Gaurav Rayamajhi l Medical writer l Medical/Pharma Copywriter l Emcee l Presenter

Retinol is the hero component in today's anti-aging skincare regimen. Retinol belongs to the class of retinoids which are vitamin-A derivatives. Weaker retinoids (retinol) are available over the counter that helps in delaying your signs of aging, preferentially the appearance of wrinkles whereas potent retinoids (tretinoin, isotretinoin) are generally physician prescribed in the treatment of several skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, skin pigmentations and certain types of cancer. So, have you been incorporating topical retinol into your routine? If yes, many of you must have been experiencing side effects, more prominently if you have dry or sensitive skin;   like skin redness, dryness, scaling, sensitivity after exposure to the sun, and even skin swelling, stinging, and blistering. So you might think, what do people showing such sensitivity to retinol do, not apply retinol and let your skin wrinkle faster? And the answer is No. After rigorous research, a substitute

Anti-cold ointment, often known as Vicks, is an easy go-to for many of us once we catch a cold. Since there is no definite treatment for the common cold, Vicks has been an immense supporter to so many of us. However, the definite efficacy is still questionable, rather the opposite effects have come into the discussion. These effects might not be significantly harmful to adults but it is said to be used with caution among children. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends strictly avoiding the use of such OTC products in infants below two years of age. Several studies have shown that these topical preparations act as an irritant to the nasal airway surface inducing acute inflammatory stimulation resulting increase in mucin secretion. Thus obstructing small airways increases nasal resistance which can put children below two years of age at risk. That is why infants should be strictly avoided from the use of such topical decongestants. However, experts do not recommend using th

Minimalism has been a new trend recently, be it with living, celebrations, or even skincare and makeup. This article will focus more on skincare as I consider the subject an integral part of health and wellness. Specifically, we will discuss about sunscreen or sunblock or SPF (Sun Protection Factor). With numerous of its types (physical, chemical, or combination), brands (national and international), and formulations (cream, gel, lotion) an important aspect that is often understated is the quantity of sunscreen to be applied and the frequency of the application. The quantity of sunscreen should be enough to screen the exposure area properly to protect the skin from detrimental UV radiations present in the sunlight. Studies show that an amount of at least 2 mg/ cm 2 .However, most of us only apply a quarter of the amount, insufficient to give optimum protection. So how much quantity does that make? Full streaks of sunscreen on your index finger and mid

This is a common issue every one of us has experienced plenty of times in our lifetime, be it with a short course dosing regimen or regular dosage of medicines. We have forgotten to take our pills not a few times but many. So relatable, right? Missing a dose can have a huge impact on your health as the cycle of the mechanism of functioning of medicine is disturbed. You might not recover from an infection, your pain might get exacerbated, your blood pressure might shoot up or you might throw up any minute depending on which undergoing medicine you miss. Sometimes, the case is just the other way around. You simply forget whether you have taken medicines or not. In such case, you might overdose yourself repeating the medicine. If so, you are likely to experience side effects on a greater intensity, in some cases; the condition can be fatal too. So as medicine takers, we shall be supremely responsible for ourselves so that we do not miss our dose at any cost. Still, being caught up with

 I have been an inconsistent person whole my life, be it with my studies or anything that I wanted to pursue. If I have to name only a thing  I have been persistent with is my willingness to improve my communication skills, be it verbal or writing. I remember as a high school kid writing love letters on behalf of my friends to the ones they had crush on. I can't actually turn my head around and count how many of them had their love reciprocated, but all I can remember is, my friends thanking me for impeccably  translating their emotions into words. During that process, I unconsciously developed a deep passion for writing. As a growing kid, now unknown of the fact what actually influenced me, I always wanted to become a medico, a cosmetic surgeon to be precise. Maybe, fate had a different plans for me, that I bumped into a Pharmacy school, being unable to make a merit to go to a medical school. I was of course, not happy but, as everyone says, life had to go on. As the years progres