Commentary: Weighing yourself regularly can help you lose weight but isn’t good for everyone

NEWCASTLE: For some, jumping on the scales is a daily or weekly ritual; while others haven’t seen a set of scales for years. Some may still be scarred by memories of being weighed in public with results broadcast to all.

So, is it helpful to weigh yourself? And if so, how often should you do it?

Studies show self-weighing may help with weight loss, especially for men, say two Australian researchers.

For adults carrying excess weight and who are trying to manage their weight, the answer is yes: Weighing yourself regularly can help you lose more weight initially, and keep it off.

But for adolescents or those who have experienced disordered eating, it’s best to keep the scales out of sight.

MEN RESPOND BETTER TO WEIGH-INS

Most studies have investigated the impact of self-weighing along with other weight-loss strategies such as a low-calorie diet.

These studies show self-weighing is an inexpensive technique that may help with weight loss and maintenance, particularly for men, who often respond well to structured “weigh-ins”.

Only one study has investigated the use of self-weighing as the sole weight-loss strategy. This US research study invited 162 adults who were wanting to lose weight to a single educational weight-loss seminar.

Half of the people were instructed to weigh themselves daily and got visual feedback on their weight change over two years. The other half were not asked to weigh themselves daily, until the second year.

During year one, men in the daily self-weighing group lost more weight than the control group, but women did not. The average number of times people weighed themselves a week was four.

In the second year, men in the daily self-weighing group maintained their weight loss. Those in the control group, who had now started daily weighing, lost weight, while the women stayed the same.

Having regular weigh-ins with a health professional can also help. A review of more than 11,000 overweight people attending a weight management programme in GP clinics in Israel found those who had regular weigh-ins with the nurse or dietitian were more likely to lose more than 5 per cent of their body weight.

This amount of weight loss is associated with a major reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

WEEKLY SELF-WEIGHING

A review of 24 randomised controlled trials found there was no difference in weight loss between those who weighed themselves daily versus weekly.

No matter what other features the weight-loss programme includes, the key to better results appears to be regular self-weighing, which means at least weekly.

Making yourself “accountable” for weigh-ins either by having a set day to weigh-in or joining a weight loss programme can help you lose more weight.

Another important point is that not weighing yourself regularly when you are on a weight-loss diet is a risk factor for weight gain.

SELF-WEIGHING CAN BE HARMFUL

But we don't recommend regular weighing for adolescents. Research suggests it doesn’t help with weight management and can negatively impact on young people’s mental health, especially for girls.

A 10-year study of the relationship between self-weighing, weight status and psychological outcomes of almost 2,000 teens in the US found that self-weighing had no helpful impact on weight or BMI.

Research suggests regular weighing can negatively impact on young people’s mental health, especially for girls

However, it was associated with weight concerns, poor self-esteem and trying to lose weight though unhealthy methods such as excessive fasting.

Over the 10 years, more frequent weighing was associated with a decrease in body satisfaction and self-esteem, and an increase in weight concerns and depression in the young women.

For young men, with the exception of weight concerns, there were no significant relationships between self-weighing and other variables.

An increased frequency of self-weighing throughout the high school years may flag the need to investigate an adolescent’s overall well-being and psychological health.

Self-weighing can also affect the self-esteem and psychological well-being of adults, especially women. This is of particular concern for those with eating disorders, as weighing frequency can be associated with greater severity of eating disorders.

For some people, self-weighing could be the key to losing or keeping weight off, while for others, it may do harm. So consider your life stage, pre-existing health conditions and your mental well-being when deciding whether regular weighing is worth it for you.

Clare Collins and Rebecca Williams are both affiliated with the Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales. This article first appeared on The Conversation.

Source: CNA/nr


Taken from this article:
Commentary: Weighing yourself regularly can help you lose weight but isn’t good for everyone

Commentary: Let's exercise ownership over our health, not wait for illness to set in

SINGAPORE: It has arguably never been easier to choose healthy options.

We know what we should be eating, drinking and doing to keep fit, and the food and sports industries have responded with a raft of new products for every taste from reduced fat muffins to hundreds of calorie-burning classes for every interest and ability level.

Chronic diseases in Singapore are on the rise, but there's actions Singaporeans can easily take today to have a healthier heart, says one observer.

