It has never ceased to amaze me, to how many people actually get pedicures and manicures on a regular basis. This I must admit can be a very welcoming treat, but unfortunately for me, it hardly ever makes it to my diary.

When it did, as a treat from a friend for my birthday in January, what I did notice was the actual amount of supplies that were needed to complete these tasks, there were two very nice leather pedicure stations each with its own little spa tub at the bottom of each, this was were clients feet could be soaked, next to these tubs were foot stools for the manicurist to sit, then next to this was a four draw wicker basket that had everything from blades to creams to polishes, other tools used were toe and finger nail clippers, boards of different thickness and roughness, there were a large selection of shapers, buffers and scrubbers, she must of used all of them. A relaxing foot and leg massage was given after the shaping and cleaning and applying a soothing moisturising cream which felt great, that great that I could’ve stayed there for another hour easily.

Now my soothed feet were ready for their polish to be applied, the manicurist put what she called toe separators between my toes while she painted them and when she had finished she gave me little flip flops to wear home, these were so the polish would dry without getting smudged by wearing my own shoes. Feet and toes completed, now it was time for my manicure, I was shown to another station solely for manicures.

This station was even more equipped than the pedicure station, there was a dryer that you put your feet under and it also helped in the drying process of the polish so it didn’t smudge’
This process was similar to the previous, the soaking of the cuticles for easy trimming, the filing, shaping, buffing and polishing, and then of course the little dryer to finish and complete my birthday treat.

(Thank you my best friend)

A facial can be a one step process or can involve multiple different applications. Each type of facial application has a different purpose and result. The first step in a facial, after routine cleansing, is the application of a facial rinse, or astringent, also called toner, which is used to clean excess oil and dirt from the tiny pores of the skin. In addition, to cleansing, the astringent tightens the facial skin. Most astringents contain some type of harmless acidic compound which draws the pores closed, resulting in a firmer skin texture. Popular recipes used in home facial washes include lemon or orange juice mixed with a small amount of mineral water and applied with a cotton ball to the face. Many name brand facial toners are available at most drug and retail stores and work on the same principle using a variety of natural or synthetic astringents.

A facial scrub is another form of the facial, usually used after the toner. The scrub’s main purpose is to remove dead skin cells, allowing the fresher, softer skin underneath to show through which gives the face radiance and a more youthful look and feel. Sugar scrubs are popular at home and are can be made simply by mixing some sugar (brown or white) into a small amount of olive oil, applying to the face in a gentle circular motion and rinsing with plain water.

A popular image when thinking of a facial includes a person lying down with a thick coating on the face and cucumber slices on the eyes. The coating on the face is called a mask, for obvious reasons, and there are many different types of masks for a wide variety of desired results. There are masks for deep pore cleansing, for firmer skin, for intensive hydration or for removing excess oil, among others. Some masks harden and peel off, mostly for the purpose of removing dirt and oil from deep within the pores, while others remain soft and are rinsed off, such as deeply moisturizing or exfoliating masks. And the cucumber slices on the eyes actually do serve a purpose by slightly tightening the skin around the eyes through the astringent properties of the cucumber!

The last step in a full facial is to moisturize. Moisturizers are chosen depending on skin type and add the finishing touch by further hydrating the skin for maximum softness and radiance. A moisturizer is generally applied sparingly and left to soak into the skin. A facial moisturizer should really be used every day, but no facial experience is truly complete without this last step.

Whether you pay for the full experience at a luxury spa or pamper yourself at home, you’ll feel the benefits of a facial long beyond the time it takes to have one. Soothing music, flickering candles and a subtle scent in the air will enhance your experience even further. Enjoy the lasting effects of rejuvenation and renewed self confidence that a facial can bring.

Because the eyes are lacking fat and oil glands, their creams are necessary to help soften and nourish the skin around the eyes. Some eye creams improve the firmness and texture of the skin, as well as hydrate the skin. There are some creams that smooth fine lines, reduce puffiness, and remove dark circles around the eyes. Quality anti aging creams contains vitamins A and D as these vitamins are diminished in the skin when there is increased exposure to the sun. Many of these eye creams also contain Vitamin E and Aloe Vera. These nutrients make the skin around the eyes healthier and younger looking.

There are others that increase collagen which stimulates growth of new skin cells as well as helping to repair damaged skin. Quality vision creams for dark circles will normally contain such ingredients as Kojic acid, Vitamin K, and hydroquinone. These ingredients help to prevent bruising and they also lighten the skin. Eye creams that remove wrinkles and puffiness will normally have such ingredients as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), peptides, caffeine, retinol, and vitamin C. The ingredients stimulate collagen production and firm the skin. When targeting both wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes, it is recommended that one uses a cream that targets a combination of skin problems. There is a new ingredient called Hylexin that has shown promising results in reducing dark circles under the eyes.

Peptides are an important ingredient as they are very effective at reducing wrinkles. Products with a high concentration of peptides can be quite expensive. Another ingredient, Hyaluronic acid, which can be found in eye creams, is essential to firming and hydrating the skin. As well, they containing the ingredient ‘escinine,’ a botanical with anti-inflammatory properties, and manganese, a mineral that increases circulation, will drastically decrease under eye puffiness.

