CURES By Avancé is excited to announce its newest partnership in Singapore with Ning Pte Ltd. Ning has appointed Expressions International exclusive dealers to use CURES in their spa and wellness centers.

National Rhonda Allison Educator and Founder of The Treatment Room in San Francisco, Devin Romero has announced the opening of the Rhonda Allison Education Center. The Center features a number of hands-on, interactive classes some of which include Acne Extractions, Aging Skin – How to Turn Back the Clock, Body Peeling, Spa Treatments, and Cocktail Hour – Learning to Customize and Mix Skin Care Products. The goal for the Center is to help fellow skin professionals advance their careers, while allowing them to experience the culture and passion behind Rhonda Allison.

Marula-The Leakey Collection is pleased to announce it has officially launched with Beauty Sage, an online store that sells beauty and wellness products proven to deliver on their claims. Products featured on the Beauty Sage websites are chosen by beauty editors, tested by cosmetic chemists, and honestly reviewed by real women. Marula-The Leakey Collection is proud partner with a company that promotes products proven to work and rewards brands committed to offering the best to their customers.

dr. adam, PARIS announces their official skin care model and spokesperson, Kim Snowden.

Aveda has released the My Aveda Make-Over iPad application and web-based platform. Available through the iTunes store and at www.aveda.com/myavedamakeover, the app allows guests to virtually change their hair color or style. Users can explore ideas for new looks by choosing from a rainbow of color offerings, created with Aveda Full Spectrum™ Professional Hair Color, and a library of hairstyles – from long locks to short crops, bouncy-curly to sleek and straight. My Aveda Make-Over also serves colorists and stylists as a consultation tool to help guests envision a new color, cut or style.

Christina Cosmeceuticals announces the launch of their first U.S. e-commerce website, https://shop.christina-usa.com. Created for licensed aesthetic professionals only, the user-friendly site allows members to order products and supplies while acting as a resource for all the spa’s and aesthetician’s needs.

Suki Kramer, Founder, President and Formulator of suki® clinically-proven natural solutions® skincare, celebrates her companies 10th anniversary. What began with a dream, trial-and-error experiments in her kitchen and study of chemists for the cosmetic industry has catapulted into an internationally-recognized name in 100 percent pure, cosmeceutically active skin care.  Kramer looks forward to continued growth and credits this feat to expanding the suki® line into new markets, personally exploring new avenues of industry leadership and expertise, authorship and social engagement, and her ever loyal fan base.

Taste for Life magazine honored derma e® Natural Bodycare with a 2012 Summer Essentials Award for their new Evenly Radiant® Day Crème SPF 15.

The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation announced the winners of the inaugural Enrolled Student Scholarship Competition during the Cosmetology Educators of America Convention. Four beauty school students enrolled in American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) member schools were awarded a day of mentoring with an industry icon. The 2012 Beauty Changes Lives Enrolled Student Scholarship Competition winners are Natalie DiBenedetto, Rocky River, Ohio; Leonor Del Castillo, New York City, N.Y.; Cheyanne Birchall, Reno, Nev. and Judith Torres, Newburgh, N.Y. Nearly 100 video applications and essays were submitted to the mentorship competition and were posted online for public viewing and comments, with the top five videos receiving more than 10,000 votes.

This fall, HRLeavy LLC and Spa Design are building an exciting program for the Swedish Spa Association, consisting of Hotel and Spa Directors of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. The members will visit New York City to learn more of what is new in the Spa/Wellness and Fitness arena on this side of the Atlantic.

Fleur’s is pleased to announce a merger with Certified Organic sister brand, Equavie. To celebrate this medley, all Equavie packaging has transitioned into the beautifully modern Fleur’s palette, while maintaining its own unique, organic green flare. Fleur’s new Certified Organic collection will feature a “Bio Equavie Organic” stamp on the packaging to maintain the Equavie name and credibility. This “bio” stamp signifies the highest level of Organic Certification given by the COSMEBIO charter.

Massage Envy and the Arthritis Foundation joined forces to host the second annual Healing Hands for Arthritis, a one-day national event to build awareness and raise funds to fight arthritis. Last year, this nationwide event raised nearly $500,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.

OPI has announced their collaboration with Mariah Carey, a five-time Grammy Award winning global superstar with over 200 million records sold worldwide and 18 Billboard Number One singles. Carey will be the inspiration for a line of OPI limited edition nail lacquers that will launch January 2013. “OPI is thrilled to work with Mariah, an industry icon who loves nails and considers lacquer one of her favorite accessories,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP and Artistic Director. “With her magnetic personality both on and off the stage, Mariah serves as a great inspiration for beautiful, bold colors.”

Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of devotion to social justice, Dermalogica, Inc. took worldwide action to empower local communities, children, and women entrepreneurs. At Dermalogica corporate headquarters in Carson, Calif., more than 200 employees assembled backpacks of school supplies for the local area’s Boys and Girls Club. Dermalogica teams worldwide also gathered clothing for women’s shelters and conducted online auctions to benefit joinFITE.org, including $6,700 (NZD) generated by Dermalogica New Zealand and $6,000 (USD) raised by Dermalogica Vietnam. All funds raised for joinFITE will be used towards helping women around the world to start or grow a business through microloans. For more information, please visit www.joinFITE.org and www.dermalogica.com.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will prohibit the use of indoor tanning devices for all New Yorkers under the age of 17. The bills A 1074 and S 2917 will still require parental consent for 17 year olds for the use of indoor tanning devices. “Exposure to UV radiation can be extremely harmful, particularly for younger people, and this new law will help protect teenagers from the heightened risk of skin cancer that can come from using indoor tanning devices," Cuomo said. "This legislation recognizes that many tanning salons are small businesses facing economic challenges; however, protecting our children must always be our first priority."

Control Corrective Skincare Systems announces the appointment of Angi Budroe, licensed aesthetician, as business development manager for the leading clinical-based skin care brand. An experienced professional in the spa and medical spa industries, Budroe will focus on creating new business opportunities, maintaining key relationships and implementing business development strategies for Control Corrective. Budroe has more than a decade of experience in the skin care industry, working under the direct supervision of physicians as a medical aesthetician and developing successful retail businesses with skin care products and aesthetic services within medical practices and spas.

As a young girl, time seemed to go by at such a slow pace. While in elementary school, I wished to be in intermediate; while in junior high, I could not wait to be in high school; and ironically by the time I was in high school, I was counting down the days until I graduated. Then, in what seemed like a blink of an eye, I found myself wondering where the time went and wishing that I could regain some of the time I lost.

The Products & Education Guide is a yearly directory established for the professional skin care industry and is distributed in January. It is distributed to over 30,000 business owners and aestheticians who make key decisions about what products to use and retail in their salons, spas, medical offices and schools. The Guide is distributed to attendees at the International Congress of Esthetics trade shows in Dallas, Miami, Long Beach and Philadelphia.

In the Products & Education Guide you can create a company profile which will display information regarding your company, products, team, training, philosophy and more. This is another way to get maximum exposure all year long.

cians who make key decisions about what products to use and retail in their salons, spas, medical offices and schools. The Guide is distributed to attendees at the International Congress of Esthetics trade shows in Dallas, Miami, Long Beach and Philadelphia.

In the Products & Education Guide you can create a company profile which will display information regarding your company, products, team, training, philosophy and more. This is another way to get maximum exposure all year long.

If you company is already listed then you can claim your listing by clicking the claim button at the bottom listing in the search results or on the right column of the listing page above the map.

If you company is not listed then

An important first step in discussing moisturizers is establishing a clear understanding of what a moisturizer actually is. Several terms tend to be applied when discussing the merits of particular moisturizers. First, is the term hydrating, which means to provide water; contrasted with the term humectant which in skin science means to keep water from evaporating or helping the skin to absorb moisture. Based on these factors, a moisturizer would basically be a product that keeps the skin moist. But in any discussion regarding moisturizers, the terms dryness and dehydration come into play, which people also tend to confuse. Dry skin lacks lipids such as fats and ceramides and dehydrated skin has lost water.

