Holiday Advice from the SPA!!

OK those of you running around going crazy deciding what to buy for who

 And what food to make for what event. After you have finished driving yourself crazy,do yourself a favor and come into the spa for some relaxation and rejuvenation.

I had a lady tell me today after her relaxing massage that I was better than her therapist! Haha. Wish I could make that kind of money. But seriously,it is important for your well being to take time for yourself and de-stress.
If you can't get in before the holidays,put the spa on your wish list. Gift certificates from the spa are never a bad idea.

The new IonToSonic Facial treatment is still going like gangbusters! get glowing skin in time for all those holiday parties and pictures that will be all over Face book!

What age should I bring in my child for a facial?

When is it time to get your daughters and sons on a good skin care routine? Well, I would say from the time they are young enough to know the importance of good hygiene. When your children are little you give them baths and tuck them into bed at night. It is usually around preteen age 10 to 12 when we start to lose some control over how they get their skin clean. That is the time I feel that you need to have a talk about good facial wash and a balancing moisturizer with SPF in it. Once the hormones kick in and they are starting to get some breakouts they will have established a good routine that you can add onto.


I try to recommend to my clients that they bring in their young teens at around age 13 or 14 to have me give them a mini facial and I can talk to them about good skin care. I can show them how much better their skin can look with the blackheads removed and the oil under control.

This is just as important for boys as it is for girls. In fact I actually have a larger clientele of teenage boys at this time than girls.

I teach girls the importance of washing off their make up before bed and boys of washing their face ,period. Some times it is easier for someone besides mom to make this impression on them.

It is very possible with just some regular facials and a good routine you can save your teenagers from a trip to the Dermatologist office.

Hives update and testing for Vitamin D

Well I may not ever know the exact reason for my huge hive outbreak a couple weeks ago . They are just now calming down. The doctor has prescribed a five day steroid treatment and a stronger skin cream for the itching. Pretty standard treatment from what I have read. She said this should help get the rest of the irritant out of my system. We are going to chalk it up to stress induced at this time.

I have also decided that it would be prudent to wear a mask during the new treatment just to keep from inhaling any particles in the air during it. Although the doctor didn't feel that that was the cause.

I also asked for a Vit D deficiency test since I am hearing from so many people how they have turned up deficient. I asked the Doctor why they are not doing this test automatically . She said they don't usually but almost EVERYONE she tests is deficient . Yes you heard me almost EVERYONE!!! I'm thinking to myself..well why wouldn't this test be standard? But I figured I wasn't going to grill her and she was more than willing to do the test. I reserve my bitching for those I feel deserve it these days....Check the listed reference source for Vitamin D deficiency symptoms. You will be shocked what not getting enough of this Vitamin can do to your system.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/v/vitamin_d_deficiency/symptoms.htm#symptom_list

My Hive out break could have a link to not having enough of this Vitamin in my system ,and I take 1500 mg a day! I may need much much more than that and you might also. I strongly advise that you all ask your doctor to check your levels . You may be surprised at how much better you can feel when you have the correct amount of it.

Suffering from a skin ailment!! Gah!!

I decided to share with my readers some of my frustration that I am having with a breakout of hives that I am suffering from.

Last time I EVER had hives to this extent was when I was a little girl and I had eaten pine apple while licking stamps to put in my mothers stamp booklet. Apparently my parents were never able to figure out what caused it the pineapple or the glue or the two combined...so they kept me away from both all my life. I started to eat pineapple in adulthood and never had any hives so I determined that it had not been the cause. Or if it had ,I had outgrown it.
Well two weeks ago I broke out in hives all over my chest ,my ears filled with fluid and I felt like I may even had some inside my throat! Some really strong Benadryl which knocked me out for a day seemed to help with the throat and ear thing. I have had to take an antihistamine every 6 hours since just to hold this rash to what it is....I have gone over everything I may have eaten and can come up with nothing .
From everything I have read Hives can be brought on by stress. Have I had that this last month? yes.Combined with seasonal allergies seems to be the only trigger I can come up with.

The most common skin allergy triggers that cause hives include:


• Medication such as antibiotics, codeine, penicillin, sulfa, anticonvulsant drugs, phenobarbital, and aspirin

• Foods like shellfish, nuts, tomatoes, soy, chocolate, and berries

• Pollen

• Cat dander

• Insect bites such as bee ans wasp stings



Other causes of the hives include: emotional stress, bacterial - viral - fungal infections, hepatitis B, parasitic worms, food additives, plants, cold temperatures, heat, sweating, and dermatographism (irritation from pressure or tight fitting clothes).

So as you can see this is not going to be easy to figure out.....
Seeing the Doc on Monday and hope for some answers.

Can NOT stop talking about it!!

Yes,I am STILL talking about the IonToSonic machine. Into our second week of using this on clients and getting some feedback. Overall its a huge thumbs up! I confess I am addicted to how it feels getting the treatment done. I didn't get one this week because we were so busy doing them on clients. Added to that its' sweetest day week and EVERYONE wants a massage or something. Anyway,I am badly missing my treatment. Not really because I need one so badly but because I miss the way it feels getting one.

The combination of galvanic current and ultrasonic feels invigorating! It is hard to describe to some one. Its relaxing and invigorating at the same time! As I am working on someone I can actually see the results happen on their skin right before my eyes. I have several people booked for series of treatments (3 or more). Very excited to see the results on them after 3 of these.

This can also be used on ageing hands. Hands show age very quickly and if this treatment can renew that skin it would be a bonus for so many people.
Ok ,I will stop raving about it ,for now. Please think about getting one of these treatments done.

IonToSonic Machine update

A couple posts back I blogged about a new treatment we were getting into the salon that uses a combination of ultrasound and galvanic technology to improve the skin. Well the machine is here and I LOVE IT!! The results are immediate!

Do you remember when you skin felt like this?

Soft,hydrated,smooth?
Well that is how my skin felt after one treatment.Yes you heard right,after ONE treatment. The overall color tone was improved and my skin felt silky and hydrated. I am excited to see what several Treatments will accomplish.

I highly recommend this affordable treatment to just about anyone. You will not be disappointed. The results will vary according to skin care needs,but I am convinced that it can help improve just about any ones skin.

Titanium Dioxide : Safe or Not??

Titanium Dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral found in two forms,rutile and anatase. Both of these forms contain pure Titanium Dioxide that is bound to impurities. It is chemically processed to remove the impurities.Thus leaving the pure white pigment available for use. It has a variety of uses but I will stick to the cosmetic .
It serves several purposes.The main one is as a Sunscreen.
Some studies have pointed to this substance as a carcinogen.This has put fear into consumers. Are these claims true? What is important to note is that the only time in any of the studies done the problem occurred only when ultra fine or nano particles were use on lab rats.
So the problem will only arise when the particles are made small enough to work their way down into the human body or bloodstream and then only at very large quantities.
What does this mean to the average consumer? Well I take it to mean that we should avoid using Micoronized mineral pigments either in sunscreens or color cosmetics.
Course or fine particles should be safe . It is only the MICRONIZED mineral particles that should be avoided as they can make their way down to the lower levels of the skin.
Over all most of the studies have found this substance safe and a good sunscreen. So once again ,read your labels and also do your own research on this substance if you are still unsure.
I am basing my opinions on the several articles of research on this subject.

