If you have a bad day, get your nails done. Have a special occasion? Get your nails done in preparation. One appointment you cannot reschedule – nails. The day can be a total waste of make-up, but all is well if the nails look good.  

However, gel manicures come with a price, and your nails pay for it. According to the American Association of Dermatology, gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking. Repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.  

To keep your nails healthy before, during and after gel manicures, dermatologists recommend the following tips: 

Be proactive with your manicurist.

Ask if tools are sterilized and look around to ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting tools after every client.  

Wear sunscreen.

Before getting a gel manicure, apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands to protect them from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish to the nail. 

Only soak your fingertips in acetone.

When removing the nail polish, only soak your fingertips in acetone instead of your whole hands or fingers to protect the surrounding skin.  

Rehydrate your nails.

Between polishes, apply moisturizing products, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily. This will minimize brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.  

Take a polish holiday.

Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails time to repair. Consider getting a gel manicure for special occasions only.  

Talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes to your nail or have a persistent nail problem. 

To keep your nails healthy before, during and after gel manicures, dermatologists recommend following these tips.

Be a skin cancer sleuth by checking your skin regularly for signs of cancer. Skin cancer, including melanoma, is curable if spotted early.

With so many skincare products available, including cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics, it can be challenging to know which products to choose. Even if you know your skin type - normal, oily, dry or a combination of the two, a product can still irritate your skin.  

Sometimes, a skincare ingredient can trigger a reaction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require the ingredients used in cosmetics to be listed on the product label so consumers can avoid substances that have caused reactions in the past. 

Before you slather your skin with your latest purchase to moisturize, tint or add a pleasant fragrance, see if it passes the skin test.   

To test a skincare product, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends the following tips: 

• Apply the product to a test spot twice daily for seven to 10 days. Choose a small area on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow where the product won’t be rubbed or washed away. Use the normal amount you would use as if you were applying the product regularly. 

• Leave the product on your skin for as long as you would normally. If you’re testing something that you would usually wash off, like a cleanser, keep it on your skin for as long as the instructions say. 

• If after seven to 10 days you don’t have a skin reaction, such as red, itchy skin, go ahead and use the product. 

• Keep in mind that some ingredients, such as retinol and glycolic acid, can irritate your skin, particularly if your skin is sensitive. This is normal and temporary. 

• If you develop a skin reaction, gently wash the product off as soon as possible, and don’t use it again. If your reaction to a product is severe and not relieved with cool compresses or petroleum jelly, you may need to seek medical attention. 

Sometimes, discovering the cause of skin irritation is easier said than done. If it is difficult to pinpoint the exact ingredient causing your skin to react, talk to a board-certified dermatologist who can help.  

Before you slather your skin with your latest purchase to moisturize, tint or add a pleasant fragrance, see if it passes the skin test.

They come in various sizes and shapes, are either synthetic or natural hair fibers and typically last three to four weeks – eyelash extensions. Wearers are going to great lengths to make their eyes temporarily pop. 

Lash extensions are usually applied by a technician in a beauty salon, using tweezers and a specially formulated surgical glue applied to the base of your original eyelash. Though it’s rare, allergic reactions can sometimes occur. Test the glue on the underside of your wrist before you have it applied to a lash to make sure there is no reaction.  

While no one likes to see a precious eyelash fall out, even though it means you can make a wish, the good news is it only takes about six weeks for an eyelash to grow back. Or you can carve out a couple of hours for an appointment to have lash extensions applied. It takes patience to apply lashes one at a time and glue them perfectly on top of your natural eyelash. The lashes can be customized in silk, mink or synthetic, as well as length, thickness, style, curl and the number of lashes.  

Keep your standards high and your lashes long 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends you look carefully at the shop or salon, the aesthetician, and the products' ingredients before going ahead with eyelash extensions. An aesthetician with lash extension certification and experience should be a priority when taking the plunge to have fuller lashes.  

