The veins on my hands stand out so much.  What can I do to make them go away? I am 49.   

Maybe if I say this really fast and softly it won’t be quite so painful:  Thereisn’tmuchyoucandoabouttheveinsonyourhands.  Veins become ever more prominent with age as the pads of fat decrease on the back of your hands.  Assuming a healthy weight level, someone of a certain age whose hands are plump and smooth is someone who has never done a day’s work.  There are always exceptions, of course, and one of them is that it is possible to obtain collagen injections to plump up the skin, something that is being done with increasing frequency, by the way.  What you can do to promote youthful looking hands is to treat your hands as you treat your face.  Apply the same morning and night routines of cleansing, toning (use a glycolic acid toner), and moisturizing to diminish wrinkles, eliminate age spots, and promote the smoothest skin possible. 

Final word:  Unless you have been reclining on a settee for most of your life, your hands will show the effects of a busy life.  Not such a bad testimonial, at that. 

I am African-American with dark skin.  My mother says I still need a sunscreen.  Do I?
 
You should always listen to your mother.  People who have darker skin may not sunburn as readily but their skin is still susceptible to the damaging UV rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 --- no exceptions.  Regardless of race, everyone is susceptible to skin damage from overexposure to the sun.

What do you think of permanent makeup?  Eyelash and eyebrow dyes? 

Many of you may remember The Jetsons television series.  I thought that the most desired technological feature of their futuristic lives was found in the opening credits when George and Jane would jump from bed into a grooming tube and emerge in a flash completely combed, groomed, and dressed ready to face the day.   This is why the idea of permanent makeup is so appealing; it would be unquestionably convenient.  It would also be especially helpful for those with poor eyesight or coordination problems.  That said, don’t do it. 

The trouble with permanent makeup is that it is so, well, permanent.  You know of course that it is essentially a tattoo.  This is not something that is easily undone.  Even facelifts have a statute of limitations.  The problems that could occur are numerous, including allergic reactions, infections, scarring, keloids, and blood borne diseases. 

Most blood banks will not accept you as a blood donor for twelve months after a procedure.  This tells you something.   Then there is the strong possibility you will be unhappy with the result.  Many practitioners of permanent makeup are less than skilled and the wished for feathered eyebrows become horizontal exclamation points across your forehead.  Did I mention that reversing the procedure is rarely successful?  If you are still undeterred, then choose wisely.  Find the most qualified and experienced practitioner bar none.  Buyer beware. 

As far as eyebrow and eyelash dyes, the response is the same.  Don’t do it.  Ammonia-like ingredients are the mainstay of hair dyes and the dangers to the eyes far outweigh the benefits.  The FDA has approved no dyes for this purpose.  And never use regular hair dye for this purpose.  Mascara and brow pencils, powders, or creams are still the only safe methods for coloring lashes and brows.