Thứ Bảy, 31 tháng 10, 2020
NPR News: How Humans Domesticated Themselves
Duke anthropologist Brian Hare argues that humans evolved in a way that left us more cooperative and friendlier than our now extinct human cousins, like Neanderthals and Denisovans.
Read more on NPR
Best combo natural shampoo + skin cleanser?
Please.
[Discussion] Medical Device Company
Hi guys! This is a career inquiry about Stryker. I have had my eye on the company for a while and been interested in working for the company.
I just got hired as a Service Associate, basically a good foot in the door entry level position given my experience is little and I am new to the industry
I am a first year graduate with my Exercise Physiology degree with a minor in Business and have been exploring career paths and Medical Devices in general and sales is becoming to look like somewhere I see myself
Anyways, this role I just got hired as is in the Sustainability Branch where I will basically be collecting bins at different hospitals and making sure devices are being recycled,etc.
I have applied to many positions within their company and have had a few interviews but this one I landed and am stoked on! But I am wondering if you guys think this is a good start for someone who eventually wants to get into Sales or a more involved role with Medical Devices within Stryker. I want to be sitting in on surgery's one day and helping the surgeons and doing sales is fine too if that's what it involves
I have done research and know they are a good company that gives opportunities to their employee's but don't want to get stuck being a foot solider for years to come and not using my degree.
Please let me know how I can set myself to be the most successful given my situation thanks for any professional advice <3
[Other] like wtf now I realize why Aetna doesn’t offer any plans in the marketplace. I was just curious to compare and wow.
NPR News: Advisers To CDC Debate How COVID-19 Vaccine Should Be Rolled Out
In advance of a COVID-19 vaccine being available, a group of independent medical advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weighed Friday who should get the vaccine first and how.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: Advisers To CDC Debate How COVID-19 Vaccine Should Be Rolled Out
In advance of a COVID-19 vaccine being available, a group of independent medical advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weighed Friday who should get the vaccine first and how.
Read more on NPR
7 SKINCARE TIPS FOR BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SKIN
Exfoliate
Gently exfoliate your skin to promote new skin growth. Peels, especially those containing coarse grains, can sometimes be aggressive to the skin. The use of abrasive exfoliants can lead to skin blemish and scarring.
Therefore, it is essential to use a gentle peeling on the skin and try to apply it once or twice a week. You can also use glycol buffers, which are inexpensive and available in pharmacies. It helps to clean your pores without being aggressive.
Even if you use a gentle exfoliator, too much exfoliation can cause breakouts and make your skin too dry.
It’s all about the sunscreen.
Sunscreen is a piece of beauty advice that everyone swears by, and dermatologists point out that it is. The daily use of sunscreen products can help protect your skin from the harmful impacts of sun exposure.
Sun damage is the first reason for aging, resulting in brown spots, uneven skin tone, and sun damage. Whether you are sitting at home, cold or cloudy, you must apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher.
THERE ARE MORE: GET THEM
Skin tea? or beauty tea?
Has anyone tried any skin teas/beauty teas/or flower teas for more radiant skin? Would love to hear what you think.
NPR News: How Presidential Election Could Reshape Medicaid
Medicaid provides health care for millions of low-income Americans. The presidential election could reshape Medicaid — at a critical moment for health care.
Read more on NPR
[Question - Insurance] I’m 35 and have been a Kaiser Permanente member for 30+ years. After recently losing my health insurance, Kaiser blocked me from messaging my doctor or accessing my prescriptions when I log in to their website. Kaiser intentionally overprices medications for nonmembers..
I guess I could stop paying rent, be protected by the eviction moratorium, and give it to Kaiser Permanente? (Kidding) I have a health savings account, and was planning on using that to see a doctor. Does anyone have recommendations for reasonable insurance until I get mine back? I would probably only need 1 month of coverage, but I need to see a doctor soon. I’m in California.. I’m not sure I qualify for assistance/Covered California based on previous years income, but I haven’t had much income this year. Thank you.
Manuka honey for acne?
