Organised by NCC Exhibition Organiser (NEO), the exhibition underlines how business related to the elderly continues to grow. Currently worth some Bt107 billion, it is expected to expand by another 10 per cent this year alone. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, NEO predicted that the expo would draw more than 5,000 consumers and see cash flow of at least Bt700 million over the 3 days.

“The InterCare Asia is designed to cater to the ageing society which will grow exponentially over the next 10-20 years. Today, being old doesn’t mean being ill or having weakened health. The elderly are now fit and lead healthy lives,” says Sakchai Pathpreechagul, NEO’s managing director.

“Young people might be irritated by older members of the family Line group and sending picture of flowers with the greeting ‘Sawasdee Wan Jan’ (‘Hello Monday’) but in a way, it reflects how happy they are with life,” Sakchai adds.

The expo is divided into five zones showcasing different kinds of products and innovation in helping ageing people enjoy a better quality of life, namely homecare and medical equipment; utilities for patient and disabled people such as trolleys, gait trainers and wheelchairs; rehabilitation appliances for security and recovery plus devices for retired people, such as assistant robots, orthopaedic devices and hearing aids; services like geriatric hospitals, nursing homes, retirement housing estates; and innovative food created for older people who have difficulty swallowing and food supplements for people with different conditions like kidney disease. A newcomer this year is tourism, which includes medical tourism and special packages designed for an elderly lifestyle.

Seminar subjects cover the nursing home business and new regulations, how to travel in old age and food for the elderly.

Furthermore, the expo provides furniture and equipment along with recent innovations to make life more convenient. Advice for happy retirement is provided as well. Business matching sessions are available and representatives from the Department of Employment will be on hand to offer advice on career opportunities for the retired, Sakchai said.

Chatchai Panitchiwa, president of Business Matching for The Federation of Thai Industries, says that the Federation is supporting the InterCare Asia 2019 and sees the event as a good opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. It has also arranged for the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to host an academic seminar on topic of diet, which will explain the best nutrition for the elderly,

Among the more interesting innovations on show are the Aerolet Toilet Lift that helps older persons to be able to stand up and sit down on the toilet smoothly and an adjustable bed for seniors developed by the NSTDA to which SB Furniture has bought the rights and will launch the product in the next two months at a much more competitive price than the current imported beds.

Niti Siprae of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, says the agency is using the expo to launch its “Thailand Premium” project to encourage tourism among the elderly at prices they can afford. “It addresses convenient and safe travel as well as special sightseeing of each province that is suitable for the lifestyles of retired people.

InterCare Asia 2019 continues until tomorrow night at Bitec Bangna, Hall 99. For more information, visit Facebook.com/IntercareAsia.

Dark circles are exactly what they sound like: dark areas that are located underneath your eyes. They are common, and unfortunately can develop as a part of the ageing process though they may occur in young people, too. While they aren’t a medical concern, they can be an instigator of cosmetic distress.

To treat dark circles, dermatologists must first determine the cause. Thin lower eyelid skin, hyperpigmentation, blood vessels, an orbital structural problem or some combination of all four, are the usual culprits. Medical treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause. Sometimes multiple treatments may be promising and efficacious. For example, if you have dark circles because of hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation in the skin as a result of an allergic reaction or frequently rubbing the skin under the eye area, the discoloration can be treated by topical medication combined with allergy treatment and simply avoiding scratching or rubbing beneath your eyes. Laser treatment is also an option and is effective in lightening the dark circles. And thanks to modern laser technology, the Nu Pico Laser, the latest generation of lasers, is the treatment of choice for pigmentation, especially at the delicate undereye area thanks to its safety profile.

The Nu Pico is a pigment-targeting laser which is named after the unit of time of its pulse duration. The laser pulse from the Nu Pico Laser is so fast that it offers a strong, photomechanical effect that shatters the unwanted pigment that will then be easily flushed by the body. This means that the dark eye circles will be cleared up in fewer treatments than if an ordinary laser is used. Besides, the Nu Pico Laser is suitable for all skin tones, including darker skin tone. Undereye hyperpigmentation, however, is more common in those with darker skin tones, particularly Indian women, and it is considered as having a genetic basis. The Nu Pico Laser is quite safe in treating skin of colour and minimising the occurrence of excessive pigmentation.

Another very common cause of dark circles is thin and translucent undereye skin that increases the visibility of blood vessels causing the undereye areas to look purple or bluish. In this case, a vascular laser that targets blood vessels might be recommended. The laser will destroy and cause vessels to shrink. The deconstructed blood vessels are then reabsorbed into the body and the bluish color under the eye dissipates.

Most often, dark circles are the result of a sunken tear trough or bone structure. These features create shadow that shows up as a dark circle. The problem can be addressed by filler injection. The treatment assists by filling the tear trough areas, making them look less tired and completely rejuvenating the lower eyelid areas.

Undereye filler injection is a quick fix but it is not risk free. Injecting into this area should be performed only by a dermatologist who specialises in this field to ensure that you’re in safe hands.

THANISORN THAMLIKITKUL MD is a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and certified in dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions for her to info@romrawin.com

Like its namesakes, Montblanc Explorer takes the wearer on a fantastic journey, giving them the opportunity to discover the rarest ingredients and manufacturing methods that combine craftsmanship with the latest technology.

