Category Archives: nail Dryers

How to Pick the Right UV Gel Lamp and Stop Service Breakdown in Your Salon Or Spa

Gel nail manicures are quickly becoming a client favourite in spas and salons around the world. The easy learning curve of gel nail enhancement and odour-less smell has recently sky-rocketed it past the long-popular acrylic service within the salon and spa industry. with this increased popularity, salons and spas are scrambling to accommodate their clients requests for gel nail services.

The extremely popular acrylic and fibre-glass nail service has given way to natural manicures and more natural-looking gel nail enhancements. with the loss of acrylic nail revenue salon and spas are offering gel services to supplement the loss of revenue from waning acrylic service sales. This boom has unfortunately resulted in a marked increase of service break-down (I.E. lifting, cracking, breaking etc.) and more salons and spa clients experiencing allergic-reactions and nail-damage due to improper training or lack of information in regards to nail techs respective product lines and the tools which make their products work properly; namely UV gel lamps.

Most reputable gel enhancement products are very similar in the terms which they are produced, to my knowledge, with possibly the exception being Entity Beauty’s, Entity 1 gel technology which utilizes nanotechnology to make their formula stronger, clearer and more longer-lasting. Aside from that, most other gel nail products are pretty much the same thing. The same thing meaning pre-mixed monomers and polymers with premixed formulas to help nail professionals achieve the perfect mix-ratio. Other than that, whatever choice a nail professional decides to work with is personal preference as long as they follow the proper application techniques and pick a good UV gel lamp that cures the product fully.

So how do you know if a UV gel lamp you are using or thinking about purchasing is or will fully cure your product and what’s the best lamp to use? Here’s the answer.

The tool I would recommend for the job when it comes to curing gel properly is this: one 4 bulb 36watt tunnel lamp. It’s important to use this type of UV lamp because anything different less may lead to under-curing which can cause over-exposure or allergic reactions in existing or potential clients.

All gel nail enhancement products need, 3 or 4 bulb, 36-watt lamp to properly (fully) cure. So if your currently using something other than a 36 watt UV lamp; stop now, and go out and buy a new one. You as a salon professional owe it to your paying customers, who are trusting their health and safety your salon.

Let me repeat that again just say for the sake of adding a little drama. All gel nail products need a 36 watt lamp to cure properly regardless of manufacturer, if you want to avoid potential client over-exposure or allergic reactions to your products. There is no exception to this rule, plain and simple. This isn’t just my humble opinion it’s scientific fact. not only do you need a 36 watt lamp but you need to let the product cure for two to three minutes in the lamp.

The aforementioned statement has been a major point of contention and confusion among salon and spa professionals. This in in large part due to the fact, that gels surface layers harden (cure) to the touch in as little as 15 seconds in most UV gel lamps.

I know price is a major concern when shopping for lamps which is why most nail technicians go with a lamp that does’nt quite get the job done, so to speak.

However, if you’re looking for a reliable lamp I would recommend CND’s Brisa lamp or something similar. CND in my opinion has one of the best UV lamps on the market albeit it’s a little pricey, but their are many great lights out there if you take the time to shop around. however, if price is a concern find something similar in terms of performance and quality.

Belson Professional Products – Review

Whether you are seeking a flat iron, curling iron, blow dryer, nail dryer, facial steamer or curling iron Belson Products has several lines of styling tools with a tool to meet every need and hair type.

Belson Products Gold ‘N Hot line of styling tools features tools designed specifically with the needs of ethnic hair in mind. With extreme heat capacities, they are able to smooth, straighten, or curl even the coarsest hard-to-manage hair.

Brazilian Heat is a line of durable, high-quality styling tools designed to be used with the Brazilian Keratin treatments. They are made to withstand the most extreme conditions and wear and tear. this line is perfect for professionals who perform a lot of Brazilian Straightening Treatments, as the irons will last longer and be able to stay consistently hot even after several treatments.

