Microcurrent FAQ

A couple of weeks ago, I shared some valuable information about microcurrent devices, and their use in professional aesthetics. Today, I'd like to expand upon this topic, and thoroughly explain the best modes of marketing and promoting your new Non-Surgical Face-Lift treatment!

As you know, we are living in a day and age where everyone seeks instant gratification, and this amazing facial procedure is sure to give your clients the immediate and cumulative results they are looking for! 

MICROCURRENT FAQ:

-What's some of the most effective language a spa pro could use to summarize your machine's complex, high-tech offerings on a spa service menu (or any other printed collateral)?
Clients want to know the end result of this treatment, so calling this a microcurrent non-surgical face-lift is the most effective way to put it on the menu! Your clientele will be excited to read that this treatment tightens the skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, tones and firms the muscles, and gives the face a younger, more lifted appearance!

-What are some effective ways a spa owner could market these offerings?
The best, and most convincing way to market a microcurrent treatment, is with before and after images of the clients who have had it. The results speak for themselves!

-Who should the target client be? 

The ideal client for a microcurrent procedure is anyone over the age of 21, who may be concerned with wrinkles, loss of skin tone, muscle tone and elasticity, as well as clients complaining of an overall droopy appearance - sagging jowls, flat cheekbones, and pronounced nasolabial folds.



-Since serial treatment is often advised, do you have any tips for getting clients to re-book services?
A series of 6 treatments, spaced about 2-3 weeks apart is ideal. The best way to promote this package, is by giving a discount when the client pays upfront. You may also consider counting the 6th treatment as complimentary, when 5 are purchased upfront at regular price.

-Any other tips spa pros could use to get the word out about your device?
Since this microcurrent non-surgical face-lift is ideal before special events, it is a great idea to network with make-up artists, to coordinate providing services before weddings, parties, and photo-shoots. Another great way to promote the service is to place your flyers at photo-studios, hair salons, and at bridal shops.

-What are the best ways to educate spa pros on how to perform services using your device?
The best way to master this treatment is by taking a workshop class from the device manufacturer. Many companies offer free classes at trade-shows, as well as group demos at their headquarters. Personally, I am an avid advocate of trying everything on myself, before putting it on the spa menu for my clientele. This way you will be familiar with the sensation of the machine, and experience its benefits first hand!

Selecting the Best Serum

As skin care professionals, we all know what a dramatic difference using an amazing serum can make. It can take years off our client’s appearance, reduce fatigue, tighten the pores, minimize rosacea, soothe dryness, reduce hyperpigmentation and diminish wrinkles!

What is so special about serums? The wonderful thing is that they pack a powerful punch of concentrated active ingredients! A serum's molecule is usually very small, and delivers the ingredients to all skin layers without clogging the pores with any oil, glycerin, or other comedogenic fillers. A product like this is usually gel-like, and water-based, so it absorbs instantly, and doesn’t sit on the surface of the skin. The benefit of this gel-like oil-free consistency, is that (unlike some cremes) a serum can be used very closely around the eyes without causing the development of milia and irritation. While younger clients like the tight feeling of an oil-free product, such as a serum, older clients may feel like their skin is too dry, and choose to apply creme over the serum, to replenish. This is a great way to provide a barrier that keeps the serum from evaporating, as well as provide a double layer of active ingredients (such as peptides and hyaluronic acid).

In recent years, there has been a plethora of advances in product formulation, the best being the elimination of parabens and chemicals from many product lines. Natural preservatives such as citric acid, ethylhexylglycerin and phenoxyethanol efficiently provide a two year shelf life for most serums, and don’t have any toxic side effects that are associated with parabens and similar chemical preservatives. The best base for serums is water, and to get that silky smooth gel feeling, the best, and most potent moisturizing ingredient on the market is Hyaluronic Acid. Did you know that the loss of skin elasticity that comes with aging, is often the result of decreasing Hyaluronic Acid (HA) levels? HA is the best topical hydrating agent and a potent anti-inflammatory that stops itching and burning, is very soothing, and results in smoother skin. The best type of Hyaluronic Acid is a vegan low molecular weight HA. This is not harvested from a rooster comb, or chicken cartilage, but is plant-based, and manipulated in a lab for a perfect, hypoallergenic product! This ingredient is the same type of gel that is used in dermal fillers such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®, and is completely safe.