• Microdermabrasion: Crystal Free Techniques Microdermabrasion: Crystal Free Techniques
• White Willow Peel White Willow Peel
• Purifying Fluid Purifying Fluid
• Acne Clarifying Treatment Acne Clarifying Treatment
• White Feather Citrus Epi-Peel White Feather Citrus Epi-Peel
• Passion Flower Make-up Collection Passion Flower Make-up Collection
• Doctor Babor Ultimate Derma Optimizer Doctor Babor Ultimate Derma Optimizer
• Sleepwear for Hands Sleepwear for Hands
• Magnetix II Magnetix II
• Crystal Peel Microdermabrasion Exfoliator Crystal Peel Microdermabrasion Exfoliator
• Shaving Cream Shaving Cream
• Facial Enzymes Facial Enzymes
• PlantCell Lifting Serum PlantCell Lifting Serum
• 8% Mandelic Serum 8% Mandelic Serum
• Getting Great Spa On the Road to Wellness Getting Great Spa On the Road to Wellness
• Lip Shine Lip Shine
• Clearing Skin Refining Serum Ampoules Clearing Skin Refining Serum Ampoules
• Organic Wild Berry and Poppy Seed Antioxidant Exfoliant Organic Wild Berry and Poppy Seed Antioxidant Exfoliant
• Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute
• Outrageous Neons mini pack Outrageous Neons mini pack
• Clear Skin Silver Fluid Clear Skin Silver Fluid
• Moisturizing Cream Cleanser Moisturizing Cream Cleanser
• Spa Water: A Guide to Creating World Class Spa Water at Home Spa Water: A Guide to Creating World Class Spa Water at Home
• The Psychology of Spas and Wellbeing The Psychology of Spas and Wellbeing
• Incredible Enzymes Incredible Enzymes
• Resurface Cleanse Resurface Cleanse
• ZocDoc ZocDoc
•  

As our knowledge of the skin and aging advances, the technology that improves our skin evolves. In the 1970s, retinol first emerged into skin care and has since grown into several classes of its own for its anti-aging and acne fighting properties. Also in the 1970's scientists scoffed at the idea of free radicals and their detrimental effect on skin aging, but now a number of antioxidants are proven in protecting our skin from the dangers of free radicals. Just recently, botanical stem cells made their introduction with the Swiss apple and quickly followed with a handful of other rejuvenating botanical stem cells.

Stem cells are special cells in the body that provide a continuous source of new cells. Stem cells have two unique features: they are unspecialized which retains the ability of self-renewal by cell division, almost without limit. They also have the ability to become specific cells of a particular tissue or organ. For example, in the intestine, they constantly replace worn out cells that line the intestinal surface.

There are many types of stem cells but the two basic kinds of stem cells are called embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells.

As we all strive for health and longevity, there is a growing interest towards the use of botanical-based skin care products. Plants historically hold the wisdom of the earth and can unite a generation who suffers from nature deficit disorder, to be a little closer to that which is unaffected by commercialism.
In the 1950s, the introduction of personal care products came on the scene bringing better living through chemistry.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become widely accepted over the last decade as a supplementary avenue to be used in conjunction with traditional medicine for treating cancer and its side effects. Approximately 80 percent of cancer patients use at least one CAM modality or another, often looking to their spa professionals for additional support and guidance in the process. For most of us, the spa is a place of true solace and retreat. Often times we find ourselves seeking the benefits of spa treatments hoping to regain our sense of self, which is usually lost in the daily grind of life's activities.

"I will just drink more water."

How many times have we, as skin care providers, heard this statement to help alleviate dry or dehydrated skin? The combination of our skin's natural aging process, environmental damage and transepidermal water loss can encourage dryness and/or dehydration. Oily skin can even become dehydrated. "A drink of water" does not always remedy what our skin may be experiencing. There is more to the physiology of the skin when it comes to combating dry conditions and improving overall appearance. One of the most uncontrolled culprits to premature dry skin may be an electrolyte imbalance.

It is a vitamin that actually does not fit the standard definition of a traditional vitamin. In fact, it is better classified as a fat – a fat that is absolutely essential to our biological process, but which our bodies do not synthesize.
What is this amazing, yet illusive vitamin? It is vitamin F. Perhaps better known as linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid (EFA). It plays a crucial role – in tandem with omega-3 EFAs – in brain function, normal growth, skin and hair regeneration, bone health, and metabolic function.
In the world of aesthetics, vitamin F is typically found in skin-nourishing formulations as linoleic acid.

We have always heard that a glowing complexion is not only a sign of youth but a reflection of your overall health and well-being.

Pale skin has been associated with iron deficiency. Dark circles under your eyes may imply you are tired, but also that you suffer from allergies. Vertical lines at the inner corners of the eyebrows can suggest liver congestion. Dryness and lines around the mouth can be linked to fertility concerns. Redness might indicate too much sugar or processed foods in your diet. Certain conditions of the nails might indicate health conditions that need serious attention.

If you are growing your spa do not forget about staffing and employee retention. Entrepreneurs riding out the economic ups and downs may not have spent much time wondering whether to add new employees. As the economic recovery begins to take shape, however, they may want to start thinking about it. But it raises a question: How can a small-business owner know when it is time to add staff?

