Light based technologies have revolutionized aesthetic procedures and medicine. Lasers are at the pinnacle of these technologies because of their brightness and intensity, but significant improvements in a wide variety of cosmetic conditions are also afforded by other light sources such as IPL's (Intense Pulsed Light Systems), LED banks (Light Emitting Diodes), and other Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) modalities. Anyone working in the field of aesthetics should have a good understanding of the basic principles behind laser and light based therapies whether or not you are actually treating clients with these devices because they impact so many conditions in so many people.

In electrolysis, each professional has her own working habits, her own personal touch. These differences, from one electrologist to another, are sometimes the object of inquiries even intense discussions. On the list of subjects that are the most controversial in electrolysis, is the one about the best interval of time between treatments. How many weeks should go by between each session? Two, three, four, six, or eight weeks? There are many answers from one electrologist to another. At the second rank on the list, is the question about whether or not a temporary method of hair removal should be used between sessions.

In our not-so-distant past, the pursuit of smooth, hairless skin drove people to extreme measures. They would scrape their suffering skin with seashells, scour themselves raw with sand, even apply disgusting concoctions consisting of “resin, pitch, white vine or ivy gum extracts, ass’ fat, she-goat’s gall, bat’s blood, and powdered viper” in an effort to—WHAT? – gross their hair out of growing? Sounds painful, smelly, and frighteningly drastic, but it is a clear indication of how much value is placed on hair-free skin. What these women—and men—needed, however, was a calming, skilled someone to take their hairy hand and say, “Let’s work together on this and you’ll be smooth faster than you can say, ‘Tigris and Euphrates’.”

What to Know before Purchasing an LED Device for your Spa
When it comes to anti-aging treatments, aestheticians today certainly have many choices. From lasers to peels to oxygen facials, spas can offer countless ways for their clients to combat the signs of aging. One popular new option is LED (light-emitting diode) therapy. This treatment involves exposing the skin to specific LED lights, which in turn can stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

It still amazes me how many of us are out there that avoid all contact with "equipment" in facial and body procedures. I know what you're thinking; I've heard it all before… "Nothing beats human touch… I can do a better job with my hands." I wouldn't disagree, but what I am urging you to do is to take a moment to simply look at things from a different point of view (my fiancé absolutely hates when I say that to him!). But seriously, this month's focus is on Tools of the Trade, and a multi-function machine is one basic piece of equipment that can offer oodles of variations to your skin care services.

I am often asked the question, “What equipment should I invest in?”, by colleagues who are new to the industry or those trying to decide what piece of equipment they should add next to their current inventory of modalities. My response is always, “What do you want to achieve?”
Our equipment choices should be based on how the chosen equipment will support the treatment offering that we provide. What is the main focus of your business? Is it high tech and clinical or wholistically based? Who are your clients and what are their skin concerns? How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

The industry has been abuzz for the last few years about Light Emitting Diodes (LED, also known as Photodynamic Therapy or Light Therapy) for acne clients, but what does it truly mean to the aesthetician in daily practice?
First of all, it is best to understand the terms we talked about above, so that as a professional there is no confusion when talking with manufacturers, other practitioners, as well as in your work environment in relating to your medical or paramedical colleagues.
The term LED refers to the method by which the light is produced for photodynamic therapy.

Light: It’s a part of our day-to-day survival. We depend on light, in both its natural and man-made forms, to help us navigate through life as we know it. Everything we see is a variance of light, as it is light that carries information from our eyes to our brain, creating and translating images of the world in which we live. Throughout history, a number of findings prove that color and light have been used for centuries to facilitate healing and well-being. In skin care, phototherapy has been used to treat such skin disorders as psoriasis, eczema, and acne.

Let’s start with a very pertinent question. Is it your belief that a baby boomer’s primary concern today is how to look younger and feel better? If so, wouldn’t you want to position yourself as an expert in this burgeoning market?
By incorporating an array of facial machines into your practice, you can immediately set yourself apart and raise your status in the increasingly competitive professional skin care field. And as you put together machine-based solutions that achieve the results necessary to help boomers look younger and feel better, you’ll not only get a reputation as an “expert”, but also a nice piece of the corresponding dollar pie.

Is your goal to be an expert in your field? Do you want to provide services that your clients can’t duplicate at home? If you answered yes, it’s time to break into the world of machines in the field of aesthetics practice, and harness these new trends to foster a competitive advantage.
Machines can ramp up your services and provide a level of results not otherwise possible through a conventional, non-machine facial. Many of the new technologies today are developed to not only have benefits inherent to their respective capabilities, but also to penetrate targeted active ingredients deeper into the skin, allowing better absorption of your skin care products.

While in most states laser and other light-based treatments remain the prerogative of physicians, the growth of medical spas, and the greater consumer awareness about these devices mean that aestheticians, whether working with a physician or at a day spa, will encounter questions about these treatment options. Much has been published in various professional skin care publications about lasers and light-based devices. The following article looks at lasers and light-based devices from a more technical, technological angle. What exactly is a laser? How do lasers work? How do lasers destroy a specific target without injuring the surrounding tissue? These are the types of questions answered in this review.

There is hardly a day spa or salon/spa business today that doesn’t offer dozens of services, service packages and hundreds of products for retail. On top of that, most businesses have several staff charged at various rates for a range of services. In addition, a client coming in for a service package may see several different staff and require the use of more than one service location within your facility.
Just keeping track of all of this activity has become a full-time job for spa owners and managers. Even a small mistake in managing a client’s time can result in less revenue, frustrated clients and staff, and even in lost business.

Summer makeup has always been about minimal looks, bronzed glowing skin and keeping it easy. When fall rolls around, the looks start to get more ornate and dramatic, which can be intimidating to many women. I know from my days of working retail that many of my customers were creatures of habit and liked wearing the same lipstick, blush or eyeshadow. When their favorite shade was discontinued, they would look high and low for the same color. I used to explain that this was a sign to try something new.

Accentuate the positive! The hot new trend this spring is to accent one feature. It's not about not minimizing make-up but having fun with eyes, lips, or cheekbones in a playful way. Don't be shy, find that best feature and show it off!
Let's start at the top. Bangs are back. If you haven't had bangs for a while, now's the time. Short, blunt, cut bangs that rest at the top of the brows or even cover the brows are really hot this spring. If you can't wear them straight, try sweeping your bangs to the side and slightly layered.

