I GUMS 2 HAIR - Dr. Sam Bunting

rep are to be shocked,
people. A survey by
Benenden Healthcare
Society found that
almost half of British
women admit to caring
more about their looks
than about their health.
But they're far more interlinked than we
imagine. "Changes in your appearance
often indicate an underlying health
issue," says cosmetic dermatologist
Dr Sam Bunting. The following easy-to­
follow tests, based on telltale symptoms,
could help you diagnose an underlying
issue and upgrade your looks to boot.
I
GUMS
The test:
Find a mirror, then smile like Ken Dodd and hold the below
chart against your gums; they should be a healthy mid-pink.
Dark red or purple patches may be a sign of inflammation.
Talk about micro
management
The reason:
When your gums are inflamed, blood surges to that area,
causing discolouration, even if it's not painful. "Al though
it's out of sig ht. the surface area of your gum tissue is
eq ual to that of your hand. A bacteria l infection in your
mouth stresses your entire immune system," says dentist
Dr Dana Vieru York. And doesn't do much for your breath.
The solution:
As well as brushing and flossing, York says to rub bee
propolis liquid over your gums before bed; "It's
antibacterial, so fights gum disease," she says. Try
Beehealth Propolis Liquid, £5,29. Get rubbing.
WHAT COLOUR ARE YOUR GUMS?
Mid-pink (1-3) = healthy Dark red or purple (4-5) = inflamed 118
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November 2014
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2
HAIR
The test:
Pluck a strand from
behind your ear
(avoid top layers, likely
weakened by UV light,
styling products and
chemical colouring)
Hold it at both ends
and pull apart: if It
snaps less than 3cm
from the root, you've
got stressed stranCls.
The reason
The solution:
Step one control your
cortisol. Avoid caffeine
and schedule in three
strength training
sessions a week.
Step two: give your
foll icles a B12 boost
with a protein-rich hair
strengthener. such as
Kerastase Resistance
Forcintense, £20,96.
wo me n shealthmag .co. U k
4
enamel) But any darker and it's time
with yellowing teeth are 10% less
study found. "Foods with hidden
I and ketc hup - contribute to the
" says dentist Dr Sameer Patel.
TEETH
The test: The sohJtiQn: A UK study proved that whiter teeth can take
five years off your face. Hold the chart (below)
by your canine tooth to test your perceived age.
Gentle
rno~c,""'C·
The reason:
Your teeth should be a natural. off-white colour. Any
brighter and you're OD'ing on bleach (don't because it
use a toothpaste with calcium phosphate, like Regenerate Advanced Toothpaste, £10, to
For instant gratification, try a blue­
ick to brighten, like L'Oreal Paris Color
C4>llection in Liya's Pure Red, £6,99 .
.................................... . ...... ... .... .. . .. . ..... . . . . . . . ... . . . ... WHAT COLOUR'S YOUR
Mega-watt white (1) = not ideal. Natural whi te (2 -3) = healthy,
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5
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4
SKIN
The test:
Wash your face in the morning, then after an hour, press the below
rectang le between your brows. Repeat an hour before bedti me wit h
a clean face, too. This area has the highest concentrat on of sebaceous
g lands - if oil shows up on the page, you could have" problem.
The reason:
This super-qu ick rate of oi l production could be due to a hormonal
imbalance. Oily ski n (plus facial and thinn ing hair) is typically
blamed on testosterone, which bo th sexes produce. aut an excess
of the hormone progesterone can also increase inflammation,
triggering sebum. The result? Your skin is oilier than Peter Andre.
The solution:
If you have other issues like a dodgy menstral cycle or a sprouting
upper lip, see your doctor to check your hormone levels. Use a
blot powder, like Mac Blot Powder, £20.50, to mattl fy and absorb
sebum, and a weekly clay mask (try all-rounder Glamglow Dualmud
Powercleanse Treatment, £49.99 ), which dissolves to a skin·
softening oil when water is applied. Be a not-so-shi ny happy person.
HOW OILY IS YOUR FACE?
Wash your face, then press this page against your brow
SAM
3PM
9P M
NO OIL? ALL CLEAR. OIL' YOU NEED A KICK UP THE SEBUM
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