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Did you swim in a sea or an ocean ? You could not forget these beautiful sensations of energy and revitalization after sea mineral bathing. Can you restore these feelings at your spa? Purchase mineral salts , dissolve a desired (?) amount in warm water and relax as if you were swimming in a sea…No undiscovered information? You can ask : what is a desired amount- a cup, two cups, 1 kg (2.2 pounds) or more? I would answer : "You should add at least 1 kg (2.2 pounds) per bath ". Let me specify why.

The salinity (salt concentration) of sea water is at least 3%. It means that 3 kg ( 6.6 pounds) of mineral salts should be added to a bath to simulate sea bathing. The primary principle of a bath is to disperse botanicals in the water matrix. Then these botanicals can be available for skin absorption.But regular salt formula hardly provides these benefits because of the skin’s low absorption rate for minerals , dissolving mechanism and the body’s salinity.

The mechanism of dissolving of ANY regular mineral salts in the water is the following: crystals of salts are dissociated to many ions and these ions are covered by water molecules. These hydrated ions in water have a decreased level of energy and activity for proper absorption and assimilation through the skin.

I have been searching and studying for many years a lot of clinical studies of efficiency of mineral salt treatments. Results differ, efficiency differs, methods differ, salt types differ. But ONE common figure I did find is that for therapeutic treatment purposes scientists use at least 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of ANY regular mineral salts.

The minimum figure of 1(one) kg is originated from the fact that our body salinity (healthy blood plasma) is about 0.9% (salt equivalent of 900 g or 2 pounds per bath).

So, at least 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of REGULAR salts is required to support proper mineral absorption and assimilation through the skin to nourish and re-mineralize the skin and the body with deficient micro- and macro-elements. And water therapy professionals know this figure very well. More often medical spas, clinics and health resorts can use for therapeutic purposes 2 kg (4.4 pounds) , 4 kg (8.8 pounds) or more salts per bath!

For relaxing, balancing and other wellness purposes a less amount of mineral salts can be used. But you should understand that the main effect of 250-500 grams (one -two cups of ANY regular salts) per bath is more a skin’s stimulating effect than a real nourishing effect.

That is why the only recommendation for REGULAR mineral salt bathing can be :"The more salts the better".

The more salts are added the better…. Nothing can be changed….Hmm.

The more salts are added the better? Hard bathing…

No new ideas?

This old dogma can be doubted and new approaches, scientific ideas and technology are discovered to create a NEW generation of bath products for Smart Bathing!

Oleg Moskvine, held the Senior Scientist position of the R&D department of Technofit cosmetic manufacturing company.

Oleg has the good expertise in hydrotherapy (balneology, water therapy) treatments with water, mineral salts and mud applications.

Web-site: http://www.tonusworld.com

Here are 10 personal little home spa tips that will make you look and feel like a million bucks!

Squeeze in a few extra minutes to your every day self care time and you’ll see how easily these step by step pampering recommendations will turn even the toughest days around. Or if you can negotiate a few minutes here and there from your day to get even more time…by all means… do it! Your family, friends and co-workers will meet a much happier, more chipper, fantastically refreshed you!

In Preparation:

First things, first. No shopping, buying or leaving the house. Scour the house for a few fun spa essentials and make a decadent ‘Home Spa Day’ just with what you have tucked away! Why put off what you could be doing right now?! I suppose if you are out and about and feel so inclined to pick up special bath salts, moisturizers or essential oils… so be it. I admire your level of commitment!

- Grab your robe and slippers

- Find a soothing CD that you absolutely love

- Scented candle

- A washcloth, loofah, bath brush or a new scrubbie back there in the drawers you forgot about

- Fluffy cotton towel

- Bath salts or essential aromatic oils (if you have them)

- Your cleansers, toners and moisturizers

- Coarse sea salt

- Plenty of chilled spring water (with a splash of lime or lemon) in the fanciest glass you can find

- Steep a cup of green tea

Let go of your day… your obligations… responsibilities… stress… and strain. Toss out the barrage of thoughts streaming through your mind (even if it’s just for a moment). Trust me… they’ll still be around later for you to poke at, ponder or peruse.

Try to relax. Take yourself on a far away vacation in your head, tell yourself a “Once Upon A Time” story, remind yourself what a princess you are and remember how essential these precious moments are to your happiness and sanity!

Welcome To Your At Home Spa Vacation!

