BODY CARE TIPS

BABY SKIN CARE

A healthy, safe skin-care routine for your child should revolve around one word:gentle. But many skin-care products made for babies and children contain irritating ingredients like fragrance. That's not good for your child's skin—but there are alternatives that'll leave you both smiling!

Do Your Child's Products Smell Like Trouble?

Products may look and at times smell like they're made with kids in mind, but you need to ignore the colorful packaging and the emotional pull and go right to the ingredient list. Be on the lookout for the following common irritants:

• Fragrances: Added fragrance, or perfume (synthetic or natural) has no benefit and is always problematic for your child's skin (and for yours!). Fragrance can irritate the skin below its surface, so even though you may not notice a reaction in your child's skin, that doesn't mean damage isn't occurring.
• Essential oils and fragrant plant extracts: There are many beneficial natural ingredients, but just because something is a plant doesn't mean it's good for your skin. Essential oils and some extracts, such ascitrus, peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus, and lavender to name a few, are potent irritants that can make skin red, inflamed, and itchy, as well as hurt the skin's healing process. It is shocking how often these irritants appear in baby skin-care products, even in those labeled as being gentle or fragrance-free!
• Coloring agents: Designed for visual appeal, children's skin-care products often contain a parent-pleasing pink, lavender, or yellow tint. The product may look great to you, but coloring agents might be a problem for your young one's tender skin, and ultimately shouldn't be ingested (but think of how often baby sticks hands and fingers in his mouth).

For a detailed list of common irritants to avoid, see our article Irritation: Your Skin's Worst Enemy. For information on over 1,600 common cosmetic ingredients, see our Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.

When shopping for children's skin-care products, look for products that are free of fragrance and coloring agents, and avoid those that contain fragrant plant oils or extracts. Brands that offer fragrance-free options include:

• California Baby (their Super Sensitive products)
• Aveeno Baby
• Pharmaceutical Specialties (Free & Clear)
• Cetaphil
• CeraVe
• Aquaphor Baby from Eucerin
• Nature's Baby Organics (select products)
• Paula's Choice Earth Sourced (but all Paula's Choice skin-care products are fragrance- and colorant-free)
• 
  

The basics of your child's skin-care routine should include:

• Gentle, fragrance-free body wash and/or shampoo.
• Tear-free claims on the package. This doesn't guarantee it won't cause tears, but it reduces the likelihood of the problem.
• Fragrance-free baby wipes. Especially important to help heal diaper rash; these are surprisingly easy to find at drugstores and wholesale retailers such as Costco.
• Moisturizer formulated without fragrance or the irritants mentioned above. (Tip: "Adult" sensitive-skin formulas are excellent for children, too!)
• Fragrance-free zinc oxide or petrolatum-based diaper rash ointments (Very few are fragrance-free, but try Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash).
• Cornstarch-based, talc-free powder to help absorb wetness and prevent chafing.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 25 or greater with the active ingredients titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide.
• Fragrance-free mineral oil can be used as massage oil for your baby. A brief massage at night might even help your child fall asleep more easily.

We can't stress this enough: Sun exposure is especially damaging to children's skin because their skin's immune defenses are still developing, which means babies and children more susceptible to sunburn and sun damage.

NOTE: Generally, applying sunscreen on children less than six months of age is not recommended; instead, sun avoidance is the critical factor. If your infant must be outside, take preventive steps such as protective clothing and shade over the stroller so as to avoid exposing your child's skin to direct sunlight. Check with your pediatrician for guidelines on sun protection.

Diaper Rash

This is one of the most common skin conditions in children and something that almost every parent must deal with. Following are some basic facts to help you understand what is taking place and what you can do about it.

Chafing can occur from a wet diaper rubbing against the skin, from folds of the baby's skin rubbing together, or just from a baby's skin being wet for too long:

• Use a mild, unscented zinc oxide– or petrolatum-based diaper ointment and a fragrance-free powder to help alleviate problems from wetness and rubbing.
• Change diapers frequently.
• If chafing persists, try a different brand/type of diaper (cloth or disposable).
• Try a different type of baby wipe because some can be irritating to skin, even if they are fragrance-free.
• Consider using water to rinse off the residue left behind from a baby wipe because the cleansing agents potentially can irritate skin.
• When changing diapers be sure the skin is completely dry before putting on a fresh diaper.
• Laundry detergents can leave a film on diapers or clothing that can cause irritation. All Free & Clear is a good detergent to consider, as are products from Dreft.
• Stubborn diaper rash that doesn't respond to conventional treatment may be a sign of a yeast or bacterial infection, in which case you should have the pediatrician examine your child.

