Fashion 26

OUR SKIN Lisa Evans Reid Clinical Director at Reflect

Although it feels great to be in the warm rays of the sun, too much exposure can result in long term damage. The sun's Ultraviolet Rays (UV) is a significant cause of skin ageing and skin cancer. Skin ageing often starts with dehydration, wrinkles, dark spots, and a thickening of the skin. In contrast, skin cancer is a change in the skin's cells.

It is essential to balance enjoying and benefiting from the sun's warmth while protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the UV rays. As we see an increase in skin cancers on exposed skin, which can be life changing!

In the UK, our love affair with the sun comes from its absence, resulting in us overexposing ourselves when it makes a rare appearance. In hot countries, the indigenous population's skin has had generations to prepare its natural protections. This natural protection comes in the form of melanin which is what gives us all the colour in our skin and the darker the skin, the more protection you have. However, just because you have a higher melanin content does not mean that you can throw caution to one side! We all must protect ourselves.

The simple answer is that it can spread rapidly to other organs if not identified and treated by a dermatologist!

Cancer researchers have discovered over twelve different types of skin cancer; most are very rare. But the main four are: • Basal Cell Carcinoma • Squamous Cell carcinoma • Merkle Cell Carcinoma • Melanoma

Anyone can get skin cancer, and it is slightly more prevalent in men as they do not tend to use sunscreens as much as women. Also, it is more common in older people, who have had long term UV exposure, but the young are still at risk and educating older teenagers about the risks and protecting younger children from burning is especially important.

Actinic/Solar Keratosis (AK) is the most common pre-cancer that forms on skin damaged by chronic, long term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and / or indoor tanning. Although not all AKs will become cancerous if you already have one you are likely to develop more in the future and this puts you at higher risk of skin cancer. Early detection gives the dermatologist the opportunity to treat the AK and prevent skin cancer before it starts.

Actinic Keratoses are often more easily felt than seen. Skin may feel dry and rough to the touch, or raw, sensitive, and painful, or even itchy with a pricking or burning sensation. Some AKs look and feel inflamed. In rare instances, they may bleed or develop a persistent sore, also known as an ulceration. In other cases, they come and go in the same spot. Ref - NICE.

Do not panic just be observant with changes to your skin. If you see a change or feel concerned, get it checked! Your GP or aestheticians are trained to be observant and will refer you to a dermatologist. And remember, the earlier the treatment, the greater the success.

• Check your skin head to toe once a month. • Get a skin health check once a year. • Practice good sun habits • Avoid UV exposure between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm when the UV rays are at their strongest. • Use broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen Protect all areas exposed to the sun, such as ear, back of the neck etc.

• Sun protective clothing, wide-brimmed hat and UV – blocking sunglasses. Enjoy the warmth of the sun but be sensible.

Medical Aesthetics

When you choose to invest time and effort into getting new hearing aids you will want to get a better lifestyle where you don’t miss parts of the conversation too. Once you have actively decided to hear better you can start travelling more and interacting more with others again without worrying about being left out.

It is important to understand that your hearing aids are an electrical device and need different care based on the environment that they are in. It is also important that you think ahead and make sure that you have everything you need to ensure that you can hear at your best all of the time, wherever you are.

PLAN AHEAD

Make sure you pack enough batteries and any cleaning tools you have been given, to make sure that your hearing aids are in the best condition they can be in all of the time.

DON’T GET THEM WET

If you are doing any outdoor sports where you may sweat, you accidentally wear them in the shower or you get caught in the rain, it is a good idea to plan ahead for these things and make sure that you protect your hearing aids. You can check the weather and use an umbrella if it is expected to rain.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DO GET THEM WET

If you do get your hearing aids wet it can be a good idea to take a drying box with you, we stock these at Hear in Hagley and at Hear in Wombourne if you would like to purchase one. These help to draw moisture out of the hearing aid once they have come into contact with water and it can be a good preventative measure to keep your hearing aids in one of these of an evening anyway. SWIMMING

If you are going swimming, you may choose not to wear your hearing aids for fear of getting them wet. If you suffer from recurrent ear infections or have ear wax problems you may wish to purchase some swim plugs from us, please ask for more information.

Wherever you are travelling make sure that you are prepared and that your hearing aids are never going to let you down because you have thought ahead.

Our hearing team are advising clients daily on how to care for the hearing aids in the home and when travelling so please feel free to give us a call and speak to us about any of your hearing care needs, whether you have a hearing aid currently or think you may need one.

Book in to see us by phoning, emailing or booking online at: www.lifestylehearingsolutions.co.uk.

