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procedure, inserting the individual grafts in place.

The finest surgeons can place more than 70 grafts per square centimeter in order to get a good density and appearance. In a "megasession", they may perform more prolonged surgeries, placing more than 2500-3000 grafts, reportedly even 6000 grafts, in one sitting. There is a recently reported case of 7761 follicular units transplanted in a patient, performed by Dr Victor Hasson in one 18 hour megasession.

Newer procedures today allow for far less invasive surgery with optimal results. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), invented by Dr. Ray Woods and Dr. Angela Woods Campbell of Australia, allows the surgeon to select individual follicular units from a donor region and transplant them to the recipient region. This method uses a small needle (0,50-0,75 mm diameter)to pluck out the follicular units, eliminating the need for the surgeon to excise skin from the back of the head. Benefits of FUE are quicker healing time, far less trauma, no strip scar, and the surgeon's ability to individually select follicular units. Drawbacks are that the procedure is far more time intensive than traditional STRIP methods and thus is much more costly. A top STRIP doctor can transplant more than 3000 grafts in a day, while a top FUE surgeon is limited to 1000-2500 in a day. An FUE procedure can continue over consecutive days, allowing to harvest over 3000 grafts if required for larger sessions. If too many grafts are harvested, a patient may get a "moth eaten" appearance in the back of his head.

An extension of the FUE procedure is BHT, body hair transplantation. A select group of surgeons are now successfully transplanting body hair to the head. In some cases, the body hair can take on many characteristics of head hair. However, the procedure is still in its infancy, and while there have been successful cases, more completed results are needed to give a better assessment. At this stage the hair transplant community sees body hair as a good "filler" between scalp hairs, and as an additional donor source when patients have run out of scalp hair to transplant.

During the first ten days, virtually all of the transplanted hairs, inevitably traumatized by their relocation, will fall out ("shock loss"). After two to three months new hair will begin to erupt from the moved follicles. The patient's hair will grow normally, and continue to thicken through the next six to nine months. Any subsequent hair loss is likely to be only from untreated areas. Some patients elect to use medications to retard such loss, while others plan a subsequent transplant procedure to deal with this eventuality

Generally, hair transplant costs can range anywhere from $4000 to $15, 000. The cost of your hair transplant depends mostly on how many grafts you need, and/or how many sessions you need to complete them in. Hair transplant costs vary, that is why it is imperative that you consult a variety of doctors before choosing one. The price of a hair graft, for example, can range from $3.00 a graft to $10.00 a graft. Other expenses to keep in mind when calculating a hair transplant cost is the price of any extra medication, blood tests, anesthesia, and facility fees.
4.  Do Rogaine and such products really work?  Do I have to use them for the rest of my life?

It is easier to prevent the falling out of healthy hairs than to regrow hair in follicles that are already dormant. Finasteride (marketed in the U.S. as Propecia) and minoxidil (marketed in the U.S. as Rogaine, and some places as Regaine) have shown some success in partially reversing loss. In a one-year study of finasteride, evaluation after one year showed five of 21 subjects (23.8%) had two-grade improvement in MNHS grade on a modified Norwood/Hamilton scale and 12 of 21 subjects (57.1%) had one-grade improvement; the others remained at the same grade. However such treatments are generally ineffective at treating extreme cases of hair loss.

Some people who take minoxidil only grow hair that is thin and wispy or similar to peach fuzz.

Minoxidil seems to work best on people younger than 30 years of age who have been losing hair for fewer than 5 years.

If a person uses minoxidil to stop hair loss for a length of time and then stops taking the drug, hair loss will occur again.

