When your bank is inside your mobile phone

Banking becomes more interactive and simple with mobile banking apps that are extremely easy and safe to use.

The proliferation of Internet-enabled smartphones in our lives is such that every person using a mobile phone today opts for a smartphone only. Gone are the days of chunky handsets that offered only a few basic telephony services. Today, the Internet-enabled smartphone is one’s window to the world – right from using the phone for business to watching a late night movie before bed, the smartphone is one’s constant companion all day.

Since users like to perform all their work and leisure tasks on their mobile phones, it is obvious that they also like to manage their personal finances using their smartphones. To this end, banks have encouraged the use of mobile phones in daily banking with a host of mobile banking apps that are interactive and simple to use. Simply downloading your bank’s mobile banking app opens up a veritable doorway to a quick and safe daily banking experience.

Whatever you bank for, with an actual visit to the bank branch or over your laptop screen, you can do so with the mobile banking app – maybe even better! Banks in the UAE incentivise the use of mobile banking apps with discounts, points and other rewards for using the app. Besides this, customers get access to such excellent features as:

·         Free, unlimited use of the app.

·         Open a savings bank account instantly using your mobile phone.

·         Check transaction history and account balance.

·         Review and pay your utility bills in seconds.

·         Self-register for the bank’s services and offers using your mobile phone.

·         Review and redeem your reward points instantly.

·         Set payment instructions for utility and credit card bills.

·         Create fixed/recurring deposit account, register for credit cards and other services.

·         Get access to the bank’s relationship manager instantly.

·         Get forex when travelling, etc.

Mobile banking apps created by premier UAE banks are completely safe to use and do not pose any threat to the customer. However, one must follow the usual safety protocols while using these apps:

·         Do not reveal your user details to anyone.

·         Always log out or ‘crash’ your last used apps before returning to the Home screen – this helps in case your phone is stolen. A thief would be able to access an open app easily.

·         Download device-specific apps only, viz. Android apps for Android phones and iOS-specific apps for iPhones. This is because there are specific softwares designed for these devices which work best only on those operating systems.

·         Install a reliable anti-virus software that nabs any malware from threatening your security.

The best underwear to combat urine leakage

Silence and isolation are the usual behavioural traits exhibited by those who suffer from urinary incontinence. But a good incontinence product can ease life to a large extent.

Many of us know people, or have heard of people who suffer from a peculiar problem: they have absolutely no control over their urinary function! This problem manifests itself in unexpected episodes of urine leakages that leave them scrambling for a restroom. Soon, those suffering from urinary incontinence stop stepping out for fear of embarrassing themselves and others. They are terrified of going out for long periods of time, sitting through entire movies in theatres, even going out for dinner with friends!

But with advances in science, there are excellent incontinence products available today that banish the loneliness and social stigma that urinary incontinence bring. One such product is known as the ‘depend underwear’. It is an excellent product that helps keep leaked urine in check and restores the wearer’s confidence in his own abilities to be out of the house for long. In fact, depend underwear can easily restore one’s normal way of life despite urinary incontinence.

The most common incontinence product that people buy is depend underwear, which is quite similar to a diaper. However, it is shaped to look and fit like a normal pair of underpants and can be worn easily under any sort of clothing. These ‘diapers’ can be used by both men and women, and most brands allow the person to wear them without help from caregivers.

Depend underwear are practical and easy to use, and they soak the leaked urine rapidly as it flows out of the body. This is a crucial function: the leaked urine must not come in contact with the surrounding skin, and hence, the clothes. The primary function of the diaper is to keep the urine out of the clothes so as to eliminate any possibility of stains or odours. Plus, the wearer is completely comfortable despite an episode of leakage, because the diaper absorbs the urine and does not let it return to the surface.

There are a few different types of depend underwear available for sale, though the most common type is backed by rubber and lined with cotton to provide comfort and absorbency. They feature adhesive belts on the sides to fit over the hips and prevent the diaper from shifting once it is worn. Another kind of depend underwear features an adjustable ‘belt’ that has an absorbent pad slung underneath – however, this type of belt is not recommended for long use.

Above all, the diaper is amenable to moving with the wearer’s every movement and designed to fit the contours of the body without appearing bulky or shapeless. Also, users and caregivers are cautioned to discard the product after a single use so as to prevent skin irritation and infections.

Protection against incontinence

Your incontinence problem may or may not be curable, but it is possible to deal with it using the right incontinence product.

There is always a ring of embarrassed silence surrounding the subject of urinary incontinence. It might even be a funny subject for those who do not suffer from it and hence, have no idea of how mortifying the disorder can be. For those who suffer from urinary incontinence, it must be said that while there may be no immediate cure for their condition, they can certainly live with it keeping their dignity and lifestyle intact.

In recent times, several kinds of excellent incontinence protection products are being purchased by those suffering urinary incontinence. These products are meant to not just arrest the flow of urine from the body to the clothes, but to also keep the urine away from the skin by instantly absorbing it. However, one must not buy the first product one comes across. The incontinence protection product must have certain essential attributes, such as:

High absorption. Ideally, the product is designed for long usage, over a period of at least eight hours. During this time, it must not become soggy or feel wet against the skin – if this happens, it means the product’s absorbency is quite poor. Apart from quickly absorbing leaked urine, it must keep the fluid locked in so that it does not come in contact with the skin and clothes.