Our clinic address in Hagley is: 125 Worcester Road, Hagley, Stourbridge, DY9 ONW

Hagley Clinic: 01562 884400 Email: hagley@lifestylehearingsolutions.co.uk

Our clinic address in Wombourne is: ‘Hear in Wombourne’ The Corner House, High St, Wombourne. WV5 9DN

Wombourne Clinic: 01902 302266 Email: wombourne@lifestylehearingsolutions.co.uk

HPD, DSFH, MNCH (Reg.) AfSFH (Reg.), MHS (Reg.)

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy differs from other forms of talk therapy because we do not focus on the past or delve deeply into the issues. My focus is on the future – how you want to be feeling and what you want to be doing – and helping you achieve positive outcomes. My aim as a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist is to empower you to recognise the skills and resources you already have and to discover the small steps which you can take to help you move forward and cope with the day to day challenges life throws at us.

As a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, I help people make significant, positive changes in their lives in a short period of time. I help my clients focus on what they want to achieve rather than on their problems. Sometimes clients feel a certain way, but they don’t know the reason why. Or they don’t want to talk about why they feel the way they do.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A HYPNOTHERAPY SESSION?

Your first session will be a free initial consultation, which will last up to an hour. This will allow us to gain an understanding of what’s going on for you now and how you would like it to be different, explain how the brain works and why this is impacting on how you feel. I also explain how we can use hypnotherapy to create positive change in your life and, most importantly, to make sure that you feel happy working with me to achieve the results you want!

You also get to take away a free relaxing hypnosis recording which you can use to help you to release stress and to build confidence in the future. There is no hypnosis in this first session. If you choose to book for hypnotherapy sessions after this initial consultation each session lasts around an hour and my clients tell me they always find it a very positive, uplifting experience that leaves them feeling both motivated and relaxed!

WHAT CAN HYPNOTHERAPY HELP WITH?

• Anxiety • Stress • Depression • Insomnia • Phobias • Addictions • Weight Management • Pain Management • Confidence & Self Esteem

Appointments are available at the following clinics:

BROMSGROVE BHI Parkside Bromsgrove B61 0AZ HALESOWEN 130 Hagley Rd, Hayley Green B63 1DY KIDDERMINSTER 184 Franche Rd, Kidderminster DY11 5AD

I also offer appointments online or home visits, where preferred.

To find out how hypnotherapy could help you contact Louise to book your FREE initial consultation.

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/limitlesshypnotherapyuk/ INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/limitlesshypno/ EMAIL - info@limitless-hypnotherapy.co.uk TEL - 07485 131954

ADDICTIONS • WEIGHT MANAGEMENT • PAIN MANAGEMENT

•CONFIDENCE & SELF ESTEEM •

Cinnamon Luxury Care is proud to present the latest jewel in their crown – Parkfield Grange, conveniently situated in the delightful town of Stourbridge on the Hagley Road.

Parkfield Grange features 68 beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms together with 6 one-bedroom care suites each with a spacious lounge and compact kitchenette which are perfect for couples or for singles looking for extra space and independence.

The compassionate team is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of everyone in their care giving families and friends complete peace of mind and reassurance that their loved ones are in the very safest hands. The care home offers exemplary residential and dementia care as well as the opportunity for short stays.

The residents of Parkfield Grange are certain to find something they love to do as the dedicated activities team is keen to create new and inventive ways to keep everyone engaged in lifeenriching pastimes. There is plenty to keep our residents amused from enjoying a relaxing cup of tea and a good book in one of the comfortable lounges, to taking part in an exercise class adapted for their abilities, watching classic films in the cinema room, painting or crafting in the activities studio or being pampered in the hair and beauty salon.

Many of the shared spaces open directly onto a terraced garden area as the home has been cleverly designed to take advantage of the sloped landscape. Everyone is looking forward to a warm and sunny summertime so that they can appreciate the grassy lawns and shady terraces but Parkfield Grange also has its own transport, meaning that residents can enjoy getting out and about on a regular scheduled outings.

The talented team of chefs at Parkfield Grange is passionate about creating exciting, varied menus using only the best fresh seasonal produce. After consulting with residents to discover their preferences and dietary requirements, they ensure that every meal served is both nutritionally balanced and utterly delicious to tickle the tastebuds of even the most discerning appetite. There is always a delicious home bake to tempt you in the café!

This sensational purpose-built care home is now open and so if you would like to find out more about Parkfield Grange call Jenny on 01384 466814 or visit www.cinnamoncc.com/ parkfield.

Parkfield Grange Care Home, Hagley Road, Stourbridge welcomed its first residents on Wednesday 26th May. It was a much-anticipated day and the feedback from residents and families has been wonderful.

The care home offers residential, dementia and respite care in very luxurious surroundings.

For more information turn to pages 38-39 or call: 01384 466814