Hand and nail care are important for many women. Here are some practices that help care for the hands and nails better.
Hand Care Tips
For washing hands
It is a must for us to wash our hands every now and then as this practice helps stop the spread of harmful germs. However, there are some soaps that can cause irritation. Most dermatologists recommend the use of a moisturizing liquid cleanser for washing hands especially those with “normal type” skin. If bar soaps is your preference, use one that is moisturizing and comes with ingredients like glycerin, sunflower oil or soybean oil.
Moisturizing
Keeping your hands moisturized especially as you age is one of the best hand care practices you can do. You can use any cream or lotion but hand creams do come with advantages. Creams especially formulated for the hands are non-greasy as well as quick absorbing. Make sure that you look for hand creams with shea butter or safflower seed oil and make sure that you get one with SPF 30 or higher. There are also some essential oils that can do just the same and deliver the same results.
Argan oil is a fine example. The oil is packed with moisturizers such as Vitamin E, Sterols and essential fatty acids. It leaves a non-greasy feeling as the oil is quickly absorbed by the skin. You can also apply a few drops of the oil to your nails to keep the cuticles moisturized as well as strengthen your nails. A good 20 minutes of soaking your nails in
Argan oil with a few drops of lemon juice at least twice a month is ideal.
Addressing Age Spots on Hands
As you get older, you may start seeing age spots on your hands. You can make them fade with regular use of brightening or lightening hand creams. When picking out a brightening or lightening hand cream, you may want to avoid one that has hydroquinone in its ingredients as this ingredients has been linked to skin disfigurement and when taken orally, studies done with animals, shows a link to cancer. Although some dermatologists say that the concentration of hydroquinone in skin lightening products is within a safe amount, you can opt to avoid this ingredient as a precaution. You can also opt for spot lightening hand creams that have alpha-hydroxy acids. AHA can lighten dark spots by promoting faster cell turnover. There are also laser treatments available to get rid of age spots. Consult your dermatologist if you are interested with such a treatment.
Nail Care Tips
Vitamin B7 for Nails
Biotin or Vitamin B7 is effective in treating and preventing brittle nails. Include foods packed with this nutrient in your diet such as green peas, oats, walnuts, sunflower seeds, bulgur and brown rice. If you would be taking a biotin supplement, make sure that you consult your doctor first.
Proper Manicure Techniques
For nails to stay healthy and beautiful you need to make sure that you are using proper manicure techniques. Cutting your cuticles is a No-No since doing so can cause infection. Use an orange stick instead to push your cuticles back gently. It is also best to use nail nippers having a curved handle and a cutting jaw so when you cut your nails, the natural curve of the nails is followed.
These are just a few hand and nail care tips that can help keep your hands and nails beautiful and healthy.
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