Now that we know the best base for a serum, let’s talk a little about the best active ingredients that we can add to the blend! Since we want to reduce wrinkles, and give the face a more youthful appearance, peptides are a great choice. Peptides are small fragments of proteins, and proteins are the key building blocks of most living tissues. Certain kinds of peptides have an avid affinity for copper, to which they bind very tightly. The resulting compound consisting of a peptide and a copper atom has become known as a copper peptide. A distinctive feature of GHK copper peptides is that they reduce scar tissue formation while stimulating normal skin remodeling. In other words, they help better restore the damaged area to its original look.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) improves wrinkle depth, wrinkle volume and roughness. This peptide can significantly modulate muscle contraction, thereby destabilizing the cell so it cannot release the neurotransmitters that make the muscle contract thus preventing formation of lines and wrinkles. Argireline® reduces pre-existing wrinkle depth and relaxes facial tension. Matrixyl-3000® minimizes crow’s feet and laugh lines, and prevents from further damage and wrinkle formation. Trylogen® boosts synthesis of Collagen I, III, and IV, uniforms fibril diameter and spacing, and inhibits enzymatic breakdown, avoiding excessive collagen damage.

 

I also see many serums made with powerful brighteners and antioxidants, such as Vitamin C. Three of the most potent forms of Vitamin C available on the market today are Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate. This powerful antioxidant combination in a serum fights free radicals, stimulates collagen production, nourishes the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens skin tone while keeping stable.

Some wonderful brightening ingredients have emerged recently, as alternatives to the toxic Hydroquinone, which is steadily losing popularity on the market during the past 5 years. Three of the most potent non-toxic whitening agents available on the market today are Tyrostat™ (derived from Rumex Occidentalis Extract), Nonapeptide-1 (Melanostatine®5) , and α Arbutin, which address the affects of discoloration and hyperpigmentation on the skin. These amazing new natural ingredients prevent hyperproduction of melanin and further activation of tyrosinase, thus blocking melanin synthesis for better control over skin tone and brown spots. When used daily, a serum with α Arbutin promotes brightening on all skin types, minimizes the appearance of liver spots and age spots, can reduce the degree of skin tanning after UV exposure.

It’s always best to apply serums after cleansing the skin, and before the application of moisturizers. This is typically the last step in a facial, and I recommend to use your galvanic machine to increase the serum’s penetration, since most are ionizable. A treatment like this, with the right product, is guaranteed to wow your client, and provide her with a healthy lift and glow!

Dealing with Negative Reviews

Having managed a spa for 8 years, I have had to read my share of positive and negative reviews of our technicians. Of course, the positive letters greatly outweighed the very few negative reviews, so I never doubted that the therapists were doing their job correctly. 

A person who has had a negative experience will become your greatest, most loyal customer if you take that bad experience, and turn it around! Offer your sincere apology, and offer them another treatment of their liking. Make them feel like you truly care about how they feel when they think of your spa/salon. Be vulnerable enough to ask for input, and kind enough to accept constructive criticism. Put yourself in the client's shoes, and think of how wonderful it feels to be treated like a fellow human being, and not just a number.

публикация SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care.

Sanitation and Infection Control for Skin Care Professionals

Sanitation and infection-control are some of the first things we all learn in beauty school, and for a good reason! It is crucial to have an understanding of the different kinds of infections you may come across, in order to protect yourself and the client. Clients rely on our knowledge and professionalism, and trust us with their health, so we must abide the law, and give them the best treatment without taking any shortcuts.

With that said, spa and salon workers must be aware of contagious bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses that can be contracted through broken skin, and pose serious health risks. Not only should we treat all clients with care to avoid getting them sick, but we must also protect ourselves in the workplace. Since the body’s first line of defense is unbroken skin, take care of your hands - they are your tools, so don’t bite your fingers, or pull on your cuticles. Keep your nails short, to avoid scratching the clients face, or breaking and snagging a nail by accident.

