Six Fruits for a glowing skin

That fruits are the best medicine is a wellknown fact. We also know that a cup of fruit juice a day is sure to guarantee a clear complexion.

How about a massage with a fruit pulp or a fruit facial? Fruit facials have been there for at least a decade now. But with people getting more wary of effect of chemicals on the skin, a majority of them are now resorting to using something from their own kitchen. What better way to pamper your skin than with pure stuff which is free of toxins and not harmful to your skin? Besides the fact that they hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, the very smell of a fruit on your face is quite de-stressing.

Unlike the chemical beauty treatments, fruits are cost-effective, natural and also bring a visible difference. Here are a few fruits and their properties, choose what suits you best!

Banana: This is one fruit that's abundantly available in India all through the year. We know it's a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium and helps reduce menstrual cramps. The effect of banana on skin too is not something that can be ignored. Bananas are rich in vitamin A, B and E and hence works as an anti-aging agent. A fresh mashed banana facial can do wonders for your skin.

Lemon: Lemon juice is an important ingredient in most Indian recipes. This is also a fruit of all seasons and almost always finds place on your kitchen shelf or refrigerator. With its vitamin C content, its juice will keep your skin beautiful. A glass of warm water with a tsp of honey and a dash of lemon juice on an empty stomach every morning is a great skin cleanser. With its astringent properties, it can be used to lighten the skin tone and also diminish acne scars. Rub the inside of a lemon peel on your elbow remove dark spots. Mix lemon and honey and use it as a natural bleach on your skin.

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away is clichéd, but its health benefits are undisputable. Apple's antioxidant property prevents cell and tissue damage. Studies by nutritionists have shown that apples contain abundant amounts of elastin and collagen that help keep the skin young. Applying a mixture of mashed apple, honey, rose water and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your skin.

Orange: Rich in vitamin C that improves skin texture. Like apple, orange too contains collagen that slows skin aging process. Rub the insides of orange on your skin to tighten the skin. Oranges can be dried and powdered and used as a natural scrub. Like lemon, oranges too help clear skin blemishes.

Papaya: The benefits of this fruit on skin have perhaps been talked about since the time of our ancestors. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. A glass of papaya milk or just applying the flesh of papaya on your skin can do wonders to your skin.

Mango: Rightly called the king of fruits for not just its taste but also for health benefits. The soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on skin too. Rich in vitamin-A and rich antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, regenerates skin cells and restores the elasticity of skin.

source:msn

Danger at Your Local Salon

By Ginny Graves, Health magazine

Health.com

Just 36 hours after getting a pedicure at an upscale nail salon near her home in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, Jamie Joffe, 38, had a fever of 101 degrees and a very scary-looking toe—“It was about five times its usual size, and there was greenish goo oozing out from under the nail,” she recalls. Joffe went to the emergency room, where they diagnosed her with a staph infection, probably from scissors or a cuticle pusher contaminated with the bacteria. “The doctor made an incision and drained all this stuff out of it,” she says. “If I hadn’t gotten the infection treated quickly, it could have spread to the rest of my body.”

After taking antibiotics for 10 days, Joffe was fine, but the experience left her with more than a scarred toe. “I still get pedicures, but I now bring my own tools and watch what they’re doing very carefully,” she says. “I had no idea you could get so sick from a pedicure.”

Most of us aren’t aware of the potentially ugly side of manicures, pedicures, Botox injections, haircuts, or waxing. “We assume that if a salon is operating it must be safe, but that’s not true,” says Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, who has studied salon infections and salon safety. “There’s lots to worry about, including poorly trained technicians and dirty or illegal instruments.”

Each state has its own rules for salon safety, but even those with the strictest standards, like California and Texas, can’t scrutinize the businesses as carefully as they’d like. “Each of our 18 inspectors is responsible for 3,500 to 4,000 shops, which means most salons get inspected only about once every six years—unless we get a complaint,” says James Jacobs, a supervising inspector with the California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. “About 75 percent of the salons we inspect have violations. Sometimes they’re minor, like a nail file being re-used when it should have been tossed. But lots of times they’re real health hazards, like filthy foot spas.”

That’s bad news because, like hospitals, salons can harbor dangerous infection-causing bacteria and viruses, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and hepatitis B. That means it really is buyer beware, and the onus is on you to protect yourself. Here’s how to make sure all your beauty treatments are totally safe.

At the nail salon

Trouble spot: Foot spa

There’s nothing more relaxing than soaking your feet in a tub of warm, bubbling water—or is there? In 2000, 110 women who had pedicures at the same northern California salon were infected with a nasty bacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum; some of the women had dozens of boils and were on antibiotics for months. Afterward, scientists from the California Department of Health Services took swabs from 30 whirlpool foot spas in 18 nail salons around the state and found potentially dangerous bacteria in all but one.

Since then, California has required nail salons to follow specific cleaning and disinfection procedures for their foot spas, but not all states have the same requirements—and not all salons follow the rules. In fact, 27 California salons were put on probation for foot-spa violations in the first six months of 2008 alone, says Kevin Flanagan, spokesman for the California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Other foot-spa worries: warts and fungal infections. “Both spread on wet skin,” says Carolyn Jacob, M.D., director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

Protect yourself

Wash your hands and feet with antibacterial soap before any procedure, and ask your technician to wash her hands.

