Tanning Tips

 Its that time of year where we all want that beautiful tan skin. The suns rays today are harsher than ever and skin cancer is on the rise..Don't let your skin go uncared for while your achieve your beautiful color.  Here are some suntanning tips to help avoid the harmful affects of the sun.

Sun tanning tips :

1.If beginning your sun tanning routine during peak summer, begin with only 10 or 15 minutes of exposure to the sun.
2. Always use sunscreen!! The biggest mistake you can make is not utilize sunscreen at all. The FDA adopted new sunscreen regulations for sunscreen labeling in June 2012, giving sunscreen manufacturers until December 2012 to comply. Look carefully at the label for:

• Broad spectrum, meaning the product has been tested and proven to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays cause sunburn on the skin’s surface. UVA rays reach deeper below the skin’s surface causing their damage.
• Active ingredients—Look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are physical mineral blockers, effective at keeping out UVA and UVB rays.
• The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number indicates protection from UVB rays. The SPF should be from 30 to 50 and applied to all exposed skin. A product with SPF 30 screens out 97 percent of UVB rays. SPF 45 screens out 98 percent.
• “Water resistant” rather than “waterproof”, which sunscreen companies cannot say on their labels. They also must give a time period, such as water resistant for “50 minutes” so that people know when to reapply on their child after being in the water.

3.Take care to ensure that your skin is moisturized with after-sun lotion; opting for a lotion that contains cocoa butter will help make your tan last.
4.If you are on acne medication, do consult your health care provider before venturing out for a sun tanning session as certain types can lower your resistance to sun.
5.Those with a fair complexion are more prone to sunburn than people with darker complexions and therefore must avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours of 10:00 to 2:00, when its rays are the most harmful and can penetrate the light skin most.
6.Remember to wear sunglasses while tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed as your eyes are precious and can be easily damaged by the scorching rays of noonday sun.
7.The cream or spray-on tanning lotion is the best variety for optimal sun tanning. However, skin care experts advice that one must always test the product on a small area of skin to check for any signs of adverse reactions.
8.Prepare your skin before applying sun-tanning lotion. This can be done by scrubbing away dead skin with a loofah pad before rubbing the lotion on thoroughly. Sun tanning lotion must be applied in slow, deliberate movements to the back of your knees, elbows, ankles and tan lines.
9.Wipe away extra lotion so you do not become a victim of ‘creased tan’ and get the bronzed look evenly-and compliments about your sunny disposition too.
10.Do remember to wash hands or gloves thoroughly with soap and water after applying sun tanning lotion and wait at least 15 minutes before getting skin wet.
11.Find out about the option of using tanning pills, which contain color additives, before trying them out.
12.If there are certain areas you’d rather keep light, you can pre-apply baby oil or lotion to such regions like the knees and elbows, then use sunless tanner on them to keep them from getting too dark.

Our feet carry the brunt of our weight day in day out and yet they are more than likely the most neglected and overlooked body part we have. Aside from cleansing and applying lotion, regular pedicures for both women and men are recommended and encouraged to provide relief to these hard working parts. Regular pedicures not only feel and look great there are several physical benefits which are received during a pedicure. those unsightly calluses your pedicurist is working on are the result of  uneven pressure from walking or standing which can lead to everyday pain.The massage included in every pedicure service is the most important physical benefit. Massaging certain parts of a persons foot sends direct messages to other body parts to create overall health anywhere in the body, and also provides for better circulation by stimulating blood flow. many pedicurists also incorporate the use of aromatherapy to stimulate senses. Studies have shown that certain smells can help to improve circulation, memory, and even your mood. So take care of those feet! They will thank you:) And remember next time you leave the salon, you aren't just leaving with pretty toes, you are leaving with overall improved health!

Winter hair care

Winter Hair Tips

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your hair. During the winter months, many people have dry, dull, brittle, or hair. The tips below will help you keep your hair more healthy during winter months.

Do not shampoo your hair too often. One of the most common mistakes people make is shampooing their hair too often. In cold weather, both the hair and scalp dry out more easily. Try not to shampoo your hair more than once a day.

Use the right type of products. The type of products you use on your hair will make a big difference in the overall health of your hair. Ask your hair stylist which type of product is best for your hair type.

Dealing with Static. An easy way to combat static is to spray a small amount of hair spray on your hairbrush when you are done styling and brush it through from top to bottom.

Do not overuse your hairdryer. Overusing your hairdryer will contribute to dry damaged hair. Try to blow dry your hair as little as possible. When you use your hairdryer, try using the 'cool' setting. Drying your hair with cool air may take a little longer but it will do less damage to your hair.

