by Debi G | Dec 2, 2014
If you’re planning to glam up your nails this holiday season, you could be putting your health at serious risk.
A new study, “How Safe is Your Nail Salon,” released by the City of New York, reveals a number of alarming findings about the safety and cleanliness of salons, including:
Fifty-six percent of New York salons are in violation of health and safety rules, and customers have been infected with hepatitis and staph infections due to unclean conditions.
There is “little to no regulation on the manufacturing of” UV lamps, used to dry nails, 
even though they can be as harmful to skin as tanning beds, according to the report.
Toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl pthalate—known as “the toxic trio”—are found in many nail products, even though they have been linked with reproductive harm, respiratory problems and cancer. Of the 10,000 other chemicals contained in nail products, 89% have not been tested by independent agencies.
The report suggests that cities can help create safer, more sanitary conditions in salons by developing programs similar to San Francisco’s first-in-the-nation Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program. The program, which started in 2012, recognizes salons that pass health and safety standards with a window sticker to showcase their compliance to customers.
Whether you frequent a corner nail place or an expensive salon, it’s important to take precautions to ensure your manicure doesn’t turn into a mani-curse. Consider bringing your own nail-care kit. For $50 or less, you can purchase the needed tools at your local beauty supply store. This small investment and extra step may save you from contracting a serious infection that could have life-threatening consequences. If you’re treating yourself to a gel manicure, make sure to protect your hands from the UV light used to cure the gel by applying sunscreen before getting your nails painted.
When it comes to pedicures, foot baths may seem like a blissful moment of Zen, but they’re also the perfect breeding ground for infectious bacteria. Stainless steel soaks are ideal, but if the salon only offers plastic, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned with an antibacterial cleanser or covered in a plastic bag before you dip your tootsies in.
When it comes to manis and pedis, you can’t be overly cautious. With a few prudent steps, you can ensure your next visit to the nail salon is enjoyable and safe.
How are you nourishing and protecting your nails? Share by commenting below.
by Debi G | Nov 21, 2014
The usual day-after-Thanksgiving leftover turkey sandwich is a nice tradition, but it won’t fight wrinkles and like whipping up a zesty turkey bolognese will.
According to research presented at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology, a diet rich in cooked tomatoes could help prevent premature aging and provide an extra tool in sun protection.
Scientists at the University of Newcastle and the University of Manchester asked a small group of women to eat tomato paste daily for 12 weeks. The women’s skin was exposed to UV light at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Scientists discovered that the tomato diet boosted skin’s levels of procollagen, which keeps skin firm and youthful-looking. The participants also were found to have 33% more protection against sunburn following the diet.
The antioxidant lycopene—the natural pigment that makes tomatoes red—was behind the benefit. Lycopene is at its highest level in tomatoes that are cooked and because tomato paste contains a high concentration of cooked tomatoes, it is an ideal source of this antioxidant.
If you want one extra tool to help prevent signs of aging and sunburn, adding cooked tomatoes to your diet can help give your skin a winning glow for the holidays and beyond.
Happy Turkey Day!
by Debi G | Nov 10, 2014
…then you’re either a Turkey or you might need some help! 
With the start of the holiday social circuit, people are suddenly impatient to get picture-perfect skin. And in an effort to look fantastic, many jump from appointment to appointment, accumulating multiple treatments and procedures.
While it’s tempting to consider going all-in on holiday specials, these in-office treatments are often expensive, painful and time consuming. However, skipping in-office treatments doesn’t mean you can’t get office-like results. Because you can!
If you are looking for glowing skin but don’t have a week to recover from (or the money for) professional microdermabrasion, try macro exfoliation from the comfort of your bathroom. Using an at-home tool to remove dead skin cells every week is a process that’s painless, affordable and does not require any recovery time.
Both options can yield impressive results, so which one would you pick?
Visible results are possible with intelligent daily skincare and healthy habits. This combination can influence up to 80% of your skin’s future. And it’s never too late, or too soon, to start. 
Roll into 2015 with great skin.
Receive a FREE Redefine Eye Cream when you purchase a Full Regimen +and+ an AMP MD or a REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator™. Offer available now through December 31, 2014.
Questions? Message me…
by Debi G | Oct 28, 2014
Do you have a drawer full of skincare products that are collecting cobwebs … a constant reminder of unfulfilled promises?
We call this the “product graveyard” and it haunts us all. In fact, a recent survey found that 20% of women have at least six unused or expired products in their bathroom cabinet.
Between pretty packaging and clever advertising, it can be tempting to buy into every new skincare “product breakthrough” or miracle ingredient. But many of the touted benefits are more hype than help, leading to frequent disappointments that have conditioned us to set low expectations when it comes to achieving real skincare results at home.
It’s time to cremate the items in your product graveyard and raise your expectations. It is possible to achieve real, visible results without a visit to the dermatologist’s office. You just need to find the right skincare regimen that is clinically proven to address your unique skin concerns.
Find out what’s best for you at https://debi.myrandf.com/Pages/OurProducts/GetAdvice/SolutionsTool
Message me with your questions 🙂
by Debi G | Oct 13, 2014
There’s nothing spookier than waking up to dull, blemished skin following a night of 
Halloween fun. Whether you’re decked out in costume and makeup for a late-night party or to trick-or-treat with your kids, these tips will keep your face glowing long after the flame from the jack-o-lantern is gone.
Don’t scare your skin with Halloween makeup. The Halloween makeup sold at costume shops often contains artificial colors, fragrances, waxes and oils. It’s best to skip this thick, heavy makeup entirely and use every day non-comedogenic makeup instead. But if you simply can’t resist, be sure that you don’t leave it on for too long. If you experience redness, itching or swelling, remove the makeup immediately with a gentle cleanser and apply a soothing cream or a 1% OTC cortisone to calm irritation.
Sleeping with makeup is a horror for your skin. Aside from ruining your linens, sleeping with makeup on means that you skipped your nightly skincare routine and missed out on your skin’s peak rejuvenation hours. Skin is most receptive at night, which means your skincare products work harder for you while you sleep. So no matter how late you are out, stick to your nightly skincare routine before you climb into bed.
Too many treats can play tricks on your skin. While your mouth may thank you for
indulging in sweet treats, your face (and your waistline) won’t. It’s true that the old notion that chocolate causes acne is more of a superstition than scientific truth, but it’s also true that high-glycemic index foods containing processed sugars and corn syrup, like candy, contribute to breakouts, skin inflammation and wrinkles. Your best bet is to enjoy the family Halloween loot in moderation.
Use these tips to treat your skin well this Halloween and you won’t need a magic spell to wake up looking and feeling great the next morning.
Message me if you would still like a magic spell!
