Real Beauty 101

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.