Many people believe that the modern-day skincare trends are a scam made by the big pharma companies who wish to make more money. This is a recent trend of ‘Anti-Aging’ skincare that keeps yourself on toes for the innate need for women to stay ‘young’ if they wish to be desirable. The beauty industry, in a way, feeds on such societal-made insecurities. But the recent rise in the trend has taken a different turn. While before people did it before to look prettier or fairer, now people are looking at this skincare routine as a way of taking care of themselves rather than doing to match someone else's beauty standards. This is why, this trend has resurfaced in the skin care community. This is the blue light routine.

In today's digital age, where we spend countless hours looking at screens, from phones and tablets to laptops. This constant screen time exposes us to blue light, which research suggests can have negative effects on our skin. It also leads to premature aging and dark spots. The screens also leads to stress, which could further cause harm to skin. While ditching our devices isn't realistic, a growing number of skincare products claim to protect against blue light. But do these products actually work?

What is Blue Light Skincare?

You can find many skincare products that say they protect against blue light, like sprays, creams, gels, and sunscreens. Some promise to undo the damage blue light might cause, while others try to prevent it in the first place. Blue light sunscreens are special because they protect against both the sun's UV rays and blue light. This is what regular sunscreens don't do very well. Regular sunscreens, whether they use chemicals or minerals, don't block blue light as effectively.

However, tinted sunscreens are different. Tinted sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher can protect your skin from blue light, as well as UVA and UVB rays from the sun. This is because of the coloring in the tint. Some newer sunscreens also have special ingredients that help protect against visible light, including blue light. While scientists are still learning about how blue light affects skin, many skin doctors have found it to be helpful for skin.

What is Blue Light and Why Might It Be a Problem?

Blue light comes from screens, TVs, and even the sun. While we used to worry mostly about how it affects our eyes and sleep, now we're learning it might also affect our skin. Some studies show that too much blue light can damage skin cells and speed up aging, leading to wrinkles and uneven skin tone. It can also cause dark spots on the skin. This happens because blue light can cause something called "oxidative stress" in the skin, which is linked to aging. It leads to dead skin cells. Blue light goes deeper into the skin than the sun's UV rays and can make skin cells produce more pigment, causing dark spots. It's important to know that not all blue light is bad. There is a difference between the blue light that comes out of the screens and the blue light that is used from a certain blue light wavelength as a therapy. The latter is used by doctors to treat acne and some skin cancers.

Between climbing the career ladder, raising kids, and keeping everything else running smoothly, there's rarely a spare moment when women should stop and check in with their own bodies.

Yet these same demanding years are often when certain autoimmune and chronic conditions first start to surface. The early signs tend to be so mild and easy to explain away that most women simply put them down to stress, lack of sleep, or an overly full plate.

Some of the autoimmune conditions that commonly fly under the radar include:

· Lupus

· Rheumatoid arthritis

· Sjogren’s syndrome

· Systemic sclerosis

· Psoriatic arthritis

Family history matters more than most women realize. Autoimmune conditions often have a genetic component, and having a parent, sibling, or close relative with an autoimmune disorder meaningfully raises the likelihood of developing one yourself, even if the specific condition isn't identical. If this applies to a woman, the symptoms below deserve even closer attention and a lower threshold for seeking medical advice, rather than waiting to see if they resolve on their own.

So, when should women get it checked? If any of these symptoms stick around rather than passing after a good night's sleep, it's worth paying attention:

· Fatigue that doesn't go away no matter how much rest you get

· Joint pain or stiffness, especially in the morning

· Unexplained aches in your muscles

· Skin rashes or a new sensitivity to sunlight

· Sudden shifts in your weight or energy levels

It is advised not to dismiss them, particularly if they've been going on for a few weeks. Early detection changes everything. It is observed that the difference between a manageable condition and a complicated one often comes down to how soon it was caught.

Diagnose early, and treatment can be initiated before the disease has a chance to progress, allowing a patient to continue living life on her own terms, not one dictated by illness.

That said, the fundamentals of good health have never changed, and we continue to emphasize routine check-ups, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and sound stress management. But if there is one thing every woman should take seriously, it is to learn to listen to your own body.

You know it better than anyone else. If something feels different, do not dismiss it or wait it out; seek an opinion. Awareness combined with timely action is what ultimately allows a woman to lead a full, active life both professionally and personally, well into her later years.

(Dr. Chirag Rajkumar Kopp, Consultant - Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru)

In June, X-Men actor and former professional wrestler Tyler Mane revealed that he had been diagnosed with a "super-rare" form of breast cancer. The disease is uncommon in men, accounting for only about 1% of all breast cancer cases.

Now, as he undergoes treatment, the actor is encouraging men to pay attention to their health, have open conversations about family medical history, and never ignore unusual symptoms.

A Lump That Changed Everything

As he lost weight, he noticed a lump in his breast. Initially, he did not think it was serious and had it removed. However, laboratory tests revealed it was invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer.

