Latest news with #MarkBlake
Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The Left is ready to strike against Starmer's miserable leadership
Last week the Green Party gained three new London councillors. On Wednesday, Mark Blake and Liam Shrivastava joined after having previously been independents and, before that, Labour representatives. The following night, the Greens triumphed in Shooters Hill, a leafy ward in Greenwich, enjoying a 29 per cent swing from Keir Starmer's party. For now such events are mere ripples amid the wider turmoil of national politics. But as next May starts to loom, with elections across England's large cities, Scotland and Wales, they offer a glimpse of Labour's future. This year's local elections were a political earthquake, with Reform not only winning almost a third of the popular vote, but the Conservatives seeing their projected vote share fall to just 15 per cent. Most significant of all: for the first time in modern history neither Labour, nor the Tories, took first place in a national ballot for English councils. Both parties struggled, but things were particularly disastrous for the Conservatives as they lost 16 councils across the country. Labour, having won a sizable majority in the general election less than a year prior, still held on to hopes of a revival in fortunes.
Elle
24-06-2025
- Health
- Elle
The 5 Best Oils For Hair Growth That You Need To Know About
Oils have long been hailed as heroes for hair growth, but separating fact from fiction is no small feat. With roots in many ancient practices, such as Ayurvedic rituals, the relationship between long lengths and natural oils is nothing new. Rosemary oil has become a coveted essential extract in recent years, garnering mass appeal on platforms such as TikTok and making headlines for its controversial supposed benefits. The question is: do any of these extracts actually work, and what does the science say? 'People assume that massaging olive oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, or rosemary oil into their scalps is beneficial because it moisturises the scalp (which it does) or potentially helps reduce inflammation and promote hair growth,' says Trichologist Mark Blake. However, he advises that he is generally against individuals oiling their scalps, particularly if they don't know exactly what they are using and why. Here, expert trichologists and consultant dermatologists break down the essentials of oils for hair growth, how to use them in the safest possible way, and the alternative formulas for everyday use. According to Consultant Dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips, oils such as argan, castor, rosemary, lavender, and coconut oil do offer benefits such as moisturising the scalp, contributing overall scalp health, reducing inflammation, and supporting hair elasticity. However, he highlights that there are also a handful of risky downsides when these essential oils are used improperly. Think scalp build-up, irritation, greasiness and the exacerbation of existing scalp conditions. 'The main problem is that people don't remove these oils, and this can create its own set of problems,' explains Blake. 'The worst mistake is to leave oils on the scalp overnight as the product deteriorates overnight on your scalp and mixes with the yeast, bacteria and fungus that is already on your scalp, as well as parasites such as demodex.' Don't be alarmed by this news. These tiny, microscopic mites live on everyone, in the hair follicle. 'They are so small (0.15mm – 0.4mm) that it would take around 10 of them to cover a pin head,' he says. 'Demodex feast on excess oil and skin cells, increasing the overall microbial load on your scalp. In some cases, leaving oils on your scalp might create more itching, dryness and irritation than you already had.' While there is some scientific research into the benefits of essential oils for hair growth, it's important to weigh these benefits against the risks. Many experts recommend diluting potent oils, such as rosemary and peppermint, with carrier oils like argan and coconut to prevent irritation. What experts agree on is that pure oil should not be left on the scalp, particularly overnight. Instead, the safest option is to use professional formulas containing these famous extracts, rather than relying on at-home concoctions and guesswork. Argan oil is a natural oil derived from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree, and is popularly used in skin and hair care formulas. 'Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, which work to hydrate the scalp and hair,' explains Phillips. 'Research suggests that it can be beneficial in protecting hair against oxidative damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe a dry, flaky scalp and alleviate conditions such as dandruff, promoting overall scalp health. The antioxidants and fatty acids in argan oil can also improve the elasticity of hair, making it less prone to breakage. While it doesn't directly stimulate hair growth, its rich properties support better hair health, which can indirectly benefit hair growth.' He explains that applying pure oils, such as argan oil, directly to the scalp can exacerbate conditions like dandruff and blocked pores. As with any oils, excessive application can also lead to greasy hair. It's also important to note that, although argan oil is derived from the fruit of the argan tree (which is a type of tree nut), it's always best to exercise caution if you have an allergy. In short, castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant. While it's less luxurious than the aforementioned argan oil, it boasts a number of similar moisturising benefits. 'Castor oil is composed of ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory benefits,' says Phillips. 'It also contains omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, both of which are beneficial for scalp and hair health. Its natural humectant properties help the scalp and hair retain moisture, guarding against breakage and creating an environment more favourable for hair growth. Castor oil is also believed to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which support a healthy scalp and help reduce irritation.' When it comes to the drawbacks of castor oil, he explains that the thick, sticky consistency of castor oil can make it difficult to apply and remove. As a result, it can cause a build-up on the scalp potentially exacerbating conditions such as dandruff. As you can probably guess, lavender oil is distilled from the lavender plant. As well as being a hero when it comes to aromatherapeutic benefits, it also offers some perks for hair growth. 