Sooner or later it happens. We look into the mirror and see our mothers looking back at us. We start to see the subtle, or not so subtle, changes that are happening to our faces and our bodies; and we are not quite ready for what we see. The crow’s feet have crept in, and there are fine lines and wrinkles that were not there before. Our once soft and smooth skin is no longer. It isn’t because we haven’t taken care of our skin and our bodies, because we have. It’s the age thing starting to take hold.

The first preparation before a foundation is placed on the skin is to properly clean the skin. I always recommend using a cleanser that has non-drying additives and can reach deep beneath the skin's outer layer to bring out environmental dirt and residue from cosmetic applications. My rule of thumb, "The cleaner the skin, the more the foundation will lock onto the skin to promote a fresh and longer lasting look."
Most people need, and should use, a moisturizer after cleaning their skin. Because of the sun and environmental elements the skin is exposed to, I also encourage the use of a sunscreen before the foundation is applied.

Mothers have been fretting over their teenage daughter’s ever-increasing cosmetic use and the threat it plays on their skin since cosmetics were invented. Now they can breathe easier for even teens can use cosmetics that are safe, effective, and made especially for them.
Parents and teens should decide together what appropriate make-up is for their age. One option that you can offer parents as their daughter’s begin to wear make-up is a Skin Care and Make-up Primer Consultation. As a professional, it is your job to teach teens techniques that are age appropriate.

In the 60s, the British were setting the style trends and the world followed. Twiggy, miniskirts, go go boots, and the Beatles were all the rage and the Mod Look was born. Today, 40 years later, the Mod Look is back with a new modern twist! The look is bold, but don’t be afraid to introduce your clients to the hottest trend in make-up this season. Modern Mod is an inspired vision; it is softer than the look of the 60s and can be easily achieved.

All skin discolorations need to be addressed the same way. It's important not to camouflage, but to blend natural color into the discolored area. This applies to port wine stain birthmarks, rosacea (red pustular lesions), vitiligo (patches of unpigmented skin), bruising and any skin discoloration resulting from chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
When selecting product to place on these discolored areas, you need to use one that is user-friendly and highly pigmented and one that will not cause any skin irritation. When in doubt, I always recommend a quick and simple allergy test by applying different products. The inside area of the elbow or directly below and behind the ear are two areas which will give you accurate results.

For a woman who on most evenings chauffeurs kids, pushes a grocery cart, cooks dinner, does laundry and helps with homework, being likened to a Hollywood star may seem a little ridiculous.
Selling a fantasy sparks many successful advertising campaigns. Purchase a specific product and a life of romance, excitement, and glamour awaits you. Spritzing on the right perfume could lead you to stepping into a limo, wearing diamonds, embraced by Mr. Knock-Down Gorgeous. Buy the right car and you will drive along the Pacific Coast Highway like a scene from a James Bond movie.

Make-up is by far the leading draw into the skin care products and skin care services we have! If you don’t offer and/or promote make-up services, you are letting thousands of dollars walk out the door in not just retail sales, but increased service sales. You are telling them it’s OK to go buy somewhere else! Women buy make-up, this is a proven fact. If only just a lipstick or blush, they do buy. Possibly, for the ones who don’t wear make-up, it could be that no one ever showed them how to apply it to look natural. Where do they buy their make-up?

An internal sense of well-being or “beauty” enables an individual to present a glowing self confidence in the world today. Surveys conducted by universities and economists have concluded and support that external beauty contributes greatly to personal and professional success.
I was very honored last year to be part of a “Beauty and Labor Marketing” survey, which had a demographic group of 7,000 respondents between 30-70 years old. From this survey, the economist concluded that people who are perceived as “very nice looking” earn about 10 to 25 percent more than those viewed as “average”. Their findings held true even when education and experience levels were comparable in the two groups. It was also found that attractive women increase their salaries at a much faster rate.

The popularity of minimally invasive cosmetic surgery procedures has skyrocketed over the past five years. In fact, more than nine million plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2004 alone, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery has led to another beauty trend, the explosion of mineral make-up into the mainstream.
Now, patients can cover virtually any imperfection experienced after surgery and return to their daily routine with minimal downtime. However, it is extremely important to educate your patients on make-up application tips in order to minimize infection and other problems that can occur when applying make-up to affected areas.

For any given aesthetic concern, there are both surgical and non-surgical enhancements, which are available. Cosmetic minimally invasive procedures have gained tremendous popularity in the United States with a 53 percent increase between 2002 and 2004 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The desire to maintain a youthful appearance by any means of cosmetic treatment has proven the aesthetic industry to be one of the most profitable. In 2004 alone, Americans spent just under $12.5 billion on cosmetic procedures, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).

Digging into the Newest Plant Cell Breakthroughs

Science seems like a very artificial and synthetic thing, where compounds are manipulated in sterile spaces by people wearing white coats and latex gloves. But incredibly, the latest breakthrough in beautiful skin comes from the earth and sea itself, and from some of the garden's most deliriously sensual flowers.
Botanicals have been used in cosmetics for centuries. But today, utilizing plant stem cell technology, we are able to extract cells from plants and cultivate them in the laboratory, multiplying their potency by literally 1,000 times or more than that which is present in the naturally occurring molecule.

In the conceptualization and planning stages of this feature we were certain it was going to be among the best coverage we have offered in regards to exfoliation. Indeed I think the information in this feature as well as the supporting articles is very informative and well written. What I know now that I didn't know before we began the process of talking to potential writers, is how difficult it would be to find four people who were willing to contribute to this feature, primarily because of the title. I can only imagine what they would have said if they had seen the cover and opening art for this feature. Their reaction might have been similar to your own and even ours when we first looked at these images – a bit shocked and taken aback. But let's stay focused, and I will get back to the art in a minute.

Every month trade and consumer magazines are full of glossy covers boldly announcing that they have discovered the newest, most effective anti-aging ingredients. We have all been seduced by the impressive articles and carefully-placed advertising that promise beauty and results. We have seen the claims for magical anti-aging serums that cost outrageous amounts of money for an ounce or less of product. We have seen the words, “X percent more youthful.” “X percent more hydrated.” “X percent texture improvement.”
Looking at these ads and articles from a non-scientific perspective, it is easy to be impressed with colorful words and dramatic claims promised by new ingredients. Often the claims accompanying these new products are backed by “clinical evidence.”

New ingredients are being introduced into the skin care market everyday and with the market being a multi-billion dollar industry, this phenomenon won’t slow down anytime soon. Having narrowed down the hundreds of ingredients, here are the top ingredients to look for in current skin care formulations.

