Monthly Archives: January 2021

This film shows off virtual reality’s growing potential to compete with movies, TV, and gaming as our dominant form of entertainment – MarketWatch

Posted: January 15, 2021 at 1:56 pm

Virtual reality made me want to get into bed with Glenn Close.

Well, I had to do something. She laid there right in front of me, dying. I stepped to the edge of the bed and reached out, wanting to comfort. My sister Daisy Ridley and I exchanged a knowing glance across the bed, and then averted our eyes. Then we looked back at Close, our mother, the chief of our village, whod been cursed by the witch Baba Yaga.

This affecting scene was not in a videogame or a movie, but in a virtual reality short film released Thursday on Facebooks FB, +2.62% Oculus headsets.

Based on a Russian fairy tale and starring Close, Ridley, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Hudson, Baba Yaga was created by Baobab studios, one of a handful of production companies creating animated stories for VR.

Director Eric Darnell, an animation veteran behind hits like Antz and Madagascar, says even after five years of creating stories in VR, theyre still essentially inventing a new narrative medium on the fly, the rules and grammar of which are still being figured out.

Theres an awful lot we obviously still need to learn, Darnell told MarketWatch. Were at the stage when cinema was basically shooting stage plays. At first I thought it was just like making movies in 3-D, but it was humbling to realize I couldnt just go back to what I know about cinema this is something completely different.

VR remains a niche market, a transformative technology that for years has seemed perpetually about to emerge from its cocoon. But 2021 does feel like yet another inflection point. Maybe its because VR technology has become so much better at precisely a time actual reality has turned so much worse. The two are meeting in the middle, with millions more donning headsets.

Facebook wont say how many Oculus Quests it has sold, but in a January 6 blog post, Andrew Bosworth, head of Facebook Reality Labs, wrote, Quest 2 surpassed the original Quests monthly active people in less than 7 weeks.

So can VR storytelling and gaming replace movies, TV and game consoles as a dominant form of entertainment?

Why cant they all exist together? Jennifer Hudson told MarketWatch. I like options. Sometimes you watch things a traditional way, and sometimes you want to be seen. What better way to be seen than by becoming the character in VR.

The technology is also appealing to audience-deprived artists, Hudson added. The challenge of being a performer today is we are so disconnected and you want to feel energy and to feel you are more present, a part of it and reaching someone. VR space allows for that.

To Hudsons point, due to Covid, the premiere party for Baba Yaga was held in VR. I walked the red carpet from home, took photos and mingled. It was weird, socially awkward, and yet exhilarating to be back in a public space talking to strangers.

Right now the main challenge to VR storytelling is economics. Darnell told me it was no more expensive for his studio to produce a virtual reality film than a traditional one, but it is far less profitable. Not enough people have a headset, and not enough that do seem willing to fork over six bucks for a 20 minute film.

This comes back to what Darnell said about inventing new ways of telling stories. Theres a wonderful moment in Baba Yaga when you follow your sister Magda into the dark forest on a quest to save your ailing mother. Magda hands you her lantern. Its subtle, but suddenly you can illuminate individual plants. It doesnt change the narrative, but it deepens your immersion.

The interactivity doesnt have to be this profound moment do you save the kitten or do you let it die? Darnell said. I have a lantern, I can follow the story and light up things around me. Little moments of delight. And it doesnt have to be about killing zombies or Nazis. Its just about the magic of being able to exist and suspend disbelief and be in this magical world with these characters that you fall in love with.

The best storytelling helps us close the social distance between ourselves and the hearts and minds of others. It generates empathy and joy. Virtual reality has the potential to deepen this experience, Darnell says.

Empathy is step one, but the next step is compassion, where you actually take action based on the empathy you are feeling, he said. That is the big difference with VR, you can go to the point of compassion.

I felt a glimmer of that walking up to Glenn Close on her deathbed, actually reaching out with my hand with compassion. Studios like Baobab are far from cracking the code, but experiencing VR films like Baba Yaga will make you yearn for whats to come.

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Make managing eczema easier | News, Sports, Jobs – The Express – Lock Haven Express

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FAMILY FEATURES PHOTOEczema is a common but annoying disease in no small part due to its unpredictability.

Family Features More than 30 million Americans, including nearly 10 million children, have eczema, the umbrella term for a group of noncontagious, inflammatory and painful skin conditions marked by an itchy, rash-like appearance. Because one of the most challenging aspects of eczema can be its unpredictability, the National Eczema Association (NEA), designed an app to help people and parents easily track whats important and make sense of it.

The app, called EczemaWise, aims to revolutionize how people living with the condition manage it with a faster, more efficient tracking system that helps uncover trends and makes preparing for doctors appointments easier.