In the Smart Heat line from Belson Products, flat irons, blow dryers, curling irons, and wave irons feature a technology that adjusts its heat depending on the hair type. Special sensors sense the type of hair and ensure that the appropriate amount of heat is applied for flawless results.

The Belson Pro line features ceramic and ionic technologies, faster heat-up times, and higher wattages for the professional seeking extra features to help fuel versatility and creativity. A standout product in this line is the rheostat brush iron, which Belson Pro offers in three sizes.

The Profiles Spa line from Belson is a unique line of spa equipment designed to be used in the home. there facial steamers hot rollers, and nail dryers offer the ability to treat oneself to spa pedicures with great results.

The Yosan Shear line by Belson is an affordable solution for barbers and stylists. They are built out of strong, durable stainless steel or gold for both left handed and right handed individuals. They range in sizes and styles, and include thinning shears, toyo shears, Japanese shears, barber shears, expertiz shears, and more.

Belson Products are always functional while still being stylish to look at. Belson has thought of everything and has not left any need unmet when it comes to high-performance styling tools that create stunning hair and professional spa results.

Creating Your Own Gift Baskets For the Holidays

Creating your own gift baskets to give as holiday gifts is really easy and fun. you can save money by making them yourself instead of buying them from a trendy gift store. you can make them for personal use to give as gifts or start a home based gift basket business.

You only need a few simple supplies to get started.

Basket
Basket Filler (shreds)
Basket Clear Cellophane Bag or Basket Wrap
Ribbon (to tie off the bag)
Ribbon (to make a bow)
Gift Tag
Product Fillers
Scissors

Now let’s get you started with some theme ideas for those on your holiday gift giving list.

1. Correspondence: note cards, all occasion greeting cards, book of stamps, personalized address labels, pens and address book.

2. Manicure – Pedicure: top coat, base coat, colored nail polish, nail polish remover, nail polish remover pads, cotton swabs, toe separators, nail file, nail buffer, cuticle pusher, nail clippers, nail brush, hand cream, foot cream, foot file and a travel pack of tissues.

3. Book Lovers: journal, pens, 2-3 books, 2-3 bookmarks, reading glasses, candle, gift card to a book store and a magazine.

4. Bakers Basket: cookbook, oven mitts, hot pads, trivet, recipe cards, spices, 6 cup muffin pan, muffin pan liners, spatula, mixing spoon, measuring cups, measuring spoons, apron, rolling pin, pastry sheet and baking pan liners.

5. Snack Lovers: microwave popcorn, bag of popped popcorn, chips, pretzels, candy bars, cookies, snack cakes and crackers.

6. Movie Night: 2 tickets to a local movie theater, 2 DVD movies, 3 bags of microwave popcorn and several packs of candy.

7. Gardener Gift Basket: flower seed packets, vegetable seed packets, gardening gloves, knee pads, gardening hand tools, small gardening decorations, outdoor thermometer, gardening book and gardening magazines.

8. Dog Lover: dog book, dog bones, dog treats, dog leash, dog collar, dog clean-up waste bags, dog shampoo, dog toys and a disposable camera.

9. Cat Lover: cat book, cat treats, cat leash, cat collar, cat shampoo, cat toys and a disposable camera.

10. Teen Girl: nail polish, nail remover, cotton swabs, cotton balls, nail file, perfume, shower gel, body lotion, hair items, teen girl magazines, journal book, pen and a disposable camera.

11. Bath Spa: bath sponge, mesh pouf, shower gel, body lotion, bath back brush, bubble bath, bath salts, bath bombs, bath soaps, wash cloth, bath towel, robe, slippers and a bath wrap.

12. Hair Care: hair towel, shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, hair gel, hair mousse, hair spray, head bands, pony tail holders, barrettes, hair clips, brush and a comb.

13. Laundry Care (great for housewarming and bridal showers): stain remover stick, spray and pen, dryer sheets, laundry detergent, fabric softener, hand washing detergent, lint brush and an iron.