Just wondering if Manuka honey masks everyday for 20-30 minutes + washing face at night with manuka honey is too much or overkill? Has anyone tried this/received side effects or any improvements to skin texture & clarity?
Please advice , much much thanks ! And happy weekend to you all <3
Tiled murals capture history in the 1199SEIU healthcare union HQ by Adjaye Associates [OTHER]
Thứ Sáu, 30 tháng 10, 2020
NPR News: Internal Documents Reveal COVID-19 Hospitalization Data The Government Keeps Hidden
Where are hospitals reaching capacity? Which metro areas are running out of beds? NPR has learned federal agencies collect and analyze this information in detail but don't share it with the public.
Read more on NPR
[Discussion] Kaiser Rant
Have only been with Kaiser for 2 months via my employer, haven't even seen a Dr. Already fed up with them. I've been given shit customer service coupled with conflicting information regarding my adhd medicine and how to proceed with a refill, causing me to call my regular PCP out of frustration and pay out of pocket.
Above other things, generally what I've found is that letting the doctors act as a front for the insurance company is a huge conflict of interest. The doctors would, hypothetically, be incentivised to not provide adequate and thorough care.
Id be willing to look the other way but it's hard to when I do and see huge kaiser billboards, youtube videos and ads every direction. It's obvious this company is turning into an allstate/state farm and fast. I get the strong impression kaiser values image and reputation over care and ethics. I want no part of it
/rant
[News] FBI warns of "imminent" ransomware attacks on hospital systems
Anyone notice that apple cider vinegar/acidic ingredients tighten your curls and baking soda/basic loosen them?
Anyone notice that apple cider vinegar/acidic ingredients tighten your curls and baking soda/basic loosen them?
Anyone notice that apple cider vinegar and other acidic ingredients tighten your curls? And baking soda and basic products loosens your curls? I have low porosity 3c/4a curls and I notice that my hair looks more like 4a when I use acidic products and like 3c/3b when I use basic.. maybe because the baking soda/basic products opens up my cuticles so more moisture gets in which ends up loosening my hair and making it more manageable?
Anyone else?
[other] A permanent fix for foggy glasses. Also no need to wear ear loops which is huge. Creates a tight seal around your mouth. Thin, soft silicone silicone that's comfortable & can be booked/washed any way.
[Question - Insurance] What to do about increasing healthcare work plans?
I have a catastrophic plan because I'm decently health and don't need to go to the doctor often, but my plan increased from $8 a pay period to $108 a pay period. All our plans at work have increased. Is there anything we can do about this?
[Other] Is cannabis good for treating diabetes? The anti-inflammatory agents in cannabis can help reduce the swelling and pain caused by diabetes
The cannabis flower is full of active compounds called cannabinoids which have a huge range of effects on people.
These cannabinoids can increase appetites, while reducing pain and inflammations.
These cannabinoids react with the body in a number of ways, both beneficial and not. Nonetheless, marijuana is a popular choice of medication for many patients of stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even cancer. But the question we are focused on today is whether it is good for diabetes or not.
According to the latest research done in the topic, Cannabis does have positive effects on the following symptoms and causes if diabetes
-
Blood glucose
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Arterial inflammations
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Blood pressure and circulation
-
Insulin benefits
-
Cramps and pain management
More details you can read in this article
NPR News: Why Some Memories Seem Like Movies: 'Time Cells' Discovered In Human Brains
Scientists have identified special cells in the human brain that organize movie-like memories, helping us to relive important experiences and events.
Read more on NPR
Thứ Năm, 29 tháng 10, 2020
[Other] Has anyone here gotten a Master's degree in Health Care Delivery?
Best natural smelling lotion?
Hi guys!
I recently noticed that I don’t have a good rich winter lotion.
I figured this was the right place to post this because I hate perfumey cheap lotions and prefer natural and more elegant scents.
I’m looking for a nice deep smelling lotion; some scents I like are almond, berry, natural flower, mint etc. I’m open to any suggestion even if it’s not what I listed above!
