Use these tips to take care of your feet year-round.

By Stacey Colino

Whether you’re vacationing at the beach or relaxing by the pool, bare feet are almost an inevitable part of summer. Here’s some expert advice for dealing with five common foot problems so you can enjoy sandal season.

BUNIONS

• The fault: A bunion is a bony protrusion at the base of the big toe that can become painful, red and swollen.
• The fix: Apply ice and wear special bunion pads (available at drugstores). Custom shoe inserts called orthotics ($200 or more a pair) can help prevent worsening of the bunion, says Rock Positano, D.P.M., director of the non-surgical foot and ankle service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Drugstore shoe inserts, such as Dr. Scholl’s Custom Fit Orthotics ($50), are considerably less expensive and may also provide relief. If these measures don’t help, you may be a candidate for joint injections. A last option is corrective surgery.

CORNS

• The fault: A hard corn is a red or thickened plug of skin on the tops of the knuckles of the toes; a soft one develops between the toes. Corns can become inflamed, painful and even infected with repeated friction.
• The fix: Cover the area with a corn pad (available at drugstores). Use a pumice stone to shave down a corn, says Carol Frey, M.D., a foot and ankle specialist in Manhattan Beach, CA, and assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. But “avoid chemicals that burn off corns or ‘bathroom surgery’” in which you try to cut them off yourself, she says. If the corn continues to bother you, have it removed by a doctor.

HAMMERTOES

• The fault: Hammertoes are chronically bent at the first knuckle. The condition can be very painful, and the toes can develop blisters, corns and calluses on the tops of the knuckles.
• The fix: Wearing shoes with a deep toe box and a hammertoe pad can decrease pressure on the protruding bone. Wearing orthotics can prevent worsening of the deformed toe. If you’re in serious pain, toe-straightening surgery may be an option.

FUNGUS

• The fault: A fungal infection (aka athlete’s foot) can cause a red, itchy, scaly rash between the toes or on the soles. Nail fungus causes a patchy white or yellowish discoloration of the nail.
• The fix: For foot fungus, apply an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal powder or cream twice a day and keep your feet as dry as possible. To treat nail fungus, first trim and clean out the debris beneath the nail, says Jane Denton, D.P.M., a podiatrist at the Center for Sports Medicine at Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco. Next try an OTC topical medication such as Mycocide Antifungal Treatment NS ($18). If this doesn’t help, you may need a prescription.

INGROWN TOENAILS

• The fault: With an ingrown toenail, the corner of the nail grows down into the skin, causing irritation that can set you up for a bacterial infection.
• The fix: Soak the area in warm water for at least 20 minutes, several times a day, advises podiatrist Jane Denton, D.P.M. Afterward, put a small piece of cotton underneath the edge of the nail to retrain it to grow upward and apply an antibiotic ointment. If you suspect the area is infected, see a podiatrist or dermatologist.

Do you have any other tricks for dealing with foot problems?

By Shelley Levitt

Don't feel the burn: Use these tips for a safer summer.

Slathering on sunscreen before heading outdoors is a year-round must-do — but with so many lotions, gels and sprays available in a wide range of Sun Protection Factor (SPF), it’s tough to know how to choose the right one. Here, some insight for the next time you’re sifting through the sunblock display:

• Know the numbers. Since sunscreens are classified as a drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, their labels must include a list of all active ingredients and their concentrations. SPF ratings are also regulated by the FDA. These numbers are a multiple of how much time you can spend in the sun without getting a sunburn if you apply sunscreen properly (a teaspoon for each arm, leg, front of body and back of body, and half a teaspoon for the face). For example, if you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying SPF 15 gives you 150 minutes of protection. Sunscreen products must also include an expiration date.
• Go for “broad spectrum.” Many experts believe the label requirements don’t go nearly far enough. “Right now, when you look at a tube of sunscreen, you get information about how much protection you have against the sun’s shorter-length UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn,” says dermatologist Monica Halem, M.D., an assistant professor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University. (Her top sunscreen picks: Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 45 with Helioplex and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream with Mexoryl SX.) “But there is no monitoring system that provides reliable information about UVA radiation, the longer rays that go deeper and can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. This lack of information is leaving consumers confused.” For now, most experts agree that a “broad spectrum” sunscreen — imperfect as that term may be — offers the best protection available against both ultraviolet A and B radiation.
• Check the ingredients. There are two types of sun protection: chemical sunscreens that absorb UV radiation, and physical sunblocks that reflect or scatter UV rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two most common ingredients in physical sunblocks and both provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. Lots of chemical screens, including octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate) and benzones (such as dioxybenzone and oxybenzone), will protect against UVB radiation and some, but not all, UVA rays. For better protection against UVA rays, look for the ingredient avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or Mexoryl.