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends you look carefully at the shop or salon, the aesthetician, and the products' ingredients before going ahead with eyelash extensions.

Ask anyone if they'd like to look and feel young, and the answer will be yes. Did you know certain foods can reduce signs of aging? Study shows that anti-aging foods can manipulate or delay skin aging and improve its quality. Taking care of your skin from within is more effective than using most topical products because creams and lotions do not penetrate the skin deep enough to make a big difference. That doesn't mean you should do away with your topical beauty regimens, such as using sunscreen, cleanser and moisturizer, but combine their use with these five beauty superfoods, and you've hit the jackpot.  

Start by directing your diet to complex carbs such as whole grains and naturally sweet foods with well-balanced sugar. Limit skin-damaging foods like refined carbohydrates and excess sugar: white bread, pasta and white rice. The following foods are a strong defense against wrinkles, texture and dull skin tone.  

Broccoli 

Coming in first with a high vitamin C content is broccoli. A quarter head of broccoli produces 100 grams of vitamin C; that's higher than the recommended intake of 90 milligrams. It's packed with the vitamin you need to promote collagen. When we age, the skin begins to sag. Collagen is a protein found in most of the body's structures, including the bones and skin. It gives your skin elasticity or the ability for the skin to bounce back from sagging and increases cell renewal which minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.  

Sweet Potato 

That lovely glow you've been looking for is hidden in a sweet potato. Yes, better than a tan, and rooted in research, sweet potato has proven to give a better-looking tan than the sun. A recent study presented by the University of Nottingham showed students who consumed carotenoid-rich foods had increased pigmentation than students who didn't. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A which contains beta-carotene, a nutrient that is an excellent protection barrier from the sun. It provides a natural tan for your skin minus the damaging effects of the UV rays the sun produces. Roast your sweet potato in the oven for maximum flavor and nutrients. 

Dark Chocolate 

It is not just a treat but a dose of cocoa flavanol, a powerful moisture-retaining and skin-buffing anti-oxidant. Rough skin is another sign of aging. Exposure to free radicals in the air and manipulation from daily washing can dry the skin and roughen it. The anti-oxidant in dark chocolate protects the skin by increasing blood flow and securing moisture. Indulge sparingly as it may contain refined sugar. 

Greek Yogurt 

This two-in-one anti-aging food reduces skin inflammations such as acne and eczema, and it contains proteins that maintain your collagen. Your gut carries good bacteria called a microbiome. Microbiomes host your immune system and regulate your body's inflammatory response. Greek yogurt promotes healthy skin and brightens and tones its overall appearance. 

Salmon 

Lessen the dryness, increase the youthfulness. The omega-3 in salmon is vital in fighting irritants on the skin. It also boosts moisture in the skin. Studies show that people who eat omega-3 rich foods see a more youthful appearance on their skin than those who don't. Other sources of omega-3 include chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts. We recommend mixing these up in your diet. 

Incorporating these age-fighting foods in your diet and maintaining a healthy topical skin routine will put you on the road to aging backward. 

Did you know certain foods can reduce signs of aging?

If your smile doesn’t reflect the real you, maybe it’s time for a solution you can sink your teeth into—literally. Here are step-by-step tips to help. 

We all have hair, and a lot of us spend time styling, combing or shaving it. However, nearly all of us want to keep the hair on our head for as long as possible. This article isn’t just for the genetically unfortunate. Everybody loses some hair eventually. It’s a natural part of the hair growth cycle.  

The anagen phase is when hair grows, and it makes up roughly 85% to 90% of the hair on our head. The catagen phase is when hair follicles shrink before transitioning to the third and final phase. The telogen phase takes about two to four months, and is when hair falls out naturally and our head begins preparing for the next growth cycle. 

