Real Beauty 101

Hydration Treatments

This has been one of the coldest winters on record.  Even here in Atlanta, GA, we have had temps in the teens!!  That may not seem to cold to those of you in the Midwest or in Canada, but believe me, that's COLD for us!

As a result, my skin has been especially dry.  I've had to resort to utilizing hydrating treatments more often than I normally would.  Shea butter and olive oil have always been staples in my winter regimens but I find myself using them now more than ever.  My personal winter regimen consists of a nourishing oil cleansing, followed by gentle exfoliation via my Clarisonic, and believe it or not, the best winter moisturizer I have used in a long time, Cetaphil (an old favorite).  

However, if your skin is beyond parched and you need some extra TLC, check out on of these spas as recommended by Dermascope.  Each has a special treatment to treat your winterized, weather-beaten skin.  And tell me all about it when you return. I plan to check out Spa Om in Atlanta.  I have two one-hour massage gift certificates from them, so I may as well throw in a facial during one of those visits!

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From Dermascope Magazine - http://www.dermascope.com/skin/great-treatments

Milk Moisture
$130 for 60 minutes
This facial treatment soothes even the most delicate of skins. It maximizes the skins hydration levels and combats signs of aging. While the focus is the face, the client will also experience a foot or hand massage during this treatment. The skin will be left with a natural healthy glow and the mind with a sense of calm.
Milk Day Spa
Paddington, Australia
02 9331 7933
www.milkdayspa.com

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Hot Fudge Antioxidant Facial
$95 for 60 minutes
This is the most exclusive delicious facial in town. Experience the pleasures of rich chocolate with the subtle scent of blood orange. Give the skin a sweet antioxidant treat with this powerfully hydrating facial, which can be customized for all skin types. This unique anti-aging facial will leave the skin revitalized, radiant, and refreshed.
St. Pierre Center for Massage, Inc.
Napa, CA
707-255-1640
www.stpierrecenterformassage.com

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Renight Nourishing Facial
$110 for 50 minutes
The perfect sunset facial designed to super hydrate the skin using “renight” products from the land of the midnight sun. Aromatic arctic berry and black current seed oil nourishes and hydrates damaged, dehydrated, or sunburned skin. This treatment is deeply relaxing and is sleep inducing.
Red Mountain Spa
Ivins, UT
435-652-5736
www.redmountainspa.com

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Skin Soothing Treatment
$95 for 25 minutes
The soothing treatment is ideal for all skin types including sensitive. This treatment starts with a deep but gentle cleanse, followed with an ultra hydrating serum, giving it the “drink of water” it needs. The photo protective benefits of C and E complete the service leaving the client rejuvenated with less reactive skin.
Topnotch Resort and Spa
Stowe, VT
800-451-8686
www.topnotchresort.com

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Om Magie Facial
$85 for 60 minutes
You will see immediate results in the fight
against time. This nourishing facial will leave your skin feeling pure and refreshed. Specialized massage techniques are combined with facial cleansing, extractions and suitable mask, and deep hydration.
Om Magie the Holistic Spa
Atlanta, GA
404-814-2444
www.ommagie.com

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Maple Body Butter Wrap
$150 for 75 minutes
This is perfect compliment for ultra dry skin, especially after the Maple Bath… the body is coated in maple body butter after a brushing or polish and wrapped to saturate the skin, then gently massaged in for the rest of the day.
Emerson Resort & Spa
Mt. Tremper, NY
877-688-2828
www.emersonresort.com

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Supplifying/Hydrating Omega 3 Facial Ritual
$90 for 60 minutes
Breathe new life into dry, mature, or stressed skin with this deeply nourishing, intensely hydrating facial. Omega 3+ complex uses naturally active ingredients to restore skin’s lost lipids. This facial ritual includes a firming facial massage.
Blu water day spa nails boutique
Kensington, MD
301-984-6245
www.bluwaterdayspa.com

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French Signature Facial
$125 for 90 minutes
Let tension melt away as you experience layer upon layer of pure bliss. Using the exquisite Sothys facial care line, this relaxing treatment incorpor-ates several different masks that will soften the skin, reduce wrinkles, and increase facial cell renewal. This is truly unique experience.
Vickmay Skin and Body Spa
Austin, TX
512-478-1915
www.vickmayskinspa.com

Counterfeit Cosmetics

I recently read an article that scared the heck out of me.  Allegedly, at a spa in Washington state, the owner was injecting counterfeit Botox and Restylane into clients' faces!!  Good grief. 