IontoSonic Machine is coming!!

The IontoSonic Machine is an extremely versatile, multifunctional skin care system for the face and upper chest. It is the ultimate skin-resurfacing tool and can be used on all skin types. It is as effective as microdermabrasion without the associated disposal issues of getting rid of used crystals and does not harm live skin cells.
This state of the art machine designed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons uses 23,000 pulses of ultrasound per second.
This machine has four functions
1.Cleansing
2.Scaling (getting rid of debris that is embedded on the surface of the skin
3.Infusion ,applying Vitamin C ,Collegen,Elastin ect products to the skin allowing a penetration of  20 times deeper than that of regular galvanic.
4. Lifting , A stimulation of the tissue and muscles giving a lifted effect.Increases blood supply & lymphatic flow

It gets rid of waste materials that accumulate on the skin while promoting metabolism by increasing blood circulation. IontoSonic treatments can help diminish:

•Acne

•Aging

•Scaring

•Stretch marks

•Hypo pigmentation.

It can also be used to help rejuvenate hands and improve elasticity.
This treatment is best done in a series although one certainly can give nice results! I want to get this regularly as I can't imagine NOT having my skin feel the way it does after this treatment.

I had this procedure done ONE TIME and my skin felt as smooth and hydrated as a baby's! This is by far the most exciting procedure we have added to our menu since the pulsating light treatment.I highly recommend this treatment for ALL skin types!

New product lines at the spa

I am excited about some new products at the spa I work at so I am going to tell you a bit about them. Looking for a good ORGANIC skin care line?? Taio is perfect for that person who knows that what they put on thier skin needs to be healthy!

TAIO ORGANICS........(tay-o)


We are proud to introduce a new product to you! Taio organics is a simple, reflective lifestyle or path of beauty care that balances science & nature with a lifestyle in need of restoration, both physically & spiritually. Infused with organic & natural ingredients, Taio skin products deliver superior results with a select offering that complements a simplified lifestyle!

I have used this product for the past six weeks and am thrilled with the results! The clean, natural feeling and effectiveness of the product made our decision to carry it in the Spa to be used when we do your facial treatments and as a retail item.

Be sure and ask your esthetician how to use this product in combination with the Pevonia also.

TAKE 10% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE OF THIS NEW PRODUCT!

Also we are now selling Rapid lash!! It is a lash enhancing and conditioner or the Lashes and brows. Helps stimulate growth. Comparable to Latisse but more affordable at only $49.95!!!
Check out the Day Spa at Salon Elizabeth for these items . Enjoy!

Pedicures“It’s Not Just About Pretty Feet”

Taking care of your feet with a good pedicure has more benefits than just leaving you with pretty toenails. It can improve the overall health of your feet. Sore Feet can lead to a sore back, sore legs and overall fatigue.

Un groomed toenails can lead to ingrown nails. A buildup of dry cuticle around the nails can also feel just as bad as an ingrown toenail.

Build up of rough dry skin on heals or the pads of the foot can cause calluses and lead to cracked skin which can be a breeding ground for fungus and other infections.

I Have UGLY feet and don’t want anyone touching them!!

This is one of the main reasons I hear from people that don’t get pedicures on why they don’t. This is the MOST important reason to get one!! Any foot no matter its shape or condition will look better with groomed toenails and smoother hydrated skin.

Trust me, in all the years I have worked on feet I have NEVER met a foot I couldn’t make look better 



I hear you can get infections from pedicures??

This is the second reason I hear that causes people to shy away from this service. Unfortunately this can be true. It is important that the salon, if they use the whirlpool type tubs, put them through a good disinfectant rinse between clients.

We use the portable tubs in our salon. Although not as pretty as the big whirlpool ones they are VERY easy to keep clean and disinfected. There is not a filter area in these tubs that can harbor germs like in the whirlpool tubs. I feel confident that we clean these well with a broad spectrum disinfectant before each use.

Start your summer off with a relaxing refreshing pedicure! Your feet will look great and you will feel so much better!

Trying out those new exercise shoes...

OK,I realize that this post isn't really skin care ect related. BUT,I am sure I have already deviated from that on here before. This is however Health and Fitness related so I feel it can fit into this blog nicely.

I have been wanting to try out Sketchers Shape ups,pictured above in the second picture. They come in about 4 styles. Problem is they cost from $100 to 110.00 and well I have a real hard time dropping that type of money on shoes that I am not even sure will work for me sooooooo I decided on the cheaper version from Target (first picture above) They are called Trim Steps and ran me about $28.00. They are basically the same thing. They are made with a curved sole that is supposed to align your spine and give your legs ,butt,and basically your whole body a workout just by walking in them.

They suggest you slowly get your body used to walking in them by only wearing them for a few hours at a time the first week or so. I am starting by doing my housework in them today. Vacuuming, running up and down stairs, doing the laundry ect. I'll let you know how it goes.
And remember I am slacking off a bit on this blog with the summer coming up. Lots to do outdoors! Please take this time to read over some of my previous posts! You may have missed one you would like!
Thanks again for following!

Another Latisse update....

OK,final post about this lash enhancing product.
Been just about 8 weeks using this and the final results is that I have a definite improvement in lash growth. My lashes are fuller and longer by a pretty noticeable amount. So all in all this product does work pretty well. Is it something I think I would continue to drop money on to keep my lashes this way? Maybe.

I have heard that once you get the length you can cut down to three times a week and maintain the progress that you achieved. If that is the case then this product would be more affordable.
So anyway two thumbs up.

Latest Latisse report

Just a short post to update you all on my journey with Latisse. I am sure in the coming weeks I will get some more improvement as it has not been a full 2 months yet. I have seen SOME increase in thickness and length. Not enough yet for me to warrant spending money on it again. Not at this point anyway. I plan on giving it the full two months or to the end of the bottle.
I have been impressed with the results I have seen on other people though. My next test will be to try one of the cheaper formulas and see what the difference between the two is.
So for now I would have to say this. Yes Latisse works! To varying degree with people. But all that I talked with and have seen myself had an increase in growth! If my lashes suddenly take off and grow like crazy you will be the first to hear about it! LOL!

Galvanic machine purchase and review!

If you follow my blog you know I have posted a section about Galvanic Facials or,High performance Facial treatments. To refresh your memory about Galvanic,it is a method using positive and negative current to help product to enter into the dermis (skin). It has many positive effects on preventing ageing skin  and helping to correct ageing skin problems. I have long wanted a machine to use at home for my home care routine.

