Please read below for the Best of "Questions from the Facial Room"
~Amy Waldorf
Harmony Day Spa |
|
Do I really need to wear a sunscreen everyday?
Um, yes. It’s no exaggeration to say that the sun is potentially your skin’s worst enemy. In fact, skin cancer largely caused by unprotected exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays is the most prevalent form of cancer in the world, affecting one in five people. And it’s on the rise – recent studies suggest that depletion of the earth’s ozone layer makes shielding the skin more important than ever. Not a sun bather, you say? Well, unless you only go out at night, your skin is still bombarded on a daily basis. Driving to work. Walking the dog. Even sitting under indoor lighting. The bottom line – if the sun is in the sky, sun protection should be on your skin!
Why do I seem to be breaking out, I am 35?!?
Stress and hormonal changes are the primary cause of the re-emergence of acne well after puberty. Recent studies indicate that 40 to 50 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 40 are diagnosed with persistent, low-grade acne. Along with several lifestyle changes, including reducing stress and improving diet, there are several products on the market designed to address these problems. Some of our favorites are a collection of medicated skin purifying formulations – Harmony Essentials Pore Clearing Cleanser and Acne Treatment Toner from SkinMedica is an excellent deep cleaner to exfoliate stubborn pores. Lastly add a retinol based product into your night regime, such as SkinMedica's Retinol Complex.
I love to go to the tanning booth, but I understand it may harm my skin when I get older?
Older? Seriously. Try now and see question 1. The increase of patients under 40 with skin cancers is alarming. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there is no such thing as a safe tan. A tanning booth is just as dangerous as oiling yourself up and lying out in the sun. Spray tan instead (but wear a mask as the fumes are pretty dangerous too). Have a Dermatologist perform a skin scan once a year to be safe from past damage.
I really love to wax but I get ingrown hair and bumps. What can I do?
Exfoliate. When you wax you are pulling the hair out of the follicle. When the hair grows back (in 2-4 weeks) it may get trapped under the skin, causing an ingrown hair and bumps. By exfoliating you are removing any dead skin and allowing the hair to come out without getting trapped under the skin and causing irritation. Try Get the Bump Out in stock now. Don't forget to pick up No Scream Cream to make Brazilians a breeze.
Why do you ask about different prescriptions when I am getting a facial or wax?
We need to know if anything is contraindicated and will make your skin react or worse, harm your skin. Prescriptions like Retin A, while beneficial to the skin will actually thin the top layers of the skin making you more suspect to sun, waxing or peels. It is recommended that you discontinue using any exfoliating product 1 week prior to any service. If not you could really harm your skin. Trust us, scabby brows are not what we want you to walk out with!
I want a base tan before I go away, what can I use?
Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock. Please repeat after me...I will apply sunblock whenever the sun is in the sky (even on cloudy days) and my skin and esthetician will thank me. Seriously, the sun is so strong that even with an SPF 30 you will get some color. If you are concerned about being pasty, use a self tanner (any will do as they all have the same coloring agent-this is a place to save some money) and you will still need to apply a sunblock. Tans do not protect you from the sun, ever. A tan now makes for leathery skin or worse at 40.
How often can I wax?
We recommend every 3-6 weeks depending on the area. For facial waxing it will be more like every 3-4 weeks. For body waxing closer to 4 weeks. We need to see at least a 1/2 inch of hair growth for body waxing. Exfoliate between waxing with Scrubby Gloves. We now use a combination of soft and hard wax for body waxing. For a fun bikini wax add some Bling, a Bare Bling is $85-$100.
Barista Gives us some more Love...
We literally were up to our elbows in crystals and wax after this timely Valentine's Day write up. Thank you to all of the bejeweled bare Monclarians!
Waxin' and Relaxin'
February 10, 2007
You've wondered aloud about the picture and just what exactly that hand is massaging. Now we ask "how bare do you dare"...
Our friends at Harmony Day Spa are doing the Brazilian Bling. Just in time for Valentine's Day, your completely bare bikini wax gets dressed up with a Swarovski crystal tattoo. The crystals -- placed in "the triangle between the hip bone and the pubic bone or belly button" -- should last about a week. If bare is not your speed, we also like the chocolate massage, chocolate and coffee scrub or couples massage.
Warning: massage therapy is addictive. After a recent 60-minute Swedish, where I almost feel asleep in a state of relaxed bliss, I was so loopy and giddy, I even asked about the Brazilian thing. Harmony says they use some serious numbing cream that makes it almost painless. Ladies (or men) who've done major waxing, tell us what helps (I'm thinking a couple drinks first...)
Posted by Liz George on February 10, 2007 1:01 PM
We are famous
Well, not really. Just in case you didn't see our Mother's Day write up on Barista! This is our favorite site (and homepage) for local news and events.
Check it out! www.baristanet.com
From Baristanet...Pamper Her
What could be better than a hot stone massage at Harmony Day Spa? They let us try one for free, and though a massage fan, the Barista had never indulged in hot stone before. It felt like hot wax pouring down our back, in a good way. The atmosphere is elegant, clean and slightly New Age.
Options range from a 60-minute hot stone massage for $95 to a Mommy & Me package of two 60-minute Swedish massages, two facials, two paraffin hand and foot treatments, with lunch, for $400 The brand new day spa in Caldwell, which had to fight an ancient town ordinance against massage parlors..
Questions about your skin?
Have a question about your skin? Schedule a 30 minute complimentary consultation. Let us take a deeper look at your skin and we will send you on your way with samples appropriate for your skin care concerns. Let review your entire skin care program and find what works and what isn't. Available by appointment?
What is a Hot Stone Massage?
A Hot Stone Massage is a therapeutic massage using heated basalt stones. The stones are heated to 125 degrees. The heat and massage will help to relax tight muscles encouraging wellbeing. Hot Stone Massage is available in either 60 or 90 minute treatments. Susan and Rachel are Nationally Certified Massage Therapist specialize in Hot Stone Massage, Deep Tissue, NMT or Swedish Massage. Susan is currently available on Saturdays and some Sundays and Rachel is available on Thursday, Saturdays and some Friday and Sundays.
National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations
Our latest project has been involved in a legislative group protecting the esthetic industry. The NCEA's goals are to remove esthetics from the cosmetology license, develop professional and educational guidelines, increase the number of training hours and create and enforce a code of ethics. We represent this group at state board meetings and consumer affair meetings in Trenton. We are meeting the other State Representatives on June 10-13 in Phoenix to draft further goals.
Update, we have been asked to be a reviewer for Delmar Thompson Publishing due to our commitment to advancing esthetics. I don't think Mrs. O'Farrell our Senior English teacher will believe this one...
Quick Links...
Still our favorite charity
|
