Melanie and Robert Sachs are sought worldwide as experts in how to apply the bodywork methods of Indian and Tibetan Ayurveda for the spa and beauty worlds. Both published authors, Robert Sachs is the author of Tibetan Ayurveda. Melanie Sachs is the author of Ayurvedic Beauty Care, the premier text for Ayurveda in the spa and beauty industries. She and Robert co-wrote the book Ayurvedic Spa, which outlines Ayurvedic treatments and how to create an authentic Ayurvedic spa. Melanie and Robert are co-directors of Diamond Way Ayurveda and work as therapists, product developers, and teachers.

Problem: Age Spots

Age spots, also known as liver spots, senile lentigines, solar lentigines, or sun spots, are flat gray, brown or black spots on the skin. Despite their name, these spots do not come from age. This common condition is caused by overproduction of melanin in the skin. As the result of skin aging, sun exposure, or the use of tanning beds, the melanin becomes concentrated in the epidermis and presents as age spots. Age spots vary in size and are most commonly found on the areas that get the most sun exposure over the years. Typically, these areas include the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. The spots can appear as a single mark or in a cluster and can seem to appear suddenly.

The Mandara Spa at Lotte Hotel Moscow, Russia has been named Hotel Spa of the Year – Eastern Europe at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2014, one of the leading honors in the spa industry acknowledging excellence in care, service and standards. Opened in 2010, the 1,500 square meter oasis combines the beauty and allure of Asian traditions with the sophistication of modern spa techniques to deliver the ultimate spa experience. Inspired by the diverse landscape of Asia, the nature-themed spa interior creates a sensory adventure on each visit.

Oncology Esthetics® USA recently named Dr. Spiller Pure SkinCare Solutions a Caring Partner and recognized the ALPENRAUSCH Certified Organic product line as clean, safe and beneficial for the special skin care needs of patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Founded in 2007, Oncology Esthetics® USA is the first and leading advanced training certification program that prepares aestheticians and spa professionals with the knowledge and skills to safely treat individuals undergoing cancer treatments.

Kline & Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Karen Doskow to director, consumer products in Kline's Market Research division. Doskow is a well-known and highly respected authority within the personal care, home fragrances, beauty devices, professional skin care industries. This promotion is a culmination of her hard work and commitment not only to Kline & Company, but also to the industry and her clients.

DECLÉOR PARIS recently celebrated its 40 year anniversary. As a pioneer in aromatherapy, the company continues to lead with its visionary approach to beauty. With a legacy rooted in the science of plant energies, combined with an in-depth understanding of the body’s vital energies, DECLÉOR continues to offer a unique sensorial experience that visibly enhances the skin’s natural beauty and radiance with more than 50 unique formulations.

Ascarfreeme.ca, a new online social community dedicated to helping people who suffer from scarring associated with acne, launched recently in Canada. The website offers access to a wealth of free resources that address ways to cope with acne scarring – from sharing available treatment options, to providing expert advice for improving self-esteem.

In response to concerns over medical spas operating outside the bounds of California law, the Medical Board of California and Board of Barbering and Cosmetology of California have been conducting unannounced audits on medical spas across California. The audits, which can result in significant monetary fines and even criminal penalties, are focusing on organizational structure, governance, and scope of
practice concerns.

Verde Media Group Inc. is pleased to announce that it has entered into a licensing agreement through its subsidiary Beautyject, Inc. for the first ever needle-free injection technology adapted to the beauty care and cosmetic markets. As per the agreement Beautyject has the exclusive, perpetual rights to manufacture, market, distribute and sell the products in North, South and Central America.

The FreeFrom Skincare Awards recently announced a new partnership with the Love Natural, Love Organic show – the new event from the team behind the hugely successful Allergy + FreeFrom Show, alongside which it will be located in this, its launch year, at the Grand Hall at Olympia from July 4th to 6th, 2014. With a record number of products submitted, the presentation of the winners of the awards will take place at the show in Olympia on July 4th, 2014.

