Delight delight: an ode to my Maia - don't leave home without it!

A few posts back I mentioned the new Dr LeWinns Medic range, which is designed to help eczema sufferers everywhere – and there are a lot of them. Between 10-25 per cent of New Zealander’s have eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), and the number has risen dramatically over the past 50 years. Eczema has a tendency to run in families. If both parents have eczema, there is an 80 per cent chance that their children will too with 90 per cent of eczema sufferers are diagnosed before the age of 5 years.
A recent study undertaken in New Zealand on the benefits of reducing the effects of chlorine on the skin of Eczema patients has been published in the NZ Medical Journal. The findings of the research showed that the respondents - whilst maintaining their regime of topically applied prescriptions - who used a Maia shower attachment on their usual showerhead containing the Vitamin C filter noticed a reduction in exacerbations or flares in their Eczema for the eight week duration of the research program. Historically, Dermatologists have also recommended that Eczema sufferers shower rather than bathe simply to reduce the amount of time bathing in chlorinated bath water. While chlorine is an important part of the water purifying process to eliminate bacteria, the chlorine, chloramines and the gases generated from chlorine in the shower have some detrimental effects on our body. Anyone who has ever swum in a chlorinated pool knows how harsh chlorine is on the skin and hair. Chlorine is known to strip the skin of its natural protective barrier and is thus drying to both the skin and the hair; not to mention altering hair colour too – think the green tinged blonde who is all too familiar come Summer!
The naturally occurring oils in the skin provide protection from bacteria entering through the pores and help to keep moisture in the cellular structure of the skin. A healthy cell structure is vital as our skin is our only external organ it is also the largest organ. It is working 24 hours a day to repair, release and regenerate itself so that it can perform its function to protect our internal organs. Eczema stems from excess dryness of the skin – it feels tight and it becomes itchy, when scratched the skin cracks, the cracks then become superhighways for bacterial infections causing painful atopic dermatitis that can require medical intervention and topically applied remedies.
I have used a Methven Maia since its release and have to say that it’s made a world of difference when it comes to the condition of my hair, and always make sure that the Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) filter is on to neutralize the chlorine and it is proven to reduce the amount of chlorine in the water as it flows through the filter. It helps to neutralize the PH levels in the water which help keep your skin and hair closer to their normal pH levels, keeping your skin and hair more healthy. Showering in pure water helps keep skin softer and hair shinier, not dull and faded from the effects of chlorine.
I can’t rave about my Maia enough, and have definitely begun leaning to the “raving fan” mentality. Did I mention they also look rather gorgeous too? And the Tiffany’s “travel bag” that comes with it just sweetens the deal – I take my Maia with me frequently when I travel as hotel water is so damn harsh. If you love your skin you just wouldn’t be without one.