A lot of women suffer from the embarrassing spot(s) on their behinds- and if you are one of the few that don’t, lucky you!

So, what causes pimples to flare-up on your tush?

Folliculitis is often caused by bacteria. Sometimes, it may be fungal or yeast-related, or from irritants like dust, and chemicals around the hair follicle area. Factors that could trigger butt acne are: Bad hygiene, sweat, and tight-fitting clothes.

How to avoid the booty breakouts
The best way to avoid the bum breakout is to maintain good hygiene and shower regularly. Also, since it can be caused by friction, you should consider wearing loose-fitting clothes made out of breathable fabrics, especially when you’re sleeping. After working out, change out of your workout clothes and shower immediately.
The common mistake people often make when trying to get rid of bum acne is to over- scrub and over-exfoliate.

Most ladies think that using body scrubs and loofahs help get rid of acne, but in reality, it’s just worsening the inflammation. This can then lead to potential scarring and hyper pigmentation.

Lifestyle changes to banish ’Buttne’
1. Instead of going crazy on body scrubs, you should use body cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide, as this helps keep pesky causing bacteria at bay. That’s not to say exfoliating your buttocks is all wrong, just consider using more gentle exfoliants, like salicylic acid or glycolic acid to break down dead skin cells and remove buildup.

2. Wear clean workout clothes to the gym, shower and change immediately after working out

3. Drink more water to help flush out toxins from your body

4. If you are prone to butt acne or have a sensitive skin, consider switching to hypo-allergenic body products and detergents that don’t have harsh chemicals or fragrances

5. As tempting as it may be, DON’T pop the pimples! This can make them more inflamed and possibly spread the infection.

The general rule of thumb if you are prone to sweating is to keep your bum clean and properly moisturized.  However, if your butt acne is caused by a fungus, you’re better off seeking treatment from a dermatologist.

Photo Credit: Nemanja Glumac

If you think that you may have been exposed to HIV in any way, then the time to act is right right now with PEP.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication regimen that you should take if you believe you have just been exposed to HIV. The sooner someone starts PEP the better. It is most effective when started within 24 hours, but it must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.

So, if you think there is a possibility that you’ve been exposed, here’s what you should know, and what you should do, ASAP to protect yourself.

How to Get PEP after Exposure

First things first, PEP is not a “morning after“pill! It should only be used in emergency circumstances. These include instances like sexual assault, exposure to dirty needles, or a failed method of protection like a broken condom. In the event of an emergency, you can get PEP from a number of places including your primary health care provider’s office, urgent care clinics, or local HIV clinics. The important thing is that you get access to the medication as quickly as possible.

Does PEP Work?

PEP is a highly effective medication when used within the 72 hour timeframe; however, the efficacy is not 100% guaranteed. The sooner you get access to PEP the better. If your doctor prescribes PEP as an option for you, you’ll be on the medication for 28 days. During this time, you’ll need to continue protecting yourself and others by using condoms with your partners.

Expected side effects

PEP drugs are usually well tolerated. Common side effects include headaches, nausea and fatigue. Most common side effects disappear within a few days but in cases of severe side effects, consult your doctor.

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Remember: if you are sexually active, always take the proper precautions to protect yourself and get regularly tested. PEP is a pretty serious medical process that requires a doctor’s supervision.  It’s not something you can regularly pick up at the drug store and take after unprotected sex whenever you choose to.

Visit getpep.info for more information

Photo Credit: Youtube

I really don’t know what’s up with some of our church brothers. But for those that are sincere and would like some useful tips on how to approach that attractive lady in church, read closely:

1. Get Active: Work for God:  One of the best ways to get to know people in church is through volunteering your time or talent. It gives you the chance to interact with different types of people as well as get closer to that lady you fancy.

2. Do not be a show off:  In a highly materialistic society, a church girl would typically want you to be conservative in your appearance.  Don’t try to impress them with your nice clothes or nice car or name dropping personalities you know in church. Sure they notice all those things but they don’t like it when that’s the all you lead with.

3. Do not be seeing unnecessary ‘visions’: I know the “spiricoco” ladies can come across as very serious. Yes, they want the serious intentions but not the overly spiritual approach – you know, “The lord showed me you are my wife” kind of approach. Stop it! Be relatable. Be normal.