Ask to see the foot-spa-cleaning log, Flanagan says. Salons with the highest standards drain all the water, scrub the residue from the walls, and run a cycle of disinfectant for 10 minutes between every client—a procedure that’s particularly important for older machines with pipes that can harbor standing water, a haven for bacteria. Many salons are switching to pipeless foot spas, which don’t have a place for water and bacteria to build up; they still should be disinfected between clients and at the end of the day, and filtration screens should be periodically removed and cleaned.

Don’t shave your legs the day of your pedicure because even a small cut can offer an entry point for minuscule bacteria and other infection-causing bugs. “See a doctor if you have a suspicious spot that won’t go away or gets worse after a pedicure,” says Oliver Zong, a New York City podiatrist. If your aesthetician has a cut on her hands, reschedule your appointment, ask for a different technician, or ask her to wear gloves—a practice some salons employ automatically.

Trouble spot: Mani and pedi instruments

You wouldn’t poke yourself with a sharp instrument at home without making darn sure it was clean, so don’t let someone working on your nails do it, either. The most dangerous tool in the salon is the Credo blade, a razor-like device that’s used to shave off calluses. It’s illegal in most states, but pedicurists routinely violate the rules, as Stacy Nartker, 25, of Kalida, Ohio, discovered when she received an inch-long gash on her foot from a Credo blade. “I didn’t need stitches, but I hobbled around for a few days afterward,” she says.

Nartker got off easy, according to inspector Jacobs. “People have had tendons cut because a manicurist slipped while shaving a callus on the heel,” he says.

Even legal instruments, like cuticle cutters and scissors, have the potential to transmit staph infections, hepatitis B and C, and, yes, HIV if they’re contaminated with even microscopic drops of blood from an infected person, says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in Danville, California. Far more common than serious bugs are annoying ones like fungal infections that can be picked up from contaminated tools, files, brushes, and cuticle instruments. “The best way to treat fungus is with a topical antifungal cream, but some require a prescription-strength oral medication,” she says.

Protect yourself

Ask how the salon disinfects its instruments. The most foolproof device is an autoclave, which sterilizes metal tools overnight. At a minimum, implements should be disinfected between clients; they should be washed in soap and water, then soaked in disinfectant in a covered container. “The solution should say bactericidal, fungicidal, germicidal, or virucidal on it,” Flanagan says. Clean tools should then be stored separately from used ones. Items that can’t be disinfected—nail-buffer blocks, nail brushes, emery boards—should be thrown away immediately after being used. To be supersafe, bring your own.

Just say no to razor-edge cutters and cuticle cutters. “Using a Credo blade is actually considered minor surgery—not something you want performed in a nail salon,” Dr. Sekula-Gibbs says. It’s easy to slice the skin with cuticle cutters, too. “Cuticles actually serve an important purpose, providing a protective barrier to microbes that could seep under your nails with water and cause an infection,” she explains. If your cuticles are too long, have the aesthetician gently push them back—or do it yourself at home with your own tools.

Avoid pedis and manis if you’re diabetic or if your immune system is compromised because of chemotherapy or a recent bout with a serious illness like breast cancer. “You’re much more susceptible to all sorts of infections if your immune system isn’t functioning well,” says Vincent DeLeo, M.D., chairman of dermatology at St. Luke’s Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital, and Beth Israel Medical Center.

At the hair salon

Trouble spot: Chemicals and relaxers

In 2007, doctors at Chicago’s Sumner L. Koch Burn Center reported that a young woman had received chemical burns while getting highlights at her local salon. She was hospitalized and received skin grafts, and was left with two 3-centimeter bald patches at the top of her head.

Although such severe injuries are rare, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that hair straighteners and dyes are among the top consumer complaints and can cause everything from itchy, raw skin to trouble breathing. “I’ve had patients who have had allergic reactions—their faces and eyelids swell or they break out in hives—after salon hair treatments,” Dr. DeLeo says.

Protect yourself

If you feel a burning sensation on your scalp while you have color on your hair, alert your stylist and have her wash the chemicals off ASAP. Also, make sure your technician is paying attention when wielding hot blow-dryers, curling irons, and flat irons.

“Have your stylist test any chemicals on the inside of your elbow the day before you get your hair done to make sure you’re not allergic,” says Dr. DeLeo.

Trouble spot: Combs and brushes
Even at top hair salons, stylists toss used combs and brushes back in the drawer at their stations. It seems innocent enough, but those styling tools can carry fungal infections (ringworm and dandruff, for instance), as well as lice. “We regularly see outbreaks, especially of lice, that are spread through hair salons—and not just low-end places,” inspector Jacobs says.

Protect yourself

If you can see that the stylists are using combs and brushes on client after client, bring your own during your next visit. “That’s what I do,” says Zoe Draelos, M.D., editor of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. “I don’t want to catch anything, particularly dandruff. Who wants a crusty, scaly scalp?”

Trouble spot: Shampooing sink

Having someone else shampoo your hair is a true pleasure of a salon visit. In rare instances, though, tilting your head back can cause a tiny tear in an artery in your neck, triggering a stroke.

Protect yourself

Tilting your head backward into a sink while shampooing can alter blood flow to the brain, but researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey reported that using a support, such as a towel, minimizes the problem.

Be sure you know the signs of stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; confusion or trouble speaking or understanding; trouble walking; dizziness or loss of balance or coordination; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; a sudden, severe headache—and get medical help immediately. To prevent permanent damage, the anticlotting drug t-PA must be given within three hours of a stroke’s onset.

