Acne Scars: Causes And Treatment

Are you one of those haunted by the fear of acne? The following article, sent in by Penelope Andersan gives deep insights into the nature of acne and how to bring it under control. 

As if breakouts weren't bad enough, acne scars can haunt you your entire life. We spoke to West Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai, MD to get his expert advice on the best ways to treat them and leave acne in your past.

Acne scars and marks come in many forms, but the one thing they have in common is that they are long-lasting. Fortunately, most acne scars and marks can be effectively treated with some TLC and a little help from your doctor. We spoke to West Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai, MD to get his expert advice on the best ways to treat them and leave acne in your past.

What Causes Acne Scars and Marks?

Simply put, acne scars and marks are caused by pimples that did not heal properly, whether from picking, popping or not treating them properly. Remember how your mom told you to not pick your zits? Now you know why! However, even followed every rule in the book, you can still find yourself with marks and scarring later on. Genetics play a huge role in acne aftermath, which makes it hard to determine why one person has scars and another person does not. The best way to avoid damage in the future is to take extra precautions when caring for the surface of the skin. Choose a skin care routine that uses doctor recommended products, avoid excess sun exposure and always remember to resist the urge to pick and pop blemishes.

The Difference Between Acne Marks and Scars

Unlike acne scars, acne marks are smooth to the touch and dark marks or pigmentation of the skin. When a pimple is healing, inflammation can produce excess pigmentation which can leave behind a dark spot or stain. While they can look daunting, according to Dr. Tsai, acne marks are much easier to treat than acne scars because there is no collagen damage to the skin. They may not look pretty, but they usually fade away over a few months, depending on the person and the treatment. There are several common and effective treatments available, according to Dr. Tsai.

Sunblock: While sunscreen should be a part of everyone’s daily skin care routine, it is critical for acne sufferers. Excessive sun exposure can worsen pimple breakouts, prolong acne marks, and even make acne marks more prominent by darkening the pigmentation. Wear sunscreen every day, year round, and even inside and on cloudy days. Look for zinc-based products and acne-friendly brands, like COOLA or Farmacy.

Chemical Peels: A treatment designed to improve skin texture, chemical peels work by removing the top layer of skin cells, which increases skin cell turnover. This process helps remove dead skin on the surface of the skin and addresses hyper pigmentation that can be caused by acne flares. There are quite a number of chemical peel products, ranging from at-home to in-clinic and low to high strength, so always consult with a board certified dermatologist on which chemical peel, if any, is right for you and your skin type.

Laser Resurfacing Treatments: “Lasers like an IPL (Intense Pulse Light) are effective in removing darker pigmentation quicker,” Dr. Roger Tsai recommends. Fractional resurfacing lasers, like FRAXEL, and picosecond lasers, like PicoSure, have also been proven to help with skin texture issues including dark marks.

Topical Serums/Creams: One popular topical solution is Vitamin C serum, which uses powerful antioxidants to promote skin healing. Before applying the serum to your face, exfoliate first to aid absorption through the skin. Vitamin C serums have been shown to treat dark acne marks and offer anti-aging benefits to boot. Dr. Tsai also recommends skin exfoliation creams and retinoids, like Tretinoin, and skin brightening products, like Hydroquinone, to help quicken skin turn over for some patients. Retinoids can not only treat dark marks but also have been shown to prevent acne breakouts in the first place. and can be prescribed by a doctor or bought over-the-counter. Retinoid creams can be prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter, but can be harsh on the skin. When using retinoids, always remember to stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen to prevent further skin damage.

Different Types of Acne Scars and Their Treatments

Acne scars are caused when the healing process replaces skin tissue with fibrous tissue instead. "Acne scars are actual indentations created from scar tissue that has grown into the empty space of the pimple and has created a contour deformity,” says Dr. Tsai. Sometimes the body can respond by producing too much of the fibrous tissue or not enough. When too much tissue is formed, the result is a raised keloid or hypertrophic scar. On the other hand, when not enough tissue is formed, the result is a depression in the skin, known as an atrophic scar. Because scars form for different reasons, there are different treatment protocols for each type. In general, compared to acne marks, acne scars are more permanent and harder to treat, although their appearance can be softened with certain acne treatments.

