Selecting a Receptionist for your Spa or Salon

As the first person your customers communicate with – on the phone and upon entering the spa, the receptionist needs to make a good first impression. A great receptionist is someone on the front lines who has a professional appearance and attitude. Not many people know this, but I have spent 8 years out of my 17 years of industry experience as a spa receptionist. I know exactly what it takes to select a great receptionist, and will give you some pointers on what to look for as you go through the interview process.

First thing to look for in a qualified spa receptionist is a tidy, put together appearance. Your spa or salon is a place of beauty, health and tranquility, so having a receptionist with chipped nails, or messy oily hair will create disharmony in the overall image of your business. By any means, your employees don’t have to look like supermodels, but excellent hygiene is a must! A tidy and put-together person will also be wonderful at organizing the desk, and keeping the work area clean and manageable. This type of employee will never write an important phone message on a post-it in a pile of papers.

During the interview, you can role-play with the candidate, and him or her take down a message. Look for legible handwriting, correct spelling, and take notice of the tone of voice. A good phone presence is a crucial skill. You can trust that an empathetic person will be a wonderful listener who can accommodate your clients’ requests, and will help work out any slipups that may occur, such as double-booking, or other issues. It is important to choose a team player who shows enthusiasm in discovering the spa’s treatments and products. A good receptionist will ask many questions to get better acquainted with the different types of facials, and massages, and will try treatments to know how they feel. First-hand experience with treatments and products is the best way to passionately talk about them, and suggest them to clients.  

A very important quality in a front-desk person is the ability to multi-task without feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated. A candidate who is well-versed in a multitude of computer programs and apps is an asset to your organization. Not only will this receptionist quickly acquaint him/herself with your spa booking software, but he or she will be able to manage multiple tasks with ease. Someone who is technologically savvy is wonderful at implementing the newest apps and programs to help take the clutter out of, what may seem to be confusing, tasks.

Look for candidates with a humble and agreeable personality. A person who easily takes directions, and can handle constructive criticism will be a breeze to work with for both you and your clients. Look for someone with great integrity who can show initiative and improvise, and avoid those who will walk past a candy wrapper on the floor, and use the excuse “that’s not part of my job description” to justify not tossing it into the trash can.

These simple tips are what I believe will help you select the right person for your front desk. I have worked as a receptionist at the same spa for 8 years, prior to joining my mother to start our own skin care brand.  My previous employer, co-workers, clients and I still keep in touch, because that job was my passion and my priority. I never brought in negativity, and I always made everyone I worked with feel loved and well taken care of.  The most important attributes to look for are integrity and a good nature, and the rest of the technicalities can be learned in time!

Best Natural Bruising Creme

Take a look at this dramatic result just after 3 days of using our vitamin K and Arnica bruising creme! SAIAN® Vital K Creme is the most-effective paraben-free topical creme which works wonders on postoperative bruising following cosmetic surgery or injections, micro-needling, rosacea, dark circles, and hyperpigmentation. 

Bruising and dark spots are the appearance of blood which has been released from the tiny capillaries of the battered area into the tissue under the skin. Over time the color eventually fades as the blood is absorbed back into the body and away from the surface. 

To halt the expansion and deepening of unsightly discoloration, we use Phytonadione (Vitamin K). This is the body's natural blood coagulating agent which stops the spread of blood from seeping further. Individuals with low levels of Vitamin K will often experience wider and darker bruises, taking excessively long periods of time to recover because is not enough Vitamin K in their systems to prevent this from occurring. Not only is this creme perfect for post-surgical and injection-site bruising, but also ideal for micro-needling, cuperose, rosacea, and dark under-eye circles. http://saian.net/product/vital-k-creme/

Why Choose a Natural Skin Care Line?

Since our skin in the largest organ of our body, our pores readily absorb artificial fragrances, dyes, and petrochemicals in personal care products. Years of continuous use of fragranced toiletries can cause allergic reactions, especially for nail techs and hairdressers. Natural skin care lines use botanical extracts to fragrance their products, and proudly omit harmful and irritating additives, making them the ideal choice for those who have an adverse reaction to perfumes and dyes.

The Best Post-Microneedling Products on the Market

1. Before beginning the treatment, make sure you have your SAIAN Pure Hyaluronic Acid Spray and SAIAN Cryo-Globes in the refrigerator. The finishing cooling touch is very important at the end of this treatment.