I’ve heard Josie Maran’s lotions are nice for dry weather too, so I’m looking into that too :-)
NPR News: As Biotech Crops Lose Their Power, Scientists Push For New Restrictions
Some of the first GMOs – corn and cotton plants that have been genetically modified to fend off insects – are running into problems. Bugs have become resistant to them because they've been overused.
Read more on NPR
[Other] The History of COVID-19
stretch marks on back/sides of body from sex? how do you get rid of these stretch mark looking things?
hi, so my boyfriend and I were having sex.. and I guess he was grabbing me too hard so I have these huge stretch marks on where he was grabbing me on the sides and my around my back you can say. im freaking out and having a panic attack because im worried these won't go away and if im wearing a bathing suit you can see it and its very visible. will these go away and what's the fastest way to fade these?
NPR News: Scientists Find Cells In The Human Brain Responsible For Episodic Memory
Many memories are like short movies. People relive experiences such as arriving for the first day of school or falling off a bike. Scientists have shown how the brain organizes these episodes.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: What Is Biden's Coronavirus Response Plan?
Joe Biden's pandemic plan has seven points. He'd ask states to mandate masks. He also has detailed proposals on testing, contact tracing, creation of a public health job corps and other measures.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: Hospitals In Rocky Mountain States Struggling To Keep Up With Coronavirus Surge
Hospitals in Utah are full and poised to start rationing care. They're also filling up in Montana and Idaho. Colorado is trying to avoid those states' fate.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: Coronavirus Is A Key Campaign Issue: What's Joe Biden's Plan?
With cases surging, the coronavirus pandemic is heating up as an election issue. Voters have seen President Trump's approach to the crisis play out in real-time, but how would Biden handle things?
Read more on NPR
Thứ Tư, 28 tháng 10, 2020
[Question - Insurance] COBRA question — unique situation
Due to leaving my job, my healthcare coverage ends November 1st. This means I'm eligible to sign up for COBRA until December 31st, 2020. I'm planning on signing up for an ACA plan on Healthcare.gov during the open enrollment period and that coverage would start January 1st, 2021. This means COBRA could be activated anytime between November 1st-December 31st, meaning I technically will not be without coverage for that time, if needed, correct?
My goal here is to save cash if we can — my wife and I rarely ever used our insurance. We're healthy people for the most part (fingers crossed). Am I thinking about this correctly? I don't want to be irresponsible, but am trying to hedge our bets on us being healthy. We could afford the COBRA premiums, if needed, though I'd hate to spend that cash. We would technically be able to use COBRA right until our next plan would start January 1st if I'm thinking about this right. TIA for any help!
NPR News: Scientists Find Massive Coral Reef In Australia's Great Barrier Reef
The 1,600-foot-tall coral reef is taller than the Empire State Building, and its base is a mile wide. It's the first time in 120 years since a coral reef this size has been discovered.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: Female Doctors Spend More Time With Patients, But Earn Less Money Than Men
Female physicians spend more time with each patient than male doctors do and their patients report increased satisfaction. But the extra time adds up and results in less money.
Read more on NPR
[Discussion] - Want to reign in crazy billing and improve price transparency in the US? Get rid of the practice of billing “facility charges”
I recently started to educate myself on what facility charges are and how they work. They are not only method of billing and coding (virtually a loophole at this point) that allows doctors who are affiliated with a hospital to charge DOUBLE for a service at the clinics they work at.
I see a sleep specialist who works out of the clinics at the largest hospital in my state. He is the only sleep specialist in their network (possibly the only one nearby and that my insurance would cover, but that’s a separate issue). His office is able to code my visit with the codes for TWO visits simply because he works for the hospital.
This second code is called the facility charge. As far as I can tell, it isn’t really limited or controlled beyond not being able to be more than the visit itself.
So, even though it may be more expensive to have an in-depth problem assessment visit, where we need to change my meds, meet for an hour, and discuss lab results, they can still charge a higher facility charge even though the amount of effort needed by the nursing staff is the same as a 15 minute annual check up visit.