Peptides are Here to Stay
First and foremost, we must discuss the continued interest of the use of peptides in the industry. Traditional actives formulated in skin care products consist of natural sources such as essential oils, plant-extracts, and vitamins. As helpful as these natural sources can be, they can be limited in their overall effectiveness.

As a spa professional, you want to provide the best possible treatment for your clients. Providing the best treatment is reliant on 50 percent technique and 50 percent product. In aesthetic or massage therapy school, often the emphasis is put more on learning the right technique and less about teaching the basics of natural ingredients and how to select quality products for your business. In turn, once you complete your studies you are left to learn about products from independent research and through suppliers. Unfortunately, the information skin care companies provide to you can in some cases be based on false claims the company is making to sell their product.

OK, let’s get right down to it – your skin care products may contain ingredients that are actually classified as OTC’s. OTC stands for “over-the-counter” and refers specifically to non-prescription drugs. This isn’t necessarily a problem, although any skin care product containing an over-the-counter drug needs to be labeled as such. This may be a bit of a “gray area”, as you’ll see.
Before we shed light on the labeling dilemma, let me give you some technical detailing set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and it’s corresponding Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (from now on referred to as “FD&C Act”) which sets definitions and protocols for our industry.

Ancient Egyptians revered the aloe vera plant and considered it to be the “Plant of Immortality.” The glamorous Cleopatra regarded aloe vera as her beauty secret. Legend states that the Pharaoh kept the Aloe as a palace plant, assigning it a very high status.  Drawings of the aloe plant have been found inscribed in the tombs of the pharaohs. Supposedly, Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., was persuaded by his mentor, Aristotle, to capture the Island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean for its famed Aloe supplies, needed to treat his wounded soldiers.

With access to so much information, your client is increasingly placing their faith in real science to ward off the inevitable signs of aging. The uninformed aesthetician or skin care professional therefore needs to understand the importance of communicating hard science and not hard sell to their clients.

Two forms of wax are used in spas, with one being a 'must have' hair removal tool that has been used in the beauty industry for generations, and the other being a traditional barrier therapy utilized for hydrating the skin for as long as skin care has been performed. Both deem a closer look at for safe use, epsecially as spa clients are demanding higher levels of safety now. Spas must answer client demands for obviously safe protocols, or lose them, one at a time, to spas that do.

The scope of sanitation requirements from the Cosmetology Commissions, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), include basic cleanliness, consumption of food, and protection from microorganisms. In the June issue we discussed the importance of maintaining your business facilities and equipment. This includes routine maintenance, such as, keeping the area in good order, hallways cleared, and furniture and appliances in good repair. Maintain daily, weekly, and monthly housekeeping schedules, and properly maintain procedure rooms to prevent cross-contamination of your product, clients, or yourself. Food and drinks cannot be sold, but you can offer them to your clientele.

As a spa professional, it is important to be aware of the effect toxins have on the skin and the internal system. Being aware will in turn motivate you to become knowledgeable on how to select the right products, equipment, and treatments that can have a positive impact on repairing damage caused by toxin exposure.

Let’s face it (no pun intended): aesthetic equipment is an investment. By following the manufacturer’s care and maintenance guidelines, you may prolong the life of your machines beyond the warranty as well as practicing safe aesthetics.
When it comes to caring for your equipment, cleanliness is next to Godliness. If you think the spots, cloudy water, dust, or wax drips go unnoticed by your clients… think again. As a spa client, the first thing I do when I enter the room is observe my surroundings. I expect that whatever is being used on my skin is disposable, sterilized, sanitized, or disinfected and is in good working order.

Sanitation is important, but there are often little things that can be overlooked when maintaining your facility. Unfortunately, there have been specific instances where the lack of sanitation has resulted in the spread of illness and disease. When proper sanitation measures are not followed, there can be fines issued to owners and licensees, which can lead to the closing of establishments. Many of you may think your facilities are clean, but what you cannot see is what needs to be combated. Basic biology and chemistry has taught us that the elements of our world consist of molecules, cells, bacteria, and viruses that cannot be seen.

Today’s clients are interested in more than just applying a self-tanning lotion. As an aging baby boomer in my early 50s, my body reflection doesn’t match my youthful self image and it is showing with brown spots, sagging thighs, and cellulite. I’ve followed a healthy lifestyle and exercised regularly since I was in my 20s. Certainly that helps, but I need more now to preserve what I have and to improve what I can. I decided to buy a self-tanner to cover up the flaws and make my white body look healthier as it does with a tan.

From over-the-counter creams and lotions that consumers were required to self-apply, to customized spray tans applied in a few minutes by trained technicians, the airbrush/spray tanning industry has evolved to become one of the fastest growing and most lucrative facets of the beauty industry.
Salons, spas, dermatologists, and other skin care treatment centers have discovered the affordable and profitable opportunity in adding spray tanning to their menu of services, to open the door and invite in new clients.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a colorless 3-carbon sugar that, when applied to the skin, causes a chemical reaction with amino acids in the surface cells, producing a darkening effect. DHA does not damage skin as it only affects the outermost cells of the epidermis (stratum corneum).

In the last 20 years I’ve experimented with various ways of exfoliating the skin prior to sunless tanning and found that depending on the type of exfoliation it can be detrimental to the overall outcome. I have determined that sunless tans are extremely temperamental when it comes to exfoliation. Too much or too little exfoliation will cause a “lizardy” appearance. Sunless tans do best with a mild, surface exfoliation. Anything too harsh will create valleys in the surface of the skin, which will leave you with an uneven looking sunless tan.
I’ve learned this through my personal escapades.

Health, whether good or bad, doesn’t just happen right before the symptom! Poor nutrition over a period of years will develop stages of a disease until a symptom appears and reversal of that disease will require lifestyle changes including improved stages of nutritional intake as well as a detoxification program and hormonal balancing over time.
Heavy metals in the body are believed to cause illnesses such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, circulatory disorders, neuropathies, Alzheimer's disease, ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, Autism, Parkinson's, and atherosclerosis, to name a few. Heavy metals and toxins cannot penetrate a healthy cell membrane produced by a healthy and properly nourished body very easily.

Ask, “What is the definition of spa?” and most replies will have something to do with water. Many historians consider the origin of the word spa to define a place where water is applied therapeutically. The most common image used to identify spas in logos or advertising is water; and in a true wellness spa, water is an iatrical (healing) component at the soul of the spa business.
We all recognize the calming sounds of water. We know we should drink eight glasses of water a day. Soaking in hot, moving water is recognized widely as therapeutic.

