you want that vibrant, glossy hair that’s in every hair commercial? It’s all about the conditioner you choose. Sure, shampoo starts the process by cleansing and nourishing your hair, but even clean hair can appear dry and damaged if you don’t use conditioner. If you’ve ever washed your hair without conditioning it, you probably realized that already. Conditioner softens and smoothes, moisturizes and shines, untangles and protects hair from damage. It’s essentially the key to perfect hair!

                           


Choosing the right conditioner. It’s true that all conditioners will, well, condition your hair, but they’re not created equal. You must use the type of conditioner that is right for your hair type and texture — and use it correctly. Otherwise you may still be unhappy with the way your hair looks.

Conditioners for oily hair. You may want to just skip conditioning your hair if it’s super-oily — and you can — but don’t forget about some of the great benefits of a good conditioner, like protecting your hair, giving it more shine, and smoothing it out so it doesn’t tangle as much. Instead of skipping it, try a conditioner with light moisturizing action. Also, be extra careful not to condition your scalp — that’s where the sebum (what you think of as oil) is secreted, so there’s plenty of moisture there already. Instead, start to apply conditioner about midway through your hair and work down towards the ends.

Another option is a spray conditioner — a conditioner that you apply to hair that is dry by spraying it as needed. You can buy ready-made spray conditioners or create your own spray conditioner by mixing a bit of regular conditioner (about a tablespoon) with water in a spray bottle.

Washing your hair regularly is necessary to remove the buildup of dirt, oils, and hair products, but many stylists actually recommend not washing your hair every day, because shampoo can strip the hair of its natural oils. Answer these questions to figure out how often you should wash your hair:


                                 


Is your hair oily or dry? 
Oil glands in the scalp produce sebum, which travels down the hair shaft to lubricate your hair and keep it healthy. Hair can get especially oily during puberty, when you’re PMSing, or if you’re taking certain hormones. People with oily hair should consider washing their hair daily or at least every other day. If your hair is dry, it may be a sign that it's damaged. Look for shampoos specifically formulated for dry hair, which will coat the hair shafts, fill in damaged areas, and help your hair look and feel smoother and more manageable. Try Garnier Fructis Moisture Works Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner.

Do you process your hair? 
Chemical processing, such as perming, relaxing, bleaching, and coloring, as well as heat processing, like blow-drying, hot-curling, and flat-ironing, can make hair more fragile. Repeated wetting and drying can also weaken hair, so if your hair is damaged, you should consider washing it no more than every other day.

Is your hair short or long, curly or straight? 
Short hair and long, fine hair both get greasy fast because there's less surface area for the scalp’s natural oils to spread to, so it should be washed daily, or at least every other day. If you have curly, coiled, or coarse hair, it's more difficult for the oil to migrate down the shaft, so shampooing just once or twice a week can be enough.

Do you use a lot of hair products? 
If you do, they can build up and make it easier for dirt, dust, and pollution to stick to your hair, so try to wash your hair every day. Regular washing will help prevent buildup and make your hair easier to style.

Do you have a scalp rash? 
Seborrheic dermatitis, aka dandruff, is caused by an overgrowth of yeast that feeds on scalp oils. In fact, the flakes that appear to be “dry” scalp are often yeast overgrowth. If you have a scalp rash, wash your hair daily to reduce both oils and yeast, and try an over-the-counter medicated shampoo like Nizoral or Selsun Blue.

Seventy-five percent of Americans have serious foot problems at one point of their lives, although only a small portion of the population is born with foot problems. Others who were born with perfectly good feet develop problems due to inattention and lack of awareness of the importance of well-maintained feet. The 52 bones of a pair of feet is 25% of the body’s total number of bones. Together with 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles of each foot, the feet absorb about five times the body weight in pressure everyday.