Even the fast food industry has jumped on the bandwagon.

Yet chronic diseases are still on the rise in Singapore.

In just one generation, Asia has gone from having one of the lowest rates of heart disease in the world, to one of the highest.

And this trend is showing no signs of abating. According to the World Bank, half of all global cases of heart disease will be concentrated in Asia by 2030.

And it’s not just heart disease that’s on the rise. There are countless other statistics that all make for equally grim reading about a host of other chronic conditions too.

This should be enough to shock us into action but the Philips Future Health Index (FHI) suggests that we’re still not taking this seriously enough.

While the Government and the private sector have their roles to play in tackling this problem, individuals must take more responsibility for their own health too.

Although most chronic conditions can be prevented through lifestyle changes, it seems that lack of education – for both healthcare providers and patients – is one of the biggest barriers.

BRAVE NEW WORLD

With recent innovations in consumer technology, we are on the cusp of a brave new world where everyday appliances can not only encourage healthier habits, but can also collect relevant data to provide an early warning signal about the onset of illnesses.

Examples include smartphone-based glucose monitors for diabetics, to the potential in the near future for smart toothbrushes that can be used to detect an oncoming cold by spotting changes in saliva.

However, all of this data is only beneficial if patients know how to interpret and apply it.

But the FHI findings show that Singapore isn’t quite there yet.

We spoke to more than 33,000 people and healthcare professionals across the world and found that, although the majority of Singaporeans recognise the benefits of connected care technology, as many as 35 per cent of those already using it do not understand how to interpret the results.

This mirrors an international challenge that many other developed nations are grappling with. At a time when shopping, banking and even dating online are commonplace, it seems people have generally been slower to embrace digitalisation in healthcare.

Public education campaigns and training, particularly for higher-risk groups like the elderly, can go some way towards addressing this.

Health and consumer technology organisations also have an important role to play in designing healthcare technologies to be more affordable and accessible to a wider audience beyond early adopters, while the Government can encourage innovation in this field through subsidies, business incentives and incubator schemes.

However, none of this will make a difference unless individuals change their own attitudes towards healthcare.

ILLNESS AS TREATMENT

We are accustomed to thinking about healthcare as treating an illness - you wait until you’re unwell before going to the doctor and then popping a pill until you feel better.

Many people are also in denial, thinking that serious medical conditions will never happen to them.

For Singapore to beat chronic diseases, this attitude will need to fundamentally change. While this won’t happen overnight, we urgently need to move towards a healthcare system – and society - that prioritises prevention over cure.

The Ministry of Health’s latest announcement that it will become compulsory for all healthcare providers to upload data to the National Electronic Health Record is a huge step in the right direction. Particularly as our research finds that as many as 25 per cent of Singaporeans don’t feel that they have any ownership of their own medical records.

However, individuals ultimately need to take on more personal responsibility for monitoring, managing and maintaining their own health than they currently are. And this needs to happen at every life stage, rather than being kick-started by the onset of illness.

Given the technology that we have readily available today, not to mention the innovations that are set to become mainstream in the near future, there is no reason why healthcare shouldn’t become part of our daily lives.

Cardiovascular diseases, and other lifestyle-related chronic conditions, are claiming far too many lives.

It’s time for us to be a much smarter nation when it comes to healthcare, and to use the technology that we have at our disposal to tackle this killer problem.

Ivy Lai is country manager at Philips Singapore.

Source: CNA/sl


Taken from this article:
Commentary: Let's exercise ownership over our health, not wait for illness to set in

What is 'social distancing' and how to do it right

On Sunday (Mar 15), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against any gatherings of 50 or more people over the next eight weeks, in an effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Many public schools, libraries, universities, places of worship, and sporting and cultural institutions have also shut down for at least the next few weeks. These measures are an attempt to enforce distance between people, a proven way to slow pandemics.

Experts have also been urging people to practise voluntary “social distancing.” The term has been trending on Twitter, with even President Trump endorsing it on Saturday.

Answers to your most common questions about the best practises for stemming the tide of the coronavirus pandemic.

Still, people all over the United States have been out in large numbers at restaurants, bars and even sporting events, suggesting more than a little confusion around what social distancing is and who should be practising it.

