Thursday, January 31, 2019

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.

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