Keeping your room ventilated and clean is extremely important, especially having clean sheets and towels, wiping down all surfaces, as well as keeping all equipment, and implements that come into direct contact with the client immaculate. Have a habit of doing laundry daily, because mold and fungus may grown on unwashed laundry that had been left in a laundry hamper.

I’d like to reinforce the difference between sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing. Understanding the basics of disinfecting, and following state laws will ensure that you're protected.

•     Sanitation (cleaning) is removing all visible dirt with soap and warm water, and using a brush to scrub grooved or hinged portions of implements.
•     Disinfection destroys most harmful organisms, but isn't effective against bacterial spores.
•     Sterilization completely destroys all microbial life, including spores. When disinfecting and sterilizing, make sure to take proper precautions, such as wearing gloves when touching the disinfectant solution, and to follow the instructions on the label. Disinfectant solution should be changed daily, or changed right away if it becomes contaminated.

As estheticians, we see many different clients daily, some with serious cystic acne. Over the years, I have noticed that treating acne is a passion of mine, and I can proudly say that I specialize in working with acne-prone skin. Personally, I don’t use any tools other than my fingers wrapped in tissues to perform [manual] extractions, and I always wear gloves when working on acneic skin.

Gloves are important every time you may come in contact with a client's blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membrane. This is a standard precaution, where you must assume that all blood and bodily fluids are potential sources of infection, such as staph infection, MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections), Hepatitis, and even HIV. I also use a magnifying lamp when performing extractions, so any excretions or puss which may accidentally spew out during the extraction process will not get on my face, or in my eye. If accidental exposure to blood or excretions occurs, you must stop the service, and perform the correct measures to clean and disinfect the broken skin area, clean and disinfect the workspace, and dispose all implements used. All tools that come into contact with blood or body fluids must be disinfected in a EPA

Sanitizing and disinfecting non-electrical tools and implements:

1. Wear protective glasses and gloves.
2. Rinse implements and thoroughly clean them with soap, a brush, and warm water.
3. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel or air dry on a clean towel.
4. Immerse implements in the disinfection container with an EPA registered hospital grade disinfectant that is  bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal, for 10 minutes.
5. Remove implements with tongs or gloves, rinse well in warm water and pat dry.
6. Store in a clean, labeled, and covered container until needed.
7. Remove gloves and wash hands.

Clean electrical components that come in contact with clients (i.e. high-frequency electrodes) in the same manner as nonelectrical tools, but be sure not to immerse metal tips in water/disinfectant solution. Also, having an autoclave (equipment that sterilizes tools by using steam under pressure) in the spa/salon is very useful. 

registered tuberculocidal disinfectant (a disinfectant that kills HIV 1 and Hepatitis B virus).

Eating Whole for Health and Beauty

Many friends and clients often ask me "Dasha, what do you eat?" Well... It's complicated  actually, it's not very complicated, but I guess it's easier to tell you what I DO eat, rather than what I DON'T eat. This is a sample of my typical Whole Foods loot. I don't always buy the same things, but I usually have a big tub of organic spinach, organic broccoli, organic baby tomatoes, organic cucumber, organic carrots and celery for my juice, LOTS of organic cabbage, organic beets, organic cilantro, dill, and parsley, and LOTS of organic berries. I always start my day off with berries - a big heaping plate of them! 

I love eggs, and there is nothing wrong with that - just make sure they are free range and organic! I don't buy the hype about just eating the egg whites - you have to eat the whole egg, including the yolk - it has all the B vitamins you need! This time, I got some organic chicken breasts- I don't eat red meat, but I sometimes have chicken, to get more protein when I'm working out extra hard, or dancing a lot. I eat plenty of fats - avocado, raw organic walnuts, raw organic pumpkin seeds, coconut oil for cooking, and flax seed oil + Bragg's apple cider vinegar for my salads! The bread I eat (but very rarely) is Ezekiel Bread from Food for Life bakery in LA. It's 100% whole protein sprouted bread - completely flourless. I toast it, and spread avocado on top. With a squeeze of lemon, it's the best! A sunny side up egg next to this, and I'm in breakfast heaven!

