Covid: Top Chinese scientist says don’t rule out lab leak
The man who led China's pandemic response says inquiries into its origins should consider everything.
2023-05-30 13:19
How legal immigration might solve two of America's toughest problems
Two of the nation's most intractable problems might have the same solution -- if the idea was not so politically radioactive.
2023-05-30 12:25
Race and ethnicity can be hard to define. Here's why
If it seems like the distinctions between race and ethnicity are confusing, unsatisfying or unclear, you're onto something.
2023-05-30 12:15
'We've been waiting forever': Nicole Scherzinger sends her fans into frenzy as she teases her new song
'The Masked Singer' judge Nicole Scherzinger shared a career update on her social media
2023-05-30 11:17
How Fast Can You Spot the Wedding Invitation in This Hidden Object Image?
The goal of this hidden object game is to uncover the wedding invitation faster than you can say “I do.”
2023-05-29 23:26
The truth about applying after-sun on sunburnt skin, according to the experts
After the UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Sunday, with some parts of southern England reaching 31C, many could be waking up with sore, sunburnt skin today. Taking care of your skin after excessive sun exposure is incredibly important, as failing to do so could lead to long-lasting damage. However, if your first course of action after sustaining a sunburn is to immediately buy and apply after-sun, then you may not be doing an adequate job. According to the experts, applying after-sun could do your skin even further harm if you don’t take a thorough look at the ingredients. That’s why it may be a wise idea to opt for an aloe vera gel instead. “After-sun formulas tend to have rich, thick consistencies containing oils, which create an emollient barrier on top of the skin trapping in the heat in the upper layer of the epidermis and exacerbating the inflammation and ‘burn’ feeling on your face,” Michaella Bolder, Time Bomb skincare expert tells to The Independent. “Plus, many over the counter after-suns will contain chemicals and/or fragrance. This will just irritate the damaged skin!” Aloe vera has been highly regarded for a very long time due to its remedial properties, Lorraine Shrivener, director of Eden Skin Clinics, explains. “Aloe vera has been a trusted skin saviour for many years,” she says. “With its immediate cooling effect to the skin, it’s a firm favourite for post-suncare.” According to Ms Shrivener, aloe vera is most potent when attained as a pure, clear gel. While gels allow heat to escape from the skin, thicker creams that have been designed to lock in moisture could trap heat within the skin, making it feel cooler rather than hotter. However, as medical director of CosmedicsUK and GP Dr Ross Perry points out, the medicinal properties of aloe vera have not technically been affirmed by scientific research. “Aloe vera is a traditional herbal remedy believed to reduce sunburn symptoms,” he explains. “There is no scientific evidence in support of its use for sunburn, but anecdotal evidence is that it is soothing and safe and can feel cooling.” Aloe vera is a plant species that can trace its origins to the Arabian Peninsula. Mentions of aloe vera as a curative ingredient can be found in the Ebers Papyrus, from 16th Century BC, and in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History, which was written in the mid-first century AD. Despite the supposed lack of scientific evidence to back its use as a treatment for sunburn, many health professionals still recommend it for soothing irritated skin. “Aloe vera is thought to have a myriad of positive effects on skin, especially sunburnt skin,” says Dr Natalie Spierings, consultant dermatologist at Dermatica. “True clinical effectiveness has yet to be established. But aloe vera is not harmful and it might aid in helping calm down sunburnt skin, so it is worth giving it a try.” While some skincare experts would advise opting for a clear aloe vera gel instead of a heavier, moisturising after-sun when treating sunburn, others would suggest simply finding an after-sun that contains the plant. “After burning the skin you should think cool and repair,” says Ms Bolder. “The best way to do this is to apply a formula with a high water and high aloe vera content - the more natural and gentle the better! “Aloe vera has quite impressive cooling, healing and antiseptic properties so will beat a generic after-sun every time.” Using an after-sun can still be beneficial if you make sure that the ingredients are gentle and natural as possible. However, if you’re not entirely sure of whether a specific after-sun will do more harm than good, then going for a clear aloe vera gel would likely be your safest option. With around 16, 200 new cases of melanoma skin cancer reported in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK, looking after your skin is of the utmost importance during the hotter months. Dr Vikram Rajkomar, a consultant dermatologist at Pall Mall Medical who specialises in the treatment of skin diseases and skin cancer, recommends speaking to a consultant dermatologist as soon as possible if pain caused by sunburn persists. Read More The truth about applying after-sun on sunburnt skin, according to the experts Mum’s warning after viral TikTok hack left skin peeling from her face TikTok Influencer hospitalised for after horse falls on her at Arizona ranch Teenagers are increasing their chances of cancer with 'sunburn art' Europe heatwave: Tourists warned as temperatures set to soar
2023-05-29 21:16
Mother’s warning after viral TikTok hack left skin peeling from her face