At the waxer

Trouble spot: Hot wax

Three years ago, Kathleen Croissant, 50, of Westlake, Ohio, had her eyebrows waxed before a black-tie event. The wax felt very hot the moment it was applied, but the aesthetician assured Croissant that the temperature of the wax pot was carefully controlled. After the wax was removed, Croissant’s skin started oozing and scabs began to form. “It was obvious that I’d been burned,” she says. “I had to go to a formal event with scabs on my eyebrows—and to this day the skin is crepey and wrinkled.”

Burns are actually fairly common during body waxing, according to inspector Jacobs. Even though wax pots are supposed to be temperature controlled, he says, it’s easy for them to overheat if they’re plugged in all day.

The other serious wax-related woe: infection, particularly if the aesthetician double dips the waxing sticks. “I’ve cultured wax, and there’s often bacteria in it,” Dr. Sekula-Gibbs says. “Since people have everything from staph to herpes to viral warts on their skin, double-dipping the sticks is a no-no—especially during a bikini wax.”

Waxing can also leave little red bumps called folliculitis on the skin, says Shelly Holmstrom, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida in Tampa, who has seen many clients with folliculitis from bikini waxes: “It happens when bacteria get in your hair follicles and cause a little localized infection.”

Protect yourself

If the wax feels too hot, say something right away,” California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology inspector James Jacobs says. “Even fairly minor burns on the face can leave permanent scars.”

Don’t use numbing products before waxing: Absorbing too much lidocaine-containing cream can be dangerous (particularly if you cover it with, say, plastic wrap). Plus, you can’t tell if the wax is too hot if your skin’s numb.

Make sure your technician has a license for waxing; a hairstylist, for instance, is not automatically licensed to wax.

To avoid infection, ask for a new wax stick with every application. And if you’re lying on a table for a bikini wax, be sure a clean towel or clean paper is beneath you.

To prevent folliculitis, wash the freshly waxed area gently with soap and water, apply a dab of antibiotic ointment, and keep it as clean and dry as possible, Dr. Holmstrom says.

Don’t get waxed if you’re using an antiwrinkle or acne treatment containing retinol; get tweezed instead. “The chemicals in Retin-A and similar products make your skin sensitive, so the wax can actually pull a layer off,” Dr. Vincent DeLeo says.

For a bikini wax, make sure the aesthetician wears disposable gloves.

At the medi-spa

Trouble spot: Injections

In 2006, a woman in Salinas, California, died after receiving injections of fake Botox (it was cooking oil) from a hairdresser who was not licensed to do the treatment; the stylist was later charged for causing the death.

Although serious side effects from cosmetic injectables are extremely rare, counterfeit products have caused the most serious problems. “It’s a big issue because there is only one real Botox cosmetic currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but there are lots of cheaper fake and foreign products,” says Julius Few, M.D., spokesman for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and director of the Few Institute for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Chicago. “When considering a cosmetic filler, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re getting something that’s FDA-approved.”

There can even be trouble with real Botox: If diluted incorrectly before being administered, its effectiveness can be reduced. “Botox comes as a powder and is mixed with a saline solution, so it could be overdiluted by someone trying to stretch profits,” says Bruce Cunningham, M.D., director of the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Minnesota. “I hear patients say, ‘The Botox I got at the spa lasted only three months instead of the usual six.’ That may be because it was diluted.”

Cosmetic injections are considered extremely safe, but they can cause side effects, like bruising, redness, lumps, and bumps. Most are temporary, but some, like droopy eyelids and a frozen expression, both of which can happen with Botox, can be upsetting. “An under-
standing of dynamic facial anatomy—what the muscles do when you talk and express emotions—can make the difference between a natural-looking outcome and something that’s just plain bizarre,” says Richard D’Amico, M.D., president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “The farther you get from a plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s office, the more likely you are to have less-knowledgeable or inexperienced people doing the procedure.”

Protect yourself

Make sure your initial appointment is with a physician. A nondoctor may not know the ins and outs of where a filler versus Botox would work best, says Alan Gold, M.D., president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Check the credentials, training, and expertise of the person doing the injections. (In one state, a physician’s assistant with a day of training may be licensed.) Someone experienced in cosmetic fixes will know that the hyaluronic acid in Restylane and Juvederm, for example, can be dissolved by injecting a substance called hyaluronidase if something goes wrong—they’ll also know that some people are allergic to hyaluronidase.

Beware of prices that sound too good to be true. According to a recent analysis in the Wall Street Journal, the average price for Botox is $363; injectable fillers range from about $390 for collagen to $557 for Restylane, a hyaluronic acid. Prices can be much higher in urban areas, however.

Look at the product, Dr. Gold says: Make sure that the package is unopened and the brand name and manufacturer are the same as what you were promised. Allergan, for example, has put a hologram on its Botox packaging to foil counterfeits.

Find out the spa’s emergency procedures. “You should be told what could go wrong and how quickly a doctor can get there,” says Hannelore Leavy, executive director of the International Medical Spa Association and the Day Spa Association.