** All pictures come via Google searches for images

(measurements are primarily expressed in the Imperial System:  Foot/Inches for length/width and Pounds for weight which is the primary measurement for most English speaking countries (USA, UK, used still in Australia, and many times Canada)

3,500 Calories = 1 pound

Theoretical Intersexed/Mixed/Androgyne Body Dimensions (Created from data in Appendix A)

Weight 167 pounds
Height 5' 6.5"
12 inch bicep
Waist-to-Hip Ration (WHR) .80
Bust 36.25 (A cup)
Waist 30.25
Hips 37.78
Shoe Size 10.03






Knowledge that some dimensions are more difficult to change.
Certainly the Waist-to-Hip Ratio and the Breast size are the 2 main body proportions/shape that can be most easily controlled, changed, adjusted, padded, applied illusions, minimized, maximized, altered by surgical procedures, etc. While biological females have to fight natural curves to masculinize their shapes, men have to create curves to overcome their natural angular or middle stomach heavy shapes. We can focus on the specifics later. I am just pointing out that altering height or shoe size versus waist and bust sizes by various means are not practically and logically equally easy to accomplish. Though there are things to minimize or maximize height. Or hide/narrow larger feet.

As for Height, average height can vary depending on lineage. See this chart for various heights
Average Height -  Look at the chart on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height

To change a body shape or visually minimize and maximize body areas, try these suggestions put in order from easiest to hardest.







How to change one's body shape.
1. Illusion of body shape change
One could use clothing lengths, colors, shapes, patterns, and hues to visually alter the shape of one's body. This is the quickest, easiest, and first method one should pick in changing one's body shape.

Susan's has already collected numerous advice on how to visually create illusions for many body challenges. Shape vs type of clothing (see this link) http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Fashion_advice

2. Basic tools that can change one's body shape (body shapers)Belt, Padding (shoulder, bra, waist, hip and rear, cinchers (waist and chest), corsets, breast forms.

3. Diets
While I would love to recommend diets. Because of the very nature of them, lack of cohesive agreement, and conflicting scientific data; I will instead list guidelines that one could follow in selecting a diet.

   

• A comparison of some popular diets http://www.onhealth.com/diet_plans_and_programs/article.htm
• Choosing a safe and successful weight loss diet http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/choosing.htm
• Finding a weight loss program good for you http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/wgtloss.pdf
• Stick-to-it diet more important than kind of diet http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar06/diet0306.htm
• Although nutrition science is constantly evolving, here are some generally-accepted guidelines for losing weight:
• Consult with your doctor, a dietician, or other qualified health professional to determine your ideal healthy body weight.
• Eat smaller portions and choose from a variety of foods.
• Load up on foods naturally high in fiber: Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Limit portions of foods high in fat: dairy products like cheese, butter, and whole milk; red meat; cakes and pastries.
• Exercise at least three times a week.

    http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wgtloss.html

Tools for Dieting
You may want to buy a book of food nutritional values such as something like this.
Food Fat Calaries Carbs Protein and Cholestral Value Guide http://www.craftmax.com/calories/ or http://www.caloriecountercharts.com/chart1a.htm
In prepared foods, look at the label to find nutritional values.

Daily standard to maintain a weight and nutrition (to loose weight activty and calorie loss must be greater than calorie consumption, to gain the opposite).
USDA Recommended Daily Values for healthy body http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/dvs.html
USDA Recommended based on Activity http://www.fda.gov/fdac/graphics/foodlabelspecial/pg44.pdf




4. Exercise:

Three types of body shape
Ectomorph: characterised as tall and slim/thin.
Endomorph: rounded and with a generous waist size.
Mesomorph: muscular and athletic looking.

Body shape and personality
There was a time when personality was thought to be associated with body shape. Ectomorphs were considered to be quiet and morose individuals, endomorphs rather jolly, and mesomorphs a bit on the crude and vulgar side.
 
Body shape-The slim look Aerobic exercises that involve all the muscle groups such as running, yoga and swimming are useful. Employing a steady rate of exercise and avoiding rapid bursts of activity are thought to be important.

If you want to be ectomorphic (long and thin):

• Do more aerobic exercise, running and biking and ensure you work at a steady state (70 per cent max heart rate). Avoid explosive activity.
• Use exercises that allow full range of movement - swimming, isokenetics or yoga and take more time to fully stretch each muscle.
• Concentrate on eating complex carbohydrates such as pasta and potatoes and drink plenty of tepid water.

