25 Health & Beauty Q&As Here is a breakdown of questions asked by yourselves about health and beauty, answered by our dermatology specialist. 1. What is the best skincare routine for dry skin? Various factors, such as environment, genetics, or certain skin conditions, can cause dry skin. A good routine for dry skin focuses on hydration and skin protection. We suggest a simple yet complete approach, including a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen for the daytime and a night routine that includes a cleanser, moisturiser and face oil. Some additional tips include using a Humidifier in your room to maintain moisture in the air and using a large bottle of water to ensure optimal hydration throughout the day. Would you like recommendations for specific products? Morning: CeraVe cleanser, Eucerin Dry Touch Sun Screen Evening: Cleanser, Aveeno moisturiser 2. How do you achieve the glass skin look? To achieve the “glass skin” look, we recommend following a healthy lifestyle and consistently keeping up a skincare routine that gives you an intensely hydrated complexion. This routine typically involves double cleansing, exfoliation, toning, essence, moisturiser and sunscreen. Some optional treatments would include applying sheet masks up to 3 times a week for an extra boost of hydration. Recommendations of products include ORS Hydration Tablets. 3. Is sunscreen essential, and why? Yes, sunscreen is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. It helps protect against harmful UV rays that can cause sunburn, premature ageing, and even skin cancer. It's essential to apply sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. Some great sunscreen products include: Eucerin Sun Spray Transparent Dry Touch, Piz Buin Mountain Sun Cream, Eucerin Sun Sensitive Protect Extra Light Sun Cream & CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen. 4. How can you treat acne and anxiety-induced flare-ups with skincare? To treat acne and anxiety-induced flare-ups with skincare, I recommend using gentle cleansers and moisturisers that are non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. Also, incorporate calming ingredients like aloe vera or green tea into your skincare routine for relief benefits. Some products you can try include CeraVe cleanser, Aveeno moisturiser 5. Can consuming a lot of caffeine cause lousy skin? Caffeine can be both beneficial and harmful for the skin. Some positive effects include anti-oxidant properties and improved circulation. Some adverse effects include dehydration and increasing the stress hormone in the body. 6. How do you apply retinol? Retinol is applied as the second step in your night skincare routine. After gently cleansing the skin, apply a small amount of retinol evenly on the skin, then seal with a hydrating moisturiser. It is essential to start slowly with retinol. We recommend starting with 0.25% for new users. Acnecide is a stronger pharmacy retinol and is proven clinically effective, but is very strong and is not suitable for sensitive skin. 7. Can I use retinol in my 20s? While It may be too early to start - It depends on your skin type and is specific to your concerns and goals. Please consult a dermatologist to tailor your retinol use. 8. What will help tighten your skin? It can be approached from both products and professional treatments. Some of the recommended products include peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C ingredients. Some of the professional methods we recommend include laser therapy, radiofrequency, and ultrasound therapy. Some at-home remedies, including masks and facial massages, can contribute to better circulation and more collagen production. 9. Can vitamin C irritate my skin? Should I use it in the morning or night? It depends on your skin type and the concentration of vitamin C used. You should not use Vitamin C combined with other actives, such as retinoids, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide, as that can lead to skin sensitivity and irritation. Vitamin C and a good sunscreen Acnecide, Eucerin Sun Spray Transparent Dry Touch & Berocca Orange Energy Vitamin 10. Are alcohols bad to use on the skin? It depends on the type of alcohol ingredient in the skincare product. Please consult your dermatologist for personalised advice and always patch-test the product before use. 11. What are the best vitamins for glowing skin? To achieve radiant skin, focusing on several vitamins can play a critical role in your skin’s health and radiance. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K Vitamin C Benefits - Boosts immunity, helps collagen production, and enhances iron absorption. Sources - Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli. Food vs supplements - Better absorbed from food, but supplements help if dietary intake is insufficient. Vitamin E Benefits - Antioxidant, supports skin and immune health. Sources - Nuts, seeds, spinach, vegetable oils. Food vs supplements - Prefer food for better absorption; high-dose supplements can interfere with clotting. Vitamin A Benefits - Supports vision, immunity, and skin health. Sources - Liver, dairy (retinol); carrots, sweet potatoes (beta-carotene). Food vs supplements - Prefer beta-carotene foods to avoid toxicity; supplements only if deficient. Vitamin D Benefits - Supports bone health and immune function. Sources - Sunlight, fatty fish, fortified foods, egg yolks. Food vs supplements - Hard to get from food; supplements often needed, especially in low sunlight areas. Vitamin K Benefits - Essential for blood clotting and bone health. Sources - Leafy greens, broccoli, fermented foods. Food vs Supplements - Easily obtained from food; supplements rarely needed unless deficient. 