Five years after writing my first article on how the digestive system impacts skin, I find that very little has changed in how those of us within the skin industry are educating clients. In fact, I find very little education being done at all, and I wonder why. Do not misunderstand me, please. Most of us do educate about the products and treatments used in client care, but when our clients walk away from us, what understanding does a client have of the nutrition needed for great skin?

Have you ever experienced a facial that provided you with new vision and helped you feel completely at peace with yourself and the world? Beyond relaxation you are free of mental chatter, emotional distress and even have more a-ha moments. If so, this is what healing the spirit feels like. We commonly refer to this as balancing body, mind, and spirit.
Aestheticians can now provide products and treatments that specifically target the spirit or energy body with a category I call EnergyCeuticals. When we work to address a depleted spirit, due to a stressful lifestyle, we also help to heal emotional, mental, and physical aspects as well. The difference is rejuvenation versus relaxation.

Let’s face it. We live in a high stress world. The daily demands of family and career leave us feeling as if we have little time to keep for ourselves. Additionally, people – especially women – instinctively tend to neglect themselves while catering to the needs of those around them. It is not news that stress and self-neglect manifest themselves physically in many ways. Nurturing one’s self is an intentional process that, once learned, helps us control the stress in our lives rather than allowing stress to control us.
Stress begins on an unconscious level, as a worry or a nagging thought that builds-up until physical symptoms begin to show.

Since the beginning of civilization, humans have been continually searching for the cleanest, best tasting water with the most health benefits. In fact, the quest for pure, sweet tasting water has been going on for longer than the quest for the Holy Grail! Today, the popularity of water is evidenced by the well being of the bottled water industry, creating a convenient way to get the health and good taste of waters from around the globe.

When we feel “out of balance” it is often a reflection of too much stress, which ultimately, if not taken care of, will manifest into a physical symptom and may lead to illness. We live in a symptomatic society. When illness is present, we immediately take a pill or call our family doctor to remedy the situation with a prescription. After taking a pill or seeing the doctor, we feel better, everything is ok until we get sick again and this continuous cycle keeps going.

The concept of exfoliation is nothing new, and this most certainly is not the first article you have ever read on the topic. There are ever changing products and equipment for exfoliation. However, the one thing that doesn’t change is the physiological way your skin functions. With that in mind, let’s talk about what it is, why we need it, and how to determine when enough is enough!

This article addresses questions aestheticians frequently ask as they are trying to make wise choices to further their education, develop existing skills and knowledge, expand their earning capabilities, and fulfill requirements set by their states to practice their trade.
While this information may provide some resources – view the list below – it is neither a guideline nor a comprehensive analysis on education currently available to aestheticians. I have asked several of my colleagues to share their insight and they have done so generously. I would have wished to relate the opinions of many more skin care experts and educators; however, space is of course a limited commodity in print.

Remember your first grade teacher and how kind and wonderful she or he was? Did they teach you how to read, write, or tie your shoe? What makes a particular teacher or instructor stand out? Maybe it wasn’t your first grade teacher that left such an impression. Maybe it was your high school math teacher, your professor in college, or maybe your aesthetics instructor? The very person that taught you the most basic skills for your career impacted you profoundly. The very foundation of your career can be traced back to that sole provider of education and the passion that they imparted into you.

Pat Hoffman suffered for years from osteoarthritis in her spine and hands and in her left shoulder, where she had the most pain and loss of motion. Fortunately for Hoffman, bi-weekly massage treatments proved to be extremely helpful in reducing tension and pain, which in turn helped to improve her mobility. Massage increased her energy, and the pain no longer awakens her during the night. "Usually the massage gives me a real high," Hoffman said. "Occasionally, I may experience several hours of pain after the treatment, but this goes away and is not a real problem."

We have all heard it before: “Lose 40 inches!”, “Better than Botox!” “World’s best serum that will make you look and feel like you are in your twenties again!” Are these false claims? Did you get the results that the product advertised? Did the aesthetician not understand how to use the product correctly? Was the product applied to the wrong skin type? What went wrong? You bought the product in good faith and it didn't live up to the claim. Why not? There are several reasons why we don't get the results from the magic that is promised in the bottle.

With all of the growth in the spa industry some of us curious minds are wondering just where all of this is going. Just five years ago, I recall delivering lectures to anxious crowds of newcomers, corporate drop outs, physicians, aestheticians, and spa owners. We discussed trends, tips, and spa management. While many would say that the spa industry is slowing down, I liken it to the restaurant industry with (finally) more leveled, readily measured, and stable growth patterns. For all of the anti-aging remedies and youth-enhancing formulations, the spa industry has grown sea legs and is growing up!

I love to travel... so much in fact that most of my extracurricular reading and television viewing somehow involves learning about other places around the world. I read about romances and restaurants in foreign lands. I watch shows that detail the sights, sounds, and foods of other locales. When I am having a less than perfect day at home, I often perk myself up by browsing various Internet sites that advertise long-term and vacation apartment rentals…or even sales…in exotic locations that I long to visit. And of course I check out all the related information on area spas!

For many of us, it was a complete surprise to learn upon graduation from aesthetics school that we were not adequately trained to compete in the rapidly-changing world of aesthetics. We discovered that we were entering our new careers without the competitive edge. To make matters worse, we found that the field of aesthetics was under increasing attack by the medical profession… and for good reason. Under-trained aestheticians are making mistakes and people are having bad experiences, sometimes even resulting in injuries. In the age of “Extreme Makeover,” feeling good about ourselves has become a lot more complicated.

Aesthetics has come a long way in the U.S. since licensed professionals had to spell ‘aesthetics’ for those who asked ‘what do you do?’ Clients know what aesthetic services are now, and many have placed them firmly into their lifestyle must-haves. Due to this populartity, aesthetic schools are filled with students excited to join our profession, and committed aestheticians graduate with the fundamentals for practicing basic skin care. But is this basic education enough? Our services and our businesses have become more complex and many believe require higher levels of education for the safety of our clients and to just stay in business.

Out of the 11.7 million medical aesthetic procedures performed in 2007, laser hair removal accounted for over 1.4 million treatments and 12 percent of the industry's massive growth. This once unheard of treatment is now the third most sought after non-surgical procedure, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The ability to gain self-confidence by ridding oneself of hair in embarrassing places and freedom from the monotony of shaving are just some of the benefits individuals seek through laser hair removal.

Light and bright, fast and effective, from cosmopolitan cities to country counties, clear and even toned skin is the NOW and WOW factor that clients seek. It is the skin care professional’s business to support this aesthetic goal by promoting care and maintenance of healthy skin. How NOW can this goal be achieved, the WOW in the answer comes from excellent professional treatments and use of targeted products formulated with performance ingredients.
An excellent professional treatment is learned and practiced by the skin care professional through continuing education and qualification by reputable and responsible organizations.