Body shape-The muscular look
Isolating each muscle group in turn and operating on a principle of short explosive bursts of activity is a basic principle. Weight bearing exercises and repeated cycles within a given muscle group are necessary - as is relaxating after normally no more than seven repetitions.

If you want to be mesomorphic (athletic and muscular):

• Work on short bursts of explosive, dynamic and intense aerobic activity near to maximum effort - short sprints, jumping and punching.
• Do more weight-bearing exercise - pump iron. Use heavy weights, up to 90 per cent of your maximum capability and complete at least three sets of each exercise with no more than seven repetitions per set. Ideally isolate one muscle group at a time and work it until exhausted.
• You must have plenty of rest between each workout to allow the muscle to grow.

Body shape-The well rounded look

• Do neither of the above. Eat too much and exercise as little as possible!
• If you want to be endomorphic (rounded and stout):
• Buy a video, some beer, order a takeaway, sit back and enjoy

Tools for exercise body shaping
Chart of  burned calories per exercise http://k2.kirtland.cc.mi.us/~balbachl/calorie.htm
Comprehensive chart of calories burned per activity http://www.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htm



5. Plastic Surgery
Average Surgeon costs of procedures (surgery costs will also include anesthesia, parts/equipment, and facility fees) http://www.infoplasticsurgery.com/cost.html

Average Surgeon costs for Procedures http://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com/trends/charts-graphs-2005.htm#surgeon-fees-2005

As with most plastic surgery, liposuction cost comprises three fees: surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, and facility fees. The anesthesia fees range from approximately $500 to $1,000, depending on the number of areas treated. The facility fees also vary depending on the number of areas where liposuction is performed, ranging from $600 to $1,200. The rest of the cost is the surgeon's fee.

The average cost to have liposuction performed in one area of the body is up to $4,000, in three areas is $6,000 to $8,000, and in five areas is $8,000 to $11,000. The cost is higher for larger body areas. For example, the average cost for the abdomen is $4,000 to $8,000, but for the outer thigh is about half as expensive.

Liposuction for men is more extensive, and therefore more expensive than for women because the texture of the fat is typically more fibrous and harder to remove than in women.

6. HRT (only applicable to some) results http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Category:Hormone_Replacement_Therapy












Waist-hip ratio
Scientists have discovered that the waist-hip ratio (WHR) is a significant factor in judging female attractiveness. Women with a 0.7 WHR (waist circumference that is 70% of the hip circumference) are invariably rated as more attractive by men, regardless of their culture. A WHR of 0.7 for women and 0.9 for men have been shown to correlate strongly with general health and fertility.

Measuring
To calculate the ratio, use a non-stretchable tape. Make sure it is level around the body, parallel to the floor, and tighten it without depressing the skin. Measure the waist at its narrowest point width-wise, usually just above the belly button. Measure the hips around the widest part of the hip bones. Then divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement.

Artifical alteration
Many methods have been used to artificially alter a person's apparent WHR. These include corsets used to reduce the waist size and hip, waist, and buttock padding used by cross-dressers to increase the apparent sizes. One could use diet, exercise, and liposuction to decrease waist and hip sizes, and gain weight and build muscle to increase waist/hip sizes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist-hip_ratio

How to use this charateristic to your advantage.
One can feminize by reducing waist area.
One can masculinize by increasing waist area.

1. Illusion techniques
To Feminize [Goal: make appear narrow and create curves]

Use feminine fabrics, cuts, and colors. (See post on Androgynous Clothing)


To Masculinize [Goal: make appear wider and minimize curves]
Recommended
Use masculine fabrics, cuts, and colors (see Post on Androgynous Clothing)
Multi colors in outfit at least two colors. Horizontal lines at the waist can add width.
Dark colors minimize (hips, breast, and feet area), light colors (shoulders, some in waist) maximize.
A large busy design like on a T-Shirt at the waist can add width.
Unbelted if possible, dont want to bring in waist area anymore. Keep shirt untucked if you must wear a belt, or layer with a coat, vest, or over shirt.
Baggy at the waist, and fitted more at the top, and bottom can add waist.
Long Shirts.

