Four Ways to Beat the Winter Doldrums (Travel Not Required)

Here we are, friends. You survived the holidays and the first month of 2019 – maybe you even made it through #DryJanuary or the Whole30 or J. Lo’s 10-day no carb challenge or some other way to prove that This. Is. The. Year. Or, maybe you just curled up by the fire with a chocolate Santa and pondered how to make snowflakes and reindeer part of your year-round décor. Either way, it’s officially February and time to show yourself some love! Seriously, what’s a New Englander to do when the winter vortex bares down and the groundhog sees his shadow? We’ve got some ideas that will definitely brighten up the winter doldrums.


Stop neglecting your eyebrows! Shakespeare called the eyes a window to the soul, but it’s your brows that set the stage. Just ask anyone who’s been on the receiving end of an over-zealous brow wax, or your friend who had a unique take on the “bold brow” (hint – if you can’t think of one you might have been the friend). The right eyebrow shape can do wonders, basically giving you a non-surgical facelift by detracting from your least favorite features and drawing attention to those you like the most. Add a tint to those brows for the proverbial icing on the cake. Even if you don’t have fair-colored arches, brow tinting adds more structure making you look instantly groomed (especially fabulous for those of us who prefer a natural, sans-makeup look). Tinting also boosts your brow volume as it adheres to tiny, peach-fuzz hairs that sometimes come in blonde. The result? Defined brows that give you a put-together look without the effort. Trust us, a brow shaping and tint combo will have you coming up roses even if you’re still shoveling.


Winter is the best time to take it off. Everyone thinks exfoliation when the weather starts to warm and the winter layers come off but the time to reveal fresh skin is now. Year-round exfoliation is important, but winter’s sub-zero weather creates extra dry skin, making it an ideal time to encourage cell turnover. Enter Vibradermabrasion. Vibro-what? Vibradermabrasion (a.k.a., microdermabrasion’s more refined sister) provides a mild-to-moderate mechanical peel. While both methods remove the top layer of skin (i.e., the epidermis) and stimulate cell turnover, traditional microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals to sand-blast the skin. Whereas Vibradermabrasion uses paddles covered with fine abrasive particles. The paddles vibrate at sonic speed (for us non-MENSA folks, that’s faster than the speed of sound), dislodging the topmost skin cells. Not only is this method faster, it’s also more comfortable and reduces post-treatment redness. Remind me what this does to my skin? By removing the outer epidermis, fresh skin is revealed and cell turnover is prompted, creating that much sought-after collagen production. And, while beauty may be only skin deep these results aren’t. You’ll immediately see brighter, fresh skin, but the dermis (i.e., the middle layer of skin that provides structural elements like collagen and elastin) receives many longer-term benefits. Plus, skin that has received Vibradermabrasion better absorbs products, allowing for deeper penetration and super charging your skincare regimen long after you leave the spa. The end result is improved appearance of sun-damage, scars, fine lines, acne symptoms, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Another bonus? The results are cumulative, which means the more treatments you have the greater your results.

Watch this brief (sped-up version) of a Vibradermabrasion treatment.


Need something a tad stronger to brighten your outlook? Look no further than Rezenerate Microchanneling. You’ve probably heard of micro-needling, a treatment that uses steel, acupuncture needles to pierce the skin and create micro-injuries, inducing your natural wound healing response. This is not that treatment…it’s better. Maybe we’re wimps, but micro or not, we’re not keen on skincare treatments that intentionally draw blood. Why would anyone willing subject themselves to that? Chalk it up to our addiction to youth or the Kardashians, but to some the end justifies the means. When skin is kicked into healing mode, collagen and elastin production is stimulated which plumps the skin and improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars and pores.


You might be thinking, “If we put a man on the moon, surely we can create an alternative to stabbing our face with needles!” And you’d be right. This is where Rezenerate Microchanneling comes in. We like to think of it as providing all of the benefits of micro-needling and none of the blood. How is this possible? Simple – nanotechnology (a.k.a., the study of super small stuff). Instead of piercing the skin with steel needles, Rezenerate Microchanneling uses a chip with microscopic nano-needles (we’re talking 1/3 the diameter of human hair) to create invisible nanochannels without skin trauma or pain. The result? Smoother, more radiant skin; minimized appearance of pores; and a significant reduction in lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. We think the choice is an easy one.


Looking to dial it back? Maybe you’re still feeling a bit woozy from holiday family time and are looking for something a bit more soothing - or just a reason to lay on a heated table under a cozy blanket for 50 minutes (zero judgement here). If this sounds like you, say hello to a custom facial! At La Bella Derma our custom facials are truly customized (#Truth). Our team is able to select products across lines to provide your skin exactly what it needs. These facials are a great way to experience downtime while reaping the benefits of a skin treatment. It’s a win, win - you leave the spa feeling and looking rejuvenated!