14. Scrapbooking: 8×8 scrapbook, solid 8×8 scrapbooking papers, print 8×8 scrapbooking papers, 3 glue sticks, 1 pkg. glue dots, 1 pkg. brads, 1 pkg. eyelets with eyelet tools, 3 packs of stickers, decorative border scissors, disposable camera and other scrapbooking embellishments.

15. Bird Lovers: hardbound coffee table bird watching book, bird watching journal book, pen, bird feeder, small bag of bird seed, binoculars, small birdhouse and a disposable camera.

A great place to find inexpensive basket fillers for the smaller items is your local dollar discount store.

These are just some suggestions on what you can use as basket fillers, you don’t have to fill your gift baskets with all of those items. get creative and ‘think’ outside the box.

Gelish Nails: Do Your Own Shellac Style Nails Easily

Every woman likes to be well groomed and that includes having beautifully manicured nails. with the current economic downturn, many women are trying to cut costs by doing their own manicures. The problem with home manicures is that polish often fades or chips within a couple days. it can be tough to find the right color too, since liquid polish never seems to look the same on nails as it does in the bottle.

If you’ve given up on trying to do your own manicures at home, gel polish may change your mind. New gel options, like Gelish, eliminate the problems that come with traditional nail polish. here are just a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy when doing your own gel manicures at home.

Benefit #1 – No Drying Time

One big benefit of using gel polish is the fast drying time it offers. Once you apply the gel, simply cure it under a UV light and the drying is done in a couple minutes. if you have the right lamps, drying time can be reduced even further. Instead of sitting around frustrated that you can’t use your hands, you can have the polish on and dry within minutes.

Benefit #2 – Lasts up to 3 Weeks

Gel polish is long lasting, which is another big benefit of doing gel manicures at home. It’s frustrating to spend time on a manicure when you know your nails will be chipped in a couple days. this is not a problem with Gelish. The formula can be applied thinly with just a bit to seal the edges of the nail. when applied correctly, your home manicure will look amazing for 2-3 weeks. you won’t have to worry about touch-ups or having to remove polish only after a few days. it soaks off in 15 minutes and you’re ready for a new color

Benefit #3 – Safe and Odorless

Another benefit of gel polish is that it is safe and odorless. you won’t deal with nail polish odor or feel the burn of all that filing. Gel manicures won’t damage your natural nails, which can be a big concern for many women. Even if you use this gel polish on a regular basis, you’ll still keep your healthy, beautiful nails underneath. it soaks off using regular acetone in just 15 minutes.

Benefit #4 – 72 Amazing Colors

Gelish comes in 72 amazingly beautiful colors. this means you can have fun selecting and trying out new colors. from pale pinks, to vibrant purples, and smoking hot reds, just about any shade is available. Choose from demure shades or sparkling polishes that will grab attention.

If you’re tired of chipping nails and never finding the right color, giving gel polish a try is an excellent idea. stop all the frustration of expensive salon manicures and enjoy having beautiful nails that look great for weeks at a time.

Ten Easy Ways To Organize Your Business Financials

It is a good idea to organize your finance so you are in full control of your paper work. People who do not do this are on the road to uncontrollable debt. whether you are managing your business or personal finances it is important to be on top of everything. People who simply stick their heads in the sand always end up having to face a bigger problem further on.

Pay your bills on time, do not be late with payments as you will be hit with late payment charges. Draw up a schedule of when the last payment dates are and stick to it.

Get your paper work in order, gather or your bills and put them into one place. use a folder or binder and have them in an order that you understand.

Clear up your files, do not leave years of paperwork lying around, after you have submitted them to your accountant and paid your taxes get rid of them.

Set up automatic payments on your credit cards, that way you will never miss a payment no matter how busy you are.

Also set up some sort of automatic savings, this will mean you will have money earning you interest instead.

Make sure you read the small print on your credit card agreements. May consumers are attracted by low introductory rates but then they go up without warning. When this happens change your credit card to one with a lower rate.

Over draft protection is when your account is linked to either a savings account or another account you own. This is ideal to have as you will not have the embarrassment of bouncing a check.

