Beauty | Genesis Healthcare System

Want to take years off your smile?

Read more about Want to take years off your smile?

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.

1. It may seem obvious, but the first order of business for a great-looking smile is to focus on the basics. Daily tooth brushing, flossing and regular visits to a dental health professional are the best ways to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

2. The American Dental Association recommends you visit a dentist at least every six months if not more, and brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste carrying the ADA seal of approval.

3. Stop smoking. Tobacco use, stress, sleep loss, drug and alcohol abuse, lack of exercise and poor nutrition all impact your mouth too.

4. It is important to watch the intake of sugar and surgery beverages. They increase plaque and acid that damage your teeth.

5. Teeth-whitening products are becoming more popular. Try adding whitening toothpaste and mouth rinses to your daily routine. The upside to home remedies is they usually are a more affordable option.

6. Many dentists can provide at-home whitening kits that come with custom-fitted trays, which allow you to whiten your teeth on your own time. There are also in-office teeth-whitening treatments. While more expensive, they are the strongest form of teeth-whitening and can eliminate years of dental stains.

7. Dental implants are increasingly popular for those who want a minimally invasive way to replace teeth.

8. Good oral hygiene doesn’t just benefit your teeth and gums. Research shows a link between gum disease and other inflammatory conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease and some cancers.

9. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests the antioxidant catechin found in green tea and yogurt can help ward off gum disease when consumed frequently.

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Beauty

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 08:00

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.

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Age backward with these 5 wrinkle-fighting foods

Read more about Age backward with these 5 wrinkle-fighting foods

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.

Beauty

Tue, 02/08/2022 - 08:00

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?

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Lashes are a girl’s best friend

Read more about Lashes are a girl’s best friend

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.

Beauty

Thu, 02/10/2022 - 08:00

They come in various sizes and shapes, are either synthetic or natural hair fibers and typically last three to four weeks – eyelash extensions.

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Reactions to skin care

Read more about Reactions to skin care

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.

Beauty

Tue, 02/22/2022 - 08:00

With so many skincare products available, including cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics, it can be challenging to know which products to choose.

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The nails have it

Read more about The nails have it

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.

Beauty

Mon, 06/13/2022 - 08:00

If you have a bad day, get your nails done. Have a special occasion? Get your nails done in preparation.

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Heat hurts hair (ouch!)

Read more about Heat hurts hair (ouch!)

Have you ever burnt yourself with a curling iron? If you have, you know it hurts a lot. That much heat is bad for your skin … and it’s not so great for your hair, either. Here’s why and some alternatives to prevent hair damage.

Heat damage

Our hair is made up of three layers: the cuticle (outermost protective layer made of keratin), the cortex (middle) and the medulla (center). According to a cosmetic chemist, using too much heat on your hair can damage the keratin and cause hair strand dehydration. This can cause hair to break more easily. Heat damage cannot be easily repaired. If you use your hair straightener daily, your hair may look shiny and smooth, but it likely has heat damage. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent damage.

Avoiding heat damage

Here are some ways that you can prevent heat damage to your hair:

For heatless styles, try braids, buns and twists.
When blow-drying your hair, use the lowest setting and hold the blow-dryer further away from your hair.
Try using heatless styling methods such as pin curls and sock curls.
If you need to use a straightener or curling iron, use heat protectant spray and turn the dial down to a lower setting.
If you use heat every day, try altering your routine so that you use it fewer times per week.

By preventing heat damage and knowing how to be safe, your hair will feel much healthier. Here’s to a curling iron burn-free world for all of us.

Beauty

Tue, 06/21/2022 - 08:00

Have you ever burnt yourself with a curling iron? If you have, you know it hurts a lot. That much heat is bad for your skin …

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Keep your feet and toes in tip-top shape

Read more about Keep your feet and toes in tip-top shape

Your feet carry you everywhere. Make sure you give them the love they deserve. Here are some easy tips from the American Academy of Dermatology to care for your feet and prevent some of the most common issues. 

Wear shoes that fit properly

Wearing the right pair of shoes goes a long way to prevent problems like corns and blisters. When choosing your shoes, you want to make sure they aren’t too loose or too tight. Get your feet measured to ensure you have the perfect fit. Want more tips for choosing the right shoes? We’ve got you covered. 

Trim your toenails

If your toenails are too long, it can also cause corns. It can also lead to ingrown toenails, which can be painful. Keep your toenails short by trimming them regularly. Trim your toenails by cutting them straight across. Make sure to sanitize your nail tools after use. 

Moisturize your feet after bathing

One of the easiest ways to deal with dry or cracked heels is to moisturize them. Instead of applying it on dry skin, apply the cream after your shower or bath when your feet are still damp to lock in the moisture. Look for moisturizers with 10-25% urea, alpha hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid. 

Wear shower shoes or sandals in areas like gyms, locker rooms and pools

Spending time in humid environments like spas and locker rooms can increase your risk for nail fungus and athlete’s foot. Wearing flip-flops or shower shoes instead of walking around barefoot can keep your feet safe. 

Keep a clean, fresh pair of socks

No one likes the feeling of wet socks, but worse than that, excess moisture can lead to nail fungus. Change your socks after working out or doing yard work. Wearing moisture-wicking socks can also keep your socks fresh longer. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the health of your feet, contact your primary care provider or dermatologist.

Beauty

Thu, 05/02/2024 - 08:00