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Spring Cleaning and Your Nails

Feb24

How does one begin?  Some may want to take a whole day?  Some, those of us that work all day, take a room a day, maybe a Saturday or our one day off.  And, some may do it the Mary Kay way. . . The 5 a.m. Club.  Or it could be the 4 a.m. Club.  It would depend on what time your day starts.  It would mean that you have to get up one hour earlier to do your cleaning for that one club hour.  I can’t even now imagine those with CHILDREN.  How long will this take with you doing it the Spring Cleaning way?  It  will depend on whether or not you linger or reminisce when you find something you use to wear or your child use to play with or made for you from the second grade(they are now 30).  It’s been a while.

No matter your method of cleaning.  We have to be mindful of the care of our hands, nails and cuticles.  Cleaning supplies and just plain old neglect can wreck havoc on the skin of our hands during this time of year.  Our skin and nails have gone through the cold, dry season to now be dried out even further with cleaning chemicals and harsh soapy water.

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The key to all this drying out is moisture, moisture, moisture, not grease or lotions filled with more chemicals and alcohol.  Try natural oils such as coconut, olive or jojoba added to your favorite lotion if you must.  ALWAYS wear gloves when cleaning with chemicals and cleaning detergents, you’ll be glad you did.

 

Nailtiques – What comes close?

Oct27
Nailtiques

Nothing else comes close

 

Nailtiques is dedicated to the development and maintenance of healthy, natural nails.  The complete line of prescribed, salon-tested products provides the best nail care system available today.  

Each product’s unique formula promotes natural nail growth, strength and moisture retention.  Nailtiques nail care system treats multiple nail problems with six specially formulated protein strengths:  Formulas 1, 2, 3, 2+, A and B.  Formulas A & B are not sold separately, they are progression polishes for nails with issues that will take three to six months to repair.  That’s growth from cuticle to free edge.  It will also depend on how fast your nails grow.  But with persistent care and maintenance, that includes regular manicures and use of the product, positive nail results are inevitable. 

Dew Drop Nails is partnered with Nailtiques as a distributor.

 

Think About It ~ What we hate, we must learn to love.  What comes easy will be difficult to endure.  What comes with work will give us rest.  Riches are discovered in poverty.  Safety in place of risk.  More in place of less.

What is Palmer Hyperhidrosis, Continued?

Sep21

Palmer Hyperhidrosis is continued from last week. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes perspiration far greater than the physiological needs of the body.  Although no one knows why some individuals sweat excessively, it is known that the sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.  Excessive sweating may be episodic or continuous.  Hyperhidrosis of the feet is Plantar Hyperhidrosis and often happen in conjunction with the hands.

Job-Interview-With-Sweaty-Hands-300x189For the 2%-3% of the population who have hyperhidrosis, however, the sweat glands don’t shut off. They sweat even when the circumstances don’t call for it: when they’re in air conditioning, or while they’re sitting and watching television. Some people even tell their doctors that they sweat in a swimming pool.

Well, what does that have to do with gels?  Well, small water droplets started to form around her cuticles. Surprise! gels and water don’t mix.  The process was a two-finger process.  Two fingers were polished, then placed into the LED lamp, set gel(15 sec).  By the time the moisture formed around the cuticles, the gel had set. After the thumb, one minute.  The final result was a great looking basic French, clear base and white tips.  I loved the challenge.

Think About It:  “Greatness is sifted through the grind, therefore don’t despise the hard work now for surely it will be worth it in the end.” – Sanjo Jendayi

Life Wisdom

Sep1

I love, love this time of year.  It’s not too hot nor too cold, just right for sleeping.

As fall swiftly approaches, this time of year calls for changes in fashion as the weather turns.  Time to pull out our heavy oils and creams to keep hands and feet nice and supple.

It’s time to start that exercise and weight loss journey before the holidays.

Sept wisdom2

What are your nails saying about you? continued

Feb16
Healthy, happy nails

Healthy, happy nails! Check out the healthy cuticles

 

Healthy nails are not . . .

Purple nails – When nails turn purple or blue, says Dr. Graf, it could be a symptom of Raynaud’s. The syndrome causes blood vessels in the fingers and toes to spasm, and while it’s usually just a benign inconvenience, Raynaud’s can also be an early symptom of more serious disorders.  This can also be a sign of poor circulation.