We use a professional size galvanic at the salon. Those machines run hundreds of dollars and are bulky. NOT convenient for slipping under your sink at home. I decided to go on a search for an affordable galvanic machine.
I had heard allot about Nu Skin and their machine

I decided at the average price of $250.00 this machine was way more than I was willing to spend.

So I then stumbled across this machine.

After looking over what this machine does,

Cleansing mode

Massage Mode

Nutrient mode

and Lifting mode

all for the great price of

$129.00

I was SOLD! It also came with a 8 oz bottle of this hyrolonic gel . If you remember from my ingredient post ,Hyrolonic acid is one of the most hydrating substances you can put on your skin. Well I have been using this for one week now and I am very happy with the results! My skin has a better glow to it and I swear the lines around my eyes are improved quite allot. If any of you are interested in this machine to use at home. Send me an e mail and I will be happy to give you the information.

Getting Spring fever!

This is me at the Detroit Zoo couple years ago.

Why am I posting this on my Beauty blog?? Well ,becouse I am getting a GIANT case of spring fever and that means that I will not be spending that much time posting on this blog. We seem to get such a short span of good weather months here in Michigan that I know I am not going to spend them researching and posting as much as I did over the winter.

Don't worry,I will  still do a post a month or so. Just not as much as I have been . Until then I will recycle some of the better ones for those of you that may have missed them . Please feel free to scroll back to some earlier posts and read some you haven't.

OH!! I have a new skin care machine on the way that I am going to be trying and most definatly WILL let you all know how it works. Plus I will be giving you my final opinion on Latisse in about a month!

Until then ...enjoy the spring and summer !!!

Thanks for your support of my blog. I know many of you read this and have not become official followers. Please sign up to follow! Lets me know whos out there!

Latisse Update

I am almost 4 weeks into using this product and here are the preliminary results. Lashes are looking a BIT thicker. Nothing WOW yet, but I am seeing a slight improvement. BUT here is an unexpected result. I decided that I would also put some of this on the skimpy areas of my eyebrows while I was at it. Figuring hey, if it grows hair on the lashes maybe I could beef up the brows that have been thinning out the last few years. Well I have to say the results are pretty amazing!




My right brow has virtually filled right in on the ends and the left brow (the worse of the two) is also showing marked growth.

To be fair with the lash growth the product does say it takes up to two months to get best results for lashes. Lashes are on a slower growth pattern than brows.

I will keep you posted on the eyelash progress. But I will have to say I am happy with the brow growth and I wasn't even expecting that result. If they can come up with a cheaper way to produce this and use it for baldness they are really on to something here!
And to answer a question I received .
The cost of Latisse retail is $120.00 or there abouts . That is for a two month supply. Frankly I expect this will come down and that you could also shop around at different Medical spas or eye doctors for a better price

Galvanic Treatments: Facials that give you that extra boost!

Specialty Facials that use Galvanic Current

In our salon we offer several facials that use galvanic to penetrate product deeper into the skin.

Galvanic machines use a positive and negative current to facilitate the penetration of product into the deeper layer of the skin. Use of the two currents allows a polarity effect that pulls the product into the skin for optimum penetration. The Negative current opens the skin to receive the product and the positive current seals the product into the skin, so to speak.

Some of the types of products that we use in this type of facial treatments are,

Collagen

Elastin

Vitamin C

DNA

Polypeptides that contain both Collagen and Elastin

And more.

It is important that the type of product that is being put on the skin is of the highest quality . The company that we use in our salon uses the best sources to acquire their products. For example, the Vitamin C that is used comes from orange trees in the northern region of Italy because the trees grown there produce some of the highest concentration of Vitamin C in the world.

These types of specialty facials are what are considered the Optimum result treatments. They cost more but they have a more dramatic effect to help improve the skin.

My clients that choose to add a galvanic specialty treatment to their regular facial treatment are never sorry they did. The extra glow and nourishment that it gives the skin is well worth the extra cost in the long run.

If you have never tried one of these treatments I encourage you to. Used on a regular basis the difference they can make on your skin can be quite dramatic.

Latisse : a work in progress

I am taking a bit of time off of my regular posts to try my own experiment with this,

It is sapposed to give you results like this,

I am only one week into this and have not as yet had any results to report.

I will be posting at the end of 4 weeks to let you all know what I think of this product.

So far the side effects I have had is some mild eye irritation that seems to last for a couple hours after applying the solution. But in fairness you are sapposed to apply at night and I have been doing it in the morning.

BAD ME!!

I am going to switch to nights starting this evening.

I have to say out of the three women that I do know that are useing this product the results have been pretty amazing.

So I will get back to you about this in a month!

I will post another new post new week .

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

Beauty Comes From Within

Much of my career focuses on outward beauty, yes. Taking care of your skin, keeping up on the latest trends in facial rejuvenating ect ect. If you have been following my blog the past few months you also know that I am a firm believer in taking care of what you put in your body also. It is so vitally important to your overall well being and to looking your best by eating the healthiest we can.



BUT that is not where it ends!

Is this you?

We can put nourishing foods into our bodies and get adequate exercise and still not be at a place of optimum beauty and health. A key ingredient is that we need to feed our well being. We need to be able to de-stress from the everyday problems and situations that life hands us.

The spa is a place where you take your weary bones and your sagging stress laden shoulders. When you come into the spa you can leave your everyday stress at the door. During this recession I have seen people that are so overwhelmed with the day to day struggles. Every single one of us has burdens to bear. Some more than others.



We offer a place where you can come in with a frown and leave with a relaxed smile. Massage, facials, pedicures, manicures, body treatments. What ever your pleasure you will leave feeling better than when you arrived. That is our mission at our day spa.



We have a wonderful staff of well trained Massage therapists and Estheticians. When you arrive you can get a warm cup of tea, a warm neck wrap and start to feel the tension leave your body.

Many people say that can’t afford a trip to the spa, yet they find money to spend on things that will do nothing to help their well being.

I say, how can you afford NOT to?

Treat yourself or a loved one to a spa service. Mothers and Fathers day are coming and what better way to show your appreciation than to treat them to a stress free spa service.



***stay tuned for information on our Contest to treat a very special mother to a spa day. Details soon to be announced on the spa website, face book and here.

Safe Tanning: How to get the best color from self tan lotions

We all remember this ad don't we? Well it was before my time also but I am sure we have all heard or seen people with orange skin from those old self tanners.

Well they have come a long way since then!

First let me state that we all need some sun. 20 minutes a day is what we need for vitamin D absorption. After that we are leaving our skin open to damage.We all like to have some color. How can we do it without ruining our skin? This is where self tanners come in.

You will need some supplies

Products needed

1. Disposable Plastic gloves

2. Self Tanning lotion or foam (Medium tone, NOT dark) unless you have a naturally dark completion never go darker than medium.Get the kind where it goes on with the tan color in it.

3. Body scrub-I prefer a sugar based one (or you can make your own from Brown sugar and olive oil) two parts brown sugar one part olive oil to form a paste. *NOTE make sure your scrub does not leave an oily or creamy residue,this will get in the way of your self tanner absorbtion

4. Soft Natural bristle brush will work if no Body Scrub is available

5. Your favorite body lotion



First things first!

