What is Aromatherapy & Essential Oils?

What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the practiced use of essential oils from various plants for healing. Although the actual term, aromatherapy, might make it sound as if the oils are inhaled, they can also be massaged into the skin or sometimes (although rarely) taken by mouth. You should never ingest essential oils by mouth without specific instruction from a trained and qualified specialist. Whether inhaled or applied on the skin, essential oils are gaining more and more attention as an alternative treatment for stress, infections, and other health problems. In many cases scientific evidence is still lacking to the exact benefits so it is best to seek advice from a trained specialist.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. Each contains a specific mix of active ingredients, and this combination determines what the oil can and should be used for. Some oils are used to promote physical healing -- for example, to treat swelling or fungal infections. Others are used for their emotional value -- they may enhance relaxation or make a room smell pleasant. Orange blossom oil, for example, contains a large amount of an active ingredient that is believed to have a calming effect.

What is the history of aromatherapy?
Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6,000 years. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Essential oils were also commonly used for spiritual, therapeutic, hygienic, and ritualistic purposes.

In modern times, Rena Maurice Gattefossa, a French chemist, noticed the healing properties of lavender oil when he applied it to a burn on his hand caused by an explosion in his laboratory. He then started to analyze the chemical properties of essential oils and how they were used to treat burns, skin infections, gangrene, and wounds in soldiers during World War I. In 1928, Gattefossa founded the science of aromatherapy. By the 1950s massage therapists, beauticians, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and other health care providers began using aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy did not become popular in the United States until the 1980s. Today, many lotions, candles, and beauty products are sold as "aromatherapy." However, many of these products contain synthetic fragrances that do not have the same properties as essential oils. It is important to seek true aromatherapy treatments from a trained and qualified specialist such as a esthetician.

What is microdermabrasion and how often can I have it done?

What is microdermabrasion?Microdermabrasion is a very popular, machine-assisted skin-exfoliating treatment. Microdermabrasion has advantages of low risk and rapid recovery compared to the other more invasive resurfacing methods such as dermabrasion, chemical peeling, and laser resurfacing. Since microdermabrasion produces only a very superficial depth of skin removal, it works best on improving conditions on the surface of the skin such as early photoaging (sun damage), fine lines, age spots, enlarged pores, acne, and superficial scarring. Although the face is the most common area for microdermabrasion, any skin area, including neck, chest, back, and hands, may be treated. Microdermabrasion is sometimes referred to as "microderm," lunchtime peel, Parisian Peel, and Diamond Peel.

　
How often can I have microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion can be done as frequently as weekly or up to every eight weeks depending on your skin's tolerance and desired cosmetic effects. Many people choose to start with weekly treatments for three sessions, then change to a monthly maintenance regimen.

Typical microderm schedule:





Week 1: first session

Week 2: second session

Week 3: third session

Monthly: fourth through twelfth sessions
Much like brushing your teeth, microdermabrasion helps to gently remove plaque and skin debris. Since human skin typically regenerates at approximately 30-day intervals, skin improvement with microdermabrasion is temporary and needs to be repeated at average intervals of two to four weeks for continued improvement. Usually, multiple treatments (six to 12 sessions) are recommended to see a significant improvement.

Call an expert for advice - Rhaina Butler - Licensed Esthetician

Body Wraps: Natural Detox & Weight Loss

Body Wraps use food grade raw ingredients. The wrap is safe, even for children and people with various medical conditions. No salts or dehydrating clay or sea ingredients are used.

Effective: Enzyme active aloe penetrates through the protein wall that surrounds the fat cell to dissipate bulky toxins into the lymphatic system where it can be flushed away by drinking lots of water. The aloe and herb nutrients help restore elasticity and firm skin tissues close to the new body size as well as freshening your skin’s tone and texture. The product stays in the body for three days, so continued size and toxin loss will happen as the client drinks 3-4 liters of water daily.

Unlike some body wrap treatments that use elastic bandages or plastic tightly wrapped around the body to cause quick inch loss through perspiration and compression, the Set-N-Me-Free body wrap is a safe non-compression treatment. Many body wraps treatments use dehydrating salt, algae, seaweed, mud, clay, and cinnamon creams. Sometimes the client is required to exercise while wrapped to increase the compression. The Set-N-Me-Free Body Wrap Solution contains only aloe vera and herbs, and is not meant to be wrapped tightly. Come, enjoy and relax with the side effect of possible inch loss.  What more could you ask for?