People with eczema tend to have an overreactive immune system that produces inflammation on the skin when triggered by a substance outside or inside the body, such as food or pollen, along with factors like stress and sleep. Experts say tracking and recording symptoms and possible triggers is key to managing the condition, but it can be time-consuming, and many people struggle to keep thorough notes in journals or on their smartphones.

One of the best things out there to help keep track of your childs eczema is EczemaWise because its so easy to use, said Aisha Bryant, mother of a 3-year-old with eczema. Within a few days of using it, I was able to identify that tomato sauce was causing my daughter to flare.

The app can help track nine different disease and care factors, including:

Itch intensity on a scale of 0-10

Pain on a scale of 0-10

Skin symptoms using a body map to note affected areas

Stress on a scale of 0-10

Sleep problems on a scale of 0-10

Weather, which auto-populates using your location

Triggers, which track exposure to materials such as metals, chemicals, irritants and environmental allergies

Diet with tracking of water intake and foods

Treatments logged by time of day

The free app, which is available for Android and iOS as well as a web app, is designed to identify trends and patterns so people and their doctors can better determine the most effective treatments. NEA recommends tracking a minimum of three times each week and ideally daily though people can log as many or as few factors as they like. App users can also print their health data to share at doctors appointments.

Using EczemaWise will empower patients with eczema, said dermatologist Eric L. Simpson, MD. The app allows them to communicate a much broader story about their disease than we can typically capture in a 15-minute visit.

For more information, visit EczemaWise.org

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These haptic feedback VR gloves are changing virtual reality here’s how – TechRadar

Posted: at 1:56 pm

Haptic feedback could be the next frontier for immersive VR experiences, and the new SenseGlove Nova VR gloves make a firm stride in that direction, bringing us closer than ever to realistic simulations and fully sensory VR.

These wearable controllers offer touch-sensitive experiences you won't get with standard VR headset controllers, like the Knuckle controllers used with the Valve Index.

SenseGlove tells us that you get "an unparalleled 24 degrees of freedom and tracking" with the Nova's per-finger tracking system, far beyond the six-degree freedom of the Oculus Quest 2. This lets you "experience collisions, textures, and button clicks where they happen on your fingertips or the palm of your hand."

The SenseGlove Nova gloves cost a pretty penny, at around $5,000 (3,700 / AU$6,500) a pair, and for now you'll only be seeing it used for more commercial purposes; Airbus, Honda and Volkswagen have all been making use of its previous prototype (DK1) iteration, though we're told that future models will only get smaller, cheaper, and more mainstream in the coming years.

We sat down with SenseGlove's CEO and co-founder, Gijs den Butter, to talk about the importance of haptic feedback for VR, AR, and telerobotics as well as the future of haptic feedback in the medium of virtual reality.

For the full low-down on the SenseGlove Nova, watch our video at the top of this article.

Haptic feedback has gained a lot of buzz in recent months, especially in the world of gaming. The PS5's new DualSense controller makes use of haptic triggers for precise tension control something that's apparent in PS5 games like Astro's Playroom that really work to make use of the technology and prove a test case for it.

The danger, of course, is that the greatest advancements in VR and gaming interfacing won't be fully utilized by developers. There's no denying the potential of haptic feedback, though, and companies like SenseGlove are certainly going all in.

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Ready Player One? Virtual reality growing past the pandemic – The Breeze

Posted: at 1:56 pm

Futuristic worlds accessed through goggles with graphics nearly indistinguishable from the real world are growing closer by the day as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) gain steam.

VR is an immersive digital experience that creates a completely virtual environment. AR is data and computer-generated images that are integrated into a users natural environment. MR blends elements of both, creating seamless transitions between virtual and real environments.

Millions eager to safely escape quarantine early in the pandemic discovered VR, AR and MR, though todays world already has heaps of mixed reality mixed in.

Faces take digital form through Snapchat filters that blend digital images with the shape of a users face, while a Google search for a pug from an Android phone will digitally render what looks and sounds like an actual-size 3D pug into your space. Anyone whos ever played Pokmon GO has already adventured into an AR world. Mixed reality has seemingly boundless potential, with applications in education and industry.

VR gaming is the way of the future, creating not just fun experiences for gamers, but educational experiences for students.

The pandemic appears to be illuminating opportunities for enterprises to train better, and these improvements wont just disappear after the pandemic ends. Innovations catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic wont just go away when some people start returning to work. According to an analysis by KPMG, the majority of innovations spurred by the pandemic are here to stay.