How to treat dry and brittle hair. A leave-in conditioner will work wonders for dry and brittle hair.

Other tips

• Wear a scarf, hat or cap to protect your hair from the cold and wind. Make sure the scarf, hat or cap is not so tight that it will restrict circulation in your scalp. Wear caps with care. Continually wearing hats can lead to overworked sebaceous glands, resulting in limp, greasy locks.
• Lock in hair moisture by running your hair through cold water.
• Limit your use of curling irons.
• Shampoo your hair in warm or cool water.

http://www.mamashealth.com/hair/

back to school styles....

Back To School Hair Styles

Back to school hairstyles have to accomplish a lot; they need to be both stylish and low-maintenance, so your kids can make a good impression without wasting time while they are hurrying to get ready for school in the morning.

Back To School Hair Styles for Elementary-School Age Children

Back to school styles for Tweens and Teenagers may prefer trendier back to school hairstyles that involve elaborate precision haircuts or use of hair color, including emo and scene styles. Popular short back to school hairstyles for girls include bobs and pixie cuts, while elementary-school age boys may prefer buzz cuts or fades, and don't forget the ever popular, shaggy boys cut as well.

For younger children, shorter cuts, both with and without bangs, are appropriate for both boys and girls because they are so active and rarely want to stand still to have their hair brushed or combed. Boys can also wear very short razor-cut hair, while girls may find it easier to grow their hair to medium length or lo

Medium length back to school hair styles for girls include shags and face-framing layers, while boys can wear back to school hair styles with longer on top and shorter hair on the sides and in back. All of these styles look even better when messy, making it highly appropriate for active kids. If the teenager in question is particularly stylish, asymmetrical bobs that are accented with highlights are popular for both sexes.

Longer back to school hairstyles for teenage girls include long pin straight hair, long loose waves, especially with the hair pushed back behind the ear, and ponytails for ease of use. These longer hairstyles can feature bangs, long layers or be blunt cut to all one length. Long, one-length hair for boys is currently out of style, but longer hairstyles with layers for boys are appropriate and acceptable.

nger and then tie hair back into a ponytail, pigtails, or braids.

For the best back-to-school hairstyles, visit a salon professional before school starts and discuss the options with your stylist. Bring pics of styles you like or have a celebrity in mind whose look you would like to emulate so the professional can get some idea of what kind of looks you like and then adapt them to your own facial shape and hair texture.

If you want a fresh look without too much change, start with a small variation of his or her current style, such as adding bangs or changing the 

part. This can be done a day or two before school, but if the style change is drastic, it should be done a couple of weeks beforehand so he or she can have time to get used to it, or make changes if the experimentation doesn't work out.

After the initial hairstyle is created, it should be maintained with cuts every six to eight weeks in order to continue to look good for such events as school pictures, homecoming dances, recitals, etc. If the style involves hair color, updates should be made every four to six weeks.

A facebook friend recently went with with his lady to get a pedicure and it raised the question of men getting pedicures. Did you know that our feet are the generally the most neglected part of our bodies? They withstand all the pressure and weight of our bodies on a daily basis and should be cared for regularly...

The truth is many men receive pedicures. They understand the importance of foot care and this includes men from all areas of life, which quickly removes the stereotype of metro and homosexuals being the only men who do this wonderfully relaxing therapeutic service

   This prompted me to give men (and the women who love them) a good list of reasons to get manicures and pedicures:

1. Sexy Factor: Let’s face it, when a man takes pride in the way they look, it is sexy.  Granted, being obsessed about one’s looks is NOT attractive, but taking pride in one’s appearance says he cares just enough.
2. It Feels Good: Although the actual manicures and pedicures feel good on their own, most come with a short massage component which makes them feel that much more wonderful. 
3. Stress Release: Taking an hour or so to get a manicure and pedicure can give a man some down time to chill and take his mind off some of the pressing issues he has to deal with.  This is good for a healthy heart!
4. Healthy Feet and Hands: During a pedicure, dead skin is exfoliated away, helping to diminish callusesand potential dead skin build-up that can lead to bigger problems down the line.  During both manicures and pedicures, the cuticles are cleaned up, which eliminates painful and unsightly hang nails.
5. It Looks Good: If a man is tough on his hands and feet (construction workers are a great example of this), they can end up looking a bit worn and unattractive.  Getting regular manicures and pedicures will help keep hands and feet looking their best at all times.
6. A Softer Touch: This one really benefits women.  Getting manicures and pedicures promotes softer skin on the hands and feet, which makes his touch that much sweeter.

.  There are a lot of ‘manly men’ out there who seem to think it is manly enough.  Do you have any other reasons that you think men should indulge?

there is no such thing as gray hair....