Did you know that there are parts of our body that we rarely think about … but, they play a large part in our overall health? Here is one: our sebaceous glands!
In the human anatomy, sebaceous glands are all over the body, except the lower lip, top and soles of feet, and on the palms of hands; whereas, the chest, face and upper neck have the most sebaceous glands.
From this gland an oily substance is secreted which lubricates the skin and hair follicles, thereby preventing irritation and drying of membranes. Taking this into account, it has been reported that poor hygiene may cause the sebaceous gland to be blocked.

In Part 1 of "Tips for Effectively Handling Customer Complaints," Kaufman provided five suggestions on how service providers can use customer complaints to their advantage. Within this second half, he takes this topic further by introducing more tips for dealing with customer complaints and how to maximize the benefit of them giving you and your business a second chance.

Explain the Company's Desire to Improve
When you understand what the customer values, show them things your company does that helps you perform well in that area.

A moisturizing treatment is great for dried out summer hair. Make the treatment as directed below; then work it through wet hair. Run a hand towel under warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and then wrap hair in the towel. Leave the treatment on for 20 minutes. Wash out the treatment with shampoo followed by conditioner.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to have vibrantly beautiful skin is by watching how and what you eat. Here is a great tip to keep in mind when considering ways to adjust your diet and begin a healthier lifestyle.

Eating Right Tip:
Certain terms used on labels essentially mean nothing – or in other words – they stand for nothing that is actually verifiable to your body's well-being. In fact, there are a couple of phrases that are used quite regularly and are deemed not meaningful by Consumer Union's very useful Eco-labels center (at greenerchoices.org) – such phrases include:

HydroPeptide's in-house aestheticians, Cassie Miller-Hart and Erin Ferrill recently completed the American Cancer Society's training on How to Conduct a Look Good Feel Better Patient Session. In completing this training, Miller-Hart and Ferrill have expanded their expertise to include hair care, skin care and makeup tips specific to chemotherapy. Their ultimate goal is to take the focus off of cancer while bringing fun, beauty and joy into the lives of women who benefit from the workshops.

This October, the Skin Rejuvenation Clinic will hold their annual drive for Wings – a San Antonio based foundation for women who suffer from breast cancer. With the drive, the Skin Rejuvenation Clinic contributes 10 percent of product sales to the foundation.

ROCASUBA, Inc. donates RapidLash products to Facing the Mirror, a non-profit organization where celebrity makeup artist Lori Ovitz travels to U.S. hospitals throughout the country providing private and group makeovers without charge for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer-related treatments.

Marianna's L'Esthetique Medi & Day Spa chooses one woman semiannually, based on need, to receive free treatments following breast cancer treatment. Service may include reconstructed nipple micropigmentation, ultrasound for scar abatement, hydrotherapy for detoxification, eyebrow micropigmentation, high frequency and numerous products for stimulation of hair re-growth, detoxification, eyelash and brow growth, and scar reduction.

La Roche-Posay has launched DERMATOLOGISTS BY YOUR SIDE™ – a dermatologist-supported program to help educate consumers about their skin and how to choose the right skin care products. The program will live digitally, in-store and at public health awareness programs. At the heart of the project is a team of two dermatologists, Dr. Kavita Mariwalla and Dr. Shirley Chi, who helped develop and appear in the informational videos, offering expert solutions to each problem, plus in-depth explanations.

More than 50 entrepreneurial women representing high-level participation in Step Up Women's Network (suwn.org) recently gathered at Dermalogica® headquarters in Carson, California to share and learn strategies for success. The entrepreneurs, all "Icon" and "Luminary" members of Step Up, attended an intimate conversation between Dermalogica® Founder, Jane Wurwand, and SUWN CEO, Jenni Luke.

This past March, Massage Envy announced a contest to be the company's one millionth facial recipient. It took only three months to find that lucky person and achieve such a significant milestone! Harriet Huan, a Fort Worth Texas member, was unexpectedly awarded with complimentary Massage Envy facials for one year and a one-year supply of Murad® products.

Co-founded by Dana Stallings (Spa Velia), Jim Croghan (The Grand Del Mar), Joanne Berry (Bellus Academy) and Scott Duncan (Spa Gregories), the Spa Connection has manifested into a wildly successful collaboration of event hosting, philanthropic efforts and support of spa industry professionals. The annual Yacht Party set sail this past June with a full to capacity boat of nationwide vendors showcasing products to attendees from all over Southern California and Arizona!

