HOW CAN TOILET INFECTION BE CURED – 5 STEPS FOR NIGERIAN LADIES

Many women have this myth of "toilet infection". Get some facts and reliable information to take good care of yourself and your health.

This article HAS to be begun by dismantling several widely spread in Nigeria myths. One of them is present in the very name of “toilet infection”. Certainly, this is not a medical term to be used. A better one would be “vaginal infections” or even STI (sexually transmitted infections).

Surely the toilet seat (especially the one in public toilets) is a pretty dirty item. It contains many bacteria and you have no way of knowing what women have used it prior to you. So, it’s not a good idea to sit on those seats without wiping them out or cleaning. Or, which is even better, using the roller toilet seat covers.

Here is what you need to know: getting infected with a “toilet disease” by just sitting on a public toilet seat is unlikely. It is not probable! There are certain small chances of “catching” an infection there, but they are virtually non-existent. So, before we move to answering the question: how can toilet infection be cured, let’s get more information.

Why vaginal infections cannot be gotten from the lavatory seat:

Only under 3 percent of all STIs or vaginal diseases are transmitted through domestic items;
In most cases there is no straight contact between the toilet seat and mucosa;
Most bacteria cannot survive outside the human body;
They need direct mucosa to mucosa contact to get transmitted.
These are just few reasons to mention why there is no such thing as a toilet disease. However, there is one thing to point out. There are more odds of you catching “toilet disease” from your hands touching the seat, then by sitting up on it.

If you touch the seat, do not clean your hands and rub your eyes or touch the food you eat, you can get infected. Some diseases, such as milk thrush or herpes can develop in the mouth or on the eyes mucosa as well. Still, there are equal chances of “catching” them, touching someone’s smartphone or a door handle. The same would happen if you handle your private body parts with dirty hands!

READ ALSO: What is urinary tract infection – 5 tips for Nigerians.

Why “toilet infection” is a myth?

So, why is this term used at all and how come many women believe they got those candida or genital herpes and other infections from the toilet seats? In many cases it is a lie that suits us all. Being diagnosed with STI is not a nice thing to occur. Women can be ashamed of the fact. They need a way of escape and “toilet infection” myth provides just that.

Certainly, vaginal infections and STIs can be transmitted in other ways, but sexual. However, few women are aware of the facts and the ways. So, they find a great excuse in blaming the toilet seat for getting them infected.

Some ladies do not like to consider the fact their men might be the ones to blame for their health problems. Cheating is a hard thing to cope with and no mistake. Let’s summarize the reasons:

Socially accepted lie
Low level of information on STI and vaginal infections
Unwillingness to suspect infidelity
What is hiding under the “toilet infections” term?

It could be a diversity of things. Here are few to mention:

urinary tract infection
STI
fungal infection
HIV/AIDS
How can toilet infection be cured? – 5 steps

Symptoms

It might all start with the symptoms. Some of them may include vaginal discharge, foul smell, itching of private parts, redness, sense of discomfort in the lower part of the tammy, pain, etc. If you get one or several of these signs, the best thing to do is to set an appointment with a gynecologist.

It is highly advised for women to pay a visit to their physician at least once in 6 months. Do not try to deal away with the symptoms by taking pain killers or doing douching.

What you can do is to end douching if you are doing it regularly. Few women know how harmful it can be. Stop using soap for the washing of the private body parts. Stop using any chemicals, wet napkins, odorants, etc. for the private hygiene.

Diagnosis

Any treatment should be preceded by diagnosis. A doctor should run a range of tests on you. It all starts with the regular medical examination. They may do blood tests or do the endocervical scraping. They examine the tissues and see, if there are any bacteria, viruses or fungi in there. They may also do vaginoscopy, which means they may use special camera to provide visual examination of vagina. Another way to do it is by ultrasound. Any treatment for toilet infection can be started only after getting the tests’ results. Unfortunately not all the women in Nigeria can access the most modern examination methods. Still, you should at least try to visit a good clinician and get consultation.

Medical treatment

Vaginitis can be caused by many by the increase of bad germs or rapid increase of the number of some kinds of innate to vagina bacteria. Basically it is a disbalance of bacterial life in vagina. Some women believe that a clean vagina is the one with no bacteria in it. That is not true. The difficulties start, when bad bacteria outnumber the good ones or the allowable level of them. It can be caused by the slow work of immune system, by getting bacteria from another person (most commonly through sexual contact, medical procedures), or by certain things you do. Regular use of soap or douching can wash out or kill the entire good germ population and lead to the increase of bad ones.

In this case you should eliminate those reasons get adequate treatment. Bacteria are killed by antibiotics. At this, if you got infected from your regular sexual partner both of you need to get treatment. The antibiotic is chosen based on bacteria sensitivity test results. Another reason of bacterial vaginitis is uncontrolled or lengthy use of antibiotics, which kill all the good bacteria.

Fungal infection (Candida) These are treated with oral drugs or with vaginal suppositories or creams. Again, both sexual partners have to be treated, otherwise they would keep on infecting each other.