When hair grows, either it is pigmented, or it is white. The greyish appearance of hair is only in fact a kind of optical illusion, produced by the mixture of coloured hair with white hair. The French expression "pepper and salt hair" gives a good indication of what this means. It is therefore obvious that the hair appears increasingly grey as the percentage of white hairs increases. Furthermore, since hair grows from the root, it can be coloured and yet have a white base.
As can be clearly seen when hair continues to grow after having been coloured.
The hair whitening is called canities. It is a very complex phenomenon, easily explained in the first instance - for as soon as a hair is no longer pigmented at its conception, it grows white. This is all very well, but why is it no longer pigmented? It was long believed to be the natural consequence of a halt in the production of melanin by the melanocytes. Until researchers made the amazing discovery than although the papilla producing a white hair contained melanocytes incapable of producing coloured pigments, there were others that were working perfectly, but were no longer able to transmit their melanin to the keratinocytes. For the moment, the reasons for this interruption of communication between melanocytes and keratinocytes remains obscure.

It was subsequently discovered that melanocytes were not only to be found at the bottom of the dermal papilla, but also in a reservoir situated higher in the external epithelial sheath. These melanocytes are dormant and produce no pigments. Some of these are recruited by the hair follicle to repopulate its lower part when it begins to regenerate itself at the end of the telogen phase. Once they have been selected, these melanocytes are reactivated and the production of melanin begins once more. But this reservoir is still to be found in white hair follicles. Which leads us to think that canities may be the result of a "recruitment deficit" in this reservoir. Once again, the processes involved remain a mystery.

Swimming and your hair; tips for the ultimate protection for your locks;

Repairing Chlorine Damaged Hair:
Protection & Prevention Tips for Dry or Green Hair from Swimming

As we become more active for our health or simply as the temperatures rise with the changing of the seasons, a dip in the pool is refreshing. Before your next dive as a swimmer you should be well prepared for the prevention and treatment of chlorine exposure. Chlorine is used in swimming pools as a disinfectant for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation. The chlorine however removes the natural protective oils of the hair and scalp causing a severe drying effect. When hair is subject to chlorine exposure this occurs and if hair is not rinsed post swim and is allowed to dry, the hair becomes brittle, dry and is prone to breaks as well as splitting. In order to prevent hair damage due to chlorine there are some steps you can follow with each swim.

Pre-swim Steps to Protect Hair and Prevent Chlorine Hair Damage

1. Wet Hair Before Going in the Pool
   Prior to entering the swimming pool should be to thoroughly wet the hair. When hair absorbs un-chlorinated water there is less chance for major absorption of the chlorine into the hair shaft.
2. Apply Hair Conditioner Before Swimming
   Secondly you should apply a hair conditioner for moisture and protection before any chlorine damage has a chance to occur.
3. Use a Swimmer's Cap
   A swimmers cap, although not the most fashionable, should be placed over your wet, conditioned hair. This is in fact the best way to protect and prevent chlorine damage. If you however choose not to use the swimmers cap then you will want to treat the hair post swim with the additional tips below.

Post Swim Steps to Repair Damage & Remove Chlorine From Hair

1. Rinse Hair with Non-Chlorinated Water After Swimming
   You need to rinse the hair thoroughly after a swim in chlorinated water. You can use club soda, which ceases the adverse effects of the chlorine. You can also rinse the hair in un-chlorinated water.
2. Use the Right Shampoo Post Pool to Remove Smell & Green Color
   It is advised to use a shampoo. Look for a shampoo that contains sodium thiosulfate. This ingredient is an antichlor, which removes the color and odor of chlorine from the hair. The chlorine in water can cause hard metals in the water, such as copper, iron and manganese, to attach to the hair causing a green coloration. Shampoos that offer aloe or glycerin can also be helpful as they are a natural moisturizer that can combat the drying effects of chlorine.
3. For Severe Damage Head to the Salon
   If you experience severe drying and hair breakage you can receive a salon treatment that will reduce and or eliminate breakage for up to six weeks at a time. This is done with a product called Aphogee, which is fused to the hair using heat. The product hardens the hair and after rinsing and conditioning is completed there is a noticeable difference immediately. This product is for professional use alone; speak to your local hair salon technician for service.

Pre-swim, post swim step review

1. Thoroughly wet hair with non-chlorinated water.
2. Apply hair conditioner.
3. Cover hair with swimmer’s cap.
4. After swim rinse and shampoo hair.
5. Condition hair after shampooing and alternate each week from regular conditioner to a deep conditioner.
6. Dry hair gently with a patting motion with towel or on cool setting with hair dryer.
7. if severe hair damage is experienced seek a hair care professional for treatment.