For more tips on how to read skin-care labels, check out the July/August issue of VIVmag!

Vendela Kirsebom keeps her skin looking luminous with Secrets de Sothys face cream.

VIVmag’s May/June cover model shares her personal picks for stressing less and staying gorgeous. Her favorites:

BOOK
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Knopf, 2008)
“Larsson is an amazing Swedish writer who died of a heart attack when he was 50. His books have sold worldwide and you can’t put them down. You start reading it and it’s like you can’t eat, you can’t drink, you can’t do anything: You just have to read.”

FACE CREAM
Secrets de Sothys Global Anti-Age Destressing Cream
“I started using this when I turned 35 — it’s for older skin. It’s definitely worth finding a good cream and not doing what I sometimes do, which is buy something because it’s in a beautiful jar. You have to get samples and test what works for you.”

PICK-ME-UP
Cappuccino with whole milk
“I love my espresso in the morning with whole milk — I make the foam and everything. I don’t like it with skim. For me, real stuff is the best.”

STRESS RELIEVER
IKEA candles
“I love candles. Sometimes I burn a lot of them, so it’s better to buy cheaper ones.”

HAND CREAM
Eau Thermale Avène Hand Cream with Cold Cream
“It’s a French brand you can actually buy in the pharmacy. It’s really good and I think they have a lot of great products, including sunblock for the face.”

Click here to check out Kirsebom’s interactive fashion spread in the May/June issue!

Credits
Photography: Ondrea Barbe
Model: Vendela/Ford Models
Styling: Kristina Ferrante Coleman
Hair: Kevin Woon at Woon Salon/Jed Root Inc.
Makeup: Susan Giordano for giordanobeauty.com/Kramer+Kramer
Clothing: BCBGMAXAZRIA dress

1.  In the shower, spend 2 minutes massaging shampoo into your scalp. “Working from the nape to the crown, put both hands on your scalp and move the pads of your fingertips in a circular motion,” says Jessica Galvan, the Beverly Hills, Calif., hairstylist who gave Victoria Beckham her signature bob. The jury is still out on the claim that scalp massage promotes hair growth by stimulating blood circulation, but massage will help the scalp shed dead skin cells-cutting down on dandruff-and, hey, it feels good.

2.  Using a wide-tooth comb, distribute conditioner through your hair for three to five minutes while you’re still in the shower.  “You want to make sure that you get conditioner on every single strand,” says Galvan.  First apply the conditioner to your ends, which is the oldest, most damaged hair, then to the midshaft.  What’s left on the comb can then be applied to the roots.

3. After shampooing and conditioning, wrap a towel around your head and wait 5 minutes before putting on leave-in conditioner, straightening balm or other pre-styling products. Your hair’s cuticle is like a sponge, points out Christyn Nawrot, national training director for Phyto haircare products. If it’s already saturated with water, it won’t be able to drink in any added products.

4.  Don’t put a tool-a brush, a comb or, especially, a blow dryer-to your hair until it is 70 percent dry, says Nawrot, making it less vulnerable to damage.  In a hurry?  Hold your blow dryer 3 to 4 inches over the crown of your head, and wave it back and forth for 3 to 5 minutes, while ruffling your hair with your fingers. Then, start styling.

5. Style your hair completely dry not 90 or 95 percent dry. “It’s essential to get your hair absolutely bone dry,” says Nawrot.  “Or within an hour your hair will droop, lose volume or frizz up.” When you think your hair is dry, don’t stop. “Instead, put your dryer on a cool setting,” advises Nawrot, “hold it a couple of inches from your head, and, for 3 to 5 minutes, run your fingers through your hair, smoothing out the strands.”

6.  Don’t use a flat iron or curling iron until your hair is 100 percent dry. If it’s still damp, a telltale sizzle will let you know you’re frying your hair. But what you can’t hear, says Nawrot, is that you’re creating stress fractures in your locks that will lead to breakage, sometimes midway down the hair shaft.

