Your Manicure

Have you ever been in the nail salon with the doors closed and wondered if the fumes from the polish and the fake nails harm your health?  Certain nail polish ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates get a bad rap but actually have been proved to be hazardous only in cases of extreme exposure.  Inhaled in large quantities, these chemicals have been known to cause respiratory problems, nausea and headaches but who is mostly at risk is the nail technician and the the factory workers who manufacture the polish.  The trend is for the nail manufacturers  to manufacture without these ingredients and that is good news for everyone.

To keep your manicure in tip top shape avoid doing these activities and you will spend less time in the salon:

  • Minimize using hand sanitizers which contain alcohol and will erode the topcoat of your polish.
  • Texting chips away at your polish.
  • Folding laundry.  When it comes out of the dryer, the heat softens and fades the color.
  • Body scrubs slough off the top layer of your polish.
  • Washing dishes without gloves makes nails peel.

Source:  Allure Magazine, April 2012

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Your Eyes and Wrinkles

Worried about fine lines? Wrinkles? Uneven tone? Furrow no more. As early as your mid-20s, you may start to notice the very first signs of aging, with the eyes usually leading the wrinkle brigade. Retinol is the smart solution to reverse and prevent multiple signs of aging as the most effective substance for the management of aging and UV-damaged skin.

What makes a wrinkle?

Skin aging is associated with a variety of signs, such as wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, rough skin, and loss of elasticity. In the aging process, there are certain structural and cellular changes that lead to the tell-tale signs of aging. Dermal thinning,  all lead to wrinkles, fine lines and thin, lackluster skin.  The good news is that many of these changes are brought about by our own lifestyle and environment- and are treatable.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, also known as a retinoid. Vitamin A exerts its beneficial effects on the skin via its active derivative, retinoic acid.  However, this ingredient is only available by prescription and may produce unwanted side effects such as dehydration, irritation and itching. Retinol has been shown to have the same effects as prescription-strength retinoic acid, without the irritation. A recent study* showed all these effects at a low and tolerable concentration of 0.1%. Using retinol at this concentration allows you to get all the benefits of this great vitamin without the irritation- a key balance especially for the delicate eye area.

How should I use Retinol?

We suggest starting alternate nights to build up your skin’s tolerance to retinol. A healthy skin is smooth, with a dense collagen and elastin network.  If your skin can tolerate it, ramp up to nightly use.  Avoid layering with other products like alpha hydroxy acids and always consult a doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding. Retinol is relatively mild compared to prescription-strength retinoids but it’s always wise to be wary of your own skin.  For the majority, retinol provides a single ingredient that smoothes skin, boosts collagen, reduces fine lines and speeds cell turnover to even out discoloration.

For lack of better words, this is your skin’s best friend.

Source:  The Cure-All for Your Eyes by Dr. Claudia Aguirre

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How To Do a Quick Facial at Home

You don’t have the time to schedule a luxurious facial but want to look great for an upcoming event and you are spending the evening at home.  Try doing this quick pick me up facial that will give you a glow for your event.  Everyone has product sitting in their medicine cabinet; this is a good opportunity to use it.

  • Steam your face. Grab some hand towels, put in water in your sink, wring them out and pop them in the microwave.  Start with 60 seconds and adjust as needed.  Towels should be tolerable warm to hot and then press against your face.  For an added bonus put a splash of essential oil in the water.  Lavender works great.  Another option is to boil some water on the stove in a wide mouth pot, put the pot of boiling water in the sink; place a towel over your head and steam away. (Don’t do this on the stove top; too much can go wrong, if it is in the sink and spills it’s okay and you also have better control over how much steam you want.)

And, for those of us who just want to be pampered, consider a mini-facial.

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