Ntianu Obiora

<h2>The Sambia Tribe in Papua New Guinea have tradition that has fascinated (and confused) many. They are the tribe that drinks semen to turn boys into men and we bring you everything you need to know about them.</h2>

<p>This ritual, which is a symbol of a young boy’s rite of passage to manhood, starts when a boy is between the ages of 6 to 10 and comprises of 6 stages.</p>

<p>Imperative to the processes and teaching of the initial ceremony is the notion that women can be dangerous to men.</p>

<p>To become a man, and in essence a “warrior,” these young men are taught how to detach themselves from their mothers and the women around them as a means of showing that they can live without them and prove their masculinity.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel-arts-culture/awori-peoples-origin-belief-and-brief-history-id7161724.html">A brief history and belief of the original indigenes of Lagos</a></p>

<p>The six-stage process of affirming one’s manhood can take anywhere from 10 to 15 years until these young men father a child. Much of the initiation and training is characterised by what some have deemed to be highly erotic and sexual.</p>

<p>In the first stages, a sharp stick of cane is inserted deeply into the young boy’s nostrils until he bleeds profusely. The young boys are also introduced to older warriors who are told that bachelors are going to “copulate” with them to make them grow.</p>

<p>Throughout much of the 6 stages, the act of having the stick of cane inserted into the nostrils and the performance of 'fellatio'&nbsp;are integral to the process of becoming a man. While the former practice is often derided by many as 'inhumane' and the latter is often referred to as 'homosexual' behaviour, the Sambia’s understanding and purpose behind these two processes differs from our conventional understanding.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong> <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel-arts-culture/11-african-tribes-cultures-featured-in-black-panther-id8001496.html">11 African tribes, cultures featured in Marvel's superhero movie</a></p>

<p>While many of us might view the practice of inserting the cane stick into the nostrils as being 'inhumane', because of the obvious infliction of pain and injury to the body, for the Sambia it is a symbol of strength and his ability to sustain pain, which is a needed requirement of a warrior.</p>

<p>Additionally, the act of performing fellatio and the act of ingesting semen is seen as an integral part of manhood because boys are unable to mature into men unless they ingest semen and they adhere to the notion that all men have, 'eaten the penis'.</p>

<p>According to Sambia belief, the semen of a man possesses the 'masculine spirit', which young boys will be able to attain through his ingestion of semen.</p>

<p>Cultural differences play a huge part in how we react to such practices. <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/bi/lifestyle/3-weird-sexual-practices-in-africa-that-still-exist-id7446212.html">What we may view as homosexuality may simply be a right of passage in another culture</a>. The journey to 'manhood' has no set route but the end goal is always the same; to protect and provide.</p>

Meet the tribe that drinks semen to turn boys into men. [canadianlegalsystem]

This ritual, which is a symbol of a young boy’s rite of passage to manhood, starts when a boy is between the ages of 6 to 10 and comprises six stages.

Meet the tribe that drinks semen to turn boys into men

<h2>So it’s no surprise that food can play an important role in helping you get your bed game up.</h2>

<p>If you’ve hit a slump in the bedroom, it may be time to take a closer look at your diet. These five types of food are packed with nutrients that can boost your libido and even improve your overall health, too. Who doesn't want to feel fantastic?!</p>

<p>For the most part, the natural foods that help you last longer in bed are mostly fruits and vegetables but you will have to make sure you pack your diet full of whole foods too. It all starts and ends with nutrition and a varied diet is key to a healthy body and mind.</p>

<p>These are the 5 foods to eat if you want to last longer in bed!</p>

<p>Red grape is known as nature’s Viagra because it contains boron, which helps in the production of estrogen and testosterone. An increase in the production of these two hormones means you get into the mood for sex without effort. If you have an appointment for the bedroom at night, start eating your red grapes in the morning and check out the amazing effects by nightfall.</p>

<p>Be prepared. An alternative is drinking red wine (preferably non-alcoholic), red grape juice or any wine that is majorly made of red grape.</p>

<p>Banana is a great longevity booster for men. If you want super-firm erections, bananas are the way to go. Eating lots of bananas will ensure that when you need an erection, it will be a strong one.</p>

<p>Spicy foods can improve the sex drive of both men and women because they dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow. You can also increase the production of testosterone and improve sex drive with spicy food. Spicy foods are known as vasodilators because they can relax your body, reduce blood pressure, etc.</p>

<p>Avocados give you energy for anything including sex. This wonder fruit is rich in folic acid which helps to dilate blood vessels to allow easy flow of blood all over the body (and to the penis when you need it).</p>

<p>Include a variety of meats in your diet to improve your sex life. Beef, chicken, and pork contain carnitine, L-arginine, and zinc. Carnitine and L-arginine are amino acids that improve blood flow. Uninterrupted blood flow is crucial to sexual response in both men and women.</p>

<p>Serve up some animal-based protein (in moderation, to avoid increasing risk of heart disease) to help keep all systems running smoothly in the bedroom. Vegetarians can opt for whole grains, nuts, and dairy products.</p>

Here are 5 foods men must eat in order to last longer in bed [Credit: Eat This, not That]

Having a healthy sex drive is linked to feeling physically and emotionally healthy.