Discouraged

Large, busy patterns on breast area (chest logo or design)/pants
Horizontal stripes on breast area/pants
Brightly colored chest area or pants
Tucked in shirts (especially belted)
Short tight waist tops

Wearing something dark above the waist, and dark at the hips, then something light at the waist, Ex. a dark T-shirt with a big logo or image light in color at the waist worn slightly baggy untucked and with length, can add width to the waist, will minimizing the breast area. Adding dark unpleated men's fitted pants or above knee length shorts, if your calves are built well enough, can minimize a wider waist at the same time and add some length.

2. Tools - Minimize breast area with minimizing bra, sports bra, breast binding. Increase width at waist with padding or layers of clothing. Minimize hips with slenderizing hip leg shaper wear.

3. One could diet / exercise towards muscle building. Women that become more muscular normally achieve reduced breast and hip sizes, and increased waist. Decrease in weight to skinny anorexic shape, would decrease chest and hip, but make masculinization really difficult at the same time. Gaining weight also will gain more in the hips and chest/breast area, thus increasing difficulty of masculinization.

4. Hips and breast area can be removed and reduced through cosmetic surgeries.

5. Those undergoing HRT would experience muscle tone, fat redistribution (see link above for effects and side effects of testosterone)











Examples
Female biological trying to masculinize more:
Possible challenge areas: Height, waist-to-hip ratio, biceps, amount of muscle, breasts

Some Height possible solutions
1. For Height from the illusion type suggestions Using the link to fashion advice http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Fashion_advice. Possible Masculine tips I have highlighted in bold below.

2. For simple tools one could wear a men's shoe with a slight heal or lifts

There is no dietary, exercise, or sugery to make one taller, though smaller masculine people with larger muscular shoulders, arms, and legs seem larger in stature. Possible body building could add more muscle and add a larger presence.













Other Information
Woman's Sizing Chart http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Clothing_Sizes

“Men’s ideals for their own physique tends to be "bigger equals better." This preference is consistent with the Freudian construct that men are obsessed with large objects or parts of their anatomy. According to Adam Drewnowski (1995), more men wanted to gain weight rather than lose weight.

Women however tend to find men of average size to be most attractive.

male to female sizing http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Clothing_Sizes#Sizing_feminine_attire_to_the_male_body



Appendix A
 Average Male
Male weight chart:
Age: 20 to 29 yrs 30 to 39 yrs 40 to 49 yrs 50 to 59 yrs 60 to 69 yrs
kilograms: 76 81.3 82.6 84 83.5
pounds: 168 179 182 185 184
Size of the average guy's biceps: 13 inches (flexed, at around 175 pounds)
Average man's heigh is 5'9"
Their weight is approx. 175 lbs.
They wear a size  [Size 16W]
Their bust 37.35 (AA cup)
Their waist is 32.35
Their hips 37.80
Their shoe size 10.53

Average Female
Female weight chart:
Age: 20 to 29 yrs 30 to 39 yrs 40 to 49 yrs 50 to 59 yrs 60 to 69 yrs
kilograms: 59.8 65.5 67.7 71.7 68.9
pounds: 132 144 149 158 152
Average women
Size of the average gal's biceps: 11 inches (flexed, at around 140 pounds)
Average woman's heigh is 5'4"
Their weight is approx. 140 lbs.
They wear a size [Size 14/12W]
Their bust 35.15 (B cup)
Their waist is 28.15
Their hips 37.75
Their shoe size 9.58
http://www.pipeline.com/~dada3zen/average.htm

Appendix B
Percentages of Breast Sizes
AA cup: 2%
A cup: 15%
B cup: 44%
C cup: 28%
D cup: 10%
DD cup: 1%
http://www.breastoptions.com/average.html
36C-24-36.

