Previous Featured Articles
November 1999
Take clients to a new level with Guided Imagery
Incorporate a well-established practice into your treatments
By Robert Sachs
November 1999
Staying Up in Down Times
Professional prep for the good, the bad and the ugly
by Tara Manna
November 1999
Top Choice Service: The Slimming, Trimming, All Around Body Wrap
Detoxification and nutrient absorption are essential to lose weight and feel great
June 2008
Is Your Spa Summer Savvy?
Prepare for the heat by cooling it down
From sipping on iced lattes to lunching on light salads accompanied by a crisp glass of white wine, from dashing around in open toe sandals to leisurely strolling barefooted along the shore, summer is upon us. Escalating temperatures bring about change in our diet, wardrobe, schedules, outlook and, let’s face it, signal a severe shift in the behavior of our skin.
July 2008
Natural Anti-Aging Process: Skin Self Regeneration
The inner functions of the skin's ability to renew itself
The skin is an incredibly complex organ of the human body, and it serves as our first line of defense against disease-causing microbes and toxins. Until the early 1990s the outer most layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, was believed to be metabolically static, like cellophane. This concept caused a faulty understanding of how to treat and prevent skin diseases including visible skin aging. At the time, the best way to treat dry skin was to apply thick, greasy products such as petroleum jelly or cold cream. This idea also severely limited research on how to prevent, treat and heal skin diseases that afflicted millions of Americans. More recently skin researchers, myself included, have been involved in breakthrough discoveries at the University of California, San Diego and at the University of California, San Francisco, which have ultimately revolutionized how we look at the skin’s structure and function.
May 2008
Antioxidants Are In!
The latest and greatest treatment method in skin aging prevention.
Over the last few years a number of studies have established the essential role of systemic antioxidants—whether consumed orally as foods or in the form of supplements—in the prevention of various diseases related to aging, including cancer. The role of topical antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of skin aging has also been investigated in numerous studies, which conclude that antioxidants represent a significant opportunity for the future of cosmetology. And indeed, during the meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Washington D.C. that took place in February 2007, dermatologists and cosmetic experts discussed in detail the role of antioxidants.
April 2008
Green With Envy— Is Your Spa Earth Friendly?
The environmentalist movement rocks the skin care and spa industry
Are you still one of those poor souls out there who think that clients seeking organic based products and supporting ecofriendly spas are few and far between? If so you may not only be incorrect but you may also be putting your spa’s profitable future in jeopardy. It is important to learn how you can boost your spa’s revenue while feeling good about your personal contribution to our world when green seeps in.
March 2008
The Appearance of Your Clients Reflects On You
Give them the tools to make them, and you, look good!
Euromonitor International, which offers international market data on industries, countries and consumers, reported in 2007 that expenditure on anti-agers in 2006 reached $12.9 billion: an eloquent example that age—and concealing it—has become a global phenomenon. Scientific breakthroughs have helped by providing further clarity on the aging process, which has allowed research and development teams to pinpoint actives, delivery systems and synergistic ingredient combinations that can endeavor to stop the clock. As skin care and spa professionals, we know that in our quest to fulfill the needs and wants of our clients we must continually seek out the latest and greatest techniques that produce results. Why? Because we know that when we make our clients look good, we end up looking good, too!
February 2008
Designing the Ultimate Facial
The treatment you’ve just got to have.
Every spa needs the Ultimate Facial on their menu. It’s a longer, luxurious and pampering facial that produces immediate, visible results and provides for a very special experience.
January 2008
Be My Client
Turning hearts into dollars with Valentine’s Day promotions
We all know that Valentine’s Day is February 14th. What we may not realize is that it is the second largest card sending holiday of the year, beat only by Christmas. The United States Greeting Card Association estimates that one billion valentines are sent annually. Along with cards, most individuals plan something special for the object of their affection. These valentine gifts often take the form of flowers, jewelry, candy, perfume, a special night out and even an overnight getaway.
December 2007
Decorating Your Spa During the Merry Season
Celebrate the holidays in style with the gift of giving in mind
First things first— ‘tis the season! The holiday season is a special time for family gatherings, storytelling, following traditions and enjoying culinary delights with loved ones while rejuvenating. During this joyful period it’s important to remember that everyone should feel welcomed and appreciated.
November 2007
Youth, at the Ocean’s Request
Seeking healthy skin with the help of marine enzymes
Over the past decade, the cosmetic market has seen an increased interest in the use of enzymes as active ingredients in skin care products. Enzymes are protein based molecules present in all living cells. The human body, for example, contains thousands of these miraculous structures. Enzymes play an indispensable role in life functions and are particularly important in the metabolic process of breaking down large, complex molecules into simpler compounds. They also help convert nutrients into energy.
October 2007
A Step by Step Approach to the Application of Acids
Learn And Respect the Trade
The results-oriented skin care INDUSTRY as we know it now was effectively birthed in the ’60s when Eugene Van Scott, M.D., and Ruey Lu, Ph.D., found a way to stabilize glycolic acid for use on the skin. Quickly, glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that could be used in varying strengths, took over the esthetic marketplace and became “the answer” for many anti-aging estheticians, replacing the more intense peels performed prior to that time, such as phenol, trichloroacetic acid and Jessners.
September 2007
Skin Care Techniques for Men
What inquiring male clients want to know
The bottom line is that if your male client wants to look his best, he has to take care of his skin. However, he probably does not want to follow a complex regimen or possess a cabinet full of chemicals.
August 2007
Aquaporin Technology
Increase water movement within the skin to keep it hydrated and balanced
Dehydration is one of the most prevalent conditions found in problematic skin. In fact, in my 20 years in the skin care industry, I have never met a client who was not dehydrated. The importance of drinking eight glasses of water a day to keep your body and skin hydrated is frequently recommended but many do not realize that outside factors such as pollution, sun exposure and stress make it more difficult to achieve ultimate hydration.