Here are 5 foods men must eat in order to last longer in bed

<p>Not all men are blessed in the penis department.</p>

<p>In fact, more men are unhappy with the size of their member than those that are satisfied.</p>

<p>Whilst there is no magic cure, there are ways to get some extra growth/girth and get you feeling better down there.</p>

<p>At some point in time in their lives, men have had their fair share of insecurities regarding the size of their penis unless of course. A lot of men often wonder if they are big enough to satisfy their woman.<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-ways-to-naturally-increase-the-size-of-your-breasts-id8794940.html">These insecurities can drastically affect the confidence and lead to depression and low self-esteem.</a></p>

<p>The average penis size according to researchers as per world’s standards is estimated at 5.1 inches. And anything less than 4.5 inches is considered to be small.</p>

<p>While there are hundreds of advertisements all over the internet that claim that their 'magic pill' can increase the size of the penis by as much as 4-5 inches. But the truth is that almost all of them are nothing but a farce. But worry not, since there are indeed <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/wellness-tips-5-top-foods-for-increasing-breast-size-naturally-id6520279.html">ways to increase the penis size using diet tips</a> and specially created exercises.</p>

<h2>1. The Penis Stretching Exercise</h2>

<p>One great tactic that can help add some inches to your penis are stretching exercises for your penis. It may sound a little odd but it really does work.</p>

<h2>2. Avoid Fatty Foods and live an active life</h2>

<p>Consuming foods that are high in saturated fats and calories whilst being physically inactive can cause your penis to shrink significantly. It can also lead to serious problems with your virility and lead to overall bad health.</p>

<p>Lack of physical activity increases cholesterol in your arteries therefore disrupting the proper circulation of blood in the penis which causes it to shrink. Choosing a healthy lifestyle can drastically help with penis size and health.</p>

<p>Kegel exercises, much like with women, can enhance your muscles if you squeeze muscles in your penis. You can squeeze the muscles on and off, use the same muscle to end it, and begin the pee flow again. You should try for 10 sets, getting a short rest in-between sets, and aiming for twenty or thirty per set.</p>

<p>This exercise is very simple but effective. It will improve hardness and size of your penis.</p>

<p>Ensure that your penis is partially erect and use a lubricant. Hold your penis at the base with your thumb and pointer finger keeping your grip near the pelvic bone. Slowly move your hand up the penis maintaining the pressure. Stop your hand just below the head/gland.</p>

<p>This counts as one jelq and it should take you 2 to 3 seconds to do 1 jelq. This help in pushing the blood towards tip of the penis and will not cause any pain. Repeat the process for a few minutes and do consistently if you want to see a significant change.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/relationships-weddings/3-important-reasons-why-the-withdrawal-method-is-not-enough/mb4c7jv">3 important reasons why the withdrawal method is not enough</a></p>

<p>Smoking is the worst enemy of your total reproductive health. Not only is smoking proven to shrink penis size, but it can also lead to a decrease in testosterone causing a lot of other&nbsp;hormonal imbalances that can cause shrinkage of the penis.</p>

<p>Tiny particles from the smoking block the arteries thus damaging the healthy flow of blood to the penis as well as to all other parts of the body.</p>

<p>For your penile and overall health, ensure you stop smoking NOW.</p>

Penis: Here are ways to naturally enlarge this male organ [Medical News Today]

Many men are insecure about the size of their penis but fear not, there are ways you can enlarge your penis, naturally.

Here are ways to naturally enlarge the male organ

<p>The scientific name for the yeast that causes vaginitis is Candida.</p>

<p>Over 90% of vaginal yeast infections are caused by the species known as Candida albicans. Other Candida species make up the remainder of yeast infections.</p>

<p>Candida species can be present in healthy women in the vagina without causing any symptoms. In fact, it is estimated that 20% to 50% of women have Candida already present in the vagina. For an infection to occur, the normal balance of yeast and bacteria is disturbed, allowing overgrowth of the yeast.</p>

<p>While yeast can be spread by sexual contact, vaginal yeast infection is not considered to be a sexually-transmitted disease because it can also occur in women who are not sexually active, due to the fact that yeast can be present in the vagina of healthy women.</p>

