to steer clear from facial scrubs with large beads as they often cause skin irritation. If possible, opt for a gentle exfoliator that’s enriched with tea tree oil and salicylic acid to enjoy a deep, nice facial cleansing. So thoroughly cleanse your skin and unclog your pores using a cotton ball to evenly spread your exfoliator on your face.

3. Purchase a Moisturizer With SPF
Sun exposure won’t only damage and dry out your skin, it’ll also aggravate your acne problems. Even if you have oily skin, skipping your moisturizer after cleansing is still a big no-no. So make the most of this product by opting for one with a non-oily SPF 30 formula to protect your skin against sun damage while giving you a fresh and matte appearance.

4. Incorporate a Spot Treatment in Your Beauty Regimen
Stop popping those zits. Instead, spot-treat them to get rid of those red bumps in no time sans the possibility of scarring. Opt for an acne-clearing gel that’s absorbent and lightweight, so it won’t leave your skin feeling all sticky.

Dealing with acne won’t be as stressful as you always thought it to be if you just practise the proper skincare regimen. So be sure to incorporate these skincare tricks into your beauty regimen to achieve the flawless and glowing complexion that you’ve always wanted.

Hair Care and Treatment

Every Girl’s Guide to Fighting Off Hair Fall

Editor

We all dream of having beautiful, healthy and shiny locks – hair that we would proudly show off as our crowning glory. Sadly, hair fall has grown into a nagging problem these days. Although it’s painless, hair fall can be a distressing experience especially for individuals who associate having long, silky hair with beauty. After all, no one wants to look old or go bald at such a young age. For that reason, we consulted some of the top health experts and hair stylists for some quick tips in managing our hair fall problem.

1. Eat Healthier Meals
Living an unhealthy lifestyle – eating a poor diet, failing to exercise, and getting into vices – could take a toll on your body, and your locks are no exception to this. To get healthier hair, consume more food that are rich in iron, omega-3 and protein. Also, ditch the caffeine as it’ll only dehydrate you.

2. Avoid Using Styling Tools
Styling your strands in high temperature will only speed up hair fall, as it damages and breaks your hair. So be sure to give your tresses a break by steering clear form hair dryer, curling iron and flat iron. There are numerous no-heat hairstyle hacks available on the internet, which you could use for the meantime. Also, skip washing your hair using hot water and opt for lukewarm water instead.

3. Dry Your Strands Smartly.
Stop using your rough towels when drying your strands and opt for those set in soft microfiber fabrics instead. The coarse fibres used in regular towels will only cause friction on your cuticles and break your locks. If you don’t have a microfiber towel on hand, then an old-cotton shirt can also do the trick.

4. De-Stress
Stress manifest in various ways – including hair fall. So be sure to avoid excessive stress and loosen up every once in a while. Instead of focusing too much on your problems, be sure to exercise, go on spontaneous trips, or trip yourself by eating your favourite meal.

5. Be Mindful of Your Ponytails
Constantly wearing your hair in a bun or a tight ponytail can strain your follicles and even the roots of your hair. The solution? Switch up your hairstyles every day and avoid using hair ties that are too tight.

Dealing with hair fall isn’t really as difficult as you think. In fact, you can already fight off this issue by simply living a healthy lifestyle and using the right hair products and styling tools. Just be sure to put the aforementioned tips to work.