Viral vaginitis One of the widely spread viruses is papilloma (HPV). There are the drug treatments for it and in some cases surgery is required.

Bacterial vaginitis
Caused by bacteria (small ogranisms) that enter your organs and lead to infection, inflammation and a range of problems. Always should be treated with antibiotics.

Medical procedures

Such consequences of vaginitis as cervical erosion can be treated by cautery with lase, electrocoagulation or cryocauterization. These treatments have to be prescribed and carried out by professional doctors. Otherwise, they may have severe side effects.

Checkup

Now you know how can toilet infection be treated, but after each treatment more tests need to be done. This way you can find out if the treatment was efficient. So, pay another visit to your doctor and get checked up. So, how can various toilet infections be cured?
First of all we know there is no such a thing as “toilet infection” and the proper name would be “vaginal infections” or in some cases STI. They cannot be cured by home remedies and medical treatment is needed.

Treatment of Toilet Infections and Home Remedies

Getting the right diagnosis is the key to proper treatment of toilet infection.

You must be able to tell the symptoms and describe the color, texture, smell, and quantity of discharge you might be having.

Bacterial Vaginosis
This is treated majorly by antibiotic. Antibiotics usually work well and have few side effects. But taking them can lead to a vaginal yeast infection. Metronidazole (flagyl) is an effective drug for toilet infection.

Home remedies to encourage healing of bacterial vaginosis include

Garlic: Peel off the skin and insert this into the vagina allowing it to remain overnight. This may be done once every day until the infection goes away.

Apple cider vinegar: This is another effective natural remedy for vaginal infections. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with two cups of water and add a fresh clove of garlic. Allow the solution to stand for some time so that the nutrient in the garlic can be absorbed and then use it for douching.

Vaginal Yeast Infection
For mild cases, vaginal creams can be very effective. For severe and recurrent cases of yeast infection, vaginal clotrimazole and oral fluconazole may be administered.

Avoid douching when you have vaginal yeast infection as douching may promote the yeast infection and spread it to the cervix and into the uterus.

Home remedies for yeast infection are

Yogurt: A common home remedy for yeast infections is to immerse a tampon in yogurt and insert it into the vagina. This may be done twice on daily basis until the symptoms subside.

Garlic: Inserting garlic over night is also an effective home remedy

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is also known for its ability to alleviate the symptoms of itching and irritation caused by a yeast infection. Pour a few drops of the oil on a tampon and place it inside the vagina

Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is treated with metronidazole (flagyl). It usually is given in a single dose

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Echinacea and Garlic are effective home remedies for trichomoniasis.

Prevention of Toilet Disease
Here are some preventive tips for toilet infections and disease

Always keep yourself clean and dry
Avoid using vaginal sprays or heavily perfumed soaps on the vagina.
Be careful not to allow the transfer of germs from the anal area while wiping
Avoid wearing clothes that withhold heat and moisture such as nylon underwear, tight jeans and pant hose without cotton.
Using condoms may help prevent transmitting infections
Eating yogurt with active cultures may help reduce yeast vaginal infections
Don’t use deodorant tampons or pads
Remaining in a sweaty or dirty cloth can worsen infection
Endeavour to get a complete gynecologic exam on yearly basis.

Finding Low-cost Dental Care

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of the federal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the nation in conducting and supporting research to improve oral health. As a research organization, NIDCR does not provide financial assistance for dental treatment. The resources listed below, however, may help you find the dental care you need. You also can contact the NIDCR's National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse at 1-866-232-4528 or nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov if you have questions or need additional information.
Note: Some of the resources offer an internet address but no phone number. If you do not have internet access, you may wish to call the NIDCR toll-free number (listed above), visit your local library, or ask a friend or family member for help.
Clinical Trials
NIDCR sometimes seeks volunteers with specific dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions to participate in research studies, also known as clinical trials. Researchers may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the particular condition they are studying. To learn more about clinical trials, visit the NIDCR web site and click on "Clinical Trials." To find a clinical trial, contact:
ClinicalTrials.gov—a database of government and private clinical trials in the United States and around the world.
NIH Clinical Research Studies—a database of clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; to talk with someone about studies at the Clinical Center, call: 1–800–411–1222.
Dental Schools and Dental Hygiene Schools
Dental schools can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. Most of these teaching facilities have clinics that allow dental students to gain experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost. Experienced, licensed dentists closely supervise the students. At most schools, there are also clinics where graduate students and faculty members provide care.
Dental hygiene schools may offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care as part of the training experience for dental hygiene students. To find a dental or dental hygiene school in your area, contact:
Dental Schools—American Dental Association .
Dental Hygiene Schools—American Dental Hygienists' Association .
Community Health Centers
The federal government's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), runs federally funded community health centers across the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. To find a health center in your area, visit:
HRSA.gov and type your location in the "Find a Health Center" box.
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits — and in some cases dental benefits — to eligible individuals and families. States are required to provide dental benefits for children covered by Medicaid, but states can choose whether to provide dental benefits for adults. Most states provide only limited dental services for adults, while some offer extensive services. Visit the Medicaid web site and click on "Learn How to Apply for Coverage" or contact your state Medicaid program.
CHIP is a state-run program for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. CHIP provides dental services to children up to age 19. Dental services covered under this program vary from state to state. To find children's dental care programs in your state, visit Insure Kids Now or call 1–877–KIDS–NOW (1–877–543–7669)
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for people under 65 with specific disabilities. Medicare only covers dental services related to certain medical conditions or treatments. It does not cover dentures or most routine care like checkups, cleanings, or fillings. Visit Medicare Dental Services or call 1–800–MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227). Have your Medicare number handy when you call.
Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer free or reduced-cost dental care. To find state and local resources:
Call your local or state health department to learn more about their financial assistance programs.
Call 2–1–1 to find services in your area.
United Way
The United Way may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community. To find the United Way in your area, visit:

Social Smokers Face Real Risks, Too The list of dangers linked to lighting up, even occasionally, continues to grow

Smoking, even socially, is linked to an increased risk of brain bleeding, according to a new study reported in the journal Stroke. That seems to be especially true for women, who are known to have a higher risk for brain bleeding than men.

The study involved data from 65,521 people in Finland who answered survey questions for an average of 45 years. Researchers found that men and women who smoked had nearly three times higher risk for brain bleeds—where blood seeps through the lining between the surface of the brain and the tissue underneath—than people who never smoked. The risk even applied to social smokers, and it increased steadily from light to heavy smoking. Women seemed to be especially affected. Women who smoked showed a nearly 3.5-times higher risk of such bleeding, while men had a 2.2-times greater risk. Even women smoking one to 10 cigarettes a day had a nearly three times higher risk of brain bleeding whereas men smoking a similar amount had a nearly two-times higher risk.

Why are the brains of women more vulnerable to the effects of smoking? The researchers say that smoking can lower estrogen levels, and that can lead to inflammation and other processes that cause blood vessels to degrade and eventually bleed out. Smoking causes women to enter menopause earlier, and that leads to drops in estrogen that could also explain the stronger connection between brain harm and smoking.

The good news is that the risk is avoidable and reversible. In the study, people who quit smoking gradually reduced their risk, so former smokers—those who had quit for more than six months—had low rates of brain bleeding similar to those of non-smokers.

The researchers do acknowledge, however, that, they couldn’t account for all of the other factors that might explain the connection. They couldn’t assess how much alcohol people in the study drank, and they also did not have information on whether the men and women had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and whether they took medications to control them.

Still, the findings suggest that smoking may be playing a role in contributing to brain bleeding, especially in women, and that people who smoke in any amount should be aware of the heightened danger.

OnE MORE REASON TO QUIT SMOKING: YOU'LL MAKE NEW FRIENDS, STUDY FINDS

TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Kicking the smoking habit doesn't only boost your health, it may also help you build a wider circle of friendships, a new study says.

And, over several years, quitters were more likely to start new friendships with nonsmokers, the research found.

"I wouldn't say it's a surprise, but it's a welcome finding. It's good to have it documented by a study that quitting smoking will broaden your social circles," said Dr. Norman Edelman, senior medical consultant at the American Lung Association. He was not involved with the research, but reviewed its findings.

The study also confirmed what has been seen in previous research: People trying to quit who spend less time around smokers have the highest success rates over time.

The number of smokers in the United States has been declining for decades and is now at an all-time low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But about 17 percent of the American population still smokes, the CDC says.

That number is still too high, said one of the study's authors, Megan Piper. She's an associate director of research at the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research.

Piper said that people who want to quit smoking may fear that they will lose friends who continue to smoke.

"Smokers are afraid of losing their friends" to the nonsmoking world, Piper said, adding that until now, no one has really studied what happens to relationships when people quit smoking.

What is known, she said, is that people who quit tend to break off relationships with people who continue to smoke. The reasons they do this still need to be studied further, Piper said.

The initial study group included slightly more than 1,500 people participating in a smoking cessation program. They were from Milwaukee or Madison, Wis. All smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day.

They were randomly selected to receive medication, nicotine replacement products or a placebo. All were also given counseling to help them quit.

Nearly 700 smokers completed all of the study assessments. These occurred at the start of the study and then at one, two and three years after their target quit date. The average age of the study participants was 46 years, and about 60 percent were female.

During the three-year study period, nearly three-quarters of the study volunteers reported adding at least two new friends to their social circle.

People who quit found that they become more socially acceptable to a much wider group of people—nonsmokers, Piper said.

It doesn't happen immediately, though. "There is a vacuum for a while when people quit, and they tend to fill it" with other people and organizations, she explained.

Smokers who quit have more opportunities to spend time at smoke-free places, such as restaurants, bars, clubs and stores.

