Winter 2009 Newsletter

Winter came early this year and so did the questions I hear every winter. Why is my hair so dry and frizzy? Why is my skin so dry and flaky? Why are my nails breaking? This year we went from 70 degrees to 30 degrees in a matter of hours. Our weather has been up and down like this all winter with very high winds to go with it. This dries the moisture from the air and everything else in its path, and that includes us. We are primarily made up of water.   When we get dry, our hair, skin and nails are the first to show it. I relate winter's affect on our bodies to what happens to our roads in the winter corrosion. By winter's end the roads are breaking apart and so are we. My clients with normally oily skin are experiencing winter's effects this year also. They usually escape the winter harshness.

Can we reverse what's happening to our bodies? Yes we can! There are things we can do for our bodies that we can't do for the roads. We can start by putting moisture back in the environments we live in with the use of humidifiers. We need to drink more water. We tend not to drink as much water in the winter because it is not hot. Drinking water is just as important in the winter. When we drink water it equals shine in the hair. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables - they contain a lot of water naturally. We are what we eat! Our bodies' major organs take the nutrition that we eat first, and our hair, and nails get what's left over. What kind of nutrition is left from what you eat? I believe nutrition is the foundation for healthy hair, skin and nails. Now for what we can do for our hair with products. We need to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner daily. Once a week we need to use a deep penetrating conditioner that leaves behind moisture and protein in the inner core of the hair. Make sure these products do not contain waxes or paraffins. These only make the problem worse by coating the hair shaft , not allowing it to breathe.

For our skin we need to wash with soaps without chemicals and waxes. They coat the skin and do not allow it to breathe. Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies - we need it to breathe to function properly. We also need to exfoliate once a week to remove all the dead dry skin from our bodies. Once we exfoliate, the daily moisturizer will be able to do its job better. How we take care of our skin will effect our overall health and energy levels.

Our nails - the first thing we need to do is wear gloves to protect our hands from the harsh weather. Use hand lotion morning and night. This protects and replenishes the effects of winter. Use hand lotion with vitamins and without waxes and chemicals. Use a nail  strengthening polish to help keep the nails strong. Use cuticle creams to keep the cuticle healthy.  Massage the lotion into the nails.  This will keep them hydrated and pliable.  Lack of moisture in the nails is what makes them brittle, and brittle equals breaking.

Let's not forget our lips. We can treat them much like our skin.  Exfoliate when they get dry. Keep lip color or chap stick with spf 15 on them to keep them moist and protected.

If you really want to escape winter come to the Spa and get a Salt Glow Massage. They will do all that exfoliating and moisturizing for you while you get a massage.

We don't have to put up with what winter hands!  Fight back and take care of yourself and winter won't feel so long.

  Terri Darrah, Owner, Total Image