Every day an estimated 123 million people are using the Internet for all kinds of business including banking, paying bills, shopping, research, and entertainment. Some of the most popular sites include Ebay.com, AOL.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, Myspace.com, Craigslist.org, and Amazon.com.
The majority of people on the Internet are using it to research new products. If you’re not competitive in this market you are missing a significant opportunity! According to TrueLocal.com, 25-60 percent of people are searching the Internet for businesses and services in their community, with Spas and Health Clubs being top search categories. Is your spa/skin care center on the Internet, are you exploiting this new market growth?

We frequently encounter questions such as: what is the best way to handle a disgruntled client? Why are we having problems mastering waxing? Where can we go for answers? Expanding your knowledge is the most powerful investment you can make to further your growth not only professionally, but financially. Education is a must from the novice therapist to the seasoned aesthetician. The opportunities to attend seminars, trade shows, and classes are available, but taking the time from work or spending the money is sometimes very difficult. Sometimes we need answers right away and waiting for the seminar is not a choice. What to do?

I have the best job in the world. I get paid to visit spas and experience spa services all over the world. I also own a spa and get to evaluate my staff members by receiving facials, massages, and body treatments from them on a regular basis. Not a bad gig, huh?
As you might imagine, when I talk about what I do, people tend to ooh and aah, mention that they’d gladly trade places with me, and then ask for a free sample of massage from me on the spot.

• Anti-Blemish Gel Anti-Blemish Gel
• Detoxifying Body Butter Detoxifying Body Butter
• Kabuki Brush Kabuki Brush
• Deep Clean Exfoliant Deep Clean Exfoliant
• Dry Room Treatment: Body Wraps, Vol. 1 DVD Dry Room Treatment: Body Wraps, Vol. 1 DVD
• Herb Rich Tea and Mineral Rich Salts Herb Rich Tea and Mineral Rich Salts
• Colorlite Plus Colorlite Plus
• Body Wrap System Body Wrap System
• Iris Leaf Repair Iris Leaf Repair
• Intense Night Renewal Intense Night Renewal
• Peau de Fleurs Cleanser Peau de Fleurs Cleanser
• Sperience Sperience
• Cell Science Alpha Therapeutic Ultimate Body Scrub Cell Science Alpha Therapeutic Ultimate Body Scrub
• Aromatherapy Chakra Oils Aromatherapy Chakra Oils
• Elements of Nature Body Cream Elements of Nature Body Cream
• Anti-Wrinkle Nourishing Massage Oil Anti-Wrinkle Nourishing Massage Oil
• Hydro Wand Hydro Wand
• Brightening Moisturizer SPF28 Brightening Moisturizer SPF28
• Ultra Sensitive System Exfoliating Mask Ultra Sensitive System Exfoliating Mask
• High Definition (HD) Dual Sided Makeup Brush Collection High Definition (HD) Dual Sided Makeup Brush Collection
• PUR Purifying Facial Wash PUR Purifying Facial Wash
• Basic Beauty Set Basic Beauty Set
• Transparent C Facial & Full Body Masque Transparent C Facial & Full Body Masque
• Petite Brush Set Petite Brush Set
• Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator
• LipoMelt Grapefruit Hippophae Body Polish LipoMelt Grapefruit Hippophae Body Polish
• Anti-acne Solution Anti-acne Solution
• Organic Exfoliating Body Polish Organic Exfoliating Body Polish
• Pure Lacquer Nail Apps Pure Lacquer Nail Apps
• Papaya-Pineapple Creme Fraiche Body Wrap Papaya-Pineapple Creme Fraiche Body Wrap
• Cell Defense Moisturizing Serum for Mature Skin Cell Defense Moisturizing Serum for Mature Skin
• Hinged Jars Hinged Jars
• Bronzed DN-Age Self Tanner Bronzed DN-Age Self Tanner
• Anti-Hyperpigmentation Serum + a Arbutin Anti-Hyperpigmentation Serum + a Arbutin
• SCAAR FX SCAAR FX
• Therapeutic Seaweed Firming Gel Therapeutic Seaweed Firming Gel
• MicroVenom Daily Defense SPF 30 MicroVenom Daily Defense SPF 30
• Iris & Litchi Scented Body Lotion Iris & Litchi Scented Body Lotion
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• AnteAGE AnteAGE
• REGENERATE Serum Booster REGENERATE Serum Booster
• AGE Smart SkinPerfect Primer SPF 30 AGE Smart SkinPerfect Primer SPF 30
• The Dermo Cleanser The Dermo Cleanser
• Black Magic Mud Cream Black Magic Mud Cream
• Green Tea Toner Green Tea Toner
• Mandarin Grapefruit Body Butter Mandarin Grapefruit Body Butter
• Honey Magnolia Sparkling Soak Honey Magnolia Sparkling Soak
• Marula Oil Line Marula Oil Line
• Concealer Concealer
• S.M.A.R.T. SKIN PERFECTING™ MASK S.M.A.R.T. SKIN PERFECTING™ MASK
• Face Anti-Wrinkle Repair and Prevent Treatment Face Anti-Wrinkle Repair and Prevent Treatment
• Intense Therapy Lip Balm Intense Therapy Lip Balm
• Powder-Me® SPF 30 Powder-Me® SPF 30
• Age ReDew Serum Age ReDew Serum
• Alpha Clear Mask Alpha Clear Mask
• Energy C Intensive Cream Energy C Intensive Cream
• Jet Setter Travel Kit Jet Setter Travel Kit
• Age-Diffusing Firming Mask Age-Diffusing Firming Mask
• Bright Eye Gel-Cream Bright Eye Gel-Cream
• French FX French FX
• Gentle Rose Milk Cleanser Gentle Rose Milk Cleanser
• Body Wrap with Natural Aloe and Herb Gel Body Wrap with Natural Aloe and Herb Gel
• Mini Slant Tweezers Mini Slant Tweezers
• Mighty Shiny Lip Gel Mighty Shiny Lip Gel
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• Aesthetics Unique Aesthetics Unique
• Aesthetics VideoSource Aesthetics VideoSource
• Alexandria Professional™ Alexandria Professional™
• Chella Chella
• Dectro Dectro
• DermaQuest DermaQuest
• GlyMed Plus® GlyMed Plus®
• Murad® Murad®
• Nature Pure Labs Nature Pure Labs
• Reviva Labs Reviva Labs
• Tweezerman Tweezerman
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• Alex Cosmetic Alex Cosmetic
• Brush Up with Barbara Brush Up with Barbara
• Circadia by Dr. Pugliese Circadia by Dr. Pugliese
• Vie Vie
• Dermalogica® Dermalogica®
• Éminence Organic Skin Care of Hungary Éminence Organic Skin Care of Hungary
• Équipro® Équipro®
• Pevonia® Pevonia®
• Pevonia® EQUIPMENT Pevonia® EQUIPMENT
• Phytomer USA Phytomer USA
• Rhonda Allison® Cosmeceuticals Rhonda Allison® Cosmeceuticals
• Tweezerman Tweezerman
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• ATZEN - BALANCE™ - Protective Day Cream - Age Reverse Safely™ ATZEN - BALANCE™ - Protective Day Cream - Age Reverse Safely™
• Éminence - Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream Éminence - Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream
• SAIAN® - Enzyme Mask SAIAN® - Enzyme Mask
• Phytocéane - Exfoliating Soap with Algae Phytocéane - Exfoliating Soap with Algae
• GlyMed® Plus - Chocolate Power Skin Rescue Masque GlyMed® Plus - Chocolate Power Skin Rescue Masque
• Guinot Défatigant Express Yeux Guinot Défatigant Express Yeux
• HydroPeptide - Vitamin C Peel & Extra Strength Peel HydroPeptide - Vitamin C Peel & Extra Strength Peel
• Pevonia Equipment - AquaScape Dry Hydrotherapy System Pevonia Equipment - AquaScape Dry Hydrotherapy System
• Rhonda Allison® - Chocolate Antioxidant Mask Rhonda Allison® - Chocolate Antioxidant Mask
• Sanítas - Lemon Cream Cleanser Sanítas - Lemon Cream Cleanser
• Beautiful Image, LLC - Facial and Body Sculpting Beautiful Image, LLC - Facial and Body Sculpting
•  

