Introduction to Massage Therapy

I have heard many people refer to Massage as an indulgence. Indulging in activities that benefit us is a positive experience. Massage is one means to help oneself to have more freedom of movement and the potential of experiencing less pain overall. Receiving regular Massage has been proven to help reduce inflammation, aid in an overall reduction of the effects of stress, helps to keep us moving forward in our busy lives with less muscular tension, pain and restriction. The act of receiving a Massage is brilliant in the subacute stage of any muscular imbalance. Many instances of "overdoing it" can lead to us feeling aches and pains that are new to us, this is an excellent time to seek the assistance of a qualified Muscular specialist. "Physical issues such as fatigue, pain and tension are the most outwardly indicators that self care is lacking... Taking a few hours for a massage, facial or other spa treatments can be just what your body craves when you’ve overdone your work or underdone your normal self-care routine, or a combination of both."(1) Whether you are a regular to Massage and Spa treatments or open to trying new experiences, indulging oneself with quality treatments is a healthy way to keep you feeling and looking your best. Be - you - tiful I have included a link that explains what one can expect when experiencing a Massage for the first time. Take care of yourself Trish T, MT La Bella Derma https://www.massagemag.com/spa-day-self-care-86632/

What does Fragrance actually mean?

What is fragrance?

Fragrance, or perfume is often confused with the word “scent”.  A scent is simply the way something smells.  Perfume and mothballs both have a scent, but only one is a fragrance.  Let me break it down:

Fragrance is an actual ingredient, well a compound made up of several ingredients to be exact.  Although perfume is the biggest offender, fragrance is also found in many of your favorite skin care products, and most of your hair care products. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists 3,059 materials that are reported as being used in fragrance compound.  Although cosmetics and other products are regulated through the FDA and must list all ingredients, one ingredient you may find in your products is the mysterious “FRAGRANCE”!  When you see this word, it means that ONE listed ingredient actually contains up to 3,059 ingredients.  How is this possible?!  The FDA has a loophole that allows the makeup of different fragrances to remain a secret to guard the trade secret formulas.

Phthalates are often found in 70% of perfumes tested, and not listed on the label (see above.)  Phthalates are known hormone disruptors which can lead to problems like infertility, metabolic issues, breast cancer, birth defects, diabetes, obesity and more.  A recent study from Brigham and Women's Hospital linked phthalates to an increased risk for preterm birth.  Pregnant woman who wore perfume and underwent testing had  phthalate concentrations 167 percent higher than non-users.

Your skin, your body’s largest organ, (YES- SKIN IS AN ORGAN, which means it needs to be healthy to function) has many jobs, one of which is absorption.  This is the most common way fragrance enters your body.  Fragrance can also affect you by contact with fragranced items (ie hugging someone wearing perfume, sleeping in sheets washed with a fragranced detergent), and by exposure to air containing fragrances (this is why I avoid the laundry detergent aisle at all costs!!!).  Yep, our skin will absorb the vapors!  Fragrance lingers a long time in the air.  It settles and stick to the skin, hair, clothes, furnishings, furniture, food… everything… yeah…. Food!

Did you know that 95% of the chemicals in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum? Also, many of the chemicals in perfumes are the same chemicals in cigarette smoke. GROSS.

In case this information wasn’t enough on it’s own to make you weary of personal use, know that your perfume is also affecting the health of those around you.  In addition to the above health issues, perfume can also affect men’s infertility, sperm count.  In babies and kids, phthalates have been linked to obesity, asthma, behavioral problems, genital changes in boys and early puberty in girls.

There’s more….

Fragrance has neurological, systemic and respiratory effects.  It is a known human immune toxicant.  It also has a huge effect on our environment by polluting our air and water.  When we wash our hair, bodies, clothes, etc with items containing fragrance, it is washing down the drain and into waste water treatment facilities which DO NOT REMOVE these chemicals.

How do you know if your product has fragrance?  It will be listed as an ingredient on your products.  Looking for change and still want to smell good?  Consider custom blending a perfume that consists of essential oils and witch hazel!  The same essential oils can be added to fragrance-free detergents, lotions and body washes!  

