Month: January 2023

How To Take Care of Your Skin

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

When we think “skin care” we often think of expensive products like serums, toners moisturisers. But sometimes the best way to take care of your skin starts with the basics, the things most people don’t discuss. You don’t need to break your bank balance to get healthy and beautiful skin;

Identify your skin type and the type of products to use

Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you. Here’s how to identify and understand your skin type:

  • Sensitive skin: May sting or burn after product use
  • Normal skin: Clear and not sensitive
  • Dry skin: Flaky, itchy, or rough
  • Combination skin: Dry in some areas and oily in others
  • Oily: Shiny and greasy

Now that you know and understand your skin type you can start taking the approach of using the right products for you.

Finding a suitable product to wash and moisturise your face

Find yourself a cleanser/facewash that suits your skin type. If you have dry and sensitive skin, a fragrance-free and gentle cleanser is ideal to keep skin hydrated and will not cause irritation. If you have oily skin, a mattifying cleanser would be your best match. It helps to remove the build-up of oil, dirt, and bacteria from your skin.

Another key to glowing skin is not forgetting to moisturise, and not just our delicate faces and necks. The rest of our body, especially our arms and legs, need as much attention.

Wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin

Sun damage is the primary cause of aging skin. Find a suitable SPF and include it as a key step in your skincare routine. Apply it generously to your face and body for protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Aside from skin products, improving your overall lifestyle plays a big role in caring for your skin. When you have good skin, you feel beautiful and confident. A healthy lifestyle includes exercising and eating a well-balanced diet – avoiding too much junk food like processed meals and reducing your intake of alcohol. Instead drink more water and add more fruit and vegetables into your diet like spinach, sweet potatoes, apricots, and apples to name a few.

Stress plays a big part too. Make sure you make some time for yourself to unwind and destress.

With consistency and determination, it’s possible to achieve healthy and beautiful skin.

Remember, if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).

 

 

Birth Control: The In’s and Out’s (How It works and When To Stop If You Want To Get Pregnant)

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

Birth control or “family planning” is a way to stop unwanted pregnancies from happening. There are many forms of contraceptive measures that are effective, easy to use, and readily available. Contraceptives can range from the use of medications to devices that prevent unintended pregnancy.

The main groups of contraceptives are hormonal and non-hormonal:

Hormonal contraception involves the release of hormones (progesterone and oestrogen) into a woman’s body to suppress ovulation, thicken the cervical mucus, and thin the uterine lining.

Non-hormonal contraception does not change hormones in a woman’s body to prevent pregnancy. Non-hormonal contraceptives usually physically prevent sperm from reaching the egg.

Types of hormonal contraception

The contraceptive pill

The birth-control pill is an oral contraceptive that is taken at the same time each day and alters reproductive hormones to prevent pregnancy.

The contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch is a patch that looks like a plaster, is stuck to the skin, and releases hormones to the skin to prevent pregnancy.

The contraceptive implant

The implant is a flexible plastic rod that is inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm to prevent pregnancy.

Types of non-hormonal contraception

Condoms (male and female)

Male condoms are worn by a man on his penis to provide a barrier during sexual intercourse. Female condoms are inserted into the woman’s vagina before intercourse to form a barrier during sexual intercourse. The barrier formed by both the female and male condoms prevents the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg.

Copper intrauterine device (IUD)

This form of contraception is a T-shaped device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus by a healthcare provider. The copper IUD is a non-hormonal contraceptive that releases a small amount of copper into the uterus. The copper changes the cervical mucus and makes fertilization more difficult. Once used, it can prevent unwanted pregnancy for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type.

Start of contraception

Starting birth control can be daunting if you are not sure which method to choose. It’s always advisable to see a healthcare provider to discuss which option is best for your lifestyle.

Condoms are the only contraceptives that can protect you from HIV and STIs. Remember to always use condoms until you and your partner have been tested for STDs and HIV.

Trying to get pregnant? When to stop using birth control.

Contraceptives do not affect your fertility. Most women can get pregnant within a year of stopping contraceptives. However, when you should stop using birth control depends on which birth control method you choose,

  1. Condoms: you can get pregnant as soon as you have sexual intercourse without using them.
  2. IUD or the Implant: It’s possible to get pregnant right after the doctor removes it from your body.
  3. Contraceptive patches and the pill: Ovulation should return to normal within 1-3 months after you stop using them.

Remember to always check in with your healthcare provider if you are unsure or struggling to fall pregnant.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message, an  Instagram message or a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).

 

How To Get Your Matric Results

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

How To Get Your Matric Results

So… you’ve written your final matric exams in 2022 and now you are wondering how you are going to get your results. Worry not, over the years, matric results have been made available through various platforms.

Matric results for 2022 are set to be released on the 20th of January 2023, let’s take a look at how you can get your results,

Newspapers

All major newspapers in South Africa publish matric results on the day they’re released. You can buy a newspaper from a tuckshop, a garage, newspaper stands, or wherever they sell newspapers in your area. The newspapers usually have a section with the examination numbers, results, and matric symbols when the results are published.

Your School

You can get your matric statement of results a day after the national results are published at the school where you wrote your matric examinations. The statements are usually available one day after the national publication. However, it would be advisable to check with your school if the results will be available by then.

News24

You can search for your results on the News24 website by clicking on the following link. To access your matric results on this website, you will need to enter your examination number.

Department of Basic Education website (online)

You can also access your matric results on the Department of Basic Education website by following this link. To access your matric results on this website, you will also need to enter your examination number.

SMS

You can get your matric results via SMS by following these simple steps:

  • Enter your ID Number and Exam number on a new message
  • Check that both your ID number and your exam number have 13 digits
  • Send the message to 35658 (SMS code may change)
  • After your details have been verified, you will receive an SMS notification with your results as soon as the results are available
  • Please note that the SMS does cost a few Rands.

USSD Service

To receive your results via a USSD service, dial *120*45856#. You will then be asked to enter your exam number. Once your details have been verified, your results will be sent to your mobile phone as soon as they are available.

Good luck Choma. Remember that there are options if you did not perform well or failed the year. You can always re-write the following year.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message, an  Instagram message or a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).