Alex Cosmetic Herbal A-Peel
Protect your skin during the seasonal changes that can cause skin to feel dry, tight and itchy with Herbal Vitamin Cream. Herbal extracts and vitamins work together to reduce irritation, redness and dryness by calming and soothing the skin while hydrating and restoring the balance of natural skin functions. Shea butter, soybean oil and carrot oil help preserve optimal moisture content. 877-313-ALEX, www.alexcosmeticusa.com, or CRR# 103

ATZEN, Inc.
Stress, indulgence and harsh weather can take their toll on the skin during the holiday season. ATZEN has the perfect remedy solution for these circumstances – the DNA Repair Serum within the Balance Line will help restore the inner balance of the most stressed clients, and those who are burning the candle on both ends. 800-468-4362, www.atzen.com, CRR# 169

De La Terre Skin Care
De La Terre Skincare's innovative green technology has formulated Herb Rich Body Serum with nutritional grade oils infused with raw plant material like calendula and burdock. The aromatic essence is highly therapeutic renewing and refreshing the body from head to toe. 828-252-8400, www.delaterreskincare.com, or CRR# 221

Éminence Organic Skin Care
Cleanse and soothe sensitive skin with calming chamomile and arnica while removing impurities without irritation with Eminence’s Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser for sensitive and rosacea prone skin. Hydrating calendula and sunflower oils ease redness and rosacea for a clear, balanced complexion. 888-747-6342, www.eminenceorganics.com, or CRR# 165

Eve Taylor®
Eve Taylor® Advanced Skin Therapy offers skin care benefits that go beyond that of regular cleansers, moisturizers and exfoliants. The range combines pharmaceutical grade ingredients with the active therapeutic essential oil blends for which Eve Taylor is renowned. Technologically advanced and scientifically-proven this new generation skin care line comprises products that will have significant beneficial effects on normal, problematic and environmentally challenged skin types. www.eve-taylor.com or CRR # 282

Germaine de Capuccini
Svelte Coach by Germaine de Capuccini carries an exclusive multi-active plant complex 3D Fit Action remodeling the adipose tissue. The effects are: Ultrasound-like effect that selectively "releases" the adipocytes without destroying them, the Slim-Force effect that reduces volume and the High-Relief effect that promotes comfort and relief of the consequences produced by cellulite. With an incredible fresh texture, pleasant to massage and easily absorbed, it allows optimal penetration in the tissue affected by fat accumulations. Its fragrance combines sensory pleasure with a reducing activity. 888-477-1477 (S and W); 800-842-9922 (NE and MW); www.germaine-de-capuccini.us; or CRR# 111

Institut’ DERMed™
Formulated with shea butter and glycolic acid, the Enhancing Glycolic Body Wash accelerates exfoliation, helps ensure maximum penetration of treatment moisturizer, stimulates cell renewal, and softens rough, dry skin. It may also be used to help control acne on areas of the chest, shoulders and back. 770-454-7788, www.idermed.com, or CRR# 162

GlyMed® Plus
GlyMed® Plus Cell Science Anti-Cellulite Cream is a rich textured cream that leaves dry, stressed skin invigorated and instantly smoother.  Essential oils and phytonutrients stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, eliminating the pollutants that cause water to be trapped in skin tissues, causing a “rippled” appearance. This macrobiotic formula is packed with caffeine, peppermint oil and fennel extract to detoxify and stimulate circulation in the skin while sunflower seed, grape seed and sweet almond oils moisturize, nourish and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. 801-798-0390, www.glymedplus.com, or CRR# 174

Murad®
Murad®’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum targets, treats and prevents pigmentation caused by daily environmental exposure through a unique blend of ingredients. The gold standard in sun and age spot lightening, hydroquinone is combined with the powerful skin lightening peptide, Hexapeptide-2, to rapidly correct existing damage and help prevent future skin damage. 800-33-MURAD, www.murad.com, CRR# 217

Nelly de Vuyst
Our signature Nelly de Vuyst Purifying Extract is designed to dissolve blackheads and minimize pores. The essential oils of lavender will act as a powerful antibacterial and healer while extracts of calendula will regulate sebum activity to reduce the formation of blackheads. 800-263-8888, www.nellydevuyst.com, CRR# 126

PCA skin®
PCA skin®’s Hydrating Serum is formulated using components of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), this clinically proven blend from PCA skin® combines antioxidants and humectants with biocompatible hydrators that effectively move through intracellular aquaporins (water channels) for superior hydration. The function and youthful appearance of all skin types is optimized by maintaining adequate moisture levels, significantly reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and improving elasticity for soft, healthy skin. 877-722-7546, www.pcaskin.com, CRR#199