<p>Vaginal yeast infections are very common, affecting up to 75% of women at some point in life. In that respect it is completely normal to have a bout of yeast from time to time but make sure you get yourself treated immediately to prevent further complications.</p>

<ul><li>a vaginal discharge that is typically thick,</li><li>odorless, and</li><li>whitish-gray in color.</li><li>The discharge has been described as having a cottage-cheese-like consistency.</li><li>An intense itching of the vaginal or genital area</li><li>Irritation and burning</li><li>Pain during sexual intercourse</li><li>Pain or burning during urination</li><li>Redness, irritation, or soreness of the vagina or vulva in women; swelling of the vagina</li></ul>

<p>One must beware however because yeast infections might be a sign of something more serious and you must listen to your body if you feel your symptoms are more sinister.</p>

<p>If your symptoms are severe or they don’t get better after treatment with an over-the-counter cream or suppository, call your doctor.</p>

<p>Signs of a complicated infection include:</p>

<ul><li>Severe symptoms (such as redness, swelling, and itching so severe that it causes tears or sores)</li><li>A yeast infection that occurs four or more times in a year</li><li>You've developed other kinds of symptoms.</li><li>This is your first yeast infection.</li><li>You’re not sure whether you have a yeast infection or something else.</li></ul>

<p>There are many reasons you could get a yeast infection, including:</p>

<ul><li><strong>Hormones</strong>: Changes during pregnancy, breast-feeding or menopause (or if you’re taking birth control pills) can change the balance in your vagina.</li><li><strong>Diabetes</strong>: If your diabetes is not well-controlled, the increase in sugar in the mucus membranes (moist linings) of your vagina can create a place for yeast to grow.</li><li><strong>Antibiotics</strong>: These drugs can kill off many of the good bacteria that live in your vagina.</li><li><strong>Douches and vaginal sprays</strong>: The use of these products can change the balance in your vagina.</li><li><strong>A weakened immune system</strong>: If you are HIV-positive or have another immune system disorder, the yeast may also grow uncontrolled.</li><li><strong>Sex</strong>: Though a yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, it can be passed from person to person through sexual contact.</li></ul>

<ul><li><strong>Short-course vaginal therapy.</strong>&nbsp;Taking an antifungal medication for three to seven days will usually clear a yeast infection. Antifungal medications — which are available as creams, ointments, tablets and suppositories — include miconazole (Monistat 3) and terconazole. Some of these medications are available over-the-counter and others by prescription only.</li><li><strong>Single-dose oral medication.</strong>&nbsp;Your doctor might prescribe a one-time, single oral dose of fluconazole (Diflucan). Oral medication isn't recommended if you're pregnant. To manage more-severe symptoms, you might take two single doses three days apart.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Women should see a healthcare provider the first time&nbsp;vaginal yeast infection symptoms occur or if they are unsure as to whether they have a yeast infection. If certain, the condition can be treated with over-the-counter medications.</li><li>However, if symptoms do not respond to one course of over-the-counter medications, yeast infection may not be the problem.</li><li>Pregnant&nbsp;women or those with weakened immune systems should contact a doctor before beginning any over-the-counter self-treatment.</li><li>Women who experience recurrent vaginal yeast infections, or yeast infections that do not clear up with treatment, should immediately contact a healthcare provider for professional diagnosis and management.</li><li>If a woman has more than four episodes of&nbsp;vulvovaginal candidiasis&nbsp;(VVC) in a year, she is deemed to have recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, a chronic yeast infection problem.</li></ul>

Here's how you know if you have a yeast infection and how to treat it [Credit: Health Magazine]

A vaginal yeast infection is an infection caused by yeast (a type of fungus). Vaginal yeast infection is sometimes referred to as yeast vaginitis or candidal vaginitis.

Yeast Infection: How you know if you have one and how to treat it

<p>In one way, the digital age has opened us up to another world, created jobs we never knew could exist and connected people, the world over.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/communities/bloggers/the-right-move-towards-the-use-of-social-media-id8569109.html"><strong>Social media is both the joy and the curse of the 21st century</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>

<p>On the other hand, the pressure to keep up with what we see online has become a morbid cycle which is destroying lives one click at a time.</p>

<p>In particular, men and women have found themselves battling identity issues due to the unrealistic beauty standards set by what they see on social media.</p>

<p>Many have developed serious mental heath issues, identity issues and even body dysmorphia trying to emulate the beauty standards that are simply unattainable.</p>

<p>How do we distinguish reality from the fake and how do we protect ourselves form the dark side of social media?</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-reasons-why-you-need-a-social-media-cleanse-now-id8638297.html">The first thing most of us do when we wake up in the morning is to instinctively reach for our phones</a>. From the very minute we open our eyes, we are immersing ourselves in an alternate reality.</p>