This is deeply worrying, experts said, because even those who become only mildly ill – and maybe even those who never even know they are infected – can propel the exponential movement of the virus through the population.

They emphasised that it’s important for everyone to practice social distancing, not just those considered to be at high risk or who are seriously ill.

“These are not normal times, this is not a drill,” said Dr Jeanne Marrazzo, director of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. “We have never been through anything like this before.”

What exactly is social distancing? We asked experts for practical guidance.

WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?

Put simply, the idea is to maintain a distance between you and other people – in this case, at least six feet.

That also means minimizing contact with people. Avoid public transportation whenever possible, limit non-essential travel, work from home and skip social gatherings – and definitely do not go to crowded bars and sporting arenas.

“Every single reduction in the number of contacts you have per day with relatives, with friends, co-workers, in school will have a significant impact on the ability of the virus to spread in the population,” said Dr Gerardo Chowell, chair of population health sciences at Georgia State University.

This strategy saved thousands of lives both during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and, more recently, in Mexico City during the 2009 flu pandemic.

I’M YOUNG AND DON’T HAVE ANY RISK FACTORS. CAN I CONTINUE TO SOCIALISE?

Please don’t. There is no question that older people and those with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable to the virus, but young people are by no means immune.

And there is a greater public health imperative. Even people who show only mild symptoms can pass the virus to many, many others – particularly in the early course of the infection, before they even realize they are sick. So you might keep the chain of infection going right to your own older or high-risk relatives. You may also contribute to the number of people infected, causing the pandemic to grow rapidly and overwhelm the health care system.

If you ignore the guidance on social distancing, you will essentially put yourself and everyone else at much higher risk.

Experts acknowledged that social distancing is tough, especially for young people who are used to gathering in groups. But even cutting down the number of gatherings, and the number of people in any group, will help.

CAN I LEAVE MY HOUSE?

Absolutely. The experts were unanimous in their answer to this question.

It’s ok to go outdoors for fresh air and exercise – to walk your dog, go for a hike or ride your bicycle, for example. The point is not to remain indoors, but to avoid being in close contact with people.

You may also need to leave the house for medicines or other essential resources. But there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe during and after these excursions.

When you do leave your home, wipe down any surfaces you come into contact with, disinfect your hands with an alcohol-based sanitiser and avoid touching your face. Above all, frequently wash your hands – especially whenever you come in from outside, before you eat or before you’re in contact with the very old or very young.

CAN I GO TO THE SUPERMARKET?

Yes. But buy as much as you can at a time in order to minimise the number of trips, and pick a time when the store is least likely to be crowded.

When you do go, be aware that any surface inside the store may be contaminated. Use a disinfecting wipe to clean the handle of the grocery cart, for example. Experts did not recommend wearing gloves, but if you do use them, make sure you don’t touch your face until you have removed the gloves.

Dr Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, recommends stowing your cellphone in an inaccessible place so that you don’t absent-mindedly reach for it while shopping. “That could be a transmission opportunity,” she said.

If it’s a long shopping trip, you may want to bring hand sanitiser with you and disinfect your hands in between. And when you get home, Dr Rivers said, wash your hands right away.

Those at high risk may want to avoid even these outings if they can help it, especially if they live in densely populated areas.

Dr Marrazzo said her mother is an “incredibly healthy” 93-year-old who usually drives herself to the store, but she said she has asked her mother not to go out during this time, because “the risks are too great given the age-related mortality we’re seeing.”

CAN I GO OUT TO DINNER AT A RESTAURANT?

Some countries have closed down restaurants and bars for the next few weeks, but there is no specific nationwide guidance yet on this in the US beyond the CDC’s recommendation against gatherings of more than 50 people.

Before New York City announced it would be shutting down restaurants and bars, they were supposed to be operating at half capacity to maintain social distancing and soften the economic impact. But in small restaurants, that may still mean you’re too close to other diners. It’s also not possible to maintain true social distance from the people preparing or serving the food.

In general, avoid going out to restaurants, Dr Marrazzo said, but, “If you’re going to go, go to some place that you trust.” Choose spacious restaurants and ones where the staff members likely practice good hygiene. Better yet, opt for takeout. If you’re concerned for the restaurant’s financial future, ask about purchasing gift certificates you can redeem later.

CAN FAMILY COME TO VISIT?