Consolidate any credit cards into one, this will mean that you are not paying several different companies interest.

Speak to your bank about a computerized check book, this will basically link to your online accounts and will make it easy for you to keep track of money going out.

Finally cancel any unused accounts this will help your credit score and make it easier for you to keep track of your money. Also if you have various amounts of money just sitting in unused accounts put them into a high interest one and make your money work for you.

The bottom line is, as an owner of a company, you always need to know what your financial numbers look like. you can’t simply hand everything over to an accountant at the end of the year and expect everything to work out fine. you must keep your business numbers in order.

WOULD YOU RATHER….?! REALLY FUN ParT 2?!?

WOULD U RATHER?

1) jump into a lake or the ocean?
2) love a man or a woman?
3) pinch a snail or a worm?
4) stuff grapes or fries up your nose?
5) Yell at me or whisper to me?
6) Answer or ask?
7) Go trick or treating or easter egg hunting?
8) Lie to your grandma or your mom?
9) stick your finger in an old lady's ear or lick someone's nose?
10) Eat hot lava or dry ice?
11) Yo face or Yo mama?
12) tell a joke or answer a joke?
13) fall in love with a monkey or a cat?
14) Eat rusty nails or drink hot metal?
15) ask for more would u rathers or throw up?
16) go on a ferris wheel or the Wikid?
(the wikid is a roller coaster, look it up if u need 2) lol

HAVE FUN IF YOU WANT MORE LEMME KNO =)

ocean
woman
worm
grapes
whisper
answer
trick or treating cause you rake in the candy :D
Grandma she so old she can't hear anything
Old lady's ear, they had it coming
Dry ice
Yo mama
tell a joke
cat
mmm rusty nails…
ask for more
ferris wheel :D

Peace.

1. ocean
2. man
3. worm
4. fries
5. yell
6. answer
7. trick or treating
8. mom
9. ewww
10. dry ice
11. ?
12. answer a joke
13. cat
14. neither
15. ?
16 wikid

Lake
Man
Snail
Grapes
Wisper
Answer
Trick or Treating
Mom
You you can do both for me = )
Dry Ice
Yo mama
Tell a joke
Monkey
Once again you can do that for me ; )
Ask more would you rather questions
Wikid

More more more more more

1) jump into a lake or the ocean? lake
2) love a man or a woman? man lolz
3) pinch a snail or a worm? worm…
4) stuff grapes or fries up your nose? stuff grapes
5) Yell at me or whisper to me? i dont know…
6) Answer or ask? answer
7) Go trick or treating or easter egg hunting? trick or treating
8) Lie to your grandma or your mom? grandma
9) stick your finger in an old lady's ear or lick someone's nose? uhhh neither
10) Eat hot lava or dry ice? dry ice
11) Yo face or Yo mama? ur face
12) tell a joke or answer a joke? tell
13) fall in love with a monkey or a cat? monkey
14) Eat rusty nails or drink hot metal? yikes, ew
15) ask for more would u rathers or throw up? would u rather
16) go on a ferris wheel or the Wikid? ferris well

Yay, another one!

1) jump into a lake or the ocean?-Ocean
2) love a man or a woman?-Man
3) pinch a snail or a worm?-Snail
4) stuff grapes or fries up your nose?-Fries
5) Yell at me or whisper to me?-Whisper
6) Answer or ask?-Answer
7) Go trick or treating or easter egg hunting?-trick or Treat
8) Lie to your grandma or your mom?-Grandma
9) stick your finger in an old lady's ear or lick someone's nose?-Nose
10) Eat hot lava or dry ice?-Dry Ice
11) Yo face or Yo mama?-Yo Face
12) tell a joke or answer a joke?-Tell aJoke
13) fall in love with a monkey or a cat?-Cat
14) Eat rusty nails or drink hot metal?-Rusty Nails
15) ask for more would u rathers or throw up?-would you rathers
16) go on a ferris wheel or the Wikid?-Ferris Wheel

I'm in love with your questions!