Furthermore, doctors in clinics who are NOT affiliated with hospitals - like a private practice doctor - can’t charge this facility charge. In the case of these clinic visits, how can you argue it makes sense then to say that a patient needs to pay for “facility” related things when they are at a clinic located inside hospital but not at one elsewhere?
I truly believe this is a place to start with healthcare reform. A service should only be able to have a single code applied to it - there shouldn’t be additional “hidden fees” depending on the location you are at.
The price of that service can differ, and they need to be clear about that up front - basically say “depending on how complex your visit is, it will be considered as one of these 5 services ranging in price from x-y”. In the CPT codes that are used in healthcare and by insurance, each are defined by the activities completed to consider a service rendered (to be a level 2 appointment for issue x, the doctor must meet with the patient for at least this many minutes, get a detailed health history, etc.).
TLDR: Facility charges let doctors affiliated with hospitals working at their clinics effectively double charge, it seems very shady and unethical, there is a pretty straightforward way to provide clear pricing and billing with existing medical codes. We need to ban these hidden fees in healthcare.
[question-other] heart problems
Idk if this belongs here but when I lie down to sleep I feel like my heart rate gets incredibly slow and than my body jolts itself awake. I’m genuinely scared to go to sleep, don’t want to die in my sleep... any please help
[Question - Other] As someone with no prior healthcare experience, Would a medical terminology/anatomy course be helpful for someone trying to break into the medical device sales industry?
NPR News: Mask-Wearing Is Up In The U.S., But Young People Are Still Too Lax, CDC Survey Finds
A general increase in mask-wearing has been encouraging, U.S. public health experts say. But too few young people, especially, are social distancing and taking other steps to slow coronavirus' spread.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: As COVID-19 Cases Surge In Wisconsin, Health Workers Brace For More
Rural areas are of particular concern as COVID-19 cases rise in Wisconsin. One big worry: having enough staff in hospitals.
Read more on NPR
[Other] Thanks for hanging in there
[Question - Other] Can you do day naps in order to balance sleep deprivation?
I’ve heard that due to sleep deprivation you can loose Neurons , but this wouldn’t affect us if we have enough sleep at the weekend. -I don’t know if this is true
My question is: If you sleep 5 hours or less, go to school/work and sleep 4 hours by taking a day nap after school/work
Would this balance your sleep deprivation so you don’t lose neurons or have any disadvantages?
(Please excuse my informal writing and bad English)
Thứ Ba, 27 tháng 10, 2020
Let's Talk Skincare! :D
Do you have a skincare routine or want to build one? In exchange for your time, you will receive an Amazon gift card! Link to apply below!
Quick Skincare Routine in 5 Minutes
Hey everybody! I wanted to share my quick morning skincare routine that I have found really helped my skin become happier and clearer and enhances ones face without makeup! I ensure all my products are non-toxic and cruelty free and I really think this makes a difference. All products are linked in the description too!
NPR News: 'Kindred' Dismantles Simplistic Views Of Neanderthals
Rebecca Wragg Sykes describes evidence showing that as innovative tool- and fire-makers, Neanderthals adapted to changing climates, adopted symbolic cultural practices and expressed profound emotions.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: The Dark Side Of The Recovery Revealed In Big Data
The way the government tracks recessions is largely the same as it was 70 years ago. A research group is working to change that and is revealing a lot about the lopsided recovery along the way.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: Hit With An Unexpectedly High Medical Bill, Here's How A Savvy Patient Fought Back
When the hospital tried to bill her for more than what she'd been quoted, Tiffany Qiu refused to pay the extra amount and the bill went to collections. She still didn't back down.
Read more on NPR
[Question-Other] medical spanish certification? (Non interpreter)
Hey all
Little context. I'm a PA student and i want to improve my resume before graduation to help with jobs. I used to be mostly fluent in Spanish (more than 5 years ago) but have lost probably 85 percent of my knowledge. I was wondering if anyone knew of any well known medical spanish certifications that I could get for relatively cheap? I found a few but I didn't know if they were legit or well known to employers.