That depends on who is in your family and how healthy they are.

“Certainly, sick family should not visit,” said Dr Marrazzo. “If you have vulnerable people in your family, or who are very old, then limit in-person contact.”

But if everyone in the family is young and healthy, then some careful interaction in small groups is probably ok. “The smaller the gathering, the healthier the people are to start with, the lower the risk of the situation is going to be,” she said.

At the same time, you don’t want family members to feel isolated or not have the support of loved ones, so check in with them by phone or plan activities to do with them on video.

CAN I TAKE MY KIDS TO THE PLAYGROUND?

That depends. If your children have any illness, even if it’s not related to the coronavirus, keep them at home.

If they seem healthy and desperately need to burn energy, outdoor activities such as bike rides are generally ok. But “people, especially in higher-risk areas, may want to think twice about trips to high-traffic public areas like the playground,” said Dr Neha Chaudhary, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School.

Kids also tend to touch their mouths, noses and faces constantly, so parks or playgrounds with few kids and few contaminated surfaces are ideal. Take hand sanitiser with you and clean any surfaces with disinfecting wipes before they play.

Serious illness from this virus in kids is rare, so the kids themselves might be safe. “That doesn’t mean they can’t come home and give it to Grandma,” said Dr Marazzo.

So kids should wash their hands often, especially before they come into contact with older or high-risk family members.

I’M SCARED TO FEEL ALONE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO MAKE THIS EASIER?

It’s a scary and uncertain time. Staying in touch with family and friends is more important than ever, because we are biologically hard-wired to seek each other out when we are stressed, said Dr Jonathan Kanter, director for the Center for Science of Social connection at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr Kanter said he was particularly worried about the long-term impact of social isolation on both the sick and the healthy. The absence of physical touch can have a profound impact on our stress levels, he said, and make us feel under threat.

He said even imagining a warm embrace from a loved one can calm the body’s fight-or-flight response.

In the meantime, we are lucky enough to have technologies at hand that can maintain social connections. “It’s important to note that social distancing does not mean social isolation,” Dr Chaudhary said.

She suggested people stay connected via social media, chat and video. Be creative: Schedule dinners with friends over FaceTime, participate in online game nights, plan to watch television shows at the same time, enroll in remote learning classes. It’s especially important to reach out to those who are sick or to high-risk people who are self-isolating. “A phone call with a voice is better than text, and a video chat is better than a telephone call,” Dr Kanter said.

HOW LONG WILL WE NEED TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING?

That is a big unknown, experts said. A lot will depend on how well the social distancing measures in place work and how much we can slow the pandemic down. But prepare to hunker down for at least a month, and possibly much longer.

In Seattle, the recommendations on social distancing have continued to escalate with the number of infections and deaths, and as the health system has become increasingly strained.

“For now, it’s probably indefinite,” Dr Marrazzo said. “We’re in uncharted territory.”

By Apoorva Mandavilli © The New York Times


Taken from this article:
What is 'social distancing' and how to do it right

If sitting is bad for our health, should we be squatting more instead?

If you are sitting down to read this article, you may be doing your resting wrong, according to a fascinating new study of hunter-gatherer tribespeople and how they idle. The study finds that hunter-gatherers tend to lounge about during the day almost as much as those of us in the developed world. But their approach to inactivity is distinctive, involving no chairs and plenty of squatting.

This difference could have implications for our metabolic and heart health and also raises questions about how and why our style of sitting seems to be so unhealthy.

Our bodies may be evolutionarily adapted to continual muscular activity, something we don’t achieve with chairs.

It is something of a paradox that inactivity is associated with ill health in so much of the world. Rest, after all, seems as if it should be good for us. But study after study links more time spent sitting with increased risks for poor cholesterol profiles, heart disease, diabetes and other conditions, even among people who exercise.

This enigma – that sitting seems to contribute to sickness – began to interest a group of scientists who long have worked with and studied modern hunter-gatherers, hoping to better understand the evolutionary context of physical activity in human development.

In some of their past research, these scientists had shown that members of the Hadza tribe in Tanzania are quite physically active, devoting several hours a day to activities like following game or tugging up tubers. They also have enviable cardiovascular and metabolic health, with low blood pressures and healthy cholesterol profiles throughout their lives.

