Christell introduces PRP therapy – a non-surgical procedure proven to rejuvenate skin and hair

The Christell Skin Clinic in Colombo has introduced PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy for skin and hair. This ground-breaking advancement in medicine is a non-operative treatment that helps to accelerate the normal process of renewal and healing, bringing a non-surgical alternative with natural results to rejuvenate the skin and hair.

Christell is a pioneering total skincare solutions clinic based in Colombo with Professor Ramani Arsecularatne at its helm. Educated in the US, UK, France and Japan, and a graduate of the Christine Valmy Institute in New York and Kimari International in Singapore, Professor Arsecularatne is an expert and pioneer in Sri Lanka’s beauty and hairdressing industry. She founded the Ramani Arsecularatne International Academy of Cosmetology (RAIAC) and has paved the way for qualified entrants to enter the field, thus improving both the scope and quality of skin care treatment in Sri Lanka.

Professor Arsecularatne founded Christell in 2014 with a team of cosmetic physicians, trained medical staff, and cosmetologists specializing in skin care, hair and beauty. PRP therapy is one of the most sought after treatments at Christell; it is a complex medical discovery, but works quite simply by injecting the client’s own blood platelets to the skin or scalp in order to eliminate the risk of adverse reactions to the treatment. PRP has been known to accelerate normal cell renewal and healing by stimulating collagen formation, revascularization and repair. It can also be used as a natural filler to restore volume where necessary.

When PRP is injected to the skin it activates dermal fibroblasts which play a key role in maintaining skin integrity and youthfulness, accelerating the process of skin renewal by synthesizing cell renewal ingredients. The treatment is effective in treating wrinkles and improving texture, elasticity, volume and skin tone. It is particularly effective around the eye area for dark circles and under eye bags, and for fine lines on the skin. Patients have reported an 82% improvement in skin tone, 52% improvement in wrinkle appearance and an 87% improvement overall.

Christell also offers PRP therapy for various types of alopecia and hair loss. PRP Hair Restoration works for both men and women, and is generally considered a non-surgical and natural alternative medical procedure for hair loss and thinning.

Results will appear as early as the second week post-treatment, and Christell recommends a package of 3-4 treatments for best results. “We’re very pleased to be able to be one of the best clinics to perform this procedure and we use equipment and consumables from Regen labs Switzerland which is among the best in the world,” says Prof. Arsecularatne. “It’s completely safe because there’s no risk of allergy to the materials being injected. And because PRP is a rejuvenation treatment, it’s about encouraging the skin to renew itself so it doesn’t result in a fixed or unnatural look after the procedure. It’s simply encouraging your cells to heal faster to naturally rejuvenate your skin and hair.”

For more details visit www.christellskin.com

Architect Suzette Whehella visits Meubel House to share tips for living spaces brimming with life

With real estate in Colombo steadily rising in value, contemporary homes are becoming smaller and professional advice on how to enhance a space proves valuable and cost-effective for homeowners. During a visit to the picturesque Meubel House gallery on Gower Street, Architect Suzette Whehella shares her tips for making the best out of every space and a few guiding principles for choosing the right furniture.

Architect Whehella grew up amid spaces and design metrics – her father was an engineer and since she was six years old, she aspired to create living spaces. She studied architecture at the City School of Architecture and branched out on her own with Suzette Whehella Associates. Architect Whehella prefers to focus on a few projects at a time; this has allowed her to dabble in sub-disciplines close to her own work-for example interior design, which she started experimenting with when she realized how a beautifully designed space could be furnished and accessorized to make it truly extraordinary.

When she meets with clients Whehella tries to find out what makes them tick. “Interiors are about character,” she says. “It has to reflect the little quirks and interests of the person living in the house.” It can be challenging to keep your own preferences out of it, she laughs. “You have to remember that this is where someone else will be living and that it needs to be about their likes and dislikes.” Her advice is to consult with an architect first if you’re doing the interiors for your own house, as they will have a good idea of what the space requires.

To begin with, a house with open areas and natural light is instantly easier to work with. If natural light is difficult to tap into, Whehella advises strategically placing lamps and lights for good lighting indoors. Then, you could choose the furniture and other accessories to individualize your space.