Weve seen a huge uptick of commercial interest in both virtual and augmented reality driven by the pandemic, Tom Mainelli, VP of devices and consumer research at IDC, said, adding that organizations of all sizes are leveraging the technology to train new employees, streamline manufacturing processes and increase collaboration among workers.

The AR/VR industry is expected to accelerate out of the pandemic, with total mixed reality spending ballooning from $12.0 billion in 2020 to $72.8 billion in 2024 comprising a 54% five-year compound annual growth rate.

I think weve seen three to four years of progress in just three to four months, in terms of acceptance of what the new world needs to look like, Steve Hasker, CEO of Thomson Reuters, said to KPMG.

Big tech companies arent missing the opportunity to build on mixed reality the genre of tech made up of AR and VR products though it might not have been in time for the pandemic.

Facebook owns the Oculus brand of virtual reality gaming headsets, which it bought for $2 billion from the controversial tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey in 2014. The company also has plans to launch smart glasses in 2021, though they wont quite be AR. Instead, theyll be simpler, more along the lines of Snapchat Spectacles regular sunglasses with an integrated camera lens for filming and taking pictures with longer term plans to deliver an AR product.

A crystal ball is yet to be invented, but it could be by 2030. Until then, "fake news," data privacy, virtual reality and artificial intelligence to bound to rise, for better or worse.

Apple is anticipated to launch a set of glasses that have both virtual and augmented reality capabilities where digital images are spliced in with your view of the natural world sometime before 2022. Apple originally planned to release a headset in 2018, but like other tech companies, it pushed the project back due to internal disputes over the design of the product.

Lots of companies have tried to roll out AR or VR glasses for everyday consumers, but it seems like these products are either too clunky, too expensive or lack the functionality needed to be adopted by the general public. Google launched the Google Glass in 2014 then pivoted the product to sell to enterprises. Examples abound of similar retoolings.

A lot of advancements are being made to mixed reality tech which are solving the problems of functionality, clunkiness and price for widespread consumer adoption. Heres how these three design problems may be solved in the next few years.

First, the problem of functionality. Users are less likely to adopt a new product if it doesnt improve on older tech or satisfy a need. Another of Apples revolutionary rollouts, the Apple Watch, lacks functionality when the wearer isnt connected to the internet or near an iPhone. The same problem could plague users of Apple mixed reality glasses in remote areas.

[Typical mixed reality] glasses cant hold a computer," Wolen, who remains personally and professionally engaged with mixed reality, said. Most of the functionality of the glasses will be computed in the cloud, and that relies on the cell service that you have. Depending on where you are you might get really slow updates, or the glasses might not even work, Wolen said.

With the advent of fifth-generation mobile networks, or 5G, internet speeds might improve enough to connect apps within a mixed reality headset quickly enough while navigating cities, which will make them more useful for consumers and increase their functionality.

Facebook has a goal of 10,000 active Oculus Quest units, which Zuckerberg argued will inspire independent developers to create games that are compatible with the console, another means of boosting functionality.

The clunkiness problem is one that must be solved before many mainstream consumers shell out hundreds of dollars for a VR, AR or MR headset.

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Apple originally started working on a super high-performance set of goggles that had both AR and VR functionality that required a stationary hub about the size of a small Mac computer thatd communicate with the glasses through a wireless signal.

Apple execs settled on a new design that ditches the hub losing some functionality but still offers a cinematic sound system and graphics that are indistinguishable from reality, according to Bloomberg.

Apple is really good at keeping things sleek, clean and simple, so if theyre making glasses, they know that they need to look good so that someone will wear them all the time, Wolen said. ... It will be interesting to see how Apple targets customers and how they showcase what these glasses are really capable of. And then from there, we might see other companies mimic what [Apple] is doing.

Finally, the price needs to be right for the average consumer. Prices are dropping for the Facebook Oculus Quest. The Quest 2 retails for $299 thats $100 cheaper than Oculus 1, which was released just a year before and boasts improved functionality.

The Oculus Quest 2 was released in October with preorders topping those of the original Oculus Quest, Mark Zuckerberg said during a Q3 earnings call in 2020.

If Apples launch is successful, competitors will likely follow suit and roll out mixed-reality products for everyday consumers, which will result in a lowered price point. It all depends on if Apples launch appeals to the general public.

Apples brand recognition and focus on aesthetics may help with the price and adoption of VR by the masses.

While the real world reels with the uncertainties of inflation, disease and climate change, virtual realities, and even virtual worlds, are becoming more of a possibility.

Skylar Wolen (18) founded JMUs AR/VR class as an undergrad and is now a consultant at Deloitte. Wolen first got interested in the tech when he helped develop a VR exposure therapy treatment app built with Oculus development kits 1 and 2, which facilitate the creation of software thats compatible with an Oculus headset.

