Q. This summer we are not taking a vacation away from home. I would like to use the spa as a way to enjoy some personal time instead. I think of it as an escape. What services would you consider fun for the summer?
A. This is a trend across the country, people staying home and taking mini escapes instead of spending money on a huge vacation. The practice has even been named…
stay-cations. Some people opt for one full spa day as a major event during their
stay-cation. Others like to enjoy multiple spa days over the course of the summer, making them feel like the spa is part of the fun summer at home experience. If you’re looking for a full spa day you should call the spa and ask what packages they have on their menu of services. Most have full and part day packages at special prices. If you don’t find a package that has all the bells and whistles you are looking for ask if you can customize a spa day package. Most large spas will accommodate you in this way. My personal preference would be to break up the services and enjoy many great days in the spa over the course of the summer months. Start your season off right with a great pedicure. Nothing says summer like a freshly painted set of toes in some new sandals. I’d next opt for a day in the salon getting some fun hair highlights. Sun-kissed pieces of blond mixed in to your current color will give you an instant lift. Don’t forget about sunless spray tanning. You’ll feel like you’ve been on vacation but your skin will thank you for avoiding the damaging UV rays of the beach. In your question you asked me what services I would consider fun for the summer. If I were making the choices I’d definitely go for a facial and even a back facial. Your skin can take a beating in the summer. Weekends at the ballpark, or out in the yard… a facial will help you keep a healthy glow. A back facial will get your ready to show off in your summer clothes and bathing suits. Speaking about weekends at the ballpark and doing yard work, massage is a great way to ease the stress of extra physical activity that goes along with longer days. You might like to opt for the more exotic and try a combo service of body exfoliation or polish and massage. You’ll feel smooth and relaxed. Finally, if you want to really glow this summer go for teeth whitening. Whatever services you choose you are smart to set aside the time early and get them scheduled and written in your calendar. Its easy if to get trapped at home doing busy work and the summer can fly by. Don’t let that happen, think about using the spa as an escape and a personal treat this year.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
The spa is for dad's too!
Q. I always get my mom a spa gift card for Mother’s Day, what could I get my dad? Is a spa gift card good for a man too?
A. Yes it is! More and more men are discovering the joys of spa treatments. I suggest you put an actual service or spa treatment on the gift card and not just a card for a set dollar amount. Many men have no idea what to use the money for or what is available. Massage is still the most popular spa service for men. They usually feel comfortable with the treatment partly because they have an understanding of what they are getting. Many other spa treatments have names and associations that confuse non-spa goers, especially men. Some spas use very feminine terms for treatments like pedicures, manicures or facials. The smart spas are changing that up and re-naming services to target the male client. Usually these re-named services are variations of the tried and true spa treatments but with twists that make them more male friendly. How about a Hand and Foot Detailing for Men? It sounds like something they would do for their car. He might enjoy a Man-icure or a sports pedi. The facial is one service that has been associated with women so strongly that many men shy from trying it. The Man’s Skin Treatment, however does not sound like anything his wife would want to have. Just re-naming the service is not enough. The services should actually have some uniquely male oriented elements. In the pedicure for men you might see an emphasis on deep tissue massage of the feet and calf along with essential oils like lemon grass or sandalwood instead of lavender or rose. The Men’s Skin Treatment will concentrate on the more oily male skin type and deep poor cleaning with a great neck and shoulder massage as well. If you are confused by all the choices ask the spa if they have a spa package set up just for men. Many do. That will help you take the guess work out. If you just want to opt for one service that your dad will love, still go for the massage. It’s a great starting point. Once he feels comfortable in the spa he’ll be more willing to try some other options. If your dad is shy about the idea, get a couple’s massage that could include both he and your mom. This gift becomes an event they both look forward to, and will appreciate.
A. Yes it is! More and more men are discovering the joys of spa treatments. I suggest you put an actual service or spa treatment on the gift card and not just a card for a set dollar amount. Many men have no idea what to use the money for or what is available. Massage is still the most popular spa service for men. They usually feel comfortable with the treatment partly because they have an understanding of what they are getting. Many other spa treatments have names and associations that confuse non-spa goers, especially men. Some spas use very feminine terms for treatments like pedicures, manicures or facials. The smart spas are changing that up and re-naming services to target the male client. Usually these re-named services are variations of the tried and true spa treatments but with twists that make them more male friendly. How about a Hand and Foot Detailing for Men? It sounds like something they would do for their car. He might enjoy a Man-icure or a sports pedi. The facial is one service that has been associated with women so strongly that many men shy from trying it. The Man’s Skin Treatment, however does not sound like anything his wife would want to have. Just re-naming the service is not enough. The services should actually have some uniquely male oriented elements. In the pedicure for men you might see an emphasis on deep tissue massage of the feet and calf along with essential oils like lemon grass or sandalwood instead of lavender or rose. The Men’s Skin Treatment will concentrate on the more oily male skin type and deep poor cleaning with a great neck and shoulder massage as well. If you are confused by all the choices ask the spa if they have a spa package set up just for men. Many do. That will help you take the guess work out. If you just want to opt for one service that your dad will love, still go for the massage. It’s a great starting point. Once he feels comfortable in the spa he’ll be more willing to try some other options. If your dad is shy about the idea, get a couple’s massage that could include both he and your mom. This gift becomes an event they both look forward to, and will appreciate.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Foods that are kind to your skin