Make My Day Beautiful!® recently sponsored the 26th Annual Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational. The event took place at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, Calif. At the Fashion Show/Luncheon, 480 of Barbara Sinatra's guests applauded the fabulous fashions of Jackie Rogers, presented by Troy. Co-host of this year's event was supermodel, Beverly Johnson and comedian Tom Dreesen served as the event’s emcee. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, the premier luxury mineral cosmetics line made of natural, finely ground minerals from the earth, was pleased to provide the makeup artistry services to Academy Award Winner, Nicholas Reed. Reed won the 2014 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short for The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life and Fashion Model, Lonna Drewes.

Weleda, pioneers of 100 percent certified-natural skin care recently partnered with Whole Planet Foundation for the second consecutive year. Weleda donated one dollar to Whole Planet Foundation for every two Weleda Body Care products purchased at Whole Foods Markets throughout the month of March in an effort to help raise families out of the cycle of poverty through microlending.

Vito Mazza Jr. and the team of Repêchage client, Vita Mazza Salon and Spa, recently flew out to Hollywood to attend the third annual Beautymaker Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. Vito Mazza Salon & Spa was nominated in the Best Team category and also in Hair Artistry. The Beautymaker Awards is an effort to put hair, makeup and the service industry in the spotlight for the creativity and styling that completes every look on the red carpet.

Spilo Worldwide recently appointed Vice President of Marketing to Nikola Cline. Cline joins Spilo with over 18 years of experience in the professional beauty industry with top brands such as Paul Mitchell, Sebastian and Nexxus. Cline brings a wealth of experience in driving brand growth, developing award-winning products and forming global partnerships. At Spilo, she will be focused on strategic marketing programs and product innovation to drive future sales.

PhotoMedex, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Trevor S. Harris, Ph.D. to the company's board of directors, returning the board's size to eight members. Harris will also serve as chairman of the company's audit committee. He replaces Dr. Nahum Melumad, who passed away on January 15, 2014.

Sally Hansen recently announced the signing of Madeline Poole as global color ambassador, trend expert, and artistic advisor. As part of the collaboration, Poole will help set the artistic direction for a new generation of modern nail looks and collections with her fashion-forward vision on a worldwide basis. Additionally, she will create the nail looks for Sally Hansen's exclusive nail sponsorship with Stella McCartney Collections in 2014.

Revance Therapeutics, Inc. recently announced that Angus C. Russell has been appointed as chairman to its board of directors. Russell is a veteran in the global biopharmaceutical industry with over 30 years of experience in commercial execution, operations, and strategic acquisitions. He currently serves on the board of directors at InterMune, Inc. and Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and from 1999 to 2013, he served as a director at Shire Plc.

COOLA Suncare recently announced a new retail partnership with ULTA Beauty. As the largest beauty retailer, ULTA provides one-stop shopping for prestige, mass and salon products and services in the United States. Through the partnership with ULTA, COOLA will provide consumers nationwide with a range of organic sun care products to effectively protect the skin.

Dermalogica® recently announced the opening of the very first immersive learning center in Canada – Dermalogica à Montréal. The 1,500 square foot location, which includes a classroom, treatment room and retail space, is situated in the historic Montreal Old Port. Visitors and students can explore Dermalogica core concepts in the state-of-the-art facility that features a Face Mapping® Skin Analysis zone, two MicroZone® areas and a treatment room.

Colorescience recently announced the appointment of Lynelle Lynch, President of Bellus Academy, to its Board of Directors. Lynch has been credited as one of the Top 10 Innovators in career education. She is the only director to be awarded Director of the Year twice by the American Academy of Cosmetology Schools. Under her direction, Bellus Academy has been named the Harvard of Beauty Schools by San Diego Magazine and ranked top three internationally for Intercoiffure's Best School Award.