1. Take it easy and slow down your breath, your thoughts and your movements. Put on your favorite CD and start prepping a very simple shower or bath in a wonderfully slow, deliberate and unhurried way. Take time to watch the candle burn, smell the fragrance, feel the soft robe or towels, look at the sparkling drops of water and run your hands through it… take in the joyful process of an every day activity that we just fly through without a second thought!

2. Use essential oils. Not only do they smell great, but they are extremely good for your skin. The rule to applying essential oils is to never apply them directly on your face or skin. Just add about five drops to a bowl of warm water. Soak a washcloth in the water and then apply to your face and neck as a compress for five minutes. Repeat three times. Gently towel dry and finish yourself off with an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory facial splash.

If you have a choice of essential oils to choose from, select one that suits your mood and purpose. If you are desparking the stress level this holiday, choose soothing oils (like lavender, chamomile, jasmine, sandalwood and ylang-ylang). Good revitalizing and energizing oils when you need them are peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, basil and juniper. The aroma can also provide psychological and physical benefits too! Essential oils can help with physical conditions, rejuvenate the skin, eliminate waste, alleviate stress, enhance your mood, restore vitality and facilitate the regeneration of new, healthy cells.

3. Basic Body Scrub and Cleansing If you decided you only have time for an indulgent, relaxing shower… start with a basic body scrub and cleansing. I found this fabulous new product called Spongeables (www.spongeables.com). It’s a soap and a sponge all in one. It lasts for a full month of frothy fragrant showering. My favorite fragrance is fresh lavender… and they have them fragrance free too if that’s more your style.

Whatever sponge, cloth or brush you decide on… scrub mindfully and only gently brush your skin. Gentle circular motions will increase your circulation and eliminate toxins and excess water.

Another in home spa trick is to mix an ounce of ground sea salt with 10 or so drops of your favorite essential oil. Add water and make a paste so it spreads easily. Apply it to your entire body and slough off the dead skin with big circular strokes. This salt scrub will exfoliate dead skin cells, cleanse the pores and help your body get rid of any toxins.

4. Draw a bath. Add 5 to 10 drops of an essential oil to bath salts. Grab an extra pillow, put a kitchen trash bag over it to keep it dry and then put a pillow case over that. You just bought yourself 10 extra comfy minutes in the bath tub. You might as well take a book too! Follow it with a warm shower and a dry yourself off with a fluffy cotton towel. If someone in the house really loves you… get them to toss it in the dryer for 5 minutes and greet you with fluffy warmth. If you have a body toning lotion handy, apply to your body (not your face) for additional firming and toning so you’ll look even better in that little black dress.

5. Be nice to yourself. These are your precious rejuvenating moments. Take your time. Pamper yourself and try not to get caught up in the have-to’s and the should-do’s. Don’t be in a rush. Not only will you lose some of the benefits of this quality time to refresh and relax, you may start sloughing off and using rough, damaging strokes.

6. Hurrying has its risks. Without slow, mindful, attentive movements, you could cause inflammation and jeopardize that fresh, healthy, glowing complexion that will make you a bright shining super star. You can actually accelerate the aging process by being too rough! Now there’s a good enough reason in and of itself to slow down.

7. Care for your hair. It is taking a beating in these winter elements. Add ¼ ounce of lavender to sixteen ounces of shampoo. Or for oily hair, add ¼ ounce of lemongrass or rosemary to 16 ounces of shampoo. Essential oils can make invigorating scalp massages. Rosemary is awesome! If you decide not to use the oils, make sure you at least give yourself a long, sudsy scalp massage. Close your eyes, lay your head back and drift for a moment.

8. Replenish lost moisture to your skin and hair this winter by taking two tablespoons of organic flaxseed oil twice a day. You’ll get rid of the itchies and combat wrinkles and sagging skin.

9. Treat your fabulous face. All the treatments above were just for your bod. Your face is special and delicate. The skin on your face is thinner and more fragile than your body. Treat your face with extreme care and gentleness. Even though it’s cold avoid extremely hot water, harsh soaps or any drying cleansers.

Grab a new wash cloth or small sea sponge, add a few drops of your favorite cleanser (preferably an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory liquid cleanser) and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Apply face firming treatment then put an ice cube inside of a small plastic bag and gently rub over the face and eye area for several minutes to tone and plump up the skin.

