Title:

Nail Salons and Polish: Not So Squeaky Clean

Word Count:

332

Summary:

They look so harmless. Just little glass bottles filled with brightly colored liquid. But nail polish may contain dangerous additives, such as formaldehyde, or conceal bacteria, viruses and fungi. Buyer beware!

Keywords:

Nail Salons and Polish: Not So Squeaky Clean

Article Body:

They look so harmless. Just little glass bottles filled with brightly colored liquid. But nail polish may contain dangerous additives, such as formaldehyde, or conceal bacteria, viruses and fungi. Buyer beware!

The dangers of nail polish, though, are just half the story. The other half is your nail salon. How clean is it, really? How well does it protect you from infection?

Many nail salons are not what they appear to be. Despite slick interiors and smiling technicians, many places do not follow proper hygiene techniques.

BTG Cosmetics Inc., manufacturer of the Toma brand of nail polish known for its formaldehyde-free formula, has created a new concept in nail care: a never-opened, never-used personal-size bottle of polish that clients get to take home with them after their service is complete. BTG Cosmetics suggests that you ask these questions before you sit down for your next manicure or pedicure:

* Is everything up to speed? Be sure that your salon is operating under current licenses and that the technicians are properly certified. Such documents should be displayed.

* How are the tools sanitized? Clippers, scissors, files and other instruments should all be sterilized after each use. The small machine that exposes tools to ultraviolet light has yet to be approved by OSHA, and barbicide, the ubiquitous blue liquid cleaner, is a disinfectant only and will not destroy viruses such as hepatitis C.

Many places use chemical sterilizers with germicides and fungicides, but only a medical-grade autoclave can sterilize metal items sufficiently by subjecting them to extreme heat under extreme pressure. Even better: Some salons use new, individually wrapped tools for every customer.

* How safe is the nail polish? Your nail polish should be treated like your toothbrush - do not share. Rather than risk infection by using a previously opened bottle of polish, request your salon to carry the Toma SlimLine personal polish collection or bring your own polish. As an added advantage, you can easily and quickly repair those inevitable chips in between nail services.

Title:

Massage Therapy and Stress Relief

Word Count:

391

Summary:

An interesting and insightful article about the latest developments regarding therapeutic massage and stress relief.

Keywords:

massage benefits, massage therapy, massage techniques, massage tables

Article Body:

While the practice of therapeutic massage has been used for centuries in the east, it is a relatively recent phenomenon here in the west. While the wonders of modern medicine have left many awestruck, more and more people are looking towards complimentary therapies and non-invasive treatments for their ailments. Massage therapy has never been as popular as it is today in America.

A number of studies have shown that massage therapy is a highly effective stress reduction technique. An earlier study, conducted by the University of Miami Medical School and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, suggested that children receiving 30 minutes of therapeutic massage daily were less depressed and anxious than they were at the time of their admittance.

This particular study also observed marked differences in the health and behavior of the children in the test group, over the children in the control group. The nurses taking part in the study also noted that the children were more cooperative, and were able to achieve a higher level of sleep quality. On the biological level, the children in the control group exhibited lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their saliva and in their urine. It quickly became evident to researchers that massage can play a significant role in stress reduction.

It is highly encouraging that both the medical establishment and the general public are starting to realize the impact that stress can have on an individual's health and well being. Some physicians and researchers have suggested that stress is responsible for over 75% of all disease in the western world, including skin disorders, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive ailments, muscle pain, and depression. By employing the age-old techniques of massage therapy, there exists the distinct possibility of overcoming these terrible afflictions.

The eminent Victorian physician, Dr. Stretch Dowse, noted the following back in 1887: "The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating and, even despondent state, becomes after massage, calm, quiet, peaceful and subdued; in fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed." While modern medicine is full of promise in certain areas, it is not wise to ignore the knowledge and insights of the past. Massage therapy has helped countless people cope with the stress of modern life. It could help you, too.

Title:

Do It Yourself Nail Care

Word Count:

408

Summary:

In my own opinion the nails on the fingers as well as on the toes actually reflect how hygienic a person is. It shows just how concerned a particular person is when it comes to cleanliness. With the busy schedules most women may be leading, it is common for most to neglect having their nails get the regular manicure and pedicure. You can actually have to die for nails at a fraction of the price and in the comfort of your own home with this nail care guide.

If you want to ...

