Q. I have been diagnosed with rosacea but don’t want to use the antibiotic treatments suggested by my doctor. Can a spa treatment help?




A Prescription strength medicines and creams can have side effects and long term use can cause tolerance problems. That said, I would never second guess your medical professional and I suggest you run my advice by your doctor before taking it. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition resulting from skin inflammation. It shows up as redness or flushing and can in advanced stages involve swelling, and skin eruptions that look like acne. Rosacea is often mis-diagnosed and treating it like acne can make the condition worse. This skin condition is genetic in nature but is also triggered by lifestyle and diet. Your first step in controlling your condition is knowledge. You should learn everything you can about Rosacea and begin to keep a journal of what triggers your problems. Some common culprits are sun, stress, alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, and hot liquids. A regular routine of facials from a skilled esthetician (skin therapist), proper home care and changes in your diet and life style can make a huge impact. Rosacea is basically a skin inflammation problem so products like vitamins C and K are helpful. In the treatment room advance treatments using aloe vera, chamomile and salicylic acid can be beneficial. Try the non medication approach with the help of a skin professional who understands your condition. If you don’t get success, you can try the medical approach to jump start healing and then with the help of your doctor begin to combine the two methods. Again, my advice is never a substitute for your doctor’s care. Take my advice to your medial professional and make the decision that is best for you.

Q. I want to cut my hair short but I am worried about the right cut for my face. Do you have a suggestion for how to be sure I don’t mess up and get a cut that’s totally wrong?



A. Your question seems to be about choosing a hair cut that will fit your face type. The first step is determining your face shape. The best advice I have found on how to really get this right was in Hairdo magazine. They suggest you look at your face in a mirror with you hair behind your ears or pinned back then trace your face on the mirror with a lipstick. Look at the traced shape and match it to one of the basic face shapes; oval, oblong, square, heart shaped, pear shaped or round. No one’s face is a perfect match so choose the shape that best fits your face. With your face shape in mind you can follow my suggestions for cuts. The balanced oval face works with any cut or style and is the face shape that can handle super short hair cuts. If you lay a perfect circle over your lipstick drawn face and you have space at the top and bottom of the circle then you have an oblong face. It will look best with styles that have full layers at the sides and you should avoid styles that have a high crown. A square face is wider than it is long and looks great with styles that extend below the chin. A heart shaped face is similar to a square face but with a wider forehead and more narrow chin. Like the square face, styles that extend below the chin are best. This face looks great with some volume at the sides. The below the chin flip is a perfect style for this face. The pear shaped face is a reverse of the heart shape with the wide portion at the bottom of the face. Wear a style that will open up the face, showing your forehead. A short style that spikes upward is perfect. The round face should avoid the current popular look of heavy bangs or fringe as it’s called in the industry. If you want this popular look and have a round face, opt for softer wispy bangs. Try to go for a style that covers your ear line. Curls and full layers look good on round faces. It’s the start of a new year and a great time to make some changes. Everyone is starting new exercise plans and diets but one of the quickest ways to give yourself a new look and a lift in spirit is to change your hair. In one short salon visit you can remake yourself. Happy New Year.

Day Spas and Fitness Center's Join Forces

Q. I was recently in Chicago for business and went to a spa for a facial. They had an entire selection of fitness classes in the spa. The owner said it’s a trend. What’s up?

A. In this economy many business are working together. The Spa industry makes a perfect partner with the Fitness industry. Many of the same clients who would spend time in a day spa will also be taking care of their bodies and health. The idea of a connection of the mind, body and spirit is the essence of the spa philosophy. There are numerous ways these two business models overlap. Massage is the obvious cross over service, it increases circulation, helps flush out the lymphatic system, aids in digestion and improves overall range of motion in the joints and limbs. It’s the perfect complement service to fitness training. The cross marketing does not end with massage. Promotion of pedicures can increase with every yoga or Pilate’s class. When the shoes come off to perform your class, bare feet get a lot of attention. Services like facials increase as clients begin to improve their own self image and the relaxation element of many spa services go well with the de-stressing component of working out. Spray tanning appeals to people getting in shape and who want to look better. In many major cities spas offer extensive detox wraps and programs. You are going to see more and more of the trend because it just makes good business sense. The clients are the real winners. As companies join forces, they can offer combination packages and menu selections at more competitive prices and the clients benefit from the good prices and the convenience of having these related businesses close together. This is one of the things I love about America. When times get tough, the entrepreneurs start getting creative and everyone benefits.