February in New England is tough; the holly jolly of December is gone, yet spring still feels too far off. Next to a Caribbean vacation, we think these treatments are a great way to get you through winter’s final chapter. And, to help make the decision an easy one, La Bella Derma is offering a package special on each of these treatments through the month of February (#PackagePalooza). Buy three of the same service and receive one free. Wondering what’s right for you? Stop in or call the spa at 802.735.3031 to speak with a team member – this is what we’re here for!






Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.

Just How Super is the GeneO+ Super Facial?

To a 40-something who hasn’t always prioritized her skin health (think Hawaiian Tropic and Sea Breeze astringent) reduced fine lines and wrinkles, smaller pores, and brighter skin is basically the skincare trifecta. So, when La Bella Derma offered to let me experience their new GeneO+ Super Facial that claims to deliver those very results, I was all “Ummm, yes please.”

Owner and Esthetician Extraordinaire, Chelsea Russell, explained that the GeneO+ (pronounced juh-nay-o, so as not to be confused with the brand of turkey) treatment combines microdermabrasion, potent oxygenation, and the collagen-producing power of radio frequency in one super treatment. Sounds impressive, but how exactly does all of that counter years of environmental factors and brow furrowing? I had no idea but was more than willing to find out.

The GeneO+ Super Facial began with a gentle cleanse, which always feels like a treatment in itself when accompanied by an expert facial massage and properly placed bolster. Next, the smooth NeoReviveTM gel was gently brushed over my face. (Note – depending on your primary concern, you can choose NeoRevive to focus on anti-aging or NeoBright™ to address skin tone)

Once the gel was applied, Chelsea glided the GeneO’s handheld wand in circular motions across my face, explaining that I would soon feel a gritty texture. Two seconds later, in a move straight out of Harry Potter, the gel turned gritty beneath the wand and started to foam. Hello, oxygenation! It felt so neat it made me wish I had paid more attention in science class. When a thick layer of foam had formed, it was gently removed and massaged back into my skin with the wand for deeper penetration. This step not only added to my relaxation, it also helped to seal in anti-aging ingredients like Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Retinol. Truly living up to its name, every element of the GeneO+ Super Facial multitasks. This step not only exfoliates, but also infuses oxygen into the skin to stimulate cell renewal.

My skin felt clean and tight, and I wasn’t done yet. Next up – radio frequency, but not the scary sci-fi kind. It was more of the don’t-feel-a-thing-but-magically-takes-away-wrinkles kind. In fact, if Chelsea hadn’t described what she was doing I would never have known. Another gel, this one with aloe vera for added hydration, was applied to create a conductive medium for the radio frequency (RF) waves. I felt a gentle, warming sensation as the wand moved over my face and I grew more relaxed. Tricky things those RF waves; though I couldn’t feel it, they were busy at work stimulating collagen production, tightening tissue and retracting the skin (sorry wrinkles, not sorry).

A few minutes later, a firm shoulder massage indicated that my treatment had come to an end. Now, I’m generally in no hurry to hop off the treatment table but I was excited to see my GeneO+ Super Facial results, so to the mirror I ran. I immediately noticed that my skin wasn’t just bright, it was flippin’ glowing! It looked tight and smooth, and the prominent lines on my forehead weren’t nearly as deep as they had been an hour earlier. In short, it was rather uh-mazing.

In fact, the next morning my skin looked even better thanks in part to all of the nutrients it absorbed overnight. Sometimes we endure discomfort and downright pain in the name of beauty (looking at you, electrolysis). Trust me when I tell you this is not one of those times. This treatment is relaxing and literally has zero downtime (the pics are proof). And, while it results in an immediate difference, the effects are cumulative so the more treatments you get the better your skin will look.

For more information or to book your GeneO+ Super Facial click here. Still have questions? Stop by the spa or call 802.735.3031 to speak with a team member.







Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.

