Written by Nails Magazine - a very reputable industry publication in the US!
Hands and feet, like your décolleté, also
can show tell-tale signs of aging. Here are
some helpful tips for keeping hands and
feet looking youthful.
Keep yourself well moisturized. As
you age, your skin begins to thin and
become dry, so it is especially important
to keep your skin well hydrated. Apply a
collagen-rich lotion that absorbs and
penetrates into the skin daily on hands,
feet, and any other part of your body
that feels dry.
Visit your nail technician regularly.
Don’t let too much time go by between
nail appointments. Visit your nail technician
at least every two weeks for a manicure
and at least once a month for a pedicure.
Keep your nails well protected. Just
as skin becomes thin and dries out with
age, nails tend to become more brittle.
Protect them from the damaging effects
of the sun by applying a top coat with a
built-in sunscreen. And don’t forget
about polish, which helps protect nails as
well. Moisturize nails and cuticles with a
daily dose of cuticle oil. Your nail tech
may also recommend a moisture replenishing
nail treatment.
Maintain a youthful glow. As we get
older, it’s not uncommon for brown
spots to start appearing, especially on
our hands. And all those years in the sun
can make hands look more wrinkled
than you’d prefer. Ask your nail tech for
a skin-lightening treatment you can use
at home, which will help diminish the
look of age spots. Also, don’t forget to
apply sunblock to protect your delicate
skin from the harsh effects of the sun.
Take care of your feet. Toenails receive
daily abuse through ill-fitting shoes and
moisture. Always dry your feet well and
check between the toes for cracks and
dryness, which allow bacteria to grow,
increasing the risk of infection.
Use a nail brush and a mild scrub to
gently remove build up and dead skin
cells from your feet. If your feet are
susceptible to infection or perspiration,
apply talc containing cornstarch or
baking soda. Cotton socks will also help
to absorb moisture and draw it away
from the foot area.
Take your hands and feet for a dip.
Even if you’re not scheduled for a nail
appointment, you may want to stop by
the salon for a quick paraffin dip,
especially if you suffer from arthritis or
have very dry skin.
Baby your nails. While you should
leave most of the work for your nail
technician, you can file your nails at
home. Always use a fine-grit file, which
can range from a 240-400 grit, and
gently file in one direction. Never file
nails in a back-and-forth motion, as this
can cause your nails to fray and split.
Keep bacteria away. Half of people
over age 65 suffer from fungal infections
on their feet. Help prevent that by using
an antimicrobial cuticle oil and base coat
to protect against yeast, fungus, mold,
and bacteria.
If you’re sick, stay at home. If you
have a contagious skin or nail disease,
wait until it clears before visiting the
salon again. If symptoms persist, make
an appointment with a dermatologist.
Know what you have. Allergic
reactions to nail products are
uncommon, but it’s important to be able
to detect if you have one. Allergic
reactions are characterized by redness,
itching, and swelling around the nails, or
irritation around the eyes and mouth.
Call your doctor if you develop any of
these symptoms.