<p>Just as most of us use social media to promote ourselves, tons of celebrities, influencers, models and brands, also use it to sell themselves by creating an image of perfection.</p>

<p>It's hard not to see a multitude of perfectly toned beauties, flat stomachs, plump breasts, impossibly long legs and perky, perfectly rounded butts.</p>

<p>Thousands of Instagram accounts promote images of perfectly sculpted men and women.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/top-5-fashion-capitals-of-the-world-you-should-visit-in-2019/v5455pv">Top 5 fashion capitals of the world you should visit in 2019</a></p>

<p>Whilst we may believe we are mindlessly scrolling though such content, our subconscious is soaking it all up and before we know it, those perfectly formed bodies have become the standard by which we measure everything else.</p>

<p>There is an apparent problem within this false world of idealism. Thousands of famous people and models on social media document their workout routines, eating habits, and other aspects of their lifestyle that contribute to the way they look. There is only one problem with this industry; it's all fake.</p>

<h2>False representations and unrealistic standards</h2>

<p>An Instagram model can post a picture of herself in a bikini, showing off her taut stomach, holding up a weight loss tea supplement. Her caption reveals that said supplement is the secret to her honed physique.</p>

<p>This alone, sends a very dangerous message to millions of her followers, the majority of whom are impressionable young women.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/relationships-weddings/7-sexual-fantasies-your-woman-has-that-are-completely-ok/cc27rk0">7 sexual fantasies your woman has that are completely OK</a></p>

<p>It is spreading the idea that supplements, diet pills and detox teas are the best way to achieve her body type, when in reality, it could not be further from the truth.</p>

<p>More often than not, their looks are a combination of gym, plastic surgery and a generous amount of retouching.</p>

<p>Her job is to look perfect and promote merchandise. This creates an unrealistic beauty standard for all of her followers who believe that this product is their ticket to a perfect body.</p>

<p>In reality, a perfect body does not exist. An immense amount of planning, makeup and photo editing went into the final Instagram picture she posted. It's designed to sell a product, not support a healthy lifestyle.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/relationships-weddings/personal-development-how-to-overcome-being-insecure-and-clingy-habits-id4186071.html">This leads to low self-esteem and negative thinking</a> towards food. It is incredibly important to teach young women and men that social media is not real life.</p>

<p>Every day, we see the hashtag 'body goals' or 'thinspo,' which is supposed to serve as inspiration to acquire a thin body.</p>

<p>In essence, social media tells us that we need to be a beautiful person in order to be worthy which could not be further from the truth.</p>

<p>According to&nbsp;eating disorders statistics&nbsp;estimated by the National&nbsp;Eating Disorder&nbsp;Association, in the USA up to 30 million people suffer from an&nbsp;eating disorder&nbsp;such as anorexia&nbsp;nervosa,&nbsp;bulimia&nbsp;nervosa or binge&nbsp;eating disorder.&nbsp;Worldwide&nbsp;the figure is more like 70 million sufferers.</p>

<p>There is a positive correlation between the rise of social media and the rise in eating disorders among young men and women. Many desperately trying to emulate the types of bodies they see and ending up doing more physical and psychological damage to themselves.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/all-you-need-to-know-about-lupus-the-deadly-autoimmune-disease/5705p94">All you need to know about lupus, the deadly autoimmune disease</a></p>

<p>In a kickback against the devastating effects of social media on, in particular on young people already struggling to understand themselves and where they fit in, a bunch of accounts have popped up on Instagram revealing the truth behind those 'perfect' pictures. Accounts such as @celebface may seem like they are picking on people but in reality, they are created to remind us that social media is nothing but smoke and mirrors and that those we hold in such high self-esteem are nothing but mere mortals.</p>

<p>Celeb Face will make you feel better about yourself and realise that 'celebs they're just like us!!!' You can see their pores and fine lines, and they too use FaceTune. The account also reveals before and after surgery shots of celebrities and influencers so that we can see that some of these 'ideal' bodies are mad-made. Overall, it reminds us not to be so hard on ourselves.</p>

These days, social media is doing more harm than good with young men and women becoming increasingly insecure due to unrealistic beauty ideals.

