Anti-erectile dysfunction etc.: Valentine's Day 2022 self-love gift ideas

Dr. Mendiola (left) claims to be the first to bring GentlePro treatments to the Philippines; Designer Blloms has a limited offer in collaboration with Jo Malone London (right, bottom); Jeon Somi, a Korean solo singer has been recently tapped to endorse the Goku Jyun Hydrating Lotion (right, top)
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MANILA, Philippines — This season of lockdowns, uncertainties and strict resctrictions, it is even more important to connect with our special someone. The sense of connectedness between couples is more essential than ever. 

There are some reproductive health issues that can get in the way of our intimacy with our partners that's rarely talked about. One of them is erectile dysfunction (ED).

ED is often caused by underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and low testosterone levels. And contrary to what many people might think, ED not only affects older men, as it can affect younger men as well due to smoking and drinking.

Dr. Frederick Mendiola, a board-certified urologic surgeon with a subspecialty in minimally invasive urology and a special interest in sexual medicine, has brought to the Philippines a safe and non-invasive way to treat ED, GentlePro laser treatments.

GentlePro uses radial shockwaves to help develop new blood vessels and stimulate the area to be treated. Depending on the degree of ED, five to eight treatments are needed to see a lasting improvement. This non-invasive treatment is virtually painless and has no downtime.

Dr. Mendiola also recommends the following lifestyle modifications:

  • Get moving: “A sedentary lifestyle makes weight management more difficult, which is a proven contributor to ED. You can start by walking at least 30 minutes a day,” Dr. Mendiola said.
  • Switch to a healthier diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish reduces the likelihood of having ED.
  • Ditch the cigarettes: According to studies, men who smoke are twice as likely to develop ED than nonsmokers. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict, which limits the amount of blood that flows to the organs. 
  • Monitor heart health: Hypertension, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol can damage the arteries, which prevents proper blood flow (thus causing ED).

ED is a common problem that is very treatable and should not be a cause for embarrassment. For a lot of men, initiating the first conversation about a very personal condition is the most difficult step. Know your options and have it treated as soon as possible by talking to a trusted urologist.

Cultivate and celebrate self-love 

 

One of the most important relationships in life is the one you have with yourself. While developing a healthy relationship with yourself takes a lot of work and self-reflection, over time, the benefits will manifest in different ways – improving your self-esteem, your health and well-being, as well as your relationships with others.  

Committed to bringing out that long-lasting beauty in all kinds of individuals, Y.O.U Beauty stands for self-love. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the annual occasion that celebrates all forms of love, Y.O.U Beauty brings a special offering to help empower individuals to be the best, most confident versions of themselves - The Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream Limited Edition Valentine’s Gift Box.  

The Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream by Y.O.U. Beauty is made with a smooth and lightweight formula to ensure all-day comfort. Available in 19 different shades, each product sports Quick Dry and Non-Transfer features that keep it in place after applying, while the Hydrating Formula made with Coconut Oil and Vitamin E moisturizes and softens lips and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Enabling individuals to freely pursue their own images of beauty with ease, the Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream Limited Edition Valentine’s Gift Box by Y.O.U Beauty comes in three distinct versions - expertly curated to suit all types of moods and occasions.

Whether you’re feeling low-key or in the mood to go big and bold, this bundle features a trio of timeless shades of lip cream made for the modern romantic. Naked is Y.O.U. Beauty’s discreet yet chic take on nude lip cream. Wear Kelly, a classic red on the days when you want to command attention. Rounding out the trio is Latte, a deep and moody shade made to give out a mysterious, alluring vibe.  

Add a subtle spark or signal that you’re up for a good time with a bundle of shades great for any kind of date night. Bring out that inner confidence with Honey, a red shade that strikes the balance between bold and bright. Put on Fearless, a coral shade to show off your playful, up-for-anything side, or Salmon, a peachy hue that draws attention to your charms. 

Everyone needs things they can confidently rely on. Consisting of Naked, a nude shade that goes with any kind of style, Peach to give off a calm, collected aura, and Latte, a brown shade that goes with a driven, independent mood - these flattering hues are up for wherever the day takes you. 