10. Rejuvenate from the inside

Drink 8 to10 glasses of water every day. Eat lots of whole foods, green vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, nuts and lean protein to reduce inflammation, replenish moisture and bring back a youthful glow.

Take 3 full, deep breaths from your abdomen (keep your shoulders still) to complete your simple happy essential home spa experience.

The benefits and joy you experience during your at home spa day will be more colored by your desire and your intentions than any fancy, expensive products you can buy. Be mindful, set your intentions and gradually transition in to or out of your work day… always cherishing these simple, sacred rejuvenating moments.

www.shesite.com

Julie Hunt is a female icon and founder of SHE, the foremost inspiration and personal development resource for women who want to live brilliant, happy, successful lives. Marketing consultant, sales expert, copywriting guru, improvisational actress, yoga instructor, author and just plain cool chick… she’s an inspiration to oodles of women who land every week on her free ‘Essentials’ teleclass series. Hop on at http://www.shesite.com!

She is on a mission to scream, skip, advise and acquaint with women around the globe who want live a vivacious life busting at the seams!

Aaah, a spa. It used to be that you needed a Hollywood mansion to even entertain the thought; but now, home spas are popping up everywhere you look and with good reason.

The basis for all the "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" when people settle down to soak in their home spas is "hydrotherapy" or "water healing" which was first made famous by the Greek Hippocrates, the "father" of medicine, in the 4th century BC. He used to prescribed bathing and drinking spring water for its medicinal benefits. Soaking in hot springs was another Greek favorite which was quickly picked up by the Romans who built thousands of communal baths which were the forerunner of modern home spas!

Although the number one "official" reason for the remarkable increase in the installations of home spas is to sooth overworked muscles and soak away the effects of stress caused by our hectic lifestyles, home spas are also a wonderful socializing tool as many people have found out over the years.

Having access to home spas means that although parties may start out in the living rooms, they often end up in the "spa room" accompanied by soft music, low lights, a little wine or spirits and a whole lot of relaxing. Bathing suits are, of course, optional depending upon the "house" rules!

Today, home spas come in shapes, colors and sizes to match any taste, budget and available space. From built-in to portable, if you want one, there is sure to be one that wants you in return! There are "family size" home spas with lots of seating room all the way down to cozy ones that just fit two.

The latest models of home spas include a wide variety of lighting, music, water jet and seating options. Seating options should not be overlooked. You might want lounge-style which allows you to soak while fully reclined, or you could opt for the bench or chair-type seating which accommodate more people.

You can even get a floating remote control to set your music and lighting levels along with jet pressure and temperature. Home spas can be located almost anywhere that you have the space plus access to water and electricity. Portable home spas can be setup and moved relatively easily. Some people opt to have them installed into an existing bathroom or bedroom, while others will convert a porch or sun room into a spa room. Indoors or out, cold weather or warm, home spas are relaxing and enjoyable way to soak away what ails you or to get to know that certain someone a little bit better.

Although home spas are low maintenance, they aren’t "no maintenance". You can usually find out all you need to know about keeping your spa clean and sanitary by reading the manual that came with it or by checking with your local pool and spa supply store.

Here are some important safety tips for users of home spas:

Read and follow all maintenance and usage instructions fully. Chemical poisoning or electrical shock, while unlikely, could result if you fail to follow instructions.

Never allow the water temperature to exceed 104F (40C)

Never enjoy your spa alone. You could fall asleep and drown.

Never use the spa if you are pregnant.

Never use the spa if you are intoxicated.

Check with your doctor if you are taking medications before using the spa.

Always lock down the spa cover when not in use. Children and pets could fall in and drown.

Forget expensive memberships to health resorts. You don’t need them. Not when home spas start as low as $600 and can be installed in one day or less!

Credit: Mike Jones of BodyFAQ.com, the health, body & beauty information site. Click here for information on whether Botox is for you: http://www.bodyfaq.com/botox.html

A dark patch on the cheek, a brown square on your thigh, a black section on your neck… What are those swarthy badges and how do you get rid of them?

Those black patches, or acanthosis nigricans, as they’re called in medical circles, could result from insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance occurs when the normal amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas is not able to enter the body cells where it is needed. So, to maintain a normal blood glucose level, the pancreas secretes more insulin.

Sometimes, when the body’s cells resist or do not respond to these higher levels of insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. This causes high blood glucose or type 2 diabetes.

Even people with diabetes who take oral medication or require insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels can have higher than normal blood insulin levels due to insulin resistance.