Thanks!
[Question - Insurance] Is therapy for children covered under any plans?
Are children's mental health services of any kind covered by insurance in the US?
[Other] Which career would you say has better job prospects and that you would recommend to a college student?
NPR News: El Paso, Texas, Judge Issues 2-Week Curfew To Stem Surge Of COVID-19 Cases
The judge said he was "left with no choice" but to impose a countywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. He noted El Paso County has seen a 160% increase in its positivity rate in the last three weeks.
Read more on NPR
[Other] The United States spends twice as much as most other developed countries on health care per person, yet is outperformed in almost every health outcome. Source: Gruber, Jonathan. Public Finance and Public Policy, 6e. New York, Worth Publishers, 2019.
NPR News: They Work In Several Nursing Homes To Eke Out A Living, And That Spreads The Virus
Most nursing homes are connected by shared staff to seven others. Instead of limiting workers to one facility to curb COVID-19 spread, advocates urge better pay and more PPE for nursing home staff.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: They Work In Several Nursing Homes To Eke Out A Living, And That Spreads The Virus
Most nursing homes are connected by shared staff to seven others. Instead of limiting workers to one facility to curb COVID-19 spread, advocates urge better pay and more PPE for nursing home staff.
Read more on NPR
NPR News: Tennessee Man Sent Home From ER Twice Dies Of COVID-19
Nashville, Tenn., resident died of COVID-19 after being sent home from a hospital twice. Uninsured COVID-19 patients are rarely told their bills are covered by the government, an investigation shows.
Read more on NPR
[Discussion] Joe Rogan Asked Kanye West How He'd Revamp Healthcare as President; This Was His Answer (short audio clip)
NPR News: Water On The Moon: NASA Confirms Water Molecules On Our Neighbor's Sunny Surface
The breakthrough suggests that water, vital to life on Earth, could be distributed across more parts of the lunar surface than the ice that has previously been found in cold and dark places.
Read more on NPR
[News] Utah hospitals could start rationing health care at overwhelmed facilities, hospital association says
[Question - other] Does anyone have a good cross-platform comparison of subscription costs for telemedicine apps/providers?
I’ve seen some articles that compare services or the prices of initial visits, but I haven’t seen an article that explains the subscription part of things and how much the continual cost will be.
For example: I’m currently using the K Health app. Their ad said that it was $19 for the initial visit and then a $9/month subscription or you could just do visits as-needed for $19 each time. They charged me twice for the initial visit, and then said the subscription is going to be $19/month and I need to have a visit every month for a treatment plan review.
Most of this is stuff I don’t need. I don’t have insurance right now, and I signed up because I wanted a cheap way to continue the prescription for the meds I was on for over a year before I lost my insurance. So I’m wondering what the cheapest way to do that is, since I already know what meds I need and no doctor in the past has said I need to check in every month, or even every six months. Previous doctors just said keep taking these for as long as you feel like they’re helping and gave me a 6 month supply.
TL;DR Looking for cheapest possible telemedicine app to continue my previous prescription since I already know what meds I need.
[Question - Other] Why does the US have a higher infant mortality rate than Russia?
Why are American children (and also mothers) more likely to die than those in Russia, a considerable less wealthy country with famously poor health conditions?
Thứ Hai, 26 tháng 10, 2020
[Other] loosing weight way too fast
Im a 16y/o boy, i am 5,7 and currently weigh 141lbs, 2 years ago i was overweigh and was 180lbs, i started exercising and manage to lose around 20lbs in a year, at the beginning of quarantine i was 166lbs, i continued excercising but then noticed my weigh loss was not consistent, two days ago i used to be 147, two day later i was 142, i am not sure if loosing that much weigh is normal, i really don't think it is, what could cause the weight loss? i haven't done exercise recently, the last time i did was on saturday, and i mostly eat 1,600 calories or 2000 calories a day, why am i loosing so much weight and is it bad?