7.  As a final touch, add shine and control with two drops of a smoothing serum or a spritz of a weightless, non-tacky spray or definition and texture with a pea- to hazelnut-sized dab of pomade or wax.

Achieving good aesthetic results is an integral part of what every dentist does, but since the term “cosmetic dentistry” isn’t one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, how do you find the right dentist to transform your once-pearly whites? Your own general dentist may well be an appropriate person to handle some aesthetic procedures, but it’s a good idea to consult a specialist if you’re considering any of the following:

• Gum recontouring (See a periodontist; to find one near you, log on to perio.org.)

• Braces (Consult an orthodontist; for a referral, go to braces.org.)

• Multiple restorations (Talk to a prosthodontist; locate one at prosthodontist.org.)

Another terrific way to find a cosmetic dentist is to ask for referrals from people with smiles you admire. And remember, cosmetic procedures (beyond simple teeth bleaching) should always be preceded by a consultation. “You do not want someone who’s going to start treatment on the same day he or she sees you for the first time,” says Oklahoma City-based prosthodontist Susan E. Brackett, DDS, MS. A dentist should be able to answer all your questions about the treatments being recommended — that includes the steps required, the costs and the results you can expect. Ask to see before and after photos of the procedures your dentist is suggesting (and be sure to ask if they are photos of treatments he or she has personally performed, not done by another dentist in the same office). Additionally, with digital imagery, a dentist may be able to show you what your after-smile is likely to look like on you. “The most important thing is to make sure you’re in the hands of someone who is willing to take the time to listen to you,” says Brackett. Adds Farmington, MN-based Kimberly Harms, DDS, a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, “Don’t be afraid to asks a dentist about her experience in doing the procedure she’s recommending or to seek a second opinion.”

FOR MORE DENTAL INFO

To learn about various dental procedures, visit the following websites:

• Academy of General Dentistry: agd.org

• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: aacd.org

• American Academy of Periodontology: perio.org

• American Association of Orthodontists: braces.org

• American College of Prosthodontics: prosthodontics.org

• American Dental Association: ada.org

To read our story, “Something to Smile About,” featured in the May/June issue of VIVmag, just click here.

SPA VILLAGE AT PANGKOR LAUT, Malaysia
Situated on the Straits of Malacca, this private 300-acre island is home to a top-notch resort spa. Stay in one of the 22 villas that are set on stilts over the sea and choose your customized itinerary: Romance; Rejuvenation and Longevity; Relaxation and Stress Reduction; or Detoxification.
EDITOR’S TIP: Try the 45-minute Bath House Experience, which includes an authentic Chinese Foot Pounding; the three Healing Huts — Ayurvedic, Chinese Herbal and Malay — each have their own physician or healer on hand; and the Nap Gazebos, which overlook the sea.

ROYAL PALMS RESORT AND SPA, Phoenix
This romantic, Mediterranean-inspired resort just added the Alvadora Spa Suites. Private and serene, they’re ideal havens in which to take your spa treatments a deux.
EDITOR’S TIP: Sample the delicious honey-lavender smoothie welcome drink, which uses herbs just gathered from the garden; and any treatment or energy work with ultra-intuitive therapist and Reiki master David Wright.

PARROT CAY, Turks & Caicos
An exceptionally serene destination with whitewashed walls and fluttering cream-colored drapes, this celebrity-heavy resort is located on a 1,000-acre private island. Villas are a step from the beach. The COMO Shambhala spa focuses on Eastern-inspired therapies.
EDITOR’S TIP: Indulge in the private Spa Cottage for couples’ treatments or yoga classes in the pavilion that overlooks the wetlands.

LAS VENTANAS AL PARAISO, Los Cabos, Mexico
This resort spa is one of the best properties to indulge your sensuous side. Jacuzzi tubs for two in suites with ocean views and telescopes for stargazing or whale watching are just two of the special touches. The spa, with a focus on holistic and healing therapies, is set in a tranquil desert garden.
EDITOR’S TIP: Check out the new fitness center; the Tequila & Ceviche Bar; and leading-man-handsome chef Fabrice Guisset’s fresh, healthy, internationally inspired cuisine.