JMU has further integrated virtual reality into campus since its introduction in 2016. Students can use the program in X-Labs to make their own products and become trained in different fields.

Wolens team earned two prizes at the second annual Bluestone Hackathon in 2016 by designing a virtual reality app that immersed a person in a simulation that exposes them to their fear. One of the hackathons judges was afraid of heights and started crying after entering the simulation on a mountain, Wolen said. Hes optimistic about virtual realitys uses.

It is pretty exciting, Wolen said. Its different, you know? Its nothing weve really seen before. Its new and I always like new things, and I like to push the limit on what were really capable of.

Tech futurists say virtual worlds, or the Metaverse, like Ernest Clines OASIS from the novel Ready Player One, could become a reality within as few as five years. Digital twins are virtual copies of real cities that youd use a set of VR goggles and haptic gloves to access.

Imagine taking New York City and all of its buildings and all of its information and uploading it and having that as a virtual reality world, Wolen said. Im hoping in the next five to 10 years well start to see movement into this area."

In Clines novel, humans use a virtual world to escape the messes they make in the real world, ditching a planet plagued by disease and poverty for a sunny and green virtual reality. In light of recent events triggered by social media, its not difficult to find examples of technology exposing the negative sides of humanity. On the other hand, its easy to imagine a virtual world as a good place where simulated cancer research can occur, or lonely people can find social interaction.

Notwithstanding, many tech futurists agree it can be irrelevant to make a call on whether a new tech will pose a net benefit or downfall to humanity.

What I see with technology is it always goes both ways, Wolen said. Theres always a positive and theres always a negative. If you leave it up to us we usually bring out the worst in things, but I hope for a positive.

Jillian Lynch is a senior international affairs major. Contact Jillian at lynch8jm@dukes.jmu.edu.

Disclaimer: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself and it expresses my own opinions. Im not receiving compensation for it and I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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9 winter hacks for dry, itchy skin | Lotions, body butters, humidifiers, masks and more – mlive.com

Posted: at 1:56 pm

Winter is here, and that means dry skin. As a lifelong eczema sufferer, Ive scoured doctors offices, pharmacies, and the depths of the internet for the best products to relieve severely dry, cracked and painfully itchy skin.

Here are the best lotions, humidifiers, face and body masks and more so your skin will stay protected all winter long, no matter how dry it gets.

Tree Hut 24 Hour Intense Hydrating Shea Body Butter

Price: $5.77

Over 10,000 5-star ratings agree, this 7 oz. tub of 100% pure natural shea body butter is the best way to keep your skin hydrated. The skin conditioner found in safflower seeds keeps your skin soft and glowing, and comes in a variety of scents including coconut and lime, almond and honey, moroccan rose and more.

Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Anti Itch Creme

Price: $7.28

Cortisone cream may come in a small bottle, but it packs a big punch. This topical steroid is the tried and true cream for eczema, psoriasis and plain old itchy, dry skin. Vitamins A and E help provide 24-hour moisturizing itch relief. Pro-tip: If you or your child scratch your skin in the night, try wearing socks over your hands to prevent further damage.

Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion

Price: $9.54

Get immediate 48-hour relief with this lotion from Eucerin. Its great to use right after youve washed your hands (because were all still doing that religiously, right?), but also great as an all-over body lotion for long lasting moisture.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Price: $13.74

Aquaphor is packed with petroleum making it the perfect multi-purpose ointment for dry or cracked skin, chapped lips, cracked cuticles, dry feet and more. And you can leave it on overnight to really reap the benefits.

Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Price: $39.99

Dry air is a killer for your skin. This humidifier with a 1.5-liter water tank will fill your room with moisture for up to 16 hours of continuous use to cut out dry skin at the source.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

Price: $36

This cream can be used on all skin types, but is especially great for those with dry, flaky skin. Apply it to your skin once or twice a day to get a punch of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, ceramide 3 and the FAB antioxidant boosters delivered straight to your parched skin.

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Mask

Price: $39

While all of the above creams and moisturizers are left on, this hydrating mask from Dermalogica is meant to be washed off 7-10 minutes after you apply it to your face and neck. Use this one just once or twice a week; thats all it takes for soft, smooth skin.

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture

Price: $63

Intense hydration and minimizing your pores at the same time? Sign me up. Vitamin E and nutrient-rich algae extracts work to soften and replenish your skin, while seven botanical extracts claim to reduce the look of your pores when you use this lightweight and long-lasting moisturizer.

