HANDS & FEET..

Your face might get noticed first but your hands get the maximum exposure. Besides harsh sun and chaffing winds they are in direct contact with drying elements like detergents, hot water etc. the result: hands look years older than the rest of you. Why hands age so fast? The fragile structure of your hands makes the skin especially vulnerable to aging, but you can slow the process. The skin on the backs of your hands has few oil glands so it shrivels and chaps easily upon exposure especially around the joints. Protect skin with gloves in winters and use moisturizer and sunscreen all year round. Why does skin on the hands sag? Thinning bones and shrinking fat cells cause skin to sag. Keep bones strong with calcium supplements. Also moderate exercise will pump blood and it's nutrients back into hands and feet. Production of collagen and elastin- proteins that make skin supple also slows with age. Oral vitamin C protects these component. Top hand irritants If your hands are itchy and rashes seem to erupt inexplicably then consider the following culprits Orange peels: contain oils that can inflame skin, if you are sensitive, have someone else peel off the fruit. Onion and garlic: contain a chemical that can be irritating to the touch. Avid cooks who are constantly in touch with them are vulnerable. Shellfish: such as crab and lobster can cause a condition called contact urticaria, which results in hives. Nickel: in coins, doorknobs, pens and foods such as lettuce and asparagus-causes red, cracking skin or blisters in 5% of the female population. Carbonless copy paper: used in credit card receipts and many office forms contain tiny capsules that release skin irritating solutions. Constant friction can cause rashes. In order to keep your hands looking young and fresh see our foot therapy section and treat yourself to a manicure to give your hands the essential groomed look. For lovely hands always use gloves for washing clothes and utensils Soak hands in a bowl of warm water to which 1 tsp of corn starch has been added for 5 minutes daily after finishing the house-hold chores. Massage hands once a week with olive oil and a little table salt added to it. Remove ingrained dirt from hands with a 10 minute massage of sugar' and butter. Glycerine, rose water and lemon juice rubbed on the hands every night during winter months keeps them soft and prevents ugly cracks forming. For chapped hands in winters, wash with lukewarm water (before going to bed), apply milk-cream and put on a pair of gloves; wash hands the next morning. To remove stains from hands ' rub with a slice of lemon or a raw potato. For nicotine stains, apply lemon juice and leave for 10 minutes before washing. A drop of Witch Hazel in the palms is an effective antidose for hands that perspire a lot. To keep hands clean and soft, soak 250 grams oatmeal in 11-12 cups water and leave overnight. Strain it through a thin muslin cloth the next morning and add 1 thsp lemon juice and 1 tsp each. of olive oil, rose water, glycerine and diluted ammonia. Bottle and apply on hands 3-4 times daily.  Knees, Heel and Feet  Keep knees smooth by rubbing them occasionally wit. fresh lime juice or massage with a nourishing cream. The winter itch that cracks the skin of the heels due to excessive dryness or the use of an alkaline soap can be treated by washing the feet at night in warm water and mild soap and applying a lanolin rich cream or mixture of glycerine and rose water. Tired feet should be soaked alternately in hot and cold water. Before applying paint on your toe-nails, cut triangular shapes of sponge and place then between toes to keel them separated, and save the hassle of cleaning the skin on the toes. waxing Impliments:- Two handled vessels with lids Plastic basket like things to keep pieces of cloths. Spatula Towels & Napkins Ingradients:- -Sugar - 2 lbs -Lime juice - 700gms -Hydrogen peroxide - 1/2 or 1 tsp Method of preparing wax:- Take a vessel put lime juice and sugar(1:6) into it. Put in on low fire for 30 to 40 minutes. Stir it gently. After 20 - 25 minutes take drop of prepared wax. Put into glass of water. If it forms beads, it means your wax is ready. If you want, you can add hydrogenperoxide into the wax. Method of removing hair with impliments:- Heat the wax on heater or fire. Apply talcum powder to the area hair to remove. Apply wax with knife or spatula in the same direction of hair growth. Put the cloth on it and press it with the hand. Remove it in the opposite direction of hair growth. Put the hand on the area to avoid rash. Caution:- If there is a rash take avil tablet to avoid rash. Always do waxing after bleaching. Procedure for Manicure at Home First remove all nail polish by using cotton balls and nail polish remover. Nail polish remover can be very damaging to the nails, try to use a nail polish remover that is acetone free. Another option would be to use a salon brand nail polish remover, they work a lot better and remove the polish very easily. The next step is to shape your nails. Use a nail file or an emery board to shape your nails. File in one direction only. Do not use the seesaw motion. To shorten the nail, use the course side of the emery board first and finish with the finely textured side. Work on your nails carefully and with respect. Do not go overboard with your manicure. To check if your nails are well done run your nails over a pair of old pantyhose. Your nails should not snag the hose. Clean your nails with a nail brush and soak for a couple of minutes to soften your cuticles. Next take an orange stick with a tiny piece of cotton wrapped around it and push back cuticles. If you have hangnails or rugged cuticles, clip them with cuticle scissors. Massage cuticles with cuticle oil and apply hand cream. Never cut your cuticles. Massage away dead skin using circular movements. Apply hand lotion and massage your palm with the thumb of your other hand. This will improve blood circulation. Work your way all over your hand and repeat with your other hand. Use the nail polish remover one more time and remove any oil or lotion that may remain on your nails from the previous step. This will help your nail polish to stay longer and better. Clean your nails with an orange stick that has been wrapped with cotton and dipped in nail polish remover and rub over the surface of the nail. Remove any creamy residue, if there is none then you can polish your nails. While polishing your nails being in the center of your nail. Paint one stroke down the center and then the sides of the nail. You should paint a nail in three strokes. Let it dry completely before applying the second coat. Apply color after your nails are completely dry. Use a base coat before applying nail polish. Then apply a color of your choice and do not apply a new coat before the previous one dries. You should apply three coats of color. Apply a clear nail polish or top coat to help make your at home manicure last longer. Store nail polish in the fridge. To prevent the cap from sticking apply a little vaseline around it. Pedicure Feet and toenails also require some special care. Pedicure is the care of the feet, legs and toenails. Pampering one's feet is the ultimate luxury indulgence, yet few people take time for it. Allow a full hour for your pedicure. You may be done in 20-30 minutes. Make sure that your toes are completely dry before leaving. A standard pedicure usually includes removal of thickened skin on the feet, filing and shaping of the nails and the application of polish to the nails while also moisturizing the feet. Push your cuticles back daily for healthy growth. And don't forget the hand cream, which should be used liberally a couple times a day or before you go to bed to prevent dry or cracking skin. For pedicure it is preferable to sit in an open space with your feet lifted up in the air. Attire yourself in some suitable Outfit. Avoid wearing tight-legged pants as it may be difficult to roll them up. You should get a pedicure monthly. Start drinking a mixture of gelatin and orange juice as least once a month. It will help in strengthening your nails. This practice will help your toenails to be healthier. It will prevent peeling, bending and cracking. Some special pedicures, such as the French pedicure, Paraffin pedicure may also be offered. If you have problem toenails, be sure to have a professional help rid you of these issues. They will recommend a course of action to maintain the health and beauty of your feet. This plan may include eliminating in-grown nails, cutting cuticles and filing the bottoms of your feet. When getting a pedicure in cold weather, you're faced with a dilemma. In order to avoid such problem wrap your feet in plastic, put your shoes back on. Pampering one's feet is the ultimate luxury indulgence, yet few people take time for it. A standard pedicure usually includes removal of thickened skin on the feet, filing and shaping of the nails and the application of polish to the nails while also moisturizing the feet. Some specialty manicures, such as the French Pedicure, may also be offered. Use a foot file each time you shower/bath. At least once a week, make a scrub for both your hands and feet. Here is one good scrub. You may also slough off dead skin cells with a solution made of sea salt lemon. Brush it into hands with an old toothbrush. Do this twice a week to soften hands and remove discoloration. Put lotion on every day. Also get insoles for your shoes. Soften your hands even while you do the dishes. Add a little almond oil (about a teaspoon) to dishwater. The water will soften rough skin while the oil seals the moisture. Take 1 spoon of sugar, lemon juice and fresh cream. Rub it in your hands till the sugar completely dissolves. This really makes the hands soft. For Beautiful Soft Hands 1/2 cup warm milk, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp plain yogurt and a few drops of lavendar essential oil. Soak your hands/fingers in this mix for about 5 minutes. Then do a scrub, nail/cuticle care, massage and polish. You may also send us your tips by using the feedback form at the bottom

