Happy Spring Holidays to All!

Dear friends! Happy Easter and Passover! Hurry online, and use coupon code APRIL20 to get 20% off ALL products and merchandise at www.saian.net ! Sale ends soon!

Neck and Décolleté Treatments

I was recently interviewed by American Spa Magazine about neck and decollete treatments, and thought that it would be a wonderful idea to share my answers with you all! Here are some helpful tips on spa treatments, as well as home care.

1. What happens to the decollete area as people age and why is it so important to treat the decollete area?

The face, neck and décolleté are exposed to the sun, wind and cold weather, and must be all cared for in the same way as the face during the professional treatment and at home.The delicate neck and décolleté area is often ignored when it comes to application of moisturizers and sunscreen, and is easily susceptible to dehydration and sun damage. 

The signs of aging in the neck area is because our muscles lose elasticity – so we have to learn to firm and tone the muscles to hold the skin nice and tight. As we age, the neck and jowls may start to show horizontal wrinkles and folds and begin to droop because of the daily gravitational pull. This, of course causes the face to look much older than it may look otherwise. 

The reason for wrinkles on the neck and bust is often sleeping on high pillows, and sleeping on the side – causing lines and wrinkles between the breasts and on the neck.

2. How can skincare products and spa treatments help the decollete?

Most of us take very good care of our face, but often ignore the neck, décolleté and bust. Taking care of the neck and décolleté is no different than taking care of the face. To achieve a lifting effect, estheticians should start the cleansing and exfoliation routine upwards from the décolleté and continue to the face. At home, one should cleanse that whole area with cleanser daily, and exfoliate with scrub or enzyme mask once in three days. This is the only way to achieve an even transition in color and texture from the bust to the face. 

In addition to timely exfoliation, the neck should be protected from the harsh rays of the sun with clothing and sunscreen. The décolleté and neck must always be hydrated with a great moisturizer. 

3. What types of spa treatments are best for treating the decollete area?

Wonderful treatments for the décolleté include a light enzymatic exfoliation, massage, and a hydrating collagen mask. 

4. Can you offer any tips for spas on choosing decollete products? 

Décolleté products should not be too harsh, since the skin is thin in that area. It's also preferable to have fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, to avoid any reaction. I dislike using mechanical equipment on the chest, or by the thyroid, to avoid stimulation of the lymphatic system.

5. Can you offer tips for spas on marketing decollete treatments and retail products?

The most convincing advertisement of products or treatments are before and after photos. Usually, a series of 6 treatments helps to achieve wonderful results, as well as the purchase of a home-use firming product, and lifting neck-bandage. Our company specializes in these bandages, and we sell many of them!

 6. Are there any spa clients that might not be a good fit for decollete treatments? If so, which ones?

Some menopausal clients may experience redness and sensitivity on the décolleté, so it's better to hold off on the deep exfoliation.

Non-Surgical Face-Lift and Neck Lift

We love and adore our founder, Margarita Saian, and are pleased to announce that we will be posting her General Session Presentations on our YouTube Channel! Learn from the best for FREE. Subscribe today! Here is the first set: Non-Surgical Face-Lift and Neck Lift demo!

Sanitation and Infection-Control in The Workplace

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. In this article of mine which was recently published in DERMASCOPE Magazine, I share my knowledge and experience regarding sanitation and disinfection in the spa/salon workplace! Click on this link to download the full PDF off www.saian.net

http://saian.net/wp-content/files_mf/14096863550914articleSaian.pdf

Miami Beach International Esthetics Congress

Can't wait to see everyone in Miami this weekend! Our non-surgical face-lift class is at 2pm Sunday and Monday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. You will have an amazing time learning, trying products, and watching 2 live hands-on demos performed at once! Certificate of attendance is awarded with both workshops - just follow this link to purchase your 2-day pass http://miami.skincareshows.com/

In this class, Dasha Saian demonstrates the newest clinical facial procedure for lifting and firming the face and neck using hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen and a portable multifunctional machine. Booth #404

IECSC New York is Coming Up

Can't wait to see everyone in New York in 2 weeks! Here is Sunday's and Monday's Class info: please join us for 2 days of education and live hands-on demos of clinical skin care! http://www.iecsc.com/ny/education

Working with SAIAN GEM Pro Microcurrent Machine on Your Client

Some advice on how to use the Y-shape electrode on the client's face to contour the cheekbones, jowls and forehead. We love this machine! It will give you the non-surgical face-lift results of a big piece of equipment. Featured in American Spa, Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, Dermascope and Dayspa magazine!

