Beautiful hands, feet and lips are coveted by both men and women alike. While many people think that achieving this level of attractiveness is impossible without expensive treatments or procedures, that's not always the case! There are a few secret weapons that you can use to achieve gorgeous hands, feet and lips without spending a fortune. Keep reading to learn more about how to take care of your hands, feet and lips and make them look their best!
The Type and Characteristics of Skin on Your Hands
Your hands are one of the most exposed parts of your body, so it's important to take good care of them. To start, identify what type and characteristics of skin you have on your hands. This will help you determine the best products and treatments for keeping them looking their best. Dry skin tends to need more moisturizing than oily skin, while sensitive skin needs special attention when selecting products that won't irritate or dry out the area.
Protect Your Hands From Damage
To keep your hands looking beautiful, it's important to protect them from damage in the first place. Wear gloves when washing dishes or handling harsh chemicals, as these can cause irritation and dryness. Be careful with hot items like curling irons and straightening tools, and don't forget to apply sunscreen to your hands every day, especially when you're outdoors for extended periods of time.
Exfoliate and Moisturize Regularly
Once you determine the type of skin on your hands, you can start a regular exfoliation and moisturizing routine to maintain healthy-looking skin. You should aim for two exfoliations per week with a gentle scrub that won't irritate or strip moisture from your skin. Follow this up by applying a thick moisturizer while massaging it in using circular motions. This will help keep your hands soft and smooth all year long!
Common Hand Illnesses, Injuries and Conditions
It's important to recognize when something is wrong with your hands. Common hand illnesses, injuries and conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, blistering, calluses, dryness and cracking. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible to manage the condition and keep your hands looking their best.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that happens when the median nerve becomes compressed in your wrist. Symptoms include tingling and numbness in the hand, as well as burning and aching sensations in the palm of your hand. Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome typically involves wearing a splint or brace to reduce pressure on the nerve, as well as physical therapy exercises to help stretch and strengthen the muscles in your hands.
Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can cause swelling and pain in the joints, including those in your hands. Treatment for arthritis typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and help manage the symptoms. You should visit a hand specialist in Orlando if you have hand arthritis as they can help to reduce your pain and stiffness. You may also be advised to use a hot or cold compress on your hands to relieve stiffness and pain, as well as take breaks from activities that involve repeatedly gripping objects or typing for extended periods of time.
Blistering, Calluses and Dryness
Blistering, calluses and dryness are all common issues that can arise in the skin on your hands. To relieve these symptoms, you should use a thick cream specifically designed to help heal and protect your skin from further irritation or damage. Additionally, try soaking your hands in a warm bath with Epsom salts or olive oil to help soften any dry areas. Dry patches on skin can also be treated with lotions containing lactic acid and urea, which help to draw moisture into the skin.
The Type and Characteristics of Skin on Your Feet
Like your hands, the skin on your feet can also be prone to damage and irritation. To determine what type of skin you have on your feet, look for characteristics such as dryness, thickening of the skin or calluses. Dry skin will need more moisturizing than oily skin, while sensitive skin requires special attention when selecting products that won't irritate or dry out the area. Use a mild exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, and apply a generous amount of moisturizer to your feet each day. This will help keep them looking healthy and feeling soft.
Common Foot Illnesses, Injuries and Conditions
Just like your hands, it's important to recognize when something is wrong with your feet. Common foot illnesses, injuries and conditions include plantar fasciitis, athlete’s foot, bunions and hammertoes. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible to manage the condition and keep your feet looking their best.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that happens when the plantar fascia in your foot becomes inflamed. Symptoms include pain in the heel or arch of the foot, especially when walking or standing for long periods of time. Treatment for plantar fasciitis typically involves wearing a brace or insert to reduce pressure on the area, as well as stretching exercises to help reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, icing the area can help alleviate swelling and discomfort.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete's foot is an infection caused by a fungus that affects the skin of your feet. Symptoms include itching, stinging and burning in the affected area. Treatment for athlete's foot typically involves using antifungal medications to clear up the infection, as well as keeping your feet clean and dry. Additionally, wearing sandals or flip flops when in public showers or pools is recommended to help prevent reinfection.
Bunions and Hammertoes
Bunions are an inflammation of the joint at the base of the big toe while hammertoes are a condition where one or more toes bend abnormally resulting in pain and difficulty walking. Treatment for bunions and hammertoes typically involve wearing shoes with plenty of room for movement, avoiding high heels which can aggravate the condition and using orthotics to provide extra support. Additionally, stretching exercises can help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by these conditions.
Warts
Warts are small, hard bumps that often appear on the skin of your hands or feet. Treatment for warts typically involve over-the-counter medications such as salicylic acid, freezing them with liquid nitrogen or laser therapy. In some cases, you may need to see a doctor if the wart does not respond to home treatments.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the surrounding skin instead of outward. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain and oozing around the toe area. Treatment for ingrown toenails typically involves keeping the area clean, soaking the toe in warm water and gently pushing back any skin that has grown into the nail. If necessary, a doctor may remove part of the nail to prevent infection or further pain.
The Type and Characteristics of Skin on Your Lips
The skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than the skin on other parts of your face. It needs special attention to prevent dryness and irritation. The type of skin on your lips can vary from person to person, so it's important to know what type you have in order to choose the right products for moisturizing and protecting them. Look for characteristics such as softness, dryness or cracking to determine which type of product will be best for you.
Common Lip Illnesses, Injuries and Conditions
Just like other parts of your body, it is important to recognize when something is wrong with your lips. Common lip illnesses, injuries and conditions include cold sores, chapped lips and oral thrush. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible to manage the condition and keep your lips looking their best.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are an infection caused by the herpes virus that appears on the face around the mouth or nose area. Symptoms can include itching or burning before a cluster of small blisters appear on the skin which will eventually break open and form a painful sore. Treatment for cold sores typically involves over-the-counter medications such as antiviral creams or ointments to reduce the duration of the outbreak. Additionally, keeping your lips hydrated can help prevent future outbreaks.
Chapped Lips
Chapped lips occur when the skin on your lips become dry and cracked due to environmental factors such as cold weather or wind. Treatment for chapped lips typically involve using a lip balm with an SPF, drinking plenty of water and avoiding licking your lips which can further dehydrate them. Additionally, it is important to avoid any products that contain irritants such as fragrances or alcohol which can make symptoms worse.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is an infection caused by Candida fungus that appears inside the mouth causing white patches in the cheeks, tongue and gums. Symptoms can include soreness, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and a metallic taste in the mouth. Treatment for oral thrush typically involves antifungal medications such as nystatin or fluconazole which can be prescribed by your doctor. Additionally, good oral hygiene can help prevent future infections.
Everyone’s Feet, Hands and Lips Are Unique & How to Take Care of Them
Everyone’s feet, hands and lips are unique and require different levels of care. It is important to know your skin type so that you can choose the right products to keep them looking their best. Be sure to wear sunscreen when spending time outside, moisturize regularly and use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips from sun damage. Additionally, make sure to practice good hygiene habits such as washing your hands often in order to prevent illnesses or infections. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your feet, hands and lips healthy and looking great!