Ice Pick Scars

An ice pick scar is a type of atrophic or depressed scar that goes very deep into the skin. Like the name implies, ice pick scars resemble a puncture. Because they are so deep in the skin, ice pick scars are often thought to be the hardest of acne scars to correct.

Microneedling or CO2 Laser: When there are multiple ice pick scars, all-over treatments like microneedling or a CO2 Laser are suitable. These treatments work to build collagen and fill the depressions in from the inside out. Like most scar treatments, some can work better than others, depending on the skin tone and skin type.

Dermal Filler: Dermal filler can be an effective acne scar treatment option. Bellafill is commonly used to treat acne scarring and is injected underneath the surface of the scar to fill it out. The semi-permanent filler can last up to 18 months, which means multiple sessions are needed for upkeep.

Punch Excision: Correcting an ice pick scar through punch excision (also known as a punch biopsy or subcision) requires surgically removing or cutting it out. The surgeon will “punch” out the scar to create an opening that will allow extraction of the cyst or pore. After removal, the doctor will either stitch up the hole or use skin grafting (also known as punch grafting), which uses skin from another part of the body to fill the hole.

At-Home Solutions: For less invasive options, chemical peels and tretinoin cream can show improvements as with acne marks.

Boxcar Scars

Like icepick scars, boxcar scars are also atrophic acne scars, but they are different from ice pick scars because of their broader or boxier shape. Since boxcar scars are also a result of insufficient tissue formation, they are treated the same way as ice pick scars.

Microneedling or CO2 Lasers: CO2 lasers and microneedling are recommended to build new collagen and fill the boxcar scar depressions. According to Dr. Roger Tsai, a CO2 laser treatment is better suited for significant contour deformities whereas microneedling is better for mild to moderate skin irregularities.

Dermal Filler: For isolated boxcar scars, injectables like Bellafill can also help.

Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are shallower than ice pick scars and boxcar scars and have more of a “rolling hills" appearance, meaning they don't look like punctures. Treatment includes a combination of microfat injections and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Microfat Injections: Microfat injections, also known as microfat grafting, works by removing fat from another part of the body and then injected into another site (like the face in the case of rolling scars).

Microneedling: Microneedling stimulates new collagen production by pricking the skin to create tiny wounds. The body then naturally responds by making collagen to kickstart the healing process.

At-Home Solutions: Alternatively, less invasive options include chemical peels and tretinoin cream as with other forms of acne scars and marks.

Penelope Andersan is from the Content Partnerships Team of The AEDITION, an online publication created by new, aesthetic enhancement platform AEDIT. AEDIT is a next-generation, go-to source for anyone looking to continue or begin their medial aesthetic journey.

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Why You Should Drink That Glass Of Red Wine

Have you always considered yourself a white wine drinker? Maybe you only like the sparkling wine with bubbles? But have you ever given the red wine the real chance it deserves? If you haven’t, we have the top 10 reasons you should give red wine a chance.

What exactly is red wine?

You’ve seen the grape stomping and wine vineyards on television and movies, but do you really know how red wine is made? The coloring of any type of wine is created by the skins of the grape used. Red wine is made from the darkest colored grapes in the vineyards. The color variation of the red wines on shelves comes from how long the skins are left in the mixture during the winemaking process and fermentation. You may find a red wine that looks almost blackish in color all the way to bright red in color. The color is also determined by the maturity of the wine – darker colors are older wines and more purple colors are younger wines.

Some red wine grapes are used to make white wines. And you may find that some other types of wine such a Rose are created by mixing red and white wine together.

1. Drinking red wine is better than not drinking it at all!

Some non-wine drinkers (people who clearly aren’t experiencing the real joys of life) believe that drinking wine is simply not good for their bodies. Whether this is a personal decision or a belief that alcohol is damaging to the body, it is absolutely not true in the case of red wine! In fact, studies have shown that the antioxidants found in red wine are great for the body. When you expose your body to these antioxidants, you give yourself protection against diseases such as type 2 diabetes and even death! This sounds like a win-win for everyone.

2. Want the best red wine for your body? Try a younger version.

In the case of wine, many people believe that the older the wine is the better it tastes. You’ve most likely heard that the longer the wine stays in the bottle the better it is. But, when it comes to red wine, you may be surprised to know that younger red wine is actually better for you than old red wine! Why is this? Younger red wines contain higher levels of tannin (a naturally occurring element that gives the wine a dry taste). Look for darker red wines as they are typically ones with higher tannin levels.