EXFOILATE- EXFOILATE- EXFOILATE

This is key to getting an even tan from your self tanner. Get in the tub and apply your sugar scrub in circular motions starting at the neck and work down all over your body. A slight bit of water mixed with the scrub will allow you to move it around your skin. But don’t dilute it too much or you will sacrifice the exfoliating.

If using a dry soft brush use the same circular motions. After you have done your body you can use whatever facial scrub on your face also. The homemade brown sugar scrub will be safe to use on your face, some of the store bought ones may be too harsh for your face.

Rinse well.
Dry off



Next the application of the self tanner. Read this completly before starting application.

Put on your disposable gloves!!!

I mix 2 parts self tanner with one part body lotion and rub it together.you can also put some in a small bowl and mix it. I start on the large part of my thigh and rub it all over blending it in well. Then take a smaller amount and do your calves. When you are down to just a small amount left on your gloves take it and brush it over the knee area, do the feet and ankles the same, just using a small light amount there. The knees and ankles and feet are the easiest areas to turn blotchy, so go lightly in those areas.

After finishing the legs work the self tanner/lotion mix on the body. The back is a hard area to reach and you may want to get someone to help you with this, you will need another pair of gloves for that.

Last do the arms taking care to do the same on the elbows and hands as you did with the knees and feet.

If you want to do your face ,do the application the same way you apply your make up(if you wear make up),working it in well till blended.



Ok you are done with the application! Oh, leave on for 6 to 8 hours before showering. When you shower some will wash off, pat dry lightly so as not to scrub off.

Now to answer a couple questions you may have.

Why mix the lotion in? Well self tanners have an odor to them that is not very flattering. The lotion cuts this odor. But even more important it allows you to apply the self tanner much more evenly.



Ok, now that you are done with the first initial application you can build up on the tan by applying this mixture every other night or every night for a week or so. After a couple weeks you may want to do a scrub again. You do not need to scrub before every application. But once a month for sure.


What about those lotions that turn you tan gradually? They are great after you have built up with a regular self tanner first!



What is even better than the above? Going to the spa to have the first application done!! At our spa we have a Sugar scrub/Self tanner treatment. It is a great way to get an all over application and then you can maintain at home! Is relaxing also! Wear loose fitting clothes that you won’t care if they get some self tanner on them.

And now you look like this! LOL! well it may take more than self tanner to achive this look but we all look good with a bit of color

Enjoy!!

Liquid Face Lifts :the latest trends in Non-Surgical options

Facial Fillers


In my last post I covered some of the surgical options to help with ageing and sagging skin. For those of you not willing or able to go that route there are the options of injectables.Injectables are more non evasive than surgery and the down time is next to nothing. Slight bruising or swelling may result at the injection site but that is usually the only side effect. The results are not as long lasting as surgical but they are a preferable choice for many people. Some prefer to combine surgical and injectables together.

I am going to talk about three of the newest injectables that many of you may not have heard about yet. I know you have all heard and are familiar with Botox Cosmetic. It has been around for several years now. This first one I am going to talk about is fast becoming the replacement of Botox. And if all I have read about it is true, it will soon replace Botox.



DYSPORT: This is a wrinkle Smoother. Dysport has been used in Europe and Brazil for 10 years now (we are always the last to get the anti aging treatments. Europe is always way ahead of us in this area). Dyasport uses a different type of protein complex derived from Botulinum than Botox. But it has a similar effect. What Doctors are finding is that Dysport works much quicker than Botox (24 to 48 hours) and the results last longer.

**Risks: bruising or swelling, temporary spreading past the injection site if improperly administered.
**Cost – Approx $400.00 lasts 3 to 4 months.



JUVE’DERM: Plumps skin. Unlike Bovine collegen, which some people can have allergies to,Juve’derm is made up of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring biocompatible complex sugar. If you have read some of my past posts on skin care ingredients you know that Hyaluronic acid is one of the most hydrating substances we can use on or in our skin. Juve’derm has great staying power, lasting 6 to 9 months. This has shown to work great on the lines that run from the nose to the mouth.

** cost approx $600 to $ 800.
** Risks: bruising or swelling at injection site.


I have saved the best for last!

SCULPTRA : Boosts collagen production. This is exciting because it encourages our body to produce more collagen where this is injected. The down side is that it can take 3 treatments over the course of a few months to get the desired effect. But the results have been very good. Doctors are seeing very smooth results allowing them to give you a nice lift without the tight skeletal look that plastic surgery can sometimes give.

**cost $1000 to $1500 per treatment. Last up to two years.

These are some of the latest trends in injectables that you will start hearing about this year if you haven't already.

To cut or not to cut. Plastic Surgery, is it right for you?

How to make sure it’s a kind cut and not a permanent horror story.

This is a post that I thought about for some time. Do I talk about this or not? How is this relevant to skin care ect, ect. I finally figured what the heck, tackle it. Plastic Surgery is relevant to the times we live in. Most importantly it is relevant for the simple fact that it is an attainable solution for many people who are dissatisfied with some aspect of how they look.

Ok, let’s say you have done everything you possibly can to take care of your skin. Eating right. Using sunscreen. Putting good healthy ingredients on your face to keep it hydrated and to help with repairing damage. The skin looks as good as you possibly can get it. BUT you still don’t like what you’re seeing in the mirror….. Your chin line has softened and sags. Your eyelids are droopy. They even seem to get in the way of your peripheral vision at times. In fact you sometimes find yourself with watery eyes a lot because the lids are down right irritating. People say you look tired even when your not. You have a double chin that you can’t help but see every time you look in the mirror. You avoid having your picture taken because you just don’t seem to like the way you look anymore. If any of this describes you, you may be a candidate for plastic surgery. And I am not just talking about women here. Many men are choosing plastic surgery to correct the signs of ageing.

Now some of my younger followers will not be able to relate to what I am talking about here, but trust me, some day, you will…

I see allot of different age groups in my practice. But by far the larger group lies in the age group of 40 to 60. Why is this? Well this is when the ageing process really starts to kick in and you see some not so pleasant results of this in the mirror. Previous sun damage starts to show in uneven dark spots and pores start to look larger from the collagen/elastin breaking down in the skin. People come to me asking for HELP!!. I can improve the skin, yes. I can recommend laser treatments to help rebuild collagen and elastin. What I CAN NOT do is take away loose skin.

Sorry folks ,surgery is the only thing for that. To cut or not to cut is a VERY personal choice. My personal opinion is this. If YOU feel you would feel better about yourself to get surgery done, than I say. GO FOR IT. BUT do your research first. I can NOT stress this enough. Not all Doctors are created equal. Be realistic about your expectations. And above all,

Do it for YOU, Not for anyone else. Let’s face it, looks DO matter. But what is more important is how YOU feel about yourself.

Any surgery comes with risks, so you must know what you’re getting into BEFORE you go into it. I have seen some good surgeries and I have seen some not so good surgeries.