                           


Typical foot problems include sores, athlete’s foot, cuts, ingrown toenails, bunions, calluses and plantar warts. To avoid most of these problems, good foot care should be a habit, including but not limited to daily inspection of the feet, toes and toenails. This is especially true for people with diabetes, because the nerve damage and compromised blood flow may keep them from discovering cuts that could develop into serious wounds and perhaps amputations because they also do not heal as fast. Other diseases will manifest in the feet as well, including arthritis, nerve disorders and circulatory ailments.

The first measures to be undertaken for preventive foot care is the selection of shoes, socks and stockings that fit well. Some feet do not match in size so if this is the case, buy shoes that will fit the larger foot. Women are four times more likely to develop foot problems, due in part to the use of high heels, so avoid wearing them as much as possible or remove them at every opportunity to prevent sore feet. Put feet up whenever possible to keep the blood flowing and wriggle toes for up to 5 minutes, much like toe crunches.

Walking is considered good for the feet as well as for general health, provided proper shoes and socks are used. Purchase socks that absorb sweat away from the feet to keep from developing sores as well as fungal growth (athlete’s foot) and change socks every day. Choose footwear made of leather or canvass that will allow the feet to breathe and shoes should be changed at intervals. Foot powder can also be used to minimize sweating. Avoid hot or cold for your feet, and avoid the use of electric blankets and heating pads which may burn your feet inadvertently.

Wash feet daily, rinse and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. Nails should be trimmed straight and not too near the nail bed to prevent infections. Avoid digging out and cutting at corners; this could result to ingrown toe nails. Remove rough skin gently by first soaking feet in warm water then gently scrubbing with a small towel or loofah, but scratch it if you are diabetic and you have a wound in your foot, soaking will make it worse. Indulge in feet massage as regularly as possible, and have a pedicure about once a week to keep toes pretty but make sure the implements used are clean.

There are many foot care products, especially for athlete’s foot, tendinitis and calluses. For the last two, consult your physician before purchasing. In general, chemical preprations for the removal of calluses are not recommended. A podiatrist or other health care professional can trim them for you safely. For those who may need special shoes, there may be Medicare coverage so ask your physician.

Do you pay attention to your hands? After all, they’re always on display — when you’re holding your cell phone; when you shake someone’s hand; when you’re at the table. While many of us are diligent with our facial skin care, we’re less careful when it comes to taking care of our hands. The following are some steps you can take to make sure your hands look as good as your face.


                               


Brown spots are a sign of previous sun exposure. This is why there are more spots on the backs of your hands as compared with the insides of your wrists. New spots may respond to lightening creams, like Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector or prescription Triluma, while stubborn spots may require an in-office treatment. If the spots are very dark, a laser can target the pigment. If there are just a few spots, I might spray them with liquid nitrogen, which freezes them off. I also use this treatment to remove scaly growths on the backs of the hands.

Crepey, wrinkly skin is caused by thinning of the collagen layer. To boost skin’s collagen, look for a hand cream with retinol, like Chantecaille Retinol Hand Cream. Or try one with alpha hydroxy acids, like Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Hand Cream, which contains lactic acid to help smooth out your skin’s texture. When creams are not enough, I often do chemical peels on my patients’ hands to help lift off sun damage and dead skin. Mild flaking usually occurs for up to a week after a peel.

Bony, veiny hands are caused by loss of fat over time. Children have plump hands because they have a natural fat layer; when this dissipates, the veins and bones stand out more. For some patients, injections of their own fat or a volumizing product like Radiesse or Sculptra can help restore plumpness and hide the bones and veins. Such injections must be done carefully and gradually to avoid lumpiness and to make sure the hands are symmetrical.

Controversies have continued to chase DataWind. The Canadian company, which was spearheading the original Aakash tablet project, has been accused by its erstwhile assembly partner Quad Electronics Solutions Pvt. Ltd of not clearing dues.


DataWind, on the other hand, has accused Quad Electronics of infringing intellectual property rights and trying to sell the Aakash tablet directly to IIT-Rajasthan.