4. Be intentional in your approach:  The last thing any woman wants is negative surprises or mixed signals. If/when you do ask her out on a date be open.

Example:

Open Approach:  “I enjoyed your worship session today, there is Nathaniel Bassey concert next weekend…would you like to attend”.

Vague Approach: “you’re a great soloist…I would love to see you praise and worship more. You are blessed.” Huh???

5. Do not stalk her: Even if you really, really, really like a girl, and Jesus told you personally that she is your wife, please do not stalk her. Meaning: Just because the pastor said “give your neighbor a hand shake” doesn’t mean you should cross the aisle to shake her hand OR deliberately sit next to her every Sunday.

In summary, brothers, to pursue a Christian girl, be intentional, be honest and don’t act crazy.

Destiny’s Child was arguably one of the most successful all-girl band before the depature of Letoya and Latavia in January 2000. Both ladies left the group to find new management after financial disputes and disagreements with manager, Mathew Knowles, over his preferential treatment towards his daughter, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland.

What people thought was an amicable split soon turned ugly when the “Say My Name” video which debuted a month after they exited the group, featured two new members Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin in their place. In several media interviews, the ousted group members would reveal that they weren’t even aware that they had been replace until they saw this video.

The legal battles and public war of words that ensued thereafter severed the band’s connections with the two former founding members.

Over a decade later, the forgiveness that seemed elusive for the ladies has finally been found – though fans wished for this reconciliation many years ago. Recently, Beyonce was seen with Latavia and Letoya respectively on two seperate occasions during her co-tour with Jay Z, OTRII.

Two things their reunion teaches us is that time heals wounds and forgiveness is possible.

Though forgiveness seems like a simple concept, it remains one of the difficult things for us to give, especially because of the negative thoughts that keep us miserable when we attempt to forgive — “You were wronged.” “Forgiving means you are weak”. “Hold on to the anger.” “Don’t let them off that easy”

However, the purpose of forgiveness is not to forget or deny hurt nor is it primarily about reconciling with the offender. It’s about taking power over how we choose to respond.

If you are struggling to let go and forgive, here are a few nuggets to keep in mind:

When we choose to hold on to hurt, pain, resentment, and anger it harms us far more than it harms the person that has caused us hurt or pain. Forgiveness allows you to put the burden down and let go.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute if the strong.” ~ Gandhi

Forgiveness lets you regain your own power by allowing you to control the situation by the way you react to it. We maintain anger, regret, hatred, or resentment towards someone and give up our power to others when we refuse to forgive – we allow ourselves to become weak.

“It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody”- Maya Angelou

Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself, to be at peace and to be happy. You’re not doing this for them, you’re doing it for yourself, to set yourself free from the feelings of hurt and anger. Many people waste years of their lives in bitterness and resentment when they could, through forgiveness, have lived that time in happiness.

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” — Paul Boese

We can’t erase the past, but we can choose to let go of the pain in order to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

The Reddit co-founder says he doesn’t mind at all that his wife Serena, is more widely recognized than he is. He also doesn’t mind being referred to as “Serena’s husband”.

A Twitter user asked if he isn’t bothered by this and he said, “I don’t mind at all”. He went on to explain that even if his latest venture grows to be one of the greatest of all time, it will still not compare to what his wife “has done and will continue to do”.

He went on to add: “I’m used to being the face of my companies, so I enjoy not being the “public-facing” partner in my marriage.”

I don’t mind at all. Only a few hundred million people use @reddit every month and only a small percentage of them know who I am. (Far, far more people have cheered for my wife; specifically, for the last two decades) just math.

See his tweets below:

This guy is #husbandgoals period.

The two singers were pictured up close and personal at Beyoncé and JAY-Z‘s OTR II Tour in Arlington, Texas.

This is the first time the pair have been photographed together since Luckett was ousted from the all-girl group 18 years ago.

The adorable photo where Beyoncé embraced Letoya’s pregnant belly, was uploaded to Beyoncé‘s website on Tuesday. The next day, LeToya shared the photo on Instagram and captioned it “Love. ”

Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Lawson, also took to Instagram to congratulae Letoya on her pregnancy.