What you won't see here is dairy (I haven't eaten it in years, because of the casein, animal hormones, acidity, and puss), canned foods, candy, sauces, dressings, pre-packaged foods, salt, sugar anything roasted or treated with liquid smoke, sausages, lunch meat, juices, sodas, pasta, pizza, pastry, jam, anything which comes from the middle isles of the supermarket, sweets, chips, bread, cereal, frozen food, or alcohol. As for drinks - I only drink 9.5 ph alkaline water from my machine, coffee (no sugar, no creme), and an occasional mineral water here and there. 

I believe that, to stay healthy, we must keep our bodies alkaline. When eating, I generally follow an 80% 20% principle, out of habit. This is what I learned from one of my nutritional mentors - Donna Gates (who is the author of The Body Ecology Diet, and Baby Boomer Diet, and now USES my products, and is including me in her next book!) 80% of your plate must be alkaline (all dark green leafy veggies) 20% can be acidic (pretty much anything from the above picture other than the veggies ie: chicken, egg, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, Ezekiel w/avocado, red skinned potato, tomato, fruits. I eat only until I am 80% full, leaving 20% of the stomach empty for digestion. I don't drink anything with my meals, because I don't want to dilute the stomach acid. 

So  if you wish to be like me, and live beautifully until old age, please indulge in real food, and enjoy

Microcurrent Facial Machines - New Technology to Tone Your Face in 16 Minutes!

Microcurrent facial machines are very popular on the market today – not only do these devices exercise and tone the facial muscles, but they also stimulate the body’s production of amino acids which are crucial in boosting cell repair. Facial microcurrent technology is measured in microamps, and is similar to EMS and MENS therapy, which is administered for therapeutic uses to relieve muscle tension, crams, and pain, as well as to exercise flaccid muscles. 

Most facial machines often incorporate Specific Iontophoresis and EMS to provide the most benefits to the client. This is a low-level, gentle current, which switches from  – to + every 2 seconds, allowing greater product penetration, as well as lifting and tightening of the facial areas treated. While providing this treatment, the esthetician should always apply product to the skin – preferably a water-soluble peptide and hyaluronic acid-based serum and /or crème.  This technology is so potent, the client will be able to see incredible results even after the first treatment! 

Making Skincare Easy as 1- 2 -3 - A Daily Regimen Everyone Can Keep Up!

Have you ever stopped yourself from purchasing specialty skincare products because you thought it was "too much work"?  I hear this all the time, and even some of my distributors confess that they can't seem to motivate their clients to buy items they are not familiar with. I'd like to challenge this notion, and let you know once and for all, that taking care of your skin is easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

First of all, I can't emphasize enough, the importance for taking care of the neck and décolleté daily! Every time I say "the face" I mean "the face, neck, and décolleté" because it is all a cohesive part of our appearance when we first meet someone. This is the face we want to show the world! Youthful, glowing, supple, fresh, and well-rested are the adjectives I like to attribute to a beautiful face, right?

1. CLEANSE

This is a no-brainer, but many of you will be surprised to learn how often we write-off specialty cleansers, because we doubt their importance! Cleansers are a crucial step in your daily regimen, and I advise you to make sure you're using the correct cleanser for your skin type. If you tend to have dry skin, select a milky cleanser, if you have oily skin, a foaming cleanser will be best, and if you are acne-prone, I suggest a cleanser with Salicylic/Glycolic Acid. Cleanse your face twice a day (even if you're tired, and sleepy!)

2. APPLY SERUM

This is essential if you want to target wrinkles, and deliver active ingredients deep into the skin! Serums have small water-based molecules that penetrate the skin, and go to work reducing fine lines, and crow's feet! Select a serum with peptides if you are worried about wrinkles, a serum with alpha arbutin if you are trying to get rid of hyper pigmentation, and a serum with collagen boosting Trilogen, if you want to plump and firm inelastic skin.

3. APPLY CREAM

Applying moisturizer is essential after serum application. This step ensures that the serum doesn't evaporate, and provides a double layer of anti-aging peptides! Choose a light moisturizer to allow your skin to breathe, such as a hyaluronic peptide creme, or an antioxidant leave-on mask at night. Make sure the cream doesn't contain mineral oil, fragrance, parabens, or chemicals!