Rhonda Allison® Cosmeceuticals
The Rhonda Allison® Vibrant Skin System promotes cellular regeneration while delivering potent healing and tissue rebuilding benefits, and fighting free-radical damage. The Vibrant Skin System includes the Derma Peel, Cherry Jubilee Enzyme, Milk Mask, and Drop of Essence Hydration Drops. 866-313-SKIN, www.rhondaallison.com, or CRR# 222

Sanítas Skincare
Sanítas Cranberry Enzyme Mask is made with real cranberry and papaya, which contains exfoliating enzymes that soften and retexture the skin. This unique mask hydrates, stimulates and leaves skin looking radiant; dissolves sebum and exfoliates dead skin cells while improving your skin complexion. 888-855-8425, www.sanitas-skincare.com, or CRR# 153

SESHA Skin Therapy
SESHA Skin Therapy’s Anti-Cellulite Body Montage use revolutionary ingredients to fight existing cellulite and to prevent it from forming. SESHA utilizes its proprietary delivery technology, PET™ (Permeation Enhancement Technology), which allows the skin to become temporarily more permeable and the ingredients to be more soluble to penetrate to the deep regenerative layers of the skin. 888-977-3742, www.seshaskin.com, CRR# 239

Shira Esthetics, Inc.
Shir-Organic AHA Treatment Scrub is derived from sugar cane, lemons, apples and grapes. This treatment scrub will provide rejuvenation and health to the skin; revealing a younger, radiant and brighter complexion. 800-957-4472 or www.shiraesthetics.com

Skin for Life
A great way to offset the harshness of winter skin is to enhance the skin's bio availability with Vita C Peptide Serum with LSS™ delivery. The main performance ingredient is MAP (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate); this gives your skin the energy it needs to protect, maintain, and preserve against environmental stress. 866-312-7546, www.skinforlife.com, or CRR# 296

Edge Systems
The HydraFacial is a moisturizing, non-invasive skin care treatment for anyone who is looking to improve and maintain healthy skin. Proven effective for all skin types, this monthly 30-minute treatment delivers instant results. The HydraFacial combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and hydration all while delivering antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, peptides and other essential nutrients. Augment your client's HydraFacial Treatment with Edge Systems Take Home Products. 800-603-4996, www.edgesystemscorp.com, www.hydrafacial.com, or CRR#232

Germaine de Capuccini
FIT CONTOUR is the first Germaine de Capuccini anti-cellulite treatment devised to fight accumulations caused by hormonal changes that happen as the body becomes mature. Its special formula is prepared based on natural ingredients offering a revolutionary technology to "restore activity and youthfulness" to the cells that are responsible for eliminating fat accumulations: Phyllacantha alga extract, capable of working against the changes on the silhouette caused by hormonal changes typical of maturity. This action is completed by caffeine and silanol, which favours firmness and delays skin aging. 888-477-1477 (S and W); 800-842-9922 (NE and MW); www.germaine-de-capuccini.us; or CRR# 111

Institut' DERMed™
Infuse your skin with deep hydration using the Institut' DERMed Renewing Mask. This concentrated mask revitalizes dull skin while restoring hydration to reveal a glowing, youthful complexion. Squalene, derived from olive oil, works in this mask as an antioxidant to prevent dehydration while softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This mask can be used to create a clear radiant appearance to devitalized aging skin. 770-454-7788, www.idermed.com, or CRR# 162

MINERALOGIE®
Go nude this fall with Mineralogie®'s new, paraben-free Lip Gloss. A sheer luxury for your lips, Whisper Lip Gloss adds shine and just a hint of natural color. 972-620-2818, www.mineralogie.biz, or CRR# 215

Murad®
The Acne & Aging Skin Solution Kit was created to reduce acne and aging concerns simultaneously. Ideal for those who suffer from adult acne, the products in the anti-aging acne line work together as an integrated system to reduce existing blemishes and prevent new blemishes from forming, while repairing skin's barrier and optimizing collagen levels to minimize the signs of aging. 800-33-MURAD, www.murad.com, CRR# 217

PCA skin®
Oxygenating Trio from PCA skin® is an antioxidant therapy that works to prevent the most significant contributors to the aging process. Newly reformulated, the Oxygenating Trio is still a three-step system, although the names of the steps have been updated to Activator (Step 1), Detoxifier (Step 2) and Oxygenator (Step 3). This treatment helps stimulate cutaneous oxygenation and circulation, rejuvenating sluggish, stressed skin. 877-722-7546, www.pcaskin.com, or CRR# 199

pevonia® BOTANICA
Part of Ligne Esthebuste- the Neck, Bust, and Décolleté Line – Neck & Bust Cream firms and tones the delicate neck, bust and décolleté areas. A potent blend of kigelia africana, chamomile, and vitamin E helps to reduce visible signs of aging, smooth overall texture, and improve skin elasticity; the neck and bust area appear visibly restored and youthful. 800-PEVONIA, www.pevonia.com, or CRR# 278

PHYTOMER
Bring the detoxifying properties of spa treatments into the home with Alguomer Bath; help purify the body from the inside out. This invigorating and detoxifying bath contains brown seaweed, green coffee and ivy extract to drain excess fat from tissues and accelerate weight loss and cellulite reduction. Perfect as part of a body contouring program. 800-227-8051, www.phytomerusa.com, or CRR# 122

RAW Men's Skin Care
RAW Men's Skin Care introduces Ctrl.Halt.Del. cleansing pads to control oil, halt breakouts and delete bacteria. The cleansing pads are infused with salicylic acid to support cell turnover, totarol to fight acne, green tea extract for radical antioxidant protection, L-menthyl lactate for a lasting cooling sensation, and eucalyptus for potent antiseptic action. www.rawmethod.com or CRR# 222

SAIAN®
The SAIAN® Bio-Firming Neck Lift Kit is specifically formulated to firm and tone sagging skin, and reduce wrinkles in the neck and chin area. Tightens, stimulates cell circulation, removes toxins, melts away fat and inhibits the formation of fat deposits. The kit includes an extra potent Bio-Firming Neck Crème and a re-usable, washable foam bandage, which counteract the signs of aging in the neck, chin and décolleté. 800-291-1130, www.saian.net, or CRR# 250