Acanthosis nigricans occurs most frequently among overweight individuals battling insulin resistance. The easiest way to begin removing the dark patches is to safely begin losing weight.

Meanwhile, you can resort to skin lightening creams that contain retinols or hydroxy acids. But, the patches will not go away permanently until you have resolved your insulin resistance issues.

In rare cases, Acanthosis nigricans could be the result of cancer. If you are not overweight and still experience Acanthosis nigricans, you should see a physician.

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Before we start let’s get this out of the way – I am not a doctor and the advice here is my opinion only and not in any way professional medical advice, although I have been involved in body piercing for many years. Should you decide to follow any of the advice below then you must take full responsibility for the outcome and use a little common sense. Most importantly IF IN DOUBT CONSULT A DOCTOR. Doctors are paid to do stuff like this!

Healing of a piercing requires a lot of care and attention. Neglect them or abuse them and new piercings can easily become infected and/or take a lot longer to heal.

Some piercings may bleed heavily when first made in which case a simple dressing is recommended. Once the bleeding has stopped the piercing should be exposed to air as much as possible or covered only by loose fitting clothes. Use clean gauze dressings held in place by surgical tape for the first few days if bleeding is a problem.

For the first few days a piercing is best left untouched to heal a little on its own. After this time it should be cleaned and inspected 2-3 times daily for at least the first month even if it seems healed. At this stage I recommend using a warm saline solution made with boiled water and around 5ml (1 teaspoon) of salt per 50ml of water. Antiseptics can be used but are generally not recommended as they can irritate the wound and/or cause it to dry out and obviously neither is desirable. Irritating a wound can prolong the healing time hugely. Mouth piercings can be treated with a mild antiseptic mouthwash or a little warm saline solution which should be done after each meal and preferably after eating and smoking too.

Any irritation to the piercing can prolong the healing process hugely. Try not to tug on the piercing or to wear clothing that catches the piercing as you move about. With oral piercings try to keep away from kissing deeply for the first 6 weeks. Genital piercings can be protected by a condom but it is generally recommended to keep sexual relations to a minimum until healed.

Avoid getting the piercing wet for at least the first 3-4 weeks. This means avoid swimming and where possible take a shower rather than a bath.

After a short while the you will notice a little clear coloured fluid leaking from the piercing and drying around it. As above this should be carefully cleaned with a saline solution on a daily basis. Whilst cleaning try to avoid moving the jewellery more that is necessary to clean the piercing properly.

If the piercing becomes overly sore, continues to bleed, becomes very swollen or discolours badly consult your piercer or a doctor. DO NOT remove the jewellery. Not only will this mean you may lose the piercing but it will also mean that you in effect leave an open wound which may become even more infected. If your piercing looks mildly infected then it may be worth actually trying a little antiseptic ointment. Again get advice from your piercer or doctor on which is the best to use. Some people will suggest tea tree oil. Having tried it we do not recommend it. If the infection persists your doctor may give you a course of antibiotics which should clear it up. Again we stress DO NOT remove the piercing if you get an infection unless advised by your piercer or doctor to do so.

It is worth noting that ’surgical steel’ body jewellery can also cause a reaction in some people due to the nickel content present in most jewellery of this type. This can also be true of gold jewellery due to impurities found in all gold no matter the carat. Because of this we strongly recommend the use of titanium jewellery for the initial piercing. Once the piercing has healed this can be replaced with steel, gold, silver or any other inert material).

Elizabeth Brodie is the owner of Hot-Jewellery a UK site specialising in quality body jewellery for most common piercings.

Choosing the right place to be pierced is a vital consideration. You should not use any piercing venue unless you are 100% happy, for very obvious reasons. Not only does AIDS remain a threat, so do many other diseases that are even easier to transfer including Hepatitis B and C. The following guidelines are there to help you remain safe and happy with something which is, for many, a big step to take.

Never be afraid to ask questions. If the piercer becomes in any way abusive or evasive leave. There are plenty of professional body piercers who will be more than happy to answer your questions that you can use instead. Check out the guidelines below and ask questions of the piercer if there are any parts you are unsure about.

Autoclave (sterilizer) - ALL piercing studios should have a working autoclave. This should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis and there should be certificates available to prove this. Test strips should also be in use to ensure that the autoclave is performing to spec between service periods.