Cradle Cap (Seborrheic Dermatitis)

In babies, cradle cap appears as red, scaly, flaky skin on the scalp, but it also can appear on other areas of the body, such as the face and neck. The causes of cradle cap are unknown, but it's believed to stem from excessive production of oil, which traps dead skin cells and creates crusty, flaking areas that appear greasy and thick.

Cradle cap is definitely unsightly, but it is not an infection, and typically it does not cause itching or discomfort. Over time, cradle cap will clear up, but you can hasten the process with these tips:

• Gentle daily cleansing with a mild shampoo until cradle cap clears up; then cleanse every other day.
• A soft brushing helps loosen flaking, especially right after shampooing. Use a children's hair brush with extra-soft nylon bristles. Do not use brushes with natural bristles because they can harbor bacteria, causing serious problems for skin.
• Medicated shampoos, such as those containing salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole, are options, but check with your pediatrician before use.
• Avoid applying petroleum jelly or similar ointments meant for dry skin, because they won't help cradle cap. In fact, such products can trap more dead skin cells and slow the healing process.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris (KP) often looks like tiny red bumps on the upper arms, neck, or legs (sometimes described as "chicken skin"). KP results from clogged pores caused by a buildup of dead skin cells. KP is not an issue of hygiene or an infection.

For very young children (check with your doctor) it is best to ignore KP unless the area becomes irritated and inflamed. Here are the best ways to treat your child's KP:

• Wash the affected area twice daily with a gentle, water-soluble lotion or gel cleanser.
• Do not use bar soap or a bar cleanser. Bar cleansers are almost always irritating, and the ingredients that keep them in bar form can clog pores.
• Apply a mild BHA* (salicylic acid) lotion, such as Paula's Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA.
• If the skin is also dry, apply a lightweight, lotion-textured (not cream-textured) fragrance-free moisturizer. CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion is great.
• Be sure to keep exposed skin protected during the day by applying a sunscreen rated SPF 25 or greater, and greater is better.

*Be sure to get your pediatrician's OK before applying a BHA product to your child's skin, especially if he or she is still an infant.

Eczema

Eczema is very common among babies and children. In children it usually looks like red, irritated scaly patches, along with tiny blister-like eruptions. The skin may even become so dry it cracks.

Treatments for eczema vary, so it is best to consult your child's pediatrician for specific recommendations. For more information on this complicated topic, see our article Eczema: Stop the Itch.

With a bit of research, you can easily find the essentials to ensure you're taking good care of your child's skin! Be sure to avoid products with fragrance and coloring agents, and think gentle! Your little one's skin will thank you by looking smooth and healthy! And, of course, don't forget to consult a pediatrician before treating any skin condition.

ALL ROUND SKIN CARE FOR YOU

When it comes to skin care, most women tend to focus on their faces alone, forgetting about the other parts of their bodies, yet some of the most telltale signs of aging are often quite evident from the neck down. This is especially true if you haven't been as diligent about protecting your body from sun exposure as you may have been with your face. Your hands, forearms, and chest (décolletage) can look older than need be if the proper steps aren't taken. If you are over 40, sun damage (brown spots, creping, and loss of elasticity) is most likely becoming more and more evident on those areas.

One pertinent fact for skin anywhere on your body is that every inch has the same needs when it comes to skin-care products. Skin is skin and it needs to be protected from the sun and it is far healthier and softer (and, dare I say it, younger looking) when the products you apply are loaded with antioxidants, ingredients that mimic the structure of skin, anti-irritants, and cell-communicating ingredients. Just like the face, the skin on the body can also function better and absorb moisturizer better when it is exfoliated, so the use of a well-formulated AHA or BHA product can create smooth, even textured skin like you've never experienced before.