SESHA Skin Therapy
SESHA Skin Therapy's CLINICAL Advanced Phyto Lotion is all about science and technology. SESHA's signature delivery technology, PET, allows ingredients to penetrate to the skin's regenerative layers through increasing the solubility of the ingredients and permeability of the skin. Combining PET with a multifunctional phyto-steroid complex, this light lotion mimics the positive effects of hormones to increase elasticity, hydration and smoothness that typically decrease with age. 888-977-3742, www.seshaskin.com, CRR# 239

Skin For Life
Anhydrous Barrier + oil free concentrate SPF 20 reduce sensitivity by removing skin confusion. This product gives your client a smooth flawless complexion with added physical protection against damaging environmental daily exposure. No matter what season: Summer, fall, winter or spring sensitivities are a chronic concern and may flare with external and internal conditions. The satiny silky texture of Anhydrous Barrier + oil free concentrate SPF 20 gives the perfect even clarity to any skin color, type and condition. 866-312-7546, www.skinforlife.com, or CRR#296

The history of makeup dates back nearly 6,000 years when the Egyptians wore henna and khol; the Chinese used beeswax and other natural ingredients to stain their nails; and the Persians wore makeup of natural origins to prevent harming their skin. Makeup has undergone tremendous change throughout the centuries; however, what has remained the same is the need for healthy, natural cosmetics.

One of the most popular cosmetics solutions to heavy, caked-on makeup, clogged pores and inadequate coverage is mineral foundation. Mineral foundation has virtually taken over the market as demand for healthy, natural beauty products continue to grow.

Summer is upon us, and so is the season of self-tanner and sunscreen. You will sell and recommend these products to your clients and use them yourself, but have you taken the time to educate yourself on what ingredients are in them? Having the knowledge of how the active and supplemental ingredients that is in these products work, can help you to instruct your clients and recommend the correct retail products to them. Your clients will appreciate the education and the background that you can give them about the products that they will trust to take care of their skin this summer.

Spring has arrived and with summer right around the corner, now is the time to place more emphasis on body care and treatments. Often, the skin on the body is overlooked with more emphasis being placed on facial care and services. However as skin care professionals, we recognize that the skin on the body is the largest detoxification organ and should be treated with the same amount of care that you would afford the face.
The skin on the body differs significantly from the skin on the face. The skin on the body tends to be four to five times thicker than the skin on the face.

It is common for clients to have not one but multiple skin concerns. And for many, skin discoloration ranks high on the list. This skin dysfunction is not only unsightly, but it inevitably contributes to premature aging and requires targeted care. Commonly referred to as hyperpigmentation, these discolorations are often darkly pigmented spots that appear over previously clear areas of the skin. Caused by multiple factors, effective treatment and long-term control with a result-driven solution is an in-demand request.

What About Tanning and its Contra Effects
In the 1920s, cultural influences shifted as French designer "Coco Chanel" popularized tanning as a symbol of health, well-being and an upscale social status.

Of all the skin conditions that lead consumers to seek treatment, acne is, by far, the most common. A chronic, inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units (hair follicles and their sebaceous gland), acne affects between 40 and 50 million people in the U.S. alone.¹
Today, countless products and therapies exist to treat acne, the largest sector of which is topical treatments – both prescription and over-the-counter. Yet, few products succeed at eliminating acne. This is because most exist to address acne symptoms rather than the multiple causes of the disease. Unless each of these factors is addressed, acne symptoms will reoccur. 

Women today are well informed and have become increasingly critical and demanding. We are more and more aware of our health and beauty. Not only do we place high demands on the things we allow on our skin, for our customers fast and effective results are also very much among the top priorities. Exfoliating skin peels can meet these demands – they are an innovative way to substantially improve the quality of the skin and promote extraordinary skin rejuvenation so that unwanted blemishes, lines and wrinkles, irregular pigmentation and impurities are effectively diminished.
The use of peeling techniques to exfoliate the skin has a time-honored tradition.

Many plants have effectively been used on skin for generations. For example, horse chestnut extract has been used in Europe for hundreds of years to treat varicose veins and fragile capillaries. thanks to modern science we now know why it is effective. It contains beta-aescin and many flavonoids our great grandparents did not know about.

During the 20th century many companies in the beauty industry started to use more affordable and consistent synthetic ingredients in their formulations. Yet, my experience leads me to honestly believe that natural, organic plant ingredients are better for our skin than their synthetic twins.

Whether it is from lack of sleep, squinting, or the ever-ticking clock of aging we all worry and fret over the appearance of the skin around our eyes; crow's feet, dark circles, and puffiness are the most common concerns. The tissue around the eye is the thinnest on the body, five to ten times thinner, and therefore it will show the first signs of aging.
It is important to treat this delicate area differently with a specific eye treatment. However, before treatment is started it is best to decide on the outcome. Does the client want to reduce eye circles, smooth fine lines or reduce puffiness?

Sensitive skin care is an important topic for the professional aesthetician. Why? Because sensitive skin is very common in today's population plus it is a condition that can be quite challenging to recognize and treat. For example, some people do not care for their skin properly or use harsh products. Usually, this results in some sort of irritation or dryness that leads individuals to think that they have sensitive skin. So then, what is sensitive skin? This condition is difficult to define. However, in general terms, sensitive skin can be defined as skin that is easily irritated and the results can range from mild to severe.

Cleansing is perhaps the most necessary step of a facial procedure. Without the removal of oil, makeup, dead surface cells, as well as the buildup of dirt and debris, all of the remaining steps in a treatment would have a diminished effect in making the skin look and feel great. It is for this very reason that many skin therapists perform the cleansing step twice at the beginning of a treatment; at first to clear the area of any residual matter that may be sitting on the surface, and again to insure a more thorough cleansing of the underlying epidermis.

The manufacturing of vitamin D stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in our intestines. Calcium is necessary for muscle contraction and bone development of our skeletal bones and teeth. Calcium is also very important in the transmission of nerve impulses through our central nervous system. Phosphorus is a main component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate); which is manufactured by the body through the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe. ATP is energy and it maintains and repairs all our body's cells. The American Medical Association (AMA) now recommends 10 minutes of direct sun several times per week to obtain vitamin D levels.

For thousands of years, people have sought out the therapeutic benefits of sea water therapy. Thalassotherapy; stemming from the Greek word for sea, thalassos, is a term coined to describe the usage of sea water for therapeutic purposes and preventative measures based on the belief that immersion in sea water revitalizes, heals, and cleanses the system.
The sea holds an abundance of natural, pure resources. Seaweed is a concentration of sea water and acts as a lifeline to our bodies. Healthy human blood, lymphatic fluid, and extra cellular fluid all contain a similar mineral makeup to sea water.