2. Cleanse the face with SAIAN Replenishing Cleanser. This milky cleanser’s gentle and natural formula removes surface impurities and all traces of make-up, leaving skin moisturized and supple. Aloe vera and chamomile are hydrating, softening, calming, as well as anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. This product is perfect for sensitive skin.

3. Apply numbing cream to treatment area and leave on for 30 minutes. Remove numbing cream thoroughly.

4. Apply antiseptic wipe to treatment area.

5. Apply 1/2 SAIAN Hyaluronic Acid Ampoule to the entire treatment area. The rest of the ampoule will be used later in the treatment.

6. Begin treatment by dividing the face into five parts: forehead, left and right cheeks, nose, upper lip and chin.

7. Apply a few drops of SAIAN Hyaluronic Acid Ampoule to the treatment area.

8. Perform microneedling according to your device’s manufacturer’s instructions. Work on all 5 sections in the same manner until the entire face has been treated. After treating each section, wipe any bleeding.

9. After the entire face has been treated, take the SAIAN Pure Hyaluronic Acid Spray out of the refrigerator, and spray the face with SAIAN Pure Hyaluronic Acid Spray. This product serves as an activator for the collagen mask, as well as a light, oil-free hydrator. 

10. Cover the face with SAIAN Pure Pure Collagen Mask. Fold the mask in half over the client’s face, mark and cut the mask around the nose area. Apply the dry collagen mask immediately over the face quickly and spray with more SAIAN Pure Hyaluronic Acid Spray, molding gently to the face and neck with sponges. Leave mask on the face for no less than 20 minutes. Remove the mask.

11. Apply SAIAN Vital K Creme to the entire face. This creme provides a powerful dose of Vitamin K to repair the damaged area, supplying the patient’s skin with the means to halt the flow of bruising and pause discoloration. To maximize and quicken the recovery process, we use Arnica. This natural herb, rich with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties is a highly efficient vasodilator of blood capillaries. Arnica drastically increases the fade back time, by escalating the recession of blood away from the damaged capillaries and back into the body. This helps return the skin to a flush and even color in a fraction of the time it would usually take after it has been traumatized by physical impact. Applying SAIAN Vital K Creme to the area significantly reduces the swelling and dark patch, and brings the color back to normal, as well as moves blood through the damaged capillaries for reduced discomfort and pain.

12. Spray with SAIAN Sunscreen Mist. This is an oil-free light sunscreen spray. Chemical sunblocks are never recommended after invasive treatments, and this light Titanium dioxide based sunscreen is the perfect alternative.

13. Roll over the entire area with SAIAN Cryo Globes.

SAIAN Academy in Sweden Welcomes You!

Welcome to SAIAN Academy in Sweden! Train to become a master ‪Esthetician‬ in a friendly and safe environment! We have small class sizes to give our students personalized attention. Contact SAIAN Natural Clinical Skincare Europe for more information, and follow them on Facebook for upcoming class and trade show dates in Europe.

We are currently enrolling students in our skincare, nail, and bodywork classes in Sweden at SAIAN Academy! Small, personalized classes, basic and advanced techniques, friendly environment, safe, non-toxic and natural products! 

Hand-Held Cavitation Machine for Professional and Home Use

Cavitation is not a method to lose weight but to reshape the body. It is particularly indicated for the reduction of adiposity, the famous “love handles” that won’t go away with diet and exercise. Treatments remove cellulite preventing fat cells from recurring in the treated areas, without damaging the vascular system. Cavitation is an absolutely easy and painless treatment. 

Using leading edge technology, SAIAN Ultrasound Cavitation converts fat cells into liquid which can then be naturally drained by the body’s own natural filtration system. This machine is perfect to use on the thighs, abdomen, flanks, and buttocks. Generally one fat cavitation treatment lasts 30 minutes to an hour, and 72 hours must pass between each session so that the body can eliminate the fat. We suggest a minimum of 10-12 sessions for the best results.

This ergonomic wireless handpiece is used in combination with SAIAN Bio-Contour Cellulite Gel, and will become your favorite mobile esthetic tool! The handpiece transmits low level ultrasonic waves which consist of compression/expansion impulses that travel in high-speed cycles. Ultrasound frequencies cause thousands of microscopic air bubbles to surround the lipocyte (fat cell) membranes and with vibration, the bubbles create enough pressure to cause the fat cells to break up instantly. The contents of the broken lipocytes are then moved through the lymphatic system to the liver and are safely metabolized and excreted from the body, assisted by drinking plenty of water both the day of treatment and on subsequent days. The procedure works best to remove superficial fat layers and fat accumulation that is non-volumetric.