Keywords:

DIY coupons, DIY discounts, DIY deals, DIY promotion, DIY bargains, DIY online coupons, DIY coupon

Article Body:

In my own opinion the nails on the fingers as well as on the toes actually reflect how hygienic a person is. It shows just how concerned a particular person is when it comes to cleanliness. With the busy schedules most women may be leading, it is common for most to neglect having their nails get the regular manicure and pedicure. You can actually have to die for nails at a fraction of the price and in the comfort of your own home with this nail care guide.

If you want to clean your nails it is best to remove and wipe off any nail polish that may be remaining on your nails. Soak a cotton ball with a nail polish remover or acetone and apply on nails.

Long nails are great to look at but nails of just the right length would be ideal. Cut and trim your nails with a nail cutter based on your desired length. Toe nails though are better if they are snipped short.

The nail cutter does not all the time give straight cuts so refine your nail’s cut with the use of either a nail file or emery board whichever one you have. It is best to file in one direction instead of going back and forth which have the tendency to cause your nail to break. The direction of filing should be from the outside towards the center. A square cut that is somewhat oval in shape as well is ideal to avoid ingrown nails which can be very painful.

To remove unwanted cuticle, rub a solution of cuticle remover and gently push it with a pusher. If you know how to use a nipper, you can slowly cut them as well but you have to be extra careful because an incorrect way may cause infections. It is best to have your cuticles cut by a professional. Soaking your fingers and toes with the cuticle remover in warm water helps speed up the softening of your cuticles.

Before any color application a base coat is important to help protect your nails as well as prevent it from absorbing the color. Before applying nail color rub the bottle between your palms to prevent clumps. Apply a first coat allow to dry before doing another coat. Prevent smudges by applying nail color in a single direction. A topcoat is then applied to help maintain the shine as well as prevent chipping.

Title:

Is Nail Fungus Contagious?

Word Count:

380

Summary:

Nail fungus and toenail fungus is common amongst men and women. A nail fungus can affect the appearance of toenails, making them unsightly. Once the toenail fungus takes hold, the fungus is kept in place by the nail plate, making it very difficult to get rid of. Nail fungus is the most common cause of discolored, thick, and deformed toenails.

Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms that can infect fingernails and toenails. Despite the commonly used term "fungal toenails",...

Keywords:

home remedies for nail fungus,nail fungus,nail,fungus,toe nail fungus, toe nail,toenail fungus,toe,

Article Body:

Nail fungus and toenail fungus is common amongst men and women. A nail fungus can affect the appearance of toenails, making them unsightly. Once the toenail fungus takes hold, the fungus is kept in place by the nail plate, making it very difficult to get rid of. Nail fungus is the most common cause of discolored, thick, and deformed toenails.

Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms that can infect fingernails and toenails. Despite the commonly used term "fungal toenails", onychomycosis describes both fungus and yeast infections in the nail. Now the next question is of course, is nail fungus contagious? The answer is YES! So, if you have nail fungus of any kind, refrain from sharing things like nail clippers, towels and other hygiene related items with anyone else in your family. Ensure that proper hygiene is maintained till your nail fungus is truly cured. My daughter ended up getting fungus in one of his toenail while accidentally using my nail clipper!

Nowadays, there are many non-toxic all natural formula helps eliminate toenail fungus or fingernal fungus while the nail grows. One of its most popular uses nowadays is to treat nail fungus, whether it be on the fingernails or toenails.

Treatments
Some people who have not had success with traditional treatments have turned to herbal or home remedies to treat toenail fungus. But you can treat yellow nails and other symptoms by applying a toenail fungus treatment such as Mycocide NS. To cure toe nail fungus, use this natural toenail fungus remedy. It is best to treat toenail fungus or nail fungus from the inside out.

Sporanox is also another very popular remedy for treating nail fungus. Before SPORANOX became available, many doctors did not treat toenail fungus because available therapies were not as effective. Fortunately for all of us now, nail fungus can be treated quite effectively.

However, unfortunately, toenail fungus is difficult to treat because your feet are warm, in a dark environment and moist. So, always ensure that your feet are always dry by ensuring your shoes are not damp on the inside! One easy method, sun them. This works amazingly well as the sun rays will not only help dry your shoes well, but will prevent any fungus from growing in them too!

Title:

“If all you have is a hammer everything starts to look like a nail”

Word Count:

828

Summary:

What stops us from releasing our passion. What stops us from behaving naturally. What makes us waste energy.