See how easy skincare can be? I guarantee you, this 3-step program will be a pleasure to keep up, and give you beautiful skin for years to come!

GEM pro machine preview

Treating Elastosis in Post-Menapausal Skin

As women age, and go through menopause, they often find the skin of the face has lost tone, and has become flaccid. This is because of the loss of hyaluronic acid, and natural breakdown of collagen and elastin in the extrinsically-aged skin. Among the many factors that contribute to this are hormonal changes, dehydration, and exposure to sunlight and UV radiation (which we can observe from the age-spots on the patient’s face). In fact, elastosis is the primary consequence of photo-aged skin. When the patient pulls on the skin, it is unlikely to bounce back to its original place, and this shows the decreased elasticity.

For the patient experiencing elastosis, flaccid and inelastic skin is the result of years of UV exposure,and dehydration. Daily regimen has very much to do with the patient’s current condition. By over-exfoliating the skin regularly, but not moisturizing enough, she is pulling moisture out of the skin, which is already dehydrated. The patient needs to include hyaluronic-acid and peptide based serums and crèmes into her regimen, as well as avoid the sun, and remember to apply sunscreen every 2-3 hours.

Thank you for making our Products Award Winners AGAIN!

On behalf of the whole SAIAN Skin Care team and our lab, we would like to thank you all for making our product an award-winner 7 years in a row! 2nd year in a row winning LNE's prestigious BEST OF THE BEST AWARD! Last year we won for our Acne Spot Treatment, and this year, our Strawberry Cleanser took the honor!

Let's Talk About Discoloration

Many women deal with the unsightly issue of dark spots/hyperpigmentation on their face and hands. I like to believe that with the right care, these spots can be diminished, and even dissipate for good! As we know, discoloration is a common result of sun damage caused by tanning, and opting not to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sometimes, the sun's rays bring up melanin to the surface after laser hair removal treatments, chemical peels, or prolonged birth control use. The good news, is that discoloration and hyperpigmentation may still be treated effectively if it is fresher than 5 years!

Now, you will probably wonder how in the world to select a great product - there are so many on the market! Presently, the professional skin care industry is finally making the move from the traditional hydroquinone brighteners towards a more natural, non-toxic, and non-habit-forming ingredients.What product to use, and how to make a good choice? The most effective products on the market that address the issue of discoloration and hyperpigmentation are: Kojic acid -as an exfoliator, and Tyrostatine, and Alpha Arbutin as active whitening agents in leave-on serums, and creams. These are the ingredients used in the SAIAN Antihyperpigmentation complex.

Of course, it needs to be noted that the best season for these brightening treatments is winter, because the client needs to avoid excessive sunlight, and tanning. Furthermore, the exfoliation needs to be done in the evening, only. Since this issue requires daily attention, don't expect to see immediate results- typically, a cycle of 28 days is needed to document substantial changes in the discoloration patches!

3 Wintertime Skincare Treatments to Get TODAY!

Many women suffer from skin problems, varicose veins, and unsightly hair, but are unsure when the best time is to get treatments. Here are 3 treatments to get today, while we are still in the cold, winter months:

1) Sclerotherapy (Varicose Vein Treatment)

Varicose veins are a big issue for women of all ages, but are more prominent after pregnancy, and with age.  In fact, by the age of 50, 2 out of 3 American women have to deal with them! These veins are characterized by their puffed purple appearance, and can swell up, causing discomfort. For the most part, women opt for sclerotherapy merely because of its cosmetic benefits. Although in the past, the best treatment for varicose veins was surgery, image-guided injection with depressurization is now effective in even the most difficult cases. I advise this treatment to be performed in the wintertime because the patient is required to wear compression panty-hose post-treatment. Winter is the perfect time to wear these stockings, because they tend to be so hot, and uncomfortable in the summer months! Especially in California!

2) Laser Hair Removal

How does getting rid of that unsightly leg fuzz sound? If you are ready to commit to a package of 6 to 12 treatments with a laser, forget about tanning for the entire duration of the treatment. Laser hair removal is typically performed in intervals of 4 to 5 weeks, so a package of 6 will take you months to complete. Keep it safe, and save the hair removal for winter, and even then, don't forget your sunscreen!