Medical Grade Collagen Masks

Our Pure Medical Grade Collagen masks are designed to restore the skin's elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and moisturize! These masks are unique, and give absolutely incredible results after the first use! http://saian.net/product/pure-collagen-mask/

Meet our European Team!

Meet our European team, and join our Academy to get certified abroad! Suzanne and Jeannette own SAIAN Natural Clinical Skincare Europe and run the SAIAN Academy. 

SUZANNE is a Certified Massage Therapist and Master Trainer for SAIAN Academy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and has a background in health, beauty, computer graphics, media and customer service. Suzanne got her training in massage therapy in the United States. Her many years abroad have given her cultural experience and language skills.She is an avid advocate of natural living, healthy lifestyle and environmental awareness.

JEANNETTE owns SAIAN Natural Clinical AB and is a certified teacher, assistant nurse, massage-, spa- and nail therapist and Master Trainer for SAIAN Academy. With more than 20 years in the business and a background in education and health, Jeanette thrives when educating and coaching others reaching their goals.

She is a very positive person, full of energy and is passionate about a healthy lifestyle, human rights and environmental issues.

This past weekend, our European team exhibited at Trendwell Expo, and had great success! They look forward to assisting all customers in Europe, and welcoming them into the SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care family!

Winner of 2016 Aestheticians' Choice Awards Announced!

Are you ready for summer? We are proud to announce that our very own Sunscreen Spray took 1st place as the best Spray sunscreen of 2016! Aestheticians voted, and we won! We are overwhelmed and excited! Call 1-800-291-1130 for current promotions on this item:

Portable Galvanic, EMS, Microcurrent

SAIAN GEM Pro portable Galvanic, EMS, Microcurrent is a unique portable hand-held machine for professional use only. It is wireless, and comes in a beautiful silk-lined, embossed box along with a power supply cord. This small, but effective piece of equipment is perfect for a portable facial, and travels easily! When used with SAIAN peptide products, GEM Pro firms and tones the face and neck, reduces deep wrinkles, stimulates collagen production, and visibly diminishes the 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-surgical face-lift results your clients are looking for.

Sunscreen Mist is Aestheticians' Choice Awards Winner for 2016

SAIAN amazing, weightless oil-free Sunscreen Mist is Aestheticians' Choice Awards Winner for 2016! This gentle Sunscreen is perfect for all skin types, and especially formulated for acne and sensitive skin.This light and non-comedogenic sunscreen is made especially for the face, and is the perfect choice for ethnic skin!

Our award-winning sunscreen comes in a beautiful and convenient spray bottle for easy and mess-free application. The 2oz bottle is the perfect size for men and women – fits easily in lady’s purse or a gentleman’s pocket. Simply mist on sun exposed areas as necessary, you can even spray on top of make-up throughout the day! Perfect to use after laser, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, plastic surgery. Titanium Dioxide provides total physical protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Read more: http://saian.net/product/sunscreen-mist-spf-29/

Anti-Aging Collagen Facial Step-By Step

Collagen infusion therapy is the perfect treatment for aging skin. Freeze-dried collagen masks enhance moisture levels, hydrate, improve functions of skin capillaries, recover loss of firmness and elasticity, even color tone, oxygenate and stimulate natural skin collagen production. Collagen infusion therapy produces visible plumping of the skin around eyes, mouth and forehead. This specialized facial not only provides a tightening of the skin, but moisturizes, plumps, and reduces wrinkles for up to 3 weeks. Ideally, clients are encouraged to return for a facial once every 3-4 weeks, and the average cost is $150-$180 for an hour – hour and a half facial.

This unique and luxurious treatment infuses collagen and elastin nano-molecules into skin. The result is younger and suppler skin after just one treatment with natural dry-freeze collagen sheet masks. For the best results, choose German masks which are made from the highest quality medical-grade freeze-dried insoluble collagen fibers. It's also preferable to have fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, to avoid any reaction. These masks come dry, are soaked with an activator solution, and then molded to the face for 20 minutes. 

Cleanse the face with a gentle milky cleanser. To hydrate aging skin, it’s advised to use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser based on aloe vera, chamomile, and vitamin E. Remove the cleanser with warm water thoroughly. 