Q. What are blackheads? I can’t seem to get rid of the ones around my nose.

A. Blackheads are caused when the skin’s natural oil, called sebum collects in the skin’s pores and hardens. To be a more specific, congesting toxins that are being expelled through your skin from the blood and lymph fluid combine with sebum and create a pasty, “glue”. The exposed tip becomes oxidized and black in color, thus the name. Oily and combination skin is more susceptible to blackheads. The skin’s most dense oil glands in everyone are in the T-zone, across your forehead – down your nose to your chin. This is where people will get the most blackheads. Visiting a spa for a professional facial will help you get rid of the blackheads initially. You should then follow a routine of proper home care to keep your skin clear. Try and keep your face clean but don’t over wash that can aggravate the problem. A good wash twice a day with an exfoliating soap or scrub and warm water followed by a toner or treatment product should do the trick.

Q. Is there really a benefit to a facial or is it about relaxation and pampering?

A. A real facial by an experienced skin specialist is about much more than relaxation. If you are self treating your skin at home you could be making mistakes because you are attempting to made judgments about something you don’t fully understand. Kin you think is oily may just be dehydrated and skin you think is sensitive could just be reacting to products that are too strong or harsh for you. A professional facial should include the following steps, A deep cleanse; a skin analysis; an exfoliation; a massage that should include the face, neck and décolleté; extractions; a treatment mask; topical products to leave on your skin; and a home skin care routine specifically designed for you and your skin. Cookie cutter facials with gimmick names and treatments are not considered treatment facials. A treatment facial is usually called a European style facial or Skin Treatment facial. My advice to you, go and have that facial, enjoy the pampering but realize that you are also taking care of a very important organ of your body, your skin.

Q. I am thinking of buying my mother a gift certificate for a facial or a massage for Mother’s Day. What are the benefits of having a facial? I think

A. I am asked about facials and what they entail often. The term, “facial”, is very broad and general. When I perform a facial I customize it to the specific skincare needs of the recipient. Some spas and salons have pre-packaged facials that will involve cookie-cutter type services without a great deal of regard for the unique skin needs of the individual. Ask to speak to the lead skin therapist or esthetician before you buy. That said, there are some basics that any quality facial will provide. The service should begin with a deep cleansing that should remove dirt and dead skin cells and unclog pores. Once this step is complete the skin can breathe and should have an improved glow or color. All high quality facials should leave the skin more balanced and should improve the skin’s appearance and texture. Regular facials at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks will hydrate dry skin, improve oily acne prone skin, brighten the complexion and leave the client with noticeably firmer, fresher, younger looking skin. The facial is a great gift because it should also provide your mother with relaxation and the results should make her feel rejuvenated, pampered, and pretty… benefits every mother deserves.

Q. Is it true that tea is really good for you? I see spas that serve it as healing drink.

A. Tea is actually considered one of the “Super Foods”. It has many healthful properties. It can detoxify the body. It is also a great anti-oxidant so it can work to boost immune systems. Tea has been shown to help with weight loss and has anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal varieties of tea are not the same. Herbals are made from a variety of different plants. Tea other than herbal types comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. This plant is full of polyphenol antioxidants. According to DaySpa magazine tests have shown this plant to be better at ridding the body of damaging free radicals than red wine, vitamins C or E. DaySpa magazine further notes that regular tea consumption can help fight diseases ranging from diabetes to osteoporosis. As an esthetician I also use tea topically to help fight sun damage and to reduce dark puffy eyes. If you like tea, you are in luck because the quick answer to question. Is tea really good for you?” is YES. Drink up, warm or on ice.