Ask about ongoing training. With new Botox-like products expected to reach the market in the next year, the situation will soon be more complicated. “All the new products disperse differently in the tissues, so you’ll need to inject each one somewhat differently,” Dr. D’Amico says. “People performing these procedures are going to need to understand the differences.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

'Non-surgical' doesn't always mean safe. Why these nine procedures and drugs could leave you disappointed—or worse.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Botox breast lift

By Maggie Koerth-Baker for MSN Health & Fitness

Why do it: In spring 2008, high-profile New York dermatologist Patricia Wexler, M.D., began touting a new way to use Botox. Wexler claimed in interviews that by injecting the drug into the pectoralis minor chest muscle to temporarily paralyze it, she could make back muscles called rhomboids pick up the slack, so to speak. She said this forces the patient to stand up straighter, which in turn essentially gives the breasts a surgery-free "lift."
The problems: "It's nonsense. Worse, it's dangerous nonsense," says Michael McGuire, M.D., president-elect of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He and Patrick McMenamin, M.D., president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, agree that Wexler's procedure wouldn't work. And both doctors say injecting anything into the pectoralis minor is dangerous. Hidden beneath larger muscles and very thin, the pectoralis minor sits on top of the rib cage. On false move, and the needle could puncture a lung. McGuire and McMenamin also worry about whether paralyzing the pectoralis minor would make breathing more difficult, and whether the amount of Botox needed could reach dangerous levels.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

"Doctor fish" manicures and pedicures

Why do them: "Doctor fish," also known as garra rufa, love to eat dead human skin cells, which they suck off of the body, revealing fresh skin underneath. The fish have made a splash in Europe and Asia, where they're used for pedicures and to treat the symptoms of psoriasis, and are now becoming trendy stateside.
The problems: Living creatures are hard to sanitize. At least three states—Washington, New Hampshire and Texas—have issued regulations against doctor fish, saying there's no way to guarantee the fish are clean. Martin Grassberger, M.D., who's researched garra rufa at the Medical University of Vienna, says there's another concern. Some spas use a different species of fish called the chinchin, which feeds more aggressively than garra rufa. Chinchin can draw blood and spread disease, particularly in communal pools where blood-borne illnesses like hepatitis B can be passed by fish or through water to open wounds. If you try a fish spa, Grassberger says, make sure you get a private, sanitized basin of water and that the spa uses only garra rufa fish.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Waxing

Why do it: Waxing yanks unwanted body hair out by the roots. It's faster than tweezing and lasts longer than shaving.
The problem: First off, burns from hot wax can be severe and are more common than you might think, according to the medical journal Burns. Waxing also leaves your body vulnerable to infection. In fact, the FDA advises people with weakened immune systems to avoid waxing entirely. Anyone using wrinkle creams or acne treatments that contain retinol should also rethink waxing. Retinol can make skin so sensitive that there's a risk of it peeling off along with the hair. But the biggest worry is topical skin-numbing cream, often used to make waxing and laser hair removal less painful. The FDA says drugs in the cream can end up in your blood. Use too much of it, or a cream that contains too high a concentration of the numbing ingredients, and the results can be life-threatening or even fatal. It's best to avoid numbing cream altogether, but if you do use it, the FDA says to choose a cream they've approved as safe, to use as little of the cream with the lowest amount of active ingredient as you can. The FDA also recommends leaving the skin uncovered (don't cover the treated area with plastic wrap or other dressing), and says to pick the correct cream with your doctor's help—not that of your hair stylist or spa technician.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Eyelash-thickening drops

Why use them: Newly approved by the FDA, the drug Latisse promises thicker eyelashes. Latisse is actually a lower-dose version of Lumigan, a drug that's been used to treat glaucoma since 2001. Longer, thicker lashes were a surprising side-effect for those patients.
The problem: Itching and redness may hamper your ability to make the most of those newly lush lashes. In addition, Latisse may darken the skin on your eyelids or turn irises brown—permanently—not good news for anyone who really values their baby-blues. And, like with many drugs, Latisse may not be a good choice for pregnant or nursing women. The National Institutes of Health reports the active ingredient in Latisse is associated with low birth weights and miscarriage in studies on mice and rats. While this doesn't necessarily mean Latisse is dangerous for human fetuses, there haven't been any good studies so far. Fact is, we just don't know right now whether Latisse is safe for pregnant women or not.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

UV-activated teeth whitening

Why get it: Who doesn't want a mouth full of gleaming, pearly whites? Most whitening methods rely on hydrogen peroxide solutions, but some companies claim the hydrogen peroxide works better and faster when combined with UV lamps.
The problem: New research shows UV lamps don't boost the bleaching process, and even worse, can be dangerous. In February 2009, research published in the online version of the Journal of Prosthodontics showed no difference between teeth whitened with a combination of hydrogen peroxide and light or heat lamps, and those whitened with the solution alone. A January 2009 study in the British journal Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences went further. Not only does light-activation not work, the article reported, but it also exposes users to startlingly high levels of cancer-causing UV radiation. One lamp the team tested gave a dose four times as high as what you'd get from sunbathing for a full afternoon in midsummer.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Permanent makeup

Why get it: Eyeliner, lip and brow color tattooed onto your skin can be a permanent solution for women who want the look of makeup all the time.
The problem: Colored tattoo ink isn't necessarily designed with the human body in mind. In fact, the FDA hasn't approved any tattoo inks, and many of the colored inks used for permanent makeup are the same as those used in the automotive and printing industries. The FDA has received numerous reports of allergic reactions in women who received makeup tattoos. These tattoos are also notoriously difficult to remove, even with newer technologies. If you decide later that you'd prefer a different color or no makeup at all, you could easily face multiple painful laser treatments and no guarantee of completely removing the pigment.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Chemical peels