Mix a ½ teaspoon of Enzyme Mask with warm water to make a soft paste. Apply EnzymeMask to the whole face for 10 minutes. Turn on the steam and the ozone, and point to the client's face, so the mask stays moist, and the enzymes are active. If you don't have a steamer, use a moist hot towel over the Enzyme mask to keep it from drying up. This mask is based on bentonite clay, oats, and pineapple enzymes, which exfoliate and cleanse out the pores. Enzyme Mask is perfect before extractions. Remove Enzyme Mask with warm water. 

1.Perform light manual extractions, if the client has congested pores. Change tissues often to prevent the spread of bacteria. 

2.Apply a fragrance-free massage crème and perform European massage. This type of facial massage tones the muscles and stimulates the blood circulation. Remove the massage crème. 

3. Hyaluronic acid ampoules are perfect to use with collagen infusion therapy under the pure collagen masks. Wrap the top of the ampoule with a tissue, and snap it open. Apply 1/3 of the ampoule to the palm of your hand, and then to the client’s face, especially to wrinkle-prone areas. 

4.Spray the face with pure collagen-elastin liquid. This product serves as an activator for the collagen mask, as well as a light, oil-free hydrator. 

5.Fold the mask in half over the client’s face, mark and cut the mask around the nose area. Apply the dry collagen mask immediately over the face quickly and spray with more pure collagen elastin liquid, molding gently to the face and neck with sponges.

6.Slide over the neck and face with a galvanic machine (+) upward to increase absorption for the first 10 minutes. Allow 10 minutes for the active soluble collagen to penetrate by osmosis. Leave mask on the face for no less than 20 minutes. Remove the mask. 

7.Apply a peptide moisturizer to the whole face. 

8.Spray with sunscreen.

All About Sensitive Skin!

1. What are the causes of sensitive skin?Menopause, hormonal imbalances, sun exposure, lack of sleep, use of alcohol, use of Retin A, environmental stress, and allergies are just some causes of sensitive skin.

2. What are the signs of sensitive skin? Sensitive skin tends to be thin, easily irritated, with urticaria or erythema. Itching may develop immediately after applying certain skincare products, or after coloring the hair. Sun exposure easily damages those with sensitive skin.

3. Why is sensitive skin becoming an increasingly common skincare concern? As we are exposed to countless amounts of chemicals, and a variety of new ingredients in products, more and more people are experiencing skin sensitivity.

4. What advice can you offer to skincare professionals on treating sensitive and rosacea-prone skin? When treating sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, it’s advised to avoid using the steamer and hot towels during the facial, as well as doing strong extractions, mechanical exfoliation, and excessive massages. Stimulating sensitive skin can lead to broken capillaries, increased redness, and irritation.

5. How are skincare manufacturers and spas responding to the issue with relevant products and treatments? More and more skincare manufacturers are now offering products without harsh fragrances, and containing soothing and calming ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe, and chamomile.

6. Are there any ingredients that are ideal for treating sensitive skin? The ideal moisturizers for sensitive skin are hyaluronic acid, squalane, and apricot kernel oil. Adding aloe and chamomile helps soothe and heal, as well as vitamin E. Mineral sunscreens are always advised to help protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

7. Are there any ingredients that should be avoided? Products containing scrubbing beads should be avoided, as well as those containing which hazel, peppermint, menthol and alcohol.

8. What are some ways spas can help ease sensitive skin during treatments? Providing treatments with fragrance-free (hypoallergenic) products, avoiding the use of harsh cleaning agents in the treatment rooms, and performing services using lukewarm water all reduce skin sensitivity.

Treating Cellulite With the Newest European Ingredients

Cellulite is nothing more than normal fat beneath the skin. The fat appears bumpy as a result of the skin’s inability to hold back the pockets of fat cells which push up against the connective tissue below the epidermis. This results in a dimpled and pocketed texture on the the thighs, hips and buttocks, arms and the abdomen. 

SAIAN Bio-Contour Slimming Cellulite Gel lessens the appearance of cellulite areas by reducing the volume of fat cells and moisturizing the skin. It is absolutely natural, easy to use, and safe. The main ingredients used in this product are Adiposlim™ and Adipoless™. Adiposlim™ is  a main component of dermal structure proteins and lauric acid. Both ingredients target the adipocytes, amongst the biggest cells in the body and used to store fat. Adiposlim releases fatty acids into the blood stream, preventing them from clumping together. Adipoless™ is quinoa extract - the role of quinoa is to stop cell maturation and force the adipocytes to become dormant. A clinical trial using Adiposlim™ on the thigh area showed a visual improvement in the appearance of cellulite in 71% of treated subjects.