Keywords:

hammer,psychological,fear,passion,like,how do you

Article Body:

We were watching the film Mulholland Drive yesterday and it suddenly hit us like a bolt of lightening. How many times we misdiagnose a situation. How many times we carry on a path not knowing that our assumption have taken us miles off course.

It’s like playing golf and only knowing how to use three clubs and having to use them in every situation.

It’s like looking through a camera zoom lens instead of a wide angle.

It’s like blindly following another’s opinion.

The fact is that most of our lives are spent reusing the information collected in our formative years. Thus, when anything new enters our arena we immediately go to the past to try to make sense of it.

The outcome is: we each live an illusion. We each see our world through some really heavily tinted spectacles. We each act as though we are a hammer and everything that comes in front of us is a nail.

The problem is. IT DOESN’T WORK.

We were amazed how easily we fell into the trap. How easily we interpreted what was happening before our eyes and made it logical. How easily we searched for closure.

To make us comfortable we wanted to put things into a comfortable category. We wanted to place happenings in a box in the same way a librarian codes books for easy access. Ah! That goes in the family box. That is rude behaviour. That is unacceptable in public. That shows he is uneducated etc etc etc…

Yes, you could argue that this form of coding is important in life because it helps us get through life quickly.
BUT!!!
Why do we like to put ourselves and others into ‘psychological boxes’? What is it about us that we like to say we are this type of person or that? Why do we want to limit ourselves? Why do we want to sell ourselves short?

It’s like being a carpenter who only has a hammer in his toolbox. We are restricting ourselves beyond belief. Just imagine how restricting it would be if you only had a hammer in your toolbox? How can you get passionate about anything if all you are capable of is knocking the brains out of any information that comes your way?

How do you find out what you were brought onto this planet to do if all you can do is respond in the same way to whatever is put in front of you.

How do you develop and grow your children if all they see is the same behaviour irrespective of the problem posed.

How do you rise to the challenges of our society if all you do is apply the same reasoning even though it doesn’t fit?

As Howard Schatz. The famous New York dance photographer stated in one of his books:

“I told each dancer that when it was easy, it had probably been done
before, probably many times. I explained that only when it was so hard
that it was nearly impossible were we perhaps close to getting something
unique and extraordinary.”

Is this why we like to categorise situations and people? We actually don’t like hard work.

Is it that we don’t like the pressure of being our true selves? Because to do that we have to stand out?

Is it that we can’t cope with being unique and extraordinary, so we just want to be similar and ordinary?

Is it that we are afraid of who we might be? Are we afraid that we can be successful? Afraid that if we admit to ourselves that we have talent we might have to do something with our lives?

Is it that we don’t really want to find out who we really are and what we are capable of?

We don’t know about you but we want to be unique, we want to find out and use our uniqueness. We want to be fulfilled. We want to find our energy source that is released when we are doing what we are intended to do. We want to be in the flow, as some writers describe it.

We have come to realise that what stops us from being in the flow all the time. What stops us from releasing our passion. What stops us from behaving naturally. What makes us waste energy.

FEAR.

Fear keeps us placing people and situations into categories.

Fear stops us from leading ourselves.

Fear stops us from letting go of the past.

Fear keeps our habitual patterns in place.

Being frightened and feeling second best stop us from finding our true selves.

Fear buries the natural me.

“A musician must make music, and artists must paint,
a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.
What a man can be, he must be”
(Maslow)


What about you?


Good Luck

Graham and Julie
www.desktop-meditation.com

Title:

Nail Fungus- Prevent And Treat In Time To Save Your Nail

Word Count:

356

Summary:

A healthy and good-looking nail is a sign of health and personality. Imagine having tow nails that look thick, discolored and disfigured?

Keywords:

nail fungus,nail care,personality,infection,treatment,

Article Body:

A healthy and good-looking nail is a sign of health and personality. Imagine having tow nails that look thick, discolored and disfigured? Will you like them? But when we don't take care in time that results. After permanent disfigurement, not much can be done. Let us learn about how to prevent and cure the nail fungus.

Nail fungus- how does it spread?

nail fungus is caused by a fungal infection. Sometimes yeast also causes similar problem. If you can stop this fungus reaching the insides of your nails, you have won the war against the nail fungus. How to do that? The fungus is mostly found in places, which are frequented by people mostly in barefoot. Locker rooms, poolsides etc. are such places. If you want to protect yourself fully, apply an OTC antifungal medication on your toes and then walk out in a footwear. Or apply the medication immediately after returning from such places.