Here are the details:

Xin “Faith” He, 46, illegally injected customers with counterfeit Botox, a prescription wrinkle remover, and prescription cosmetic filler Restylane, authorities said in a three-count indictment unsealed Aug. 25. He could face up to the three years behind bars.  Authorities said He had been injecting patients with the substances since November 2004. Customers paid for misbranded drugs, the indictment states.

In April, agents searched the Bellevue salon, Natural Beauty, where they discovered vials labeled with Chinese characters. There are no similar products manufactured in China that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Agents also discovered receipts and other documents indicating He had imported the drugs from China, the indictment states.

 

He, a licensed esthetician and manicurist, was not authorized to prescribe or administer Botox and Restylane. Hoewver, she had been performing these procedures for the past 15 years in China and the US.

 

Here's the deal:

• DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT purchase cosmetic procedures from a spa that does not have a doctor on staff.  In fact, it is illegal for an esthetician to inject anything into someone's body.  Estheticians are only allowed to provide topical treatments (those that are administered on the top of the skin).  Other procedures may be administered under the supervision of another medical professional.
• If you are receiving an injectible, ask to see the vial that will be used in the treatment.  The vial should be in English.  Both Botox and Restylane are brand names of products.  These brand names should be present on the label.  Here are pics of what the packages should look like.

   

  

• Its OK to ask the salon where they receive their products from - should be within the US. I would be wary of spa/salons that ship in products form other countries.  They should also be familiar with which pharmaceutical company manufactures each product - Allergan makes Botox and Medicis Aesthetics manufactures Restylane in the US.

• Ultimately, be careful when selecting a medical spa.  Check references and ensure that all of the proper licenses and personnel are in place.

Heavenly Spa - Hilton Head, SC.

Are you familiar with the Heavenly Bed?  If not, you're truly missing out on something wonderful. 

I don't know if you're like me but I LOVE the Heavenly Bed.  The first time I experienced the Heavenly Bed was at the W Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii.  I had racked up a gazillion frequent guest points with Starwood while "serving time" at a consulting job that I absolutely hated.  All of those weeks traveling back and forth to Detroit (in the winter no less!) had finally paid off.  I was living in San Francisco and decided to vacation in Hawaii since it was so close.  The bonus was that I was able to stay at the W Hotel for a whole week for free, thanks to my points.  When I got to the hotel, it was absolutely beautiful.  My room had a view of the ocean AND a view of Diamond Head.  I thought I was in heaven, that is, until I lay down on the bed - THAT was HEAVEN!!!

Ever since then, I've been hooked.  I even went out and purchased a feather bed and super light down blanket for my own bed shortly thereafter to mimic the feeling.

I guess others out there have fallen in love as well as Starwood opened the first Heavenly Spa by Westin in the US in April of this year.  The spa is located in Hilton Head, SC and is reportedly attracting visitors in droves.  The spa has over 8,000 square feet and features a waterfall wall entrance decorated with river rock and glass tile.  The attention to detail is endless.  Each guest is greeted with tea made from blueberries and white tea leaves as well as an aromatherapy shoulder pack.

American Spa Magazine explores the details further: "The air is also infused with refreshing aromatic scents, and every treatment begins with the presentation of a Burden Basket where guests can symbolically place all their worries. During the treatment, the basket is placed outside the room to encourage guests to enjoy a stress-free experience. The Heavenly Spa Massage Table—a takeoff of the Heavenly Bed concept in which all Westin hotel rooms feature plush signature beds—is an equally blissful part of the Heavenly Spa experience. The bed features a state-of-the-art padding system; a face cradle that is designed to overlook a glass bowl filled with white flowers and signature aromatherapy blends; and plush lightweight linens." 

Wow, a Heavenly Bed massage table....now that's bliss.

