Women bake, brush, buff, diet, and smooth every day in hopes of turning a few heads, making a big impression, or just feeling a little more confident. And it is notably true that looking good can make us feel great. Sometimes, however, we go a little too far.

MORNING RITUALS

For the process of getting ready in the morning, taking an hour or two is completely normal for most of us. In fact, in a survey of 25 women in the Albemarle region, ages 19-55, 21 admitted that they take an hour or more to get ready most mornings.

"Between taking a shower, blow-drying my hair, putting on make-up, and picking out an outfit, it definitely takes a while," admits Christen Brown.

On the contrary, there are a few lucky women who say that it takes them less than a half hour to get ready for work, though they do admit to taking more time if the occasion calls for it.

"I used to take longer to get ready, but my husband gets impatient, so I just wrap it up quickly now," says Carol Smith.

Time isn't what we should worry about, but rather the acts that we perform in that amount of time that should cause alarm.

TURN DOWN THE HEAT

Evidently, straightening, curling, or even just blow-drying our hair every morning can cause long-term damage.

Hairstylist, Tanya Padrick, of Rudy and Kelly hair salon, says that women should use heated tools, such as curling or straightening irons on their hair no more than three or four times a week.

"If you do feel that you need to use a blow dryer daily, apply heat protecting products first," advises Padrick.

Despite the notion that over washing hair can lead to dryness, it is actually the products we use that cause the damage. Padrick says that hair can be washed as many times as the person likes, so long as they use a mild shampoo and conditioner. Padrick also recommends that women avoid applying shampoo directly the ends of hair, but after rinsing, concentrating conditioner there.

IT'S THE ONLY SKIN YOU'VE GOT

While the damaging effects of hair abuse can definitely be seen, it is skin abuse that is most notable in women. Young women may spend hours tanning, but as we age, we begin to spend hours covering up the effects of that tanning. These damaging effects of sun exposure are well known to women, but still we abuse our skin.

According to YourSkinDoctor.com, the majority of cases dermatologists treat are those concerning sun exposure, whether the effects are wrinkles, age spots, or skin cancer.

The site recommends that in addition to avoiding tanning, an application of sunscreen should be added to women's daily regimen, before the sun's effects are too serious.

STAY BEAUTIFUL

So go ahead and make your husband or boyfriend grumble; apply heat protection spray and sunscreen. When he asks what's taking so long, simply tell him that you're assuring that you remain as beautiful as you are now, ten years down the road.