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Fueled by continued improvements in service and retail sales along with higher customer traffic levels, the Professional Beauty Association's (PBA) Salon/Spa Performance Index (SSPI) hit a record high in the first quarter of 2010. The SSPI stood at 103.1 in the first quarter, up 0.5 percent from its fourth quarter level. "Across the board – improvements were reported in the first quarter, including an increase in service and retail sales, key barometers for the industry," said Steve Sleeper, PBA's Executive Director. "The salon/spa industry continues to remain resilient and members and non-members alike remain highly optimistic for future growth." The SSPI is based on the responses to PBA's Salon/Spa Industry Tracking Survey which is fielded quarterly among 800 salon/spa owners nationwide on a variety of indicators. It is constructed so that the health of the salon/spa industry is measured in relation to a steady state level of 100. Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are in a period of expansion, while index values below 100 represent a period of contraction. The Index consists of two components - the Current Situation Index and the Expectations Index. The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in five industry indicators (service sales, retail sales, customer traffic, employees/hours, and capital expenditures), stood at 100.5 in the first quarter - up 0.6 percent from its fourth quarter level. In addition, the Current Situation Index rose above 100 for the first time in the five-quarter history of the Salon/Spa Performance Index, which represents expansion in the current situation indicators. The Expectations Index, which measures salon/spa owner's six month outlook, considers five industry indicators (service sales, retail sales, employees and hours, capital expenditures, and business conditions). Results of this index are encouraging and point toward broad based industry growth. Four out of five salon/spa owners expect to have higher service sales and retail sales in the months ahead. Optimism in the direction of the overall economy has prompted owner's plans to raise their number of staff and increase capital expenditures invested in either expansion or remodeling in the next six months. In addition, the long-term outlook for job prospects in the salon and spa industry is very positive, according to newly released projections (December 2009) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to BLS projections, the number of personal appearance jobs at employment-based establishments will jump 31 percent between 2008 and 2018. Among personal appearance occupations, BLS expects the number of skin care specialists to grow by more than 50 percent between 2008 and 2018, while the number of hairdresser, hairstylist, and cosmetologist positions at employment-based establishments is expected to grow by 31 percent.
WARNING SIGNS: Moles, brown spots, and growths on the skin are usually harmless – but some can be dangerous. That is why it is so important to get to know your skin very well and recognize any changes in the moles on your body. Anyone who has more than 100 moles, or any large, unusual moles, is at greater risk for melanoma.
What I truly love about the skin care profession is not necessarily the “how” of treatments, products, and results; but the “why”. This is probably why I am so passionate about teaching. It is not enough in our business to simply be able to make recommendations and deliver visible results to our client’s skin, if we do not know precisely why we are capable of achieving such results. As consumers place increasingly more confidence in our hands regarding meeting their skin needs and concerns, our professional responsibility to meet those needs has grown, requiring aestheticians to have a deep understanding of how those concerns even came to be. That being said, one of the most influential contributing factors to the condition of the skin, at many different ages, is fluctuations in hormones.
This classic Mark Lees Skin Care treatment deep cleanses while thoroughly hydrating the skin. Oil-free hydration relaxes skin for easy extraction of this frequently seen condition. An enzyme gommage removes dead surface cell buildup allowing for a better and deeper hydration treatment.
>> STEP 1 – Cleanse With the skin pre-dampened, begin by applying Lait Clarifiante Cleansing Milk to the forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, neck and décolleté area. Continue with upward effleurage strokes, beginning at the décolleté and ending at the forehead – spreading the cleanser evenly over all areas of facial skin. Remove cleanser using cool, damp sponges. Begin removal at the décolleté area using upward strokes, working toward the forehead. Rinse sponges as needed to ensure effective product removal.
>> STEP 2 – Exfoliate Apply a thin layer of Papaya Prep Peel to the facial skin only. With gloved hands, apply the enzyme exfoliant over the jawline, cheeks, nose, and forehead areas. Once applied, allow the product to sit for six to eight minutes. Remove Exfoliant by moving fingers back and forth gently over the product. This gommage will come off in a consistency similar to pencil eraser debris (a change of under-head towel may be required).
>> STEP 3 – Hydrate Follow the enzyme removal with a Hydrafluide application over all exfoliated areas. This will keep the skin hydrated after exfoliation and will make the skin more relaxed for extraction.
>> STEP 4 – Steam With the Hydrafluide on the face, begin steaming the face at a distance of about 18 inches. For oilier skin with more clogged follicles, Desin-Gel Desincrustant Pre-Mask may be applied in oilier areas to loosen clogs for extraction. Steam should be applied over Hydrafluide and/or Desin-Gel for about eight minutes. Remove any excess product after steaming and prior to extraction.