When choosing furniture, remember that size matters. A larger space can handle large furniture while it is always advisable to choose smaller pieces for a smaller space. It may sound self-evident but many homeowners give in to the temptation of buying a large pettagama, or wooden chest, for their tiny living room. To be comfortable, you need as much space as possible to walk around, says Whehella.

Use quirky, unusual versions of the most traditional items of furniture. You could also use unusual colours to brighten up a solid colour scheme-for example a room painted in white and filled with white or light-coloured furniture will instantly take to multi-coloured chests. Whehella suggests using it in a TV room or living room, but recommends that you pair it with an otherwise muted colour scheme. “As a rule of thumb, we say no more than three colours. Beyond that it gets to be too much. I would also follow this rule when you’re painting indoor spaces – for walls, less is more.”

Mix and match shapes and textures, but with restraint. Thinking in height and width dimensions can also help you find visual balance in a space. A strategically placed mirror can also add a touch of elegance to a larger space, or create the illusion of space in a smaller room.

The day bed which was made entirely of reclaimed wood from a boat, is an example of a statement piece that can dress up a large space or add excitement to an outdoor area. Whehella recommends using primarily wood in outdoor spaces – just make sure you maintain it well – or rattan, a naturally renewable material favoured by many Sri Lankan households. If you must have metal, use galvanized wrought iron for a rustic look to add character to a space.

Whehella shares that interior design is often about instinct tempered with insight – perhaps from a professional, but experience can also help. Instinct will help you bring a strong sense of character to a room, while knowing what goes where, and how, will help you make that space truly home. At Meubel House you’ll find a bit of both – guidance to help you find the right fit for your home, and respect for character in a space via customized furniture.

The True Essence of Sri Lanka

Imagine a typical Sri Lankan village complete with the paddy fields, water ways that nourish the soil, vegetable patches sprouting the freshest produce, and even the scarecrow that guards the crops. Add to it the smells of fresh bread that emanate from the “poranuwa” (wood-fired oven), and the sounds of sizzling “handello” being fried over an open stove. A scene from a village far away you would think. Wrong.

This is the backdrop to the latest addition to Waters Edge’s increasing culinary prowess. “Thuna Paha” Embodying the uniqueness of a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and caraway that becomes the “super spice” that is the staple of most Sri Lankan dishes “Thuna Paha” by Waters Edge opened doors recently. The central idea at “Thuna Paha” is a buffet at your table and they pull-out all stops when it comes to delivering food from around our sunny island.

Waters Edge has basically converted their large lawn space in to a traditional village. The entrance to the restaurant acts as a market place selling Sri Lankan wares including some of the organic produce from the hotel’s own gardens.

Welcomed the traditional Sri Lankan way with an “Ayubowan” (May you have long life) and a herbal drink, guests can choose to sit outdoors in hamlets that surround the main garden or in an air-conditioned section. Surrounding the garden are action stations with the women of the village preparing everything from string hoppers to pittu and even the traditional sweet meats. On the other side an old uncle mans the hot oven which dishes out the softest bread and arguably the best jam buns in town.

Once seated a waiter clad in sarong and shirt will read out the day’s menu to you and hand you a tab to pick your drinks (best of both worlds!). We picked a very unique king coconut and treacle concoction that is a real thirst quencher to beat the heat. This is accompanied by a tray of local starters including the classic vaddai from the North, manioc chips, banana chips and fried fish. The platter is generally sufficient for two persons and our pick was the banana chips which are distinctly different to their manioc counterparts.

What comes next is a pleasant surprise and is heralded by the song “Tikiri Menike Ambula Genalla” in the background. A parade of young lasses clad in traditional “reddai hattai” (cloth and jacket) carrying reed baskets arrive at your table and present you with the days curries and condiments which are placed on a special heater. No two meals will have the same vegetables and curries which are also a unique experience in itself as you never know what to expect. We loved absolutely loved the Jaffna-style prawn curry which was a mild, yellow curry flavoured with saffron, and the mutton black curry which be warned is not for the faint-hearted. To cut the spiciness of the curries which is commonplace with Sri Lankan cuisine the “nelum ala” (lotus root” salad that we had in our “ambula” was just right. Special mention must also be made of the pumpkin white curry with mustard and of course the must-have Sinhala achcharu (pickle).