The dark side of social media: How unrealistic beauty standards are causing identity issues

<p>The psychological effects behind bleaching cannot be overstated. From lack of self-esteem to the idea that lighter skin makes one more beautiful.</p>

<p>Between colourism and lack of confidence, women are buying into the skin bleaching industry at an alarming rate.</p>

<p>However, do we really know what goes into those products. <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/media-darling-launches-collection-of-skin-lightening-products-id8723336.html">Due to the stigma surrounding bleaching, companies have become more clever with the language they use</a> and instead, tend use less problematic words like lightening and brightening but the devastating effects remain the same.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/toning-vs-bleaching-get-to-know-about-these-confused-beauty-terms-id7367041.html">So what exactly is in bleaching creams and how does it work?</a> Well, when bleaching ones skin, the goal is to reduce the amount of melanin deposited within the top layers of the skin.</p>

<p>Melanin is the product that gives skin and hair its dark colour. Reducing its quantity in the skin will make it less dark, whether it’s in scar tissue or all over the body.</p>

<p>The degree of whitening depends on the amount melanin that is removed from the skin. There are various methods used to achieve this, and different skin bleaching agents might contain ingredients that use one or more of these methods.</p>

<p>According to skin bleaching manufacturer Skintrium, these include:</p>

<h2>Inhibiting the Activity of an Enzyme Known as Tyrosinase</h2>

<p>Melanin is produced within cells known as melanocytes. It is a complex protein made by using an amino acid known as tyrosine, and then converting it through a series of steps into melanin. During this process, an enzyme known as tyrosinase is needed to convert this amino acid. There are some products that reduce the formation or effectiveness of this enzyme, which means that the amount of melanin formation will be reduced as well. In addition to that, there are some biological agents which modify the expression of the gene that is responsible for the manufacturing of tyrosinase, which has the same effect. The bleaching agents which depend on inhibition of this enzyme are very effective.</p>

<h2>Preventing Melanin from Being Deposited onto the Skin</h2>

<p>In order to make the skin dark and protect it from UV radiation, the melanin formed has to be transported to the upper layers of the skin.</p>

<p>All the particles of melanin are then arranged in order. This transfer process depends on the movement of a number of cells, and also expends energy. Some bleaching agents act by preventing this from happening.</p>

<p>This means that while the melanin is formed, it is not transported to the upper layer of the skin. This is usually a continuous process since melanin that is already in the upper layers of the skin is regularly lost when skin naturally sloughs off.</p>

<p>If this process is inhibited, the skin will get lighter with time, since the existing melanin will be lost but not replaced.</p>

<h2>Destruction of Melanin and Melanocytes</h2>

<p>The pigment that darkens the skin can also be destroyed by chemical agents that can be found in some skin bleaching products, leading to a lighter skin tone.</p>

<p>Alternatively, the cells that produce the melanin, known as melanocytes, can also be damaged and therefore not produce any melanin. An ideal bleaching agent should not only destroy the surface melanin without affecting any other system, since the melanocytes will simply increase the rate at which the melanin is formed to replace them.</p>

<p>This is why it is common to find that skin bleaching agents which target the melanin directly also influence another part of the system, such as transport of melanin to the surface or production of the melanin.</p>

<h2>What exactly is inside bleaching cream?</h2>

<p>Every bleaching product contains two main chemicals, Hydroquinone and mercury, both are toxic. Hydroquinone is a chemical used for photo processing and hair dyes. It is also used in the rubber industry as an antioxidant.</p>

<p>Mercury is another product often used in some cosmetic products as a bleaching agent. Incredibly toxic, it can cause skin to go grey or blue black, rather than lighter, and in many cases has resulted in the user suffering from mercury poisoning. Mercury is also a carcinogen.</p>

<p>These products both work in the short term to lighten the skin by stopping the production of melanin in the body. The more melanin you have in your body, the darker your skin.</p>

<p>Doctors suggest that the two toxic chemicals, Hydroquinone and mercury, react with ultraviolet rays and ironically lead to more pigmentation and premature aging.</p>

<p>The more this product is used, the less melanin the body produces, and this leads to an increased risk for skin cancer. Also, continued use of hydroquinone, will roughen the skin, making it look like an uneven patch of colours with a patchy appearance.</p>

<p>Melanin is a natural substance in the body that gives the iris of the eye, hair and skin its color. Skin cells called melanocytes produce melanin in the body. Melanin also acts as a kind of natural sunscreen to protect against harmful UV rays, however it cannot prevent sunburn all on its own.</p>

<p>The more melanin you have in your body, the more protection you have against the sun. Melanin is deposited near the surface of the skin. It absorbs dangerous ultraviolet rays from the sun, working as a protective barrier to prevent the UV light from travelling deeper into the skin. Ultraviolet light can cause DNA damage in cells and skin cancer, so melanin is an extremely important molecule.</p>

<p>Bleaching completely destroys the amount of melanin in our skin making it more vulnerable and making those without it more susceptible to ailments such as skin cancer.</p>

<p>There are a variety of natural ways that one can treat hyper-pigmentation and revive dull-looking skin that does not involve any harsh chemicals. Though it takes longer and the results are gradual, it promotes overall skin health and will give you a natural-looking glow.</p>

