"Follow the Rules for a Beautiful Summer" recap

They say hind-sight is 20-20, while that may be true there is no reason we can't learn from the hind-sight of others! Earlier I read an article in the New York Times about a woman who dropped into a local nail shop to get a manicure and ended up in Mount Sinai Hospital- it was a sad story, but the article proceeded to give great tips to stay safe while staying beautiful!

I know time is of the essence, so I'll briefly summarize the main point presented in the article "Follow the Rules for a Beautiful Summer."


Tips to Ensure You Are Not Putting Yourself At More Risk

Manicure/ Pedicure

• Avoid pedicures if your heels are cracked because when cracked your feet are open to infections lurking in the pedicure whirlpools and on files that haven’t been sufficiently cleaned
• Have the manicurist/ pedicurist push your cuticles back instead of cutting them. Cuticles serve a purpose- to protect the base of the nail from infection
• Avoid gel sets like Gelish and CND Shellac because they are removed with acetone, which can be extremely drying and can cause nails to become brittle or to crack.
• With all soak-off gels, aestheticians trying to get off stubborn color often end up removing layers of nail, too.
• Most gel manicures use ultraviolet lamps to affix each layer of the product. Even though hands aren’t under the lamp for that long (six minutes total with Shellac), there is a link between UV exposure and the development of skin cancer, which is why some people also avoid the UV drying lamps used after even regular manicures.

Waxing

• Can lead to ingrown hairs, which can become infected
• Less risk with shaving, but beware of nicks near the knees and ankles and don't share razors
• Avoid waxing and shaving around broken skin

Eyelash Extensions

• If you damage the follicle, you can permanently lose your lashes
• Try not to scratch and tug at the false lashes to prevent follicle damage
• The glue used can irritate the eyes
• If your lids feel itchy, moist or irritated in any way remove the lashes and maybe true a different glue the next time around

*My experience with false individual lashes was devastating. I guess I was allergic to the glue because my lashes would not stop itching. I ended up pulling them straight off and losing half my lashes int eh process. They did grow bad though, and now when I want the thick/ long lash look I use the strip of lashes you can buy in CVS and they don't bother me at all.

Hair Extensions

• They apply pressure , which can lead to alopecia or hair breakage
• Take time off between adding and removing extensions
• Opt for clip-on versions
• Opt for half and full wigs they are customly fitted for your head

*I personally have the click on extensions, and when I used to wear my hair straight, I loved them! They are quick to put in, they stay secure and the are undetectable!

Spray tans

• Wear a mask when spray tanning
• The active colorant in self-tanners, DHA, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for external use, meaning that it’s potentially harmful if it gets in your eyes, is ingested, or is inhaled through your mouth and nose, something that is nearly impossible to avoid during spray tanning.

For the full article visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/fashion/manicures-and-other-beauty-rituals-can-pose-health-threats.html?ref=hair