Appendix C

Weight Chart for Women
Weight in pounds, based on ages 25-59 with the lowest mortality rate
(indoor clothing weighing 3 pounds and shoes with 1" heels)

 
Height    Small Frame   Medium Frame   Large Frame      
4'10"   102-111   109-121   118-131      
4'11"   103-113   111-123   120-134      
5'0"   104-115   113-126   122-137      
5'1"   106-118   115-129   125-140      
5'2"   108-121   118-132   128-143      
5'3"   111-124   121-135   131-147      
5'4"   114-127   124-138   134-151      
5'5"   117-130   127-141   137-155      
5'6"   120-133   130-144   140-159      
5'7"   123-136   133-147   143-163      
5'8"   126-139   136-150   146-167      
5'9"   129-142   139-153   149-170      
5'10"   132-145   142-156   152-173      
5'11"   135-148   145-159   155-176      
6'0"   138-151   148-162   158-179   

Weight Chart for Men
Weight in pounds, based on ages 25-59 with the lowest mortality rate
(indoor clothing weighing 5 pounds and shoes with 1" heels)

 
Height    Small Frame   Medium Frame   Large Frame      
5'2"   128-134   131-141   138-150      
5'3"   130-136   133-143   140-153      
5'4"   132-138   135-145   142-156      
5'5"   134-140   137-148   144-160      
5'6"   136-142   139-151   146-164      
5'7"   138-145   142-154   149-168      
5'8"   140-148   145-157   152-172      
5'9"   142-151   148-160   155-176      
5'10"   144-154   151-163   158-180      
5'11"   146-157   154-166   161-184      
6'0"   149-160   157-170   164-188      
6'1"   152-164   160-174   168-192      
6'2"   155-168   164-178   172-197      
6'3"   158-172   167-182   176-202      
6'4"   162-176   171-187   181-207   
*Ideal Weights according to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company tables (1983)
Calculating Your Frame Size
Extend your arm in front of your body bending your elbow at a ninety degree angle to your body so that your forearm is parallel to your body.
Keep your fingers straight and turn the inside of your wrist towards your body.
Place your thumb and index finger on the two prominent bones on either side of your elbow, then measure the distance between the bones with a tape measure or calipers.
Compare to the chart below. The chart lists elbow measurements for a medium frame - if your elbow measurement for that particular height is less than the number of inches listed, you are a small frame - if your elbow measurement for that particular height is more than the number of inches listed, your are a large frame.
 
Elbow Measurements for Medium Frame               
Men   Elbow Measurement    Women   Elbow Measurement      
5'2" - 5'3"   2-1/2" to 2-7/8"   4'10"-4'11"   2-1/4" to 2-1/2"      
5'4" - 5'7"   2-5/8" to 2-7/8"   5'0" - 5'3"   2-1/4" to 2-1/2"      
5'8" - 5'11"   2-3/4" to 3"   5'4" - 5'7"   2-3/8" to 2-5/8"      
6'0" - 6'3"   2-3/4" to 3-1/8"   5/8" - 5'11"   2-3/8" to 2-5/8"      
6'4"   2-7/8" to 3-1/4"   6'0"   2-1/2" to 2-3/4"   

Appendix D

Real Women
Average woman's heigh is 5'4"
Their weight is approx. 140 lbs.
They wear a size 14 dress
Their bust is between 36" and 37" (B cup)
Their waist is between 30" and 34"
Their hips average between 40" and 42"
Their shoe size is estimated to be between 8.5 and 9.5

Barbie (as a human)
Barbie's height would be 7'2"
Her weight would be 101 lbs.
She would wear a size 4 dress
Her bust would be 39" (FF cup)
Her waist would be 19" (same as her head)
Her hips would be 33"
Her shoe size would be a 5

This is the next topic from the poll at http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,9221.0.html
You can read about my experience (some of the information I have put in this post) here http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,660.msg10617.html#msg10617


