We’ve all been there—our feet hurt from the wrong type of shoes, improper fit, constantly wearing heels or being overweight.

Gray hair is a blessing. Ask any bald man. While the age at which we start to turn gray is largely determined by genetics, recent scientific studies show that yes, stress does cause gray hairs. Look at before and after pictures of U.S. presidents if you have any doubt. 

Hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, according to a study reported by the National Institute of Health. New melanocytes are made from melanocyte stem cells that live in the hair follicle. As we age, these stem cells slowly disappear. 

Nerves in your sympathetic nervous system – which is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response – go throughout the body, including into hair follicles. The study showed that stress causes the release of the chemical norepinephrine into the follicle. 

Here’s where stress highlights your hair. Norepinephrine affects the melanocyte stem cells living there. It causes them to quickly turn into pigment cells and move out of the hair follicles. Without stem cells left to create new pigment cells, new hair turns gray or white. 

To slow the process, take a deep breath and attempt to lower your stress level. Or pay a professional to wash the gray right out of your hair. 

Source: National Institute of Health

Gray hair is a blessing. Ask any bald man. While the age at which we start to turn gray is largely determined by genetics, recent scientific studies show that yes, stress does cause gray hairs.

Walking down the makeup and personal care aisles at the grocery or department store can be an overwhelming experience due to the wide array of products all claiming multiple benefits. Follow these guidelines for a safer beauty routine. 

Say no to knockoffs 

Though the price may be attractive, buying a knockoff product can produce ugly results. Knockoffs are illegally produced products that sometimes make their way into retail, particularly through independently owned businesses and online sellers. These products can look like the real thing, so they may seem like a good value. Make sure to buy cosmetics from authorized retailers and beware of online deals from unauthorized sellers. 

Is the SPF in your makeup enough? 

Many cosmetics boast SPF protection in addition to their regular benefits, but is it enough? Experts recommend wearing sunscreen daily under your makeup. A good rule of thumb is to keep your sunscreen between 15 and 50 SPF for the greatest protection without too many unwanted chemicals. 

There are toxins where? 

Due to loopholes in U.S. law, cosmetics companies are largely unregulated and have no limits on the amounts of chemicals they can use in their products. Companies are also not required to do any safety testing or to monitor health effects of their products, and labeling and marketing requirements are insubstantial. 

Avoid fragrance 

Avoid anything with “fragrance” or “parfum” listed as an ingredient. Companies do not have to disclose the chemicals used in these fragrances, many of which have been linked to allergies, respiratory distress and even effects on the reproductive system. 

Time to toss? 

Cosmetics and personal care products expire just like food, but often the expiration date is based on when you open a product rather than its age. Over time, bacteria levels climb in your beauty care products due to air exposure and general use. 

Never share 

Never share your makeup or use testers at cosmetic counters. Also, do not add water or saliva to makeup as this can increase the bacteria in the product. Don't forget to keep 

cosmetic containers tightly closed, store them in a cool, dry area, and watch for any signs of separation or odor. 

Sources: safecosmetics.org; nsf.org; webmd.com; fda.gov; ewg.org; abcnews.go.com; everydayhealth.com

Follow these guidelines for a safer beauty routine.

It's one of the most common surgeries performed, but how do you know if shoulder surgery is right for you? While over a million people undergo some type of shoulder surgery in the U.S. each year, it's important to understand the underlying issues that lead to surgery — and the best treatment options for relief.

"Information and knowledge about your condition is the best starting point," explains Thai Q. Trinh, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, Genesis Orthopedic Group. "When a patient meets with a surgeon they often think they're signing up for an operation. When in fact, my goal is to help the patient understand what we can do non-operatively to maximize their outcome and recognize when surgery is needed."

Why your shoulder aches

As the most flexible joint in the body, the shoulder is your arm's link to movement and daily activities. But because it relies on a complex series of tendons, muscles, bones and bursae to function properly, your shoulder is vulnerable to instability and injury. In fact, every year approximately 14 million people in the U.S. seek treatment for shoulder pain.

Although the joint disease osteoarthritis is a leading cause of shoulder pain, another disease may actually be the cause, according to Dr. Trinh.

"Arthritis is a purely degenerative condition and tends to be in the middle age to older population, causing ongoing pain and often preventing activities of daily living and recreational activities," he says. "In a younger patient or those who have suffered an injury it may not be arthritis, but rotator cuff disease causing mild to severe shoulder and upper arm pain."

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), rotator cuff disease ranks among the most prevalent of musculoskeletal disorders, with 50% of rotator cuff tears occurring in those older than age 65. "It's common for many of my patients to have sustained an injury at work where they've torn the rotator cuff," explains Dr. Trinh.

Telltale signs you need surgery

Many can live with shoulder pain when managed with less invasive treatments, including stretching, rest, ice or heat, and physical therapy. An option for almost all patients, a personalized physical therapy treatment plan can be effective for most shoulder issues by improving daily quality of life, decreasing pain and increasing strength and mobility.

"If appropriate, cortisone or other anti-inflammatory treatments, either taken by mouth or injections are also helpful. But there are instances where I would not recommend a cortisone injection, including a traumatic rotator cuff tear," he says. "We know there are detrimental effects to long-term cortisone exposure, potentially increasing your risk of needing a second operation."

The telltale signs shoulder surgery may the best solution for pain relief, include:

• Ongoing pain over a long period of time that limits activities of daily living or recreational activities.
• A new injury, which results in weakness or loss of motion. "This can be an indication of a more serious injury that should be evaluated and may require surgery," Dr. Trinh says.
• An unstable shoulder that 'pops' in and out; if this is a recurring problem, patients typically require an operation, according to Dr. Trinh.

High-tech surgery for relief

Whether it's to treat arthritis or a rotator cuff tear, Genesis Orthopedic Group relies on state-of-the-art, live imaging through a 4K surgical camera for precise diagnosis. "It provides a much clearer picture when we're operating, allowing us to see really fine details of the shoulder's pathology to address it correctly," explains Dr. Trinh.

Shoulder replacement surgery is completed with minimally invasive technology, eliminating pain and restoring function. "I usually tell people that by six months postoperatively they're satisfied with the operation, but it does require physical therapy to get their motion and strength back," he says. "Patients usually feel much better very quickly - and they notice a difference between that chronic, aching pain associated with arthritis and postsurgical pain.

"By spending time educating our patients on their shoulder problem and what they might expect with both non-operative and operative treatment, they come away feeling educated enough to play an active role in the decision on which way they'd like to go," states Dr. Trinh.

It's one of the most common surgeries performed, but how do you know if shoulder surgery is right for you?