In this day and age looking good is still very important. As men and women approach middle age they start to feel threatened in the work force and in their personal life. We want to look good as long as we can. I say this can be achieved with some caution and care in choosing what is right for you



I will give you some choices here. Again I am NOT advocating any of them. This is just for informational purposes only. I firmly believe that less is better when it comes to plastic surgery. What I mean by this is. Do small things more often if possible. A mini lift will make you look fresher, younger, with out making you look stretched and unnatural. There is also a quicker recovery time with smaller procedures. The S lift or mini lift is all many people need. Who has weeks to recover? Most of us live busy lives and taking 4 weeks out of your life to heal is not appealing. That is why smaller surgeries of this type in my opinion are usually preferable.

Before

After

An Eyelid lift can take years off of a person’s appearance and improve the eyesight and watery eye problems. Weather you need upper and lower lids done is up to your surgeon. BUT please choose a PLASTIC surgeon for this. NO offense to the eye doctors that are into doing this now. I have seen jobs done by both Plastic Surgeons and Eye Doctors and the plastic surgeons look better. Again this goes back to go to the right doctor for what you are getting done. Plastic surgeons are doctors trained in facial plastic surgery. Eye Doctors are trained in eye problems. They may be legally in the right to do this surgery, but maybe they just don’t have the best training. AGAIN, this is just my personal opinion based on what I have seen. There is always the exception to this rule. If you know of a person that swears by their eye doctor to do a good eyelift, than by all means check that out for yourself. Ask for people to speak with that have had the procedure done that you are getting. That can be very helpful!

DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Research the doctor you are going to use before your surgery. ASK QUESTIONS about recovery time, how the procedure is done, what you can expect from the outcome ect ect.

I have clients that have had many procedures done. From Breast enlargements and reductions, full face lifts, mini lifts, Eyelid lifts. Liposuction, Laser skin resurfacing ect ect.



A note about laser skin resurfacing. GO TO SOMEONE WHO DOES THIS A LOT!! You want a person very familiar with what they are doing when it comes to this procedure.



All surgery has risks. Numbness around incision sites that could be permanent. People that are in good health and do not smoke recover better and get better results from plastic surgery. Follow your doctor’s advice and instructions before and after any procedure.



To sum up, the overall opinion from people I have spoken with about these procedures are that they have been satisfied when they went to a well qualified doctor that listened and cared about their needs. There is no shame in wanting to look your best. This is very personal and only you can know what is right for you.



I will be doing a post on the non surgical options available out there soon .Botox, and other injectables. What is commonly referred to as the Liquid face lift.

Out Damn Spot!! Controlling Hyper pigmentation problems

Sure they look ok on this guy! But not on our skin!

Many women and men find that after age 40 they start to see pigmentation issues. These can be any thing from a couple of small brown spots appearing on the face to vary large blotchy areas that are darker in tone than other areas of the skin.

In men it is usually caused from sun damage or previous acne. With women it can be those issues added with the large changes in hormone levels that start to occur during Peri-menapause and menopause. Much as a pregnant woman can get what is called “pregnancy mask” women going through “the change” can experience the same issues. Also women on hormones such as the birth control pill or patch can find themselves noticing some Pigmentation issues.

I have encountered many women that find these brown spots or patches very hard to cover with make up and it causes them to be very self conscious.



To understand what happens when skin areas darken you need some basic knowledge of the skins pigmentation.

Skin Tone

Weather your skin is a deep ebony or as white as alabaster it comes from a natural pigment called Melanin.

When you body is in balance and there are no external or internal factors, your skin Tone is smooth and even.

Well, we all know life and our bodies are rarely in perfect balance. Trauma to the Dermis (skin) varies in forms. When there is trauma the melanocytes over produce in one area causing dark areas.

Other factors that contribute,

Anti-oxidant deficiency
Drug Reactions
Cortisol (too much stress)
Estrogen/Progesterone imbalances
And again,accumulated SUN DAMAGE

Age spots are different as these occur from ageing. But Sun damage also contributes as you can notice that skin that has been covered by clothing most of your life will have a more even unspotted tone than skin that has been exposed to the elements

How can we treat it?


It is important to state that most all hyper pigmentation problems are also tied to inflammation. Treatments that included anti inflammatory properties will be the most successful. Good ways to help control inflammation are to boost the body’s defenses.

Internally that means boosting your Vitamin C intake and to keep well hydrated. A diet rich in vegetables and some fruits will help to boost your defenses and help to repair. Eat less sugar,and refined foods.

People that work near heat sources such as hot ovens or closely to light sources must be even more careful as this can cause the inflammation to constantly flair up. Wearing a mask over the face can help protect the skin, along with sun screen.

On the outside there are several options open to Estheticians and Dermatologists to help treat these conditions.
First a HYDRATING Moisturizer is essential. Along with a good Vitamin C Serum.

For mild pigmentation problems you can use mild chemical peals.

Followed with the use of Retinoic acid (Vitamin A) and Hydroquinone at home.

For deeper problems the use of I.P.L. Lasers are a good source for lightening.I have had much success with what is called a Photofacial for lightining a couple of my pigmented areas. This treatment also helps with pore size and over all collegen rebuilding.

I stress that you must get the advice of a Dermatologist or an esthetition to find the best solution for your skin pigmentation problems.



Sun Screen will become your friend! Even with the faithful use of Sunscreen and a hat many people find that the pigmentation issues can flair up. There is no easy fix for this, but the options are better now than they used to be a few years ago. Don’t suffer with this problem, Seek out help if it is something that bothers you.

How our food is making us sick!

I know I know...this isn't exactly a post on skin care or items related to it. But in a way it is. I have been really busy with helping my daughter get her new home ready to move into that I have not finished the research on my next post.
So instead I am posting about a movie that I watched this weekend that I feel is so important that EVERYONE should view it.

This movie will show you how what we are buying in our super markets is directly affecting our health and the health of our loved ones. And most importantly it will show you how you can change what they put on our shelves for us to buy! We directly effect our choices by what we choose to purchase.

Remember a couple posts back when I posted about how the things we eat affect our skin? Well consider this movie to be part two of that post! Make your choice right now today to eat healthier food!

Let the light shine on you! LED Technology and how it helps the skin.

Today I am going to write about a device that we have had at our salon for over 12 years now. It has just become mainstream in the last year or so for use with pain management, healing and skin rejuvenation.


The trademark name on the machine we use is, Rejuvalite by Cosmopro.

They were one of the first companies to introduce LED technology to the United States.

Now there are many of these machines available all over the web. Word has spread about its benefits and everyone is very happy to get in on selling an item that can be so beneficial with very few, if any side effects.

What are Light Emitting Diodes?

First let me be clear on what they are NOT.

LED’s are not Laser light. Do not confuse this with many of the laser treatments available for skin care
LED’s are not the type of light that is used in tanning beds. That is UV light. UV ‘s are harmful to the skin.