Five Things to STOP Doing in 2019

Ahh, the start of a new year! The turning of a new page, a fresh slate, 12 months of possibility ahead. While December is the season of sugar cookies and peppermint martinis, we welcome January with snug waistbands and a list of ways to improve. Well not this year folks. Nope. We think you’re fantastic just the way you are, and rather than add things to your must-do-list, we’re taking them off. That’s right – here are five things to STOP doing in 2019:

1. Using pore strips. Sure, you get a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you pull it off and see the forest of debris that was clogging your pores moments before. But they don’t really help and, in some instances, may actually harm your skin. Say what? How can removing that gunk from your pores not be helping? Stay with us – blackheads form when the opening of a hair follicle becomes clogged with dead skin cells and oil. This gunk gets oxidized by the air and appears black (hence the name). The strips only adhere to the top layer, which includes healthy skin cells, and this is what you see upon the grand reveal. In other words, strips only remove the top of the blackhead and may actually irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin. Because you’re only removing the superficial level, it won’t take long for the blackheads to reappear. To effectively treat blackheads schedule a facial with extractions. (Bonus – this is waaaaaay more relaxing than multi-tasking with a hardening strip on your nose.) To help prevent blackheads, which is really the goal, make sure you’re using the right products.

Tip – using a product with salicylic acid penetrates the inside of pores instead of just the top layer and promotes skin turnover to prevent future blackheads.


2. Exfoliating with apricot scrub ASAP. We know, you’ve been using this cult classic since high school and nothing leaves your face feeling as baby smooth, so why the lack of love? The very ingredients that leave your skin feeling smooth as a baby’s bottom - crushed walnut shells and apricot granules - are actually creating micro-tears. The scrubbing beads aren’t spherical and their rough edges can rip or stretch the pores, creating sensitivity and leaving the skin open for infection. Now we’re not suggesting that you stop exfoliating altogether (in fact, we’ve extolled the virtues of exfoliation here and here), but we are lovingly urging you to put down the apricot scrub and stop in for suggestions on a safer alternative.

3. Skipping sunscreen. Sure, it might be frigid and a shade of gray outside, but that doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen. Whether you’re hitting the slopes or heading into the office, SPF is a must. Why? For starters, UVA rays can penetrate glass (freaky, huh?). While UVB rays are mostly blocked by glass and clouds, 50-60% of UVA rays go right through windows. So, even if you’re cozy and snug inside, you’re still at risk for sun damage. Plus, while it might not feel like it, those of us in the northern hemisphere are closest to the sun about two weeks after the winter solstice (i.e., now). Combine this with the fact that the ozone layer - the earth’s sunscreen- is at its thinnest between December and March and you’ve basically got the perfect storm less George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. Fortunately, many skincare products, such as PCA’s Hydrator Plus moisturizer, contain SPF which make it easy to add protection.

https://www.who.int/uv/publications/en/UVIGuide.pdf


4. Following the same skincare regimen year-round. For some, this suggestion will be the toughest because change can be hard. (We still haven’t gotten over the fact they switched out Aunt Viv midway through the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.) But change can also be necessary and beautiful. As the seasons change so do our skin’s needs. Don’t be scared - we’re not backing out on our promise to lighten your to-do list! The fact is, you probably don’t need a complete regimen overhaul. Maybe you just need to swap nighttime moisturizers to quench your thirsty skin or switch your daily serum. Similar to muscle memory (i.e. the reason three sets of 15 reps doesn’t work forever), your skin benefits from periodic product changes. Not sure what you need? Book a free skincare consult or stop into the spa to speak with the La Bella Derma team.

5. Putting off self-care. Not only is putting off self-care so 2015, it’s also the opposite of self-love, light and all things beautiful you promised to bring into the new year. Once seen as a sign of success, busy-ness and the incessant striving that often accompanies it have taken a toll on our bodies and minds, but regular self-care is the antidote. Believing that self-care is more than a buzzword is a start, but only those that put it into practice reap the benefits. Just like scheduling the gym increases the likelihood of you actually going, putting self-care in your calendar is key to making it a reality. As silly as it sounds, sometimes (ok, most of the time) we need to schedule self-care and protect it like that doctor’s appointment it took you six months to get. We know how easy it is for other things to creep in when there doesn’t seem to be anything on the line (except our mental and physical health). We get it – the struggle is real, which is why La Bella Derma created a membership program. This isn’t your jelly-of-the-month club folks, it’s a way for you to prioritize yourself (plus save money, gain access to cool events, and more) and commit to making self-care happen.

There you go – five things to stop doing in 2019! And, because we’re givers, here’s a bonus time-saver: stop using mascara. Whaaaaat? For many of us, going without mascara is akin to grocery shopping naked (it’s not going to happen). We love the little pop that mascara gives our eyes (a spa favorite is Blinc tube mascara), but we also love getting out the door on time. Enter eyelash tinting. While it doesn’t add length, lash tinting is great for an everyday natural look. Bonus – you’ll have time to stop by Starbucks on your way to work, which is really a bonus for everyone.

Remember, the La Bella Derma team is here to make your life easier. Stop by the spa or give us a call today at 802.735.3031. Happy New Year – we can’t wait to share 2019 with you!






Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.