NPR News: Colleges Turn To Wastewater Testing In An Effort To Flush Out The Coronavirus
Wastewater offers an ideal testing opportunity for colleges: People often poop where they live; colleges know who lives in each dorm; and testing wastewater is a cheaper way to monitor virus spread.
Read more on NPR
[Question - Other] Possible Ear Infection
So I had a pimple in my ear behind the Tragus on the bottom portion of the ear canal according to a diagram I looked at. It popped and was bleeding a ton and had pus coming out of it. It also secreted a clear liquid that made my ear seem wet. Should I see a doctor for antibiotics or is there a solution I can get to before doing so?
[Other] Which healthcare careers offer a lot of diversity within the job duties (I’ve been heavily considering sonography but don’t know if I want to commit to scanning for the next 30 years)?
20 year old female college student here (graduating next semester from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Health Sciences)
Thanks to this subreddit I was able to conclude that sonography is the best option for me. However, I’m not sure I will want to do this job basically my entire life and I know there’s not much room for advancement.
I’d love a career that paid super well, offered diversity in the job duties so I don’t burnout quickly and work/life balance (I know this doesn’t exactly exist in healthcare but as close as I could get to it). I know someone is bound to mention this so I’ll go ahead and address it now..NO I AM NOT GOING TO WORK IN HEALTHCARE JUST FOR THE MONEY AND YES I WILL BE EMPATHETIC/CARING TOWARDS MY PATIENTS.
Lastly, careers that not only will bring something different everyday (I won’t burnout quickly/career advancement is available) but also that are recession/artificial intelligence proof PLUS have job security?????
Thank you :)
NPR News: What's At Stake In The U.S. Healthcare Debate
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Kaiser Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner about where health care policy stands today.
Read more on NPR
DIY deodorant
Hi there! I’m looking for a diy deodorant that is good for sensitive skin? I’ve used one with baking soda and it made my underarms super red and irritated. I’m assuming the baking soda was too abrasive?
Preservative Question For Clay Masks
I read on another skincare DIY blog that wet clay masks "are notoriously hard to preserve even for professionals" so it's better to leave any clay masks as dry. Is this claim true regarding diy natural clay masks and preservatives? I also watched a video by Brambleberry that utilized a preservative in her wet clay mask with no problem so I'm not sure now.
My main concern is that gelatin (the main source of protein/collagen that firms the face in my clay mask) doesn't just dissolve easily when you add water to it, so anyone using it as a DRY clay mask formulation, would have to add hot water to it first THEN have to wait for the mask to emulsify & jellify.
Or, if I'm leaving the clay mask dry, should I use a substitute like an egg powder (since it preserves well up to a year in powdered form) instead of gelatin then?
Thank you for any insight!
Chủ Nhật, 25 tháng 10, 2020
Natural Deodorant recommendations?
Hi!
I decided to take the switch to natural deodorant about 8-10 weeks ago and so far... it's not going great.
Funnily enough, the first two weeks went really well. I had started detoxing my armpits a few days prior which I think helped with the initial changeover. But ever since then it's been AWFUL and I reek so badly even just a few hours after applying deodorant.
I was using Native, but have since switched to the Aurelia Botanical Cream deodorant and neither are working for me. Does anyone have any recommendations for what I can try next or the next step I can take to cleanse my pits? (I have tried clay masks!) Thanks so much!
[Discussion] Who is in charge of our health information?
Saying bold things comes from first-hand experience as a nurse. I have learned a lot from sitting in 400+ hours of medical appointments with older adults and the 1200+ hours spent calling and coordinating care. Knowing what we see on the healthcare side and what you get in your patient portal needs to be changed. My ideas here and would love to hear your insights on this problem.
Anxiety [Other]
Hello! I’m 14 years old.
I’m a massive hypochondriac.
I have ear pain for two months now and I went to the ENT last week. They told me my hearing was perfect and that they don’t know why I’m in pain. I’m still convinced I’m going deaf.