DARK ELBOW AND KNEES

Tip 1:

Rub with limejuice, leave for10-15 minutes. Soak a towel inhotwaterand scrub firmly.

Tip 2:

Mix 1 tspn coconut oil with ½ a tspn of limejuice. Apply and wash in the same way with a hot towel.

Tip 1:

Soak hands and feet in water to whichcornflourhas been added. Soak for 5-10 minutes.

Rough Hands and Feet 

Tip 2:

Roast an onion,mashand make a paste. Apply on cracked heels. Wash after 20 minutes.Continue for a month till the cracks heal.

Tip 3:

After a bath massage Mustard oil well into hands and feet. Wash with water and pat with a towel to dry.

Tip 4:

Add ½ tspn Vinegar to ½ a cup of curds. Massagefeetandankleswell with this Wash after 5 minutes.

Tip 5:

For cracks in heels, mix Candle wax withMustardoil. Heat and apply. Wear socks and leave overnight.

Calluses :

Crush6 Aspirin tablets in 1cup of water with 1 tspn limejuice.Coatthe calluses with this. Cover with a warm towel. After 10 minutes scrub with a pumice stone and wash.

Weekly :

Once a week in ½ a bucket of water add 2 tblspns of Vinegar and 1 tspn of limejuice. Add a gentle shampoo and soak ands and feet for 10-15 minutes.Rubwith a pumice stone and then have a bath.