Original article:
Getting Ready With RA: 8 Easy Beauty and Style Tips by Cathy Kramer
https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/beauty-tips-for-rheumatoid-arthritis
“For many of us living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), getting your hair and makeup ready for the day can be the worst. As you wake and make your way out of bed, it often takes time for your joints to catch up… she does easy stretching in the morning, then schedules her appointments for the afternoon when she is able to move and function better… Opting to wash hair less frequently alleviates strain on hands, wrists, and shoulders every time you step into the shower… Dry shampoo is easy to use and can be sprayed into your hair to absorb oils and skip a day or two of shampooing… One of the most difficult challenges I have faced with RA is physically handling personal-care products… For years, I depended on my children to apply hairspray… I often leave lids off, even if the product dries a little around the edge because I don’t trust my fingers to get it off if I am alone… I do well with larger handles… Gale was excited to be using face cream again after finally finding an applicator that worked well for her… Learning to co-exist with an RA body takes time, patience, and a gentle mindset. It requires experimentation with new products and changing the routines you have followed for years… you have to put the needs of your body first and then find work-arounds so you are still satisfied with the person you see in the mirror as you walk out the door.”
While providing individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) a great pool of tips, this article emphasized the many pain points people living with RA experience daily. It also highlighted potential areas for improvement. For example, the author, Cathy Kramer, discusses how she often leaves products open with their lids off. This not only decreases the longevity and quality of the product but sacrifices cleanliness: open containers increase the chance that products become contaminated.