Treating Toenail Fungus – Are Home Remedies Effective?

Is your toenail turning yellow and you can see some foul smelling debris under it? if you are then you must be suffering from Onychomycosis. It basically means fungal infection of the nails. Your toenails and fingernails both can be infected by the fungus. however it has been seen that toenail fungus infection is more common than finger nail fungus infection. This is because fungi thrive in warm moist places. and wearing wet sock or shoes, walking barefoot in public baths, near swimming pools increases the chances of toenails fungus infection. It is a common disease especially among adults and you need to know about treatment.

Toenail Fungus Treatments

When it comes to toenail fungus treatment home remedies are the most common although there are certain medical treatments available as well. Tea tree oil treats fungus quite effectively. Mix undiluted tea tree oil with olive oil and apply the mixture in the affected areas. You need to do this several times a day. You can also use a mixture of tea tree oil, olive oil and thyme oil. Apply the mixture and after 15 minutes use a soft toothbrush to scrub your nail.

Listerine mouthwash provides effective cure against this fungus. You may be amazed to read that a mouthwash can be used for fungus treatment but the truth is Listerine is an extremely powerful antiseptic and it makes you nails healthy. It contains compounds like echalyptol and salicylate thymol that fight the fungal infection of your toenails. Mix the mouthwash with apple cider vinegar and paint your nails with the mixture. if the infection has spread over a large area dip a cotton ball in the mixture and place it on the infected parts. use a bandage or a duct tape to keep the cotton ball in place

For treatment at home you can mix warm water and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions. Soak your toenails in the mixture for about 20 minutes and then dry your nails thoroughly. You can use a hair dryer to dry the nails. Apple cider vinegar is a very mild acid and it will halt the spread of the toenail fungus infection. however you need to use apple cider vinegar as a complementary method of treatment and not the main method.

A recent toenail fungus treatment is the laser therapy. and it is a viable option indeed. a laser light ray is used to destroy the fungus in the bed of the nail itself. Noveon type of laser treatment is extremely popular and it is not only effective but is also painless. the Pinpointe laser treatment uses high Ultra Violet radiation to treat the fungus and because of the UV rays this treatment has certain drawbacks. It can burn the tissues of the area surrounding the infected nail.

Easy And Harmless Tanning Using Self-Tanners

Tanning is an age-old craze of people. It is the process in which the skin color darkens on exposure to ultraviolet radiation or artificial sources. Sun bathing and other tanning methods allow people to deliberately tan their skin. Use of chemical products let people enjoy the obsession of getting tanned without the exposure to harmful radiations.

Although moderate exposure to sun is essential for the body to produce vitamin-D, excessive exposure leads to sunburn, skin cancer and other health problems. Self-tanning products have become popular in this regard as an answer to the problem. they achieve the tan but without the dangerous effects. they darken the skin even during sunless seasons and also help to avoid any contact with harmful radiations.

Such self tanning options are innumerable. It includes stainers, dye based bronzers, tan accelerators, sun beds, sunlamps, and so on. they are available mostly in the form of creams, gels, sprays, or lotions and can be self-applied on the skin. Bronzers provide temporary effects. Spray options available at spas, salons, and tanning businesses use a colorless chemical that is sprayed on the body. The active ingredient in most of these is the dihydroxyacetone. this chemical burns the dead cells on the top layer of the skin to give it a brown color. The coloring gradually fades within a few days as the dead skin sheds off.

Most of these self-tanning agents do not contain sunscreen. It is advisable to use them indoors or at nights. Wearing goggles avoids contact to the eyes. Wearing nose plugs while getting a spray-on makes sense. A good research about the available products and trying a sample before using is important to avoid any possible skin allergies.

How to Apply The Product

Take up this task when you have enough time. Apply preferably a couple of hours before going to bed. keep everything handy that are needed to take bath, exfoliate the skin, apply the chemical and wash. take a bath or shower. Scrub gently to remove dead and dry skin. Dry yourself and apply skin lotion. Put on the tanning outfit since these products stain clothes.