The right fit. Most people prefer to wear adult diapers as a form of incontinence protection. However, the diaper must be slim but not so thin that it does not do its job well. A thick diaper will change the silhouette of your hips and bunch up around the buttocks. Look for a diaper that fits snugly, does not pinch at the hips and does not slide off after being worn.

Odour control. Apart from rapid absorption and the right fit, the incontinence product must mask any lingering urinary odours. Some products are available in scented varieties to provide a pleasant fragrance that masks the odour of urine. Also look for products that provide anti-bacterial protection so that the surrounding skin does not become irritated and infected owing to contact with urine.

Skin protection. Most users of incontinence products complain of skin rashes, allergies and chafing after using the product. This simply means that the product’s materials are irritants on the skin, making it difficult to use the product after some time. The right product should be soft, malleable and made of skin-friendly materials such as cotton. The product should not resist the wearer’s movements but not be too limp, or it will break after urine seeps into it. If the wearer has sensitive skin, it might be a good idea to layer the skin with aloe vera gel before wearing the product.

Treat your acne scars with love and natural remedies

We list three acne scar remedies that you can source from your pantry.

Every person in the world suffers from acne at some point in their lives. Acne is caused by a variety of factors: stress, lack of sleep, indigestion, food and drink rich in salt and sugar, lack of exercise and even hormonal imbalances. But while most people’s acne problem is resolved by itself, others find that they grapple with acne all the time.

The problem is not simply limited to sporting unseemly acne on the skin. Acne also tends to cause scarring, brought on by poor blood circulation, aging, skin unable to sufficiently heal itself, etc. Often, acne scars are caused by popping the acne or worrying it with a fingernail, which causes localised infection and tissue trauma.

The best acne scar treatments are often quite simple. They employ everyday kitchen ingredients that are mild and effective in solving the problem. We recommend the following three natural acne scar treatments for you:

- Orange peel face wash. Orange contains large amounts of Vitamin C, which hydrates the skin, which in turn helps cell repair and skin restoration. Take the peel of a large orange and dry it in the sunlight till it becomes crackly and hard. Pound the skin to a paste using a teaspoon of milk or rose water. Apply this paste to your skin first thing in the morning to remove residual dry skin, excess oil and surface bacteria. It is especially beneficial in lightening discolouration caused by acne and reduces the problem gradually.

- Oat scrub. Acne is exacerbated when the skin is unhealthy and less hydrated. This causes dead skin cells and excess oil to accumulate on the skin’s surface, clogging the pores and causing more acne. This is why oily skin is more prone to acne than dry skin, as it traps more dirt and grime on the surface. Treat your acne scars thus: take two tablespoons of oats (grind them to a fine powder if you have sensitive skin) and mix with one teaspoon of cold milk. Cleanse your face and rub the oat scrub over it in gentle circles. Wash off with cold water. Use this remedy thrice a week for fresh, clear skin.

- Hydrogen peroxide bleach. Some discolouration may be reduced only by bleaching the area with a mild ingredient. Hydrogen peroxide is a good bleaching agent that lightens acne scars considerably. Take a clean ball of cotton and apply two to three drops of hydrogen peroxide to it. Rub it all over the skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water. Use this remedy every day for the best results.

Here’s how you remove dark circles

Getting rid of dark circles often involves some simple lifestyle changes. We present a few ideas.

Your face is so beautiful, your hair so shiny, but your eyes! They tell their own story of ill health and neglect. If you have had dark circles for years, and if the condition runs in your family, it is best to seek professional help in eliminating them. But if your problem is relatively new, you can try a few simple lifestyle changes for dramatic results.

1 Get enough sleep. Those who keep late nights or who have been putting in extra hours at the office find dark circles around their eyes. They wonder how to remove their dark circles, so most women try camouflaging the dark circles with make-up. The problem is easily remedied by getting some shut-eye for a few nights. Get at least seven hours of sleep in a quiet environment, and ditch the alarm clock if you can. In no time, your dark circles will be gone.

2 Get the right food. What you put in your body is often displayed on it. There’s a reason why health practitioners caution against the overuse of salt, sugar and oil in our diets. It is because these substances rob the skin of essential hydration and cause dark circles to appear around the eyes. So how will you remove dark circles? Ditch that fizzy drink and grab a fruit instead. Instead of a heavy dinner, opt for a light salad and a glass of milk before bed. Include seasonal fruit and vegetables in your meals every day instead of fried sweets and savouries. Your dark circles will soon fade away.

3 Tank up on fluids. Plain water, fresh fruit and vegetable juice, and green tea work wonders on the skin. Not only do these fluids help you flush out your system and rid it of toxins, they also provide hydration and promote cell repair and restoration. You will not have jaded, tired skin if you consume enough fluids during the day (coffee and tea do not count!) The more hydrated the skin, the more it can fight the appearance of dark circles.

4 Take it easy. Your eyes are fatigued through the day as you spend all of your working hours staring at a computer screen. Then you come home and have dinner in front of your television. You keep texting till the time you fall asleep. The white light emanating from these devices causes strain in the eyes and results in dark circles. Hence, tap out of all digital devices at least one hour before sleeping, and read a physical book in bed instead of an e-book. Wear an eye mask in bed.

5 Calm your eyes. Inflammation in the eye area causes dark circles to develop. The skin around the eyes can get inflamed and stressed with mounting deadlines, lack of sleep, exposure to pollution, and even illness. It is important to remove this inflammation by means of cooling agents like cooled tea bags, grated potato, cold milk compress and even cucumber slices. The dark circles will be gone when the skin around the eyes is calmed down.