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Read Let's Face It Archives Here
Hand-le With Care
After reading last week’s newsletter have you noticed your hands more? Were you aware of how much work they do and how they are constantly in hot water, so to speak? It seems that you take them for granted and then one day wake up and are acutely aware of how they’ve aged. Yikes! What can you do to protect and preserve the beauty of your hands?
- Do the pinch test. Pinch a small amount of skin on the back of your hand and let go. Does it snap right back or does it take a couple of seconds or more to relax back into shape? If you can watch it settle then the skin is losing its elasticity and needs a little (or a lot of) TLC.
- Keep hand cream at the ready! If need be, have several around the house so they are easily accessible. After washing dishes, filing, cleaning the house or just because, apply a quick layer of moisturizer —othing greasy or you won’t use it often enough. I even keep one in my car. (Ask me about my favorite hand cream — Aqua cream.)
- You exfoliate your face (you do, don’t you?), now your hands need the same attention. One of my favorite products is the "One Minute Manicure." It’s a delicious mixture of essential oils in a grainy mixture that you massage into your hands and rinse off. You won’t believe how smooth and soft your hands will feel. You can find it at oneminutemanicure.com . If you have any trouble locating it, let me know. I can always get one for you from my professional beauty supply company. What a treat it is!
- Mask the problem! The next time you apply a facial mask to your face, apply a bit to the backs of your hands as well. Use one with anti-aging ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, vitamins C, A and E, green tea and even pigment lightening ingredients (if you have dark spots from the sun). Of course, finish with a moisturizer containing sunscreen! Anything that’s good for your face is good for your hands.
- Have a little extra time? Go for a manicure and ask for a paraffin treatment as well. This treatment is extraordinarily luxurious. You won’t be able to stop touching and looking at your hands for hours afterwards. If you get really industrious, you can go to a beauty supply store and pick up your very own paraffin waxer. Make an event of it and offer other family members a treatment as well. Note: it’s a wonderful for your feet, too.
- Want something more aggressive? Many salons will offer similar treatments for your hands that they offer for your face. If the condition of your hands is of concern to you, talk to your esthetician. Microdermabrasion, vitamin C treatments and glycolic peels, etc. can all be done to your hands.
- Lastly, but really firstly… if you want to preserve the skin on your hands, use sunscreen liberally (I know I’m a broken record but with good reason!). It’s goopy and annoying to have to keep reapplying, you say. Not any more! There’s a fabulously new product available that allows you to brush it on. It doesn’t get any easier than that! I keep one in my makeup bag and handbag so that I can use it while I’m driving (yes, UVA rays go through car windows), if I decide to eat lunch outside, or anytime I wash my hands and then plan to be out and about. I can quickly reapply with a flick of a brush. See the Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush SPF 30 in my website store — (visit soon while it’s still on special).
Remember, everything that affects the skin on your face is doing the same to your hands. Often the results are even more noticeable because we are less likely to address their needs. Stress, diet, sun exposure and hormonal changes all make the skin on your hands (and everywhere else on your body) susceptible to pre-mature aging. With a little awareness, preparation, and the right products, your hands can get the attention they deserve, and you win in the end with pretty, healthy, young looking hands.
To set up a skincare consultation with me, please e-mail me at ginger@totalimageconsultants.com. You'll be asked to fill out the skincare profile form skincare profile form before the consultation and to bring your current skin products with you. See more information on the services page of my website here.
Copyright 2004, Total Image Consultants - All rights reserved.
Skincare Fashion Secret 2004 is written and produced by Total Image Consultants. Please direct all questions and comments to
ginger@totalimageconsultants.com. If you would like to forward this newsletter, please do so in its entirety. Do not alter its content or form and please include copyright info. Thank you.
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