What is going on in the body?

The surface of the skin holds a certain amount of water. When the water content decreases, the skin becomes dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. Some people have very sensitive skin that is easily irritated. Since a person’s hands are often exposed to elements such as cold and moisture, hands may become irritated before other parts of the body do.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Hands that are chapped usually have the following characteristics: · roughness · dryness · redness · peeling · cracking · sensitivity · tenderness

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Some individuals have a genetic predisposition to dry skin. As people age, their skin tends to become drier. Dry air, resulting from winter’s low humidity and the use of indoor heat, can cause skin to dry out. Long, hot baths and showers can also make skin dry.

Factors that increase a person’s risk of chapped hands include the following: · frequent handwashing, which may be associated with the person’s job · prolonged exposure to cold, dry weather · sunburn or windburn · allergic reactions to skin care products · history of a skin disorder, such as eczema

What can be done to prevent the condition?

People subject to chapped hands should limit the amount of soap they use and the length of time their hands are exposed to the water. Some people may be able to use mild, moisturizing soap on their hands. A few need to limit soap use to the underarms and genitalia.

After patting the hands dry with a towel, the individual should apply a moisturizer. Two types of moisturizers are available over-the-counter: · cosmetic moisturizers, which provide immediate relief of dry skin but last only while they are applied to the skin. For people with mild or intermittent chapped hands, a cosmetic moisturizer may be enough to keep the skin from feeling dry. · therapeutic moisturizers, which have demonstrated the ability to act as a barrier that keeps water from evaporating from the skin. Many therapeutic moisturizers contain mineral oil or petroleum.

The healthcare provider may also prescribe creams containing alpha hydroxy acids or urea to get rid of dead skin and minimize itching.

Following are other measures to help prevent chapped hands: · wearing protective gloves whenever possible · avoiding prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming · avoiding exposure to chemicals that irritate the skin

How is the condition diagnosed?

An individual can generally diagnose his or her own chapped hands. If the condition persists or worsens, a healthcare provider may be consulted to rule out more serious skin disorders.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

If chapped hands are left untreated, the person may have the following problems: · difficulty doing things without wearing protective gloves · recurrent skin conditions such as outbreaks of eczema or skin inflammation · infections, which may occur when bacteria enter cracks in the skin

What are the risks to others?

Chapped hands are not contagious and pose no risk to others.

What are the treatments for the condition?

The same guidelines for bathing and using moisturizers that are used to prevent chapped hands also can be used to treat chapped hands.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

There are no side effects to treatment, unless an individual is allergic to moisturizers. Those individuals should choose unscented or hypoallergenic moisturizers.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Moisturizer should be applied to the skin on a regular basis as needed. This will help prevent symptoms from returning

How is the condition monitored?

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

• Make sure that your nail surface is free from dirt, any creams or oils, and is completely dry.
• Always apply a base coat to seal the edges.
• Two coats of colour are a must.
• Though there are a number of gadgets to dry post-colour nails fast, nothing like letting them dry naturally.
• Last, to keep colour in place and for a good 10 days too, apply a sealant or a top coat.
  

ALSO:

• Never file nails when wet, because they are soft and can split.
• Never expose hands to extreme temperatures.
• Always cream your hands well.
• Not wearing colour on your nails is not a major fashion faux pas. But not sporting clear polish might just be.
• Never cut cuticles. It is an unhealthy habit, and the reason why cuticles recede and tend to get puffy. Just push them back gently when nails are wet.
• People living in warm countries are more likely to have nicer nails than their counterparts living in the colder regions. Why? Because the sun brings out the natural oils! So go ahead and soak in on vitamin D-inducing sunshine to restore nail health.
• Keep nails nice and moist to keep them from chipping and cracking.
• If you have short fingers, give your nails a round shape to give the illusion of longer fingers. If on the other hand, your fingers and nails are slim, then shape them square, but with rounded edges. Oval is a shape that suits all fingers and nails, except the very thin ones.
  

HYDRA POWER

Here’s a revolutionary skin care product from Nina Ricci — Hydra Ricci. With cucumber flower and white jasmine, the range of moisterisers hydrate and supply nutrients to only those parts of your skin that need it. The base of these moisturisers is an water extract from tomatoes. So try out the Moisturizing and Energizing Mask, or Moisturizing Fluid (for greasy skin and normal to dry skin) and get hydra empowered!

WEAR AND CARE

Patchy, smudged and oily. Is that how you look merely an hour after applying the most expensive and branded cosmetics?

But do not fret, for Angela Boh, regional director of the world famous Shiseido, has all the answers you’re looking for. She insists that it is the combination of skin care and make-up, which gives you those radiant, glowing looks.

The most important, according to Angela, is to recognise your skin type.

Shiseido recommends the cleanse, soften, moisturise and tone as against the usual cleanse, tone and moisturise regimen, followed by cosmetics.

At Saga, using Shiseido make-up and skin care products Boh went on to demonstrate through the day, what the perfect beauty and skin care regime ought to be.