"In many social circles, it is totally unacceptable to smoke," Piper said. "We think it would be helpful for smokers who want to quit to think of this."

WHERE DO TRENDS COME FROM?

The story always plays out the same. You look at the runway pictures and think, yeah, maybe. Those slim-fit jeans have been feeling a bit restrictive recently. And didn’t your boss turn up at work in spray-on jeans the other week? You spot what appeared at fashion week on some street style don. Then an Instagram influencer. A glossy editorial.

When it hits shelves nine months on you’ve already decided yes, this one’s for you. You buy, try, and feel awkward when friends comment on its debut. Then in creeps comfort – body and brain acclimatise to a new shape. What was a statement becomes default. Facebook proffers a skinny-jeaned time capsule and you shudder. This shape, this is the one that actually flatters a man’s body.

Time ticks on and your wardrobe expands until, one day, you try something new. Saw it in an ad, thought why not? It feels… OK. OK becomes everyday. Eventually, wide legs get muscled out. Facebook. Shudder. This is the shape. Repeat.

“A fashion trend lasts two to five years,” says Henrik Vejlgaard, a trend forecaster whose book, Anatomy Of A Trend, analyses how these cycles bubble from idea to ubiquity, then eventually burst. However immune you think you are, however static your style, at some point trends will infiltrate your world.

Runway trends have a habit of infiltrating your wardrobe, no matter how timeless your style
DOLCE & GABBANA SS16
They move from insiders down the fashion food chain, percolating through society until what was once cutting edge becomes the norm. Each group endorses the trend for the group behind, but taints it for the ones before. You see Zayn’s souvenir jacket, you want it. Your dad takes a shine to yours, you take it to Oxfam.

But there’s a distinction, Vejlgaard says, between a trend and a fad. Fads burn bright, then fade away, a six-month burst of colour, or a pattern that appears for a season then goes back in the drawer. Womenswear tends towards the former, says Graeme Moran, head of fashion and features at industry bible Drapers: “One season will be all black and white, the next everything’s colour. But menswear changes slowly. It’s more gradual.”

Which is why, when these shifts do occur, they can seem titanic. For a decade, we’ve dressed slim, as Hedi Slimane’s skinny-obsessed Dior tenure met Don Draper’s suits and a generation of men suddenly discovered how clothes could really, really fit. But as the trend filtered down, what seemed transgressive on runways became the norm.

For better or worse, Don Draper influenced how a generation of men dressed for work
Apprentice candidates, fashion’s canaries, popped up in narrow lapels and cropped trousers. Dads no longer saw their sons’ skinny jeans as effeminate, but as a viable option. In reaction, silhouettes expanded. Tailoring lost its padding. After a decade, trussed up menswear seemed to – aaaah – relax.

The pattern is so predictable; it can seem like the customer isn’t even involved. When runway season sees variations on such narrow themes – a ubiquitous fabric, an omnipresent cut – you end up wondering if they’re all in some collusive WhatsApp group. “Hey Raf, let’s do big trousers this year, yeah? lol Demna.”

The reality is less sinister, if no less opaque. Your wardrobe is predicted two years ahead of time. But it’s done by Powerpoint, not text. And though forecasters don’t dictate what you’ll wear, they do at least steer with a heavy hand. Because fashion is business – a leviathan, $3bn global business – and money loves certainty.

The further down the runway brands can see, the less chance they’ll show skintight tailoring when customers want something that billows. Which lessens the chance an entire season ends up on markdown.

Relaxed cut menswear has been years in the making and is a direct response to our propensity for skinny and slim fits
One of the most important hands on fashion’s tiller belongs to Volker Kettennis, a former designer, now menswear director at WGSN. Since its founding in 1997, the comp

THE 6 BIGGEST FACIAL HAIR MISTAKES

Beards are no longer just for guys who work outdoors. But too many men treat theirs like an afterthought; an accident that emerged from your face because you couldn’t find your razor.

Much like your scalp and hairstyle, facial hair needs proper care and maintenance. Armed with the right tools, and the knowledge to use them, any man can boast a beard that’s more Jack Guinness than mountain man.

Mistake: You Let It Grow Too Long
We understand you want the full lumberjack look. But you’ve got to play the hand your parents dealt. Let a coarse and unruly beard grow out and it’s just as likely to grow into your skin. And rugged handsomeness soon becomes irritation and blood spotting. Raw face aside, it’s also a tough beast to tame.

If you find that’s the case, try keeping things short and neat instead. Light stubble is more manageable but you can still trim it to accentuate your angles. Wahl’s heavy-duty clippers make short work of the gnarliest face wire. Pair with a daily exfoliator to keep the bristles soft.

MISTAKE: YOU DON’T USE BEARD OIL
Your beard needs as much TLC as the hair on your head. Neglect it and it won’t just look dry and straggly; the tips will crack and your skin beneath the beard will dry out, flake and cause – shudder – beard dandruff.