What they are
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are solid-state devices that convert electric energy directly into light of a single color. There is a wide spectrum of light and many of them are helpful for many different things. I personally have a device I use at home that I have found works very well on my knee pain. I can use it for 10 to 15 minutes and it takes away the pain I get in my bad knee pretty much completely!

I am going to educate you today on how this type of device can help in skin rejuvination.

The following is a list of the many benefits you can achieve from LED’s

• Infrared Improves skin tone and  helps to clear blemishes.

• Smoothes skin texture lessens coarseness and reduces pore size.

• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, smile lines, nasal-labial folds, and worry lines.

• Regenerates skin by activating fibroblast cells to increase production of collagen and elastin.

• Helps improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin and irregular pigmentation.

• Enhances skin moisture which helps skin regain its youthful fullness.

• Increases circulation which helps reduce melanin production, the cause of brown age spots.

• Promotes nutritional elements existing within the skin.

• Stimulates and activates metabolic function in skin cells.

• Reduces skin degradation caused by age and environmental exposure.

• Reduces the appearance of overall redness and flushing. Very helpful for Rosecea!
. Helpful in treating undereye dark circles

How it does this,The infrared light produced by LED lamps, aka photo rejuvenation, stimulates fibroblast cell activity in the skin, which increases the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for your skin's tone and elasticity. I compare it to a plant that leans tward a light source to grow. Our cells are drawn to the LED's which then stimulate the cellular activity.

The effects of infrared LED light therapy on the skin and body have been reported in over 2000 scientific reports and documents. NASA has studied and uses this technology.

It has been shown that our bodies need light as well as food for energy. Living and working indoors fully clothed prevents us from absorbing the sunlight’s full spectrum of frequencies. Also the concern for absorbing the harmful rays of the sun has caused us to wear sun block which also prevents us from absorbing the healing light frequencies.

Some of the most common questions concerning this type of treatment,

How often should I get this treatment?

We recommend clients get two treatments a week for 4 to 6 weeks to properly activate the cellular activity. If you purchase a device to use at home it could be used daily without any side effects. Also because the skin ages continuously, you must do a maintenance routine to keep up with the benefits you achieve. We recommend once or twice a month.

How soon can I see results?

Most people on average see results in about 3 to 4 treatments. Because of difference between people and the amount of damage to the skin varies the results also vary. A person starting this treatment at age 30 is going to get better lasting results than a person at age of 60. But I have seen wonderful results in older people.

Is there any harmful side effects?

If you have a thyroid condition, are pregnant, or are on photosensitive drugs you may want to consult a physician before using LED’s. If you have had Botox injections it is advisable not to use this treatment for at least a month after the injections.

Is there pain or discomfort?

Not at all! In fact many people say they feel relaxed and rejuvenated after one of the light treatments.

I highly recommend this treatment! Feel free to investigate this healing type of light further yourself!

ACNE!! How do I stop breaking out!!!

This is the first most annoying skin condition that causes concern for just about everyone. It usually starts when we hit puberty. The hormone fluctuations can cause elevated oil production and along with that, breakouts. These can range from mild to severe enough to be disfiguring. I urge my clients with teenagers to get them on a good skin care routine as soon as they see the breakouts happening, if not before. It is also a good time to start them on a visit to a facialist. A good acne preventive facial can clean out the blackheads and I can give them advice. Many times they will listen to my advice when they won’t listen to a parent.



Unfortunately for many, acne doesn’t stop in the teen years. I was one of those people who continued to have breakouts through my 20’s, and than again during peri-menapause. Acne can also happen after any large hormone event. Having a child, getting a divorce, losing a loved one, losing a job, starting a new job. Any number of stress events like these can cause a breakout to happen. Stress causes your body to release hormones, very like the ones prior to your period.



There are a few over the counter products to combat breakouts.

The two main ingredients in acne treatments are,

Salicylic Acid
(Also known as Beta-Hydroxy Acid)
It exfoliates the skin and can improve the texture and color of the skin. It penetrates oil clogged follicles helping with acne. It also has been found less irritating to many skin types then the more commonly used Alpha-Hydroxy Acid.



Alpha Hydroxy Acid
(Glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids)

Creams with these acids can help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation, age spots, and may help decrease large pores.

Only use a 5% to 10% concentration to start with. It is advisable to ease into this to avoid irritation. Starting with an every other day application until your skin adapts. I have found using Alpha Hydroxy acids can exfoliate dead skin cell buildup on the surface of the skin. Therefore helping with breakouts.


You can get a higher concentration applied by an esthetician. Many of my clients come in once a month or so to have this done. It can leave the skin with a glow and helps with cellular turnover. (The new formation of skin cells).

When using any type of acid it is advisable to wear a sunscreen. The exfoliating leaves the skin open to sun sensitivity. If you do not wear a sunscreen after these treatments you leave your skin exposed to possible sunburn and the resultant skin damage that goes with it.

Tretinoin (Stronger counterpart of Retinol, or Vitamin A)
Many Dermatologists prescribe this to help skin ageing, improve pigmentation, and clear up acne.


There are oral medications that can be used to help with severe acne or cystic acne. Only your Doctor can advise you on this course of action. If you do choose to go that way please be advised of the side effects. Also a good skin care routine always should go along with any oral medication.


I am prone to trying good diet and skin care before taking medications. Many times the oral antibiotics only improve the condition for a short time and then the body gets used to them. Usually doctors then prescribe a different one and the cycle continues. They can be helpful, but they also can have some down sides. If you have tried the RX route and find you are still having issues you should re-evaluate.


Been using certain skin care for your acne and found it has stopped working even though it worked great at first?
This is common. Our skin gets used to things. I advise to stop using the line of products for a couple weeks and then start using it again. This shocks the skin into reacting favorably to the product again.

The Products dry out your skin?
Again common with acne controlling agents. Use them every other day if this happens and use a good non clogging moisturizer.

I will be writing about a pulsating light treatment that can also be used to help with acne and other skin conditions in my next post.

Does our skin reflect what we eat?

YES!!!

I became a Vegetarian about 3 years ago. If was a dietary choice that I just felt I wanted to make for my own health. I do not think its right for everyone to not eat meat (as long as they eat free range hormone free), but it felt right for me.

Well at the beginning of this journey I decided to detoxify myself and eat raw for awhile. That is giving up sugar, flour, and all processed foods. I ate uncooked veggies and fruits, seeds and nuts. I ate like this for about 8 weeks. Well I lost a ton of weight and was pretty thin. BUT the first thing I noticed was that my skin was clear and looked so much younger!

I gradually adjusted my diet to include some lightly cooked veggies and added some cheeses also. I found it very hard to eat everything raw and I knew if I was going to continue to eat healthy I was going to have to modify to what I was comfortable with. Well this last year I gradually started to slip into some old habits. Like eating sugar and some processed foods again. Well what has happened? My skin lost that clear look it had when I was not eating sugar! I started to break out around the holidays, when I was eating my worst and I even looked a bit bloated.

