V a nonsurgical procedure intended to treat symptoms such as vaginal laxity, atrophy or dryness, pain during intercourse, urine incontinence as well as uncontrolled wind in post-menopausal women.

KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Patricia Lim Su Lyn pointed out that during menopause the vagina shrinks – so laser therapy is used to stimulate the actual cells to produce more collagen.

“ This helps make the cells plumper which results in better lubrication and libido.”

“ Ladies who are post-menopause also commonly complain of recurrent urine infection. It may be due to stress – when you sneeze or you may stay away from exercise all together or continuously wear a pad to prevent from soiling the undergarment. Vaginal laser therapy helps with this too, as it helps increase the collagen beneath the bladder neck.”

“ Passing wind may be

Vaginal rejuvenation for post-menopausal women

another factor that hinders one from performing prayers. The treatment helps keep this in control as well.”

Patricia explained that the treatment is an outpatient procedure which only takes 15 minutes, after which the patient can continue with their activities as normal.

“ They would have to go through three sessions a month apart. By the second session, they will be able to experience a lot of improvement.”

Although this treatment is available at estheticians, she advised to do with a gynaecologist as side effects include the burning of the vagina if not careful.

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Ageing gracefully

Jojo Struys starting a sound healing session using crystal and metal bowls.

Battling stress and anxieties with sound healing

WELLNESS is all about reaching a state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal. While popping a pill every time we experience a headache caused by stress may seem the norm, there are other paths one may actually pursue.

Every Friday, OhanaJo Founder Jojo Struys runs a class on candlelit moon salutations and sound bath healing. Yoga practitioners might be accustomed to the moon salutations classes however when it comes to sound bath healing, it’ s still new to many and as unique as it sounds.

Sound healing is the process where the practitioner uses specific aspects of music to improve the health of the ones following. According to Jojo, the sound healing therapy improves many facets of one’ s life including emotional and social development, cognitive functioning, psychological and psychiatric health.

In her classes, she uses the singing bowl therapy. The sound produced by the metallic bowls is quite similar to a gong or a bell. These bowls are believed to calm and repair the mind as well as reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve breathing and circulation, alleviate aches and pains as well. Above it all, the sounds truly improves the mood of the listeners.

Practitioners going into deep sleep incorporating sleep yoga while the sound healing session is played.

Usually done in accordance with sleep yoga, the sound healing therapy is then played as practitioners fall into a relaxed state at times even dozing off midway through. Practitioners might feel as though the sound is travelling around the room creating a relaxing vibe that is even able to induce some of the practitioners into a lull but also allow some to cry as it is seen as a way to vent out the stress.

With the ability to send the listener into the deep state of relaxation, Jojo believes that this form of therapy will have the ability to subconsciously plant new seeds of positive energy and fresh ideas while breaking negative thinking patterns from the past. So instead of resorting to medication to deal with stress anxieties, sound healing might be the solution to dealing with through the path of wellness. The classes are open to all levels of practitioners as well.

ANTI-AGEING is all about reversing your own age or at least slowing down the process. Generally speaking we cannot stop ageing however with the progress of technology, we can certainly get the pace going slower.

As the process of ageing affects the skin, there are two factors that can be discussed on. One being externally and the other being internally. Externally, common observations include wrinkles, eye bags and loosening of the skin. On the other hand, any effects on the inside is due to the imbalance of hormones.

Treatments for the exterior

A common cause of ageing on the skin can be seen through wrinkles. They come in different forms, such as frown lines and smile lines. This can be treated with a session of botulinum toxin or more commonly known through the brand, Botox. Patients can also maintain the treatment with some radiofrequency treatment.

Eye bags are yet another significant feature of ageing. Usually seen as sunken decolourisation around the eyes, this condition varies from one ethnicity to other with some having a darker effect. In order to treat this, doctors

Wrinkles would usually use Dermafillers.

Sunken decolourisation indicating formation of eyebags.

Dr Douglas Yuen

According to Nexus Group of Clinics Aesthetic physician Dr Douglas Yuen,“ Dermafillers helps to add more volume to the eyes thus solving the cause of eyebags.”

As we age, the skin also loses its elasticity due to the lack of collagen. Skin tightening helps to get the skin back to its former condition through the help of injecting collagens into the skin. Dr Douglas went on to say that the treatments for the issues are only to provide what the skin is lacking and not to add on further chemicals.

Slowing down ageing on your own

Douglas recommends for a daily routine usage of a good amount of sunscreen, moisturiser, toner and serum. As for anti-ageing creams, it is best to consult doctors as some of these creams might not be suitable for those who live in hotter countries.

The HEALTH : October 2018 | Page 25

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