Nail (fingernails/toenails) definition
The thin, horny, transparent plate covering the upper surface of the end of a finger or toe. http://www.bartleby.com/61/88/F0128800.html

Basic nail anatomy


The free edge is the part of the nail the extends past the finger, beyond the nail plate. There are no nerve endings in the nail - this is the growing part of the nail still under the skin at the nail's proximal end.
eponychium or cuticle, is the fold of skin at the proximal end of the nail.
paronychium is the fold of skin on the sides of the nail.
hyponychium is the attachment between the skin of the finger or toe and the distal end of the nail.
nail plate is what we think of when we say nail, the hard and translucent portion, composed of keratin.
nail bed is the adherent connective tissue that underlies the nail.
lunula is the crescent shaped whitish area of the nail bed (when visible)
nail fold a fold of hard skin overlapping the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail.
taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingernail

Purpose of nails
Human nails protect the tips of the toes and fingers, while fingernails help us pick up small objects and scratch ourselves.


Nail growing process and composition.
Nails grow at an average rate of 0.1mm a day (1 cm every 100 days).[1] Fingernails require 4 to 6 months to regrow completely. Toenails require 12 to 18 months. Actual growth rate is dependent upon age, season, exercise level, and hereditary factors.

Fingernails and toenails, which are made of a tough protein called keratin and are a form of modified hair. For more information on molecular make up of nails and keratin see http://www.bookrags.com/Keratin.

Nail Nutrition
The best way to support nails as well as hair and skin is to eat a proper diet (to help regulate hydration, oil production, and overall function of cells). Eat foods found in all three basic food groups. Fats, carbohydrates, and protiens.

Vitamins aid in healing, softening, and fighting diseases. Vitamins A, C, D, and E have been shown to have positive effects on  the skin's health. Internal is better than external, though external helps some. These are the main ingredients in most skin helping supplements, lotions, and revitalizers.

     Vitamin A -overall health of skin (health, function, and repair, antioxidant) , improves elasticity and thickness. In topical acid form it is main ingredient to Retin-A.

     Vitamin C- absorbic acid, repair, aids and speeds up healing, fights aging, promotes collagen (helps skin be healthy and firm)

     Vitamin D- healthy rapid healing skin, best source sunlight (limited), also helps bones (added to milk because of this)

     Vitamin E- tocopherol, with vitamin A helps fight UV rays,  great internally or externally, helps heal damaged skin (even burns)

Water- Drink Pure Water- take body weight divide by 2, then divide result by 8. example 160 pounds/2=80/8=10 glasses of 8 ounce  water; add 2 more if you do intense physical activity.

Some basic nail products
Nail clippers
Nail files
Nail buffers
Nail polish, Nail polish remover, Nail dryers, Nail top coats
Nail strengtheners and conditioners
Cuticle removers (tools and or liquid desolvers)
Nail Anti-Fungal and Antiseptics
Nail Art: decals, rhinestones, jewelry, striping tape, decals and specialty paints, glues and top coats

Nail services (from solon).
Manicure
Pedicure
Set of nails [fiberglass, gel, acrylic]
Nail repair
Polish, buff
Nail Art

(just picking random ones just to get a small range of possible prices [see your local salons for more exact prices]
Sample Costs USA http://www.pazazzspa.com/NailServices.cfm, http://www.highlandspa.com/nailsalon.html, http://www.salonschools.com/ht_docs/services/nail.shtml, http://www.bobsteele.com/Web-2006/service-nail.htm

I need to find some UK, Australia, and Canada prices too. Feel free to link me some sample prices from other countries also.

Proper trimming and maintenance steps
So first, eat well to create building blocks, drink Pure Water sufficient amount, take a multivitamin (helps with all basic vitamins), add supplements for A, C, D, and E internally

Add lotions, conditioners, and nail oils/nutritions to troubled areas externally(find one best for you),

Nails- B vitamins, gelatin, and keeping them hydrated (oils, moisturizers, and sealer/protectors)

Massage hands and arms to improve circulation of nutrients to the hands and nails.