The essence of Y.O.U Beauty is to provide every individual with accessible products made with advanced technology to bring out long lasting beauty from within. The Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream is a simple way for you to experiment with your style, and it’s formulated to help keep lips hydrated and moisturized, while the diverse range of shades makes it possible for you to find the ones that suit you best.

The Radiance White BB Cream gives your face a flawless look and a lightweight feel, all while brightening the skin with its Triple Bright Activator. It's also complete with SPF 40 and PA+++ to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. The Rouge Velvet Lip Cream is a velvet matte lip cream that contains Coconut Oil and Vitamin E to moisturize your lips with a transfer-proof and lightweight formula for all-day comfort.

As a special Valentine’s Day gift, Y.O.U Beauty is giving away Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream Limited Edition Valentine’s Gift Boxes to make your celebrations all the more special. To find out how you can win, stay tuned to Y.O.U Beauty on Facebook and Instagram for more details.  Shop the Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream product range online at the Y.O.U Beauty Lazada and Shopee stores. 

Love your health

Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy, a pioneer compounding pharmacy, recently announced the launching of their website and e-commerce platform. You may access their website at Apotheca.com.ph. The new website offers to serve world-class personalized medicine as well as access to its online stores for healthy snacks, non-toxic home supplies, superfood and other wholesome goodies.

"We work with registered licensed pharmacists who have undergone international training on compounding medicine and stand by our strong collaborations with our International affiliates, such as Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) and Medisca Australia," said the company.

Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy claims to be a pioneer specialty compounding pharmacy in the Philippines licensed by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration since 2014.

"As a pioneer, we strive for high-quality compounded medication with state-of-the-art equipment in our approach to pharmaceutical innovation."

Bloom like a K-pop star

Jeon Somi, a Korean solo singer has been recently tapped to endorse the Goku Jyun Hydrating Lotion
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Actors, singers, and basically anyone who works in front of the camera tend to be picky about the beauty products they use, as part of their job is to maintain great and healthy skin. To help them achieve that, it’s important they use products that truly work.

There’s one cult J-beauty brand that Asian superstars like Blackpink’s Jisoo, Jun Ji Hyun, and Jeon Somi all use and love: Hada Labo. K-pop star and actor Jisoo has once revealed that she has dry skin, so she tends to choose nourishing and moisturizing products like the Shiro Jyun Arbutin Whitening Lotion. Beloved Korean superstar Jun Ji Hyun who’s most known for her films like My Sassy Girl and her series My Love from the Star was once the face of the OG Goku Jyun Hydrating Lotion which she said gave her bouncy, deeply hydrated skin.

Jeon Somi, a Korean solo singer and a former member of the project girl group I.O.I who loves super moisturizing products, has been recently tapped to endorse the same Goku Jyun Hydrating Lotion. And here’s the best part, you can add these Asian superstars-approved Hada Labo products to your skincare stash as the brand offers both the Hydrating Goku Jyun and the Premium Whitening Shiro Jyun line in the Philippines.

The Goku Jyun Hydrating Lotion, Japan’s #1 face lotion, is infused with 4 types of Hyaluronic Acid to harness their water-binding power and fully hydrate skin from the surface to inner skin layers, locking moisture in. It is also formulated with Japan's High Performance Penetrating and Deep Moisturizing Technology to get that significantly soft, smooth, and supple skin and to prepare it for enhanced absorption of other skincare products.

Shiro Jyun Premium Whitening Lotion contains Tranexamic Acid that effectively helps fight dark spots, rebalance skin tone, and restore skin radiance. It also contains Vitamin C and E to soothe and relieve discomfort after sun exposure. The lotion also got Hyaluronic Acid that prevents moisture loss and Nano Hyaluronic Acid that provides moisture deep down into the inner skin layers.

Aside from the face lotions, both lines also have their own face wash and cream selections to complete a simple yet effective 3-step routine. Cop your favorite drama or K-pop star’s skincare routine. Check out Hada Labo at selected Watsons branches nationwide, or shop online at watsons.com.ph and at the official Mentholatum store on Lazada and Shopee. For more beauty and skincare tips, visit hadalabo.com.ph and follow @HadaLaboPH on Facebook and Instagram.