So my goal for the year, besides this blog has been to get back on track again. Along with that vow was to purchase this,

I

This is a juicer. I used to juice many years ago and I really am not sure what got me away from it. I always felt full of energy while juicing and I looked great! So it arrived today and I have it all set up and ready to use. I will be stocking up on some veggies and starting this weekend.

So to answer the question. Does our skin reflect what we put into our bodies? Yes. Our skin can tell us allot actually. If we are sick or if we have allergies. So when we wonder why we are breaking out in a rash or why that batch of pimples is on our chin we need to look inward as well as outward for the reasons. If we are not taking good care of our health and eating well our skin will reflect this. Many people with food allergies have problems with their skin. It is well known in the industry that one of the most common skin conditions, Rosecea is affected greatly by diet. I will be addressing Rosecea in a post all its own sometime in the future.

So to sum up. Eat healthy! We can slather on all the expensive creams in the world but if we are not eating healthy our skin will not look its best!

Vitamin C-Does it really work?

Continuing with my posts on skin care ingrediants I felt the need to address Vitamin C. You see it all over the place. How good it is for us,how it can repair skin and how it can improve the health of your body.
Potentially Vitamin C can benefit the skin in two ways

1. It is essential for the synthesis of collagen.

2. It is an antioxidant and can help reduce damage caused by free radicals (air pollutants ect)

If Vitamin C is introduced in the correct way it has the potential to dramatically improve wrinkles and skin texture.

THE PROBLEM

Vitamin C is relatively unstable. Unless it is in its dry form. In the presence of air or other oxidizing agents (such as creams, serums, ect) Vitamin C breaks down and loses its effectiveness. In fact once it oxidizes it can actually cause harm to the skin.



WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
How can I get Vitamin C into my skin the best way?

I feel the best way is to have it applied at a salon or spa that does Vitamin C repairing facials or treatments. Having a technician open the vitamin C right before using it on you and further using a galvanic machine to help the product penetrate quickly is one of the best ways. That way there is little time for the Vitamin C to oxidize and you will be getting the most benefit.

When using Vitamin C serums at home they should be stored in a dark area that is cool, the fridge is fine as long as it is kept away from light.

Throw product away if it has gotten heated and is over 6 months old.

There are some new forms of Vitamin C (Vitamin C derivatives) that they are finding work really well and do not go bad as quickly as the most commonly used form .

The names of these derivatives are,

Ascobyl Palmitate

Tetrahexyldcyl Ascorbate (this form is looking especially promising)

Magnesium Ascorbyl phosphate

If you see any of these derivatives on any of the Vitamin C serums you buy ,you can be assured that they should be effective.
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There is a website that gives a formula for making your own Vitamin C serum at home. I am attaching the formula if interested. this actualy sounds fairly easy to make. BUT if you choose to do this ,PLEASE follow all the directions they give you to a T. Vitamin C can be irritating to some skin types. So take care to use it the way they recommend. Again I stress to please follow all directions carefully .

Make your own Vitamin C serum

The recipe makes an approximate 10% concentration of vitamin C serum, using simple ingredients you can buy from your local Chemist store. The advantages of doing it yourself – apart from the obvious – ‘it will save you a lot of money’ is that you can make it fresh, store it in your refridgerator and know that it will not have oxidised- so in fact you will get fresh active product onto your skin. It is best only to make up small quantities at a time, to ensure it is always fresh and unoxidised.



Take care- these are active ingredients At this concentration it will have a relatively low ph, and in some people this will be too irritating for the skin. If this is the case, try making a half or even quarter concentration to start with. Use this for a week or two until you know you skin is tolerating this, and then slowly increase to a higher concentration. If after you apply it, you find your skin is tingling excessively, wash off immediately.



The recipe is divided into active ingredient, the one that has been shown to stimulate collagen, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and protect against sun damage and a simple base formula. Any product you buy over the counter with active ingredients consists of this.

Vitamin C serum Active Ingredient : 1-1.2 grams Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (approximately 1/4 teaspoon) (The active ingredient must be L-ascorbic acid, not vitamin C tablets, or calcium Ascorbate) This can also be purchased from Skin Actives.

Base Ingredients. 5 ml glycerine (1 teaspoon) 5ml water (1 teaspoon) You should be able to buy both the L-ascorbic acid and glycerine from your chemist store. (or Pharmacy)



Process. 1. Dissolve 1gram of L-ascorbic acid in 5 ml of water (preferably distilled), in small glass container using a stirrer. Make sure it is fully dissolved before proceeding to next step.



2. Add 5 ml of glycerine and mix.



3. Put in a sealable jar, (not clear glass as this allows light in, and light degrades vitamin C.) Store in cool dry place.



Voila – your own fresh vitamin C serum. Apply to skin once per day to start with (preferably at night), and increase to twice daily if tolerated.



Post note This serum is published to illustrate that it is the active ingredient that has benefits and to get you to challenge the notion that you need to pay a lot of money for active skin care ingredients. You must exercise caution when using this as with any product you put on your skin, if any signs of allergy or reaction develop desist immediately.

Skin Care Ingredients Part one: Peptides

This is the first in a series of posts addressing skin care ingredients. If you understand what is in the products you buy and how they work you will better be able to determine if you are really getting what you pay for .Also you will better understand how they help your skin. I am starting out with Peptides. They are the newest breakthrough in skin care ingredients. I am just learning about these myself. I couldn’t be more excited!


Peptides

Peptides are the new BUZZWORD in skin care for the beginning of this decade. Peptides work to enhance natural processes, such as stimulating Collagen production and blocking the enzymes that destroy elastin. This helps skin to remain firmer and more Resilient.

I am going to try to present this new technology in simple layman terms. There are 20 amino acids in the body. Peptides are formed when several amino acids are linked. The combination of forming these building blocks are endless. I am going to address the 4 types of peptides that are being used in skin care today.



Acetyl Hexapeptide-3

This peptide is the wrinkle relaxer. Topically applied it treats the same type of wrinkles as Botox injections. With some major differences. Peptides can be used anywhere on the face without the risk of it migrating into areas you don’t want it OR paralyzing muscles you DON”T want paralyzed.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3

This peptide works by stimulating the deeper, matrix layers of the skin. It increases overall collagen production, the production of collagen IV and hyraluronic acid synthesis in the skin. It also helps the skin heal faster.
(The following is a brief description of what Hyraluronic acid is. Hyaluronic acid can hold 10 times it weight of water, thus making it a voluble skin hydrator.)

Hyaluronic acid is a type of polysaccharide called a glycosaminoglycan. Also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body and is central to regulating cell growth and renewal. In fact, it is found extensively in connective, epithelial, and neural cells. As such, hyaluronic acid has found its way into many skin care products, particularly anti-wrinkle formulations.


Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
This peptide stimulates the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the deep layers of the skin. In addition to that it also ha a mild UV protection effect. So it helps to protect the skin from damage.



