Does smoking cause wrinkles?

Dear Mary,

I am a fiftysomething smoker and I just can’t stop smoking because I feel it helps keep my weight down. I also enjoy drinking wine and alcohol, but I am only a social drinker. I heard red wine is good for the heart, and I’m not gonna stop drinking either. But my friend tells me I should quit smoking and drinking altogether, because these cause wrinkles. How true is this?

MRS. V

Worse than giving you wrinkles, smoking can affect your lungs and give you cancer. I don’t think smoking will really give you wrinkles, but you won’t look like the picture of health either. Try to cut down by smoking one cigarette less a day. Wine, especially red wine, is good for the heart, but don’t drink excessively because then your liver can give you problems, and that will really affect your looks. Anything in excess is not good for you. To keep your weight down, eat less and eat healthy. Exercise, too, is important.

MARY

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what to wear to a BIG brit wedding

hi tingTING,

I’ll be flying to Bristol this November with my husband for a friend’s wedding. The well- publicized British wedding requires a black tie for male guests and an opera ballgown for female guests. Instead of wearing a bulky ballgown, I plan to wear my Filipiniana-inspired white lace and black velvet gown with vintage cabochon made by a top local designer and which I wore during a Malacañang wedding this year. Is it proper for me to wear such a gown for a very important affair which will be attended by royalties, ambassadors and top personalities of the UK? Besides, I want to flaunt the beauty of our native gown like what Imelda Marcos did on her international trips. This is my first time to attend an important event abroad and I want to become noticeable among the foreigners. Thank you and God bless!

jean

You should wear your Filipiniana-inspired dress for your friend’s wedding in England. You will look absolutely beautiful and different. The color is dramatic. I am sure you will be able to wear it proudly and represent our country well.

Accessorize it as best as you can depending on the time of day and you might want to wear a peineta for a total look. Get yourself a bag with semi-precious stones that are now made by Janina Dizon at EDSA Shangri-La Plaza. Wear made-to-order black velvet shoes with a semi-precious buckle from Wilson’s Shoes at Detroit St., Cubao.

TINGTING

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CAN’T GET DANDRUFF OUT OF HER HAIR

Hi Lucy,

You’re a worthy fashion icon with good, classy taste who manages to be simple but elegant, which is why I look up to you. My problem has to do with my hair and scalp. I have a BIG dandruff problem! Mine are as big as oatmeal, they can even be mistaken for jigsaw puzzle pieces! I have tried all the commercial dandruff shampoos that promise to be a hundred times better and more effective, but they didn’t work for me. How can I get rid of this horrible itchy scalp for life? Also, what shampoo and other hair products can I use every day to have healthy, shiny and beautiful hair like yours? You see, my hair is a bit frizzy and is now thinning due to dandruff. By the way, what’s considered normal hair loss in a day? Please help me solve my problems.

vikie

Dandruff is a scalp problem that is identified by excessive flaking of dead tissues. Getting rid of dandruff can very simply start with using the right shampoo and conditioner. A good shampoo leaves hair manageable, easy to comb and glossy. I’m partial to Pantene and its many variants (especially the extra-moisturizing kind) because it’s the only shampoo I’ve tried that really makes my hair fall nicer.

Once you’ve found the right shampoo for you, perhaps you should supplement your hair care by trying Nizoral which promises to get rid of dandruff (I know of people who swear by this). You can use it alternately with your shampoo, but as with all dandruff treatments, be sure to follow label instructions carefully. And be patient – remember, for a treatment to work, you have to use it consistently as required because only then will results show. There hardly ever are, if at all, overnight miracle treatments.

Healthy hair begins with proper care. It is a myth that washing your hair daily increases hair loss. Done gently, washing should neither damage nor thin your hair. Thoroughly massage the scalp so dead skin cells are removed. Always rinse thoroughly with water. Shampoo can leave residue that can dry hair, attract dirt and irritate the scalp. Also, take pleasure in brushing your hair gently from the roots to the tips – it increases blood circulation to the scalp and stimulates hair growth.

There are also certain supplements and herbs that are said to be beneficial in controlling dandruff and its symptoms – vitamin B6, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, primrose oil, beta carotene and vitamin A. Lecithin also adds strength to the cells of the hair and scalp. But before taking any of these, always ask advice from your physician.

LUCY

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Send e-mail to Mary, Tingting and Lucy at style_ sos@yahoo.com or write to Style SOS, c/o Life Section, Philippine STAR, 13th and Railroad Sts., Port Area, Manila.