3. Red wines contain fewer sulfites than white wines.

Some people believe that sulfur is known for causing those icky red wine headaches that creep up on you the next day. However, this is not true. Those who suffer from sulfur sensitivity usually have other conditions like asthma. Red wines contain fewer sulfite levels, which makes them less likely to degrade quickly.

4. Red wines do not have flavor additives!

If you are concerned about all of the extra additives that come in foods and drinks these days, consider yourself additive free when you choose a red wine! In fact, all of those beautiful and delicious flavors and aromas that come from red wine are natural. These aromas are simply derived from the fermented grapes and the oak barrels the wine is aged in during the winemaking process. There are absolutely no flavor additives. Consider this one of your healthier drink choices.

5. Red wine can boost your brain.

You may not be aware that red wine can actually boost your brain power, but it is true. Red wine contains something called resveratrol, a compound that has been linked to keeping your memory sharp. Drink some red wine, grab a crossword puzzle, and put your brain to work. This could literally be a lifesaver in the future.

6. Keep your blood sugar from skyrocketing.

While some red wines are known for being sweet, red wine is also known for keeping blood sugars under control. What part of the wine actually helps control your blood sugar? The skin of the red grapes is actually the reason that many diabetics find relief in regulating their blood sugar. Because the skin of the red grapes contains resveratrol (a natural compound that helps regulate blood sugar and boost brain power as noted in number 5), your body gets the help it needs in regulating blood sugar levels.

7. Red wine does not affect your waistline like beer does.

Going out for a night on the town may leave you cringing when you realize how much alcohol you actually drank. Why? Because some people equate alcohol with weight gain. Luckily, red wine will not affect your waistline! Studies have shown that women who drink one drink per day actually carried about 10 pounds less than women who didn’t drink red wine at all. Instead of depriving yourself of sweetness while on a diet, allow yourself one glass of red wine per day! This will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you the added health benefits, too.

8. Swirling your wine will release the aromas.

Have you ever wondered why people swirl their red wine glasses before they drink it? This is actually for a very good reason. When a person swirls their red wine glass, they are allowing the aromas to be released from the wine itself.

9. It reduces your stress levels.

Anything that reduces your stress levels is a winner, right? Red wine has actually be proven to reduce stress levels, according to studies. Resveratrol (also known for keeping your brain healthy and your blood sugar low) is great for lowering stress and anxiety levels. This naturally occurring compound comes from the skin of the red grape that red wine is made of. Go ahead and reward yourself with a glass of red wine at dinner each night and watch your stress levels decrease.

10. Improve your sleep quality with red wine.

As if red wine didn’t already have enough amazing benefits, it can also help improve your sleep quality. Red wine contains melatonin, a compound that is known for helping increase sleep quality to allow for longer and more restful nights of sleep. The melatonin comes from the grapes that red wine is made from as well. It is not recommended to drink a glass directly before bed, but drinking a glass a few hours before you lay down may help give you the restfulness you’ve been needing.

Conclusion

Red wine is a tasty treat that many people equate to special occasions or events. However, we just gave you 10 reasons to enjoy a nice glass of red wine every night. With the amazing health benefits and incredible tasting experiences, red wine is sure to bring a smile to your face for many reasons. As always, keep your wine consumption to a reasonable amount and allow your body to fully enjoy the benefits of this natural medicine and healer.

This article is from IloveWine, an organization that aspires to share insight and experiences with wine lovers of all kinds.

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Lower Your Cholesterol With Diets Of Cabbage

Cabbage can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in cabbage do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they've been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it's easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Raw cabbage still has cholesterol-lowering ability, just not as much as steamed cabbage. 

Researchers now realize that different types of cabbage (red, green, and Savoy) contain different patterns of glucosinolates. This new knowledge means that your broadest health benefits from cabbage are likely to come from inclusion of all varieties in your diet. Cabbage in general—but also Savoy cabbage in particular—turns out to be an especially good source of sinigrin. Sinigrin is one of the cabbage glucosinolates that has received special attention in cancer prevention research.  

In one recent study, short-cooked and raw cabbage were the only types of cabbage to show cancer-preventive benefits—long-cooked cabbage failed to demonstrate measurable benefits. New research shows that steaming is a better cooking method than microwaving if you want to maximize the health benefits of glucosinolates found in cabbage. That's because two minutes of microwaving destroys the same amount of myrosinase enzymes as seven minutes of steaming, and you need those myrosinase enzymes to help convert cabbage's glucosinolates into cancer-preventive compounds. 