Working area - Needless to say this should be spotless. Couches or chairs used to pierce on should be made of a smooth, easily cleanable material and a new disposable sheet should be used for each client. No smoking signs should be evident and the no smoking rule should be made to be seen being enforced.

Equipment - All re-usable equipment such as clamps, scissors etc should be sterilized with each use. Needles should never be re-used and you should be able to see the sealed, sterile packets containing them opened prior to use on your body. The body piercer him/herself should be clean and using a fresh pair of disposable gloves with each client. Never let your body be pierced with a ‘gun’. No professional piercer will use them for anything other than the earlobe and even then, they are frowned upon by many professional piercers. Apart from the gauge of the jewellery most guns use being too small, jewellery inserted with a gun can sometimes be prone to pulling into the skin.

Jewellery - Only surgical steel and titanium jewellery are recommended for initial body piercings. However, due to the high nickel content in the most common types of surgical steel, there is now an EC directive recommending that this is not used for the initial piercings as some people have allergies to the nickel. As this is the case we recommend only using titanium jewellery for the initial piercing.

Elizabeth Brodie is the owner of Hot-Jewellery a UK site specialising in quality body jewellery for most common piercings.

Nail fungus treatment is very important. The sooner you begin treatment the better. If left untreated, nail fungus can become very painful and unsightly. Unfortunately many people ignore nail fungus until the symptoms worsen.

It is estimated that three to five percent of the population suffer from nail fungus. Most often, nail fungus appears in the toenails. This is because socks and shoes keep the toenails dark, warm, and moist. This is a perfect place for the fungus to grow.

Before discussing the best nail fungus treatment, we will go over what nail fungus is, and how to prevent it.

What is nail fungus

Nail fungus (also called onychomycosis) is made up of very small organisms that can infect fingernails and toenails. These organisms are called dermatophytes. Fungi are parasitic plant organisms, such as molds and mildew. These parasitic organisms lack chlorophyll and therefore do not require sunlight for growth. Nail fungus is very common. More than 35 million people in the US have it under their nails.

Once the nail fungus moves in under the nail, it is difficult to reach and stop. The nail provides a safe place for the fungus and protects it while it grows. This is why basic prevention is so important.

Nail fungus can sometimes spread from one person to another. These organisms can live where the air is often moist and people’s feet are bare. Common places that fungus can spread include: shower stalls, bathrooms, or locker rooms. It can also be passed along when you share a nail file or clippers with someone who has a nail fungus infection. Nail fungus may also spread from one of your nails to others.

What causes nail fungus

The fungal organisms that cause nail infections are present almost everywhere. Once they get under the nail bed they can be difficult to cure. Anything that damages a nail can make it easier for the fungus to move in. Examples include an injury to the nail such as getting a finger stuck in a door, or tight shoes that pinch the toes.

A weakened immune system can also make it easier for a fungal infection to start. Many medical professionals believe that having a strong immune system is essential for preventing fungus infections.

Nail fungus prevention

By following common sense precautions, including proper hygiene and regular inspection of the feet and toes, the chances of the problem occurring can be sharply reduced, or halted.

Tips to avoid nail fungus:

-Wash your feet regularly with soap and water.
-Remember to dry your feet thoroughly after washing.
-Properly fitted shoes are essential; an astonishing number of people wear shoes that don’t fit right, and cause serious foot problems. A shoe with a firm sole and soft upper is best for daily activities.
-Shower shoes should be worn when possible, in public areas.
-Toenails should be clipped straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
-Use a quality foot powder — talcum, not cornstarch — in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
-Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture.
-Wear socks made of synthetic fiber, which tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for sports activity.
-Disinfect home pedicure tools and don’t apply polish to nails suspected of infection. Signs of an infection include toes that are red, discolored, or swollen.

With proper prevention, your chances of getting a nail fungus are greatly reduced. If you do develop a fungus, you must start a nail fungus treatment before the condition worsens. We will now go over the best nail fungus cure.

Nail fungus treatment

One of the biggest mistakes we see in nail fungus treatment is trying a home remedy for nail fungus. Many patients spend months trying treatments like vinegar, bleach, rubbing alcohol and even Listerine. Unfortunately except in rare cases, these home remedies don’t work. And since you are wasting time trying them, your fungus can actually worsen.

The two most popular prescription medications are Sporanox capsules and Lamisil tablets. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory in May 2001 concerning Sporanox (itraconazole) capsules and Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochloride) tablets for the treatment of nail fungus. You need to discuss this with your doctor before starting any medication.