SAIAN Bio-Contour Slimming Cellulite Gel gel is water-based and fragrance-free, and is perfect to use with radio frequency equipment, cavitation machine, microcurrent, galvanic, and ultrasonic. It is also ideal for body wraps, thigh and abdomen wraps, and arm wraps. This gel’s revitalizing properties make it an obvious choice when it comes to natural slimming therapy.

• Reduces the appearance of cellulite dimples
• Tones and firms for a smooth and toned look
• Moisturizes and hydrates the skin

Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally - 3 Weeks to a Healthier New You!

Seeing my grandmother's medication list is quite depressing - there are medications to lower cholesterol, to reduce tremors, to dilute blood, to lower blood pressure... and about 20 more pills to reduce the side effects of each of the major pills.  If left untreated, hypertension can dramatically increase your risk for heart attacks, strokes and peripheral arterial disease.  As we age, it is important to turn to the natural remedies first, before committing to medications that can throw off the body's hormones, alter the sleep cycle, weaken nerve endings, change neurotransmitter activity, induce muscle atrophy, and cause the thyroid to go "out of whack". Your body is a very finely-tuned instrument, and it will try to repair itself whenever something is wrong - you just have to know what to feed it.

Before giving any advice regarding supplements and diet, I have to remind you that all bodies are different, and that all systems work for some people. There is no need to frantically purchase all the items I list in the article, but incorporating some of these supplements, foods, and exercises into your daily routine will greatly benefit you!

Becoming more active can lower the systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) by an average of 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) - that's as good as some blood pressure medications. Healthy blood pressure can be maintained by engaging your body in regular exercise- walking, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and deep breathing can all be extremely beneficial.

Reducing sodium and alcohol, as well as adding supplements to the diet are great ways to keep your readings low. Here are my supplement suggestions for regulating blood pressure naturally:

Vitamin D-3
Consider taking 5,000 IU of vitamin D-3 daily. Getting enough sunshine throughout the day, and monitoring your blood D-3 levels is always a great idea. Research shows that vitamin D-3 plays a very important role in preventing disease and maintaining optimal health. We have about 30,000 genes in our bodies, and vitamin D-3 affects nearly 3,000 of them. Your skin creates same D-3 in response to sunlight as the D-3 you get from an oral supplement, and it’s much safer than tanning!

Vitamin K-2
More than 90% of the Nation is deficient in vitamin K. This vitamin is abundant in Japanese fermented natto, but can be purchased as a supplement over the counter. 100 mcg per day of vitamin K-2 is enough to help make your bones stronger, increase vascular health, and support the immune system!

Omega 3

Make sure you’re taking Omega 3 oils daily – I recommend 2 soft gels a day, each with 180 EPA / 120 DHA. While doing my cancer research for mom, I came across Johanna Budwig - based on her work on fatty acids she developed a diet that she believed was useful in the treatment of cancer. She was a German biochemist, pharmacist and held doctorate degrees in physics and chemistry. Budwig was nominated for the Nobel Prize 6 times, and her genius recipe is still reviving patients, and helping them live longer. You can look up the “Budwig Diet” for additional info and recipe.

Potassium

This mineral is essential for our body's functions - it supports electrolyte mineral balance, strengthens the heart muscle, and supports nerve conduction. Many population studies have found links between low potassium intakes and an increased risk of high blood pressure and death from stroke. If you're active, you should know that a lot of potassium is lost in heavy sweating. The loss of potassium from the cell will result in intra-cellular water loss - dehydration that will become chronic unless more water and some high potassium-containing foods are added to the daily diet. Continued pattern of potassium loss from the body will result in excess sodium retention by the kidneys and the first stages of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, heart disease and irregular pulse will ensue.

By eating more fruit (bananas, raisins, dried apricots) and vegetables (potatoes, yams, kale, beets), you will increase your potassium levels and help to restore the balance. This will help your kidneys to work more efficiently - and help to lower your blood pressure to a healthy level. Supplements are available in 99mg, and can be taken 1-5 times daily with food.