The following is a daily list for those often-forgotten parts of your body >

Body Acne

Though we often think of acne breakouts as a facial issue, for those who struggle with blemishes on other parts of their body, such as backs, neck, thighs, or buttocks, they know all too well how frustrating this can be. Regardless of where a blemish occurs, the same solutions that apply for breakouts occurring on your face apply from the neck down, too:

• Do not use bar soap or cleansers--the ingredients in bar cleansers can clog pores
• Do not use abrasive body scrubs (acne cannot be scrubbed away)
• Use a gentle cleanser that's water soluble
• Apply a well formulated exfoliant with salicylic acid to acne and breakout-prone areas
• Follow the exfoliant with a topical disinfectant that contains benzoyl peroxide

Keratosis Pilaris

This skin disorder is one that lots of people struggle with. It is a very common problem involving tiny, benign, raised bumps found typically on the upper arms, thighs, shoulders, and back. Keratosis pilaris tends to be more severe during the winter months but no one is sure why that is the case and it definitely isn't consistent for everyone. Basically, these bumpy rough spots are clogged pores that can get red and irritated but rarely itch. Regrettably there is no available cure or universally effective treatment, though it is generally well accepted that unclogging pores and reducing inflammation can greatly improve matters (Source: eMedicine Journal, July 2, 2001, volume 2, number 7).

AHAs (typically lactic or glycolic acid, both very effective forms of alpha hydroxy acid) can help exfoliate skin cells, but these aren't effective for dissolving the sebum (the hardened oil inside a pore) that cause the problem. As a result, AHAs can't penetrate into the pore and exfoliate the lining of the pore to help remove the plug. For this type of problem a BHA product (with the active ingredient salicylic acid) and a pH low enough for exfoliation to occur can make all the difference in the world. It is also helpful to avoid bar soaps which can irritate skin or cause clogged pores. A gentle body shampoo is best. Keep in mind you can't scrub away the plugs, this will only inflame the area more and still leave the skin feeling rough and bumpy below the surface where the problem exists and the abrasive can't reach.

Note: We hear from many readers dealing with keratosis pilaris that their dermatologist consistently recommends treating it with an AHA product, specifically LacHydrin, available at most drugstores. We're not sure why these doctors aren't recommending BHA products instead, but suspect it's because they're unaware of the small number of options available. Needless to say, the comments we hear are that the AHA product did not reduce the keratosis pilaris, and the doctor had no other options to offer, which left the patient frustrated. Given what we know about keratosis pilaris and how BHA products work, it makes sense to consider them before trying an AHA product, however well-intentioned your dermatologist's advice may be. Some cases of KP may respond well to an AHA exfoliant, but most will find BHA is the superior choice.

Bacterial Folliculitis

Another common condition that can manifest itself as visible red bumps on the arms and thighs is bacterial folliculitis. This inflammatory condition involves an infection of the hair follicle by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It begins with mild swelling and redness around the hair follicle and may eventually become small, inflamed pustules. This condition is most common in persons with a lot of body hair, but can occur on anyone. The most common form of prescribed treatment is a course of oral antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins), but topically applied antibiotics are also helpful (Source: The Skin Sourcebook, 1998, pages 162-164). You can also try treating the affected area with daily application of a product containing 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide. This topical disinfectant is often helpful in keeping these inflamed, acne-like bumps under control.

DRY HANDS: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS

Struggling with dry hands can be pretty painful most times. Even if you are diligent about keeping them protected when doing housework or gardening, and unfailingly apply moisturizer whenever the opportunity arises, you can still suffer from cracked, parched hands.But there are solutions within reach! 

Protect Your Hands Whenever You Can

It is of vital importance to protect your hands from dish detergent, laundry detergent, excessive washing, and irritating ingredients, and also when doing potentially irritating manual activities such as yard work or sports. Wearing gloves to prevent contact with these types of products and ingredients is of the utmost importance. However, a significant number of women may find they are allergic to latex gloves. About 10% of the population have negative reactions, ranging from mild to severe, if they come in contact with latex. If this turns out to be a problem, ask your physician or pharmacist where you can find nonlatex gloves.

Whenever You Think of It, Moisturize!

The faster you get an emollient moisturizer on your hands after washing, and the longer you can keep it on, the better. (Note: Any good, emollient moisturizer will work—it does not have to be labeled "hand cream" to be used on the hands.) It helps to keep small tubes or bottles of moisturizer all over the house, including near the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, at the bedside, and in the garage. Keep more in your car, purse, briefcase, and desk drawer. That way it is never out of reach for a quick application. The best moisturizers for daytime are moisturizing sunscreens whose active ingredient is avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. As an added benefit, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide an occlusive barrier that can act as a protective layer to retain moisture in the skin while keeping the sun's rays off the skin. (Bear in mind that brown "sun spots" on the back of hands and arms are a direct result of relentless, daily, unprotected sun exposure.)