Botanicals!

I love natural ingredients, that's why today, I'd like to mention 3 botanical ingredients that I think are extremely important in skincare! What do you think of these 3?

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.

Enzymes are a wonderful way to safely exfoliate the skin - this has been my favorite method for years! An enzymatic exfoliation is a good natural way to clean out the pores, get rid of excess oils, slough off the dry and dead skin for a healthy cell turnover. Fruit enzymes, such as Bromelain (from pineapple) and Papain (from papaya) eat away at the oils and dry skin, to expose a refreshed, clear complexion. A good natural enzyme mask brightens the skin, activates cellular function, increases circulation, fades discoloration and leaves the skin feeling and looking fresh, smooth and healthy. 

Marine Collagen is a form of collagen that derived from an assortment of sea algae species Laminaria and Padina. This Marine Collagen Polypeptide is designed to stimulate type III Collagen deep down within the skin. Collagen is a large molecule that alone cannot penetrate into the skin - so scientists found that polypeptide technology can actually stimulate the synthesis Marine Collagen in the skin. This new technology allows the skin to open up and allow the collagen through, because the regular molecule is too large to get in. Combination of marine collagen with polypeptide technology, will help our skin by stimulating collagen production, and elastin collagen thickening, encouraging skin renewal and minimizing muscle contractions, reducing the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines, helping provide long-term improvements in deeper wrinkles, helping prevent collagen and elastin breakdown to firm the skin.

Dasha Saian answers your skincare questions

Hi Everyone! Thanks for writing to me on Google+ and asking some insightful questions! Here is a short video with answers - hope you like it!

T-Shirts are here!

T-Shirts are here! Perfect casual-wear in your spa or medspa, when it's too hot to wear a labcoat or uniforms! Get yours today 1-800-291-1130 and rep your favorite natural skincare brand!

Margarita Saian - Our Founder

We are very proud to announce that our amazing Founder was featured in the February issue of DERMASCOPE Magazine's Trade Secrets

Margarita Saian 

State-certified educator, Ambassador of the Aesthetic International Association, Saian has been in the skincare industry for over 20 years, and has studied esthetics and mesotherapy in the United States as well as in France. In addition to being a Licensed Esthetician, Ms.Saian is a CMA/Cardiac Technician, National Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Certified ECG, and Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. Ms.Saian has had the honor of training skin care professionals, nurses, and doctors worldwide. She is constantly researching new ways to raise industry standards, and improve the product line! Ms.Saian actively practices a healthy lifestyle, and is an avid advocate of natural living, positive thinking, and endless possibilities!

How long have you been in the aesthetics industry? 

I have been in the industry for 25 years – I started when I lived in Russia. 

What credentials do you currently hold? 

Licensed Esthetician, CMA/Cardiac Technician, National Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Certified ECG, Aesthetic Educator (CA certification) and Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. 

What various roles and positions have you held within this industry? 

I have worked in a spa as an esthetician, and have represented my company worldwide as an educator and speaker. 

Which of these roles taught you the most or had the most impact on you and how? 

Owning my own company has been the most challenging, because the work is on my mind 24/7, but it is a big enjoyment for me! 

Has there been a constant theme that has led you from one point to the next throughout your training and career? (as in asking questions, reading certain material, etc.) 

The theme in my career has always been education and improving on my knowledge! I always try to research the latest and greatest in skincare ingredients, equipment and packaging, to bring to my customers. Things that make their work easier and more pleasant! 

What characteristics or skills set you apart from your peers and enabled you to be so successful so quickly? 

8 years ago, when I started the company, I didn’t start as a businesswoman with an intention to make a living selling skincare. I started as an esthetician with an intention to bring high quality products to my peers! It is a sincere professional to professional product – I want to teach you everything I know, and give you all the resource I have, so that you can succeed, too! 

Do you have any regrets, or is there any one thing you can point to and think, “I wish I would have done that differently” or “if only I had known then what I know now” that you can share with the readers? Please explain.

I wouldn’t change a thing – life has not been easy for me – I came to America in 1992 with $30 only, and have accomplished everything on my own. I am grateful for everything. 

What adaptations have you made over the years to stay relevant in the industry? 

I have started trying medical skin care trade shows lately – after the plastic surgeons and dermatologists have taken interest in the brand. 