12. How to get rid of hormonal acne? There are multiple ways you could approach getting rid of hormonal acne. We recommend you first focus on lifestyle changes, including managing your diet, sleep and stress levels.  Second, implement a skincare routine and be consistent with it. Third, you could consult a dermatologist if the case persists. Finally, you could try topical treatments, including retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, etc. 13. How can you prevent skin from ageing? To prevent skin ageing, you could implement multiple strategies in your lifestyle choices and skincare routine to maintain skin health and avoid skin issues that may arise with age. Using SPF consistently. Follow a healthy diet and limit sugar intake. Implement healthy habits avoid alcohol avoid smoking and get 8+ hours of sleep per night. Manage stress levels. Regular dermatologist visits for specific advice tailored to your concerns. 14. What are the best products for dark circles under the eyes? There are many products you can use for dark under-eye circles. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and caffeine in under-eye creams can offer instant benefits and enhance the darkness immediately upon use. If darkness persists with consistent use of products, we recommend checking your lifestyle routine and consulting a dermatologist. 15. Is there a DIY treatment for blemishes? To create any DIY treatment that targets blemishes on the skin, you would have to make a concoction that reduces inflammation, kills bacteria and promotes healing. Please note that it is essential to patch-test them on a small skin area before the entire application. 16. Is my skin dry or just dehydrated? The difference between dry and dehydrated skin can be determined by learning the characteristics of both types and considering a few tests, such as the pinch test. If unsure, visit a dermatologist to help diagnose your skin and recommend the best treatment tailored to your concern. 17. Should my skincare lineup change from AM to PM? It depends on what you are trying to target and your goal. Here are key questions you can ask yourself to determine if your skincare lineup should change from AM to PM: What are my skincare goals? Are you focusing on hydration, anti-ageing, acne, or protection from environmental damage? How does my skin behave throughout the day? Does it get oily, dry, or sensitive during different parts of the day? Do I need sun protection at night? Sunscreens are vital during the day but unnecessary in the evening. Am I using products that target different concerns for day vs night? Antioxidants (like Vitamin C) protect during the day, while retinoids or exfoliants work better at night for repair. How sensitive is my skin to certain ingredients? Some active ingredients (like retinoids or AHAs) can make your skin more sun-sensitive, so they're better used at night. What kind of environment am I in during the day? Do you need more protection from pollutants and UV in the morning compared to the evening when your skin can recover? How much time can I dedicate to skincare in the morning vs the evening? Does your schedule allow for a more intensive routine at night, or do you need something simpler for the AM? Answering these questions will help tailor your routine to your specific daily and night needs. 18. What do you recommend for sensitive skin? A few recommendations for sensitive skin include the following: Using only gentle products, avoiding alcohol-based products and always doing a patch test on a small area of the skin of any new products before application to ensure they don’t irritate you. 19. Do you recommend taking skin supplements? It depends on your specific deficiencies and overall health needs. Both supplements and natural intake of vitamins and minerals are effective ways to provide your skin with the necessary needs. Some top-rated skin supplements: Vitabiotics Immunace Original 20. How to fix an uneven skin tone? To successfully address uneven skin tone, you need to approach the following: a Using SPF consistently b. Gently exfoliate your skin 3-4 times per week  \*include benefits and recommended products c. Follow a healthy lifestyle \*include info on diet, hydration, activity, etc. d. Consider hydroquinone \*include info and recommended products e. Consult a dermatologist for specific advice and a tailored approach to uneven skin tone. 21. How do I find out my skin type? Understanding your skin type will help you take care of it and choose the right products and routines that will allow you to maintain it and get the best results. A way to find out what your skin type is is through our method here. 22. Should I wear sunscreen indoors? Whether you need sunscreen indoors depends on the environment you’re spending your day in. If you are subjected to light through windows or screens for long periods, then yes, wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 25 indoors will be beneficial and prevent the harm and effects of UV radiation on your skin and overall health. 