Over-the-Counter Options for Dry Hands

Paula's Choice Lip and Body Treatment Balm, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula, and Aquaphor by Eucerin, to name a few are all excellent moisturizers to use at night. The best approach is to apply moisturizer every chance you get. It is also incredibly helpful to purchase an over-the-counter cortisone cream such as Lanacort or Cortaid to help treat cracks and fissures that may occur, but cortisone creams should only be used intermittently, not on a regular basis (and it would be applied before your hand cream). Severely dry hands can also benefit from overnight treatment with moisture-infused gloves. These unique gloves are lined with a synthetic material that slowly releases moisturizing ingredients as they are worn. Several companies offer this type of product; a quick online search will show you the options!

Cuticles Need Love, Too

If your cuticles are also dry and/or cracked, make sure to moisturize them often with a balm or oil-rich product. Those that come with a brush-on applicator so you can easily coat the cuticle and nail are brilliant, not to mention convenient and portable! Keeping cuticles in top shape will automatically make your nails look better and should help them grow better, too!

ARE YOUR HANDS AND ARMS MAKING YOU LOOK OLDER?

In an effort to fight the signs of aging, lots of women routinely dye their hair to cover up any telltale gray, and take special care of the skin on their face to maintain a youthful appearance. Despite these concentrated efforts to conceal or delay these signs of aging, many women neglect the other two most visible and age-sensitive areas on their bodies: hands and arms.

Limiting their skin care efforts to their face is a common oversight of many women, including celebrities who are known for their youthful faces but have noticeably veiny, aging hands and arms. Simply put, signs of aging on the hands and arms add unwanted years to your appearance. 

You Can Have Younger-Looking Hands and Arms

It is far easier than you think to start having younger-looking skin on your hands and arms! Here's why: The exact same ingredients that work for your face to build collagen, lighten dark spots, fight aging, and improve skin tone will work beautifully on your hands and arms, too!

Although there may be differences between the skin on your face and the skin on other parts of your body, that doesn't change the basic facts of what the skin—from head to toe—needs to look younger, and that is especially true when it comes to protecting against and helping to repair sun damage. So, along with a good, emollient hand cream for night and a hand cream with sunscreen for daytime, you can treat (and help prevent) signs of aging on your hands and arms by using anti-aging facial products. Before bed, apply an AHA or BHA exfoliantplus a treatment product, such as an antioxidant-rich serum or a skin-lightening product.

Hands Take a Bit More Effort

During the day, the basic act of washing our hands is what makes hand care so tricky. Protecting skin from the sun is as vital for the hands and arms as it is for the face, but, unfortunately, it is much more difficult to maintain sun protection on our hands because we wash them so often. Every time you wash your hands, you wash away most, if not all, of the sunscreen you applied previously. That's why reapplying sunscreen after you wash your hands is critical, even if it's a pain. If you aren't diligent about reapplying sunscreen, your hands will appear much older than they really are.

With practice, you'll get used to reapplying sunscreen to your hands, and the results will be spectacular in the long run. Nothing else you do to help your hands look younger will mean much if you're not almost neurotic about sunscreen application.

To maximize your hand-care efforts, use an antioxidant-enhanced sunscreen during the day; to make things easier, save the bulk of your hand-care routine for nighttime. Applying a skin-lightening product, antioxidant serum, and moisturizer loaded with skin-repairing ingredients will provide you with the full benefits of those products while you're sleeping, instead of washing them off throughout the day.

Essential Steps to Beautiful Hands and Arms

To see improvement and keep your skin looking healthy and young, you must be as consistent in your hand- and arm-care routine as you are with your facial skin-care routine. Following are the key points to keep in mind when devising a daily and nightly hand- and arm-care routine:

Daytime

• Always protect your hands and arms with liberal application of broad-spectrum sunscreen. It's the best single step you can take to keep your hands and arms looking gorgeous for years to come.
• Brown spots can be reversed, not only by using sunscreen 365 days per year, but also by using a skin-lightening product that contains hydroquinone or a well-formulated product with an alternative to hydroquinone. Apply this product to dark spots each evening. You also may apply it during the day, if you're willing to reapply each time you wash your hands.
• For instant relief of dry, scaly hands, use a sugar scrub. You can make a scrub at home simply by mixing plain sugar with any non-fragrant plant oil. Massage over your hands, and leave it on for a couple minutes. Next, add a bit of hand washing soap, lather up, and rinse with lukewarm water.