File instead of clip if possible. File from the side to the tip. Any chips or cracks should be filed before they spread. Clippers should only be used to take large chunks of nail off (following major breaks), followed by filling them. Metal ones are the least effective files, where as the ones more sand paper  like(emry boards) are better (files smoother), the common double sided 2 different sided grained ones are very good

If Nails are brittle try a more squarish shape of nail shape to give it more strength

Wear rubber gloves if in contact with harsh chemical cleaning agent

Constant quick dry polishes, removal agents, and hardening agents may weaken and dry out nails. Take a break from them and go natural for a while

Different nail shapes

Popular shapes
Sharp-corner Square
Totally trendy now, trends change, but these nails always looks good. This shape looks great with short nails and on longer ones too. Square is more masculine then round or oval

Oval
These nails look glamorous but break easily and make typing more difficult. Very feminine.

Rounded
Good for the active person who hates to fuss. A low maintenance manicure. Between masculine and feminine.

Lengths

No Nails: At a minimum, the nail should cover the entire nail bed. Very popular masculine length. At a minimum loition or oil them to keep moisturized.


Short Nails: Also popular for any gender is a slight protrusion around 1/8 inch (about 1 months growth). This is mostly masculine, with only slight femininity, though a curve can feminize this length a bit


Medium Nails: More daring and length becomes evident is about double the slight length somewhere around 1/4 inch (about 2 months growth).


Long Nails: These are in the 3 to 6 month growth range (3/8 to 1 inch growth). Special care must be taken to prevent breaking.


Ultra long Nails: These are much longer than 1 inch and rare.


For some long fingernails on men see a great site with pictures at http://www.xs4all.nl/~richardw/nails.htm.

Nail colors, designs, and decoration.
Natural- masculine
Clear Polished-masculine slightly feminine or metrosexual
One Color traditional [should work together with your clothing, style, and mood]
One Color -black (or a few dark colors or unusual colors) can be used by some artists/musicians in a masculine way.
French Manicured- Feminine shiek style
Non traditional colored, symbolism, shocking or unusual colors, statements - Spiritual or Social movement related
Exotic - seductive
Nail Art -  Artsy creative persona

Nail Biting [from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_biting]

Nail biting is the habit of biting one's fingernails or toenails during periods of nervousness, stress, hunger, or boredom. It can also be a sign of mental or emotional disorder. The clinical name for nail biting is chronic onychophagia.

28% to 33% of children ages 7-10 years old,
44% of adolescents,
19% to 29% of young adults and
5% of older adults
It is more common in young males


Negative side-effects
Biting the nails can result in the spreading of germs that are on or under the surface of the nail into the mouth. It may cause the spread nail fungi, staph bacteria or viruses.Thus biting nails can potentially cause health issues.

A compulsive nail biter could also be tempted to bite not only the nail, but also the surrounding skin and cuticle, possibly breaking skin. Broken skin is susceptible to microbial and viral infections. These pathogens can be spread between the fingers and toes via the mouth. A normal, healthy (nail biting) person has a very low risk of suffering from infections.

Nail biting also has the negative side effect of restraining the use of the hands. A compulsive nailbiter can be restricted in their ability to work (i.e. writing, typing, drawing, playing stringed instruments, driving) because of the damage done to the nail or surrounding skin and/or anxiety in regards to the appearance of their nails. However, non nailbiters often find they must cut their nails to a very short length to play stringed instruments or the piano, as nails inhibit the playing of such instruments.

A long-time habit of nailbiting may have detrimental effects on the substantia adamantinea of the front teeth, promoting caries in these areas.

Extreme nailbiting is considered to be a form of self-mutilation. Chronic nailbiters will bite their nails so much so that it borderlines masochism. Fingertips will become overly sensitive to pain, usually at the place the skin meets the edge of the nail. If the nail has been bit short enough, salty foods (such as potato chips and pickles) can get between the skin and nail and cause pain and hypersensitivity.

Nail biting is, according to Freudian theory, a symptom of oral fixation.