3) Hyperpigmentation/ Melasma Treatment

As an experienced esthetician, I always advise patients to wait until winter for skin-lightening treatments. Hyperpigmentation treatments typically expose the skin, and exfoliate it, making it susceptible to more sun-exposure, and further damage, so it's best to wait until winter to whiten and brighten!

Rocasea - Treatment and Daily Care

I often hear people say "I have rosacea" without giving much thought to the accuracy of the statement. Many of us believe that rosacea is an absolutely normal state, and it is not treatable. 

Sometimes, babies are born with very red cheeks, and the doctor doesn't give it much thought, even though it is an obvious red flag signifying allergies in the body. In a small child, red cheeks may flare up from over consumption of citrus fruit, or strawberries. This may later lead to complications, such as the development of bumps on the upper arms, and poor digestion. Remember, we must never ignore any of our body's symptoms, including rosacea. Symptoms, such as allergic reactions, are a sign that our body is struggling, and needs our help. Timely treatment of these symptoms will help you reduce redness on the face, and calm the fire that is ignited by allergens within the gut.

Rosacea is essentially redness caused by breaking capillaries, (couperose skin) but present as a chronic condition. Usually we see rosacea on the cheeks, and sometimes on the nose. Sometimes this redness can be accompanied by postules and blemishes. these can be quite sensitive and painful. For topical treatment, we must remember to shield the face from exposure to wind, sun, and extreme temperatures (hot or cold). This also applies to daily cleansing - ABSOLUTELY no hot showers, hot baths or steaming the face. A knowledgeable esthetician will not use a steamer on her couperose client. 

I don't recommend using acids, or products containing alcohol for cleansing the face. These particular products dry out the face, and tighten it, when our goal is to moisturize and nourish. Avoid using scrub to exfoliate the face - only light enzymatic masks are OK. The perfect mask for the rosacea client is SAIAN Enzyme Mask - it cools down the redness, and effectively cleans and brightens the face. This product has received praise from skin care professionals worldwide for its amazing rosacea results. 

The most important step in rosacea care is moisturizing - first step is to apply SAIAN® Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and second step is to apply SAIAN® Hyaluronic Acid Creme. Hyaluronic acid is not the acid that burns and dries the skin (like AHA, Glycolic, Salicylic, Lactic, Pyruvic, Mandelic, Kojic)  but one that soothes and hydrates. Hyaluronic acid is the base of most facial fillers such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®. It has amazing anti-aging properties, as well! 

To complete the daily skincare regimen, the rosacea patient needs to use sunscreen daily. I repeat, DAILY. This is regardless of season, since the sun shines on us every day of the year. I recommend SAIAN® Sunscreen Mist SPF 29, and SAIAN® Green Tea Sunblock SPF 30  both of which are non-comedogenic, and non-toxic. Remember to choose a sunscreen, such as these, with physical blocks like Zinc and Titanium dioxide, as opposed to chemicals which will enter the bloodstream and cause long-term damage in the long run.

As for internal treatment, the best way to reduce flare-ups is by avoiding all hot and spicy foods that cause the rush of blood to the face, breaking more capillaries. It may seem like a hard task to some people, but it will be much harder trying to camouflage the redness from day to day with cake make-up. There is nothing better than the freedom of letting your skin breethe without make-up!

Hopefully this post has been of help.
If this is a problem you have been struggling with, I'd like you try these simple suggestions, and document your progress!

Professionals, don't miss this opportunity to take free workshop classes with Certification at the Orlando DAYSPA congress!

New Year's Resolutions

Now is the perfect time to make some New Year's resolutions (for those of us who can't stop anything cold turkey on Jan 1st.) I work in the Health and Beauty industry, and I always get asked what are some key foods and products we must avoid in order to look radiant, youthful and healthy. To be honest, with all the chemicals and preservatives out there, it is definitely easier to list the wholesome products we SHOULD consume... but for starters, why not eliminate 5 simple items from your diet such as:

1. Salt
2. Sugar
3. All Frozen, Processed, and Canned foods
4. Soda, any kind of juices (pre-packaged juices that are not physically juiced in front of you) sports drinks, caramel macchiatos with whip cream from Starbucks, etc. Those are just empty sugar calories mixed with coloring... and no nutritional value whatsoever.
5. Cigarettes (if you smoke)

And add 1 bottle of water to your daily regime. It should be either distilled water, or Alkaline water (Kangen water)

Just this small change will make you feel light, more energized, and more happy!