I have mild chest pain occasionally but nothing that keeps me up at night or regularly engaging in typical daily activities. I have headaches rather often (could be from always being on the computer now on zoom and stuff) and I get dizzy occasionally. (Could be when I drink coffee.)
I’ve convinced myself I’m dying on several occasions. I can’t take this anymore. I can’t tell if it’s anxiety or something I need to be worried about. I recently went to the doctor for a checkup. Would they’ve been able to tell of something major was wrong?
Please help: this anxiety is the worst thing.
[Question-insurance] Will health insurance in the ER still pay if you tell the doctor about excessive and hard drug use?
Have you ever tried green tea ice cubes and gotten dry skin?
Hi there, so I've been using green tea ice cubes for the past weeks (my skin looks very nice and glowing) but lately I noticed that my skin is getting dry on the corners of my nose. I always moisturize skin afterwards but the dryness still there and I only rub one ice cube a day? Does anyone know why this happens?
[PSA] PLEASE take the time to read your sunscreen ingredients. New study shows that these 4 ingredients cause hormone disruption
Hi everyone, as an active member of this thread and a current Med Student, I came across some information recently that really worried me. This 2020 study linked here outlines some of the most common ingredients used in sunscreen (Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate and Octocrylene) and their effects on our skin.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE:
As we already know, in order to provide UVA/UVB protection, chemical sunscreens tend to penetrate the skin rather than sit on top of it. This was well known and completely fine, provided that the chemicals within the sunscreen are safe and wash out with water at the end of the day.
However, this has proven to not be the case at all as most of these ingredients not only penetrate our skin but live inside of our bodies for much longer as we initially thought. In Oxybenzone for instance "the FDA study found blood levels 438 times above cutoff for systemic exposure" WHAT?
The article goes on to illustrate other chemicals and how high above the systemic cutoff they are:
Homosalate - FDA study found blood levels 37 times above cutoff for systemic exposure
Octisalate - FDA study found blood levels 10 times above cutoff for systemic exposure
Octocrylene - FDA study found blood levels 14 times above cutoff for systemic exposure
THESE CHEMICALS STAY IN OUR BODIES - SO WHAT?
As someone who has suffered with extremely bad skin and breakouts in the past, i'm naturally cautious of anything I put on my skin. What frightens me the most about these chemicals is how nearly every single one of them have been linked to disrupting or causing hormonal changes in the body.
With Oxybenzone for instance, the study mentions "Weak estrogen, moderate anti-androgen; associated with altered birth weight in human studies"
This is the case with Homosalate too as it "Disrupts estrogen, androgen and progesterone"
Now I know from personal experience with birth control, that hormone disruption is often the main reason for my breakouts, which I hate.
DOES MY SUNSCREEN EVEN HAVE THOSE CHEMICALS IN THEM? HOW DO I CHECK?
Thankfully, the FDA requires all sunscreen products to report their active ingredients at the back of the bottle. So it's quite easy to check if your sunscreen is using these ingredients. Most do, with the exception of mineral sunscreens that have ZINC OXIDE as their main ingredient.
HOW IS THIS EVEN LEGAL? WHY CAN COMPANIES STILL GET AWAY WITH THIS?
There's no reason for these companies to avoid using these harmful chemicals. They're cheap to manufacture and to be honest, unless someone dies from it, or if it's linked to some rare form of disease/cancer (which we wouldn't even find out until decades later once a comprehensive study is funded and completed) then business continues as usual.
But just because the FDA hasn't outright banned a chemical, it doesn't mean it's necessarily good for you or safe to use. Think about the use of aluminum in deodorant for instance. There's plenty of deodorants that still use it (it's perfectly legal), but people are beginning to realize the effects of aluminum in the body, and are opting for safer (and better) deodorant alternatives like NATIVE aluminum free deodorant or SCHMIDT'S deodorant.
No one cares about your body as much as you do. Doctors and health professionals may advise you once you are actually unhealthy and have a condition of some sort, but anything up until that point is entirely YOUR responsibility. What you choose to put on your skin should be as carefully monitored as what you put inside of your child's mouth.