Following the diagnosis, Mane underwent genetic testing, where he found that he carries the BRCA2 gene mutation. The mutation significantly increases the risk of developing several cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic and, in women, ovarian cancer.

The discovery also made him realize how little he had discussed health issues with the men in his family.

Also read: Could Chemotherapy Soon Be Optional? AstraZeneca and Gilead Drugs Show Promise for Breast Cancer Patients

Mane Had Breast Cancer Stage 1

Although the cancer was caught early, doctors determined it was aggressive enough to require chemotherapy after surgery.

"I was lucky enough that my breast cancer was stage 1. Men usually don't notice the signs or don't quickly treat breast cancer. By the time it's diagnosed, it is often stage 3 or 4, metastasized throughout their bodies, and then it becomes a whole different thing," he wrote in an interview with Yahoo.

Mane explained that the tumor measured 28 millimeters and had a surgical margin of less than one millimeter, making additional treatment like chemotherapy and radiation necessary.

The actor added that genomic testing showed a high risk of recurrence without treatment.

'Chemotherapy Is Not Fun'

Mane is currently undergoing four rounds of chemotherapy followed by localized radiation therapy.

"I'm being treated with four rounds of chemo, and then I have to have some localized radiation treatment to make sure the cancer is all wiped out."

While treatment has been challenging, he said it is essential. "And let me tell you: Chemotherapy is not fun. But it is a necessity."

He also describing its side effects such as 'metal taste' hair loss and fatigue.

"They give you some really good steroids for the day before, the day of and the day after chemotherapy. But then when that wears off, it all kind of hits you. You get the metal taste in your mouth. You feel sluggish and want to sleep all the time. My beard fell out. I look like a hairless cat with a couple of tufts on my face now".

Learning To Slow Down During Treatment

The actor admitted he initially underestimated the impact chemotherapy would have on his body. He also realized he had pushed himself too hard physically in an effort to stay strong.

Now, he is focusing on maintaining his strength by increasing his protein intake while continuing moderate exercise.

"Physically, I'm trying to keep up my protein intake to help me stay strong throughout treatment."

Despite the challenges, Mane has continued a daily workout routine that includes push-ups, squats and rebounding exercises.

Message For Men

Through his public updates and the podcast Mane hopes to raise awareness that breast cancer is not exclusively a women's disease. By sharing his experience, he wants more men to recognize the symptoms early, discuss their family medical history, and seek medical attention without delay.

A 27-year-old woman in US' state of Arizona suffered a cardiac arrest after using kratom, an over-the-counter supplement she purchased at a local gas station.

Amanda Goodsell, who had never taken kratom before, suffered a cardiac arrest after nearly a week of using the supplement and is now on life support, according to her family.

The mother of 3½-year-old twins tried the kratom gummies at the suggestion of her husband, Mike Goodsell, while seeking relief from persistent leg pain.

“Everybody knew what Kratom was. So I was like, well, okay, well, here, just take this. You could just buy it at the gas station. It’s not going to hurt you,” Mike Goodsell was quoted as saying to the media.

Nearly a week later, Mike found his wife unresponsive in their bed, and rushed her to the hospital, where she was placed on life support

“She like, was like red and her lips were blue, and she was foaming. So I like jumped out of bed. I grabbed her, and then (I) was trying to wake her up,” he said.

“They had to have her on a ventilator to help her breathe. And then they had to put her on a bunch of medications because her heart percentage was at 15%,” Mike added.

After spending two weeks in the hospital, Amanda Goodsell's condition began to improve. Although she has shown significant improvement, as per the doctors she will need a defibrillator and heart medication for the rest of her life.

Also read: Legionnaires' Disease Claims 5th Life In New York City: Health Officials

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a plant-based substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally used in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia for pain relief and increased energy, it has gained popularity in the US as an over-the-counter supplement.

Kratom is sold in multiple forms, including powders, capsules, teas, drinks and gummies.

Although it remains legal in many parts of the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified kratom as a "drug of concern" and has not approved it for any medical use.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom in 2021.

The substance, sometimes referred to as "gas-station heroin," is banned in at least eight US states—Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin. Several other states, including Iowa and Idaho, are considering restrictions or outright bans.

Why Does The FDA Warn Against Kratom?

Read More: Hantavirus Claims 3 Lives In Venezuela: What The Rat-borne Virus Does To The Brain

According to a University of Virginia study, there were 43 hospitalizations linked solely to kratom in 2015. By 2025, that number had risen to 538. Researchers said the increase coincided with the emergence of highly concentrated synthetic products, including 7-OH.

The FDA has stated that kratom should not be used as a dietary supplement.

"Kratom is not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement. FDA has concluded from available information, including scientific data, that kratom is a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury."

The agency has warned consumers not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder (SUD).

The FDA also notes that, in rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use, although these cases usually involved other drugs and the contribution of kratom remains unclear.

The agency is also aware of cases involving neonatal abstinence syndrome, in which newborns experienced withdrawal symptoms such as jitteriness, irritability and muscle stiffness following prolonged exposure to kratom during pregnancy.