Start applying the self-tanner. start with legs. Proceed to torso, then arms, and finally face and neck. Apply quickly but thoroughly without missing any area. Spread in a circular motion to avoid streaking. After every five minutes, wash both the hands thoroughly with nail scrub brush. Once the application is complete, avoid contact with anything. Allow enough time to dry before going to bed. keep away from water for as much time as possible for the stuff to work.

Many tanning solutions and sprays are available online for sale by various manufacturers. they come in many varieties and shades to cater any tanning need, or sun-care of customers. Online payment option makes the purchase very convenient and quick. The companies will also offer a discount rate for bulk orders and custom package them. Some sites also offer sample products online for testing. Careful selection of the product and its correct usage will give the desired results.

Use of self-tanners is a safe alternative to sun tanning. Careful and proper application of the right sunless tanning products results in a perfect sun-kissed effect.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Jenny

With the Information Given, Is There a Disease or Something That I Could Have or what can i do? 10 points!?

here is a little bit about me and my past…
*i am 18 and finally moved to the city
*long, thin face
*unhealthy complexion/pale (in a bad way), blotchy skin, acne still (one giant zit has been on my chin for over half-a-year)
*had horrible allergies as a kid and could hardly smell until 16…mainly allergic to trees, pollen, dirt…my mom raised me in the woods despite knowing this:(
*i cried a few times a week since i was little (not anymore though cuz i moved out on my own)
*i never went a week without being yelled at…and i was a really good kid so it was for no reason
*i was teased for being ugly growing up…teeth, hair, complexion,etc
*had bad teeth until i got braces
*i feel cold very easily and usually my hands feel like ice
*ingrown hairs on chin (only a couple)
*my mom was a single mom and had a stress problem so she yelled at me all the time and got involved with messed up people and forced them into my life…i'm actually very traumatized and resentful.
*what i know of my dad is he is a sociopath, mean, and drug dealer etc…not sure if he ever did drugs…was in jail for years for selling cocaine
*i made my own lunches for school since 1st grade usually consisting of crap like yogurt, a juice box that i never drank since i didnt like apple juice or fruit punch…:/ and some fruit and a LOT of candy
*i am thin though and only 4'11"
*my nails are dry and brittle and seem to grow in layers..i never had fake nails nor went to a salon.
*i have wrinkles already and look old for my age by YEARS
*droopy, thick eyelids
*tend to have clogged ears
*get backaches a lot from constant laborious work as a kid with hardly any breaks
*i was the only kid i knew who hated Peter Pan because i hated being a kid.
*some people i miss for years, but many people i don't develop a strong bond with.
*i hate being alone.
*have had a fuzzy birthmark on side of my forehead since birth
*i always felt like an outcast…
I have wondered for a while if i have something wrong with me….like a disease or if my upbringing made me how i am today or…i just have such poor body image…even when i was the exact right weight for my height my mom said stuff like "LET'S go on a diet" to include me in feeling bad as usual. i feel so ugly and old compared to other kids my age…even adults. people tend to mistake me for being much older than i am…:(
thanks^^

Your problem is low self esteem. Never have I seen a person lay out their flaws in dot point format like you have and I find it disturbing. Sounds to me like your mother may have thrown her insecurities onto you which is an irresponsible thing to do. These flaws you list are what others have told you I bet, and I suggest you take that list and fix everything on it. Get a make over, see a doctor about skin care, go with a GF and by some new clothes that suit your body, go out and socialise and get an honest opinion on your looks from ppl who are not trying to make you responsible for their s**t like your mother obviously has. We all have flaws and supermodel Elle MacPherson was once asked what her worst feature was and she very wisely said she would never say coz then everyone would look at it. She played up the positive and down the negative. Another thing you could do is write your mother a letter and give her her s**t back. Tell her how she made you feel and tell her she can deal with her own issues and not make you her fallguy. Tell her if she wants to speak to you she can do so with respect or she can go directly to hell. Dont just accept these things as truth and make them a part of who you are. You are out on your own now, time to be good to you and forget about all the bad. You own your life now noone else, so live it to the best of your ability, that is your only responsibility to you.

wow it sounds like you have had an extremely hard 18 years. please if you can see a D.R to become healthy also see a therapist to talk about what you have been through.I didnt have it easy my self growing up so i know it can mold you as an adult please dont let it.good luck to you sweetie :)

Congratulations, guy, you've made it to the city and look what you've survived.

