by urbansqueeze | Feb 15, 2018 | Facials, Holistic Health, Skincare
Back Acne Got You Down? Try A Facial.
No one likes to talk about bacne, but it can be a real hardship. “Bacne,” or acne on your back, isn’t just something teenagers have to deal with. Many adults have problems with oily skin, clogged pores and pimples all over their body as well. Like your face, your back has numerous oil-secreting glands, and acne on this area of your body can be especially troublesome. An obvious problem is that it’s difficult to see, let alone reach, your own back. Often, someone with back acne may not even know it – and if they do, they don’t know what to do about it.
There are several options to help prevent and treat back acne.
Avoid oil-based skincare products.
When shopping for moisturizers, sunscreen, and cosmetics, look for products that are labeled as water-based, or otherwise say that they don’t promote acne. In addition, products that are for sensitive skin, and are fragrance and dye free, could help avoid acne.
Eliminate pressure on your back.
Wearing anything too tight, or having constant pressure on your back can cause a buildup of heat and moisture, which eventually leads to acne. This is a problem especially for women, whose bras, sportswear, and even purse straps can put pressure on the skin all day long. Try to wear all-natural fabrics like cotton, since synthetics tend to trap moisture.
Keep your back clean and free of dirt.
Take regular showers, especially after working out or being outside for an extended period of time. In addition, keep your hair clean (avoiding heavy products and conditioners), and don’t allow it to hang on your back for too long.
Try an over the counter treatment.
Anything you use on your face can also be used on your back. While chemical treatments can be too harsh for some people, there are plenty of effective all-natural remedies. Some common treatments include witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, green tea, and even fish oil supplements.
Consider getting a back facial.
A back facial helps combat issues such as clogged pores, oily skin, and acne, and employs many of the same techniques used in a traditional facial. Before beginning, the esthetician will talk to you about your skin and suggest a specific treatment tailored just to you. You will start out lying face down on a table as if you were getting a massage. A typical treatment will start out with a steaming to open pores, followed by a deep cleaning and exfoliation. Some spas include a shoulder or light back massage, and auxiliary treatments (such as a glycolic acid peel) are often available for an additional fee.
Back acne can be unsightly and embarrassing, but with the proper preventative measures, most people should be able to easily treat it. If you are concerned about body acne, contact us today to book your 60-minute back facial (complete with relaxing massage!).
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jan 3, 2018 | Facials, Massage
Is stress part of your regular day? If you’re like 89% of Americans, it is. In 2017, there has been a decline in self-care and that has resulted in some alarming figures related to health. What if I told you that massage and facial therapies are quick and effective at helping you ease your stress?
Massage, alone, has been proven to increase sleep quality, improve stress-related health problems, reduce absenteeism from work, and decrease the likelihood of hospitalizations due to stress-related illnesses. Couple that with the decrease of stress-related headaches that facials provide, and you’ve got a winning combination for self-care that can’t be beaten.
Heat from a hot tub, sauna, or other treatment options can soothe aches and pains that come from work, joint pain, or other health conditions that leave you sore and stiff. Massages and facials can improve blood circulation and also enhance your immune system. They can also detoxify the body.
It’s nothing mysterious. Facials remove bacteria from the skin and built up waste. They can release stress tension in the face and neck which can help prevent migraines and other types of headaches. The right kind of touch can ease the mind and spirit while making your skin shine with natural health and beauty.
Massage therapy goes a bit deeper. It stimulates the body so that it can draw out metabolic waste, toxins, bacteria, and other waste buildups in the muscles. Have you noticed that sore muscles feel better after you rub them? Massage will break up those waste products that inflame the nerves around them, allowing them to flow from your body in a natural way.
The health benefits extend to mental health, as well. Massage can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good hormones. The power of touch is greater than we’ve ever imagined. Recent research concluded that chronic pain sufferers, those suffering from depression or stress-related health issues, and combat veterans suffering from PTSD have seen incredible improvements on their overall mental health and energy levels after finding a massage style that worked for them.
Our massages range from 30 minutes to a 120-minute deep relaxation therapy designed with your needs in mind. We have additional options, as well. The heated deep tissue bamboo massage does incredible deep-tissue work for improved circulation, sensory nerve perception, and lymphatic drainage. Our AromaTouch technique uses eight specific therapeutic grade essential oils applied with very specific motions to promote relaxation and balance in the simple nervous system. Thai Yoga massage is a bodywork massage that uses point pressure, yoga-like stretching and more to invigorate the body. Myofascial Release is essential for increasing range-of-motion and reducing pain in the myofascial connective tissues. Our chronic pain clients find the Neuromuscular Massage to be extremely effective in managing their pain. It’s also very effective for some post-surgical care situations and injuries to help improve recovery and prevent future injuries.
Make 2018 the year of self-care and add massages and/or facials to your regular health regiment. Your heart, mind, and body will thank you for it.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Dec 1, 2017 | Facials

Winter can wreak havoc on your face, which is a bummer since it might be the only skin peeking out from all those cozy layers. The lower temperatures, cold wind, and dry indoor air cause the water in our skin to evaporate more, and as a result we get itchy, dry, painfully cracked skin. To protect your face from the elements, follow these tips and get ready to put your best face forward through anything the winter weather throws your way!
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Believe it or not, when winter hits, you still need sunscreen. Even though the weather is cold and gray, the sun can still damage your skin. The damage is even worse if you’re hitting the slopes. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s UV light, so the rays hit you twice when you’re out on a ski slope, further increasing the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. The lower lip is a particularly neglected area and a common site for squamous-cell skin cancers. Apply a generous layer of SPF15 lip balm before heading out.
Use the right skincare products. If the cold weather is leaving your face feeling extra parched, swap the matte foundation and powder for a moisturizing formula, which will help soothe your skin without feeling greasy. If you have really delicate or sensitive skin, watch out for products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which has been found to irritate skin and make it more permeable. If you use a light, water-based lotion, switch to a more moisturizing cream or oil. WebMD suggests looking for “nonclogging” oil ingredients such as avocado, primrose, or almond oils. Or look for lotions with “humectants,” which attract moisture to your skin: glycerine, sorbital, and alpha-hydroxy acids.
Choose the right clothing. Knit hats and earmuffs are nice, but a hood—especially one that’s insulated—will block the wind from the sides of your face. And don’t forget your scarf! It can be used to cover not just your neck, but also your nose and bottom portion of your face when it gets stormy. Also, avoid scratchy clothing like wool, since it can disrupt the barrier on your skin that keeps in moisture.
Revise your indoor routines. Staying hydrated is always important, including the winter when you want to save your skin. In addition to drinking lots of water, take warm rather than steamy showers or baths. Those extra hot showers feel good in the winter, but intense heat can break down the skin’s lipid barrier and your body will lose more moisture. Turn on the humidifier, especially at night when your body is trying to repair itself. Eat more healthy fats, like nuts, avocados, and fatty fish. Eskimos eat a diet very rich in seafood and healthy fats, which plays a part in their incredible skin.
Get a facial. The winter is a great time to try out a facial treatment. A facial works to counteract these effects in a couple of ways. Improving circulation to our face to stimulate our own skin’s natural renewal is one of the best benefits to a facial in the winter. A facial includes cleansing which helps unblock your pores and promotes healing and restoration. Our daily cleansing regime might be adequate for makeup and grime removal but for skin that is truly clean, a facial gives an unsurpassed result. Finally, a facial helps us to relax and forget the winter blues.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Nov 1, 2017 | Facials

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.