Foot Peel Mask

Price: $27.95

If dry, cracked feet are your main concern and you dont mind the look of peeling skin for a few weeks, this could be the solution for you. Just slip the included booties on your feet and let the mask do its magic. All of your dull, dry skin will peel off over the next two weeks leaving your feet baby soft and smooth. Gross. But people swear by it.

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Shop the 5 Best Moisturizers to Combat Dry January Skin – Us Weekly

Posted: at 1:56 pm

You may not be participating in dry January, but your skin most certainly will be feeling the dehydrating effects of the winter month. Between indoor heating systems and the brisk, cold outdoor air, your skin is crying out for a little extra love and attention. Give it what it needs with the help of some seriously dependable moisturizers. We rounded up five of our favorites to make it easy for you no matter your skin type.

The best all-around moisturizer is none other than EltaMDs Moisturizer. It soothes even the most sensitive skin thanks to its simple formula made with petroleum. Its the perfect pick for those who suffer from eczema and other skin concerns. It can even help promote healing following chemical peels, lasers and any other treatments! And depending on your application process, you can pick it up in a jar or tube for a super affordable price point.

Looking for a boost of radiance while you moisturize? South Korean cosmetics brand Laneige just launched its newest product: the Radian-C Cream with Vitamin C. Not only will it brighten your complexion, but it will also help diminish unwanted dark spots. Now thats what we call multitasking!

Though you may not think you need SPF throughout the winter months, especially when youre staying inside, experts disagree. Its a common misconception that you dont need to wear sunscreen when youre indoors, board-certified dermatologist Joyce Park told Allure. Standard glass windows block UVB but not UVA rays, which can penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB [rays], [and] are the main contributing factor to photo-aging which are changes seen as dark spots, wrinkles, and leathery textured skin.

But dont worry! Rihannas Fenty Beauty recently released a skincare line that includes a lightweight sunscreen. Its so comfortable, you wont even know you have SPF on. Well, except for its light, fresh, desert melon scent.

Keep scrolling to shop all top five of our favorite moisturizers to use this winter.

Listen on Spotify to Get Tressed With Us to get the details of every hair love affair in Hollywood, from the hits and misses on the red carpet to your favorite celebrities street style dos (and donts!)

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Mary Free Bed uses Virtual Reality in Stroke Recovery – WOODTV.com

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) It isnt often you hear patients describe Physical Therapy as fun, but a new virtual reality program being used by Therapists at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital could change that.

The Real System uses games to encourage real-life movements. Riley McCartney, OTR/L says the system does a great job getting patients to do dynamic movements, rather than simply raising arms up and down.

The patient wears a virtual reality headset and sensors on their upper body. The therapist operates the system through a tablet.

Stroke patients and others with neurological impairments can use the real system in their recovery sometimes without realizing how hard theyre working.

Meagan Berquist, OTR/L says, its really fascinating because we can target challenges weve been working on with patients but in a different way, a virtual way. Patients work on trunk control, arm strength, and functional reaching.

Mary Free Bed therapists will train on the Real System and begin incorporating into their practice over the next few months.

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Everything you need to know about psychodermatology – acne prevention – Tatler

Posted: at 1:56 pm

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One of the great joys of boarding school is being with your friends 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But if youre a teenager with a highly visible skin disorder such as acne, constantly living under the gaze of your peers can be stressful. A recent study in an international journal specialising in dermatology showed that almost 90 per cent of 15-year-olds felt embarrassed and self-conscious about their acne, causing a quarter of them to avoid sport, swimming, and even social interactions and this could be exacerbated in a boarding environment.

The impact [for teenagers with skin disorders] can be devastating, leading to low mood, depression and social avoidance as well as the inevitable lack of self-esteem and self-belief, says Marina Gardiner Legge, headmistress of Heathfield School in Ascot.

The resilience and mental wellbeing of our teenagers is a growing concern. Mental health network, Emerging Minds: Action for Child Mental Health, recently reported that one in 10 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety or self-harm. Stress levels during the teenage years are compounded by the desire to fit in something that neuroscientist Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore explains in her book about the teenage brain, Inventing Ourselves, is a genuine physiological need at this stage of life.

While a highly visible skin condition can affect mental health, the emerging medical discipline of psychodermatology is revealing that, in turn, mental wellbeing also has an impact on our skin.

There are well-established, biochemical links between the experience of psychological stress and your skin, explains eminent psychodermatologist Dr Alia Ahmed of the Royal London Hospital and private Eudelo Clinics on Harley Street and in Vauxhall. When you feel stressed, your brain releases a number of chemicals and they kick off inflammation in your body and your skin. That inflammation is the driver for most skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis and acne. This then goes around in a vicious circle.