Lately, with the rebranding of both product lines, I have found that I am adding something new to my daily skin care regimen every day. However, my normal daily routine is pretty simple: cleanse and protect the skin. My weekly routine involves masking and gentle exfoliation.

Spa Estique is a sanctuary for skin, body and soul renewal. Guests can lavish in therapeutic massage therapies, facials and clinical skin care, manicures/pedicures, body scrubs and wraps or find beautiful gifts in the spa boutique. Originating in December 2002, the spa recently relocated and redesigned its overall look.

Vitamin B12 shots and supplements are all the rage, which might not be a bad thing. A large study conducted at Tufts University in Boston found that “nearly 40 percent of Americans had levels of B12 that were low enough to cause neurological symptoms.

Facts: True and false – If your treatment of choice for removing hair above the eyebrows has any chance of breaking the hair, instead of fully extracting it intact, I recommend that you do not perform the treatment because it will give the hair a thicker appearance. 

Working in an industry that focuses primarily on caring for others may, at times, cause you to neglect your own personal well-being. This may affect the ability to perform at an optimal level in the treatment room. As paying customers, your clients deserve the best services from professionals who are alert, energized and focused. It is essential that you take a moment to indulge in healthy habits that will prove beneficial to your overall wellness. Here are a few things that you can implement into your daily activities to help get you started.

Christine Cowheard was born in Germany at a time when the country itself was experiencing a vast rebirth. For generations, her family has respected their surroundings and realized the importance of nature’s offerings, accumulating a wealth of knowledge in plant-based curatives and remedies. Growing up with this holistic atmosphere, Cowheard’s formulations have always been based as close to nature as possible while engaging bioengineering for better, faster results.

Problem: Chronic Dry Hands

There are many factors that contribute to chronic dry hands. Dryness can occur due to environmental climates such as location, seasonality, humidity levels, and so on. For example, during the winter season, the hands may begin to experience dryness, peeling or even bleeding as a result of freezing temperatures and/or cold, rapid winds. In warmer weather, sun exposure, due to ultraviolet radiation, may also contribute to drying out hands in addition to the rest of skin on the body.

The North American edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit will feature advances in green materials and the potential of digital marketing. Taking place in New York City on May 15-17, the three-day summit will bring together CEOs, founders and senior executives from across the beauty industry to discuss sustainability issues.

Cass and Company, an award-winning leader in luxury shapewear, recently launched ART CASS, a multi-faceted philanthropic foundation designed to incorporate the talents of leading artists with CASS shapewear to create apparel that is also wearable art. Proceeds from the collaboration will support artists and fund arts programs to benefit under-
privileged children.

Under the leadership of Dr. Katharin von Gavel, founder of the North American School of Podology (NASP), a group of 60 dedicated doctors, nurses, aestheticians, pedicurists and support staff took their wealth of foot care expertise to St. Kitts and provided foot care services. Thirty-two members in attendance were graduating students from NASP completing their residency program for the prestigious Bachelor of Science in Podology degree.

Marula by John Paul Selects is pleased to announce that they will be working with Deborah Evans and Associates, for distribution into spas, resorts and hotels in the South Central, Eastern and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. Evans gives careful thought to the selection of her spa partners and whose company ethos was in alignment with her own – integrity, high value and dependability.

The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the leading private funder of melanoma research, and the Saban Family Foundation, a charitable foundation focused on supporting medical, children’s and education programs in the United States and Israel, recently awarded $2.25 million in grants to three teams of investigators based at institutions in Israel and the United States. These awards will support research to improve the treatment of melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer. The Saban Family Foundation-MRA Team Science Awards represent the first regionally targeted funding opportunity for MRA.

Le Mieux Cosmetics recently presented its popular Eye Wrinkle Corrector to guests of Dine With Derek. Hosted by celebrity fashion stylist and newly-appointed Style Director of Bella NYC Magazine, Derek Warburton, the pre-Fashion Week event took place at New York City Meatpacking District hotspot Manon and included a fashion show, cocktails, and dinner for stylish guests.