>> STEP 5 – Extraction Proceed with swab extraction in a normal manner. Focus on problem areas, typically the chin, nose, and forehead, being sure to remove conspicuous blackheads. Do not exceed seven minutes. Upon completion of extraction, apply Antigrasses Treatment Serum using a dropper. Be sure to apply a drop to each area that has received extraction, or where there are obvious large pores. This product will soothe skin after extraction, as well as help to prevent follicular inflammation that could lead to post-facial breakouts. Apply high frequency treatment over extracted areas. It is suggested to follow the dropper with the mushroom electrode, as the serum is being applied.
>> STEP 6 – Massage Apply a generous amount of Hydrafluide for a non-clogging, hydrating massage. Use traditional European movements for 10 minutes. There is no need to remove the Hydrafluide once the massage is completed, as the skin will absorb the remainder of this hydrator.
>> STEP 7 – Mask Application Using a fan brush, apply Masque Clarifiante to the t-zone and Soothing Gel Mask to the cheek areas. The Masque Clarifiante will help absorb excess oil and will be mildly exfoliating, while the Soothing Gel Mask will provide much-needed hydration to the cheek areas. Allow the product to sit for about 10 minutes. Remove the mask product with cool, damp sponges or soft cloths. Begin removal at the décolleté area using upward strokes, working toward the forehead. Rinse sponges as needed to ensure effective product removal. Note: Toner will not be applied prior to the next step as this treatment is designed for exfoliation and hydration.
>> STEP 8 – Sunscreen Moisturizer Application Finish the treatment with an application of Strataguard SPF-15. Apply to the forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, neck, and décolleté areas – spread evenly covering the neck and entire face.
>> STEP 1 – Keep it Clean Waxing removes hair from the root and may create an open opportunity for a bacterial infection to enter the skin. Always keep your hands clean and cleanse the clients skin with Pre Wax Skin Cleanser which helps destroy harmful bacteria from the skin surface to maintain a sanitary treatment.
>> STEP 2 – Always Check Your Wax Temperature Checking the wax for temperature and consistency is necessary in order to prevent skin damage or discomfort. Hard wax should not be completely liquid and temperature should be tested on the back of your hand or forearm before applying to the clients skin.
>> STEP 3 – Working Around the Bikini Bend Apply Brilliance in a smooth even stroke, while paying attention to the edges of the wax. Smooth edges will have a clean pull, whereas rough or thin edges may not pull evenly, thus leaving bits of hard wax to remove after the pull. This takes up more time and wax, which is a waste of money.
>> STEP 4 – Support is Important Support of the skin while waxing prevents unwanted bruising or tearing of the skin. Both of these nasty results to poor support make the waxing experience painful and undesirable for the client. Using the wide “V” support with hand and thumb to press the skin taut and give a good clean pull.
>> STEP 5 – Pubic Application Using the wide “V” again, gently push the skin away from the crease of the leg for a smooth even application of Brilliance. Once the wax sets, pull evenly and close to the skin surface to remove the unwanted hair.
>> STEP 6 – Mirror the Other Side Now that one side of the bikini is completed perform the same technique to the opposite side keeping the lines even. Again, using the “V” support hand and smooth even application of Brilliance with clean edges. On this side of the bikini area, the client has a couple of skin tags, or acrochordons. These are small growths of skin that develop on many individuals. It is important NOT to wax over them. Waxing over a skin tag may tear the tag from the skin surface that may cause discomfort or pain and bleeding. Apply the wax around the skin tag and tweeze away any unwanted hair that may be near it or was missed.
>> STEP 7 – Clean Up the Top Now that the edges of the pubic area and the bend are clean and smooth, focus on the top pubic line. As you may have noticed with this model, the bikini clean up was simple because her hair is nicely contained with little spread growth. Some women may have pubic hair growth that can spread for inches out the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. Always consult with your client on how far they would like the waxing to be done. In many cases, suggesting a full leg and bikini wax will be the best-looking option.
>> STEP 8 – Smooth and Protect After Waxing Oil with natural Australian tea tree softens the skin surface, provides natural antibacterial protection and removes any sticky residue that may be left behind from the wax. Always advise your client to keep her skin smooth and dry for 24 to 48 hours after waxing to help prevent any bacterial infection that could develop. Keeping the skin dry includes refraining from workout, sex, or working outdoors. Sweat creates moisture and warmth, which may be a breeding ground for many bacteria – including staph.