For further information, please visit our nail fungus treatment site.

Article provided by Healthy Skin Guide a resource dedicated to providing information on the symptoms, treatment options, and causes of nail fungus.

editor@healthy-skin-guide.com

There are discount nail salons on just about every corner these days and a great deal of competition within the industry. Salons that are higher in price are now going out of their way to specialize in different, branded systems that are inventive in the different ways they offer you to take care of your nails.

With Nail Salons on every corner, how do you pick the right one for you? There are many different types of Nail Salons, from your basic services to full out Retreats for weekends in the bed of luxury. How can you tell which one is right for what you want done?

You might enjoy paying less to have your fills done, but the cost of the product used to do that fill is still the same.All nail salons use the same kinds of products to work on your nails, so there really won’t be much difference in the type of products found in any salon you might visit. However, there ARE different brands available for each product type. If the nail salon you are going to uses a name brand product such as O.P.I, China Gaze, Creativespa,LECHAT Color Gel, Solar Oil, even at wholesale prices, the products cost about the same at either high end or low end Salons, so what extra value are you getting if you visit a more expensive nail salon?

What you are getting at a higher cost Salon are typically better services, benefits and in some cases, more personal care and attention. One of those benefits may be cleaner air.Indoor air pollution from the chemicals in nail products can be one of the biggest problems for those who have breathing problems, but still want to get their nails done. If you are getting your nails done at a higher end salon,there is a good chance that they have an air filter or fans or other air cleaners to stop the smell of acrylics from burning your nose or eyes when you walk in the door.

Many additional services are being offered at higher end Salons, other than just your basic acrylic overlays with tips, and simple manicures and pedicures. When we asked clients about the best Salons they had patronized, they said there were differences in what the place looked like, but even when it wasn’t called a Day Spa it was just a step down from it. Here is a common list of services offered by higher end nail salons.

• Spa-level Manicures,
• Spa-level Pedicures,
• Natural Nail Care,
• Silk/Cotton/Linen Nail Wraps,
• Nail Art beyond simple one color flowers,
• Full Sets,
• Gel Overlays,
• Massage Legs, Arms, Hands
• Organic and Botanical products for Pedicures,
• Reflexology.

The whole atmosphere is different at a higher end nail salon. There is no rushing to get your nails done, with your cuticles being roughed up because technicians are filing quickly because they must do many more manicures a day to make a living wage.

Each nail technician in a higher-end salon should be dressed for success or wear a smock with the nail salon’s name on it.They are typically not gossiping among themselves about other clients and not speaking to each other in languages other than English. Salon clients consulted in the preparation of this article made a very strong recommendation that one language should be spoken when there are clients in the room and technicians should wear little or no jewelry.

All these different services are going to cost more and there is no way around that fact. For those who don’t need more than just a fill every two weeks, these benefits may mean nothing, but for those who want more, it’s going to cost more.

After asking different salon owners and those who get manicures and pedicures done regularly, all say one word: “ Sanitation.” The biggest difference between higher priced and discount Nail Salons is the level of cleanliness of the whole Salon, including the equipment and technicians. This should be the most basic criteria of choice.

Based on that, if you can’t decide whether you want to go to a discount nail salon or one that is higher priced, then here are a few additional ideas to might help you decide.

When you walk into a nail salon, either discount or higher in price, stop and look around. Are the floors dirty or does the carpet have big stains on it? What do the nail technicians look like? Do they look unkempt or have nails of their own that look like they need work? Are their stations disorganized and untidy? If this is what you are seeing, then the best thing you could do is just turn and walk away.

A health inspector we interviewed said that when she visited a particular nail salon, her first impression was that it looked clean, and the prices was reasonable. Then she began her close examination. What she saw was down right scary for the salon’s customers. The whirlpool for pedicures wasn’t properly disinfected between each use, and the foot baths provided the perfect environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria. When tested, the bacteria growing in the footbaths could have caused someone a major skin infection. Unfortunately, official inspectors regularly inspecting Salon premises are not as common as it once was. If the possibility of infection is something you are worried about,then a higher end nail salon would be a better choice because they can afford to take better care of their equipment and are typically more conscious of the welfare of their clients.

Today you can buy your own simple equipment for your nail technician to use on your nails and no one else’s. Many technicians use nail files that are single use. You can ask for them if that is something you would rather have used on your nails.