CoQ10 
Coenzyme Q-10 is a natural substance found in every cell of the human body. In our mid twenties its activity decreases, so we need to maintain healthy levels of it with supplements. Naturally occurring in the tissue of plants, CoQ10 (also known as “ubiquinone”) is a vitamin-like anti-oxidant that boosts cellular activity. CoQ10 is an critical antioxidant that not only neutralizes free radicals, but is also important in energy production (ATP). CoQ10 helps the body in many other ways like reducing high blood pressure, cholesterol, reverse neuro-degenerative disease, prevent heart diseases. CoQ10 is known to be taken as high as 1000mg/day without side effects!

Collagen and Polypeptide Delivery Combinations - Why they Matter

Have you ever wondered if your collagen cremes and serums were effective? Collagen tends to have a bad rep, because its "large molecule" has a hard time absorbing into the skin, to treat elastosis effectively. 

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. I recommend using a serum instead of a crème, since a serum is water-based, has no oils, and is most easily absorbed. 

Determine your Skin Type and Choose the Best Daily Routine!

Our skin is in its most natural state upon waking in the morning. Take a look at your skin when you first wake up. If you see oils only on the tip of the nose, but overall dryness, then you have dry skin. Oils on the T-zone usually signify normal skin, oils all over the face, accompanied by blemishes often signify acneic skin.

Each client’s skin has unique needs, so selecting the right products is very important. There are many types of cleansers available on the market, and there is no one perfect product for all. Typically, older clients have dry skin and prefer milky cleansers because they don’t strip the skin of natural oils, and moisturize as they clean. Younger clients may prefer a foamy cleanser, which makes the face feel “squeaky clean” and tight. Different cleansers are made with ingredients added specifically to treat certain skin types. For example, aloe and chamomile are added to soothe sensitive skin, salicylic and AHA to treat oily, and acne-prone skin. 

Applying serum 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. For everyone over 30, 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. 

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 the skin to breathe, such as a hyaluronic peptide crème, or an antioxidant leave-on mask at night.

The most important step in the evening is washing the face thoroughly! My nighttime regimen is very simple - it doesn’t matter how tired I am at the end of the day, I always wash off my make-up, apply my hyaluronic acid/peptide serum (I use SAIAN Active renewal serum) to the face and neck, and tie back my hair to avoid breakouts caused by hair product residue touching the sides of the face.

Anti-Aging Skin Treatments for the Neck and Chest

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 are a result of our muscles losing elasticity, so along with a proper skincare regime, we have to learn to firm and tone the muscles to hold the skin tightly. 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, and slowing down of collagen production. This, of course causes the face to look much older than it may look otherwise. Also, genetics play a big role in the way our skin looks in that area. While many women take very good care of the skin on their face, the neck and chest often reveal their true age. 

SIGNS OF AGING ON NECK AND DÉCOLLETÉ 

Because the skin on the neck and décolleté is thinner and less elastic than skin in other areas, it’s more susceptible to environmental damage, which is compounded by the fact that this area is much more likely to be neglected and unprotected. The most common types of skin problems that are seen on the neck and chest are hyperpigmentation (brown spots), wrinkles, crinkliness, horizontal “necklace lines”, redness, blotchiness, elastosis, and skin tags. More complicated issues such as cutis rhomboidalis nuchae (leathery deep wrinkling on the back of the neck), and poikiloderma of Civatte (usually affects the front and sides of the neck in mostly fair-skinned clients) both result from long-term sun damage, are benign, and require gentle care. The skin on the neck is definitely different than that on the face, and if not well taken care of, will create unattractive disharmony that many women are self-conscious about. 

SPECIALIZED SPA TREATMENTS 

There is a variety of different anti-aging neck and décolleté treatments that can be done in the spa to address these issues above. Most clients will require a series of treatments to see results, so it is advised to suggest a package deal of 3 – 6 treatments. Treatments range from the most basic enzyme exfoliation, to laser rejuvenation, and prices can be set according to your area. 

Exfoliation 

To achieve a lifting effect, estheticians should start the cleansing and exfoliation routine upwards from the décolleté and continue to the face. 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. Enzyme masks are generally more gentle and more safe than acids, and don’t thin the skin like Retin-A. 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. Dry enzyme masks that are activated moments before application are more potent, and have a longer shelf-life than pre-activated gel-like masks. This type of facial exfoliant usually comes in the form of a mask based on marine clay, bentonite, or oats. This is my favorite type of enzyme mask, because it’s more gentle than an enzyme peel, which generally contain 10% to 30% AHA, and is not suited for everyone. An example of such a product would be a pumpkin peel. It is quite strong, so it’s not always recommended for the thin skin on the chest. Just like a chemical peel, please administer an enzyme peel with caution, making sure your client is a good candidate for the product. Some menopausal clients may experience redness and sensitivity on the décolleté, so it's better to hold off on the deep exfoliation. The average time needed for enzymes to do their job is 7-10 minutes, this treatment can be repeated once in 3 weeks, and can be added to any basic facial for as little as $20. 