However, Dr Stefanie Williams, medical director at the Eudelo Clinic, cautions that we should not see stress as the sole cause of skin conditions. If you have a general tendency towards acne and other skin conditions, then stress such as exams can make it worse. But if you dont have any genetic acne predisposition at all, then stress wont cause you to breakout. In short, stress and other lifestyle factors can aggravate pre-existing acne, but does not cause it.

Psychodermatology treats skin conditions by combining traditional medicine with effective psychological techniques such as psychotherapy, mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Research shows that this combined treatment has physical and psychological benefits, with a 2014 British Association of Der- matologists study revealing that, among patients who completed psychodermatology therapies, nine out of 10 reported reduced stress, increased confidence and a better understanding of their condition.

It is a seminal theory but, in practice, teenagers are unlikely to link their skin condition to their mental health and, even if they do, may feel too self-conscious to visit a psychologist. The award-winning Teenage and Young Adult Dermatology Clinic at Oxford University Hospitals is looking to overcome these barriers, and reduce any stigma or embarrassment, by employing an on-site psychiatrist who is both accessible and low key.

I try to get all new patients to meet our in-house psychologist, so they can have a quick catch-up and explore if there is anything we can help them with, explains Dr Tess McPherson, a consultant dermatologist who leads the paediatric and adolescent service at the centre. Some will benefit from formal CBT, others will be referred to psychiatric care for antidepressants; some people just need a chat and a little bit of support, while others will be offered a course of mindful yoga.

One patient who has benefited from the holistic approach offered by this groundbreaking clinic is 18-year-old Miriam.

Ive always had eczema, and then it started getting really bad during secondary school, when I was in Year 7 or 8, she said. It was really lovely to find the centre I felt like Id finally got somewhere. Talking to Tess gave me so much more confidence than the GP ever had. She said, Well sort this out, and she had a whole plan I came out of there feeling better than I had in quite a while.

Like all the young patients at the clinic, Miriam met the resident psychologist shortly after her dermatology consultation. It was weird, because Ive had eczema since I was so little, Id never really thought about it as more than a skin problem or even an addiction all the scratching and touching my face, and all these little tics, she explains. I never considered it may be beneficial to think about it in a different way.

Delmaine Donson / Getty Images

CBT offered through psychodermatology clinics is one of the best ways to stop the itch-scratch-pick cycle that can lead to infection and scarring. In Miriams case, however, it was recommended that she listened to a specially prepared mindfulness CD every night. Through that concentration, the itch became less important and less on my mind and that helped, she says.

Psychodermatology has been transformational for Miriam. Yes, my eczema is still here, she explains. I have A-levels coming up and there are flare-ups, so Ive got to be careful, but Im in such a good routine now, thanks to Tess, that I can control it a lot better than I used to and so it affects me far less.

The impact of skin conditions on mental health can be serious, but psychodermatology is helping teenagers accept their skin and empowering them not to be held back by it. Though currently only available in a few specialist dermatology clinics, those patients whove been helped testify that the physical and mental benefits of psychodermatology are truly life changing.

For further information, visit: British Association of Dermatologists (bad.org.uk)Eudelo Clinics (eudelo.com)Oxford University Hospitals Dermatology Service (ouh.nhs. uk/services/departments/specialist- medicine/dermatology)Dr Linda Papadopoulos (drlinda.co.uk)

Leading psychodermatologist, psychologist and broadcaster Dr Linda Papadopoulos offers five ways to help teens overcome skin conditions

1. Be aware of the vicious cycle With some dermatological conditions, there is the potential for a vicious cycle to be set up whereby the worse our skin looks, the more stressed we get, and the more stressed we get, the worse our skin looks. Being aware of this and intervening, not just externally (with topical treatments), but also internally, through stress management and self-care, is vital.

2. Listen to your skin Get a diary and draw a line down the middle of the page. On one side, write down every time your skin flares up; down the other side, note what is going on in your life, how you are feeling, how busy, stressed or anxious you are. Compare to see if you can spot any patterns in your emotional state and skin health.

3. Dont put your life on hold Dont let your skin limit your world. Dont wait for it to clear up before you book the holiday, ask out the girl or go for that job interview. Instead, minimise the impact that it has on you by getting on with your life regardless.

4. Develop strategies to deal with uncertainty One of the hardest things is that you are constantly having to adapt to a change in appearance and, consequently, your body image. Engage in both short-term strategies like concealing or treatment but also in deeper, long-term strategies like pursuing activities you enjoy and finding support to talk about your feelings.

5. Dont be defined by the condition Skin conditions are often visible to others and, as a consequence, we may feel our condition begins to define us. It doesnt. Dont feel obliged to answer questions about it. Instead, when you engage with people, talk about your interests and the things that matter to you. If you are asked about it, have a stock answer that assures them that you are fine with it.