<p>Before you start using home remedies, it is important to understand that taking care of your skin and protecting it is necessary. The skin becomes dull and pigmented mainly due to the accumulation of dead skin cells and damage from pollutants and harmful UV rays.</p>

<p>Cleansing and exfoliating your skin daily will ensure that all the dirt and impurities are removed as well as dead skin cells which clog up the pores.</p>

<p>Moisturising regularly makes sure your skin remains hydrated and sufficiently nourished. It's also important to invest in a&nbsp;good quality sunscreen which will provide and extra layer of protection against the sun's harmful rays.</p>

<p>Honey has amazing benefits, not only for whitening your skin but to add moisture where moisture is due. If you have sensitive skin, it’s also a great alternative to traditional face washes&nbsp;containing antibacterial properties to prevent further damage.</p>

<p>Vitamin C encourages new cell growth whilst lemons themselves act as a natural bleaching agent. Dip a cotton ball in a little bit of lemon juice and dab onto your skin. Apply for at least an hour and then wash off with lukewarm water. Consistency is key before you begin to see results.</p>

<p>Mix plain yogurt with a spoonful of honey. Apply this mixture on your face and leave on for a few minutes like a face mask. It works wonders with regular use!</p>

The appeal of lighter skin may seem irresistible but here are the hidden dangers of bleaching creams and why you're doing more harm than good.

Here are all the ways bleaching destroys your skin and health

<p>If you're unsatisfied with the size of your breasts, this is for you.</p>

<p>Lots of women are turning to a variety of natural methods to get bigger breasts without resorting to an extreme method such as surgery. While the results from these methods are far more subtle, if you exercise a little bit of patience and remain consistent, you will begin to see results.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-the-truth-about-having-big-breasts-you-didn-t-know-id5794934.html">The size of your boobs is determined by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and body weight</a> and whilst there's no magical formula to go up a cup size or two, building and toning your chest muscles can make your breasts look perkier. Regularly massaging and moisturising them might keep them soft and supple. If you quit smoking, you spare your skin elasticity which helps avoid sagging and drooping. Gaining weight is also a quick and easy way of getting some extra breast mass.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/wellness-video-try-this-exercise-if-you-want-bigger-breasts-id4166600.html">You can use breast enhancement exercises to increase the size of the muscles under your breasts.</a> This can make your breasts seem to be bigger. It doesn’t actually grow your breast or cup size. Rather, it gives the illusion that your breasts are bigger than they actually are.</p>

<p>If you want to give it a go, stick to pushups, dumbbell flys and chest dips. These are three of the easiest exercises that you can do and they are the most effective.</p>

<p>A wide selection of herbs and plant supplements purported to cause breast growth are available for sale both online and at natural healing stores. Though some women swear by these natural medicines, none have been scientifically proven to be as effective yet some who believe in traditional medicine, swear by them. Some herbs that allegedly encourage breast growth are:</p>

<p>Some sources claim that, by massaging the breasts with proper technique, it's possible to cause slight breast growth.</p>

<p>Sometimes, these sources recommend the use of special oils, creams, or gadgets to encourage growth. Though this may feel good and lead to relaxation which leads to an improvement in your mood.</p>

<h3>Consider gaining weight if you are thin</h3>

<p>Breasts are mainly mad up of fatty connective tissue.&nbsp;Like the rest of the fatty tissue on the body, this is eventually lost when one loses weight. If you are thin and have small breasts, putting on just a few extra pounds of fat can help fill out your breasts.</p>

<p>However, it's important to note that all women carry their weight differently. Some women gain weight in their thighs, belly, or elsewhere before gaining weight in their chest so know your body before you take the plunge.</p>

<p>For women who want to prevent pregnancy and also want bigger breasts, birth control pills can be an effective solution for both problems, as breast growth is a common side-effect of many hormone-based birth control pills.</p>

<p>Most birth control pills contain the female sex hormone oestrogen, which, as discussed below, can cause slight breast growth. However, you should&nbsp;<strong>never</strong>&nbsp;take birth control just to get bigger breasts, as it's a powerful medication that can have serious side effects. Make sure you consult you doctor before you take the plunge.</p>

5 ways to naturally increase the size of your breasts

Not all women are blessed with naturally full breasts but with these beauty hacks, you can give your boobs a much-needed boost. Keep reading to learn how to increase your breasts size.