Dark Spots – Those small, vertical plum lines you see running along your nails? They’re called splinter hemorrhages, and sometimes they can be chalked up to a run-of-the-mill injury. However, says Dr. Graf, it’s important to pay attention. “If you see dark, longitudinal lines, those are definitely things to get checked. They could be birthmarks, but if they go below the nail plate, they need to be evaluated for melanoma.” These tiny blood clots are also loosely associated with a host of other health issues, from lupus to heart inflammation, so schedule an appointment to rule out anything serious.

If a dark stripe or band suddenly appears at the cuticle or on in the nail plate, get it checked out.

If any of these apply to you, please see a licensed manicurist or podiatrist for advice. 

There are some conditions that may be helped by visiting your pedicurist on a  regular basis, not just when you have to or some special occasion.

Think About It:  Does your outer appearance match who you are on the inside?   You are the only one that can really see you.

What are your nails saying about you? continues

Feb13
Hands and feet do not have to match.

Hands and feet colors or designs do not have to match.

 Healthy nails are not . . .

Weak, brittle nails – “Ridges and weakness can be just dry nails,” Dr. Graf says. “The nail is made of keratin, so if you have rough and dry nails that break easily, that means they’re getting thinner.” Fortunately, treatment is easy: take 500 mcg of biotin daily.  Do not buff your nails, instead smooth with light block or smoothing file, this too will cause thinning and splits if not done correctly.  Polishing with nail strengthener (not hardener) will add to the overall appearance and health of your nails.  With that said, weakened nails are sometimes a sign of nutritional deficiencies. “Selenium, biotin, and other minerals are very important,” she continues. “If you have weak nails, get a checkup to rule out anemia or thyroid issues.”

Yellow, green, or white nails – Nail polish can cause a slight yellowing of the nails, which is temporary and largely harmless. But if your nails are yellow, green, or white, that may be a sign of a serious health issue. “Yellow or green nails can be indicative of lymphatic obstruction in the fingers,” Dr. Graf says, adding that significant color changes could also be a sign of liver or kidney disease.

This condition can also be due to overlays that have lifted, been on too long and/or moisture and dirt has gotten between the overlay and natural nail causing fungus which will lead to discoloration.  This can be dangerous to the future health of the nail and nailbed.

“Basically, if your nails look funky, you’ve got to get them checked out.”

The last of this three-part series will post next week.  If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Think About It:  The more things change, the more they stay the same. —Alphonse Karr 

 

What are your nails saying about you?

Jan26

 Healthy nails . . .

What Are Your Nails Trying to Tell You?Manicured hands

Photo: Getty Images

They say, “The eyes are the window to the soul”.  But as it turns out, the nails may give us a glimpse of our inside and overall health.  “Fingernails should be a healthy, pinkish color,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, a clinical and research dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. “But significant changes to the entire nail could represent something going on in the body.”

Of course, slight variations are normal and no reason for panic, but here’s a guide to what specific issues could mean.

Pitting – “Pitting of the nails could be psoriasis,” says Dr. Graf, adding that in some cases, it could be a symptom of a connective tissue disorder.  If you see small depressions or irregular contours in your nail bed, it’s time to visit a dermatologist.

Clubbing – Surprisingly, the tips of your nails hold hints about your lungs. “Clubbing of the end of the fingers can be suggestive of pulmonary disease,” Dr. Graf explains. Colloquially known as Hippocratic fingers, this condition is easy to identify due to its “inflated” appearance. “If you look at the end of the nail and it’s thick and round, that’s clubbing,” Dr. Graf adds.  Other signs of possible lung problems?  Longitudinal, linear lesions in the nail bed or blood splinters.

Spoon-shaped nails – Koilonychia—indented or concave nails with ridges—could be a sign of iron-deficiency anemia, according to Dr. Graf. It may also suggest hemochromatosis, a liver disease caused by too much iron buildup. Uneven nails, she says, should also grab your attention: “In the absence of trauma or psoriasis, when the nail is uneven, it could also be a sign of thyroid problems.”

To be continued . . .

If you have any questions about your nails, skin or hair, please consult a dermatologist.

 

Think About It:  Take time to write out your goals.  Writing out your goals makes you more decisive.