Here are a range of cosmetic solutions to help calm and control

LA ROCHE-POSAYEffaclar Duo[+]This anti-blemish moisturiser uses a natural prebiotic to balance skin bacteria and helps to prevent hormonal breakouts. 16. laroche-posay.co.uk

NATALIYA ROBINSONTeen Skin TreatmentThis facial to address early skin complaints is best for calming and controlling sensitive or acne-prone skin aimed at 12- to 19-year-olds. 130. nataliyarobinson.co.uk

DR ARIEL HAUSHydraFacialA prescriptive cleansing and skin nourishing treatment including adeep pore cleanse, exfoliation, hydration and key ingredients to control sebum production in the skin. 220. drhausdermatology.com

YOUNG LDNBespoke Acne FacialA customised treatment plan will ensure your concerns are taken care of both inside and out. From 78. youngldn.com

SKINADETargeted Solutions ClearDesigned to target specific concerns and support normal skin function. It is naturally flavoured with pineapple and available in 30-, 60- and 90-day courses. 90 for a 30-day course. skinade.com

This article first appeared in the Tatler's 2020 Schools Guide

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Is coconut oil good for your skin? How to use it effectively, based on your skin type – Insider – INSIDER

Posted: at 1:56 pm

People now use coconut oil in everything from food to skincare products. While coconut oil has benefits such as moisturizing and reducing inflammation, it can also clog pores. Some people with a tree nut allergy can have an allergic reaction to coconuts, so they should be wary of using coconut oil.

Before you start lathering coconut oil over your skin, here's what you need to know about coconut oil's potential effects.

There are two primary types of coconut oil: virgin and refined.

"Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh coconuts, and it is typically higher in content in polyphenols and antioxidants," says Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. "Refined coconut oil is made from dried coconut meat. Refined coconut oil goes through more processing steps, including machine pressing to obtain the oil." In some instances, bleaching and chemical solvents are added to refined coconut oil.

Coconut oil can also be labeled as cold-pressed when produced without heat. "This type may be richer in nutrients," says Green. Thanks to greater amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants, as well as its limited processing, virgin coconut oil, especially when cold-pressed, is a better choice for use on the skin.

While coconut oil can provide dermatological benefits, it may not be right for everyone. We've broken down the benefits and detriments of using coconut oil on your skin and how to decide if it's right for you.

Applying coconut oil to your skin can help retain moisture. This is because coconut oil contains a component of ceramides, called linoleic acid.

Ceramides are organic compounds naturally found in the skin and commonly added to skin care. "Ceramides help to strengthen the skin barrier and minimize moisture loss," says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a dermatologist at SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Los Angeles.

In a small 2004 study, participants used virgin coconut oil on their legs twice a day for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, skin hydration had significantly improved. Coconut oil can be particularly good for people with eczema or chronically dry skin.

Coconut oil can also reduce skin inflammation, which causes rashes, redness, or itching, among other symptoms.

"It helps to strengthen the skin barrier, which minimizes irritants from entering the skin and maintains skin hydration, both of which work to reduce potential inflammation," says Shainhouse.

Common skin conditions that involve inflammation include:

These conditions can each be soothed, at least temporarily, by coconut oil. In a 2018 study, virgin coconut oil suppressed skin's anti-inflammatory properties and enhanced skin barrier function. However, the study was conducted in vitro outside of a living organism so the exact effect on humans is unknown.

"Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which has mild antibacterial and antifungal properties," says Shainhouse.

Coconut oil's antibacterial and antifungal properties can be misleading. "For these reasons, coconut oil is often touted as helpful for acne," says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a dermatologist at Spectrum Dermatology in Phoenix. However, acne is the result of clogged pores, which coconut oil can cause.

Coconut oil is comedogenic, meaning it can clog your pores, increasing your risk of breakouts and acne.

"Coconut is considered a four on the comedogenic scale. This measures how pore-clogging an ingredient is, rated zero to five with five being the most pore-clogging," says Green. As a result, using coconut oil frequently, especially on the face, is not recommended, she says.

Though coconut oil is comedogenic, not everyone will experience acne from it as each skin type will react differently.

Coconut oil will affect everyone's skin differently, therefore, it may not be the best addition to everyone's skincare routine. Here's how to use coconut oil based on your skin type.

People with eczema: Thanks to its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, you can use coconut oil to soothe eczema flare-ups. In a 2013 study, applying virgin coconut oil to the skin of children with eczema for eight weeks improved the skin's hydration.

