Handy tips for maximizing the impact of Hand Perfection products

HAND PERFECTION formulas are very concentrated and efficacious - packed with botanical and age defying ingredients to help transform the look and feel of the skin on your hands.

Complete Day Cream - just a pearl size drop is enough to spread a very thin layer on the back of your hands. Use as needed especially after washing hands.

Moisturizing Cleanser - use in place of soap. Just one pump of this product is needed to cleanse your hands while hydrating, leaving them soft and clean.

Nail and Cuticle Treatment - remove cap (longer side of pen) and turn top a few clicks to dispense oil. Just a small amount of oil will cover nails and cuticles. Oil can be put on unpolished nails for a healthy, shiny natural look or can be used over polish. Many people have found using Nail and Cuticle Treatment over polish actually keeps the polish looking great longer.

Night Solution - to open the jar lift the cap straight up, do not twist. Our unique airless pump is designed so that you can control the amount of product dispensed without dipping fingers into the product . Gingerly press the pump and stop once you dispense a pearl size drop.

What are the top 5 hand care do’s?

Our hands’ biggest enemies are water, sun and household chores. Do all that you can to protect your hands from these potential offenders:

1. DO take care of your hands when washing. Water alone is inherently dehydrating to the skin. And conventional soaps additionally strip moisture from the skin and compromise the lipid barrier. Use a sulfate-free cleanser when washing and moisturize immediately while hands are still damp to lock in hydration.
2. DO wear protective gloves when cleaning, doing housework or projects around the house to minimize exposure to chemicals and the need for repeated washing.
3. DO use an overnight serum specifically for the delicate skin of the hands to take advantage of circadian rhythms and overnight cell renewal.
4. DO protect hands from UVA/UVB exposure.
5. DO take time to care for nails and cuticles.

What are the top 5 hand care don’ts?

The skin of our hands is as delicate as the skin of our eyelids. Yet, we’d never plunge our face into scalding hot water, scrub it with abrasive soaps, rub it dry with a towel, and then walk away without moisturizing. But, that’s what we do to our hands upwards of 10 times a day! The biggest hand offenders include water, harsh detergents, dehydrating anti-bacterial gels and sun. In our efforts to wash away dirt and bacteria on our hands, we also strip our hands of the good oils required to keep our skin soft and supple – so hands stay young and healthy-looking.

1. DON’T wash hands more than needed . To avoid the need to wash hands excessively throughout the day, protect them from detergents, chemicals and other messy situations by wearing protective gloves for all of your around the house handiwork.
2. DON’T use drying soaps or anti-bacterial gels. Switch to a sulfate-free cleanser, such as HAND PERFECTION Moisturizing Cleanser, to wash away the dirt and grime while leaving your hands cleansed and conditioned.
3. DON’T walk away from the sink without moisturizing! Wash, gently pat dry, apply HAND PERFECTION Complete Day Cream to slightly moist hands to seal in hydration, and gain the most benefits from the active ingredients found in the cream.
4. DON’T expose the delicate skin of your hands to sun. Always wear a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. For added protection, wear sun protective clothing such as the HAND PERFECTION Glovettes™ – a sexy, stylish way to help protect your hands from the damage of UVA/UVB exposure. Now with a UPF 50+ rating.
5. DON’T pick your cuticles. Rather moisturize and nourish your cuticles and nails everyday with HAND PERFECTION Nail and Cuticle Treatment. Apply the oil, massage into the cuticles, and then gently push back softened cuticles with the doe foot tip. Taking regular care of cuticles will also discourage nipping and picking which can lead to cuts and infections.

What’s the simplest approach a person can take to slow down the aging process on his/her hands (without compromising his/her lifestyle)?