Why get one: Chemical peels, usually creams or serums containing mild fruit acid, can remove dead skin cells and help clear up acne, according to the Mayo Clinic. Peels can also encourage the growth of new, younger-looking skin cells.
The problem: Most chemical peels have relatively mild side effects, including a risk of oddly colored, patchy skin in women who are taking birth control pills; redness, scaling and blisters for those with sensitive skin; and the possibility of triggering previously dormant cold sores. The real danger comes from at-home peels purchased online, which have been known to cause painful, scarring burns. The problem is in the concentration. Most effective over-the-counter alpha-hydroxy acid creams contain about 8 percent concentration of alpha-hydroxy acids, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But you can buy AHA cream online, without a prescription, in concentrations as high as 60 percent. That strength shouldn't ever be used outside a doctor's office and can be dangerous, particularly if you're used to the 8 percent cream and didn't realize you were buying something so strong.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Brava breast enhancement

Why have it: Introduced in 1999, Brava is a breast enhancement system that claims to help make breasts an entire cup size larger without surgery. The appeal pretty much speaks for itself.
The problem: According to clinical trials, Brava works, but the process is time consuming and rife with side effects. And the results will never be as dramatic as surgical implants. Brava is a set of plastic domes hooked up to a small vacuum pump. The domes are placed over the breasts, with the suction turned on, for 10 hours every day over for at least 10 weeks. If you miss a day, you have to add an extra one; some women report getting rashes and blisters from the long process. The good news is that women who use Brava do, on average, gain a cup size. But it won't work as well on women with extremely small breasts, or for those who have a low body-mass index. Some women have also been disappointed with the final results because temporary swelling can initially make it appear that Brava is working better than it really is. Ingrid Schlenz, M.D., a Medical University of Vienna researcher who has studied Brava, cautions that women who try the system need to be aware that final results don't match the initial ones.

Nine Cosmetic Treatments to Rethink

Thermage

Why use it: Approved by the FDA in 2002, Thermage uses heat generated by radio waves to give patients tighter, more taught skin; it's often promoted as a "non-surgical facelift." Oprah first championed the procedure, which is also known as ThermaCool, in 2003.
The problem: The episodes of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that touted the treatment aren't forthcoming about its potential side effects or effectiveness, according to a New York Times article from 2006. And Thermage doesn't really function as a face-lift substitute. While it can reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and acne scars, it's not likely to tighten jowls—patients who go in expecting a miracle probably will be disappointed. And while side effects are rare, doctors say they often get glossed over in breathless media reports. Thermage treatments can burn the skin, particularly if a doctor uses a higher setting in pursuit of grander results. The machine can also "melt" the fat under your skin, leaving you with scars, dents and grooves on your face. Neither complication is very common, but both happen often enough that doctors say potential patients need to be more aware of the risks.

Feed Your Face

 

Healthier skin starts with these five foods.

Here's a beautiful reason to stop by the supermarket today: Certain foods have powerhouse ingredients that keep skin supple and smooth and help fight age-related damage, says Nicholas Perricone, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and author of Ageless Face, Ageless Mind(Ballantine, 2006). Wondering what to eat and what to smooth on? These skin-saving foods help both ways. (Be sure to do a skin-patch test first, and wait 24 hours to see if you have an allergic reaction.)

Strawberries

Strawberries have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving than oranges or grapefruit. And research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don't. C helps fight free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to those dreaded fine (and not-so-fine) lines. For smoother, better-hydrated skin, apply a natural-berry mask like the one below once or twice a week, and eat C-rich foods daily, says Ramona Ionescu, primary aesthetician at New York City’s Cornelia Day Resort.

Sip it: Strawberry Smoothie Mask

In a food processor or blender, combine 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries

(or a mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries—they're all antioxidant stars). Stir together blended berries, 1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt, and 1 1⁄2 tablespoons honey (a great moisturizer) in an 8-ounce glass. Enjoy smoothie, setting aside enough to coat your face.

Smooth it on:

Apply remaining smoothie to your face over a sink (it's a little drippy at first, but a smooth layer will stay put), and leave it on for about 8 minutes before rinsing off.

By Rachel Grumman, Health.com

 

Olive oil

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil don't just benefit you on the inside—they soften your skin, too. "Ancient Romans massaged olive oil into their skin," Perricone says. "When used topically, olive oil results in smoother, more radiant skin." Plus, consuming olive oil, a staple in the healthy Mediterranean diet, provides antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce inflammation. "Remember, inflammation is not just linked to disease—it's a major cause of wrinkling and sagging in the skin," Dr. Perricone explains. In addition to working olive oil into your daily diet, apply as a lip gloss and skin soother, as needed. If you have dry skin, you'll particularly benefit from topical application.

Smooth it on: Olive Oil Quencher

Dab a pea-size amount of extra-virgin olive oil on lips to hydrate a parched pucker; or use it on rough patches (think elbows and heels) as needed.

Eat it:

At dinner, drizzle a few tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil into a small bowl, and dip whole-grain bread in it to improve your skin from the inside out.

 

Green tea

Curling up to a cup of green tea does a lot more than relax you. Green tea is filled with inflammation-fighting antioxidants, Perricone says. What's more, research from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that drinking green tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer. (And when you add a generous squeeze of citrus juice—like lemon, lime, or orange—the tea's antioxidants get a boost of staying power, so they remain in and benefit the body longer, rather than being digested quickly and having much of the goodness go down the drain, according to Purdue University researchers.) 

Press it on: Easy Green Tea Eye Treatment

Chill damp tea bags in the fridge and put on eyes for 10–15 minutes. Green tea contains tannins, which act as an astringent when applied to skin and can help reduce puffiness, Perricone notes.

Drink it: Sip at least three big mugs of green tea every day for an antioxidant boost, Fernstrom says.