You'll want to include cabbage as one of the cruciferous vegetables you eat on a regular basis if you want to receive the fantastic health benefits provided by the cruciferous vegetable family. At a minimum, include cruciferous vegetables as part of your diet 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups. Even better from a health standpoint, enjoy cabbage and other vegetables from the cruciferous vegetable group 4-5 times per week, and increase your serving size to 2 cups. 

While green cabbage is the most commonly eaten variety of cabbage, we highly recommend trying red cabbage because of it added nutritional benefits and its robust hearty flavor. We don't think you will be disappointed. The rich red color of red cabbage reflects it concentration of anthocyanin polyphenols, which contribute to red cabbage containing significantly more protective phytonutrients than green cabbage. 

A recent study showed that a 100 gram (about 3 ounces) serving of raw red cabbage delivers 196.5 milligrams of polyphenols, of which 28.3 milligrams are anthocyanins. Green cabbages yielded much less per 100 grams: 45 milligrams of polyphenols including 0.01 milligram of anthocyanins. The vitamin C equivalent, a measure of antioxidant capacity, of red cabbage is also six to eight times higher than that of green cabbage. Red cabbage is one of the most nutritious and best tasting vegetables around — a great addition to your Healthiest Way of Eating. 

Cancer prevention tops all other areas of health research with regard to cabbage and its outstanding benefits. More than 475 studies have examined the role of this cruciferous vegetable in cancer prevention (and in some cases, cancer treatment). The uniqueness of cabbage in cancer prevention is due to the three different types of nutrient richness found in this widely enjoyed food. The three types are (1) antioxidant richness, (2) anti-inflammatory richness, and (3) richness in glucosinolates. 

Cabbage ranked in wellness Foods rating system as an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of manganese. But in terms of antioxidants in the newer, phytonutrient category, cabbage is impressive, even among cruciferous vegetables. Polyphenols rank at the top of the list for phytonutrient antioxidants in cabbage. In fact, one group of researchers has described polyphenols as the primary factor in cabbage's overall antioxidant capacity.

Even white cabbage (a very lightly-colored form of green cabbage and the most commonly eaten variety of cabbage in the U.S.) provides about 50 milligrams of polyphenols in a half-cup serving. Red cabbage is even more unique among the cruciferous vegetables in providing about 30 milligrams of the red pigment polyphenols called anthocyanins in each half cup. (These anthocyanins qualify not only as antioxidant nutrients, but as anti-inflammatory nutrients as well.) 

Long-established in health research is the role of cabbage juice in helping heal stomach ulcers (called peptic ulcers), but more recent studies on cabbage have looked at the overall health benefits of this food for the stomach and digestive tract as a whole. Present-day studies make it clear that cabbage contains a variety of nutrients of potential benefit to our stomach and intestinal linings. These nutrients include glucosinolates (and the anti-inflammatory isothiocyanates or ITCs made from them), antioxidant polyphenols, and the amino acid-like substance called glutamine.

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Malaria: Scientists Discover New Method Of Curbing Mosquitoes

Scientists have sequenced the DNA from one tiny mosquito for the first time, heralding an “enormous breakthrough” in the fight against malaria. The procedure used DNA from just one mosquito, which has not previously been possible because of how small the insects are.

Traditional DNA models are taken from a patchwork of dozens of mosquitoes.

The advance will enable scientists to create a full, high quality picture of its genetic sequence, allowing researchers to study how the insects spread disease, adapt to insecticides and reproduce.

This could have significant implications  in the stalling battle to eradicate malaria, which still kills roughly 435,000 people each year. The World Health Organization estimated there were 219 million cases of the disease in 2017, rising from 216 million the year before.

The new genetic sequencing technology will give researchers a better understanding of the mosquitoes themselves, said Dr Mara Lawniczak, evolutionary genetics expert at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and co-lead author of the report published in Genes journal.

“I think this is an enormous breakthrough, as it allows us to really see a complete picture of the mosquito genome. This is really important for vector and malaria control, as it allows us to study whole mosquitoes. Right now, we are restricted by the quality of the reference we have, but this gives us a more complete picture of the genome.