Here are some simple steps you can take to begin slowing the aging process on your hands:

• Wash hands when needed with a gentle cleaser. Water actually dehydrates our skin. When combined with conventional soaps or detergents, we tax the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving hands dry and susceptible to a cascade of inflammation-causing events that contribute to premature skin aging.
• Switch to a sulfate-free cleanser. Soaps strip the hands of natural oils. Use HAND PERFECTION Moisturizing Cleanser, a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that conditions while it cleans.
• Moisturize hands after each washing. Remember to apply your moisturizer while hands are damp to lock in hydration. Use HAND PERFECTION Complete Day Cream to soften, smooth and hydrate the delicate skin of your hands.
• Cut back on the number of times you wash your hands per day by wearing protective gloves while doing housework and messy activities (art projects, etc).
• Take advantage of circadian rhythms while you sleep with HAND PERFECTION Night Solution, our overnight serum packed with our most powerful anti-aging ingredients, created specifically for the delicate skin of the hands to promote cell renewal.
• Protect hands from UV exposure with sunscreen. For added protection, wear sun protective clothing such as the HAND PERFECTION Glovettes™ – a sexy, stylish way to help protect your hands from the damage of UVA/UVB exposure.
• Take care of your nails and cuticles by nourishing them once a day with a botanical oil product such as HAND PERFECTION Nail and Cuticle Treatment.

Are age spots reversible? If so, what’s the best way to fade the appearance of age spots on the hands?

Age spots are the result of the over-production of melanin (pigment), caused by exposure to sun. The trick is to shield hands by using a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen or wearing sun-protective clothing while outdoors.

To reverse some of the damage that’s been done requires sustained application of products that help break up the melanin deposits on the hands, thus fading their appearance. Ingredients found in HAND PERFECTION help speed this process, including antioxidant vitamins A and E. Licorice Root and Alpha Arbutin, which together help neutralize free radical damage, while visually fading hyper-pigmentation to promote evenness of skin tone. HAND PERFECTION is also packed with intensive moisturizers, emollients, humectants and the nutrients found in healthy skin to help improve the barrier function.

HAND PERFECTION Complete Day Cream has been clinically proven to significantly diminish age spots in as little as two weeks.

What’s the biggest difference about HAND PERFECTION relative to what’s already on the market?

Most hand care products offer little more than moisturization. HAND PERFECTION is a comprehensive treatment approach to hand care that taps into the wealth of skin care science introduced over the last decade. Formulated with ingredients I painstakingly researched and handpicked for my own hands, HAND PERFECTION offers both offensive and defensive solutions to address skin aging on the hands – in an effort towards slowing down and reversing the process. The collection is built around the skin-fortifying benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, which research shows helps improve skin texture and tone. Omega-3’s are the cell communicators in our skin; without them, normal processes (like barrier functionality and anti-inflammatory responses) break down, which can accelerate signs of premature skin aging. HAND PERFECTION also contains a superb blend of moisturizers, concentrated emollients, hydrating humectants and protective antioxidants to help neutralize free radical damage, as well as skin-brightening ingredients and optical technology to visibly blur imperfections.

What specific products/ingredients have you used over the years to help keep your skin looking young, smooth and even toned?

I’ve learned to be an amazing hand detective – which has helped shape my product line. I’ve tended to use natural ingredients on my hands that I could buy in the supermarket or health food store, to help with skin nourishment and exfoliation, such as olive oil, flaxseed oil, vitamin E and unbleached sugar. The other moisturizers I’ve chosen over the years have helped with moisturization but haven’t always been the most comfortable or practical to wear, nor did they offer anti-aging benefits. My husband has spent a lifetime cleaning smudge marks off virtually every surface in our home! What’s great about

HAND PERFECTION is both its efficacy AND beautiful, fast-absorbing formulation.

HAND PERFECTION is full of ingredients that are on the frontline of the anti-aging revolution such as the essential fatty acids (EFAs), omega-3 and omega-6, antioxidant vitamins, amino acids, Hyaluronic Acid, Licorice Root and Arbutin to help with the appearance of fine lines and age spots.

Are there dietary steps people can take (foods to avoid) to reverse the appearance of premature skin aging on their hands?

Adding skin-healthy fats and oils, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which our bodies don’t manufacture on their own, has been shown to boost skin’s resilience, moisture retention, and improve texture and tone. The best food sources of omega-3 are flaxseeds, walnuts and wild salmon. The oils from omega-3’s have also been shown to have topical benefits for skin.
HAND PERFECTION is built around the skin-supporting properties of these essential fatty acids.

As one of the world’s top hand models for 20 years, you’ve had to take some unusual measures to keep your hands looking young. What are some of the extreme steps you have personally taken to protect your valuable assets? What does your daily, personal regimen entail?