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin's orange hue is from carotenoids, wrinkle-fighting plant pigments that help neutralize free radicals in the skin, keeping them from damaging the cells that fast-forward aging. "Pumpkin is filled with vitamins C, E, and A, as well as powerful enzymes that help to cleanse the skin," explains dermatologist Kenneth Beer, author of Palm Beach Perfect Skin. Plus, pumpkin has hydrating properties, Ionescu adds. Although the seeds make a great fiber-filled snack, you get the skin-saving antioxidants from the pulp. Eat and apply the facial below once a week, Ionescu says. 

Smooth it on: Pumpkin Pudding Facial

In a food processor or blender, combine 2 cups canned pumpkin, 4 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt, 4 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Coat face; leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse. "It's good for hydrating and softening skin," Ionescu says. 

Eat it: Make a sweeter pudding by adding these ingredients to the recipe above: 2 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese and 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

 

Pomegranates

"Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits," says Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., founding director of the Weight Man agement Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Research shows this fruit's juice has more inflammation-fighting anti oxi dants than red wine or green tea.

Eat some fresh pomegranate or, use it in the age-fighting scrub recipe below; apply once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells, suggests Cleo Londono, aesthetician and owner of Meta mor­phosis Day Spa in New York City.

Scrub it on: Pomegranate Exfoliating Scrub

Cut off pomegranate crown, and score rind in sections, without cutting all the way through. Place in a bowl of water for 5–10 minutes. Break rind away from seeds, which will sink; strain seeds. In a food processor, combine 2 tablespoons seeds and 1 cup uncooked oatmeal. Transfer to bowl; stir in 2 tablespoons honey (an antiseptic) and 2 tablespoons buttermilk. Apply to face for a few minutes, then rinse. For rough patches (like elbows), add 3⁄4 cup turbinado sugar.

Eat it: Enjoy remaining pomegranate seeds au naturel or with your favorite cheese.

Split fingernails: What causes them?

Split fingernails are often caused by repetitive or prolonged contact with water.

From MayoClinic.com

Q: What causes split fingernails? Can the splitting be prevented?

Becky / No state given

Split fingernails are typically a result of repetitive or prolonged contact with water — think dishwashing and tub baths, for example. Nail polish remover also can contribute to split fingernails. Split fingernails usually aren't a sign of vitamin, mineral or other nutritional deficiencies.

To prevent split fingernails, treat your nails gently:

• Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when using soap and water for prolonged periods or when using harsh chemicals.
• Avoid long soaks in the tub.
• Repair fingernail splits or tears with nail glue or clear polish.
• Use nail polish remover no more than twice a month. If you polish your nails, touch up the polish in the meantime. When you do use nail polish remover, avoid those that contain acetone.
• Limit manicures.
• Rub moisturizing lotion into your fingernails after washing your hands and after removing nail polish.
• Keep your fingernails neatly trimmed. Round the tips in a gentle curve.

If the splitting doesn't improve or you're concerned about your split fingernails, ask your doctor for additional suggestions.

Danger at Your Local Salon

By Ginny Graves, Health magazine

Health.com

Just 36 hours after getting a pedicure at an upscale nail salon near her home in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, Jamie Joffe, 38, had a fever of 101 degrees and a very scary-looking toe—“It was about five times its usual size, and there was greenish goo oozing out from under the nail,” she recalls. Joffe went to the emergency room, where they diagnosed her with a staph infection, probably from scissors or a cuticle pusher contaminated with the bacteria. “The doctor made an incision and drained all this stuff out of it,” she says. “If I hadn’t gotten the infection treated quickly, it could have spread to the rest of my body.”

After taking antibiotics for 10 days, Joffe was fine, but the experience left her with more than a scarred toe. “I still get pedicures, but I now bring my own tools and watch what they’re doing very carefully,” she says. “I had no idea you could get so sick from a pedicure.”

Most of us aren’t aware of the potentially ugly side of manicures, pedicures, Botox injections, haircuts, or waxing. “We assume that if a salon is operating it must be safe, but that’s not true,” says Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, who has studied salon infections and salon safety. “There’s lots to worry about, including poorly trained technicians and dirty or illegal instruments.”

Each state has its own rules for salon safety, but even those with the strictest standards, like California and Texas, can’t scrutinize the businesses as carefully as they’d like. “Each of our 18 inspectors is responsible for 3,500 to 4,000 shops, which means most salons get inspected only about once every six years—unless we get a complaint,” says James Jacobs, a supervising inspector with the California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. “About 75 percent of the salons we inspect have violations. Sometimes they’re minor, like a nail file being re-used when it should have been tossed. But lots of times they’re real health hazards, like filthy foot spas.”

That’s bad news because, like hospitals, salons can harbor dangerous infection-causing bacteria and viruses, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and hepatitis B. That means it really is buyer beware, and the onus is on you to protect yourself. Here’s how to make sure all your beauty treatments are totally safe.

At the nail salon

Trouble spot: Foot spa

There’s nothing more relaxing than soaking your feet in a tub of warm, bubbling water—or is there? In 2000, 110 women who had pedicures at the same northern California salon were infected with a nasty bacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum; some of the women had dozens of boils and were on antibiotics for months. Afterward, scientists from the California Department of Health Services took swabs from 30 whirlpool foot spas in 18 nail salons around the state and found potentially dangerous bacteria in all but one.

Since then, California has required nail salons to follow specific cleaning and disinfection procedures for their foot spas, but not all states have the same requirements—and not all salons follow the rules. In fact, 27 California salons were put on probation for foot-spa violations in the first six months of 2008 alone, says Kevin Flanagan, spokesman for the California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Other foot-spa worries: warts and fungal infections. “Both spread on wet skin,” says Carolyn Jacob, M.D., director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

Protect yourself

Wash your hands and feet with antibacterial soap before any procedure, and ask your technician to wash her hands.