A beard lube infused with argan oil will help to seal the split ends. It also encourages the hairs to retain their natural sebum – the oil they extract from the skin follicle. Which means lush, finger-pleasing growth. Not chin-mounted tumbleweed.

Ruffians Argan Beard Oil, available at Ruffians, priced £35.

MISTAKE: YOU USE BEARD OIL TOO EARLY
Until you’ve got a couple of centimetres’ growth poking through, just exfoliate and moisturise. Smear beard oil on when it’s barely beyond stubble and it’s like washing in chip fat. Expect shiny skin and (delicious smelling) whiteheads.

If your skin does feel dry – or your stubble seems scratchy – add a midday dose of moisturiser and make sure to focus everywhere there’s hair, especially the sensitive skin on your neck, which trimmers can easily irritate.

Clinique For Men Moisturizing Lotion, available at Clinique, priced £25.

You Don’t Know When To Stop Shaving
A well-shaped beard is a godsend for those who don’t have Captain America’s jawline. But you’re not trying to pencil in an outline.

Shave too low down on your cheek and you end up on a spectrum between Wolverine and the Lewis Hamilton chin strap. Instead, shave a straight line on your cheek as high as your beard growth allows. The more coverage on your face, the better the definition.

Always shave upwards from your cheekbone – if you slip you won’t slice a chunk out of your beard’s most visible hairs. Ditto when you’re shaping the hair on your neck, which should echo your natural jawline – think of a path from where jaw meets neck, under your ear, to your Adam’s apple.

Shift any stragglers below but don’t trim too high. A beard that sits on your actual jawline makes you look like a garage MC.

MISTAKE: YOU MISTREAT YOUR TOOLS
Whenever you shave, your skin becomes a breeding ground for germs: warm skin that’s just been stripped by a razor is a haven for bacteria.

Unlike at your barber, the tools on your sink probably haven’t been sterilised since the last time you groomed – so they could pick up all manner of nastiness from your bathroom cabinet. Spritz with Wahl’s Clipper Spray and shift trapped hair with a toothbrush to banish any nasties.

Wahl Hygienic Clipper Spray, available at Amazon, priced £8.50.

MISTAKE: YOU TREAT YOUR BEARD LIKE A PET
It may be furry. It may be fun to stroke. But your beard is not a puppy. Let your Instagram reflect that fact.

Narcissism may have inspired you to grow it, but the beard’s recent resurgence has been driven by the confidence it bestows. Don’t undermine that by being needier than a My Super Sweet 16 princess. Wear your beard with confidence, not arrogance. After all, that hair is a privilege. Not a right.

HOW TO FIX A PATCHY BEARD

The beard has lost its spot at fashion’s top table, but bare-cheeked men still look on the hirsute with awe. Bushiness had its moment quivering down runways, but even if bristles aren’t trending, there’s still something about growing hair from your face in such volumes it can be styled and shaped, that greens the eyes of those who can’t.

Because while some chaps seem (Brian) Blessed with cheeks that erupt like Vesuvius, who must shave morning and night or start to look like a Victorian cricket captain, for others, facial hair hits puberty then halts, leaving beards as patchy as a Christmas tree in June.

But fret not, smooth-cheeked men. Before googling beard transplants (they exist and the pictures aren’t pretty) know that with some shaving savvy you can turn a barren beard lush.

GROW LONG
If you’ve always balked the minute your face winds up like Keanu, then step away from the razor.

Yes, there’s going to be an awkward month or so where you beard looks like someone’s ripped off duct tape. But once you graduate from teen fluff and hit fisherman-level length, the fulsome zones should cover any holes. If they don’t, it’s time to work smarter.

KEEP THINGS TRIM
“Some patches you can get away with,” says Adam Brady, beard tsar at Ruffians barbers. You can shave to the level of gaps high on your cheek, or low on your throat, to create face-flattering angles.

“But if they fall into the middle of your cheek, a low-grade clipper helps lessen the contrast.” The length you’re shooting for is tomorrow’s five o’clock shadow; set your clippers to grade two and let loose all over your face and neck. It’s short enough for holes not to seem so barren, long enough that you don’t look like you’re late for double maths.

GET SOME EDGE
If true lushness is an unattainable dream, dial up the contrast. Your sideburns and neckline grow like the Eden Project, but let them run wild and you only make any bare patches seem barer.

Better is to chop them back and add sharp edges. That means clippers through the fur, then a razor beneath your Adam’s apple and (as high as your patchy fuzz affords) on your cheeks. “It can create the impression of a more angular bone structure,” says Brady.

DON’T GET MAD, GET EVEN
Beard still won’t play ball? A delicate trimmer hand can create order from uneven growth.

“You can do a sort of contouring, where you figure out which bit of your hair grows thicker, compared to the bits that are patchier,” says Brady. Trim the long bits back to match the short and, when it grows out, everything should be even.

It’s a tricky self-operation, so you might want to tap up a steady handed barber. But once everything comes up uniform, it’s easier to manage at home.