Q. Can some foods really make your skin look better?
A. Yes. Whole fresh foods are good for all of your body including your skin. Certain foods are better than others at helping your skin stay clear, younger, and healthier. There is a book I love and recommend all the time titled, SuperFoods by Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews. It goes through an entire list of foods that are really good for you in every way. Some super foods for your skin include, strawberries, oranges and other citrus, red peppers and broccoli for their high levels of vitamin C. This essential element helps skin build collagen for support. Wild salmon, walnuts and omega-3 fortified eggs all fight the effects of free radical damage in the skin. It’s the omega-3 fatty acid in these foods that is the hero. Omega-3 has been shown to reduce inflammation caused by stress and sun damage. When you want to eat veggies opt for lots of color. Dark orange foods like sweet potatoes and squash, leafy deep greens like spinach and any red vegetable will be packed with vitamin A, in my opinion the super star performer when it comes to the skin. Vitamin A regulates cell production and cell turn over, helping skin do what it does best. Having new skin cells to replace old ones is the very core of what our skin function is all about, cell turn over creates smooth fresh new skin. Get hooked on nuts too. Almonds are one of the best nuts as are sunflower seeds because they are full of vitamin E. This vitamin gets a lot of attention because of its healing properties. This antioxidant protects the skin from UV damage and helps the skin stay hydrated. If you suffer with some acne issues try and eat a diet that is low in sugar, lower in carbohydrates. These foods keep your insulin levels steady and new research shows that spikes in insulin and sugar levels cause the hormone androgen to elevate and cause breakouts. Lastly don’t forget the hardest working element in our diet, water. Skin needs water just like the rest of your body. Skin cells are mostly water. Six to eight glasses a day should do it. It may be tempting to read this and think you just need to supplement by taking individual vitamins daily. Not true. It’s the whole foods that are so good for you and your skin.
A. Yes. Whole fresh foods are good for all of your body including your skin. Certain foods are better than others at helping your skin stay clear, younger, and healthier. There is a book I love and recommend all the time titled, SuperFoods by Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews. It goes through an entire list of foods that are really good for you in every way. Some super foods for your skin include, strawberries, oranges and other citrus, red peppers and broccoli for their high levels of vitamin C. This essential element helps skin build collagen for support. Wild salmon, walnuts and omega-3 fortified eggs all fight the effects of free radical damage in the skin. It’s the omega-3 fatty acid in these foods that is the hero. Omega-3 has been shown to reduce inflammation caused by stress and sun damage. When you want to eat veggies opt for lots of color. Dark orange foods like sweet potatoes and squash, leafy deep greens like spinach and any red vegetable will be packed with vitamin A, in my opinion the super star performer when it comes to the skin. Vitamin A regulates cell production and cell turn over, helping skin do what it does best. Having new skin cells to replace old ones is the very core of what our skin function is all about, cell turn over creates smooth fresh new skin. Get hooked on nuts too. Almonds are one of the best nuts as are sunflower seeds because they are full of vitamin E. This vitamin gets a lot of attention because of its healing properties. This antioxidant protects the skin from UV damage and helps the skin stay hydrated. If you suffer with some acne issues try and eat a diet that is low in sugar, lower in carbohydrates. These foods keep your insulin levels steady and new research shows that spikes in insulin and sugar levels cause the hormone androgen to elevate and cause breakouts. Lastly don’t forget the hardest working element in our diet, water. Skin needs water just like the rest of your body. Skin cells are mostly water. Six to eight glasses a day should do it. It may be tempting to read this and think you just need to supplement by taking individual vitamins daily. Not true. It’s the whole foods that are so good for you and your skin.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Using Bar Soaps
Q. I always use bar soap and my friend tells me I am damaging my skin. Is that true, is bar soap damaging to skin?
A. Not as a general rule. Bar soap has really gotten an undeserved bad reputation. Most bar soaps are not bad. Spa Magazine’s January edition quotes Jennifer Reichel, M.D., director of Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, as saying, “Some bar soaps can be very gentle and moisturizing and do not necessarily trap oils and chemicals.” The soaps that are best to avoid are the ones that contain synthetic detergents and high amounts of perfume. These can be over drying and the chemicals can be detrimental to your skin. Organic soaps and soaps with emollients like coconut oil, she butter or olive oil can be very good for your skin. Your question was if bar soap was damaging. You did not ask if bar soap is the best choice of cleaner for your skin. In truth, your friend may be aware of the fact that while not damaging, there could be cleansing solutions that are better choices for you. If you have any skin care concerns such as, anti-aging, acne, or dryness the skincare industry is full of real effective cleansers that can target these problems better than the simple bar of soap. Your face especially may benefit from targeted higher end cleansers. That said, many soaps in bar and pump formulas are effective, safe and many times beneficial in cleansing your skin.
A. Not as a general rule. Bar soap has really gotten an undeserved bad reputation. Most bar soaps are not bad. Spa Magazine’s January edition quotes Jennifer Reichel, M.D., director of Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, as saying, “Some bar soaps can be very gentle and moisturizing and do not necessarily trap oils and chemicals.” The soaps that are best to avoid are the ones that contain synthetic detergents and high amounts of perfume. These can be over drying and the chemicals can be detrimental to your skin. Organic soaps and soaps with emollients like coconut oil, she butter or olive oil can be very good for your skin. Your question was if bar soap was damaging. You did not ask if bar soap is the best choice of cleaner for your skin. In truth, your friend may be aware of the fact that while not damaging, there could be cleansing solutions that are better choices for you. If you have any skin care concerns such as, anti-aging, acne, or dryness the skincare industry is full of real effective cleansers that can target these problems better than the simple bar of soap. Your face especially may benefit from targeted higher end cleansers. That said, many soaps in bar and pump formulas are effective, safe and many times beneficial in cleansing your skin.
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