Ask to see the foot-spa-cleaning log, Flanagan says. Salons with the highest standards drain all the water, scrub the residue from the walls, and run a cycle of disinfectant for 10 minutes between every client—a procedure that’s particularly important for older machines with pipes that can harbor standing water, a haven for bacteria. Many salons are switching to pipeless foot spas, which don’t have a place for water and bacteria to build up; they still should be disinfected between clients and at the end of the day, and filtration screens should be periodically removed and cleaned.

Don’t shave your legs the day of your pedicure because even a small cut can offer an entry point for minuscule bacteria and other infection-causing bugs. “See a doctor if you have a suspicious spot that won’t go away or gets worse after a pedicure,” says Oliver Zong, a New York City podiatrist. If your aesthetician has a cut on her hands, reschedule your appointment, ask for a different technician, or ask her to wear gloves—a practice some salons employ automatically.

Trouble spot: Mani and pedi instruments

You wouldn’t poke yourself with a sharp instrument at home without making darn sure it was clean, so don’t let someone working on your nails do it, either. The most dangerous tool in the salon is the Credo blade, a razor-like device that’s used to shave off calluses. It’s illegal in most states, but pedicurists routinely violate the rules, as Stacy Nartker, 25, of Kalida, Ohio, discovered when she received an inch-long gash on her foot from a Credo blade. “I didn’t need stitches, but I hobbled around for a few days afterward,” she says.

Nartker got off easy, according to inspector Jacobs. “People have had tendons cut because a manicurist slipped while shaving a callus on the heel,” he says.

Even legal instruments, like cuticle cutters and scissors, have the potential to transmit staph infections, hepatitis B and C, and, yes, HIV if they’re contaminated with even microscopic drops of blood from an infected person, says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in Danville, California. Far more common than serious bugs are annoying ones like fungal infections that can be picked up from contaminated tools, files, brushes, and cuticle instruments. “The best way to treat fungus is with a topical antifungal cream, but some require a prescription-strength oral medication,” she says.

Protect yourself

Ask how the salon disinfects its instruments. The most foolproof device is an autoclave, which sterilizes metal tools overnight. At a minimum, implements should be disinfected between clients; they should be washed in soap and water, then soaked in disinfectant in a covered container. “The solution should say bactericidal, fungicidal, germicidal, or virucidal on it,” Flanagan says. Clean tools should then be stored separately from used ones. Items that can’t be disinfected—nail-buffer blocks, nail brushes, emery boards—should be thrown away immediately after being used. To be supersafe, bring your own.

Just say no to razor-edge cutters and cuticle cutters. “Using a Credo blade is actually considered minor surgery—not something you want performed in a nail salon,” Dr. Sekula-Gibbs says. It’s easy to slice the skin with cuticle cutters, too. “Cuticles actually serve an important purpose, providing a protective barrier to microbes that could seep under your nails with water and cause an infection,” she explains. If your cuticles are too long, have the aesthetician gently push them back—or do it yourself at home with your own tools.

Avoid pedis and manis if you’re diabetic or if your immune system is compromised because of chemotherapy or a recent bout with a serious illness like breast cancer. “You’re much more susceptible to all sorts of infections if your immune system isn’t functioning well,” says Vincent DeLeo, M.D., chairman of dermatology at St. Luke’s Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital, and Beth Israel Medical Center.

At the hair salon

Trouble spot: Chemicals and relaxers

In 2007, doctors at Chicago’s Sumner L. Koch Burn Center reported that a young woman had received chemical burns while getting highlights at her local salon. She was hospitalized and received skin grafts, and was left with two 3-centimeter bald patches at the top of her head.

Although such severe injuries are rare, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that hair straighteners and dyes are among the top consumer complaints and can cause everything from itchy, raw skin to trouble breathing. “I’ve had patients who have had allergic reactions—their faces and eyelids swell or they break out in hives—after salon hair treatments,” Dr. DeLeo says.

Protect yourself

If you feel a burning sensation on your scalp while you have color on your hair, alert your stylist and have her wash the chemicals off ASAP. Also, make sure your technician is paying attention when wielding hot blow-dryers, curling irons, and flat irons.

“Have your stylist test any chemicals on the inside of your elbow the day before you get your hair done to make sure you’re not allergic,” says Dr. DeLeo.

Trouble spot: Combs and brushes
Even at top hair salons, stylists toss used combs and brushes back in the drawer at their stations. It seems innocent enough, but those styling tools can carry fungal infections (ringworm and dandruff, for instance), as well as lice. “We regularly see outbreaks, especially of lice, that are spread through hair salons—and not just low-end places,” inspector Jacobs says.

Protect yourself

If you can see that the stylists are using combs and brushes on client after client, bring your own during your next visit. “That’s what I do,” says Zoe Draelos, M.D., editor of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. “I don’t want to catch anything, particularly dandruff. Who wants a crusty, scaly scalp?”

Trouble spot: Shampooing sink

Having someone else shampoo your hair is a true pleasure of a salon visit. In rare instances, though, tilting your head back can cause a tiny tear in an artery in your neck, triggering a stroke.

Protect yourself

Tilting your head backward into a sink while shampooing can alter blood flow to the brain, but researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey reported that using a support, such as a towel, minimizes the problem.