SUNSCREEN is the #1 way to fight aging, and skin cancer.

Experts say the best way to stay protected from the sun is to stay out of the sun during its hottest hours (generally 11am-3pm, or when it’s directly overhead), and to re-apply sunscreen every two hours. They will tell you to look for sunscreens with the ingredients of either Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Avobenzene (parsol 1789), or Mexoryl. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are physical blockers, while Avobenzene and Mexoryl and chemical blockers.

Q: What type of sunscreen should I use, and what ingredients should I look for?
A: There are so many types of sunscreen that selecting the right one can be quite confusing.
• Avobenzone (parsol 1789),
• Cinoxate
• Ecamsule
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Octyl methoxycinnamate
• Octyl salicylate
• Oxybenzone
• Sulisobenzone
• Titanium dioxide
• Zinc oxide           
BurnOut 18.6% Zinc Oxide Sunblock / SPF 32 for Sensitive Skin 
To get a bit technical, you want your sunscreen to protect you against UVA and UVB rays. UVA is what is responsible for aging your skin, giving you wrinkles, and skin cancer. UVB is what causes your skin to darken and burn. While all the information I read is a bit conflicting, here is a general idea of how the wavelengths of UVA and UVB breakdown:

UVB (burning) has a wavelength range (in nanometers) of:   
280-320
UVA (aging) has a wavelength range (in nanometers) of:      
320-400

To get the best sun protection, you want your sunscreen to contain ingredients that cover as wide a range as possible in the 280-400 spectrum. Here’s how a few of the best and most common sunscreen ingredients breakdown:

Zinc Oxide 290-380
Mexoryl 290-400
Avobenzene 340-375
Titanium Dioxide 290-340
Octinoxate and Octisalate 280-320
Oxybenzone 320-240

Now many sunscreens combine ingredients to cover a wider range of the spectrum. However, you can see that Zinc Oxide and Mexoryl cover the widest spectrum all by themselves, and they are photo-stable ingredients. This is extremely important, because it means your sunscreen won’t lose effectiveness an hour after you apply it like Avobenzene, for example, which is not photo-stable.  Neutrogena and some other companies use Helioplex, or other ingredients to make their Avobenzene more photostable. I haven’t experimented with these ingredients, but I doubt they are as photo-stable as Zinc Oxide or Mexoryl.
Many new sunscreen ingredients that are approved in Japan and Europe, such as Mexoryl XL, Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S, Uvinil T 150, Uvasorb HEB, and Parsol SLX, have not been approved by the FDA for use in new sunscreens in the United States.

Chemical Peels - Action and Benefits

Chemical peeling is used to improve the skin’s appearance by applying a chemical solution to the skin, causing the top layers of skin to separate and peel off. The new skin is smoother, less wrinkled, more even in color, peels can also be used to improve acne. Chemical peels can be performed at different depths, depending on the layer of correction desired. Deeper peels will cause the skin to peel for a longer period of time and provide more improvements in the skin. There are also a variety of acids and peeling agents that can be used alone or together, depending on skin conditions to be treated.

Chemical exfoliation and peels involve using destructive chemical agents to create a controlled wound. All peels (whether they are chemical or laser) create a mild burn. They improve skin by the wound healing process, new tissue is created and damaged tissue is quickly replaced. Chemical peels stimulate the fibroblasts wound healing activity, the proliferation of fibroblast activity increases collagen and elastin. The depth of the wound determines the amount and intensity of healing. The body’s response to the burn is what yields the results, a deeper peel will result in more correction.

The terms exfoliation and chemical peel are often used interchangeably, however superficial peels are technically exfoliation not a true peel. True chemical peels are generally performed under medical supervision, and penetrate into the papillary dermis.

Chemical exfoliation and peels are a way to speed up the natural migration process of skin cells. When the bonds between cells are dissolved and epidermal cells begin to shed more rapidly. The shedding skin cells send signals for more cell division, which in turn forces keratinocytes to the top of the stratum corneum. This process helps treat acne, fade skin discoloration and leave the skin with a fresh new layer of skin on the surface.

