A chemical peel sounds like a scary process performed by a super villain. In reality, it’s actually not scary at all! A chemical peel is a beauty treatment that uses a chemical solution to remove the outer layers of skin on the face to reveal smooth new skin without lines or wrinkles.
Your skin has three layers. The outer coating is the epidermis. Its main purpose is to serve as waterproofing for your skin. On your face, this skin layer is very thin. The second layer, called the dermis, is thicker. The connective tissue and collagen that gives skin its strength is located in the dermis. The third and deepest layer of skin, known as the subcutaneous layer, contains fatty tissue, muscles and blood vessels.
Mild chemical peels include salicylic acid peels or glycolic peels. These are the kind of chemical peels done at a salon or spa, and sometimes in a dermatologist’s office. They typically take off the epidermis, and results are not as long lasting. Side effects are usually skin reddening and some skin peeling. Chemical peels are used to treat a number of conditions including:
With any peel, it’s important to know what results you can achieve so your expectations are realistic. Chemical peels in any form cannot remove or reduce the appearance of blood vessels on the skin. They cannot change the appearance of enlarged pores and they don’t have an effect on raised scarring. Chemical peels don’t act as a face-lift, and they have limited benefit for improving skin discoloration for those with darker skin color. They can make skin smoother, help fade brown spots and an uneven skin tone from sun damage, and generally make the skin’s surface look fresher and younger.
There are three basic types of chemical peels:
It’s completely expected to have many questions about these types of treatments. The best way to ensure you are receiving the best treatment for your skin is to do your homework. Go to a reputable place that can answer all of your questions and educate you thoroughly on the procedure that you are receiving.
Oils produced by the body help keep skin healthy, but the natural oil production can also be too much of a good thing. Excess oil can lead to blemishes and acne flare-ups. There are a number of causes for oily skin, but most are due to poor diet or a genetic predisposition. Clear complexion strategies range from over-the-counter cleansers to prescription lotions and cosmetic treatments.
Dermatologists agree that the most effective way to manage oily skin is to cleanse your face both morning and night using a gentle cleanser. Another way to get that beautiful glowing skin is by treating yourself to a facial on a regular basis. A good facial treatment cleanses your skin very deeply, diminishes the pore sizes, prevents breakouts, relaxes, increase the blood flow which helps in prevent premature aging and also brings a radiant glow to your facial skin. According to data collected by the International Spa Association, facials are the third most popular spa treatment, right behind massages and manicures or pedicures.
Getting a full-treatment facial often means stepping into a new world of pampering and relaxation. First, you need to choose the right facial for you based on its purpose, type and price. A pre-facial consultation will allow the esthetician (skin care therapist) to determine your skin type (dry, oily, or combination) which is important when deciding which products to use and procedures to include. The consultation also would give you a chance to warn the consultant about any products you might be allergic to.
During your consultation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Good estheticians will have no problem explaining what they plan to do and discussing the products they will use. Before the facial begins, make it clear what procedures or products you’d rather not use. There might be a line of skin products that has made your skin break out in the past. It’s your facial and your money, so you should get what you want. Let your esthetician know what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable. Facials are meant to relax you, not to stress you out.
Facials are believed by many to fix these common skin problems. Exfoliation, with astringents, masks or peels, can reach deep into the skin’s upper layer to strip away dead skin cells and reveal newer cells underneath. Your skin may appear blotchy or irritated after your first facial – don’t freak out! This is likely the residual dirt working its way to the surface and out of your pores. Everyone’s skin is a little different, so it’s important to pay attention to how your skin feels and talk to your esthetician about what works for you.
Of course, a facial isn’t a magic cure, and you have to be willing to take proper care of yourself to look and feel healthy. Even the world’s greatest facial won’t do much good if you chow down each day on greasy foods and consider channel surfing the ultimate in daily exercise. Your skin is your largest organ and the skin on your face is often the most noticeable. Take care of the issues caused by oily skin by getting regular facials to not only feel relaxed and pampered, but also as a way of making your skin healthier.
In the 17th century, when all of Europe was in the thrust of the Black Plague, a small band of marauding thieves seemed immune to the disease. They would enter the homes of plague victims and have no fear of touching the bodies as they searched for jewelry and money. When the band of thieves was caught, the King demanded to know their secret.
The thieves’ secret had to do with the oils they rubbed on their bodies – their family was from a long lineage of apothecaries, they had knowledge about how to use oils medicinally and prophylactically against disease. The King got the exact formulation they were using against the black plague which according to legend, saved his entire family from the disease. Today we think of essential oils as mere pleasant additions to a relaxing massage. But in olden days, some cultures valued oils even more than gold because their powerful healing properties were known.