Unnatural hair loss affects millions of men and women worldwide and can be caused by certain medications like chemotherapy. Irregular hair loss can occur during the telogen phase and is caused by major stress or sudden changes in hormone levels. Traumatic hair loss, or alopecia, can be caused by chemical bleaching or coloring and hairdressing techniques that pull hair tightly or expose the scalp to extreme heat or twisting. According to the American Hair Loss Association, about 85% of men and over 50% of women deal with genetic hair loss before the age of 50. 

There are a multitude of hair loss prevention tips and solutions on the market that sometimes over-promise results. Shampoo is designed to eliminate dirt and excess oil, but many chemicals in shampoos are harsh and strip your hair of essential natural oil and fatty acids that keep your hair strong. Read the ingredients in your shampoo and find one that’s close to all-natural or has the least amount of ingredients. Shampoo with Biotin, which is involved in fatty acid synthesis, can help extend your hair’s life and promote a healthy scalp.  

Soft brushes made from natural fibers promote healthy sebum oil levels in your hair. Lauric acid found in coconut oil helps bind protein in hair and can help protect from ultraviolet light (UV), so consider trying a coconut oil scalp massage. There are a host of other over-the-counter hair treatment medications to choose from, but not all are the same. Talk to your doctor for recommendations on what is safe and helpful.  

We all have hair, and a lot of us spend time styling, combing or shaving it. However, nearly all of us want to keep the hair on our head for as long as possible. This article isn’t just for the genetically unfortunate. Everybody loses some hair eventually. It’s a natural part of the hair growth cycle.

You might tan easily and have a healthy glow, so does that mean you’re not at risk for skin cancer? Not at all. Always. Wear. Sunscreen. Why? Anyone can get skin cancer, but there are certain characteristics that make you a greater risk. Consider spending more time in the shade if you have: 

• A lighter, natural skin color. 

• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun. 

• Blue or green eyes. 

• Blond or red hair. 

• Certain types and a large number of moles. 

• A family history of skin cancer. 

• A personal history of skin cancer. 

• Are older in age. 

Regardless of whether you have any of the risk factors listed above, reducing your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can help keep your skin healthy and lower your chances of getting skin cancer. Most people get at least some UV exposure from the sun when they spend time outdoors. Making sun protection an everyday habit will help you avoid getting a sunburn, and lower your skin cancer risk. 

There’s no such thing as a healthy tan 

A tan does not indicate good health. A tan is your skin’s response to injury, because skin cells signal that they have been hurt by UV rays by producing more pigment. Any change in skin color after UV exposure, whether it’s a tan or a burn, is a sign of injury. UV exposure can also change skin texture, cause the skin to age prematurely, cause cataracts and cancers of the eye (ocular melanoma).  

In addition to causing sunburn, too much exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable but can be disfiguring and costly to treat. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous and causes the most deaths. Most of these three types of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to UV light. No matter how sensitive your skin is to the sun, it’s important to protect yourself from UV rays. 

Anyone can get skin cancer, but there are certain characteristics that make you a greater risk.

Health experts note the benefits of spa retreats by the positive impact of the following:  

• Spas can improve your physical and emotional well-being.  
• Healthy meals, yoga and meditation help the body and mind to refresh.  
• They reduce levels of anxiety and teach stress reduction methods.  
• Disengagement breaks from work, family and friends are helpful. 
• Spas can help the body to slow down and to regenerate. 
• Practicing yoga can improve blood circulation, sending more oxygen and nutrients through the body. 
• Body exfoliating treatments polish the skin, promote cells regeneration, refine pores and offer skin relief. 
• Water treatments — when body is submerged in water, it offers true balance. 
• Heat treatments — stimulate blood circulation and initiate a purifying process. 
• Body wraps can recharge the body with nutrients and elements, and boosts moisture in the skin.  
• Saunas can help to rejuvenate and relax the body and mind. 

Experts note that spa treatments can have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing.

Natural products and everyday pantry items make perfectly good ingredients for an at-home facial. 

Natural products and everyday pantry items make perfectly good ingredients for an at-home facial.