Plus, tattoo aftercare, beauty sleep, and other health hacks.
| | | | Hello, and welcome to another week of Wellness Wire newsletters! Today, we're talking about all things hair, skin, and nail health. There's a lot to cover here, so let's dive in, shall we? | | Below, we cover the following topics: | | | | | Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
July 31, 2023 • 5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Hair, skin, and nails, oh my! | On the surface. Hair, nails, and skin require different levels of maintenance but have these in common: keratinocytes.
"Keratinocytes grow from stem cells and produce and store keratin — a protein that makes our skin, hair, and nails not only tough but also water resistant," explains Elizabeth Rimmer, founder and director of London Professional Aesthetics.
Going deeper. Keratinocytes are one piece of the puzzle. Sleep, stress levels, diet, nutrient deficiencies, and other lifestyle factors can all play a role, too (think: hair loss, acne breakouts, brittle nails).
You can boost your hair, skin, and nail health by following some of these simple strategies: - Enrich your diet: Eating fatty fish, sweet potatoes, avocados, and these other foods may help.
- Use at-home hair treatments: Depending on your scalp health, you might opt for products with ingredients like ketoconazole or rosemary oil. Avoid sulfates, which may cause irritation.
- Take supplements: Consider options like biotin, collagen peptides, and vitamins A, C, and E.
- Wash with a daily facial cleanser: Pick one that works best for your unique skin type. Take our quiz to find yours.
- Let your nails breathe: Try not to have your nails covered with polish 24/7. Consider using paraben-free nail oil on your cuticles, too.
Other considerations. If you suspect you may have a health condition like eczema or psoriasis, a dermatologist can offer a more thorough screening and treatment plan for healthier nails, skin, and hair. Always speak with a doctor before trying new supplements as well.
Read more: | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil | | Yes, you can use coconut oil for cooking, but let's discuss how it can help your skin instead. Rather than spend a nice chunk of change on fancy tattoo creams, why not opt for the more affordable, natural route with this exact product? I did, and all of my tattoos healed well, didn't get infected, and maintained vivid color. After all, coconut oil is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing — properties that all help heal new tattoos. | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Tips to help you take care of your new tattoo | | Getting new ink can be exciting, painful, and [insert other emotion here]. But the process doesn't stop once you leave the tattoo shop. Next up is the oh-so-fun at-home healing journey. | | The importance of tattoo aftercare. New tattoos are basically fresh wounds, so you'll need to treat them as such. How you manage the healing process after your appointment will be key for protecting your skin health and the vibrancy of the tattoo you probably spent a lot of money on. | | Here's a breakdown of how to take care of a new tattoo during the first 30 days: | | • | Day 1: Within a few hours, wash your hands before removing the gauze or plastic wrap. Use warm water and fragrance-free soap to gently cleanse the area. Pat your skin dry, then wait a few minutes before applying fragrance-free lotion or ointment. | | • | Days 2–6: As your skin heals, scabs may start to form. Don't pick at them! Continue cleaning your tattoo once or twice a day (repeating the steps listed above). And don't worry about runny ink –– that's a natural part of the healing process. | | • | Days 6–14: Scabs may have hardened or flaked off by now. Let the remaining ones fall off naturally. Your skin may feel a bit itchy, so try your best not to scratch. | | • | Days 15–30: While full healing may take up to 3–4 months, the outer layer of your tattoo should be mostly healed by now. Keep moisturizing and managing your skin hygiene. | | | Extra tips. Use fragrance-free soaps and lotions, stay hydrated, and avoid direct sunlight during the healing process. If your new ink is super itchy, swollen, red, or oozy, reach out to your tattoo artist or doctor to make sure you don't have an infection or allergic reaction. | | Note: This is an abridged guide. Please read our article on tattoo aftercare for more details. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Is beauty sleep just a myth?
| (Find the answer at the end of this email)
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| | | | | | What we're reading next |
| 💤 Are your hormones messing with your sleep? They sure can. Read our new article to learn about the many different signs and causes of hormonal sleep issues. | | 👁️ How to stop eye twitching. Most eye twitches are harmless, while others can signal an underlying health condition. Read about the different types and tips for treating them. | | 💩 Reasons for sweet smelling stool. The smell of your poop can tell you a lot about your well-being. Check out this guide to find out when it might be time to call your doctor. | | 💫 6 ways to find your "Kenergy." Yes, this is a "Barbie" movie reference. Want to embrace Ryan Gosling's Ken energy ("Kenergy")? Live your happiest, healthiest life with these strategies. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Is beauty sleep just a myth? | | No! | Beauty sleep is real, folks. Studies and experts both vouch that a good night's rest can do wonders for your skin. Turns out it can help with hydration, rosacea management, and even improving your skin's overall appearance. Sleep deprivation could lead to dehydration, condition flare-ups, and other negative effects. Add better skin health to the list of reasons to get more sleep.
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| | | | Thanks for reading! May you all score some lovely beauty sleep tonight … for your health, of course. Ginger will be back in your inbox on Wednesday.
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