SHADE INSIDE THE LINES
To counter any otherwise unfixable patches, barber Joe Parker advises colouring in. “Get an eyebrow pencil to shade in any small gaps,” he says. “Obviously, you don’t want to look like a mime, so make sure you get one that matches your beard colour.”

The colour also darkens any pubescent fluff, turning downy hair into bushy bristles.

The AFTERBURN CIRCUIT THAT BURNS FAT IN YOUR SLEEP

The best way to lose fat? Torch calories lying down. No, that doesn’t mean the bench press. Rather, by stoking your fat furnace to shed blubber even when you’re not in the gym.

Confused? Consider your car. An idling engine burns fuel even when it’s still. Ditto for your body. You might be asleep, but your cells aren’t; they need energy to rebuild, to digest food = all those little processes that ensure you’ll actually wake up tomorrow.

This energy – the calories you need to not die – goes by the snappy moniker of basal metabolic rate (BMR). And the average man needs around 1,600 a day – about three times what you’d torch in a spin class.

To reverse back to our motoring metaphor, any time you’re not lying in bed, your foot’s on the accelerator. Walk the dog? That’s 20 minutes at 2,000 revs. Run to work? You rev harder for longer – and need to visit the pumps sooner. Then when you stop moving, your body goes back to ticking over. The smart man puts a brick on the pedal.

Train right and your body goes into ‘oxygen debt’: your muscles work harder than your lungs can supply, so they turn to new fuels for energy, says Dylan Jones, celebrity personal trainer and the founder of P4 Body. The burn you feel is lactic acid, the byproduct of working beyond your body’s comfort zone. For the next two days, it needs more oxygen – and burns more calories – to recover, a process called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (or EPOC).

The result is a revved up metabolism that lasts for up to 48 hours. Translation? “You burn more calories even when you’re in bed,” says Jones. But this fat-frying win doesn’t come easy. “You can’t just do 45 minutes on the cross trainer. You have to work as hard as you possibly can.” As in, can’t-get-enough-oxygen-into-your-heaving-lungs hard. But the ends justify the cruel and unusual means. You’ll bid adieu to a few hundred extra calories a day, doing absolutely nothing.

THE 20-MINUTE AFTERBURN CIRCUIT
Bicep curls won’t produce afterburn. “The more muscles you use, the more oxygen you require,” says Jones. With total-body moves, demand outstrips supply. But effort is all. If you can chat, work harder, bro. You should be sucking down air like you’ve just surfaced from a freedive.

Perform 40 seconds of each move at maximum intensity, take 20 seconds rest, then move onto the next exercise. Complete the entire circuit four times. If it’s too hard, shift to 30 seconds of work, 30 seconds of rest. If it’s too easy, then 50 on, 10 off.

ICE SKATERS
Stand with your feet together. Squat down, then jump explosively off your right leg and land on your left. Repeat each side for the full time.

“Most people focus on forward-backward movements, but this works your body in a lateral plane,” says Jones. Focus on bending your legs and driving up explosively, to fire up your big leg muscles – and get that all-important oxygen debt.

DIVER BOMBER PRESS-UP
Start in a downward dog position – bent at the waist with your feet and palms on the floor. Your back should be straight, your glutes in the air. From here, tip your weight forward so your chest swoops towards the floor. Focus on keeping your legs and back as straight as possible. Hold at the bottom, then press your torso up but keep your hips near the ground.

“This hits more muscles than an ordinary press-up,” says Jones. “Your chest and arms but also your back, your legs, your core.”

ALI SHUFFLE
Tap The Greatest for this heart rate-spiking shadow box. Stand with your feet together, arms in a boxer’s guard. Throw a punch with your right hand, simultaneously jumping into a lunge with your left foot back.

Throw punches – and swap legs – for the full time. Your shoulders should sting like a swarm of bees.

BAG THROWS
Stand with a sandbag on the ground between your legs. Squat down, grab it, then drive up through heels and hips to launch it over your head. Run to where it lands and repeat.

“This works all the muscles in your posterior chain,” says Jones. That burn in

How To Wear Green This Season (Without Looking Like A Soldier)

Pick any piece of menswear and there’s a solid chance it’s done a tour in the armed forces. The T-shirt? Issued to sailors as underwear in the late 19th century. Bomber jackets? As the name suggests, designed to keep pilots warm in high altitude cockpits. The trench coat? Now you’re not even trying.

So it’s understandable that military notes pop up every season, be it a slightly missing the point acid camo, à la every Valentino collection, or the field jacket, which emerged as this season’s multi-pocketed, hyper-practical outerwear essential.

(Related: How to wear the field jacket)

So no surprise that the military’s preferred colour palette is equally perennial. It helps that khaki is basically neutral, which means you can pair it with anything. “Khaki looks especially good with black, so dress it down with black denim,” says James Lawrence, head of menswear design at ASOS. White and brown make equally happy bunkmates, if you feel like toeing the parade ground line.