For dandruff-free dates

 

There may be quite a number of things that people get wrong about dandruff, but what we all should keep in mind is that it can indicate the state of your scalp and impact your hair health. 

The best way to manage dandruff is to use a shampoo that aims to keep the scalp healthy, just like Selsun Blue. It's formulated with Selenium Sulfide 1%, an anti-infective and anti-fungal agent, which prevents fungus and bacteria from growing on the skin and also slows down the rate of skin cell death and turnover. Selsun Blue offers discounts on your second bottle from Watsons from February 21 to 27. Use twice a week so you can keep the flakes at bay.

Trendy gifts for men 

The brand aims to come up with the simplest yet trendiest gifts men can use to take good care of their hair, skin, face, and body.
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There is only one way to find the perfect gift for him, as it skews to more simple yet genuinely purposeful items that men can use in their everyday life. That is why American Crew aims to come up with the simplest yet trendiest gifts men can use to take good care of their hair, skin, face, and body.

The brand's shampoo, conditioner and body wash: 3-in-1 Tea Tree cleanses and conditions hair and skin, leaving it feeling soft and with a refreshing scent. The brand also offers a daily shampoo for thinning hair that cleanses, removes build-up and refreshes the scalp. It offers strength and volume to hair when used together with Acumen Scalp Revitalizer.

WIN provides men with what they need to feel confident & in control. Like the men who wear it, WIN is bold, complex, and unforgettable. The fragrance for men who play to win.

Keep your gray looking it's finest with CI 60730 (Ext. Violet 2) found in Gray Shampoo, which works to minimize yellow tones that gray hair can get due to minerals in the water, impurities in the air and product buildup. Likewise, the brand has a hydrating eye gel that immediately minimizes the appearance of puffiness and reenergizes the
eye area.

Developed and tested to be liked by 9 out of 10 women, the brand's Nine Fragrance is designed for a man full of passion and energy, a man who exudes a quiet sensuality and is completely irresistible. Consists of a slight apple aroma for balance, coriander and cloves for spice and musk and amber for woody scent.

There is also a water-based pomade for medium hold and medium shine. It aims to provide texture and allows you to re-style.

Born from the American spirit, fresh as the open road. Americana, the new fragrance by American Crew gets you to your final destination. With its clean notes, fresh yet luxurious scent, Americana is perfect to wear anywhere and easily fits into the journey that‚ your life. Infused with hydrating antioxidants, this daily face moisturizing gel revives and renews even the most well-worn skin; expertly formulated to restore skin's elasticity with the help of ginger root extract. To shop for the brand's products, visit https://linktr.ee/AmericanCrewPH.

Salon-gorgeous hair with just a few sprays

The new TRESemmé Root Touch-Up Spray is a quick and easy salon-at-home fix to conceal gray roots and prolong the time between salon visits.
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Given the harsh weather conditions in the country, you, like many Filipinas, spend a lot of time and money to give your hair the best possible care. Pinays invest in various hair products and are fond of taking regular trips to the salon to look their best. 

Amid a busy schedule, it can be challenging to schedule touch-ups and treatments at the salon. That is why TRESemmé is launching new products so you can look fresh and polished wherever you go. The new TRESemmé Root Touch-Up Spray is a quick and easy salon-at-home fix to conceal gray roots and prolong the time between salon visits. This product acts as a temporary hair color to cover gray roots in seconds, making your hair look refreshed. Lightweight and smudge-proof, it takes only one minute for you to apply the Root Touch-Up Spray to your tresses. It comes in three variants: black, dark brown, and light brown.

The Root Touch-Up Spray is small enough to fit in your handbag and is deceptively easy to apply. All you need to do is shake the product well, spray at your desired area and massage the product onto your roots. With the spray, you can take on the day with confidence knowing you have salon gorgeous hair.  Meanwhile, the new Keratin Smooth Shine Serum helps you transform hair and create the glossy look of a professional blow-dry style. Packed with a non-greasy formula for you to achieve silky, smooth, and shiny hair, the Keratin Smooth Shine Serum contains keratin and marula oil. Marula oil smooths hair and adds gloss to give it freedom of movement. 