Esthetician Secret #1 - Get a Little Closer! 5 Tips to Receiving an Effective Skin Analysis

Ahhh, you've finally disrobed and settled into the esthetician's chair.  You smell the lavender, you hear the soft Muzak playing, you close your eyes, and then.....pop! A bright light interrupts your peaceful state.  This, my friend, is the beginning of the dreaded skin analysis.  The part of the facial where the technician begins to tell you all of the awful things about your skin that you already know but try to forget.

Don't be alarmed.  The truth is that any esthetician worth her salt knows that the key to the most effective facial, is to conduct a very thorough skin analysis.  Skin analysis is so important, the industry offers master classes on the technique.  Here are some tips for you to know whether a spa is on top of their skin care game.

1. They ask you to fill out a consultation card - this provides all information that an esthetician should be aware of prior to you receiving a service.  This may include whether you are currently taking medication, to previous skin conditions, to whether or not you're wearing a pacemaker.
2. The esthetician asks you about your skin concerns - once the esthetician is armed with this information, he/she should be able to customize a treatment to address those concerns  and can explain why the selected treatment will be beneficial. She may also use this information to recommend products as well.
3. Make-up is removed prior to the physical skin analysis - if make-up is left on, the results of the analysis can be distorted (i.e. hyper-pigmentation or dark marks may be covered and lines may not be as visible).
4. A magnifying lamp is utilized, or better a Wood's lamp - mag lamps allow esthetician's to really see the skin close up which can reveal skin congestion or pimples under the skin.  Wood's lamps (or specialized "black lights") show conditions of the skin that are not visible with the naked eye (i.e. oily/dry patches, potential sun damage, etc).
5. The esthetician explains what she sees - for most clients its frustrating for estheticians to conduct a skin analysis without telling the client what she thinks. You should expect the esthetician educate you about the current state of your skin and how the treatment you will be receiving will benefit you.

So, don't fear the lamp!!  It's actually your friend.

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Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

Monique Eddleton, "The Great Skin Guru", has nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry. Monique is a Licensed Esthetician and make-up artist, wellness coach, and sought-after expert of all things beauty related.  If you want to know the estheticians’ secrets to great, glowing skin, get your free skin care tips are www.realbeauty101.com.

Treatment Review: Oxygen Facials

Over the past few years, oxygen facials have become all of the rage.  Celebrities from Madonna to Heather Locklear attribute their healthy glowed and super-toned skin to the treatment.  It appears that the trend is catching on, as it has been reported that Americans have received 20,000 oxygen facials in the past year alone.

Estheticians perform the treatment by utilizing a specially designed oxygen machine.  The handle on the machine is loaded with a cocktail of ingredients specially mixed for the individual client's specifications.  Often the treatment cocktail contains hylauronic acid - a component of human connective tissue whose main function is to cushion and lubricate.  HA is often used in skin care treatments due to its super-hydrating effects.  The machine blasts pure oxygen through the follicles (pores) on the skin and delivers the treatment cocktail into the layer of the skin directly below the skin's surface.  This delivery method is regarded by some estheticians to be more effective that other machine-induced delivery methods (i.e. galvanic, ultrasound, etc.)

The treatment costs around $500 and is sold is a series of six weekly treatments (estheticians' favorite selling tactic).  Monthly treatments are also recommended as "maintenance".  The treatment is best suited for those with dry/dehydrated skin types as well as those looking to reduce fine lines.

The Skinny: The jury is still out regarding the effectiveness of the treatment.  Manufacturers of the device are not required to conduct clinical trials to evaluate effectiveness.  In addition, some dermatologists believe the "plumping" experienced by some clients is actually follicular swelling, a natural result of the forced oxygen penetrating the pore.

Below is a video explaining the process from Good Day LA:

Good Day LA segment on Oxygen Facials

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Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.

Monique Eddleton, "The Great Skin Guru", has nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry. Monique is a Licensed Esthetician and make-up artist, wellness coach, and sought-after expert of all things beauty related.  If you want to know the estheticians’ secrets to great, glowing skin, get your free skin care tips are www.realbeauty101.com.