Green’s in-the-ranks heritage also means it’s well-suited to utility wear, hence the proliferation of pockets, zips and campsite fabrics on this season’s greenest pieces. But the colour offers as many applications as shades and, for SS16, designers took those military notes and went AWOL.

Yes, there were the expected M65 jackets, albeit jazzed up with patches and cuts more suited to guys protesting the war than fighting it. “But green was seen on the runway at designers as diverse as Lemaire, Valentino and Yohji Yamamoto,” says Damien Paul, head of menswear at MATCHESFASHION.COM. It appeared on everything from suiting to souvenir jackets to, in Craig Green’s case, patch-pocketed karate coats. And such variety means there’s a plethora of ways to make green less uniform.

Slim Is In
Menswear may be moving in roomier directions, but leave baggy greens in the barracks. “While there is still a strong army fatigue trend, it was also seen as part of slimmer silhouette,” says Paul.

Burberry Prorsum took the shade in a typically suave direction, with figure-hugging suits just green enough to stand apart from your colleagues. Channel the aesthetic with a perfectly tailored two-piece in a warm-weather material like linen or cotton, grounding the look with a sky blue shirt and brown suede shoes.

SUITSUPPLY

Key Pieces

Turn Over A New Leaf
If your tailoring rotation is looking kind of blue, green is the subtlest way to jazz things up. “Olive green is a great alternative to the ubiquitous navys and greys,” says Giles Farnham, head of River Island style studio.

Because the tone is lesser-spotted, and a touch less formal, you can break afford to break some other rules, too. “Try with a Cuban collar or granddad collar shirt for something that oozes relaxed seasonal style.” That’s two summer trends ticked off without breaking a sweat.

WINDSOR SS16

Key Pieces

It’s Easy Being Green
Monochrome is always the right choice. But when it’s a touch too sunny for all-black-errrthing – and that barbecue you’re heading to means all-white is off the table – green steps in.

“Khaki is easy to wear and looks great head-to-toe, if you mix different shades,” says Lawrence. When colours can’t clash, experiments in print and shape are suddenly simpler to pull off. Which means the chance to dabble in oversized cuts, or add interesting patterns into the mix.

Legs Get It On
Green is the perfect base for paler shades because the dark fabric allows whites to pop. Which makes a khaki chino your trainers’ new best friend.

“It’s also an easy way to invest in green without going overboard,” says Farnham, who recommends switching chinos in wherever you’d normally pick denim.

They smarten up well, too. “The neutral tone will match really easily with any shoe, from a white sneaker to a penny loafer.”

Emerald Aye
Muted greens are an easy wear, but there’s a reason they’re picked for camouflage. If you’re looking to stand out, dabble i

The Next Big Fashion Trend Is Made In Africa

Buy something African.

Whether you're a designer, a stockist, or a general fashion enthusiast, that's the best piece of fashion advice you'll hear this year. Africa is the next big fashion trend. Want proof?

How much do you buy from Africa?

If you said "I don't know," you're not alone. Not for lack of interest, Africa is a place that most Western consumers just don't know much about. The media is only recently starting to feature stories about its commerce, culture and economic trends.

It's 2015, and yet there are no African brands selling in most North American stores, and where the raw materials are African, that message is not well-delivered or even sought-after.

In the world of fashion, this represents a massive opportunity for fresh fashion ideas, business and growth. If you had bought into the notion that there is nothing "new" left in fashion, this is a reality check.

"Part of the magic of African brands lies in the continent itself, which is still hidden from the spotlights of the connected world."
In fact, there are three massive areas of '"newness" in fashion: technology, sustainability and Africa.

Africa is ready for trade, and its potential is massive. As of June 2015, African countries held six of the 13 spots for the world's fastest growing economies.

The problem is that many of us are just not aware of the local market.

Luckily, e-commerce platforms like Kisua make shopping for African brands easy. Founder Samuel Mensah comes from a business and banking background and has a sharp focus on well-made designs that are fit for anything from cocktail parties to boardrooms.

African businesses have a lot to offer as production partners, too.

Newcomer brands like Oliberte have capitalized on African innovations in manufacturing technology. Oliberte produces in Ethiopia with Hafde Tannery, one of the most progressive and sustainable leather tanneries in the world. Oliberte is noted as the world's only Fairtrade certified footwear factory. It's recent collaboration with trendsetter Hype Beast to design a part of its collection was notably well-received.

Africa has powerful brand stories

Part of the magic of African brands lies in the continent itself, which is still hidden from the spotlights of the connected world. Powerful brand stories are taking the world by force, and Africa has no shortage of fascinating history, culture and stories. Stories brought to life with skilled production and quality raw materials make for memorable and significant business propositions.

Part fashion brand, part social enterprise TAARIK designs and hand-looms scarves employing traditional methods and motifs, and offers a coveted viewpoint for the new-world luxury market, where movements towards humble luxury and "luxuriously sustainable" designs are afoot.

And then there's Vogue, who chose Brother Vellies as one of its 2015 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners. Founder Aurora James combines luxury with sustainability, social enterprising and African craftsmanship.