1. Gentle hand washing. I wash my hands with my sulfate-free cleanser, HAND PERFECTION Moisturizing Cleanser, gently pat dry and immediately moisturize, turning hand washing into a hydrating experience. I also try to avoid situations where my hands will be additionally exposed to water by using waterproof gloves.
2. Minimal sun exposure. My hands have been covered with sunscreen everyday for 20 years!
3. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! I apply hand cream at least 10 times per day.
4. Exfoliation. I gently exfoliate my hands once a week with a sugar and olive oil scrub (1/2 teaspoon of each). Then I rinse, pat dry and moisturize.
5. Nail/cuticle care. Each evening I push back my cuticles and apply a nourishing botanical oil blend HAND PERFECTION Nail & Cuticle Treatment.
6. No chores, no heavy lifting. The pampered hand photographs very well. I can’t risk any injury nor can I build up the muscles in my hands. That means I don’t lift a finger around the house!
7. Healthy diet. I drink lots of water and make sure to get plenty of omega 3s – such as flaxseed, walnuts, salmon - in my diet. These healthy fats have been shown to improve the texture and tone of skin.
8. Draining. When it is time for picture perfect hands, I keep my hands above my heart for five minutes to allow the blood to drain out of them. This is a great trick for brides-to-be.

Can people reduce the appearance of surface veins on their hands? If so how?

As we age our skin thins and shows veins more prominently.

HAND PERFECTION Night Solution contains glucosamine which has been shown to plump the skin – thus discouraging veiny-ness. Visible veins can also be minimized by eating less salty food and cutting down on caffeine. If you want your hands to look less vein-y for a specific occasion, avoid exercising on the day of your event. You can also help lessen the appearance of veins by draining your hands (putting them over your head for a few minutes) just before you need them to look their best.

What are some little known facts about the hands that may surprise people?

The skin of the hands is as delicate as the skin on the eyelids.

The hands are among the most likely places for skin cancer to develop. (Other surprising areas include: the scalp, ears and tip of the nose.)

The hands are among the top three body parts to show signs of aging. (Other areas include: hair and teeth.)

Laser hand resurfacing was among the most popular procedure sought by politicians hitting the campaign trail in 2007.

More than half of women over age 30 believe their hands are aging faster than any other body part, according to a recent survey commissioned by HAND PERFECTION.

How is nail shape best determined?

You should look at the shape of that little white section at the base of your nail growing out of the cuticle, called the Moon, and file your nails accordingly.

Should I let my manicurist cut my cuticles?

No, the cuticles are the first line of defense against infection, and cutting them, and potentially nicking them, causing them to bleed, exposes us to infection. You should push them back gently, when they’re soft and supple. You can do this by applying HAND PERFECTION Nail & Cuticle Treatment, then gently pushing back cuticles with the doe foot tip.

The winter months are particularly rough on the hands. Is there something people should do in winter to avoid dry, cracked skin?

Wear gloves when headed outdoors. Be careful when washing hands – use tepid water, a sulfate-free cleanser and remember to moisturize after washing. Make sure to use an extra hydrating serum at night when the body’s in its natural repair mode. HAND PERFECTION Night Solution capitalizes on the body’s circadian rhythms to help hasten cell turnover, revealing younger-looking skin, while nourishing, firming, toning and brightening skin with continued use.

What’s the best way to heal a paper cut quickly?

The skin is more prone to paper cuts when it’s dry, especially in winter. Make sure to moisturize often. If you do get a paper cut, cleanse it properly and apply an antibacterial ointment, then cover lightly with a band-aid. Another option is to follow the old folk remedy of holding a slice of raw potato on the cut for 10 to 15 minutes which is said to quell the stinging and inflammation.

What about men? Do you have advice for men whose hands tend to be rough and cracked and calloused?

Men generally tend to have thicker skin than women and don’t like the goo-iness factor of skin products. Arm your guy with a tube of HAND PERFECTION Complete Day Cream. Our fast absorbing, petrolatum-free formula works wonders without any lingering tackiness or messy fingerprints. A great solution to a man’s rough hands. He will thank you for it – and you will reap the benefits when holding them!