But several hours of physical activity a day leave multiple waking hours open, and the researchers began to wonder recently whether the ways in which the Hadza spend their downtime might be contributing somehow to their well-being.

So, for the new study, which was published March 9 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers first asked 28 Hadza tribesmen and tribeswomen, ranging in age from 18 to 61, to wear activity trackers for about a week. The trackers, worn on the tribespeople’s thighs, would measure how much time they spent moving and still.

And it turned out they often were still. As in the earlier research, the new measurements showed that, on average, the men and women were in motion daily for about two or three hours, but also inactive for another 10 hours.

That amount of inactivity “almost perfectly matches” the levels seen in studies of men and women in the developed world, says David Raichlen, a professor of human evolution at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and lead co-author of the new study.

But unlike most of us, the Hadza do not loll in chairs. So, the researchers set out next to quantify how, instead, the tribespeople rest. Taking extensive, observational notes in one of the tribe’s camps every hour for several days, the researchers found that, in their off-hours, the Hadza would often sit on the ground, but also frequently squatted, spending almost 20per cent of their inactive time with knees bent and bottoms off the ground.

Finally, to determine what this approach to resting might mean for legs and muscles, the scientists asked several tribespeople to sit, walk and squat while wearing sensors that chart muscular contractions. When the tribespeople squatted, their readouts pinged, indicating that their leg muscles were contracting far more than when they sat, and almost 40 per cent as often as during walks. (The researchers did not compare squatting and standing, but believe that squatting requires more muscular activity than standing does.)

Such variations in muscular activity could have meaningful health implications, Raichlen says. In past research with animals, he says, when muscles were immobilized with casts or other contrivances and did not contract, the tissues produced less of certain enzymes that break down fats, leading to build-ups of cholesterol and other markers of cardiovascular problems in the animals.

In other words, resting in chairs with our legs inert, as most of us do for most of our days, most likely contributes to our risks for the kinds of health problems that are so rare among the Hadza.

It also may widen the mismatch between our comfy modern world and our evolutionary physiology, says Brian Wood, a professor of anthropology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the senior co-author of the new study.

The Hadza data suggest that, even at rest, our bodies “are probably adapted to consistent muscular activity,” he says, which we do not achieve in chairs.

This study is a snapshot of only one portion of the Hadza people’s lifestyle at one point in time, though. It cannot show that their squatting causes their metabolic health, only that the two are linked. It also does not tease out the effects of their frequent physical activity from those of their resting, and it did not consider their diets and body composition.

But the findings are suggestive, Wood says. “We are not advocating for a hunter-gatherer lifestyle,” he said, “but we should know our evolutionary history.” He also added that we should consider how that history might influence our health.

Raichlen agrees. “Basically, what this study underscores is that most of us need to rethink the amount of time we rest with little muscle activity,” he says, and, if office scrutiny allows, casually stand and, perhaps, squat at times.

By Gretchen Reynolds  © The New York Times


Taken from this article:
If sitting is bad for our health, should we be squatting more instead?

Falling sick because of poor sleep? Add this to your bedtime routine for deep recuperative slumber

Blue light. Pressing deadlines. The constant buzz of a phone that doesn’t want to stay off. In a 2018 survey conducted by market research firm YouGov, only 48 per cent of the Singaporeans surveyed had the recommended amount of rest, and three quarters woke up at least once in their sleep.

Whatever the reason for poor sleep, the effects are undeniably telling. As one of the pillars of health, sleep deprivation can lead to depression, high blood pressure and a compromised immunity, making one more susceptible to falling sick.

MegRhythm Good-Night Steam Patch aims to activate your relaxation point at the base of your neck to lull you into dreamland. Brought to you by MegRhythm.

EASING INTO DEEP RELAXATION

Your body isn’t a machine, and it doesn’t have an ‘off’ switch to flick at your will. Remember how important it is to warm up before going full swing into a sporting activity? The same applies to sleep.

The UK Mental Health Foundation stresses the importance of relaxing before sleep. Adding a pre-sleep routine not only helps to programme the body chemically, but may also aid in deep relaxation physically.

WARMING UP TO RESTFUL SLEEP

The MegRhythm range of wellness products is targeted at alleviating the stress of busy urbanites. For restful sleep, the MegRhythm Good-Night Steam Patch is a handy tool to add to your bedtime routine.