<p>The movement has officially been hijacked and those it was originally created for, the outliers, find themselves once again, on the fringes. Like many popular references, the meaning of the phrase ‘body positivity’ has become increasingly distorted as its popularity increases.</p>

<p>What started out as a political movement to protect fat bodies has become synonymous with self-love and in doing so, has narrowed the window of acceptance for many plus-size bodies, if not slammed it shut altogether.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The body positivity movement began as a political movement that was started as a fat liberation movement by plus size women of colour. It was created in response to the mounting social disregard for bodies that didn’t fit into accepted beauty norms. It was created as a means to protect and uplift the bodies that simply were not seen as ‘beautiful’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fat women have now found themselves decentered from a movement that they created and fatphobia is still rampant. With our safe spaces fast diminishing and being overrun, where else is there left for fat bodies to go?</p>

<p>A body positivity movement that does not center fat people is simply yet another place for slim people to feel good about their bodies in a society that already celebrates them. There must be a distinction between self love and body positivity.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Body positivity is not about &quot;finding worth in all people,&quot; it&#39;s about seeing value in fat people AS people. It is about humanizing fat people. It is about creating space for fat people. Not about &quot;a seat at the table&quot; or &quot;respect&quot; &amp; love &amp; pixie dust....</p>&mdash; 🏞️ - 🌊| they/them (@DaShaunLH) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaShaunLH/status/1143089606470115328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just as we fought against &quot;All Lives Matter&quot; in light of the BLM movement, I am going to fight against thin people&#39;s &quot;all bodies matter&quot; responses to the body positive/fat acceptance movement.</p>&mdash; 🏞️ - 🌊| they/them (@DaShaunLH) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaShaunLH/status/1143092183752433665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>In order to understand the importance of the body positive movement to marginalised bodies, we must first understand its origins. The body positivity movement has roots in the fat acceptance movement which began in the 1960's. It was a social change movement and aimed to change the anti-fat bias and reprogram society's attitude towards fat people. Sociologist<strong> Charlotte Cooper</strong> has argued that the history of the fat activist movement is best understood in waves, similar to the feminist movement, with which she believes it is closely tied. <strong>Susie Orbach</strong>, a British psychotherapist and author, argued that popularised ideas such as dieting and body hatred are oppressive and that body dysmorphia and eating disorders are rooted in misogyny.</p>

<p>In a similar vein, Cooper believed that fat activists have suffered similar waves of activism followed by burnout, with activists in a following wave often unaware of the history of the movement, resulting in a lack of continuity. However, the body positivity movement could be seen as a resurgence of all these long-forgotten theories</p>

<p>Charlotte goes on to talk about the dominant model in which, <em>'fatness is contextualised as pitiful and/or many of the following: lacking in moral fibre, diseased, potentially diseased, greedy and lazy, not just ugly but disgusting, pathetic, underclass, worthless, a repulsive joke, a problem that needs to be treated and prevented.'&nbsp;</em></p>

Why I’m no longer talking to slim people about body positivity [Credit: Mashable]

<p>Whilst the movement was widely criticised for promoting obesity, it in fact sought to humanise fat people and protect them from a society that was fundamentally opposed to their existence.</p>

<p>In essence, body positivity is the radical act of loving your body even when society tells you not to. The sad truth is, worldwide, women who are not slender, white (or light-skinned), and cis experience devastating discrimination at some point in their lives. Women of colour, LGBTQ+ women, and women with different body shapes and sizes are constantly dictated to about how they should look, how they express themselves, their sexuality, femininity and beauty.</p>

<p>However, body positivity gives a much-deserved middle finger to everyone who reinforces those harmful and ignorant tropes and in doing so, puts limits on the way people live their lives. It’s a recognition of the fact that every single body is deserving of love and respect and a necessary reminder that woman’s body should never be a vehicle for discrimination, judgment and abuse.</p>

<p>The Fat Acceptance Movement and all its waves were an important segue into the body positivity movement which dominates popular culture today. Now, the movement serves to help people with marginalised bodies feel entitled to self-love, something that had previously been reserved for people in privileged (e.g. thin, white, fit) bodies.</p>

<p>As a fat, black woman, growing up was a constant battle between my insecurities and my notions of self-worth. I learned pretty quickly that I was not the standard of beauty and struggled to see ‘myself’ in celebrities and people celebrated in the media. As a 28 year-old woman, it gladdens me to see the transformative effects of the body positive movement both personally and to society at large.</p>

<p>Finally, those of us who grew up on the edge of everything have a safe space to celebrate ourselves. If that’s a strange notion to you then know that you are the rule and not the exception. Also understand that means that the movement was not created for you to participate because you were never excluded from the mainstream narrative in the first place.</p>

Why I’m no longer talking to slim people about body positivity'[Credit: Bustsle]

<p>Social media also has a huge part to play in the devaluing of the movement. Bitch Media’s <strong>Evette Dionne</strong> explored that aspect of the movement (among many other things) in an article called “The Fragility of Body Positivity: How a Radical Movement Lost Its Way.” In the piece, she explains how the body positive movement has ended up isolating people who don’t fall into a certain category that it promotes.</p>