What has surprised you most during your professional journey? 

What has surprised me the most, is the large amount of people who are eager to learn, and who seek advanced education. It is a pleasant surprise! 

What are the greatest pressures, strains or anxieties in the work? 

Sometimes my daughter (my business partner) and I disagree on some crucial issues – she always wants to “go big” and I tend to think it over and play it safe. 

How did you decide that your current career is the right one for you? 

I wake up in the morning and can’t think of anywhere I would rather go than to my office! 

How and where do you find inspiration? 

Inspiration is everywhere for me – good books, nature, yoga. 

What do you see are upcoming trends in the industry? 

I see more focus on the natural and pure products, and a departure from chemicals and toxic ingredients. That is our brand philosophy, and has been since we starts SAIAN Natural Clinical Skincare. 

Is there a particular moment or procedure where most professionals go wrong? What could they alter for a better result? 

Jumping into carrying a skincare line or buying a big facial machine without doing due research first. Like we say in Russia, Measure 7 times, cut once. It is always a great idea to take classes at trade shows, to find out more about all the products you’re interested in. 

Why do you think people come to a particular spa? 

It is the feeling of comfort and familiarity with technicians who make you feel relaxed and safe in their hands. 

What do you believe separates the best establishments from the rest? 

Consistency is what separates the best from the rest. The spas that get it right every time, and not just once in a blue moon. 

Is there a particular ingredient that you feel is a “super” ingredient? If so, why? 

I love hyaluronic acid, and that is what all the anti-aging creams and serums in my line are based on! Hyaluronic is super-hydrating, non-comedogenic, light, fragrance-free, and silky! We use a plant-based vegan hyaluronic, which is superior to the chicken-derived hyaluronic you may also encounter on the market. 

Do you have a signature treatment or technique that your clients love – a classic of sorts? What makes it so loved? 

SAIAN Collagen infusion treatment is amazing – we have a collagen facial that we combine with a neck-lift that gives an instant lifted and tight result. 

What tool(s) would your treatment room (or business) not be complete without and why? 

Definitely a galvanic and a high-frequency machine! Those two machines are essential! 

What is the one piece of advice you give to every client you see? 

Don’t forget to do your homework! Treatments with the esthetician are not enough – clients need to take product home, and keep up their results – especially if they are struggling with acne or hyperpigmentation. 

What advice do you have for someone planning to start a career in this field? 

Do you have a passion to help people? Do you love this career? Are you constantly striving to learn more? If you answered “yes”, go for it! If you say this just “seems like an easy, quiet job”, I would reconsider. 

You wear so many hats in this industry. What is your secret to keeping life in balance and enjoying the journey? 

I have 2 very close people to me – my mom and my daughter. Our little family makes me happy – they mean the world to me. 

What are your hobbies when not working? 

I am an avid reader, I love exercise, salsa dancing, singing, and travel! 

Do you have a company or personal motto that you live by? 

I love my life – live is BEAUTIFUL! 

Can you share something that most people wouldn't know about you? 

I have a PhD in music. I am an ethnographer of Russian traditional and folk music. 

Other than your products, what are the greatest assets and strengths your company offers? 

We give all of our clients personal attention, extensive customer service, and most importantly, education! 

What is the toughest decision you have had to make at your company? Every decision has seemed huge to me, until it was done, so no particular one sticks out in my mind.

What is your daily skin care ritual? I cleanse my face with SAIAN Replenishing cleanser, apply SAIAN Active Renewal Serum, and on top of that the SAIAN Active Renewal crème – both have 6 peptides based on Hyaluronic acid – same in the evening!

Feed Your Body Well, and Thrive!

Blankets of Love - Bedspread Drive for Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage

I would like to personally invite you to do something very special for some amazing kids at the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. If you have read my blog about Corazon de Vida Foundation, you will know that the Mexican government doesn't provide for the orphanages, and the kids rely on generous donations from kindhearted people, to have access to essential supplies, even toilet paper and soap. 

The last time I was at the orphanage, the woman who takes care of the children said they desperately need blankets (bedspreads) for the girls dorm, boys dorm, and the nursery. I thought I had secured a donor, but since I haven't heard back regarding these blankets for the last month, I decided to take action and organize a "bedspread drive" just in time for Valentine's Day. It is not a very big amount of items, and I know that together we can all pitch in, and "blanket" these sweet kids with our love and care! Here is the list of what they need:

The girls dorm needs 26 twin comforters.