References:

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/#

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/fragrance/#sthash.Armh8LHQ.dpuf

http://saferchemicals.org/chemicals/phthalates/

http://www.positivehealth.com/article/environmental/fragrance-a-growing-health-and-environmental-hazard

What REALLY happens when you pop a pimple?

When you pop that whitehead (or worse try to pop a pimple without a head), you're creating a spread of bacteria and worse- potential acne scarring. As you pop, the force (even the most gentle force) used pushes bacteria, oil and dead skin cells deeper into skin's layers creating more breakouts. 

What else?

Now, you've encouraged that pimple to come back by pushing that bacteria deeply into the skin, saving it for a rainy day.  You've also created inflammation which results in a larger, more red and angry lesion. 

There's more?

Yup! Scabbing! Gross. Did I mention scarring?! Its worth another mention. Scarring sticks around for soooo much longer than 1 pesky whitehead. Sometimes you might even need bleaching creams, chemical peels or even laser to correct the scars.

In case all of that wasn't bad enough...

Frequent picking, or even just picking once at the wrong pimple can cause destruction in your collagen!

Long story short.. Quit your picking!

Consult with your Esthetician to learn about better ways to care for your skin and minimize breakouts!

What is Dermaplaning?

WHAT IS DERMAPLANING?

Dermaplaning is a simple and safe procedure for exfoliating the epidermis and ridding the skin of fine vellus hair (peach fuzz). It has been used for many years, but many estheticians don’t even know it exists, and certainly, many don’t use it. Dermaplaning is a simple shaving of the epidermis.

Because dermaplaning is a quick procedure with few to no adverse effects, it has quickly gained popularity among cosmetic medical providers across the country. Using a scalpel and a delicate touch, the provider simply abrades the surface of the skin using light feathering strokes. This is a great treatment to offer to patients who are pregnant or nursing who want a deep exfoliation, but are not allowed to use peeling agents. Removing the hair gives the client healthier looking skin.

Although merely an old wives’ tale, many patients are often concerned that the hair will grow back heavier and darker after dermaplaning. This is not the case. As long as the hair is superficial vellus hair, it will grow back at the same rate and texture as before the treatment.

Removing epidermal skin also allows products to penetrate more readily into the deeper layers. Physicians may recommend this treatment to prepare the skin for chemical peels. It also may be used by estheticians to prepare the skin for superficial chemical peels or before a cleansing facial.

Dermaplaning is most often used on clients with rough, dry skin, superficial hyperpig­mentation, mild acne scarring, or fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment results in a more refined, smooth, “glowing” appearance.

Brow How-To

Brow Shaping Tips

Brows are defined by: arch, length, thickness, neatness, color and angle sharpness. There are common corrective procedures in place. Learn when to use them—and when to ignore them.

Rule: Close- & wide-set eyes

Start the brow closer to the outside of the nostril for close-set, and closer to the inside of the nostril for wide-set.

Break the rule: Do not deviate far from the natural curve coming off of the bridge of the nose, which creates an unnatural look.

Rule: Wide face

Remove hair from under the brow 
to create a greater arch and elongate the face.

Break the rule: If a prominent space exists under the brow, or if the face is very round, it will exacerbate the problem.

Rule: Oblong face

Straighten out the arch by removing hair from above the brow.

Break the rule: When encountering a narrow underbrow space that would prohibit a highlight area, do not remove hair above the brow.

Rule: Square face

A square face will almost always requires a prominent arch.

Break the rule: Move the arch to the outer two-thirds of the eye to create a full brow and keep the look current.

The trick is to balance the features without sacrificing the enhancement of another desirable feature. A healthy, full brow is a sign of good health and youth. Brows are important to facial symmetry. They can detract from dark undereye circles or an undesired prominent feature. Most makeup artists agree that clients are more opinionated about their brows than most other features. A seasoned artist will have negotiation tactics when clients desire bold eye makeup and barely-there brows. When lashes and brows are lush and full, busy women can wear less makeup, saving time and money. For those desiring full, modern brows, new technological advancements have tangible results when expertly applied. For example, one product developed for root outgrowth on the scalp also works well for brows. One positively charged end of double-ended zinc particles magnetically attaches to negatively charged hair, and the pigment particles at the other end attaches to the hair.3 Today’s market hosts a prolific bounty of precision pencils and pens, textural powders, waxes and gels that hold up to the scrutiny of daylight.

