Lifestyle Choices

The skin on your hands, knees, elbows, and feet is not as delicate as the skin on your face. Still, like the skin on your face, the other skin on your body can look its best with a regular skin-care program.

Your hands express a lot about you. Like the skin on your face, the skin on your hands is constantly exposed to the elements, as well as to dirt and detergents. The skin on hands can easily become dry, chapped, and wrinkly. Your nails, too, can become dry and brittle. But with a little care, it is easy to make your hands soft and smooth, and your nails strong and hard.

Helping Hands

Detergents are found in dishwashing liquid and other household cleansers as well as in some soaps and shampoos. While detergents can clean thoroughly, they can also remove moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry. To protect your hands, wear rubber gloves when you wash dishes.

Choose detergent-free soaps to clean your hands, and apply lotion frequently.

Are your nails brittle or dry? Weak or soft? Your heredity and diet may be to blame. Some people have weak nails naturally. Extreme weight- loss diets can reduce the level of protein, calcium, and vitamin A that your body needs for strong, beautiful nails. To help your nails look their best, keep track of what you eat and keep your nails clean and well trimmed.

Other good habits can help you have beautiful hands now and in the future. Start doing these things while you are young and you won’t have to worry about the appearance and feel of your hands as you age:

• Always wear gloves in cold weather. You’ll be more comfortable (many people believe that when your hands are warm your whole body stays warmer), and your hands will be protected.
• When you’re outside in the sun, don’t forget sunscreen for your hands. It will prevent tiny, dry lines from forming, and help you avoid “shoe leather” hands when you’re older.

Regular manicures can help the way your hands look. And they’re not just for women anymore! Manicures have become popular for men who know that hand and nail care are an important part of good grooming. Go to a professional or try this do-it-yourself manicure:

1. Wash your hands, then smooth on skin cream.
2. Women: Remove old nail polish.
3. File your nails gently with a fine emery board, in one direction only. (”Sawing” the nails can cause splitting and other damage.)
4. Soak your hands for several minutes in warm water. Dry hands, and very gently push back your cuticles with a washcloth or a cotton swab. Don’t push back too far.
5. Massage cream into hands and cuticles.
6. Wipe off excess cream.
7. To smooth dry hands, try an overnight treatment. Before you go to bed, slather rich cream on your hands, then wear a pair of cotton gloves overnight. In the morning, your hands will be soft.

Putting Your Best Feet Forward

Your feet work hard for you! Make them look— and feel—good with some special care.

Here are some “foot fixers” that can help tired, achy feet:

1. Soak feet in a warm bath to relax. Add bath or mineral oil to the water to soften skin. Soap feet,
2. then gently use a pumice stone to scrub away rough dead skin.
3. For extra tingle after a long, hard day, add two tablespoons of Epsom salts to warm water in a large tub. Soak feet and relax.
4. Dry feet thoroughly after a soak or shower. Use cornstarch-based dusting powder to help prevent foot odor.
5. Trim toenails carefully. They should be cut straight across, but not too short or they may curve under and become ingrown.
6. Corns, which are painful callus-like bumps on toes and other areas, are most often caused by too- tight shoes. Choose shoes with care to get the best fit. To soften and get rid of corns, use commercially available corn pads. To prevent corns and other minor irritations such as blisters and rashes, take care always to wear comfortable shoes, clean socks, and to bathe your feet regularly.
7. Choose all-cotton socks that absorb perspiration and help feet “breathe.” Synthetics can trap perspiration and cause odor.
8. Help relax feet by doing “toe crunches.” Spread the toes apart and wiggle them, then point them. Repeat ten times.
9. Massaging your feet for a few minutes each day not only feels good, but can help improve circulation. Using both hands, begin with each toe and work back to your heels. Massage the balls of your feet and instep firmly but gently.

Getting to Elbows and Knees

Elbows and knees need attention, too. The skin in these places can become tough and leathery. To keep elbows and knees looking smooth, try these tips:

In the bath, use oil to soften elbows and knees and massage gently with a washcloth to remove dead, dry skin.

• Cut a lemon in half and squeeze out juice. Place an elbow on each lemon half and rest for ten minutes. Wash off your elbows and apply moisturizing cream.

In cold or dry weather, rub petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) into clean elbows and knees to soften and seal in moisture.

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