The boys dorm needs 12 twin comforters.

The toddlers need 12 crib size covers.

I think that is extremely feasible, right, guys? If we can get a blanket or 2 each, we will get this done before February 14th, and already on the bus to the orphanage on February 21st! 

I have worked hard on creating this baby registry on Amazon, so those of you who are located far away from me, can still help the kids out by purchasing a blanket online!

The Link tells you how many of which items we need: http://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/3AEFNC929HITT

You can also bring the blankets to my office at: SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care 7525 Ethel Ave Suite M, North Hollywood, CA 91605

Love you all, and thank you for your generosity!

Dasha Saian

Upcoming Spa Trade Show

Miami is just around the corner! Get ready for 2 days of education and skincare innovation! 2 days of classes, plus 2 full days to shop the trade show floor! We are in booth 404, and will be giving classes at 2pm.

Organic Vegan Lentil Soup with Sautéed Arugula and Oven/Toasted Butternut Squash

Winter is the perfect season to indulge in soups, and to roast squash! If you have never made a lentil soup, now is the time, and this recipe will make you fall in love. I make my amazing all-organic vegan lentil soup with sautéed arugula and oven/toasted butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon, and serve it with rustic olive bread and a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds! This perfect meal with warm your heart and nourish your body and soul! 

Ingredients (all organic)

4 cups water

1 cup green lentils1 tablespoon extra–virgin coconut oil

1/2 cup chopped sweet onion

3/4 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup arugula

1 cup coconut cream

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

salt to taste

In the oven

1/2 butternut squash

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

The first thing I do, is preheat the oven to 350 deg, oil my baking sheet with the coconut oil, and put in my chopped squash. I chop it in cubes and douse it with cinnamon before spreading it out on the baking sheet. This is the most delicious thing you will ever taste, and I don't even want to begin describing the aroma which will spread throughout your home... Pure bliss, pure cozy comfort and love! You will want to only roast the pumpkin for about 30 minutes, and then take out the baking sheet and cool.

Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and arugula, and sauté until soft - about 10 minutes. In a large pot, add 4 cups of the water (or you may use chicken stock) to the lentils, and bring to a boil. Next, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. You may add a pinch of salt at this time. Last, add the coconut cream, and stir in well.

Add the vegetables to the pot, and puree with a hand-mixer until everything has become well-blended. Plate the soup, spoon the roasted pumpkin in the center, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, and enjoy! The perfect vessel for this heavenly meal is rustic toasted olive bread! I hope you will enjoy as much as my family does, because this soup was eaten, and everyone asked for seconds!

SAIAN Pure Collagen Mask Wins Best Mask of 2015 - Professional's Choice

The winners of Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa's prestigious Best of the Best 2015 have been announced, and SAIAN Natural Clinical Skincare is the winner in the MASK category! Thank you for making our products award-winners 3 years in a row! The full list of winners and nominees is here: https://www.lneonline.com/pdfs/spread.pdf

The Best Microcurrent to Tone the Face

SAIAN Skin Pro II is a unique portable hand-held Galvanic/Microcurrent machine for professional use only. It is chargeable, and comes in a beautiful silk-lined, embossed box along with a power supply and a charging cradle. 4 Settings: Cleansing, Massage, Nutrition and Lifting. This small, but effective piece of equipment is perfect for a portable facial, and travels easily! When used with SAIAN peptide products, the Skin Pro II firms and tones the face and neck, stimulates collagen production, and visibly reduces signs of aging. It lifts the eyebrows, reduces wrinkles and crow’s feet, smooths out nasolabial lines, and tones the neck. Only 16 minutes with this machine will give the desired non-surgicalface-lift results your clients are looking for.

Gratitude

Gratitude thinking brings balance and prosperity, so take a moment and give thanks for your health, your job, your well-wishing friends, your loving pets, and everything else that makes you happy! Writing makes me happy, and what makes me even more happy, is being a frequent contributor to one of my favorite Esthetic Trade magazines - Dermascope! If you wish to read some of my recent articles, please do so here: http://saian.net/articles/

Attend a Hyperpigmentation Class WIth Us!

Call 1-800-291-1130 to reserve your space in our upcoming class. Don't miss this opportunity to learn the newest Hyperpigmentation treatment absolutely free of charge, in North Hollywood, CA on Jan 10, 9am-11am!