<p><em>“The body-positive media economy centers these affirming, empowering, let-me-pinch-a-fat-roll-to-show-how-much-I-love-myself stories while failing to actually challenge institutions to stop discriminating against fat people. More importantly, most of those stories center thin, white, cisgender, heterosexual women who have co-opted the movement to build their brands. Rutter has labeled this erasure ‘Socially Acceptable Body Positivity.’”</em></p>

<p>She continues, <em>“On social media, it actually gets worse for fat bodies: We’re not just being erased from body positivity, fat women are being actively vilified. Health has become the stick with which to beat fat people with [sic], and the benchmark for whether body positivity should include someone.”</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">hmmmmmmmmmmpH still struggling with the term &quot;body positivity&quot; as it has been co-opted by brands and turned into the concept of self-love/acceptance rather than a movement fighting for social justice for fat people, POC, the disabled, LGBTQ folx... marginalized bodies.</p>&mdash; andrea (@whtegrlinacrowd) <a href="https://twitter.com/whtegrlinacrowd/status/1144273077855014918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Huge corporations use ‘body positivity’ in the name of marketing without really taking the time to understand what the movement stands for and also end up watering down the message in their campaigns. Suddenly, women see size 10 women in a body positive campaign and believe its for them, it isn’t.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With so many mixed messages being put out there, the salvation of the body positivity movement lies with individuals. Like many political movements, you must question the validity of your existence within that space or whether you are simply taking up unnecessary room. You can be an ally and support a movement without centering yourself in it. Until people learn to take more accountability for the space they take up and where, we will continue to run into these issues.</p>

<p>So until, these much-needed boundaries can be re-established and these safe spaces restored, I am no longer speaking to slim people about body positivity.&nbsp;</p>

Why I’m no longer talking to slim people about body positivity [Credit: Pulse]

As my good sis <strong>Reni Eddo- Lodge </strong>is no longer talking to white people about race, I am no longer talking to slim people about body positivity.&nbsp;

Why I’m no longer talking to slim people about body positivity

<p>Fairly recently, this butter has gained huge popularity in the western world due to its widespread use in several beauty products, such as lotions, cosmetics, shampoos, and conditioners.</p>

<p>If you are looking to find a great natural beauty product for your skin or hair, then shea butter is a wonderful choice. <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/bi/lifestyle/these-are-5-benefits-of-shea-butter-you-didnt-know-id7918322.html">There's more to shea than just beauty though, we are here to tell you more about the health and nutritional benefits of shea.</a></p>

<p>Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and that is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production.</p>

<p>Shea butter has been used in Africa and many other locations for years to improve skin and hair. It also has a long history of medicinal use, such as in wound care and even treating leprosy.</p>

<p>It’s also not uncommon in that part of the world to eat shea butter as well, much as we use palm oil in products. There’s differing opinions on whether or not it’s healthy to eat, and since some studies suggest that ingesting shea butter may interfere with the digestion of other proteins.</p>

<p>Shea butter is a mixture of different types of fats. Fats are made of two main components; glycerol and fatty acids.</p>

<p>In the case of shea butter, there are five different fatty acids; oleic acid (the same fatty acid in olive oil and sunflower oil), stearic acid (the same fatty acid in cocoa butter), linoleic acid, palmitic acid (the same fatty acid in palm oil) and arachidic acid (the same fatty acid in groundnut oil and groundnut paste).</p>

<p>Three of the fatty acids in shea butter are saturated fatty acids, which are generally regarded as less nutritious. However,&nbsp;recent studies have shown that the predominant saturated fatty acid in shea butter, stearic acid (which makes up about 40% of shea butter), is linked with a reduced risk of heart diseases, hence, shea butter is a healthier replacement for margarine. This is because margarine contains trans-fatty acids which are linked with heart diseases.</p>

<p>They go on to say that, ''shea butter also contains lupeol, a chemical that lowers cholesterol and protects the heart and blood vessels against inflammations. Also, there are seven other naturally-occurring chemicals in shea butter that help reduce pain by reducing inflammations.''</p>

<p>Moreover, shea butter is a good source of phenols which are strong antioxidants that prevent cancers and heart diseases.</p>

<p>Furthermore, shea butter is a great source of vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin A which both protect the skin and help to promote good eyesight.</p>

<p>Not only is shea good for the skin, hair and nails but it offers excellent health benefits. It's a rich source of vitamins and contains disease fighting antioxidants. The ways in which shea butter promotes heart health mean it's also a great ingredient to cook with. We love a multi-tasking product!</p>

Ntianu Obiora

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