The fragrance owes its creation to three outstanding talents from Givaudan: Jordi Fernandez, Antoine Maisondieu and Olivier Pescheux. Each brought his knowledge of a specific ingredient and emotional experience, both as a nose and a traveller, to this unique collaborative project, which blends bergamot from Italy, vetiver from Haiti and patchouli from Indonesia, turning the cologne into an invitation to travel the world with an unconventional woody-aromatic-leather fragrance.

The top note bursts with effusive bergamot, revealing the bright, energetic and optimistic side of the fragrance’s heart. Called OrPur, this particular bergamot explodes with floral, green, and intensely fresh notes.

Explorer comes in a leather-like protective sheath printed with the Saffiano motif used on Montblanc creations since 1926 and decorated with the Montblanc emblem in a shiny finish. The signature star that adorns all the Maison’s leather goods is made exclusively in Hamburg while the sleeve and emblem are assembled by hand at the Montblanc Pelleteria in Florence.

At the recent launch event at Iconsiam, which saw actors Napata Siangsomboon, Nont Napompetch and other celebrities sniffing it out, Peerakan Asavasatitporn, brand manager for Montblanc Thailand, explained that the main ingredients of Montblanc Explorer come from Givaudan’s Sourcing for Shared Value programme. The famous perfume house has identified several ingredients essential to perfumery – including vetiver or patchouli – and supports local producers in embracing ethical and sustainable development. This support to local communities is also reflected in educational initiatives for future generations, such as the construction of three libraries for school children in the regions of Buton and Katoi on the island of Sulawesi.

Through the Givaudan Foundation, Interparfums has contributed to the construction of 3 libraries and currently provides 489 school children and their 33 teachers easier access to culture and reading. A total of 3,650 books have been bought to stock the shelves of the new libraries.

“The exhibition presents the life stories of a wide range of people who are representing the characters of their favorite brands through never-before-seen looks,” said Jirath Vattanapataraset, executive vice president of Marketing, adding that he was also delighted to use the opening to introduce Thipvipa Chantapasa Srivikorn as the new Gaysorn Beauty Ambassador.

Celebrities and customers including Yuki Srikarnchana, Pavarisa Phenjati, Wannaporn Poshyanonda, Ployvarin Songpakorn, Sopacha Adireksarn, Patinya Kyokong, Jirada Yohara, Chutima Teepanart, Jantana Pangputhipong Selby, Monlahcha-Chutimon Skulthai, Pimpawan Limpichart, Araya Indra, Karatphet Issara, Ploy Bhinsaeng, Tatim Rucksajit and Sarunpak Phenjati were on hand to share their stories and feelings about the brands while emcee Niti “Pompam” Chaichitathorn added color and fun entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Gaysorn Urban Retreat positions itself as the ultimate solution for beautiful city living. It especially caters to the young generation of beauty lovers seeking relaxation of both the mind and body through 19 brands, namely Alanis, La Vie Detox & Wellness Center, Chaba Nails & Eyelashes Pro, Miskawaan, Erb, Bliss Room, Lisa Frances Clinic, The Face Aesthetic, Tingle, Wonjin Thailand, Anissa Clinic, Jurlique, Munique Club, Panpuri Wellness, The Gallery Tiara, Paya Dental Clinic by Dr Joy, Skin Lab Bangkok, Thann & Thann Sanctuary, Salon La Prairie, and Lavida.

“The most important element of this exhibition is each model’s beauty that shines through in her own individual way. This is required to fully convey each brand’s characteristic under the concept of ‘Beauty is the Art of Living’,” said photographer Wasan

“From my perspective as an artist, the foundation of beauty usually begins with good health. Good physical and mental health will help spark that natural shine. Another important factor is ‘happiness’. My photographs are good whenever the model is happy. The photographer needs to be able to see the happiness radiating from the model. It helps the work go faster and makes the portraits beautiful. Beauty truly comes from within a woman herself.”

Thipvipa added, “Even though my roles as mother and wife keep me busy, I’ve never neglected self-care, especially in the beauty department. Women and beauty always go together. It’s my lifestyle. Whenever I have free time, I come here to Gaysorn Urban Retreat. They have every beauty service and technology available, which allows every woman to tend to herself from the inside out. This is the lifestyle I was really looking for. It’s the only place where I can come to take care of myself and my beauty, in an all-encompassing way, from my head down to my toes.”

Dr Worakij Chalermskulrat, chief of critical care medicine and pulmonology at the hospital reveals: “ICU patients are divided into two general types: patients with acute life-threatening conditions, such as heart failure, respiratory conditions, dangerously low blood pressure, kidney failure, or other organ failures who are likely to get worse or patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Equipment, like ventilators, dialysis machines, ventricular-assisted devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are employed immediately to replace or support the failing organs. We also provide every ICU patient with a vital signs monitor.

“Each ICU patient at Bumrungrad is taken care of by a team of physicians certified by the American Board of Critical Care Medicine, who collaborate with specialists and ICU nurses working closely with medical teams both inside and outside the ICU. The patients are monitored 24 hours a day. We always focus on patient safety first.”

Bumrungrad has 63 ICU beds accounting for 12 per cent of the 580 beds in the hospital, compared to the average of 8-10 per cent at other hospitals.