For the launch of their new brand, Mio High Intensity Bodycare is engaging in a number of unique partnerships that marry fitness, wellness and beauty. 2014 partnerships to date include a series of beauty fitness events with website and media company Well+Good, started by spa industry journalists Melisse Gelula and Alexia Brue.

Spas2b has just released their new edition online spa management courses on a world class, intelligently integrated online platform. These courses feature hours of new advanced content and Spas2b's state of the art online webcasting solution, which allows them to provide registrants with over 50 rich-media audio and video presentations within their courses. Together, these features work to bring about the absolute best learning outcomes possible.

Dr. Hauschka Skin Care is proud to introduce the INSPIRE program, a new corporate initiative designed to support spa partners in their unique environment by generating revenue, increasing retail sales and driving client retention. The INSPIRE program offers on-site training that includes a new 30-minute protocol, signature technique instruction and intensive product education.

Dermalogica was recently honored in a memorable television campaign for Dell computers, now airing in every major market in the United States. Media coverage of the campaign resulted in more than 65 million in reach during the first week of its airing and social media was abuzz with conversation from key industry leaders.

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) recently announced the recipients of the 2014 PBA Sally Beauty Scholarship. With over 300 applicants, the selection process was challenging based on the quality of candidates. Applications for the 2015 PBA Sally Beauty Scholarships are now available in the two categories below. The deadline for entry is November 14th, 2014.

Sante Spa Victoria, a resort spa located in the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is the second spa to achieve SpaExcellence under the updated International Standards of SpaExcellenceSM 2014 from SpaQuality LLC. The Standards provide a framework for everything that a spa does including strategic planning, day-to-day operations, behind-the-scenes processes, leadership, teamwork, training, system evaluation, continual improvement, and more.

Performance Health, manufacturer and marketer of Biofreeze®, Bon Vital'® and TheraBand™ branded products, recently announced the promotion of Lynda Solien-Wolfe to vice president of massage and spa. Solien-Wolfe began working with Performance Health as a consultant in 1999 and became a full-time employee in 2009. Over the past 15 years, she has been uniquely responsible for Performance Health’s successes in the massage therapy and spa professions.

The Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation announces the opening of an advanced skin care and laser center in their second office location on Newbury Street. Dr. Leonard B. Miller has more than 25 years of experience in cosmetic plastic surgery and non-invasive facial rejuvenation procedures.

Signifying the importance of its corporate wellness initiatives, Spafinder Wellness, Inc.® has named Claudia Rimerman the senior vice president, corporate group and wellness. In the newly created position, Rimerman, who previously held management roles at AIG, UnitedHealth Group®, Humana Inc. and Corporate Health Systems, will lead the company’s Corporate Wellness 365™ division and develop incentive products and partnerships that support employee wellness programs.

ZO® Skin Health, Inc. is pleased to welcome a distinguished group of internationally prized physicians to its world-class multidisciplinary ZO® faculty. Comprised of the best in plastic surgery, dermatology and aesthetic medicine, the group of top physicians will serve as ambassadors for the ZO® brand.

LOOK Style Society recently opened at Town Square Las Vegas as the first and only all-inclusive beauty destination for visitors. LOOK Style Society is a revolutionary new concept in the world of beauty destinations, offering a variety of services for hair, skin and nails within a single location.

Guinot is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Landon as the new west coast training director. Landon graduated from the Atelier Esthétique Institute in New York City with a specialty in European facials and has extensive experience in training spa professionals. Prior to joining Guinot, she held positions at Clarins USA and the Clarins Skin Spa in New York City.

DermOne Dermatology Centers has added an office in Pittsburgh, Penn. to its rapidly growing network of neighborhood dermatology centers. The office will be staffed by Dr. Brendan Pillemer and will serve the communities of Fox Chapel, Millvale, Etna, Aspinwall and surrounding areas. He earned medical degree and Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Pittsburgh School
of Medicine.