People with dry skin: "If you have dry, flaky skin, using coconut oil instead of your regular moisturizer may soften and hydrate your skin, leaving it looking refreshed and soft upon waking," says Green.

People with diabetes: "Diabetics with dry, scaly feet may tolerate this natural oil to moisturize and prevent skin barrier breakdown, which could otherwise leave them at risk for skin and foot infection," says Shainhouse. However, since people with diabetes can lose sensation in their feet, the skin should be carefully monitored for irritation or allergic reactions.

People with acne-prone or oily skin: "For acne-prone individuals, coconut oil can clog pores and trigger acne flares. If you do choose to use coconut oil as part of your double-cleansing routine to remove oil-soluble makeup, be sure to wash off any residual coconut oil completely," says Shainhouse.

Oily skin can already be more prone to clogged pores, and coconut oil may add to the problem.

If you do try coconut oil, there are a few ways to add it to your routine. According to Shainhouse, you can use coconut oil on your skin in the following ways:

If you have acne-prone or oily skin and should avoid using coconut oil on your face, Jeffy recommends applying it to areas with thicker skin, such as the elbows, knees, feet, nails, and cuticles.

"Coconut oil can be used as a body lotion or lip balm, but if breakouts start happening, it would be the first thing to stop," says Jeffy. "If someone feels really strongly that they want to be using coconut oil on the skin, looking for it as an ingredient in a product versus using the pure oil may be less likely to contribute to problems."

Coconut oil, especially virgin coconut oil, can have beneficial properties for the skin, such as boosting hydration. However, for people with acne-prone or oily skin, it can further clog pores and increase breakouts. Using coconut oil on thicker skin, such as the legs, may lead to less irritation.

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Virtual reality brings new dimension to suicide prevention training – 62nd Airlift Wing

Posted: at 1:56 pm

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. Leaders from across the 375th Air Mobility Wing stepped into a virtual reality-inspired test phase Jan. 12 for a new training effort targeted to help Airmen feel more comfortable about engaging with others to prevent suicide.

Senior leaders were asked to put on a virtual reality headset for a 30 minute interactive scenario with both a coach, who provided upfront training, and then an Airman who was in obvious distress. They were prompted to ask a variety of questions, whereupon the responses would vary until the member was successfully assisted.

This experience was definitely more powerful than just sitting through a boring Powerpoint briefing, said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bekoff, 375th Mission Support Group. I think the way the training is presented will resonate with our younger Airmen who are used to interacting in virtual worlds like this.

He said that on a personal level, he felt he had more confidence after the training to stick to the ACE response method of Ask, Care, and Escort, but, that no matter what, any interaction with those who feel suicidal will be a hard situation.

This is one reason why the Air Force is going to great lengths to find ways to address the issue with updated and innovative ways help Airmen recognize the signs and assist them in addressing a variety of situations. The scenario being tested right now involves an Airman to Airman experience, and future scenarios will involve training targeted with a first sergeant, a commander, and a spouse as well.

Scott AFB, along with Travis AFB, California, were selected as the pilot wings for the Air Forces Virtual Reality Suicide Prevention Experience. The company Moth+Flame was contracted to develop this immersive VR training experience. Training will be adjusted based on feedback during this test phase with possible final rollout later this year.

Leading point on this training effort for the wing is Kirt Davis, the Violence Prevention Integrator who also oversees the wings suicide prevention programs. Assisting him with the test phase logistics is Tech. Sgt. Alisha Curtis, 375th Command Post. They both took the training and agreed that its a step in the right direction to get more people comfortable with reaching out to each other.

Davis said, I think whats really beneficial in this training is that it teaches you how to have the conversation. While theres no right answer for everything, it does show you how to avoid judgmental language and observe the surroundings while ensuring the person remains safe until additional help can be secured.

He said that once the program is assessed and approved for additional implementation, there will need to be support from all the units to bring the technology to their teams. Because this specific Airman to Airman scenario is receiving positive feedback, commanders are also asking for more scenarios, and asking if there is a way to evaluate if they did it right.

Mike Arth of Moth+Flame described how the application can provide data for leadership to better understand how Airmen are performing and where training gaps may exist that can be closed with alterations to the curriculum or additional exposure to key concepts. Moth+Flames goal is that a better understanding of where Airmen are struggling to employ ACE will lead to improvements that help Airmen learn faster and retain more of the material for longer.

Davis added, Anything we can do to enhance not only our training, but our ability to respond in these situations is worth trying. We still have an alarming number of people taking their life, and if were all prepared to engage when the time comes, then we can help those struggling to know that we care, we need them on our team and that there is hope for the future.

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Virtual reality brings new dimension to suicide prevention training - 62nd Airlift Wing

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