The body’s immune system is what’s responsible for fighting disease and infection by the production of white blood cells and antibodies. But it can be difficult to maintain healthy immune function in today’s toxic and stressed environment. With constant exposure to harmful germs and bacteria, poor diet, and lack of sleep, body system stress can negatively affect physical and emotional health. Along with the belief that prevention is better than cure, aromatherapy recognizes the fact that when the body’s vital force is strong, it can overcome disease organisms.
When you have a strong immune system, you are less likely to get ill or if you do get caught off guard your body will be able to easily defend itself. Having certain chronic ailments makes you more susceptible to illness.
The imbalances of immunity can actually be treated with essential oils that build immune system efficiency and integrity. Imbalances can be treated with circulatory essential oils like diuretics, diaphoretics, circulatory regulators or venous tonics, while disinfecting and blood purifying oils can get rid of toxins and pathogens.
Many essential oils have a remarkable ability to both support the immune system and increase one’s rate of healing. One way these oils fight infection is to stimulate the production of white corpuscles, which are part of the body’s immune defense. Still other essential oils encourage new cell growth to promote faster healing. All can be used in conjunction with herbal remedies designed to improve immunity. Relaxation achieved through a massage or bath lowers stress, improves sleep, and thus stimulates the immune system.
There are several essential oils that build immune system integrity by strengthening, stimulating and acting as antibacterial and antiviral agents.
To help restore and strengthen the immune system, use:
To help relieve stress and balance psycho-neuro-endocrine function:
To help stimulate the elimination of excess mucus:
To help the efficiency of detoxifying organs:
While each of the essential oils above can be used alone, you may find that you enjoy blending them as well. You can experiment to find a blend that works best to support your health. Here’s one possible recipe for using aromatherapy for an immune system health booster.
One of the most beneficial ways for you to get the most from your essential oils is by diffusing them – hence, the term Aromatherapy. Diffusing immune supportive essential oils on a daily basis is a great first line of defense. Using essential oils in a massage blend or rub is also very helpful. The essential oils will be absorbed slowly and over a several hours period of time. With a few exceptions, essential oils should always be diluted into a carrier oil or lotion before being applied to the skin. Some oils can cause a sensitive skin reaction, which should pass quickly once removed. Some oils contain very strong chemicals constituents and if used undiluted can actually cause skin damage.
In using aromatherapy for immune system health (or for any purpose), please use common sense about when to treat yourself and when to call your doctor. Essential oils are not meant to replace the advice and care of your regular medical provider.
Hot stone massage is a specialty massage where the therapist uses smooth, heated stones as an extension of their own hands, or by placing them on the body. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly. The stones used are typically river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in sanitizing water before use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain heat during the massage.
History of Hot Stone Massage
Both verbal and written history confirm the Chinese used heated stones more than 2,000 years ago as a means of improving the function of internal organs. Stones were also used for healing work in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Egypt and India.
Hot stones warmed by fire were used by Native Americans to treat aching muscles, but the modern revival of hot stones in massage is generally credited to Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona. She trademarked her style of hot stone massage, called LaStone Therapy, which has a Native American spiritual component and requires training and certification.
Most spas offer their own versions of hot stone massage (they might call it lava stone massage, river rock massage, warm stone massage, and so on). A hot stone massage, however, takes a lot of skill and sensitivity on the part of the therapist.
Benefits of Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels. Always check with your doctor before getting a hot stone massage.
Whether you’re trying massage for the first time or are already a fan and interested in trying something new, talk with your massage therapist about whether hot stone massage is appropriate. While many people find the warmth deeply relaxing and beneficial for the mind, body, and spirit, you also want to make sure that it is the right type of bodywork for you. Always check with your doctor before getting a hot stone massage; individuals with certain conditions are advised to avoid this type of therapy. This includes those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are on medication that thins your blood. It is also not recommended if you are pregnant or have a sunburn.
A massage or facial session allows us a break from the stress of our everyday life and you will leave feeling relaxed, refreshed, and peaceful. But did you know there are things you can do before, during, and after the massage to get the maximum benefit from the massage session?
There are a few things that you can do before a massage or facial that will allow your body to fully relax and make the experience even more relaxing.
Receiving a massage may seem like a passive activity, but there are things you can do during this time to ensure a great experience. Keep these tips in mind to not only be a good massage recipient but to also get the most out of your massage session.
Just as it is important to prepare for your massage it is just as important to follow a few easy tips once the massage is complete. The benefits from a massage may not last as long unless you follow these tips.
The benefits of massage are many, including: increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients throughout the body; stimulating lymph flow and boosting immunity; and relaxing overused or tight muscles. However good all of these benefits sound, if you aren’t doing a few simple things before, during, and after your massage then you aren’t getting the most from the time spent on the massage table.