There are also all natural eye creams that can include Vitamins and minerals, natural oils such as nutmeg oil, sunflower oil, and sweet almond oil, as well as sea weed extracts, water/aqua, Avocado oil, rose distillate, glycerin, alcohol, pineapple extract, Beeswax, peanut oil, rose petal extract, Jojoba oil, Mango butter, fragrance essential oil, Shea butter, and much more.

As we age, our skin becomes more susceptible to damage. This is especially true for the skin around the eyes which makes using anti aging eye creams an essential part of a daily skin care routine. One must first figure out what eye problem they have such as wrinkles, puffiness, or dark circles under the eyes, and then pick the eye cream that best meets their skin needs. You will soon see improved, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Spa treatments now give us all even more reason to shun the sun. The exposure to sun makes the skin more sensitive and more likely to react adversely to most spa treatments and products.

Most medical spas will advise to always avoid sun exposure before any laser or ILP treatments.
It is recommended to avoid the sun for four to six weeks before and after treatments and to use sunscreen regularly. Clients are also advised to stay out of the sun for the entire course of the laser hair removal treatments – which may mean a period of 10 to 14 weeks.

Following facial peels, waxing and aromatherapy, stay out of the sun. Retin-A and other chemical peels remove the top layer of skin and make the skin especially vulnerable to sunburn and sun damage. Even after waxing, although skin may appear normal, it has been treated with products and will be sensitive. Some of the oils and herbs used in aromatherapy treatments can make some people more sensitive to sunlight.

Many spa treatments are designed to correct sun damage – removing freckles, fine lines and wrinkles – paying for these should be a great incentive to stay out of the sun and spend the funds on more therapeutic spa treatments like a relaxing body massage, hand and foot therapy and yoga, to name just a few. It is always a good idea to get advise from the spa aesthetician about sun exposure in connection with your specific spa treatments.

Sun Safety Year- Round

Q: What are the effects of sun overexposure?

A: Ultraviolet rays (URV) can cause skin health issues that include premature aging, abnormal pigmentation problems, reduced immune response and, of course, cancers such as melanoma.

Q: What is melanoma?

A: A melanoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor that begins in the melanocyte cells that produce pigment in the skin. They are found in the bottom of the epi-dermal layer.

Q: How can I reduce the risk of developing melanoma?

A: Prevention is the key. Know what you can do to avoid melanoma, follow the precautions regarding sun exposure, check of new or changing moles and visit a dermatologist if you find any.

Q: How do sunscreens work?

A: Sunscreens are formulated with unique chemicals components to absorb Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). They use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block the sun’s rays physically or absorbent ingredients that easily absorb the UV rays. Some sunscreen products use a combination of the two.

Q: How much SPF is enough?

A: The SPF rating was developed to describe the amount of protection that a sunscreen provides.
The higher the SPF number, the more protection provided.

A recommended SPF of 15 for daily use and an SPF of at least 30 for outdoor activities such as golf or hiking.

Don’t be part of the rising skin-cancer statistics. There are plenty of options to keep your skin healthy and protected. In addition to sunscreens, make hats and cover-up clothing part of your everyday wardrobe. Your skin will thank you for it – year after year.

Reasons for Visiting:

If you’re considering visiting a med spa, you hopefully have a valid reason. These types of establishments are usually geared toward treating specific conditions, as opposed to normal day spas that usually provide overall pampering treatments. In many cases, a person visits this type of health facility on the orders of a doctor, or under his supervision. The type of facility that you visit and where you concentrate your research may have a lot to do with what you need.

Make a List:

Get a list of every med spa in your area, and then start the process of elimination. A few short phone calls or emails can help you decide which facilities wouldn’t be right for you, and which ones to keep under consideration. Ask about services, treatments, accreditation, and prices-anything that will affect your decision. Once you have your list down to viable possibilities, starting researching each one in more detail. Check licenses, ask for references, and call watchdog organizations. This may seem like a lot of trouble, especially if you are only considering a minor procedure, but this is your body-and your money-and you don’t want to compromise.

Check with Your Physician:

Even if you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to visit a medical spa, it can be a good idea to consult with your doc before going to one. Your doctor might be able to recommend a good, reputable facility. It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor about the type of treatment you want, and why. This way you can find out such things as if it can be medically beneficial, potentially harmful, or even if it would be better in a doctor’s office setting. If you have your list and research, bring it along and show it to him. This can help you both make an informed decision about what’s best for you.

This can be a great place to get treatments for things such as skin conditions and muscle injuries. They can even provide cosmetic services such as dermabrasion or Botox injections. If you do your research and consult with the right people, you may be able to establish a long term relationship with a good, reputable facility.

A med spa provides any number of aesthetic services from hair removal to massages and facials, even services once confined to the province of medicine like various laser therapies. To know more, visit http://guidetoplasticsurgery.com