There are plenty of reasons to exercise. For some, it’s because you booked a beach vacation, while others are focused on staying healthy. No matter what your motivation is, we can all agree that the benefits of exercise are obvious. But there’s a stealthier payoff: healthy skin. Read on to learn more about the skin and beauty rewards that come from regularly working up a sweat.





Instant Glow:
When you get your heart pumping from aerobic exercise, you’re supplying your skin with a nice dose of oxygenated blood, says Noëlle S. Sherber, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Baltimore, Maryland. “It gives you that great post-workout glow.”

Wrinkle Reduction:
Working out also helps maintain healthy levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol, Sherber says. “Elevated cortisol levels are linked to increased sebum production, which means more acne breakouts,” she says. Too much cortisol can also cause the collagen in the skin to break down, Sherber says, which can increase wrinkles and sagging. “Exercise actually supports the production of collagen,” says Amy Dixon, a Los Angeles–based exercise physiologist and celebrity trainer. “The boost in this protein helps to keep your skin firm, supple, and elastic.”

Acne Relief:
Regular exercise boosts circulation. “It nourishes your skin, bringing more blood flow and oxygen to it,” says Mauro C. Romita, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Ajune Center for Beauty Synergy in New York City. “This will help draw toxins out of the body.” Plus, all that sweating cleans out the pores of congested skin. “Working out corrects the hormonal imbalance that can cause adult acne,” Romita says.

To reap the beneficial skin effects of working out, a few extra steps are required, Sherber warns. “If you're acne prone, make sure to keep gentle, fragrance-free cleansing wipes in your gym bag.” Be sure to cleanse your face and other areas that tend to break out immediately after exercising, she says. “For eczema, wear fabrics that wick perspiration away from the skin, since the wet-dry-wet-dry cycle will dry out your skin and provoke flare-ups,” Sherber says. And above all, avoid exercising with makeup on your face.

Healthier Hair:
The improved blood flow helps keep your hair stronger and healthier, Dixon says. This blood, full of nutrients, stimulates the hair follicles and promotes growth. “Exercise is also a big stress reliever,” she says. “Lower stress means your hair is less likely to be brittle and, worse, fall out.” Even if you’re as stress free as a cucumber, Dixon recommends checking with your dermatologist about any hair loss to rule out other causes.

As for the best type of exercise for your skin, Dixon says it’s all good. “Every modality will improve circulation and reduce stress,” she says, “but it’s a wise move to mix up your workouts as often as possible.” Try adding 30 minutes of a few simple yoga postures or a brisk walk to your day three times a week, Dixon says, to see the beauty returns in your hair and skin.

"The patients whose teeth start out the worst can end up 11 or 12 shades lighter, while someone with lighter teeth will see more subtle results," says Dr. Golub-Evans. But if your teeth are deeply stained, skip the over-the-counter products and go straight to professional, in-office whitening treatments. "Our equipment can penetrate your tooth's surface more deeply and access stains that drugstore products aren't strong enough to reach," he says.


Not sure what color your teeth are? Head to a mirror and hold a sheet of pure white paper next to your smile to see whether your teeth seem more yellow, brown, gray, or blue in comparison. Yellow-based stains are just extrinsic — meaning the stains are caused by debris lodged into the pores on the outside of your tooth enamel — making them the easiest kinds of stains to lighten with bleaching. Brown-based stains are a mix of extrinsic and intrinsic, so you can still expect to go five or six shades lighter.


Alas, the news isn't quite so good if your teeth are gray, which is a sign of internal staining from antibiotic use, too much fluoride, or decay. But all is not lost: "Even in extreme cases of discoloration from antibiotic use, we have seen amazing whitening results," says Barry Kramer, DDS, founder of Aesthetic Bronx Cosmetic Dentistry in New York. "The process takes longer, but results are encouraging." If your teeth have a bluish hue, however, it's time to step away from the whitening strips: "That's a sign of over-whitening and is more difficult to correct," Dr. Kramer notes.