July 2007
Best skin care treatments
for the face and beyond
From tough peels to kind topicals, a variety of procedures abound
Learn about some of the top facial treatment methods from around the world. I have performed or taught some and have learned others through trusted colleagues countries away. Listed in no particular order, each treatment provides targeted results to transform the skin and address specific concerns.
June 2007
The Wonder Tree from India
Neem’s healing attributes enhances skin care therapies
AZADIRACHTA INDICA, more commonly known as Neem, is an ancient Indian substance that has been used as a health and beauty aid in India for more than 5,000 years. It is known as a “wonder drug” because of its well documented medicinal properties. The benefits of Neem are listed in the ancient documents of Careka-Samhita and Susruta Samhita, the books considered as the foundation of the Indian system of natural treatments, or Ayurveda medicine.
May 2007
Discover Your Niche
Stories of success
in a small marketplace
Most of us love one service a bit, or a lot, more than others. Estheticians may prefer makeup or waxing more than facials; a massage therapist may prefer energy work more than relaxation massage. But, most of us don’t have the opportunity to specialize in the niche services we prefer. We believe we can’t make a living performing our favorite services. However, some professionals have succeeded in their favorite niche.
April 2007
Skin Peeling 101
From ancient Egypt through today
Chemical peels are designed and formulated to help remove dead skin cells and stimulate the skin’s natural regeneration process. Peels can assist in improving damaged skin caused by the sun, aging, acne, excessive oil and other extrinsic and intrinsic factors. But, one must be carefully trained and educated on the types and applications of each of the major peeling agents and their proper use. It has been estimated that more than one million skin peel procedures were carried out at a cost of $1 billion in the United States this past year. These procedures are growing because of the efficacy of skin peeling when used properly and its comparatively low cost to clients.
March 2007
How To Harmonize and Balance a Face
Harmonize and correct faces with a few, simple steps
Very often, basic facial correction techniques, while essential to any makeup professional, are difficult to implement. The makeup products offered at institutes, in large department stores or in perfume shops are very numerous. Choosing among them is not always easy. It is also a complicated task for the professional to teach clients the delicate art of making themselves more beautiful and younger-looking.
February 2007
Jade Lifting
Jade Lifting, created by Sophie Meyer, is a manual technique based on an Asian style of treatment.
It goes without saying that this very original facial care treatment has been a great success among devotees of the spas or esthetics institutes that use it.
January 2007
The Truth About Hydroquinone
A look at what may come
For some of our clients, skin lighteners are an important aspect of their treatment regimens before, after and during in-spa treatments; after resurfacing; and for conditions such as acne and hyperpigmentation. Let’s take a look at what’s happening and explore how it may all play out once the FDA makes a final ruling.
December 2006
Scratching the Surface
‘Skin deep’ may be closer than you think.
Trends in skin care come and go, but one enduring buzzword in our industry is “penetrate.” With the advent of new scientific tools comes nanotechnology and high-tech delivery systems that claim to carry other ingredients deep into the skin. Some products featuring these new molecules may offer interesting treatment options for estheticians, but they also have the potential to act too aggressively without offering any protection or support for the uppermost layers of the skin. If the epidermis is not cared for thoughtfully, there is little merit in going deeper with the products we use and the services we offer clients.
November 2006
Trend Spotting
Predictions for what’s hot and what’s to come.
The spa trade is no longer the groovy little cottage industry we all grew up in. Spas need to stay trendy in order to stay fresh in the news and bring in a steady supply of new clients. So how can you determine which direction to take your business and what the latest spa customs are that will bring you profits?October 2006
Kobido
An Ancient Japanese Way of Beauty
When people want to get healthy, look good and feel better, they go to the bookstore and pick up the latest wellness book on the market. All too often, the book is cracked, a few chapters are read, and then the 200-plus page key-to-total-wellness becomes a coaster on the coffee table and starts to collect dust. Face it; reading books isn’t going to get anyone anywhere unless the words are digested and put to use. Nevertheless, Americans are buying into the wellness craze and will continue to buy self-help books, supplements and join gym memberships in the hopes of achieving optimal health and longevity. In response to this craze, many spas have added nutritionists and dieticians to aid their clients’ search for healthy alternatives. In addition, our profession has branched out to embrace world therapies that help us provide the total wellness our clients seek. One such therapy, which comes from an “ancient way of beauty” in Japan, is kobido massage.September 2006
The Rose Quartz Facial
Using the gemstone to enhance treatments
Gemstones are amazing minerals. Their colors, powers, myths and legends are fascinating. Did you know that each stone has a story and history? According to texts on gemstones, the rose quartz stone is one of the most revered and sought-out jewel in our history. It’s a beautiful, translucent, silica mineral quartz that is considered a rare earth mineral. Rose quartz is valued for its pale to rich pink color, which may come from the titanium it contains. Rose quartz is mined in various areas of the world such as Brazil, Sweden, Namibia, California and Maine. Many people wear rose quartz for fashion, while many others wear it for good luck. Many believe there is a deep, spiritual power and healing energy that comes from the quartz when it’s worn, making this particular stone much more than just another pretty gemstone.
August 2006
Masks and Marmas
An Ayurvedic Guide To Treatments
Masks have a traditional role in deep cleansing facials and for refining the skin. As you probably know, some use very simple ingredients; others use multiple layers. Some, such as clay, dry after application, while others, such as fruit masks, remain soft. Some are made of herbal powders; others deliver active herbal or specially nutritious, refined ingredients in the skin. Some are refreshingly cool, while others are thermally activated. They all have their place in making the skin more beautiful and our clients feel especially cared for.
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