Nighttime

• At night, after washing your hands, apply an AHA or BHA exfoliant (the same one you use on your face) and follow it with an antioxidant-rich serum.
• Finish your nightly hand-care routine by applying an emollient, rich-textured moisturizer loaded with skin-repairing ingredients and antioxidants. This can be a product labeled "hand cream," a rich body cream or butter, or a facial moisturizer designed for dry skin. The specific body part designated on the label isn't as important as the formula itself.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth Everything

There are a few more things you can do to make sure your hands and arms—especially hands—stay in the best condition possible; for example, use only gentle but effective cleansers. Avoid washing your hands with drying soaps or irritating antibacterial cleansers whenever you can. Around the house, using a moisturizing body wash, such as those from Olay or Dove, is a wonderfully smoothing yet effective alternative to traditional hand soap; plus, these tend to cost less than traditional hand soaps, which just end up making your hands feel sandpaper-dry.

Wearing gloves when washing dishes or doing housework makes a huge difference in keeping your hands in top shape. Believe us, you can get used to this, just give it a try; we promise it will be well worth it! Also, if you know ahead of time you'll be handling a lot of paper or cardboard, both of which suck moisture out of the skin, be sure to prep with a hand cream first.

And, even though we've said it before, it bears repeating: The best thing you can do for your hands and arms is to continually apply a sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater and reapply it whenever you wash your hands. A hand cream with sunscreen is great for use on-the-go because hand creams come in smaller, more portable sizes. You can keep a regular moisturizing facial or body sunscreen at home for use on your hands, and stash the hand cream with sunscreen in your purse so it's there when you need it.

Treatment Options Beyond Skin Care

When it comes to fighting aging there is only so much that a good skin-care routine can do to reverse damage once it's been done. After a certain point (and to get truly impressive results), you may want to consider having cosmetic corrective procedures performed on your hands, the same types of procedures doctors commonly perform on the face. These include:

• Dermal fillers, including fat injections to plump up thinning, loose skin and diminish the appearance of bulging veins.
• Sclerotherapy (the same treatment used for varicose veins) combined with dermal fillers for the hands.
• Laser treatments to remove brown spots and build collagen.

Your dermatologist may recommend a combination of all of the above or suggest other options, depending on your specific concerns and your expectations.

No matter what methods you use to make your hands and arms look younger, it all starts with sun protection. As long as you're willing to commit to this, everything else you do that's beneficial for the skin in these areas will get you even better results—you may even be able to skip that next appointment with the dermatologist!

KERATOSIS PILARIS: TREAT THOSE BUMPS ON THE BACK OF YOUR ARMS.

If you have little red bumps in patches on your upper arms, backside, or thighs that resemble chicken skin and occasionally itch, you probably have a genetic skin disorder called keratosis pilaris. Much like acne, this skin disorder affects 50-80% of adolescents and roughly 40% of adults though no one knows exactly why.

Those prone to eczema, asthma, and allergies are more likely to be afflicted with keratosis pilaris. Also, up to 50% of those who struggle with keratosis pilaris have a family history of it. With our help, you may be able to finally say "Bye-bye chicken skin!"

What’s This Chicken Skin All About?

Keratosis pilaris has a few different forms: It can range from pink to red bumps on the cheeks to small red bumps that aren't irritated, to pimple-like bumps that are inflamed and red. Overall, regardless of the type, these bumpy rough spots are clogged pores where skin cells have become hardened inside the pore and inflammation occurs. Regrettably, there is no available cure or universally effective treatment, though it is generally well accepted that unclogging pores and reducing inflammation can make a significant difference.(Source: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070651-treatment).

The Best Ways to Get Rid of the Bumps

Exfoliation to unclog pores is at the top of the list of treatments. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs, active ingredients would be lactic or glycolic acid) can help exfoliate skin cells, but these only work on the surface. AHAs can't get inside the pore to dislodge the plug of skin and sebum.

To get to the root of the problem you need a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) product with the active ingredient salicylic acid and a pH low enough for exfoliation to occur. One other interesting aspect of BHA is that it has antimicrobial properties so it kills the bacteria that may be making matters worse. Plus, because salicylic acid is related to aspirin (aspirin is acetyl salicylic acid) it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Salicylic acid is a brilliant answer to eliminating these red bumps. 

If you find that your keratosis pilaris does not respond well to salicylic acid, you can consider an AHA product that contains glycolic or lactic acid. 

What Else Works?