My personal philosophy has always been to use as close to natural ingredients as possible whenever I can. It might cost a dollar or two more, but I find that on 99% of skin types, it's the natural ingredients that work more harmoniously and cause less breakouts. Why? Because your body is used to natural stuff. It's often the chemicals that irritate your skin.
ALTERNATIVES (RANKED BEST FROM WORST)
Mineral sunscreens tend to be the safest option not only to avoid any skin allergy and breakout, but also for the environment and its effect on coral reefs.
Here are my top alternatives
- TEMPLE Organic SPF with Moisturizer - THIS is truly the holy grail of sunscreens. After trying 30+ products I was introduced to this brand recently by my sister in law. Apparently it has a cult-like following in parts of New York and Hawaii where Sun Exposure is rampant and organic ingredients have become the preferred option. I use this everyday since it's a moisturizer as well. It has a matte finish and it has no white cast which is always a plus. It's like the Elta MD but more lightweight and blends better.
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 - Pricey but it's a good option if you're just starting to get into sunscreen. It doesn't have a moisturizing aspect to it (sunscreen only) but it's fine because its lightweight as well. No white cast on this. A little less organic than #1 but still a wonderful option nonetheless.
- First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen - I've heard alot about this sunscreen and have seen it a few times online from some trusted sources, but I haven't had the fortune of trying it out myself yet. From what I hear, it's among the few good mineral sunscreens (along with the other two I mentioned) that have no white cast. It's pricer for sure but it's Zinc Oxide based which is always something to look for. Comes in a good quantity as well.
Thứ Bảy, 24 tháng 10, 2020
[QUESTION - Other] about Pleuritis
how do i get rid of it? it hurts like hell sometimes, i hit my chest to reduce the pain sometimes but then it comes back. im worried when i sleep its gonna do something
Natural deodorant causing a rash
I have been using natural deodorant for about 2 years. When I made the switch originally, I did a week of metal detoxing in my underarms to make sure I wasn't going to suffer from a baking soda reaction. I started using Dr. Schmidt's with baking soda and my underarms were fine for up until about 6 months ago. I made the mistake of shaving and then applying soon after and thats when the first rash began.
I ended up switching to a Dr. Schmidt's sensitive skin (pineapple coconut) and the rash started to go away. But then, not only did it come back, but it started forming on the other side as well. Once I stopped using that deodorant, the rash started to go away again.
If something similar has happened to you, what natural deodorant did you switch to that didn't cause a reaction? Did you ever figure out what you were allergic to? Thanks!
NPR News: U.S. Finds 1st 'Murder Hornet' Nest In Washington State
Entomologists in Washington State have located the first ever nest of the Asian giant hornet in the U.S. They tracked the "murder hornet" to its nest by attaching it with a miniature radio tracker.
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Preventative skincare?
I turned 26 in July, and I feel like my body is aging SO FAST this year because of stress. My hair is falling out more than usually, my body has changed a lot in what I view as a negative way, and I’m noticing wrinkles and other skin problems on my face. This year has been a nightmare emotionally and I know this is contributing to some of it. I have a good natural skincare routine but I worry that some products aren’t packing enough of a punch - if you could go back to the beginning of your skincare journey, what product(s) do you wish you had found sooner for preventative and protective skincare?
NPR News: A NASA Probe Is So Full of Asteroid Material That It Now Has A Problem
A NASA spacecraft sent out to collect rocks from an asteroid seems to have nabbed a lot of material, but there's now an unexpected problem — a flap isn't closing because some rocks are stuck.
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[Other] Microbiology online prereq?
Hey everyone! I am considering getting Microbiology and Medical Lab Tech cetification through George Washington University online. However, i need to take a Microbiology course to fullfill all my requitements for the program ( i am health science major and never needed the class at the time even though I did take bio, chem, phys etc. ) I live in Massachusetts and was thinking of doing the online Micro class from Mass college of Pharmacy but its a little expensive. Has anyone taken an online Micro class that they could recommend? Thanks in advance!