‘The tears were just rolling’: Restoring confidence with MedInk NZ

Join Mike for the latest episode of the House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on the Breeze. This week, he is joined by mother-daughter duo Madelyn and Larissa Du Plessis, chef and author Mark Gregory, Breast Cancer Cure Chief Executive Sonja De Mari, Stroke Aotearoa CEO Jo Lambert, and resident pharmacist Piyara Perera.

Featured Guest: Madelyn and Larissa Du Plessis

Mother-daughter duo Madelyn and Larissa Du Plessis founded MedInk NZ to offer paramedical tattooing, which uses medical-grade serums and pigments to camouflage scars.

Madelyn was inspired by her healthcare work after noticing a gap in the system where patients were discharged but still lived with visible, life-altering surgical scars.

By carefully matching skin tones and reconstructing the appearance of areas like the nipple, they help breast cancer survivors restore their confidence.

Their ultimate goal is to reach more people and remind them that they do not have to let scars influence their identity. 

Featured Guest: Mark Gregory

Chef and author Mark Gregory joins the show to discuss his latest book, Home Sweet Hacks, which features 150 practical tips for making home life easier.

He shares some surprising advice, such as using WD-40 to unstick stubborn LEGO bricks and mixing rubbing alcohol with aloe vera gel to make homemade hand sanitizer.

Gregory also reveals that lanolin nipple cream is his absolute favorite remedy for dry lips because it is incredibly hydrating and non-sticky.

Additionally, he recommends a relaxing evening foot soak using four liters of warm water, Epsom salts, and a few drops of tea tree or peppermint oil.

Featured Guest: Jo Lambert

With World Stroke Day approaching, Stroke Aotearoa CEO Jo Lambert explains the importance of acting quickly to prevent severe disability or brain cell death.

She urges people to remember the F.A.S.T. acronym, which stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech slurring, and Time to call 111.

Lambert highlights that 30 percent of strokes happen to people under the age of 65, making it a critical issue for younger, working-age individuals as well.

She also recommends getting blood pressure checked at least annually, as high blood pressure is a major, often unnoticed, cause of strokes

Featured Guest: Sonja De Mari

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month wraps up, Breast Cancer Cure Chief Executive Sonja De Mari reflects on their biggest month of fundraising and awareness events in 29 years.

She emphasizes the importance of sparking family conversations about genetics and checking for things like dense breast tissue, which can make mammograms more difficult to read.

The organization is currently funding research to help high-risk individuals avoid preventative mastectomies while pushing for better screening accessibility across New Zealand.

For those who have just received a diagnosis, Breast Cancer Cure provides an incredible community of people with lived experience who offer reassurance, guidance, and hope.

Resident pharmacist: Piyara Perera  

Resident Chemist Warehouse pharmacist Piyara Perera explains how common everyday items can unexpectedly interact with your medications.

She warns that grapefruit juice can increase the concentration of certain blood pressure medications or statins, heightening the risk of unwanted side effects. Additionally, she notes that dairy products, calcium, and antacids can reduce the absorption of some antibiotics and thyroid medications.

To prevent these issues, Piyara recommends spacing out these foods and remedies by a few hours and always keeping your pharmacist updated on your full list of supplements and inhalers.

Catch the full episode up top and tune in next Sunday from 8 am for The House of Wellness on the Breeze