Then comes the array of staples which you can pick from at the various action stations. Everything from string hoppers to hoppers, rotti, pittu, bread and endemic Sri Lankan kottu rotti is freshly prepared and delivered to your table. For those who are more health-conscious most staples can be made with red rice flour on request.

Once you have sat down to your meal, do not be alarmed if you are suddenly disturbed by the sounds of traditional drums or the arrival of a devil dancer warding off evil spirits who might be there to trouble you while you eat. Traditional dancers also make occasional appearances to keep you entertained.

Towards the rear end of the restaurant, overlooking the Diyawanna is the village “Thabaruma” or bar which serves up the usual cocktails and mocktails with a traditional twist. This is a great place to grab a drink and relax as the sun sets picturesquely over the water.

We Sri Lankans love feeding our guests and Thuna Paha follows suit with a magnanimous platter of desserts once you have completed your meal. The platter may include seasonal fruits, Bibikkan (coconut cake), Watalappan, Curd and Treacle, and sweet meats such as coconut rock, milk toffee and even the kevum and kokis.

Family-friendly and with really nice staff who take the time to walk you through traditional Sri Lankan ways of life, this place is also a great way to teach young children of our national heritage. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and we were quite surprised by their pricing which is reasonable to say the very least. Our recommendation is that you try dinner though when the restaurant really is at its grandest.

Location **** (Everyone knows Waters Edge!)

Ambiance **** (The lay out of the entire property creates a great atmosphere)

Service ***** (Knowledgeable and courteous and gives you the real feel of Sri Lankan hospitality)

Food ***** (Simple yet satisfying!)

Overall **** ½

Reviwed by #FoodiesSL

 

A Chat With Tanaz Pestonjee

Starting a business these days is no easy task; competition is rife, and there are too many companies demanding a slice of cake that’s forever becoming smaller. But the Abans Group of Companies has served to prove that this small pearl of truth is in fact false.

Being part and parcel of the Abans Group of Companies, it truly was an insightful conversation I had with Tanaz Pestonjee. Having studied Psychology in Australia, she has taken on the business reins here in Sri Lanka as the company expands its influence in the sphere of fashion and lifestyle.

It is also interesting to note that the Abans Group is working on The Colombo City Centre, which is a mixed use project that the company is developing along with their JV partner — Silver Needle hospitality of Singapore. The project will comprise of a multi-storey shopping mall and a multi-screen Cineplex, business hotel, and a high rise residential centre.  The mall is touted to be the first international standard mall in Sri Lanka with Tanaz Pestonjee being actively involved in curating the mix of international and local brands for the mall.

During the time I had this opportunity to chat with Tanaz, it was interesting to traverse her family history and the varying ups and downs that solidified the Abans Group as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost conglomerates.

The company beginnings were humble, and it was a simple need back in the day (identified by Mrs. Pestonjee) that snowballed into an industry of success. It was a simple idea brought on by a simple need that has led the company to boast over 13,500 employees while housing some of the most renowned global brands that are household names.

Besides fashion, the company has also expanded into fast food franchises such as McDonalds. With global and indeed local trends changing it does seem a natural step to consider branching into the business of fashion. Always considering the art of taking calculated risks, the company has rather aggressively decided to bring down international brands that are both aspirational and luxurious.

The Abans Group celebrated the opening of the HUGO BOSS Store on April 28, at the Arcade Independence Square; it is considered to be the first ever premium luxury brand to be introduced in Sri Lanka. The store provides a truly stunning showcase for the BOSS and BOSS Green Collections, which includes tidy, angular aesthetics, and an interior design that promises harmony with its clean lines, contours, and colours.

As a third generation of the Pestonjee family, Tanaz Pestonjee talks of how focused and geared one must be in order to do these brands justice. With many years of planning being the works, she talks of how it took many a focus group and feasibility study before the green light was given to bring down a brand such as HUGO BOSS to Sri Lanka.

