"I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND"

One of the negative results of nature’s temperature changes that we do not welcome with each new season are chapped hands.  Changes in the climate can take our normal, healthy looking hands and transform them into a tired, aching, sore and completely unattractive extension of ourselves. Lucky for us this is a small side step of Mother Nature & her elements and it is completely treatable.







Embrace the One You Love
Without Fear



Chapped hands are classified as a result of very dry skin. This occurs when there is reduced moisture (or water) content of the skin. Therefore, we related chapped skin to the cold air. As we all know, the surface of our skin holds a certain about of water. When and if there is a decrease in the amount of water content in our skin, we will experience dry, itchy and uncomfortable skin.  This occurrence can display itself in patches or subsequently affect the whole area of the hands. When this happens we tend to become self conscious of our appearance and our contact with others. When you have chapped hands you can fear the smallest things, like touching someone slightly on the shoulder, hugging a friend or shaking hands with a stranger. How in the world can chapped hands affect all of these areas you ask? Well, first you become highly aware and embarrassed by the appearance of your hands. Secondly, the pain that can accompany chapped hands is intensified by the presence of air, and highly sensitive to touch of any kind. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you are the one being touched or the one doing the touching, if you have dry, chapped hands you will experience some discomfort regardless of the order of which the “touches” are being exchanged.

Most of us would never allow our hands to reach severe degrees because we are so aware and attentive to one of our most used body parts. However, we can unknowingly expose ourselves to the possibilities with very menial and routine tasks. In a society that seems to be plagued with viruses and germs, we are constantly being told to wash our hands and even repeat the lecture with our children. We do so until it becomes a practice that is etched in our brains and an action we do without having to remind ourselves to do so. As a result, our hands suffer and need extra TLC.

For others, the root cause is not as obvious as hand washing. It can be a genetic predisposition to dry skin. Eczema and other skin disorders can show themselves through dry, chapped skin on the hands. An allergic reaction to certain products or elements can also disguise itself as chapped skin.

I am a person who finds favorite form of relaxation/alone time is through enjoying a long, hot bath. But, in doing research on this subject I discovered that my habitual enjoyment is one of the leading causes of chapped skin. I did feel somewhat affirmed in my decision to “continue soaking in the tub” when I realized that taking long hot showers can have the same resultJ. I can also continue to enjoy it because I can control the longevity of it as a precaution. I should have been fully aware of the effects bathing could have on my skin considering the fact that any long term exposure to cold or heat can affect your skin. With this particular cause, come other culprits that can affect the texture of your skin. Sunburn and windburn are two factors we all have more than likely been a victim of at some point in our lives. Winter’s low humidity that brings with it dry air as well as the use of indoor heat will deplete the moisture in our skin. One of the most undeniable factors of this condition is AGE. The dreaded three letter word. Yes, we cannot hide from it! The inescapable truth is that the older we get the more attention and care we must pay to our body…HANDS INCLUDED!!!

In the most severe cases, it can become difficult for you to perform everyday tasks without wearing protective gloves.  There are the reoccurring skin conditions such as skin inflammations or outbreaks  of eczema which can become conditions requiring professional care due to the fact that bacteria has entered through the cracks of the dry, chapped skin.

A Mother's Touch is Cherished

This condition is one that you can prevent from happening to you.  For those of you who are prone to dry skin be sure to soak your skin thoroughly while bathing or showering. But remember to limit the time you spend exposing yourself to the water as well as the amount of soap that you are using. Some may find that the soap you use affects different parts of your body in different ways. Therefore, this may call for a change in the product you use overall or the addition of a new product for the more sensitive target areas such as underarms or genitalia.  Whether you are bathing or simply washing your hands, always, always be sure to pat the hands dry with a towel and apply a moisturizer. It is proven that moisturizers do just that they moisturize the skin by coating it with oil.  They also block the evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture and trap water in its surface (skin). While they cannot cure existing skin conditions such as eczema, moisturizers provide protection and relieve the dry, itchy side effect and help to reduce the tendency of the skin to crack. While most of the water in moisturizers can evaporate, the oil remains acting as a lubricant which allows the skin to retain that moisture.  

There are two types of moisturizers available for over-the-counter purchase. The first ones at our disposal are cosmetic moisturizers. They will provide immediate relief of dry skin but will last only while they are applied to the skin. For some people this will be enough to keep your skin from feeling dry and chapped.

Second in this group are therapeutic moisturizers. It is proven that many of these creams contain mineral oil or petroleum that act as a barrier to keep the water from disappearing from the skin.

The best way to avoid chapped hands is to keep them well dried, protected from the elements of nature (cold and wind); wear cotton-lined gloves for wet work and brain wash yourself to practice frequently applying moisturizers to your skin. If you find yourself still suffering from a severe form of chapped, dry, cracked hands please consult a dermatologist. He will be able to prescribe you a medicated hand cream to help treat your symptoms.

I am proud to say that one of the most renowned and highly regarded products presently on the market is the Mary Kay “Satin Hands” pampering set.  This product has won several awards and has been featured in magazines throughout the world as a recommendation from the professionals as one of the best skin care products available. We offer this as a set of three items for $34. This set consists of a hand softener, hand scrub, and a hand cream with 24 hour moisturization (not offered by many products).  It is recommended that you complete the three step process at least once a day. But, the hand cream is sold separately and you can apply the it as often as you like. What you will find is that you save money that you would normally spend on other moisturizers by using just one application a day of the “Satin Hands” hand cream. This product is also available in “fragrance free” for those who have sensitive skin. This product is dermatologist approved and will give you the change you are looking for. It is the “rock star” of hand creams.

Be Proud of Your Hands

If you would like to request a free sample or to order this amazing product please visit my website at: www.marykay.com/ur4beauty. Remember that all first time customers receive 20% off of your initial order. Simply state “20first” on the order form to receive your welcomed discount.  Start pampering your hands today and see why someone is always wanting to hold your hand!!!