THE FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS, Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona is home to many of the best spas in America, including the Willow Stream Spa at this award-winning property. While the facility may be large in size, it manages to offer excellent personal service. Magnificent mountain views only add to the enchanting desert spa experience.
EDITOR’S TIP: Experience the rooftop pool and private cabanas, and the 120-minute Havasupai Body Oasis Experience, which includes a lounge under a warm waterfall, a chamomile exfoliation, soothing herbal tea, a eucalyptus bath and warm oil massage.

THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, Bangkok, Thailand
This elegant property recently celebrated its 130th anniversary and set the standard for luxury hotel spas when it launched its spa facility in 1993. Located in a lovely traditional teakwood house, the spa offers some of the best Thai treatments in the city.
EDITOR’S TIP: Check out the Author’s Suites; the boat ride from the hotel to the spa, which is situated across the Chao Phraya River; and the Oriental Body Glow, which uses a refreshing combination of honey, seeds and flowers to work its magic. 

BRENNER’S PARK-HOTEL & SPA, Baden-Baden, Germany
Located in one of the world’s original spa towns, Brenner’s is one of the outstanding spas of Europe, seamlessly blending a historic property with a modern spa.
EDITOR’S TIP: The Spa Suite, which can be booked for a half-day or day, comes complete with a spa butler; the garden strolls along Brenner’s Park are also outstanding.

REGINA ISABELLA, Ischia, Italy
“Life lived well” is the motto of this spa, located on the tiny island of Ischia. Dating back to the eighth century B.C., when the Greeks discovered its volcanic hot springs, Ischia is a short boat ride from Naples. The Regina Isabella still delivers outstanding thalassotherapy and mineral-rich mud treatments. (In fact, it manufactures its own top-quality mud products on property.)
EDITOR’S TIP: The new spa suites have private thalassotherapy tubs on decks!

“If your color has faded,” says Beverly Hills, CA-based colorist Stuart Gavert of the Gavert Atelier salon, “it’s not going to reflect light in the same way — and that can leave your skin looking dull. Likewise, if your color has turned brassy, that can cause your complexion to appear overly pink or ruddy.”

Try touching up your roots by applying an allover hair glaze, which will add a much-needed dose of shine. Then have your colorist apply a one-step corrective toner, which neutralizes brassy tones and revitalizes color. And voilà! Your old reliable foundation is imparting its reliable glow once again.

Skin still looking blah? It might be time to consider a warmer, more golden hair color. “Our skin tone is always changing,” says Gavert, “and after about age 35, we may notice that it’s become more yellow. Ashy hair tones will only accentuate this. Platinum blond or jet black [hair color] may have worked when you were 25, but it’s unlikely it’s still flattering when you’re 40.”

Another Rx: highlights. Says Gavert, “Painting on just four strands of highlights in the free-form French technique known as baliage, which creates natural-looking highlights, can be done right over the shampoo bowl [at the salon] and will perk up your skin dramatically.” When it comes to highlights, less really is more. “Too much brightness framing your face and you’ll be right back where you started,” Gavert says, “looking washed out.”

“What’s really important is how your hair frames your face,” says New York City-based stylist Burton Machen, who’s trimmed the tresses of Sheryl Crow, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand. “It’s not length that makes a hairstyle, it’s the way the layers are cut and blended.” Hair that points toward the cheekbones will create the illusion of width on a narrow face, while layers that draw the eye to a focal point under the lips will make a round face appear more angular. Here are some guidelines of how layers work in different types of hair:

40+ Hair

Forget the timeworn adage that women over 40 should keep their hair above their shoulders. “Long hair can be beautiful on a woman in her 40s and even 50s,” Machen says, “as long as she softens it with a sideswept bang.”

Curly Hair

Garret Hamabata, a stylist at Gavert Atelier salon in Beverly Hills, CA, also encourages women not to feel restricted by their hair’s texture. “My curly-haired clients think they can’t have chin-length hair because they’ll end up looking like a poodle,” he says. “But it can work wonderfully if layers are cut in a more graduated way. Coarse hair, too, can work at any length; just keep the layers longer and softer. Short or choppy layers will look pouffy.”

Fine or Thin Hair

Women with hair that’s fine will need to make a choice between volume and length. “Thin hair needs to be layered to give it weight and movement,” Hamabata explains, “but the longer the hair is, the skinnier it becomes at the bottom.” To avoid looking like an upside-down artichoke, keep your thin hair somewhere between chin and shoulder length.