Oral contraceptives, known commonly as "the pill", have been available in Thailand since the 1960s, and have long been the most popular contraceptive due to their availability – unlike in many other countries it can be bought over-the-counter – and low cost. In addition, when taken correctly, the pill is 99 per cent effective. "The…
Read moreNo more squinting
Whether you wear glasses and put off going to get your script checked, or you’ve never worn glasses before in your life, it’s worth considering whether a trip to an optician or opthamologist might be beneficial. What’s the difference? Opticians or technicians usually work in shops selling glasses and contact lenses, while opthamologists are qualified…
Read moreThrow away your glasses
More and more Thais are gleefully throwing away their glasses, thanks to developments in the refractive surgery industry. Technology is improving, and prices are falling as competition among centres increases. What does refractive correction surgery involve? "Lasik" (laser in-situ keratomileusis), the latest development in refractive surgery, can correct myopia (short sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism…
Read morePedicures for punished feet
They’re easy to forget about, but your feet deserve some special attention occasionally: the average person walks more than six kilometres per day, or an astounding 184,000 kilometres in a lifetime. And bearing the brunt of this are those two complex but compact anatomical networks at the end of your legs, containing 26 small bones…
Read moreProtein makes perfect
With lifestyles changing and hair colouring being more popular than ever before, your hair could benefit from adding a regular salon protein treatment to your hair care routine. "It depends on what you expect from a treatment," says stylist Schai from Schai Coiffeur. "Nowadays nearly everyone has a colour, perm or some kind of chemical…
Read moreThe benefits of yoga
Do you sometimes feel like you’re operating at half-speed? Are you stressed out? Or perhaps you’re feeling like you just don’t get enough exercise, but the thought of working out at a gym utterly bores you to tears. Practising the ancient art of yoga can not only help with various health problems, it can also…
Read moreAre skin whiteners safe?
It’s difficult to avoid seeing those advertisements for skin whiteners plastered across billboards, those images of smiling Thai women with snow-white skin shown on TV and in cinemas, in magazines and newspapers. In western countries, there’s little demand for whiteners; but in Asian countries, they’re big business. According to the Thai Farmers Research Centre, in…
Read moreSoothe away stress with a bath
You’re home. It’s been a long and hectic week, or just a stressful, never-ending day. The last thing you feel like doing is heading outside your sanctuary again to get a treatment. Why not treat yourself to a luxurious bath in the comfort of your own home to help you unwind? Chrissie Davis, spa manager…
Read moreTended talons
It can be a marvellous spectacle to watch a woman with very long painted nails at work, using a telephone, taking notes. But for the ordinary woman, it can be troublesome enough just trying to keep her nails healthy and respectable looking. The key? Regular basic manicures, according to Pimonrat Trirattanakittikul, owner and general manager…
Read moreGetting a good cut from your stylist
It’s happened to nearly everyone: a haircut that’s failed to live up to your expectations or even had you in tears by the time you’ve arrived home. But there are steps you can take to ensure you get the cut you want. "Talk to your hairdresser before you get your hair wet. That way your…
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