Firstly, your nails and hands are continuously impacted by a tidal flow of moisture and oils. While hand washing is a great habit, excessive hand washing and/or using household cleaning solutions without protection will remove vital oil and moisture from your skin and nails, which often results in dry hands and split, peeling nails. Your nail plate is made up of a number of layers of cells that can lose their inner material causing them to become hard, flat and translucent. Strong nails are not just measured by their hardness. Strong, healthy nails are the result of a combination of flexibility and hardness.

Many women and even men go to a salon periodically to have their nails properly looked after. However, some people do not have the time or money for this luxury. If not, this does not mean you should neglect your nails.

Here are some ways you can look after your nails without going to a salon.

1)      When possible wear gloves – while doing housework or even out in the garden to help protect your hands and nails.

2)      Moisturize your hands. You can multitask and do this while watching t.v. or make it a habit to do before you go to bed.

3)      Pay attention to your cuticles – but be gentle. Use a specialized cuticle cream and a cuticle clipper to keep them trimmed, which will help you avoid  hang nails.

4)      Devote some time to them. Taking the time to polish your nails, whether it is with a clear nail polish, trendy color or even a nail strengthener polish can have marvelous results.

5)      Stash emery boards everywhere. Pretty nails can easily be ruined due to a snag and your teeth.

If you have recently been to a salon for your nail care, but don’t have the time to go as often as you like you can always look into a manicure home maintenance kit to help maximize and retain the results of your salon visit. For example, the Bella Mani Home Maintenance Kit helps you maintain your beautiful nails in the comfort of your home. As part of the kit you receive 1/8 oz our Cuccio’s Forte Nail Strengthener, 5 ml of Cuccio’s Grapeseed Hand Anti Oxidant Oil and a pair of Cotton Gloves.

All you have to do is nurture your hands three times a week with the Grapeseed Hand Anti Oxidant Oil, which protects your skin from environmental factors that are known to accelerate aging. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while leaving your hands smoother, softer and virtually lifted. Cuccio’s Forte Nail Strengthener should be used once or twice a week over natural nails or polish. This nail strengthener is the first botanical nail hardener that does not contain toluene or formaldehyde. It uses horsetail grass as an ‘elasticizer’ so that your nails are more pliable – reducing cracks and brittleness.

Your nails are an important aspect of your body – so show them some respect!

In 2001, Allergan – a leader in eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology – was focused on creating a medicated eye drop to treat ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension refers to a case in which the pressure inside the eyes is greater than normal. Allergan’s product successfully achieved the Company’s goal of lowering patients’ eye pressure. However, in the process many patients using the eye drops noted an interesting side effect – they started growing fuller, darker and longer eye lashes.

As a result of this side effect, Allergan took a more detailed look into the medication’s active ingredient – bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% - examining how it could generate lash growth. Based on the information Allergan obtained from this examination they conducted a clinical trial on efficacy and safety of the product for four months on 278 patients. The trial was a success and Latisse was approved by the FDA in December 2008 becoming the first and only FDA-approved prescription for inadequate eyelashes. It promotes longer, fuller and darker eyelashes.

Since that time approximately 1.5 million bottles of the Latisse Eyelash Growth Treatment solution have been sold. It is used by a number of celebrities including Brooke Shields and Claire Danes.

Of course, every patient is different so individual results may vary and as with any product you should check with your family physician before using it and be aware of and prepared for potential side effects.

Bach Flower Essences fill their own niche within complementary medicine…they are not considered homeopathic medicine nor herbal medicine. They work similarly to Chinese medicine, Reiki and acupuncture by focusing on an energetic level in your body. This type of therapy is sometimes referred to as vibrational medicine.

There are approximately 38 different Bach Flower Essences, with thirty-seven composed from specific flowers and the last created from water of a spring that is said to have healing properties. Each one of these essences is used to treat a certain emotion or state of mind including apathy, anger, fear, etc. Dr. Bach’s aim was to develop a system of medicine that was easy-to-use so that people could recognize their emotional state and select the appropriate essence and ‘treat’ themselves.

You can use the essences separately or in combinations. The Rescue Remedy is the only essence combination that is sold ready-made. Rescue Remedy combines five of the 38 Bach Flower Essences. It has Rock Rose for panic and terror; Clematis for inattentiveness; Cherry Plum for irrational thoughts; Impatiens for irritation and impatience; and Star of Bethlehem for shock.

Rescue Remedy is a natural stress eliminator that helps keep you calm during stressful or demanding situations.

Glycolic acids are alpha hydroxyl acids or AHAs, which are a family of acids that naturally occur in a variety of fruits and food. Collectively then are often refereed to as fruit acids. The glycolic acid that is found in sugar cane is typically given the most attention in the medical field due to the fact that it has the smallest molecule of all the AHAs. As a result of the small molecular weight this glycolic acid is able to penetrate more effectively and ultimately brings about the most dramatic and beneficial changes of all the AHAs.

Glycolic acids are able to loosen the cellular cement that is associated with a number of skin conditions such as photodamage (environmental aging), acne and hyperpigmentation. The glycolic acid acts like a phenomenal resurfacing agent and can drastically improve the appearance of the skin. It has even proven itself to be a useful tool in reducing the depth of acne scarring.

Other benefits of glycolic acid are that it can stimulate collagen, increase epidermal volume and even has the ability to act as a powerful antioxidant and free radical inhibitor. It is often used to treat a variety of skin conditions including: Acne; White-heads; Blackheads; Psoriasis; Dry Skin; Eczema; Hyperkeratosis; Actinic Keratosis; and many more. However, glycolic acid facial cleansers are not just for skin with these problems. These cleansers are suitable for all skin types and strive to result in a smoother, softer and more refined skin texture.

Glycolic Acid Facial Cleansers should not be an intimidating section of your skin care store. They are some of the most cost effective, safe and beneficial skin care items currently available.