I first stepped foot on African soil earlier this year during my trip to Tanzania. Richard Dowden was spot-on to write that newcomers to Africa "often find themselves suddenly cracked open." During my three-week stay, I spent time shopping in Tanzania, purchasing from businesses that are producing deliciously unique goods with local people and methods at the heart of their corporate style and culture.

My visit cemented the reality

As an undisputed new frontier for fashion, African businesses will grow and disrupt the market with an army of talent the world has not yet met. Smart businesses are establishing long-term partnerships and investments in local trade that are built on sustainability and trust.

Buy something African. Your wardrobe and business will be all the better for it.

20 THINGS EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE IN HIS WARDROBE......

A WHITE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT
There's very little that won't go with a button down shirt. Worn with a suit for a more casual look, under a crew neck jumper at the weekend or teamed with a pair of slim chinos and a statement belt, this is the most versatile item in your wardrobe. Opt for a shirt cut from thick, soft cotton.

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A PALE BLUE SHIRT
An essential workaday item, this. Wear with a beige, grey or navy suit, a tie in a darker shade of blue and wait patiently for your promotion.

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A WHITE GRANDAD COLLARED SHIRT
A good, modern option if you don't feel like wearing a tie, a white granddad shirt looks the business teamed with a deconstructed blazer and jeans or worn smart with your suit.
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A NAVY BLUE CREW NECK JUMPER
Ok, I know I said that the white button down shirt is the most versatile item in your wardrobe, but a cotton mix crew neck in an adaptable shade of navy can be worn with pretty much everything, and will act as a layer in winter and a feature piece in summer. Faultless.

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SLIM NAVY CHINOS
A good alternative to jeans and great if you don't want to wear suit trousers, a slim pair of navy chinos is ideal for summer. Wear with a shirt, shirt and jacket, t-shirt, t-shirt and bomber, gold lame moomoo – the options are endless.

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SLIM CREAM CHINOS
These classic trousers are perfect for summer. Wear with a darker shade on top and avoid sitting on grass. Or mud.
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PETROL BLUE SUIT
If you wear a suit to work (and even if you don't) you should always own more than one. This petrol blue single-breasted option from Paul Smith is the perfect place to start.

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DENIM JACKET
The denim jacket, it's easier to wear than you think, worn under an unlined navy blazer, worn over a loopback sweatshirt or simple tee, or even worn with a pair of jeans in a different hue, the look you should go for is casual, but in control.

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BROWN SUEDE CHELSEA BOOTS
Understated, chic and as easy to wear with smarter looks as they are with jeans, a good pair of Chelsea boots is a year round essential. And, even better, no more laces!
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SIMPLE SNEAKERS
These speak for themselves. Opt for white and wear yours in a few times. The more bashed up they are, the better they'll look.

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TAN DERBIES
Brilliant with navy and just as good with grey, a pair of tan derbies works as well with denim as it will with more traditional tailoring.

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OXBLOOD PENNY LOAFERS
Perfect for summer, the key with these classic loafers is to wear them without socks. Team with some cropped, slim chinos (like the blue ones in this list) and invest in some invisible socks from Falke, to prevent unpleasant smells.
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A PAIR OF BLACK LACE-UPS
Every man needs a pair of chic black lace-ups. These, from Prada, are simple enough to be worn with a suit, while the elegant shape means that they can just as easily be worn with a tux. Wear with jeans at your peril.

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SLIM INDIGO SELVEDGE JEANS
A good pair of jeans should be slim, but not too tight, stiff but not so stiff that you can't bend your legs and they should also be blue, naturally. These 511s from Levi's tick all those boxes and then some.

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A GOOD QUALITY WHITE T-SHIRT
Because this will go with everything you own. Just be sure to invest in something cut from high quality cotton. Not only will an expensive fabric feel better against your skin, anything sub-par will suffer at the hands of your washing machine.
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A GOOD QUALITY NAVY T-SHIRT
Because it's nice to wear something other than white, and this will look chic worn under a simple blazer in a neutral shade, like this Sunspel number, for instance.
SUNSPEL

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A BEIGE TRENCH
Perfect for spring, a proper double breasted trench coat – like this one from Burberry London – will keep out the r

A LIGHT BOMBER
The bomber might be big right now, but this is one style that's unlikely to go out of fashion so invest in a simple, slim cut in a dark shade of cotton or light technical fabric.
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STATEMENT SUMMER JACKET
By statement I don't mean something floral patterned and scary, rather a summer friendly blazer which you can throw over a polo shirt when the sun goes down. Opt for a pale cotton, a hopsack wool or a silk wool mix with a check, and whether you choose single or double breasted, always opt for unlined as this will be more breathable in warm weather.

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A WOVEN SILK BURGUNDY TIE
Modern and chic, a woven silk tie will lift even the most boring suit and shirt combinations. Forgo navy in favour of a fetching shade of burgundy, loden green or gold (yes, gold).