Designed and developed with state-of-the-art technology in Japan, this self-warming steam patch releases a soothing and comfortable 40-degrees-celsius steam heat for about 30 minutes to help you relax.

Activate the heat mechanism by opening the pouch and place the slim and flexible patch – available in lavender-scented and unscented options – at the base of your neck. As this area is especially sensitive to heat, it is a prime spot to fully absorb the therapeutic steam and warmth for physical muscle relaxation.

The routine also gives you time to pause and calm an overactive mind. Read a book. Indulge in a pampering skincare ritual. Or watch your favourite programme on TV. Let the heat patch do its magic while you blissfully unwind.

REJUVENATE WITH THE WORLD

This year, World Sleep Day is celebrated on March 13. Organised by the World Sleep Society, it’s a celebration of sleep and a reminder to all to prioritise sleep for the sake of both our physical and mental well-being.

As the world struggles with global health concerns, our health and immunity have never been more important. Introduce MegRhythm Good-Night Steam Patch to your bedtime ritual and achieve the deep sleep you so crave and deserve.

A good night’s sleep is only a click away. Get a free sample of MegRhythm Good-Night Steam Patch at bit.ly/MGNPSampling.


Taken from this article:
Falling sick because of poor sleep? Add this to your bedtime routine for deep recuperative slumber

Living with birthmarks: What are the ones you can and cannot remove

Whether it's a mole, a pot-wine stain or a Mongolian spot that looks like a perpetual bruise, a birthmark defines its owner.

Marilyn Monroe's and Cindy Crawford's face would look remiss without their moles. The collective sighs of K-pop fans might be somewhat diminished without the heart-shaped mark that sits under the right eye of Jay (formerly known as Jin Hwan) from iKON. And might fans be a little less inclined to swoon over BTOB's Ilhoon without his row of five moles that has been dubbed the Ilhoon Constellation?

It's all good if you've made peace with your birthmark. But what if the mole, brown patch or red bump on your face affects your self-confidence and how others treat you? CNA Lifestyle finds out from the experts what can be done.

We may never know. But what we do know is that birthmarks elicit strong reactions from their owners as well as those around them. Canadian professional dancer Cassandra Naud, 25, who was born with a large, hairy birthmark on her right cheek, is determined to keep it as part of her identity. This, despite years of bullying in school and being told to Photoshop her photos by casting agents.

WHY DO BIRTHMARKS DEVELOP?

Whether you opt to remove or embrace it as part of your identity, a birthmark can still be misunderstood in this day and age. For one, painting the walls while pregnant will not create babies with birthmarks.

"Birthmarks are caused by the defective movement of cells during foetal development," said Dr Lucinda Tan, a dermatologist with the National Skin Centre, a member of the National Healthcare Group. "However, we do not fully understand the reason why some babies have birthmarks and some do not."

Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing that pregnant women can do to prevent birthmarks on their babies, said Dr Kelvin Chua from SL Clinic. "Birthmarks cannot be prevented as there isn’t a specific cause to its occurrence," he said.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIRTHMARKS

While there is no one ethnic group in Singapore that is more susceptible to birthmarks, Dr Chua said that Mongolian spots tend to occur more amongst Asians than Caucasians. Vascular birthmarks also tend to appear more on the face and neck regions, he added.

"We treat a good number of patients for Mongolian and cafe-au-lait spots. That can be attributed to these being the two most common birthmarks here in Asia," he said. But whether they are moles or a brown patch, birthmarks can be categorised as either vascular or pigmented.

VASCULAR BIRTHMARKS

"These skin discolourations are caused by blood vessels that aren’t formed normally. They can appear in children during pregnancy or shortly after birth," said Dr Chua. Here, he lists the common types of vascular birthmarks and ranks them in order of ease of treatment, from the easiest to the most difficult:

• Salmon patch or nevus simplex 

Flat, and pinkish or red in colour, the patch typically does not have a definitive border. Salmon patches are commonly found at the nape of the neck, forehead or on the eyelids. Some are not immediately apparent and only become noticeable in a change of temperature or when a child starts crying, said Dr Chua.