All things considered, it must be stated that the Abans Group is quite careful when it comes to selecting what brands to partner with. The Group looks for brands that share the same though process and whether they will add value to the lives of consumers and the local market.

But it is a fine line; gone are the days when one could attempt a business plan and expect it to work for a few years. Now even business plans needs to be tweaked and amended to take into consideration the changing tastes and desires of a consumer that’s largely millennial. As a millennial herself, Tanaz Pestonjee speaks of how the company must always be on the pulse.

What more does this veritable company have up its sleeves to offer a public that’s forever craving new brands and experiences? That, Tanaz Pestonjee tells me, is something we will all have to wait and see. Patience, as we all know, is a virtue, especially in the business world.

Written by Rohitha Perera

Chitral Jayathilake – Celebrated Nature Photographer & Wildlife Enthusiast

Chitral Jayathilake, is a name synonymous with wildlife photography. With an avid interest in promulgating Sri Lanka as a wildlife destination, he reprises his role primarily as a nature lover and then some, through a cornucopia of trail blazing efforts, ensuring that others follow suit. Brandishing an in-depth knowledge of wildlife hotspots of the island has given Chitral the cutting edge as he steers his able team at Cinnamon Nature Trails.

In Retrospect

His interest in photography was sparked long before the dawn of the digital age; following the footsteps of his illustrious father, Chitral dabbled in the art of photography with verve.

He was at liberty to use the tools to hone his love for photography, which in turn enabled this pioneer nature photographer a chance to submit his picture for a contest when he was merely seventeen years old. “The honorary award presented by the Duke of Cambridge was a milestone in my life,” enthused he.

While pursuing his passion for capturing the pictures which spoke volumes to its viewers, Chitral commenced his career in the airline industry of the leading conglomerate in the island, John Keells PLC (John Keells Holdings at the time).

He held his first exhibition at the age of 28 and published his premier coffee table book in collaboration with the late Ravi Samarasinghe.

Chitral embarked on a perilous journey to the war torn areas in the North and North East in search of nature’s bounty and was the happiest when the conflict ended in 2009. “This was the second momentum for me and the greatest opportunity this Island achieved,” said he as the cessation of civil strife opened an avalanche of opportunities in terms of exploration.

A Wealth of Knowledge

His extensive knowledge of the wild coupled with his agility and stealthy reflexes, is considered a gift by many renowned nature photographers, who value his immense contribution in placing Sri Lanka on the map; predominantly as a nature based tourist destination.

“Our country is home to a rich bio- diversity and eco-system and I have always marveled at the vibrancy of nature, yearning to showcase it to the world.”

 “A few years ago, I made a transition in my career by transferring to the JK Hotel sector which was a beneficial decision as it fueled my passion for creativity and the wild. Subsequently, the two interests fused to bring about the concept of wild life tourism. Along with a team of equally passionate souls, we established the Cinnamon Nature trails which brought in celebrated wildlife enthusiasts of the world.”

Working with the Celebrities

Chitral’s efforts have continuously reached across the realm to international platforms such as BBC Earth, National Geography, BBC Natural History and much more.

“I have been very fortunate to work alongside renowned nature lovers, photographers and wildlife film makers such as Jonathan and Angela Scott who are the only couple to have won the ‘Overall Winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award’ as individuals, the celebrated British marine biologist, Dr. Charles Anderson, world famous wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum as well as TV wildlife celebrity Austin Stevens. Apart from the above mentioned star-studded names were many others including BBC presenter, author, wildlife evangelist and conservationist Chris Packham, award-winning photographer, presenter and legendary wildlife guide Paul Goldstein who is passionate conservationist promoting sustainable tourism and Bence Mate – The highest BBC award winning photographer from Hungary”.

Exploring the Ends of the Earth

“I believe in tapping the potential and not allowing oneself to be stagnated. Hence, the reason for providing an out bound tourist venture, titled ‘Wildlife Exposed’ which is solely based on exploring the wilds of South America predominantly the forests of Brazil which is home to the jaguar, the jungles of Rwanda famous for its population of silverback gorillas and India’s verdant woodlands in search of the majestic Bengal tiger and of course the vast grasslands of Kenya, which is the habitat for many species. After all, why does one have to adhere to the norm when there is a world of opportunity that awaits those who are willing to take the plunge,” announced he.  