By using this tiny but powerful hair product, you get to enjoy five excellent benefits: it fights frizz, detangles knots, boosts shine, adds softness, and tames flyaways. To apply the Keratin Smooth Shine Serum, you just have to apply two to three pumps on dry or damp hair. You can do this before or after styling to enhance your hair’s natural shine and smoothness. 

The Root Touch-Up Spray has a suggested retail price of P425 and is available at Shopee, Lazada, and Watsons stores nationwide. The Keratin Smooth Shine Serum is exclusively available at Shopee and Lazada. It has a suggested retail price of P455.

Good news—this February, you can purchase these new TRESemmé products at 30% off. Take advantage of the introductory discount on Lazada from February 15 to 19 and on Shopee from February 21-25 (all products), and on Watsons stores from February 14 to 20 (dark brown and black Root Touch-Up Spray variants only).

New takes on flower bouquets

Tired of the usual flower bouquets? Why not try them in terrarium (left) and Very Peri (right)? 
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For over 29 years, Designer Blooms has given fresh looks to occasions with its wide range of unique and modern flower creations. From its humble beginnings of offering just artificial and preserved blooms, DB brings back that legacy. Introducing the 2022 Valentine’s Collection with new preserved bouquets and elegant terrariums to complete this year’s day of love. 

These preserved blooms put a contemporary twist on your traditional fresh bouquets. Proven to stand the test of time, these arrangements do not easily wilt nor lose their scent quickly. Perfect to make Valentine’s memories that last. Available in three one-of-a-kind variations- Wild Bunch Bouquets, The Forever Love Heart and Preserved Flower Terrariums, these blooms are available for the entirety of February, the love month.

Last but definitely not the least, DB has a limited offer in collaboration with JoMalone. DB and Jo Malone London are offering special flower boxes to go with their Jo Malone London perfume of choice. Customers can pre-order from select Jo Malone London stores (SM Aura Mall, Powerplant Mall and Greenbelt 5 Mall) or online at www.DesignerBlooms.com from now until February 12. 

Talc-free care for your baby

Homegrown natural baby brand Tiny Buds offers an alternative to talcum, a mineral that is commonly found together with asbestos, which causes health risks when exposed to humans.
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Summer is in just a few weeks and as the temperatures rise, parents will be looking for ways to keep the little ones cool. Many parents may turn to an old favorite from their own childhood-- Baby Powder. However in recent years, numerous health concerns have risen that placed baby powder in a bad light. But before you forward that next article or chain message about “bawal ang pulbo”, a homegrown baby brand wants you to know that not all baby powders are the same.

Traditional Baby Powder is made from Talcum, a mineral that is commonly found together with asbestos, which causes health risks when exposed to humans. Because they are often found together, it is easy for talcum to be contaminated with asbestos when mined. When someone says not to use baby powder, they may not be fully aware that it’s based on studies and reports of talcum baby powder.

Homegrown natural baby brand Tiny Buds offers an alternative to talcum, and it’s a surprising ingredient we all know and love. Meet the Tiny Buds Rice Baby Powder.  The Tiny Buds Rice Baby Powder is a must-have item for first-time parents! It’s a beloved part of the Tiny Buds collection that has garnered numerous awards through the years. It’s proudly 100% Talcum Free, made from high-quality rice grains and advanced technology to create a baby powder that is both safe and effective. The Rice Baby Powder effectively repels sweat, allowing it to evaporate quickly keeping skin fresh all day long.

Keeping your little one’s skin fresh and healthy is important for all parents, that’s why Tiny Buds also offers an entire range of skin care made with Rice. The Rice Baby Bath and Rice Baby Lotion complete the lineup. Rice is one of the most underrated skin ingredients. It is found to be rich in amino acids and contains antioxidants that help repair and maintain skin’s natural barrier. 

You can get all these natural baby essentials from Tiny Buds for an additional discount when you join the Shopee Mom's Club. It’s a community created to provide the best deals, so parents and soon-to-be parents can give the best to their children. 

RELATED: Valentine's 2022: Dating trends according to research

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