Nail Fungus- athlete’s feet

When you develop athlete’s feet, you have got infection very near your nails. If you don't treat the athlete’s feet immediately, the fungus will find way to enter your nails. Once the fungus enters the nail, it will spread fast.

Nail fungus- treatment-

Treating nail fungus is always a long drawn process. Nail being thick, application of any medicine on it, does not ensure that the medicine will reach the insides of the nails. Oral anti fungals also have difficulty treating nail fungus. Be patient and apply your medication regularly. Avoid using the clipper on healthy nails after clipping the infected nail. Avoid getting pedicures done at salons. Otherwise inquire if they keep their clippers sterilized. Think and implement basic precautions and keep your nail healthy and good looking.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Title:

Pregnancy And Massage Therapy

Word Count:

330

Summary:

Pregnancy puts a great deal of stress on the female body. Learn how to deal with and eliminate this stress through massage therapy.

Keywords:

massage therapy, prenatal massage, pregnancy massage, pregnant

Article Body:

When you are pregnant, your body is under tremendous pressure. Everything hurts, everything aches. But how can you get relief from this tension and stress. Massage after all is out of the question, isn't it? Well maybe not. Many massage therapists today specialize in Prenatal Massages.

You may wonder how a prenatal massage differs from traditional massage. Well, your therapists will use a variety of different massage techniquesThe techniques they use will concentrate on a woman's, neck, back and pelvic regions. These are of course the areas most often negatively affected by a pregnancy. If you are modest, don't worry, your therapist will be able to customize the massage to you while respecting your personal limits. Another big difference in a prenatal massage is your position. Since you cannot and should not lay on your stomach, you will most often be laid on your side with pillows for support. While there are special tables designed to allow room for a pregnant belly, most therapists will prefer to have you rest on your side.

The benefits of massage during pregnancy are numerous. When you are under stress, your body produces stress hormones. Stress hormones that you produce will be felt by not only you, but also your baby. By reducing your stress, through massage, you can increase the safety of your baby. It can also ease your muscular aches and pains that can quite frankly make your life hell. This will let you enjoy this special time in your life that you may never experience again.

Finding a therapist who specializes in prenatal massage might take you a little effort. Do not assume that any massage therapists can accommodate you. Some might not have the experience and some might not feel comfortable accepting you as a patient at all. Ask your potential masseuse or masseur if they have experience dealing with pregnant clients. If they do not, they will probably at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Title:

Nail Fungus Cures

Word Count:

385

Summary:

This Article is about finding nail fungus cures

Keywords:

Nail Fungus, Nail Fungus Cures, Nail Fungus Cured, Toe Nail Fungus, Toenail Fungus, Toe Nail Fungus Cures, Toenail Fungus Cures

Article Body:

Nail fungus is a condition in which fungi get under the nail of the toe or finger and cause an infection in the area. The infection can be of the nail itself or for the underlying skin in the area known as the nail bed. The condition is one in which you will want to have treated, especially if you find that it is painful or embarrassing to have. If you suffer for other conditions, such as diabetes, your doctor may want to take care of the problem as soon as possible so that it does not cause further damage to your skin. While you can have finger nail fungus, it is most commonly a toe nail fungus that will be present. In fact, at any given time, up to 18% of the population will have nail fungus infections. Nail fungus cures are hard to find.

Nail fungus does not necessary have to be treated. If it is not causing you any pain and you do not have a problem with the way it looks, then you may choose to not treat it at all. But, if you do this, you are increasing the chances for it to spread and worsen which may result in pain. It is also likely that it will take longer to treat at that point. The good news is, though, that you do not need to live with this condition. Nail fungus cures are available to help you.

There are several over the counter medications that can help in this condition. There is not a 100% nail fungus cure, but many people do find relief from these topical treatments. If you do not see any relief from them, you can and should contact your family doctor. He can prescribe medications that are stronger to help. Some of these medications do have side effects though. Nail fungus is something that many people have, yet you do not need to suffer from it when you seek out the help of fungal treatments such as these. There are some that claim to have some nail fungus cures.

Please visit some of my web sites at Nail Fungus and Nail Fungus Cures