“These adventure based holiday excursions which are tailor-made for nature enthusiast are specially curated by Cinnamon Holidays which provide experiences to celebrate the natural world, admiring traditions and heritage, diversity of people and places while treading lightly among the magical spaces on earth,” remarked Chitral.

Family – the backbone of success

Chitral receives his greatest support and admiration from his beautiful spouse, Oshadi and his two equally pretty and talented daughters, Dewmi and Ashvini. His time spent with his family is equally as important as his sojourns to the wilds.

Dewmi, is a fashion designer working at the MAS Group, while Ashvini, who echoes the sentiments of her father in terms of photography, aspires to be an architect someday. She herself has gained recognition for her photographic escapades, which involved a few exhibitions alongside her father and another with Dimitri Goonewardane. A few years ago the young photographers (Ashvini & Dimitri) who are protégés of Chitral, published a 136 page book titled “Growing in the Wild” in 2013 when they were 19 years and 15 years respectively.

I am proud of my girls who have embarked on careers which revolve around creativity and design,” stated Chitral with unbridled pride.

The Importance of Sustainability

Chitral emphasized on the key elements which will eventually prevent unethical practices which endanger the gifts endowed by Mother Nature to our isle, “as much as we need to promote tourism, the government itself has to set up the parameters for sustaining and conserving our wildlife without allowing greed to overtake regulations.

Wild life and nature based tourism should not add unnecessary stress to the habitats as the controls and guidelines need to be in place. For instance Yala exhibits the potential threat to the wildlife sanctuaries when there are no restrictions as the animals are faced with tremendous stress due to the overwhelming numbers which visit the park daily during the season.

The government should implement the relevant controls to mitigate such an influx into the nature reserves if they wish to preserve and retain the natural beauty of its environment and we can learn much from our neighbors and shape the necessary controls that will ensure what’s wild and free here stays like that for years to come.

We can look at the countries such as Costa Rica and even Rwanda which are thriving due to their ability to control visitation which helps to preserve the wild habitat and enhance guests experiences ,” added he.

Photography Exhibition

At present the nature aficionado who espouses the cause of promoting Sri Lanka as a wildlife destination is heavily involved in promoting the ‘Cinnamon Sri Lanka Photo Contest,’which enables tourists to send in pictures of the island which encapsulate either one of the seven categories such as nature , landscapes and cityscapes, interior, culture and people, activity and adventure, deeper perspective or photo essay travel shots with the added opportunity to submit their best videography experiences in the island. The ongoing application process which expires in a few days will be adjudged on technical excellence, composition and originality and enable the winner to receive USD5000 in cash with the bonus award of a 21-day all expenses paid vacation to photograph this bountiful island to their hearts content. The winner of the videography category will receive USD2500 with a day 10 day all- expenses paid assignment to cover Sri Lanka.

Message to the Budding Nature Photographers

The words of the expert to budding nature photographers is saturated with wisdom ,“my message to those interested in following this path which requires a penchant for the natural world is to have bouts of patience as one allows the wild to offer its opportune moments. Do not try to create an image by disrupting the natural flow of nature; let the animals and the landscapes move at their own pace while you respect and reverence their world and feel honoured that they have allowed you to be a part of this not vice versa. It is also imperative to have a profound bond with nature prior to embarking on a path which requires one to take on a meditative stance; conforming to the surroundings while being keenly aware of every movement in order to capture the perfect picture which will reveal its story to the world.  

In the past the potential for nature photography was limited to the restrictive investments and it was only a handful of individuals who would embark on such a career, but the trends have changed due to the onset of digital photography and social media. One does not necessarily have to be technologically savvy to click at an image but the creative aspect and the passion for nature does play a significant part in capturing nature in its unadulterated albeit breathtaking beauty. A photograph depicts a story and you as a photographer should consider yourself as the narrator.”

By Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne

 

Between Waxing and Waffles

What does waxing and waffles have in common you may ask? The answer lies in a love story between two people that has given birth to not just two beautiful children, but also to two budding enterprises that are household names in Colombo.