Be sure you know the signs of stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; confusion or trouble speaking or understanding; trouble walking; dizziness or loss of balance or coordination; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; a sudden, severe headache—and get medical help immediately. To prevent permanent damage, the anticlotting drug t-PA must be given within three hours of a stroke’s onset.

At the waxer

Trouble spot: Hot wax

Three years ago, Kathleen Croissant, 50, of Westlake, Ohio, had her eyebrows waxed before a black-tie event. The wax felt very hot the moment it was applied, but the aesthetician assured Croissant that the temperature of the wax pot was carefully controlled. After the wax was removed, Croissant’s skin started oozing and scabs began to form. “It was obvious that I’d been burned,” she says. “I had to go to a formal event with scabs on my eyebrows—and to this day the skin is crepey and wrinkled.”

Burns are actually fairly common during body waxing, according to inspector Jacobs. Even though wax pots are supposed to be temperature controlled, he says, it’s easy for them to overheat if they’re plugged in all day.

The other serious wax-related woe: infection, particularly if the aesthetician double dips the waxing sticks. “I’ve cultured wax, and there’s often bacteria in it,” Dr. Sekula-Gibbs says. “Since people have everything from staph to herpes to viral warts on their skin, double-dipping the sticks is a no-no—especially during a bikini wax.”

Waxing can also leave little red bumps called folliculitis on the skin, says Shelly Holmstrom, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida in Tampa, who has seen many clients with folliculitis from bikini waxes: “It happens when bacteria get in your hair follicles and cause a little localized infection.”

Protect yourself

If the wax feels too hot, say something right away,” California Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology inspector James Jacobs says. “Even fairly minor burns on the face can leave permanent scars.”

Don’t use numbing products before waxing: Absorbing too much lidocaine-containing cream can be dangerous (particularly if you cover it with, say, plastic wrap). Plus, you can’t tell if the wax is too hot if your skin’s numb.

Make sure your technician has a license for waxing; a hairstylist, for instance, is not automatically licensed to wax.

To avoid infection, ask for a new wax stick with every application. And if you’re lying on a table for a bikini wax, be sure a clean towel or clean paper is beneath you.

To prevent folliculitis, wash the freshly waxed area gently with soap and water, apply a dab of antibiotic ointment, and keep it as clean and dry as possible, Dr. Holmstrom says.

Don’t get waxed if you’re using an antiwrinkle or acne treatment containing retinol; get tweezed instead. “The chemicals in Retin-A and similar products make your skin sensitive, so the wax can actually pull a layer off,” Dr. Vincent DeLeo says.

For a bikini wax, make sure the aesthetician wears disposable gloves.

At the medi-spa

Trouble spot: Injections

In 2006, a woman in Salinas, California, died after receiving injections of fake Botox (it was cooking oil) from a hairdresser who was not licensed to do the treatment; the stylist was later charged for causing the death.

Although serious side effects from cosmetic injectables are extremely rare, counterfeit products have caused the most serious problems. “It’s a big issue because there is only one real Botox cosmetic currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but there are lots of cheaper fake and foreign products,” says Julius Few, M.D., spokesman for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and director of the Few Institute for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Chicago. “When considering a cosmetic filler, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re getting something that’s FDA-approved.”

There can even be trouble with real Botox: If diluted incorrectly before being administered, its effectiveness can be reduced. “Botox comes as a powder and is mixed with a saline solution, so it could be overdiluted by someone trying to stretch profits,” says Bruce Cunningham, M.D., director of the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Minnesota. “I hear patients say, ‘The Botox I got at the spa lasted only three months instead of the usual six.’ That may be because it was diluted.”

Cosmetic injections are considered extremely safe, but they can cause side effects, like bruising, redness, lumps, and bumps. Most are temporary, but some, like droopy eyelids and a frozen expression, both of which can happen with Botox, can be upsetting. “An under-
standing of dynamic facial anatomy—what the muscles do when you talk and express emotions—can make the difference between a natural-looking outcome and something that’s just plain bizarre,” says Richard D’Amico, M.D., president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “The farther you get from a plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s office, the more likely you are to have less-knowledgeable or inexperienced people doing the procedure.”

Protect yourself

Make sure your initial appointment is with a physician. A nondoctor may not know the ins and outs of where a filler versus Botox would work best, says Alan Gold, M.D., president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Check the credentials, training, and expertise of the person doing the injections. (In one state, a physician’s assistant with a day of training may be licensed.) Someone experienced in cosmetic fixes will know that the hyaluronic acid in Restylane and Juvederm, for example, can be dissolved by injecting a substance called hyaluronidase if something goes wrong—they’ll also know that some people are allergic to hyaluronidase.

Beware of prices that sound too good to be true. According to a recent analysis in the Wall Street Journal, the average price for Botox is $363; injectable fillers range from about $390 for collagen to $557 for Restylane, a hyaluronic acid. Prices can be much higher in urban areas, however.

Look at the product, Dr. Gold says: Make sure that the package is unopened and the brand name and manufacturer are the same as what you were promised. Allergan, for example, has put a hologram on its Botox packaging to foil counterfeits.

Find out the spa’s emergency procedures. “You should be told what could go wrong and how quickly a doctor can get there,” says Hannelore Leavy, executive director of the International Medical Spa Association and the Day Spa Association.

Ask about ongoing training. With new Botox-like products expected to reach the market in the next year, the situation will soon be more complicated. “All the new products disperse differently in the tissues, so you’ll need to inject each one somewhat differently,” Dr. D’Amico says. “People performing these procedures are going to need to understand the differences.”