For the first time in its 46-year history, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) – the world’s largest nonprofit organization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis – has appointed a female chair of its medical board. The Psoriasis Foundation selected dermatologist Dr. Abby Van Voorhees to this honor for her two decades of expertise and dedication in psoriatic disease care and research.

As a practitioner in the beauty industry for a decade, I believe I have experienced every high and low one could encounter. I have had overflowing appointment books and spent countless hours waiting for the phone to ring. I have worked on commissions, for hourly wages, and as an independent contractor. I have made many clients laugh and I have made a few cry. I have wanted to build and I have wanted to quit – and for brief periods of time I did. But even after the times I had become frustrated with whatever situation, I always came back to the realization that there was nothing that I loved more than this industry.

Are you getting enough sleep? A new study published in the journal Sleep found that sleep deprivation triggers an increase in two separate enzymes associated with brain damage. Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden found that after just one night of total sleep deprivation, the blood drawn from 15 young, healthy, normally well-rested men contained elevated levels of the enzymes neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium binding protein B (S-100B) compared to their natural baselines.

Each morning and evening, I cleanse my face, use an eye treatment, and apply an antioxidant followed by a day or night moisturizer formulated for any issues or repair that my skin may need. During the day, it is all about hydration. Drinking plenty of water and refreshing my skin with a spritz helps me maintain great skin.

Many people dread the idea of small talk. They think of small talk as uncomfortable chit-chat about the weather that happens in line at the grocery store or the awkward niceties that are exchanged when meeting someone new. However, there is more to small talk than strained, shallow conversations.

Named among the 10 best spas of its kind in the country, Spa Claremont provides the serenity and services needed to relax, rejuvenate and unwind. The 20,000 square-foot spa houses 32 state-of-the-art treatment rooms, including a couple’s spa room. Spa guests also have access to a eucalyptus-filled steam room, relaxing lounge, revitalizing showers with multiple showerheads, and a jacuzzi with views of the San Francisco Bay and skyline.

The benefits of yoga are undeniable, and there are countless reasons to offer yoga classes at your spa. Here is one more: allergy relief. It is March and spring is in the air, and, unfortunately, so are many common allergens. Data shows asthma and allergies rates are rising each year.

Skin and sun: everybody should know by now that this combination is not safe for maintaining the body’s health or its youthful appearance. While some of our clients have certainly gotten the message and live by the sunblock and hat, others are still worshipping the crispy carcass of Coco Chanel and the texture of her alligator handbags.

Believe it or not, the average spa client is savvy on procedures. They know what characteristics to look for in a service provider and will try everything from shaving to laser hair removal to get the results they desire. The question is: are you helping them achieve their goals? Clients want the best eyebrow, bikini or back wax; you want to be the go-to spa for a flawless hair removal procedure. But what makes one aesthetician or wax technician stand out among the masses? They perform concise consultations at every service and they know their clientele. In my experience as a spa owner, operator and educator, I believe that every aesthetic professional who wants to excel in hair removal services should have adept knowledge in three prominent client concerns: growth patterns and changes, ingrown hair management, and age appropriate waxing.

There are many endocrine glands in the body, with the main ones being the pituitary gland, thyroid, thymus, adrenal, and the pancreas. Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make our hormones.1
Hormones are dominant and it only requires a small amount of them to cause significant changes throughout the body. Both men and women produce hormones in the same areas with one exception, the sexual organs.
Hormones can regulate our body’s passage from childhood to puberty, middle, and old age. However, if they are out of balance, hormones can cause a variety of problems. Hormones are the chemical messengers in the body that travel the bloodstream to the organs and tissues. They work slowly and affect many of the body’s processes over time.