"All whitening treatments use the same [carbamide or hydrogen] peroxide, no matter what you pay," Dr. Golub-Evans explains. "The more expensive procedures you can have done in a dentist's office just offer a more concentrated dose, which means the results will last longer — usually three to five years." But at $20 to $50 a box, whitening strips offer a more affordable option. Dr. Golub-Evans is a fan of Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips, which includes the same enamel-safe whitening agent dentists use. Four treatments cost about $50! Plus, the strips work in just two hours and deliver up to three months of a whiter smile. Daily Glow editors like the no-slip strips that allow you to drink water while whitening.


"Professional whitening is the most expensive option, but it works quickly, and the results last for years," says Dr. Golub-Evans. Of course, you always have at-home options that take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour for a treatment. But brightening your smile can be as easy as adding a whitening toothpaste to your routine. A little daily maintenance can make a big difference without requiring you to set aside special whitening time. Try Colgate Total Advanced Whitening Gel that does all the work of a cavity-fighting toothpaste while also offering whitening benefits.



"Strips are the best over-the-counter option for this reason because they keep the peroxide localized on your teeth," Dr. Golub-Evans explains, noting that you can use the strips every other day instead of daily to reduce sensitivity and get the same quality results.

Another way to reduce your sensitivity is to carefully target the treatment. The Listerine Whitening Pen allows you to paint bleaching agents carefully on stained areas — you can even focus on specific teeth rather than treating your entire mouth.

"In-office, I find patients do best with the Zoom! Chairside Whitening System (average cost $500). It uses a cool light that minimizes sensitivity. We also put a waxy mask over the rest of your mouth to prevent peroxide from getting on anything with nerve endings."


"The quicker you can get those substances off your teeth, the less staining you'll see," Dr. Golub-Evans explains. "Studies show that most people who get their teeth professionally whitened don't have to redo it for three to five years, even without making major lifestyle modifications." You can help preserve your results further by adding more teeth-cleaning foods, like crunchy carrots, celery, and lettuce, to your diet. "When you're at a cocktail party, choose the veggie platter over the cheese and crackers, especially if you're drinking red wine," Dr. Golub-Evans advises. "That sticky combination creates instant plaque, which is what gives you that stained red-wine mouth."



"Since the inception of take-home whitening in the 1980s, there have been no serious documented side effects," notes Dr. Kramer. But keep in mind that most studies are done by the product manufacturers; a June 2009 evidence review concluded that independent, long-term clinical trials are needed to fill in data gaps. We do know that overuse or misuse of whitening treatments (both over-the-counter and in-office) can cause benign sensitivity (meaning you feel pain, but teeth won't be damaged), irritation, and blistering of the gums, and in rare instances, photosensitivity to light.

"Don't do this the day before a big event if you don't know how you'll react," says Dr. Kramer. "I tell brides to schedule their teeth whitening six to eight weeks before the wedding, just in case of side effects like these." And be sure to tell your dentist about any medications you're taking, as certain drugs may increase the risk for photosensitivity.

Once ruled by Galaxy Tab, Apple iPad and other high-end tablets, Indian market is suddenly buzzing with a host of new budget tablet launches. Manufacturers from Micromax to HCL, all have recently launched budget tablets in the country. So, if you were looking to buy a low-cost tablet, Datawind's Aakash isn't your only choice. We are listing out three low-cost tablets that give a decent performance and are available in the market right now.

HCL Me U1









HCL's latest entry to the tablet market, Me Tab U1 is an Android 4.0 tablet with features like 1GHz processor and 7-inch capacitive display. During our hands-on with the tablet, it seemed snappy and surprisingly nice for an Rs 7,999 product. You can even get the 3G data connectivity on the go with a USB dongle on HCL Me Tab U1.
On the downside, it does not come with access to Google Playstore, but has SlideMe appstore on-board. Company is also offering two student oriented variants of the tablet in the form of MyEdu Tabs that come with pre-loaded educational content.