Tips for Fuller Brows

Step 1. Comb the lashes up and out to stay with the natural growth pattern and trim any hairs that are too long. Apply a lighter brow powder to add texture for fine hair, or a wax for coarse brows.

Step 2. Following the brow powder, apply two fine-point brow pencils in slightly different tones for added depth and etch the brows only where needed. Follow the natural curve, gliding off the bridge of the nose to create a soft angle.

Step 3. Fill in under the brow to thicken and straighten the arch while filling in bald patches. Do not fill above the brow line, as it will be visible.

Step 4. Set with brow powder in the desired color; a darker taupe is fashionable for blonde hair. Although dark brows are in vogue, black-brown colors will be more attractive than black for dark hair, due to the value intensity when layering product.

Step 5. Apply ample brow gel or hairspray on a spooley. A small handheld fan will dry unruly brows in place before they can resist.

http://www.skininc.com/treatments/cosmetics/Lash-and-Brow-Styles-Speak-Volumes-324370911.html

Why wash my face?

I don't wear makeup, why wash my face?

You don't have to wear makeup to have "dirty" skin.  Throughout the day (and night) our skin is constantly producing oil and shedding layers of dead skin -GROSS!

Skipping this essential step can lead to larger pores, skin inflammation and a dull complexion.  Who wants that?!  So, what's the best what's the best way to cleanse your skin?  If you skin is oily, opt for  a gel cleanser- something that foams up.  Dry and sensitive skin will benefit from a milk or cream cleanser.  Also, make sure your cleanser is made specifically for the face, and is pH balanced.

Another added option is using a cleansing brush.  This will multiply the effects of the cleanser, giving you a deeper clean and allowing for your other products to penetrate better.  Make sure your cleansing brush moves by vibration, and doesn't rotate- this will prevent stretching of the skin.

"Why can't I use regular soap?"  Eeeekk!!  As an Esthetician, this makes me totally cringe!  Hand and body soap have a much higher pH level than facial cleansers.

"You've mentioned pH twice now, what does that even mean?!"  Well, it's all science- so I'll break it down and try to keep it short and sweet.  Your skin's barrier (acid mantle) prevents dryness, sensitivity, acne, wrinkles and sagging.  Obviously there's way more to it, which I'd be happy to explain later to those skin geeks- like myself who are interested.  The acid mantle has a pH of 4.5-5.5.  Most hand and body soaps have a pH up to 9! (The scale only goes up to 14).  This is obviously a no-no.

So, just get a face wash already!  Make sure it's made for your skin 'cause otherwise, why bother?  Use it!  It will do nothing for your skin just sitting on the counter- I promise.  As always, consult with your Esthetician regarding pH balanced products, or simply the right products for your skin.

Back to School Skin Care

Trying to fit in and feel confident is hard enough when you have "perfect" skin.  But, what if your skin is oily, or covered in pimples and blackheads?!  It's important to know what causes acne.  The three main acne-causing culprit are stress, hormones and genetics.  So, how do you determine what's causing your acne?

First, start by washing your pillow cases and, if you use them, makeup brushes once every week.  Wash your face twice daily and follow with a light, oil-free moisturizer.  I recommend having a consultation with an Esthetician to learn which ingredients are best for your type of acne.  

NEVER pop your pimples!  Not even with an extractor tool.  That will lead to scarring.  Instead, have extractions done by a professional (your Esthetician).  If you play sports- wash your face immediately after a practice or a game.

Hopefully doing those simple things will be enough!  Unfortunately for some, acne can be much deeper and more more stubborn.  In that case, you may need to see your Doctor regarding prescription treatments.

Be patient.  New skin care regimens can sometimes take up to three months to show improvement, and is rarely one size fits all.  Sometimes it's a game of guess and check before finding the right fix for your skin.

Let's sum things up.  Wash.  Don't pick.  See a professional.

Remember that you are beautiful, and your skin doesn't define who you are- but it is absolutely possible to see improvement with some effort, which in turn will make you feel better about yourself.

XOXO