SLEIGHT OF HAND

Our hands will give us away

While we associate sleight of hand with card tricks, the hands are magic at revealing any number of things about us.  Our hands can make people think we're older or younger than we are - it all depends on how well they are cared for.  Aging shows most quickly on the hands, with age spots - those brown spots that look like big freckles - and wrinkles caused by dryness and exposure.

Many of us have found ourselves sitting with our hands curled up in our laps to avoid having them seen, knowing they don't look as pretty as we'd like them to look.  That day in the garden without gloves left our fingernails jagged and dirty, and our poor hands look more like well-used feet.  None of us wants to run rough hands over a baby's silky face, and there's nothing worse than snagging a new pair of hose with rough hands or nails. 

Our hands are vital parts of our body, and they deserve to be cared for well.  Not only beautified and protected, but exercised and strengthened as well.  Sadly, we often forget to take care of our hands, exposing them to harsh chemicals, weather, and outdoor work. You may be surprised to know that you can make a big difference in your hands with just five minutes of care per day.

What you can do

Protect your hands from the sun by wearing sunscreen on them, and by wearing gardening gloves when you're working outside in the dirt.  Wearing rubber gloves while doing dishes and cleaning the bathrooms, or using harsh detergents or chemicals, will help preserve and protect the thin, delicate skin on your hands.

Moisturizing your hands regularly throughout the day with hand cream, and using your exfoliator (the one you use on your face) on your hands once a week will go a long way to soften and reduce wrinkles.

Don't throw those mashed potatoes out!  If you blended them with milk or olive oil, pack them on your hands like a mask and let them sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.   This little trick helps to alleviate dry, cracked hands.

Not only pretty - strong too

Foster strong, healthy hands with this exercise: Clench your fists tightly for a few seconds, then spring them open, spreading your fingers as far as possible.  Repeat ten times.  This will help improve circulation and loosen your finger joints.