23. How should I layer my skincare products? For your skincare routine to be effective and achieve the maximum benefits and results, we advise you to layer it as follows, allowing absorption time before applying the next. Step 1 - Cleanser. Step 2 - Toner. Step 3 - Serum. Step 4 - Moisturiser. Step 5 - Sunscreen. Please be aware that combining or layering active ingredients (such as retinoids and vitamin C or AHA/BHA acids or Ninacinamide) can irritate when used together. 24. How to control oil production on the face? Some effective methods you could implement include:- Opting for gentle cleansers that don’t interfere with - Regular exfoliation- Opting for oil-free or water/gel-based products.- Incorporate mattifying products if needed such as pore erasing primers include links and blotting paper or powders can help absorb oil. - Focus on Hydration - O.R.S. hydration tablets - Consuming a healthy diet of natural foods can help overall skin condition and health. 25. How effective are facial laser treatments? It varies from one individual to another, but in general, facial laser treatments are considered highly effective for multiple concerns, including acne, fine lines, hyperpigmentation. Here at healthwords.ai we if anything persists, consult your dermatologist for a suitable treatment that is subjective to their fears for optimal results.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA blood test relates to a man's risk of prostate cancer but unlike other cancers like breast and bowel, there is no routine screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because it’s not as straightforward as having a blood test and getting a black-and-white answer: it doesn’t tell you if you have prostate cancer or not. Instead, the NHS offers an informed choice programme where men over the age of 50 can ask their GP for a test (or tests every so often), but after discussion about how difficult the result is to interpret. A PSA result can be normal and you can still have prostate cancer, or it can be abnormal but you don’t have prostate cancer. A positive test, however, does usually mean you need further investigations, and these can be uncomfortable and carry risks. Let’s talk you through what makes a good screening test, and how this can be applied to PSA screening.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located near the bladder in men. It’s normal to have some PSA in your blood. As you get older your prostate gets bigger and the amount of PSA released – measurable in a blood test – can slowly rise. Prostate cancer can be one cause of a high PSA level, and early detection and treatment of this is beneficial. But it can also occur in other conditions. Therefore results are interpreted with caution, rather than giving a clear-cut answer. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it may also be used to monitor your condition over time, and the success of any treatment. Some prostate cancers do not cause a high PSA level, you may get a normal PSA, so it’s not always a good test for cancer or it’s treatment.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone made in the testicles. Testosterone plays a key role in male sexual development, from puberty to fertility. Some men can experience low testosterone levels which can lead to a number of symptoms that may cause bother. Over time, testosterone hormones do generally decline with age. 

A low sperm count doesn’t give any symptoms, it’s usually found in fertility investigations when a couple is finding it difficult to conceive naturally. A semen analysis reveals the low sperm count number, which is classed as fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen. It's found in one in three couples who are struggling to conceive. Depending on any other results from fertility tests, may guide potential fertility treatments.

Libido refers to your sex drive. Normal levels of libido and sex drive are different for each person and there is no standard that anyone should be compared to. Loss of libido is a type of sexual dysfunction and means a drop in your normal sex drive (not just lower than another person's). It is a common thing for people to experience and can be due to many different things, such as fatigue, stress, symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, difficult personal circumstances, relationship difficulties, physical health conditions or side effects of certain medications.

You are never far from sexual health services in the UK. Dedicated clinics are there for phone consultations or visits, online services can post out testing kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and your GP is also a source of advice, testing and prescriptions. Needs can vary widely, but most people request access to STI tests such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis, emergency contraception, regular contraception. They may offer hepatitis B vaccination if you are at risk, or emergency HIV treatment, if you think you’ve been exposed. They can also advise on safe sex, high risk behaviour, sexual assault or rape, and anonymous contact tracing for a sexual partner or partners if you have tested positive for an STI.