Because keratosis pilaris is an inflammatory disorder, anything you can do to reduce inflammation is going to help a great deal. Avoiding drying soaps and cleansers is essential, plus the ingredients that put bar cleansers in their bar form can clog pores and make matters worse.

It is also critical to not scrub at the skin. You can't scrub away these red bumps and scrubbing skin doesn't get to the problem which isn't on the surface. Rather, it's underneath where scrubs, washcloths, bath puffs, and loofahs can't reach. If anything, scrubbing further inflames skin and the ingredients that keep most body scrubs from being too abrasive clog pores.

Lasers for Keratosis Pilaris

Laser or light-emitting treatments have an impressive-to-decent rate of improvement, most notably for persistent redness and, in those with darker skin tones, brown spots from where the bumps used to be, plus overall surface texture improvement. Lasers and light-emitting treatments are one more option in the battle against those pesky red bumps--and for stubborn or recurring cases that don't respond well to topical treatments, they can be well worth the time and money.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET RID OF STRETCH MARKS?

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks can be a frustrating skin care concerns, especially as so many deal with them at some point! It's estimated that 90% of women who are or have been pregnant, 70% of adolescent females, and 40% of adolescent males have stretch marks. There does not seem to be any link to ethnicity: all races can be affected.  As it is a widely afflicting condition, there is no shortage of demand for products to treat them—but what really works?

Stretch marks occur when skin is abnormally stretched and expanded for a period of time. Typically, this occurs during pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, or during periods of rapid growth (think puberty). The abnormal stretching causes the skin's support structure of collagen and elastin to break down or rupture.  The visible curled ends of stretch marks beneath the skin are actually bands of elastinthat have broken—think of elastin as rubber bands beneath the skin that give it spring and its ability to snap back into place.

Essentially, stretch marks are scars that have formed from the inside out, rather than scarring that occurs when skin is externally wounded. Unfortunately, stretch marks are among the toughest skin-care concerns to treat because there are no cosmetic ingredients or products that can make much of a difference in their appearance.

What About Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter, or Stretch Mark Creams?

Applying topical products such as plant oils or cocoa butter, Mederma (which didn't show results on scarsbeyond plain Vaseline,) or any skin-care product promising to prevent, reduce or eliminate stretch marks doesn't work, and there is no research showing otherwise. Massaging skin with rich emollients and creams may feel nice, but the purported benefits of such products only add up to myths and anecdotal accounts mixed with hope, because stretch marks are not caused by dry skin.  The depth of stretch marks —far below the skin's surface—and the extreme strain, stress, and trauma needed to break down the skin's support structure, is damage beyond the reparative or preventative capability of any moisturizer or oil.

The above information applies to all the products which claim to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, too. Stretch marks come from the inside out, and applying something topically to your skin won't prevent the breakage. We're either predisposed to developing stretch marks or not; women who've said they used "X cream" and didn't get stretch marks while pregnant probably wouldn't have gotten them anyway. It's frustrating, we know, but despite anecdotal statements by those who've used stretch mark creams, the research-backed evidence just isn't there.Still, other than the ding to your budget, for the most part there's no harm in trying such products (just don't expect them to stop stretch marks if you're predisposed to them).

Massage Therapy

The claims of massage therapy as a treatment for stretch marks are often from those doing the massaging. Unfortunately, no amount of massage will improve the torn, broken elastin under skin. It's just not the way the body works, and there is no clinical research (we've looked) demonstrating the improvement of stretch marks from massage therapy (Swedish or otherwise.) Also, massaging the abdominal area during pregnancy can have its own risks if too much pressure is used. If you're pregnant and considering massage, be sure to speak with your doctor about what type is most appropriate.

Dermal Rollers for Stretch Marks?

Dermal rollers are handheld devices outfitted with many small needles designed to lightly pierce the skin as you roll the device over it. The popular claim is that this controlled wounding of skin and its subsequent healing process is akin to dermatologic treatments (think laser treatments) which follow the same concept of a controlled wound to stimulate collagen growth and repair.

The truth is there's no research demonstrating dermal rollers improve stretch marks, or produce results better than (or comparable to) laser treatments. It's very difficult, if not impossible, to generate new elastin, and building collagen alone isn't going to make stretch marks look much better. Moreover, it's easy to overdo it with these roller devices, and that can damage skin. Don't believe the hype around dermal rollers as a solution to stretch marks.  

What About Microdermabrasion?