• Port-wine stain or nevus flammeus

A flat patch of purple or dark red skin, it is often large, and usually has well-defined borders. A port-wine stain typically appears on one side of the face or neck, and is common amongst newborns, said Dr Chua.

"Port-wine stains can darken and thicken with time, and may result in eye complications if located near the eyes," said Dr Tan.

• Haemangioma 

It is a raised, bright red spot that sits on the skin, and is normally soft and compressible to touch. It is sometimes called strawberry haemangioma as it looks like the fruit. But haemangiomas can also occur under the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). These deep versions can look bluish-purple and make the skin swell and bulge. If you had either version as a baby, it is probably shrunk and flattened by age 10, said the association.

According to Dr Chua, haemangiomas typically appear on the face, scalp, chest or back. "In rare cases, a haemangioma can grow to a size or in a location that interferes with vital organs that can be associated with life-threatening complications," he said.

For instance, haemangiomas may ulcerate and cause bleeding at the site or lead to breathing problems if they are found near the mouth or neck, said Dr Tan. If a haemangioma is located near the eye, visual issues may arise.

PIGMENTED BIRTHMARKS

These present-at-birth skin spots are marked by pigment in the skin tissue. Dr Chua ranks these common pigmented birthmarks in order of ease of treatment:

• Mongolian spot

This flat birthmark looks like a bruise and is typically found in colours ranging from blue to grey. It can be spotted on babies' backs or bottoms.

• Congenital mole

Moles are usually small, round brown spots that are no bigger than the size of a pencil eraser, according to the AADA. They can be pink, skin-coloured or black. Some are flat and smooth; others are slightly raised like a bump. Moles can be found anywhere on the face and body. Though usually benign, it has a slightly higher chance of becoming cancerous, depending on the size, said Dr Chua.

• Cafe-au-lait spot

This marking can take on the colour of milky coffee, typically in those who are fair. It can also appear in a darker shade than the surrounding skin in those with darker complexion, said Dr Chua. "Cafe-au-lait spots are mainly harmless, though they have a slight potential of developing into neurofibromatosis, which may become cancerous," said Dr Chua.

• Becker's nevi

This birthmark occurs predominantly in men, and is characterised by a well-defined patch of darker and thickened skin with excessive hair on the torso or upper arm. There are exceptions, such as Brazilian model Mariana Mendes' case - a woman with a Becker's nevi on her face.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT BIRTHMARKS

The considerations to take into account when deciding on the treatment options include the birthmark's category (vascular or pigmented), size and location, said Dr Chua. He uses corticosteroids, chemotherapy, surgery and laser therapy to lighten both kinds of birthmarks. Laser and surgery are the most common options. However, he warns that surgery comes with a high risk of scarring and is generally reserved for more severe or life-threatening birthmarks.

To treat vascular birthmarks, Dr Tan has used pulsed dye lasers for ulcerated haemangiomas and port-wine stains. But when it comes to pigmented birthmarks, Dr Tan advises to leave them alone and monitor for changes that suggest cancer. Some birthmarks, such as Mongolian spots and certain haemangiomas, resolve on their own and do not require treatments, she said.

But there may be instances when treatment is preferred over letting Nature take its course. "Infantile haemangiomas do resolve on their own given time, but they may leave scarring without treatment. They resolve faster with lower risk of permanent scarring with treatment," said Dr Tan.

TREATMENT SUCCESS

There are a few factors that determine the outcome of the treatment. "As a rule of thumb, the larger the birthmark, the more challenging it is to treat it, said Dr Chua. "A large surface area entails a longer downtime, and increased complexity owing to the fact that other vital organs may be affected, such as the eyes."

Also, most vascular birthmarks are relatively easier to treat than pigmented birthmarks – with the exception of haemangiomas, said Dr Chua.

Where the birthmark is located is also crucial. "Skin on different areas of the body varies in terms of thickness, responsiveness to treatments, scarring potential and more," said Dr Chua. "For example, skin on the face and neck is thinner and more responsive to laser therapy, and thus, easier to treat. It also has a relatively lower propensity to scar."

That said, doctors cannot guarantee the complete removal of a birthmark. "Most treatments, with the exception of surgery, can only reduce the appearance of birthmarks. Even with surgery, a relapse can occur after removal," said Dr Chua.


Taken from this article:
Living with birthmarks: What are the ones you can and cannot remove