*Dark skin types are more prone to complications such as hyperpigmentation and should go to a professional that is experienced in treating dark skin. 
Call me if you have further questions 530-305-3908

Waxing versus Shaving for Summer

Waxing versus Shaving is the question for Summer. Bathing suit season is upon us, bikini line hair removal is a must to look your best in your swimsuit. But just how are you going to get rid of that hair?

When you wax the hair is pulled out by the root, there is a 50% chance that some hair follicles will die resulting in fewer hairs growing back over time you will have less hair.

New hair will not grow back in the previously waxed area for four to eight weeks.

When you shave the hair is broke off at the surface and seems to grow back in minutes.

Shaving actually causes the hair to become thicker and sometimes you will actually create more hair, have you ever seen two hairs grow out of one follicle? Yup it is true.

So you ask what do I prefer, if you can't afford lazer hair removal waxing is the next best thing. I have had lazer hair removal and I was left with sparce, random hairs everywhere which is kinda annoying. Waxing those random hairs is a must, because like I said, eventually after waxing some of the hair follicles will die, and waalaa less hair.

Almost every part of the body can be waxed, and only 1/4 inch growth is required.

Beware the longer the hair the more it hurts, so be sure to trim up a little before you get waxed. Almost any area of the body can be waxed exception beards, and ears, but nostrils can be waxed and so can the bum. Other frequently waxed areas for women are legs, underarms, bikini line, eyebrows and face. For men: chest, legs, arms, and back.

Now lets talk Brazilian, no not the country. Although I have a cute story about a brazilian. I will tell if you ask. Anyway, brazilian can be preformed on men and women of brave stature.

Actually, it is not that bad when taking a relaxing or sedating medication.

The difference between a bikini and a brazilian is all or nothing. Well, it is left up to you how much my advice is to discuss your style with me your esthetician.

Now lets discuss the after care.
Avoid the sun immediately after waxing recently waxed areas are prone to hyperpigmentation (permanent darkening of the skin) if exposed to the sun. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and other heated sources for at least 48 hours.
Avoid heavy exercise for at least 24 hours after waxing.
Do not use exfoliating products (AHAs, scrubs, etc) and loofas for at least 24 hours after waxing as they might further irritate your skin.
Avoid tight clothing after waxing, especially in the waxed areas. Tight clothing may result in irritation and ingrown hairs.
Regular twice to three times per week exfoliation is helpful to remove dead skin so your hairs can get out above the surface of the pores and not become ingrown.
No hot baths, hot showers or sexual activity for 10 hours after a Brazilian. While your pores are open, they are vulnerable to irritation by the extreme temperatures and infection by bacteria. So, remember if you are suprising someone plan in advance!

Please contact Rhaina for your next waxing appointment 530-305-3908

The Perfect SAFE Summer Tan - With TanTowel!

I always talk about how important sunscreen is to your skincare regimen. I know some of you are resistant to use sunscreen, now that the sun is shinning and we are uncovering our winter white bodies and we want a tan. How then do we get our winter white bodies tan without the sun?  We all have tried over the counter sunless tanning lotions & potions, maybe you have found one that does not turn you orange or smell completly awful & turns your sun spots even darker.

Don't worry your perfect tan is only a towelette away!

For those of you that can't take the spray, TanTowel is a quick-drying towelette that does not create a mess or unpleasant odor; only the perfect, streak-free tan.
TanTowels unique formula and innovative application offers customizable results that range from a healthy sun-kissed glow to a deep, dark tropical look.

Our educated staff at Visions can give you tips on how to apply TanTowel. yourself, or I've got your back with a professional application of TanTowel.

On The Glow Lotion to extend your tan & NOW  you can add one more product to extend your tan even longer Solbasio Tanning Soap this unique soap has shea butter to moisturize but also has DHA that makes you tan.
On The Glow and the Solbasio Tanning Soap can be used in conjuction with any tanning application.  And that brings us to spray tanning.  I use South Seas Premium Quality 100% Paraben Free Spray Tan.  The South Seas Tahitian Tan solution delivers a flawless tan, with a perfect mahogany color for all skin types.
South Seas also offers South Pacific Sunrise Coffee Scrub, White Sand Bath Salts,  Beach Bling Shimmer Lotion, Moorea Moisturizer Shea Butter Lotion, Tahitian Tan Mist, Tahitian Glow Self Tanner

Now you have a choice to spray or not to spray either way your on your way to a beautiful heathy glow without the danger of sun damage to your beautiful skin