A long, thin face is not unusual. An unhealthy complexion/pale (in a bad way), blotchy skin, acne still (one giant zit has been on my chin for over half-a-year) could be due to diet or not enough sun exposure – just a little can help. For the zit try ordinary Neosporin.

Allergies can be treated with a host of over the counter and/or natural remedies. see if you can find an allergist in your area – try a clinic. Check out a health food store and see what they have available for your particular allergies.

Some moms are just plain stupid – that's a human trait.

Crying a few times a week since you were little (not anymore though cuz i moved out on my own) was probably childhood depression.

Your parents probably yelled at your because your idea of a good kid and their idea of a good kid were worlds apart. most of us adults had bad childhoods – focus on your future, now.

Teasing is a normal part of the teen years – everyone is a dork – some are more dorky than others – others still are total douches with nothing better to do than be douche-like. Again, focus on your future and making you the best you you can be.

Braces – be glad you had them and it is over.

Cold hands and feet could be a low thyroid. have it checked with a simple blood test.

Ingrown hairs on chin – check the way you shave. use very warm tap water, a clean washcloth each time, a new razor every time and shaving gel or cream.

"*my mom was a single mom and had a stress problem so she yelled at me all the time and got involved with messed up people and forced them into my life…i'm actually very traumatized and resentful." Focus on your future, dude, seriously. Get some talk therapy – either with a doctor or a support group. Don't let her sickness make you sick, too.

"*what i know of my dad is he is a sociopath, mean, and drug dealer etc…not sure if he ever did drugs…was in jail for years for selling cocaine" Again, focus on you and your future. You can't change this, so learn from his mistakes and your mom's mistakes. Therapy is a good idea.

"*i made my own lunches for school since 1st grade usually consisting of crap like yogurt, a juice box that i never drank since i didnt like apple juice or fruit punch…:/ and some fruit and a LOT of candy" Well, you were raising yourself – what does a kid know if an adult isn't there to guide them? Vow to never let your kid do this to themselves.

"*i am thin though and only 4'11"
*my nails are dry and brittle and seem to grow in layers..i never had fake nails nor went to a salon.
*i have wrinkles already and look old for my age by YEARS
*droopy, thick eyelids
*tend to have clogged ears
*have had a fuzzy birthmark on side of my forehead since birth"
This does sound like a syndrome or genetic issue to me. Check out symptoms.webmd.com/ for more information.

"*get backaches a lot from constant laborious work as a kid with hardly any breaks" this could, however, be related to a genetic problem/syndrome that is affecting your bones.

"*i was the only kid i knew who hated Peter Pan because i hated being a kid." Don't really blame ya for this – life can suck sometimes.

"*some people i miss for years, but many people i don't develop a strong bond with." not unusual.

"*i hate being alone." me too, sometimes, but I think of it as not how alone I am, but see it as a chance to get to know myself better and get closer to my creator.

"*i always felt like an outcast…" no one can make you feel badly unless you give them permission – so said Elly Roosevelt.

I have wondered for a while if i have something wrong with me….like a disease or if my upbringing made me how i am today or…i just have such poor body image…even when i was the exact right weight for my height my mom said stuff like "LET'S go on a diet" to include me in feeling bad as usual. i feel so ugly and old compared to other kids my age…even adults. people tend to mistake me for being much older than i am…:(
thanks^^

Well, you can't change your past, but you can do something about your future. the decisions you make for yourself will help you or hurt you, but it is all up to you.

You're more normal than you think – just give yourself a break.