Nail technicians are there to give a service. If they do a great job, please don’t to forget to tip them - they have to eat too.

If you are not sure which Salon to patronize, ask your friends or family or work colleagues for recommendations about where they go to get their nails done. If you see someone with nails that you admire, don’t hesitate to ask them for a recommendation to their favorite Salon. Go with your friends and see their favorite salons for yourself, before having any work on done on your own nails.

Which Salon you choose should be based on many if not most of the ideas we have mentioned above, and on your income, where you live, and what you want done. Only you can decide what you are willing to pay to have the luxury of getting your nails and toes done.

Copyright Kim Snyder, owner Overallbeauty.com. Great lover of all natural beauty care and products. Never happy without trying to make the world a little prettier for all. Visit her at Overallbeauty.com to see the latest in cosmetics, beauty tips and tricks, beauty articles, and so much more.

There are ten tools at your fingertips, used to tighten screws, slit seals, crease paper, scratch itches, peel labels, scrape lottery tickets, tap out rhythm, and the ever politically-correct task of removing that spinach from between your teeth. Your fingernails are a universal tool, and most of us couldn’t function without them being so close to (pardon the pun) … hand.

Fingernails are composed primarily of keratin; a tough, insoluble protein substance that is the chief structural constituent of hair, nails, horns, and hoofs. Nails grow about 1/8th inch per month and require 3 to 6 months to completely re-grow, while toenails grow about three times slower. Fingernail growth slows as you get older, in cold weather, during illness; men’s nails grow faster than woman’s, and nails on the dominant hand grow faster.

Your nails are always in sight, so it doesn’t make a positive personal statement if they are grubby, broken, or split with rough, ragged cuticles. Taking care of your nails is no big thing, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to nail care:

• Start with a good soak to soften things up and then cut straight across the front of the nail with a sharp clipper or nail scissors, use a nail board to shape, file in one direction to avoid splitting the nail.

Now you have great looking, well-manicured healthy nails, let’s work on your dry, rough hands:

• Gentle scrubbing with a granular scrub and a good brush will get the ground-in dirt on knuckles and around the nails.

You clean and maintain your work tools without a second thought, don’t you?

… Remember to give your hands the same consideration.

© 2005 Jolene Schwartz

Jolene Schwartz is a grooming specialist for over 20 years; as a master barber and licensed cosmetologist in her own men’s salon. She launched http://appearancesformen.com e-com site; writing monthly columns about men’s products, lifestyle, and offering the finest in men’s grooming products.

It’s a dream many women to have a fuller and firmer breasts. For many women who are too self-conscious, the size of their breasts may cause them to think poorly of themselves. The attitude towards the breast enlargement is often dictated by fashion. There is no ideal breast size and the size and shape of the breasts vary from woman to woman. Rarely are both breasts symmetrical in women, and in most cases one of them may be larger or smaller or higher or lower than the other. The size, however, does not in any way inhibit the ability to feed or nurse a baby.

Breast size is influenced by a number of factors such as the genetic composition, age, weight, the thickness and elasticity of the skin, the hormonal influences on the breasts, pregnancy, and breast-feeding.

There are various techniques of breast enlargement, both surgical and non-surgical. The non-surgical methods range from breast enlargement creams, pills, and pumps to breast enhancement exercises and hypnosis.

Surgical breast implants involves placing saline-filled implants either under the breast tissue or the chest muscle beneath the breasts. But as with every surgery, there are risks involved in breast implants.

Many women choose alternative natural breast enlargement methods because of the side effects associated with surgical breast enlargement. Manufacturers of alternative breast enlargement products claim that they are a safe, inexpensive, and painless way of achieving fuller and shapelier breasts. These products, the manufacturers claim, increases breast size by stimulating the growth of breast tissue. There are instances of women who have experienced positive results by the use of alternative methods, but the results are more pronounced only in a small segment of products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Better Business Bureau confirm that no breast enlargement method or product other than surgery has ever been proven to actually work.

The appropriate breast enlargement method should be chosen after consultation with a doctor and only after a careful consideration of all the risk factors involved. It is important to realize that attractiveness is never as important and priceless as life itself.

Breast Enlargement provides detailed information about breast enlargement, breast enlargement costs, breast enlargement creams, and more. Breast Enlargement is affiliated with Breast Enhancement Surgery.