“Congratulations LeToya you are gonna be the best mommy,” Tina wrote.

LeToya, was one of the original members of Destiny’s Child, the record-breaking group that gave us hit songs such as: Bills, Bills, Bills and Bug-a-boo.

The former DC member, recently revealed that she left the group kicking and screaming but also said, that she has nothing but love and support for her former band mates.

LeToya told Rolling Stone last May,“I’m so proud of every single lady that was a part of DC. We’re all in support of each other, we’re all grown, all doing our own things.”

“I be out here stanning. Kelly is everywhere. Bey, I don’t know how she does it all, creating crazy visual albums and then you’re gonna carry two human beings at the same time? She’s awesome.”

Hopefully there will be a DC reunion in future cos we still stan hard for the girls.

This should be Naomi’s time to shine in the spotlight. But her victory has been overshadowed by the whole Serena drama.

For every person waving the “I stand with Serena” flag, there is another person bashing her for throwing a tantrum over being called out for her glaring misconduct- but I am here screaming what about Naomi?! It’s not every day a 20-year-old girl gets to play against the number 1 and beat her to a win in a grand slam final.

I mean this is not the first time Serena has thrown a fit on-court, heck! She once threatened to shove a ball down an official’s throat (Google it) so, what’s so special about last Saturday’s episode that it had to overshadow Naomi’s win?

The 19^th ranked tennis star had consistently shown over the past 3 years, that she is a rising star to reckon with. Her previous wins at other big stages had set the ball rolling for the praises she rightly deserves after her recent feat.

Tennis fans should not be quick to forget the striking difference between the accolades that followed after Serena’s maiden grand win and that of the tennis star of Haitian decent.

Perhaps the black community – which has been the most vocal in expressing their outrage – should see Naomi’s win as a signal that there is another girl of colour capable of dominating the female tennis stage like Serena. Naomi should be celebrated. Not booed.

Lately, the actress has been very vocal on the ‘gram, especially regarding topics that have to do with relationships. (We hope all is well with her boo, Iceberg Slim?).

Today she is advising women to dump their cheating men and date their fathers.

She wrote:

Ladies, if your man cheating on you; dump him and date his father. Make that nigga your step son. #adviceofthecentury#lol

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Damn!

Ever since these photos got released online, they have become a hot topic, as people are giving their opinions about whether the photos are artistic or blasphemous.

People like Adaeze Yobo, wife of footballer, Joseph Yobo,  see nothing wrong with the photo. Adaeze, commented on the photo on Instagram, stating, “I actually love.”

Similarly, Annie Idibia voiced her support for the photos, stating, “He who is without sin should cast the first stone! Wrong is wrong! Sin is Sin! Too deep a thing to say BF. Let’s remember that is it only God that can/will judge even the priest who raped.”

However, others disagreed with Annie and Adaeze, stating:

There were similar comments that condemned the photos all over social media.

In her defence, Beverly said:

The right to freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights in the Nigerian constitution that also includes freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

But the lines are often blurred as to whether Nigerian creative practitioners have the right to express creativity using religion or religious symbols as a reference point or theme in their creative outputs.

One thing is clear from the way each side received and responded to Beverly’s photos, the debate on creativity, freedom of expression and religious tolerance (or lack of), is far from over.

During a recent appearance on the Wendy Show, the 41-year-old the Love and War gave all the scoop on her new bae.

“I met him at a friend’s birthday party, thank you God, he’s so fine! I can’t take it sometimes. It’s like a whole snack — a Lunchable,” she gushed.

She says they’ve been dating for “about three months” but “it feels like forever”and she’s “very much” in love.Tamar also revealed that her boyfriend is from Nigeria and attended Harvard Business School.

On the topic of marriage, she said, “Depends on if I’m asked or not.”

Braxton, who has a five-year-old son named Logan with her estranged husband, was more direct when Williams asked about having more children.

“Absolutely! I would love to have some wonderful, beautiful African children for the Lord. Yes!”

Congrats sis, we wish you two a lifetime of happiness.