Like their two ventures “BeWaxed” and “The Waffle Café”, Durga and Marcus Kenny are polar opposites. While Marcus is the quieter behind-the-scenes kinda guy, Durga is “the face” of the companies.

The idea for a specialized waxing salon first dawned on Durga when she herself couldn’t find a safe, secure and personalized place to meet her requirements. After much research and thought, “BeWaxed” came in to being. Colombo being the tiny metropolis that it is news soon spread and the salon received an overwhelming response. A year ago the salon was relocated to a more spacious and convenient location at Kirimandala Mawatha. The official website for the salon www.bewaxed.lk was also launched and has enabled customers to get a view of services and comforts provided before stepping in to the plush new outlet. The waxing salon also has a huge social media following waiting eagerly for tips and information on the “perfect wax”.

“We now have a loyal clientele of about 3,000 customers who seek our range of services and it gives me great joy to see repeat customers who have now more or less become a part of the family.” Durga also explains that “BeWaxed” differs from all other waxing and regular salons across the country in terms of being the only exclusively for ladies establishment of its kind. This offers Durga’s clients the private and safe environment that women desire when it comes to such intimate matters. She also attributes the salon’s success to her loyal staff, many of whom have been with her since its inception.

Being ardent globe-trotters and after many visits to Europe the duo also had another great idea. Being self-proclaimed “foodies”, Durga and Marcus had enjoyed cuisines from around the world but found that “waffles” were a common favourite. “We did our research and realized that although many restaurants and cafes served waffles as a part of their menu, there was no dedicated place where it was all about waffles. And that is how we got the idea of the waffle café”.

Conveniently located in the suburbs of Etul Kotte, “The Waffle Café” is quite the dream come true for any food lover. The menu put together by Durga and Marcus combines the goodness of traditional Belgian waffles with a Sri Lankan twist. On any given date the café is packed to the brim with waffle-enthusiasts waiting their turn to try out the by-now infamous “Gini Kukula” (Waffles topped with Sri Lankan spicy chicken curry) or “Yakka’s Sausage” (Super-hot devilled sausages on waffles). We are also told that the “Buthaya’s Buttons” (Mixed mushrooms cooked in Chinese chilli sauce) is a favourite among the vegetarians.

Traditionally warm waffles are best eaten with butter and maple syrup and this is exactly what Durga recommends with her Liege Waffles. Liege waffles are harder in texture and Durga’s chefs add pearl sugar to the dough for that extra crunch. The complete experience at the café is best-described as homely, with the couple themselves often there to chat with customers and tell their stories of how Marcus came up with the names.

With two young children, we are compelled to ask this power couple how they juggle two businesses and still manage to run a family successfully. “Just like any other couple we have our challenges as well but what’s important is that we work with our strengths and manage our differences. There are days when you are literally pulling your hairs out but what matters in the end is not to kill each other”, laughs Durga.

In a day and age when marriage and family is the last thing on many people’s minds, it is indeed an honour and privilege to know that there are those few who value it above all else. Durga and Marcus Kenny have defied the odds and made it all work out somehow.

Information

Names: Durga and Marcus Kenny

DOB: 14th August 1982 and 01st April 1976

Family: 2 kids (7 year old son and 2 year old daughter)

Previous Employment

Durga: Tourism/Hospitality

Marcus: Garment manufacturing

Role-Model

Durga: Every day working moms

Marcus: My father

Philosophy in Life

Durga: Don’t be afraid to start again if you fail the first time!

Marcus: Life is what YOU make of it!

Favourites

5 Things in Durga’s Handbag at All Times

Hand sanitizer…Lipstick…Phone…Perfume…Sunglasses

4 Things Marcus Loves to Eat

Paneer…Bananas…Peanut Butter…Pol Sambol

3 Places Durga Loves to Travel to

Maldives…Singapore…Italy

2 of Marcus’ Favourite Sports

Mixed Martial Arts… Cycling

1 Thing They Hate About Each Other

Durga: His ability to forgive people easily

Marc us: Early morning frown for no apparent reason

Written by Nishu Hassim

Photo Credit: Sanura Gunawardana