A terrified mother has warned against cooking eggs in a microwave after the viral TikTok ‘hack’ exploded and left her skin pealing from her face. Shafia Bashir, 37, said she’d been in “absolute agony” after making a poached egg using a much-publicised recipe available on the internet. She’d first poured some boiling water in a mug before adding the egg and then put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes until it had cooked. But when she put a cold spoon on the egg, it erupted “like a fountain” and scolded the right side of her face - leaving her in the “most excruciating” pain of her life. Shafia went to A&E where her burns were treated, but she said they were still stinging 12 hours after the incident. And though her wounds have now healed, the mum-of-one has still cautioned others to think twice about attempting the popular dish. She said: “I just don’t want anyone else going through that, because it is trending on TikTok…It was the most excruciating pain in my life. “It was a terrifying time for me. I was in absolute agony. “As soon as I put the cold spoon in, it exploded like a fountain and it scolded me. “I put my face under the tap and then had to get my mate to look after my daughter so I could go to A&E. “My face has healed now, luckily with no scars. I used Vaseline, Sudocrem, whatever I could get my hands on.” Shafia, from Bolton, Grtr Manchester, said she had been making the dish for three years when she’d decided to cook it on May 12 while feeling “starving” She had followed a recipe that her ex-mum-in-law had taught her, but on this occasion, she was left stunned when the cooking trick ended in disaster. She said: “I did it exactly the same as I usually do it. I had already made the toast, I was starving! “My ex-mother-in-law told me about it. She told me how to make a poached egg in the microwave. I had been doing it for three years. “I boiled the kettle, half-filled the mug with water, put salt inside, the egg inside, and microwaved it for a minute. It wasn’t cooked, so I put it in for another minute.” “After it happened, I put my face under the tap for 20 mins. But the burning lasted for 12 hours. It just didn’t stop.” The British Medical Journal previously said that microwave ovens should display clear warnings about exploding eggs. Cooking shelled eggs in a microwave is dangerous because the casing holds in heat. Once you have removed the egg from the microwave, it will carry on cooking itself and any disruption can cause an explosion. But similar dangers can apply when cooking sunny side up or poached eggs in the microwave. These cooking hacks proved popular on social media sites such as TikTok, as people look for ways to save time with everyday tasks. But it’s not the first time the trick has gone wrong, with Chantelle Conway, from Farnworth, claiming a similar thing happened to her in 2021. Shafia said she had been left traumatised after the incident and vowed never to eat an egg again. But she has also seen the funny side of her experiences and made light of them to her 15,000 followers on TikTok. Shafia said: “For my last videos on TikTok, I did Beauty and the Beast and Tony Montana from Scarface, with the burn. “My followers thought it was a filter!” Read More Woman sparks debate by documenting busy last day at work after being fired: ‘Just leave’ Selena Gomez ‘yells’ at security guard at Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour Mother hit with deluge of abuse for taking toddler’s packed lunch to a restaurant Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat
2023-05-29 20:46
Private jets get a bad rap. This company is trying to make them greener
Private aviation company Jetex is deploying sustainable aviation fuels, and making its terminals more sustainable.
2023-05-29 16:20
Twiggy shares why she has never had cosmetic surgery
Twiggy has opened up about ageing and how cosmetic surgery “frightens” her. The model, whose real name is Dame Lesley Lawson, has never undergone cosmetic procedures such as Botox, unlike numerous other celebrities. The 73-year-old said she is “proud” of her wrinkles, but remained open to the idea of someday having “little tweaks”. In a new interview with the Daily Mail, Twiggy said: “I’m kind of proud of my wrinkles. I understand when people have little tweaks and maybe I’ll even do it, I don’t know. “But what I don’t think I’d ever do is all the stuff they inject, when they get those funny cheeks that look like cotton wool balls have been stuffed in them. It would frighten me.” Asked if she would consider Botox, the fashion icon replied: “It’s botulism, isn’t it? And I never fancied the idea of that floating round my body.” Twiggy also spoke about her body and credited going to pilates once a week for helping alleviate a bad back. Aside from that, she is relaxed about exercise and her weight. She added: “I’m bigger than I was, but I should be at my age.” In 2020, the model told the Guardian that she did not think the fashion industry would ever “go completely away from slimness”. Her own nickname was rooted in her petite figure and she has been associated with “extreme thinness” throughout her modelling career. Asked at the time if the industry needs to focus more on different shapes and sizes, she said: “I don’t think the high fashion industry will ever go completely away from slimness but I think other parts of the industry have started to use different shapes and sizes, and I think they should.” She has previously spoken about her “skinny” body image, which she believes is genetic, and said “some models” are “too thin”. “We do know that there are girls pushed to not eating and to losing weight and that is not good because you have tragedies with girls being ill or even worse,” she told Huffington Post. “There’s no doubt that there are some models who are too thin.” Read More Woman’s warning after lip filler left her unable to close mouth However hard the world tries to make me fear it, I’m excited to turn 30 this summer ‘Unproblematic people don’t age’ reflects the stupidest kind of beauty standard Flip flops, nudity and ‘up the vajayjay!’: The red carpet is a platform for protest Woman’s ‘$1,300’ dress divides the internet: ‘Why is it so bad though?’ Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Tina Turner’s most iconic looks
2023-05-29 16:19
‘It’s a misunderstanding’: Kourtney Kardashian debunks myths about frozen eggs, reveals her previous ones ‘didn't survive’
Kourtney Kardashian had seven frozen eggs from years ago but most of them failed to survive
2023-05-29 13:24
'Teen Mom 2' alum Kailyn Lowry reveals embarrassing 'mom fail' as son Isaac, 13, finds her sex toys on kitchen table
Kailyn Lowry revealed that her son left a note saying, 'Use a condom before you end up with yet another kid'
2023-05-29 13:23
What to stream this week: Foo Fighters, 'The Idol,' LeBron James and 'American Gladiators' doc
This week’s new entertainment releases include an album from Foo Fighters and some lost songs by the late Kenny Rogers, a new gritty HBO series from “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson called “The Idol” starring Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd
2023-05-29 12:28