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“This is really important for understanding whether to use gene drives or insecticides in future,” Dr Lawniczak added. “For instance we can see how mosquito populations behave and intermingle, and how they develop resistance or reproduce.”

Insecticide resistance is an increasing problem in the battle against malaria but the new genome could help scientists understand how resistance spreads among the insect population.
 
It could also help scientists working on gene drives, which involve modifying the genetic code of a mosquito to reduce malaria transmission.

The technology behind the genome process, developed by a team from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Pacific Biosciences, is a notable advance.

Instead of years, the new genome took just a couple of weeks to create and cost less than £2,500.

“It’s a remarkable advance to complete a genome so quickly,” said Dr Lawniczak. “The genome is also of higher quality, so we’re winning on multiple fronts.

"The advancement in sequencing technology is vital to decoding the genomes of a huge number of species in the tree of live, giving us greater power to completely understand genetic diversity.

"And (the technology) will only get better as technology is moving so rapidly - it’s a really exciting time to be involved.”

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Avocado Pear: Natural Strength To The Cells

What we refer to as “avocado” is the fruit of the avocado tree, called Persea americana. This fruit is prized for its high nutrient value and is added to all sorts of dishes due to its good flavor and rich texture. It is the main ingredient in guacamole. These days, the avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health conscious individuals. It is often referred to as a superfood, which is not surprising given its health properties.

It is often called “alligator pear,” which is very descriptive because it tends to be shaped like a pear and have green, bumpy skin, like an alligator. The yellow-green flesh inside the fruit is eaten, but the skin and seed are discarded. Avocados are very nutritious and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals. Avocado could be eaten with many other foods, some even using it as a substitute for butter.
Potassium is a nutrient that most people aren’t getting enough of. This nutrient helps maintain electrical gradients in the body’s cells and serves various important functions. Avocados are actually very high in potassium with a 100 gram (3.5 ounce) serving containing 14% of the RDA, compared to 10% in bananas, which are a typical high potassium food. Several studies show that having a high potassium intake is linked to reduced blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.


Again, avocado is a high fat food. In fact, 77% of the calories in it are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence. But they don’t just contain any fat the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in olive oil and believed to be responsible for some of its beneficial effects. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and have been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.

Fiber is another nutrient found in relatively large amounts in avocado. Fiber is indigestible plant matter that can contribute to weight loss, reduce blood sugar spikes and is strongly linked to a lower risk of many diseases. A distinction is often made between soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is known to be able to feed the friendly gut bacteria in the intestine, which are very important for the optimal function of our bodies. A 100 gram (3.5 ounce) serving of avocado contains 7 grams of fiber, which is 27% of the recommended daily amount.


Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world. It is known that several blood markers are linked to an increased risk. This includes cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammatory markers, blood pressure and various others. The effects of avocado on some of these risk factors have been studied in 8 human controlled trials. These are studies where people are split into groups; one group is instructed to eat avocados, while the other is not. Then researchers see what happens to their blood markers over time.

Avocado consumers were found to be much healthier than people who didn’t eat avocados. They had a much higher nutrient intake and were half as likely to have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that are a major risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. People who ate avocados regularly also weighed less, had a lower BMI and significantly less belly fat. They also had more HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. However,  correlation does not imply causation and there is no guarantee that the avocados caused these people to be in better health.

When it comes to nutrients, the total amount of them is not the only thing that matters. We also need to be able to absorb them, move them from the digestive tract into the body, where they can be used. Some nutrients are “fat soluble,” meaning that they need to be combined with fat in order to be utilized. This includes vitamins A, D, E and K, along with antioxidants like carotenoids. One study showed that adding avocado or avocado oil to either salad or salsa can increase antioxidant absorption by 2.6 to 15-fold.

Not only do avocados increase antioxidant absorption from other foods, they are also high in antioxidants themselves. This includes nutrients called Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which are incredibly important for eye health. Studies show that these nutrients are linked to a drastically reduced risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, which are common in the elderly. Therefore, eating avocados should have benefits for eye health over the long term.

Not only are avocados healthy, they’re also incredibly delicious and go with all sorts of foods. You can add them to salads and various sorts of recipes, or you can simply scoop them out with a spoon and eat them plain. They have a creamy, rich, fatty texture and blend well with various other ingredients. A notable mention is guacamole, which is arguably the most famous use of avocados. It includes avocado along with ingredients like salt, garlic, lime and a few others depending on the recipe.