Cherie Dobbs grew up in Newport Beach, California. At the age of 10, Dobbs knew that she wanted to be connected to the aesthetic industry. Inspired by her mom, a hairdresser, Dobbs would ride her bike after school and visit her mom at the salon. She loved going to the salon to help clean and listen to all the women talk about their concerns. Occasionally, the suppliers would come in drop off samples and everyone would get excited about the new products. Everybody took turns in sharing them while Dobbs would read the product labels. Growing up, Dobbs starting playing Mad Scientist and decided to make her own lip gloss. Her first lesson – do not to put metal in the microwave!

Problem: Elastosis

Skin elasticity is what determines the skin’s ability to stretch and then return to its normal state. A loss of elasticity (tone and firmness) in the skin, known as elastosis, is a natural part of the aging process for most people. This sagging skin is defined significantly by the condition of the underlying muscles.
The connective tissues in the skin that provide flexibility and firmness are collagen and elastin. Collagen is a fibrous protein that is responsible for the firmness in skin, while elastin is a protein that gives skin elasticity. Elastin helps skin to return to its natural position after being pulled or pinched. Collagen does have elastic properties, however it is elastin that provides the skin with what it needs to stretch and be flexible.

There has been some controversy in recent years about the safety of cosmetics products that contain ingredients known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Researchers at Newcastle University recently conducted a study that found that Tiron has the ability to provide complete protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) damage caused by sun exposure.

Men are the toughest to please when product issues are at hand. I personally make special things for myself (beauty of having a lab) that I use daily. For me, however, I maintain daily protein supplementation, a dietary supplement regimen that fits my body, and a lotion that I use all over daily that consists of lipids which maintain normal skin function. Not sexy, but complete!

UStyle Day Spa Salon is celebrating its grand opening under the direction of owners, Alana and Vanessa Elia. They traveled from Paris to Miami intent to change the professional beauty industry by creating one of the best day spas in America. U Style Day Spa Salon is a luxurious new sanctuary where clients can relax, rejuvenate and be pampered by a skilled team of hair, skin, nail, makeup, massage and spa experts within an elegant environment.

Nails are more than a fashion statement – they reflect our overall health. A new video from the American Academy of Dermatology provides advice on how your clients can keep their nails looking their best.
According to board-certified dermatologist Phoebe Rich, M.D., F.A.A.D., nails should always be kept clean and dry and they should be cut straight across using sharp nail scissors or clippers.

When establishing relationships with your clients, it is important that they feel comfortable prior to receiving a treatment. In order to make a lasting impression, there are many things to take into account that will benefit, or hinder, the client’s overall experience. The client’s comfort level may be the determining factor in whether or not they return to your spa to receive another treatment. From spa cleanliness to listening and achieving the client’s wants and needs, here are 10 things that will help ensure your clients’ comfort level:

Mary Van is a highly trained and nationally renowned makeup artist who is dedicated and passionate about all things natural. Van is devoted to her Mineralogie and Demaur Cosmetic’s team and, more importantly, to each client. Her desire to bring natural and nourishing makeup to women’s complexions led her to create a successful international corporation, which features a high quality, 100 percent mineral makeup that is distributed and sold in over 12 countries. Her mantra is the backbone of the company, “Protect, nourish, hydrate and love your skin – just don’t forget to add some color. Take care of what you have from the inside out”. Embracing the beauty and benefits of color theory and mineral makeup changed my life and career path.

Problem: Men with Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition where patches of the skin darken and appear brown. The condition is not an infection of any kind and is not cancerous. Melasma is not considered transmissible or contagious and it does not appear due to any certain allergy. It is a form of hyperpigmentation and most frequently shows on the face, specifically the forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip, cheeks and chin – but can also be seen on the forearm and neck. Interestingly, melasma patches are commonly symmetrical in appearance and can be confluent or punctate in shape. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is more commonly seen on women, though it still affects approximately 10 percent of men. Melasma affects over five million Americans and generally appears on people with darker skin tones, such as Latinos or Hispanics, because they have more active melanocytes than those with lighter skin tones. North African, African-American, Asian, Indian, Middle Easter, and Mediterranean skins also have a higher chance of developing the skin condition.