Copper Peptides
They are a small family of peptides that include a copper molecule in their structure. They have the ability to encourage the skin to heal wounds. Most doctors do not encourage copper peptides in anti-wrinkle creams. They seem to work far better in wound healing and that is where you will most likely see this peptide used. Although I have seen them still popping up in regular skin care.



We use Pavonia skin care in our salon. It is a high quality Botanical product line.

The following is a description of Pavonia’s latest Facial treatment utilizing Polypeptides. This treatment is considered a high performance freeze dried facial treatment.

Pavonia’s newest treatment using polypeptides.

PevoReclaim Polypeptides Freeze-Dried Treatment


By delivering a high concentration of Marine Collagen & Marine Elastin for outstanding absorbency, this in-spa polypeptides freeze-dried treatment is proven-effective to protect your skin against premature aging, smoothing wrinkles, and combating skin slackening.

 I hope this post was easy to understand. I am excited for the future of skin care. The science behind it is improving all the time. Peptides have the ability to be important in the future of skin care!

General Spa Etiquette

I had one of my clients today ask if I could do a post about tipping at the spa. I decided this would be a good time to post a general spa etiquette post. We get many first time spa goers in our spa. Maybe they received a Gift Certificate or just have never had the opportunity to go to a spa before. Hopefully some of the following will clear up any questions.

General Spa Etiquette,

What to wear:
It depends on what your service is going to be. But usually loose fitting clothes that are easy to take off and on are generally a good rule. If you are going for just a Pedicure you can wear street clothes but it is still a good idea that you have pant legs that can be easy to pull up.

When to arrive: First time visit 20 minutes before your appointment time. This allows for you to fill out any required paperwork that may need to be done. If you have been to the spa before than 10 minutes is adequate. Please do not arrive late. This may result in your appointment being shortened for the spa to stay on schedule. Appointments are booked by time allotted for services. Even starting 10 minutes late can throw that technicians schedule off for the whole day.

The Tipping dilemma:
A good rule of thumb is 10 to 20 % of the price of the service. If you have more than one service and more than one technician, than the tips should be done separately for each therapist. If you have received a gift Certificate ask if the tip was included or not when you arrive for the service. Most spas have tip envolopes, if you are uncertain please ask the front desk help. Some Medical or resort spas do not allow their technicians to receive tips, or the tips are included in the cost of the service. If that is the case they will often have that posted at the front desk. Tipping is not required but it is much appreciated. Never be afraid to ask if in doubt.
Cancelations or changes
What if you can’t make your appointment? Good rule of thumb is to call 24 hours at least in advance. This allows the spa to rebook the spot you had. If it is something that has come up at the last minute please notify the spa as soon as possible so they are not waiting for you. This also goes for if you are running late. In the age of cell phones it makes it easier to call if you are caught in traffic or running late. This allows the spa to let you know if they will still be able to service you or if you may need to reschedule your service. At the spa I work at we try very hard to work with a client that is running late. But many times it is just impossible to stay on schedule and work that client in. A call will save you and the spa unwanted grief.


What if you made an appointment for two or three services and the day of your appointment you can only get one? CALL AHEAD! At our spa we call the day before to confirm appointments. That would be the time to let the spa know if you need to make any changes to your appointment. I can not tell you how many times I have had a client book for two hours of services only to get there and let me know they are only going to get one of the services. Where I work we work on commission only .What that means is no service, no pay. It also means we could have booked another client that wanted to get in that spot. We also realize that life throws you curves. Many times things happen at the last minute. Example: If you started to come for your appointment and found out your babysitter can only stay for part of the time ECT, call as soon as you know so we can try to adjust the schedule. We try hard to work with these situations. We want your spa experience to be a good one. Being courteous to our schedule helps us serve everyone better.



CELL PHONES OFF OR on VIBRATE! The same rule here for when you’re in movie theaters. There is nothing worse than getting relaxed in the middle of a treatment and a ringing phone goes off. Weather it is yours or someone else’s!



Hopefully this post will clear up some questions for the first time spa goer or to regular clients that were unsure of a few issues. We are geared to giving clients a good experience in as stress free an environment as possible.

Rub Me the Right Way

Massage
I am going to talk about my ultimate favorite Spa treatment, massage. I myself have a curvature of the spine (scoliosis) that can cause me to have very tight muscles in my shoulders and well, pretty much along my whole spine. If I do not get a regular massage it will tighten up and even start to cause me hip and leg pain. I have found that with regular massage I can keep these muscles looser and the relaxation that gives me is invaluable to the rest of my life.

I have been a massage therapist for over 14 years now. In the past year I started to cut down on the amount of massages I do simply to save my own hands. The wear and tear on the therapist’s body after repeated years of doing massage can be brutal in and of itself. But it is a service that I love doing. I still perform massage, but to a limited clientele.

There are many different types of massage techniques. I will cover some of them that I am familiar with in this post. Therapists can all be taught the same way yet the techniques can vary. Each therapist has their own touch and their own manner of presenting the movements to their clients. I have found that the energy that the therapist transfers to her clients is as important as the movements they do.

I got a massage and they really hurt me! How can I prevent myself from having another bad experience?


This is a common question that many people ask. The reasons for pain during or after a massage can vary. One, the therapist used more pressure than the client needed or could handle. Or two, the clients muscles were very tight and the pressure needed to loosen them up caused pain. It is VITAL to communicate your needs to the therapist and for the therapist to explain to the client what they can expect.

Know the type of massage you need. How can you know this? Well the three basic types are as follows.

Swedish: mainly a relaxing massage with light to moderate pressure. This will NOT loosen any deep muscle tightness. This is meant to just relax you and is good for the person who needs to just chill out and relax.

Deep Tissue: this is the type of massage I need. It is more aggressive and there will be a lot of pressure point work. There could be some pain involved in this that is necessary to loosen the tight muscles up. I call it …THE GOOD PAIN. It is common to have maybe a slight soreness after this type of massage BUT it should be accompanied by a looser feeling of the areas that were bothering you. By the 2nd day after this type of massage you should be feeling relief. Not all of your body will need the deep work, just the key problem areas.

Therapeutic Massage: where ALL massage has therapeutic value this type of massage is a combination of stretching techniques and some deep tissue and maybe even some Swedish thrown in. The therapist may ask for you to help with some of this as they stretch and work on giving you better range of motion. This is a good massage for people with certain structural issues.



If you fill out the form they give you and communicate your needs to the therapist, you should be able to achieve the type of massage that best suits your needs. If you are uncertain about the type you need when booking for this service. Tell the person that is taking your booking that you want to talk about what type you need with the massage therapist. Be honest with what your physical problems are so that the therapist can make the best choice on what you need. Prices may vary some (about $10.00) on the different types of massage. Don’t go for cheep on this, If you’re spending $65 what difference does it make if you spend 75.00 to get what you really need? Many spas offer half hour sessions for just working on one main area. This is a good way to do maintenance for your body and save some money if that is an issue. Look for specials at your local spa. Many offer money off here and there on massage.