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Female Genital Mutilation: 13 Percent Of Victims In Nigeria Cut By Health Workers

A Session Of FGM Awareness Seminar

13 percent of women – about one out of every ten – who have been genitally mutilated (Female Genital Mutilation) in Nigeria were cut by medical professionals, Eugene Kongnyuy, Acting Country Representative, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), said in a recent interview.

Despite the increasing campaigns against the barbaric act, many medical professionals have been engaging in the act, thus causing a setback to the eradication process of the practice. This new trend is being referred to as the “Medicalization of FGM.” 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision, is the cutting or removal of some or all the external female genitalia, especially the areas near to the clitoris.

In respect to this harmful trend, health professionals across the sector gathered in Abuja on Wednesday, in an advocacy meeting, on the need to curb the ‘medicalization’ of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.

The meeting was organised by the University of Ibadan Center for Reproductive Health, in collaboration with UN Population Fund and Federal Ministry of Health.

The theme for the meeting was “curbing medicalisation of FGM and sanctions for erring medical personnel in Nigeria”. 

Speaking at the meeting, the minister of health, Isaac Adewole, said the medicalisation of FGM was one of the major bottlenecks of the achievements of the fight to end the negative traditional practice in the country.

The minister, represented by Kayode Afolabi, director, Family Health in the ministry, said the medicalisation of FGM is getting rampant because people believe that once the FGM is done by a medical professional, it is acceptable. “FGM is being hospitalized,” he said.

“The impression they are giving the people is that once it is done by a nurse, doctors, then it is acceptable.”

He said it is a big problem that needs to be tackled. He urged stakeholders to commit time and resources to curb the art of FGM from being medicalised.

He also challenged all partners to take the message to their various networks to enhance awareness on the issue.

Mr Kongnyuy commended the federal Ministry of Health for leading the cause in the fight to eliminate FGM in Nigeria. He said the magnitude of FGM in Nigeria is shocking because Nigeria constitutes at least 10 percent of the burden of FGM globally.

UNICEF estimated, in 2016, that 200 million women living today in 30 countries – 27 African countries of which Nigeria is one have undergone the procedure.

Mr Kongnyuy said out of 200 million women with FGM, Nigeria accounts for 20 million women and 25 percent of women in Nigeria have been genitally mutilated. Out of this, 13 percent of such cases were carried out by medical professionals.

He said talking about statistics seems to make it insignificant, but thinking about those behind the statistics makes it very important.

“These are women who are suffering from short or long-term effects of FGM, who are suffering the physical, physiological and sexual effects of FGM in terms of mutilations who have haemorrhage, they have infertility, they have infections, and they have pains, because of FGM”. He expressed shock that most of the mutilations were done by health professionals.

“Looking at statistics of those behind FGM, I was also shocked to realise that 12.7 percent of FGM is actually done by health professionals in Nigeria.

“That to me is unacceptable. There is no justification, there is no medical reason and no medical benefit for FGM. We have to look at the impact of what we are doing, that is, the short and long-term effect of FGM on the female population,” he added.

Oladosu Ojengbede, the director, University of Ibadan Centre for Reproductive Health, outrightly condemned the practice.

He said the involvement of medical professionals has made success of eradicating the menace more challenging.

This, he said, has also encouraged the traditional practitioners to continue in their trade, believing they are being cheated out of their professions.

He also noted that the culture of silence is having a negative effect on sanctioning erring medical personnel who administer FGM.

Mr Ojengbede explained that five states, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Imo and Ebonyi top the chat on the prevalence of FGM in Nigeria.

“This is unacceptable. Why cut at all? We need to put a surveillance system in place at the community level and health care level. Prosecution is also difficult as only 11 states have laws banning FGM.

The professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics said the non-domestication of the laws across states of the federation has made it more difficult to sanction erring personnel.

He, therefore, advocates for multi-sectoral efforts to end FGM in Nigeria especially in the five states with the high burden of the problem.

Five harms of FGM

1. Can lead to excessive bleeding and death of mother during child birth.
2. Can cause damage to the woman’s vagina making her lack sexual sensation during sex

3. High risk of contracting infections

4. Causes menstrual pain as the normal passage for blood flow could have been narrowed

5. Cervical evaluation during labour may be impeded and labour prolonged or obstructed.

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