Try it today!

Clean Skin is Healthy Skin!

Good morning! Did everyone get a good night's rest? There is no better feeling than waking up feeling fresh, clean, and well-rested. Sometimes I am so exhausted in the evening, that I lie down on my bed to read a book, only to accidentally fall asleep! If I wake up at night, and notice I am still wearing mascara, I wash it off, and go back to bed.

 With that said - I'd like to remind everyone that the most important step in a skin care regimen is adequate daily cleansing. No matter how tired you are after work, or after a party, washing your make-up off should never be an option. Oils, dust, sweat, foundation, and various other make-up clog our pores and prevent the skin from breathing. Furthermore, not washing off eye make-up can cause millia to build up under the eyes, and we all know how difficult it is to get rid of it.

Remember to always cleanse the face before applying any serums or cremes to obtain the full benefits. If the pores are clogged, and there is oil on the skin, the products will never absorb, and you will not see any results! My favorite cleanser is SAIAN Strawberry Cleanser, which is gentle and foamy, and easily removes all make-up without drying the face. It doesn't cause the eyes to tear, and is perfect for sensitive skin!

Help SAIAN LLC raise funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society

"Mis" - Treatments

Last night I had a body-scrub and massage at one of my favorite LA spas, but this time (strangely enough) the experience wasn't as pleasant as usual. High-end spas usually charge top-dollar for body treatments, and employ well-qualified, seasoned, experienced massage and bodywork specialists. One assumes that the personnel of more opulent spas is better than the average... but sometimes massage technicians make simple mistakes that are very easily caught by a professional, such as yours truly. 

I have noticed that it is becoming harder and harder for me to receive treatments, the more knowledgeable I become - i.e. it is hard to fall asleep during a facial massage, because I am aware of all the wrong movements. Here are some obvious no-no's therapists can commit, which make them look unprofessional, and make the treatment a lot more "Ugh" than "Omm".

1. Engaging in conversation is always discouraged, unless the client starts talking herself. Most of us come to receive a facial, or a body treatment to relax and unwind, so the last thing we want to do is talk. I absolutely do not feel like explaining to a stranger what I do for a living, do I have a boyfriend or not, etc.

2. Sanitation, sanitation, sanitation! This is the most important, and sacred of all spa routines. Your therapist needs to change linens between clients, disinfect all implements (in a proper State-Board approved manner), and keep the room tidy. Disposables need to be thrown away after every use (duh!) and that includes those body-scrubbing mitts they use to polish the body. I always make sure to request a new scrubbing mitt, or I don't get the service. It costs the spa less than $1, so it is really not that big of a deal, and they better not complain to you when you request it!

3. Speaking of mitts... I was shocked when the woman scrubbing me from the toes to neck (in that particular order) proceeded to use the same scrubbing mitt on my face! Here is just common knowledge everyone should be aware of when doing a full body scrub:

• Use a new mitt for every client.
• Start with the face, and only then do the rest of the body (imagine that the mitt has already been on the heels and toes of the feet... everywhere between the toes and the neck (um)... and then on the FACE!)

4.  Don't get beat up at a massage - I promise, it shouldn't hurt as bad as it does when an untrained therapist does it. A good massage therapist starts slowly and methodically working into the muscles, and doesn't initially pound and shake like a maniac. The woman doing my massage was jumping from one area to another, digging in with her fingers, making the experience very uncomfortable. A good technician will let the client know when to breathe out, to get a better stretch into the muscle, and ease tension. A good massage should have a logical pattern on the body - you should not lie there and be played like a xylophone! Not to mention double the discomfort when the woman massaging you doesn't have her fingernails trimmed short. No, thank you.

In short, there are many things which can go wrong and spoil your moment of relaxation, but once you have found a great masseuse, you will never have to worry! Personally, I am always on a quest for wonderful treatments - sometimes it is a hit, sometimes a miss, every time a learning experience!