'While animal studies have found that lavender oil can help to thicken hair, stimulate growth, and accelerate growth rate, human studies are relatively limited,' warns Phillips. 'What we do know about lavender oil is that it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which can support a healthy scalp, something that is vital for hair growth.' However, an excess of lavender oil can irritate the skin. 'Always do a patch test and ensure it's diluted before applying topically,' he says. As with many of the mentioned oils, peppermint oil has been linked to hair growth due to its ability to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, but should never be used alone directly on the scalp. Research suggests that it also possesses some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. 'My suggestion is to look for shampoos containing ingredients like peppermint oil (such as Nioxin Scalp and Hair Shampoo),' says Blake. 'Peppermint oil increases blood flow to the scalp, giving your hair follicles a much-needed rush of blood and nourishment, and it is easy to use.' He also adds that shampooing frequently is beneficial for the scalp. 'You should treat your scalp like any other part of the body. As a trichologist, I see more problems in patients who don't wash their hair frequently than in those who do.' Arguably the most famous of the essential oils for hair growth, rosemary oil has gained a viral fanbase for its alleged ability to grow longer lengths. 'Rosemary oil is thought to improve scalp circulation and reduce inflammation around hair follicles,' explains Phillips. 'One study found that rosemary oil was as effective as Minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia however, it was compared to 2% Minoxidil instead of the 5% solution that is commonly recommended for hair loss.' While there is some evidence that rosemary oil contributes to new hair growth, rosemary water can offer a slightly reduced risk of irritation. 'Potential drawbacks of rosemary oil include the fact that there is a risk of skin irritation if not diluted properly and also it's not a quick fix and requires consistent use in order to see results.' ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
Business Mayor
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Mayor
Stun guns won't bring an end to violence in prisons
The decision to pilot the use of stun guns in prisons was inevitable, but terrible (I hate the idea of British prison officers carrying stun guns – but it may be our only option, 22 April). How to reduce violence in our jails? The response always seems to be some new piece of kit – be it Pava spray, which it appears has been authorised for use on children, and now stun guns. This doesn't deal with the root causes of a service in perpetual crisis after a decade or more of austerity and a failed 30-year political race of longer sentences and locking more people up as the answer to reducing crime. If we hold people in squalid conditions, it's hardly surprising more violence erupts. Prisoner assaults are at an all-time high, but so are deaths in prison custody, self-harm and overcrowding. Use of force by prison officers, as with police officers, is always applied in greater numbers to black, Muslim and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller inmates. Racism is an indelible part of prison life. If we want to reduce violence in jails, the recent report on HMP Guys Marsh gives us a big clue. It identifies the deterioration in relationships between officers and prisoners. Politicians, senior Prison Service leaders and the prison officers' union should reflect and take heed. Mark Blake London Alex South believes, albeit reluctantly, that the time may be right for prison staff to be armed. After over 40 years in the Prison Service, and 12 years' involvement in prisons in the UK's overseas territories, I couldn't disagree more. Unlike in the US and other jurisdictions, the operation of UK prisons has been predicated on building sound working relationships between staff and prisoners. That would not be possible if the dynamics changed with staff carrying stun guns. Read More Judge demands proof before cutting 'duplication' costs The problem is that reductions in staffing levels and the loss of experienced staff have made the maintenance of control and the establishment of reasonable officer-prisoner relationships impossible. Rather than creating additional barriers between staff and prisoners, the solution is to provide sufficient trained officers to establish control, build relationships and provide opportunities to change the lives of those in our prisons. Keith Munns Bramhall, Greater Manchester Claiming stun guns will make prisons safer is perverse. A debate about violence and safety must include state violence against inmates and the shocking death rate in prisons, up to 399 deaths in the year to March 2025, an increase of 37%. In 2019, a European Committee for the Prevention of Torture delegation said it 'encountered examples of the unprovoked and unjustified infliction of violence on prisoners by staff'. A report by the charity Maslaha noted that Muslim prisoners are more likely 'to be confronted with batons, made to wear rigid bar handcuffs, or deliberately held in a painful position'. An effective response would be to commit to a dramatic reduction in the prison population. Also, the culture of immunity and impunity needs to be replaced with a system that is democratically accountable, and human rights prioritised over technology. This would improve safety for all – a better use of money than further weaponisation or building more prisons. Deborah Coles Executive director, Inquest, Joe Sim Emeritus professor of criminology, Liverpool John Moores University, Steve Tombs Emeritus professor of criminology, the Open University