One study that demonstrated microdermabrasion had improved the appearance of stretch marks but not so fast—closer examination of the research revealed a few sticking points. The first was that the treatment was aggressive: 5 sessions of microdermabrasion per week, for 12 weeks! Second, the measurement of "improvement" was never defined, and the study mentioned that the primary improvement was to the reddish-purple marks (striae rubra,) of which typically fade anyway with time (leaving you with white stretch marks).

To be fair, those who had stretch marks for longer periods of time also noted some level of improvement after the study.  The question is, as you one of those who would be willing to commit to aggressive microdermabrasion in the hopes for non-specific improvement (and who also have deep purple/red stretch marks?)

Prescriptions and Procedures That May Help

Let's talk about the options of treatments that actually do have the potential to improve stretch marks! As mentioned above, there are no cosmetic ingredients or skin-care products that can improve or prevent stretch marks. It is impossible for any cosmetic to raise the indentations back to where the skin level used to be or repair snapped elastin fibers, but there are alternatives that may provide a small degree of improvement.

• Tretinoin: In the pharmaceutical realm, there is some research showing tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A, Renova, or in generic form) can have a positive effect on stretch marks. Typical improvement is 20%, which isn't necessarily exciting, but may still be worth the effort and expense. The dilemma for expectant mothers is that tretinoin cannot be used during pregnancy, and is also contraindicated if the mother-to-be intends to breastfeed her baby.
• Laser Treatment: Studies have been conducted using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatments emitting 585 nanometers (nm) of light to improve stretch marks. Results after five sessions were labeled as a clinical improvement, with microscopic analysis showing improvement in the length, depth, and coloration of stretch marks. Studies also demonstrated improvement with a 1,064 nanometer Nd:YAG after 3-4 sessions.
• Peels: Beyond non-ablative lasers, you can also consider a series of chemical peels. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels may be of some help for improving the appearance of stretch marks when used at the proper concentration (typically 20% TCA) and applied by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon skilled in the use of this type of peel. Because TCA peels penetrate further than AHA or BHA peels, they are believed to have a greater ability to stimulate collagen and elastin for the depth of damage seen in stretch marks.

Bottom Line

Don't fall for the ad hype or false promises of stretch mark creams!  Topical skin-care products can't raise the indentations back to where the skin level used to be or repair snapped elastin fibers, nor do preventative measures like massage or dermal rollers work to avoid stretch marks. Tretinoin, as a generic and as the active ingredient in Renova/Retin-A and other brands shows a small degree of benefit (but be realistic with your expectations.) Also, some medical procedures can improve their appearance, such as laser treatments and TCA peels, but again, it's important to keep your expectations realistic.

HOME MANICURES & PEDICURES

When you indulge in giving yourself a full manicure or pedicure, it is essential to keep it simple. Learn from an expert how to get salon-beautiful hands at home!

Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect Mani-Pedi

The following is a great system for creating the perfect manicure or pedicure at home:

1. Firstly, remove any previously applied nail polish. It doesn't matter whether you use a nail polish remover that contains acetone or not. It also doesn't matter whether the nail polish remover claims to contain moisturizing ingredients. If a nail-polish remover can remove nail polish it is going to be rough on your nails and cuticles, but that is the price of nicely painted nails. Use as little nail polish remover as necessary to remove the polish. Never soak the nail in it! Nail-polish remover is extremely drying on the entire nail area, especially the cuticle. Keeping contact with nail polish remover to a minimum is crucial for the well-being of the nail and cuticle.
2. Before soaking your fingernails in water, either cut them or file them into shape. When fingernails are wet, they are more prone to damage then when they are dry. Gently file the nails into the shape you want, using the least-abrasive emery board you can find (avoid metal or extremely coarse files). Avoid shaping your nails into long talons or severe shapes (too square or pointy). Fingernails can be given a slightly rounded edge to protect the nail growth or a square appearance as long as it isn't too squared off. Quality nail files can be found in most major drugstores and don't have to cost a fortune.
3. Soaking the cuticle is necessary if you plan to remove a bit of excess cuticle but over-soaking the nails can damage them, so immerse your nails in plain warm water for no more than three minutes. Avoid soapy or detergent-filled water, which only dries the skin and damages the cuticle. For your feet, because of the thickness of the toenails and their cuticles, the toenails can be immersed in water for a longer period of time. A warm soak feels wonderful and also helps soften the nail so it can be cut easier with a nail clipper.
4. Trim toenails carefully using nail clippers. Nails are definitely easier to trim after bathing or soaking, but if you have soft nails cut them before you soak them to prevent tearing or damage to the nail. Toenails should be trimmed straight across, slightly above the quick. Avoid cutting them too short because doing so increases the chance of developing ingrown toenails.
5. Moisturize cuticles with a very emollient, thick moisturizer. Almost any moisturizer or oil for dry skin will do. It is not necessary to purchase special cuticle creams: They contain absolutely nothing special for the nail or cuticle.
6. Now is a great time for using a sugar scrub to massage your feet, legs, hands, and arms. Rinse your hands first and then take time to use a metal foot file or flat pumice stone to buff away calluses on the bottoms of your feet. Then rinse the scrub off your feet and legs.
7. As an option, you can apply a specialized cuticle remover that actually dissolves excess cuticle skin. One of the more effective ones is Cuticle Eliminator ($3) available at some drugstores or beauty supply stores. Its high pH level is what makes it work so well, but that also means you don’t want to leave it on your skin for too long. Apply the Cuticle Eliminator lotion to the cuticle area and then proceed to step 8.
8. Next, very, very gently, push the cuticle back away from the nail but avoid pushing it too far which can damage nail growth or fray the cuticles. Be careful not to pull, lift, tear, rip, force, or cut into the cuticle in any way. Trim only the free edge of your cuticles, avoiding the cuticle area next to the nail bed. Cutting too deep can eventually damage the nail.
9. Before you polish your nails, it is essential to remove any remaining oil or moisturizer from them. Moisturizing ingredients of any kind left on the nail prevent polish from adhering to the nail. Use nail polish remover or plain alcohol just over the nail's surface to take off any moisturizer. Avoid getting nail polish remover on the cuticle; that's the area you want to keep the moisturizer on, but be thorough about the nail itself.
10. Polish your nails in layers, allowing them to dry between coats. A minimum of four coats (base coat, two coats of color, and a top coat) is standard. If you have weak or brittle nails, place one or two coats of ridge-filling nail polish on the nail as the base coat; this is the best way to shore up the nail. Two coats of a colored nail polish are next, followed by a top coat to add shine and luster.
11. Allow plenty of time for the polish to dry. Quick-dry polishes and some quick-dry top coats of polish often contain alcohol, which can cause the polish to peel and chip more easily, so you want to avoid those. Using a quick-dry oil or spray after you’re done polishing is a great way to ward off smudges, but these won't prevent nicks or dents in the polish, so be careful.
12. Do not dry your nails with a blow dryer or any other heat source. Heat causes the polish to expand and lift away from the nail.
13. Once the polish is dry, massage a rich emollient moisturizer or balm onto the cuticle area. This will help encourage healthy nail growth and protect the cuticle.
14. Touching up polish every other day with a layer of top coat can help make a manicure last longer. Carry a bottle of top coat in your purse, and when you have a moment or break in your day, do a quick once-over. A single layer dries quickly and makes all the difference in keeping up appearances.

What About Gel Manicures?

Gel manicures are a relatively new type of manicure many nail salons offer. This new method uses a special type of polish that bonds quickly to the nail, dries in seconds, becomes rock hard, and when applied correctly can last for up to three weeks (really).

Gel manicures are not the same as acrylic or artificial nails; they are simply a method to get nail polish to last far longer than it normally would. Almost every step of a gel manicure is the same as a regular manicure except the nails are cured under an ultraviolet light for a minute or two. In case you're wondering, this ultraviolet light exposure is too weak to be considered harmful to skin.

The only real downside to gel manicures is that (despite what you may hear or read) removing the polish is not kind to nails and is a rather cumbersome process. Nails are either soaked in an acetone-based nail polish remover for up to 10 minutes or each nail is tightly wrapped with a small piece of cotton soaked in an acetone-based polish remover covered with a small piece of aluminum foil for 10-15 minutes. Sometimes the excess polish is so stubborn it actually needs to be filed or manually chipped off, which explains why it can last for up to three weeks without chipping or peeling!

Although there are do-it-yourself gel manicure kits sold in stores, we wouldn’t suggest you start out trying to do it yourself, even if you have really healthy nails. Having a gel manicure done professionally the first few times to see how it is done and whether or not you like the results is the best way to go, and then, if you love the results and are eager to do so, you can try it at home (which will save money in the long run).

                                                        Stay Smart, Stay Beautiful!