Mask 

Pure collagen masks are the perfect hydrating and anti-aging treatment for the neck and chest. 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. For the best results, choose German masks which are made from the highest quality medical-grade freeze-dried insoluble collagen fibers. These masks come dry, are soaked with an activator solution, and then molded to the face for 20 minutes. This specialized facial not only provides a tightening of the skin, but moisturizes, plumps, and reduces wrinkles for up to 3 weeks. Ideally, clients are encouraged to return for a facial once every 3-4 weeks, and the average cost is $150-$180 for an hour – hour and a half facial. 

Photorejuvenation 

An IPL laser (Intense pulsed light) usually gives good results for diminishing redness, fresh hyperpigmentation, and stimulating mild collagen growth. A series of 6 is recommended, and the cost is usually around $500 per treatment.. Like all laser treatments, it’s best to do this in the winter time, and the client will need maintenance treatments when brown spots reappear, usually once or twice a year. 

Fractional lasers are newer and also treat wrinkles and post-acne scars. The non-ablative fractional lasers, like the Fraxel, may cost as much as $5000 for 6 treatments, and have a two day down-time. This laser will take two to six months to give the best results. Ablative fractional lasers, like the Active FX, have a four to eight day down-time day downtime and give a better result for the crinkly areas on the neck. The cost of this procedure is usually $1,000-$2,000 per treatment, and a series of 4 is recommended over a six month time span. I like to stay safe, and don’t work over the thyroid or the breasts with mechanical equipment to avoid stimulation of the lymphatic system. 

HOME CARE 

At home, one should cleanse that whole area with cleanser daily, and exfoliate with an 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. Moisturizer, as well as sunscreen should always be applied, to prevent sun damage and wrinkles. I am a true believer in peptides, and the best combination that I have found to work well against wrinkles on the face and neck has been Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) with Matrixyl ™3000. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) improves wrinkle depth, wrinkle volume and roughness. Matrixyl ™3000 minimizes crow’s feet and laugh lines, and prevents from further damage and wrinkle formation.Usually, peptides are best absorbable when used in a water-based serum, with the addition of low-molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid. 

This is the formulation behind SAIAN Active Renewal Serum. Ingredients are listed on the label starting with the most prevalent to the least prevalent. It is important to choose a product which is water-based, and has peptides in the beginning of the ingredient list – this way you can be assured of the amount of peptides in the formula. You may also consult the manufacturer, and ask what percentage of a given peptide is used. Usually, 10% of each peptide is sufficient to give great results, if there is a blend of 3 or 4 peptides in a formula. Avoid peptide combinations that are mixed with hydroquinone, parabens, and other toxins that can irritate the skin. 

EXERCISE 

One of the reasons for wrinkles on the neck and bust is gravitational pull, and often sleeping on high pillows and sleeping on the side can cause lines and wrinkles between the breasts and on the neck. Reversing the gravitational pull can be done by wearing a neck bandage or a compression garment for the face. This mechanical mode of lifting the neck, and resisting the gravitational pull works well when the client is doing housework or sleeping. The best way to prevent sagging, and to reduce preexisting damage is to do simple exercises that tone the muscles. Clients typically see results within the first month of consistent exercises. To target the “turkey neck”, the muscle which needs to be focused on is the platysma. The platysma muscle arises from the pectoral and deltoid muscles and rises over the clavicle, proceeding upward in a slanting manner along the sides of the neck. This group of muscles holds the neck and jaw line upward in youth but may separate during the normal aging process, leading to a drooping chin, sagging jawline and loose skin under the chin. 

The easiest exercise to tone this muscle is “kissing the ceiling”. Tilting the head up, extending the lips, as if kissing the ceiling. It’s advised to do 3 rounds of 20 reps each day for a toned neck. I hope my advice was helpful to better understand the variety of treatments for the neck and décolleté. All systems work well for different people, so the key is finding a balance. There is no need to incorporate all the items I list in the article to achieve amazing results, but I am confident that trying some of these treatments, products, machines, and exercises will greatly benefit your clients!