CARING FOR YOUR HANDS AND NAILS

When tending to your beauty needs, pay special attention to your hands. Exfoliate them regularly to remove dead skin cells whenever you use a scrub on your body or face. Apply hand cream every time you wash your hands; keep tubs of hand cream handy beside the sink and basin.

Make sure your hand cream includes full-spectrum sunfilters to protect against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Remember, your hands are continually exposed to the sun's rays - and most ageing, including age spots, is caused by sun damage.

Use gloves to protect hands and nails from
harmful chemicals.

Always wear rubber gloves; plunging unprotected hands and nails into soapy water or household chemicals is like going into the sun without sunscreen. Cotton-lined gloves are best to absorb excess moisture.

Another good idea is to massage your hands with hand cream whenever you have a few spare moments. Use the first finger and the thumb of the opposite hand and work in small circles, moving from tips of fingers to wrist.

Finger exercises can prevent Occupational Overuse Syndrome (see next post) which occurs form constant, repetitive actions, such as typing. Exercise your fingers by clenching them into a ball, then slowly releasing them and stretching the fingers out. Rotate your wrists in circular movements.

THE SUN - your skin's enemy
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, exposure to which damages cells in your skin. There are three wavelengths of UV light: UVA, UVB and UVC. Chronic exposure to UVA damages your skin and plays role in both ageing and skin cancer. Sunlight also contains a smaller amount of UVB, which causes sunburn. Although UVC has the potential to injure skin, it does not get the chance as it is absorbed above the earth by ozone layer.

Photoageing of the skin - responsible for rough, leathery texture, age spots, sagging skin and brown, pigmented freckles on the backs of the hands - is caused by unnecessary and incidental exposure to the sun. Long-term sun exposure also degrades the collagen and elastin structures of the skin, making it less flexible. For all these reason, it is crucial to apply sunscreen on your hands every day. Check the label to ensure that the sunscreen you choose contains ingredients that filter out both UVA and UVB rays.

8 STEPS TO HEALTHY HANDS

• Eat right. Choose foods that are healthy and as close to natural as possible. Vary the type of fruit and vegetables you eat.
• Drink at least six glasses of water a day to keep the skin moisturized inside and out.
• Get the sleep your body needs - usually six to eight hours.
• Wear sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid over-exposing your skin to the elements. Some sunshine is necessary but today's suntan is tomorrow's ageing skin.
• Avoid temperature extremes and harsh detergents - rather wash with mild cleansers. As normal skin function, sweat and sebaceous glands routinely rid the body of toxins and wastes.
• Protect your hands with moisturizing creams, sunscreen or the appropriate gloves when exposing your hands to abrasive or environmental elements.
• Before you go to sleep, rub a rich hand cream or petroleum jelly into hands and nails, massaging around cuticles to nourish and stimulate growth. Then cover with an old pair of cotton gloves. Keep the gloves on overnight, allowing the heat of your hands to work with the moisturizer to provide a 'hot-oil' style treatment.
• Exercise. When faced with repetitive tasks, take time out to stretch and wiggle your fingers, wrists, hands and arms to maintain normal range of movement. (See some useful finger exercises in the coming post).