SpaFinder® Wellness, Inc. announced it has acquired SpaFinder Europe, the leading spa and wellness marketing and gifting resource in Europe. SpaFinder Europe, which was originally a joint venture, will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaFinder Wellness. "SpaFinder Europe has created a popular, localized version of SpaFinder.com, reaching hundreds of thousands of spa and wellness enthusiasts," said Pete Ellis, chairman and CEO of SpaFinder Wellness. "By acquiring SpaFinder Europe, we are extending our commitment to provide the premiere inspiration, information and experiences to help people everywhere find their path to wellness."

Murad® has partnered with Murrieta Day Spa to launch one of the first spas in the nation to upgrade to the elite status of a Murad Inclusive Health Center®, offering complete wellness programs based upon Dr. Murad's revolutionary approach to wellness.

Syneron Medical Ltd. is proud to announce it has received United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for elōs Plus™, a next generation multi-platform system featuring the Company's proprietary elōs technology. The FDA clearance for elōs Plus follows on the recent international launch in Europe and Asia.

Scandle®, LLC announces a new partnership with Natural Buyz Ltd, a New Zealand owned and registered company. Natural Buyz Ltd. will be Scandle's exclusive distributor of Scandle® Body Candles and Scandle® Spa Products in The New Zealand and Australia territories. Scandle® Soy Massage Candles and eco-friendly spa accessories will be made available through Natural Buyz' newly launched website which will serve as a resource for education about vegan or animal free/cruelty free products and services for the New Zealand and Australia community and beyond.

Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons, located on Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, has been named the Best Spa Destination by AAA members in the annual AAA Best of the Midwest poll. AAA Midwest Traveler readers voted for their favorite places to visit, eat, and play.

Little Green's Pediatrician Program is the proud recipient of the 2012 ICMAD CITY Award for Best Grass Roots Marketing Program. The program targets pediatrician's offices throughout the country as a way to educate mothers about Little Green's safe and gentle skin and hair care products to use on babies and kids of all ages.

The Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) announced the winners of its fourth annual Spa of the Future Student Challenge Competition. Top honors went to the University of Denver. The team included students, Lian Duan, Molly Tompkins, Jing Wan, faculty advisor, Dr. Cherri Young and partner architect, Cameron Zentz, Director, HBA Architects, for its creative "Power Spa" for teen girls. Not only first prize, but a standing ovation, went to the University of Denver's Defiant! Defiant! takes a defiantly new approach, dedicated to helping today's independent, stressed-out, body-conscious teen girls become mentally and physically confident. Designed as a girl's "Fourth Place" (not home, school, the mall), self-care, self-acceptance and support play starring roles. The student teams presented their designs to hundreds of industry executives gathered at the prestigious think-tank.

Marinello Schools of Beauty just announced the winners of its 4th Annual Raw Talent Scholarship Contest in which more than $70,000 in scholarships were awarded to high school seniors. Of the hundreds of applicants who entered from across the U.S., Marinello recognized 17 outstanding aspiring stylists with scholarships and Professional Makeup Workshops. First place winners include: Yasmeen Frierson, Shana Wilson, Brianna Lee and Janeese Mitchell. Each first place winner received $10,000 each.

For the third year in a row, PCA skin® has been named one of the 100 Best Companies in Arizona by a local organization, BestCompaniesAZ. PCA skin® was nominated in "Best of Wings" category, which gives recognition to companies who thrive on innovation, empowerment and creativity.

RejuvenAirO2 is thrilled to announce Shelley Hancock as their new national trainer. Hancock will be using her years of experience to train fellow aestheticians with RejuvenAirO2's cutting edge equipment.

Merz, Inc. announces Katrina Church has been promoted as the new vice president, chief compliance officer. Church will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership relating to compliance issues. "Katrina brings extensive experience and a wealth of legal knowledge in pharmaceutical regulatory compliance to her new role," said Bill Humphries, president and chief executive officer of Merz, Inc.

CND is excited to announce five fresh faces! Caroline Anderson has been appointed as the director of marketing for the CND Shellac™ brand. In her new role, Anderson will be responsible for steering the direction of the fastest growing nail brand in the beauty industry; overseeing strategic planning, brand management, product development and advertising. Jennifer Harrison, Sarah Okins, Heather Reynoso-Davis and Mette Steenberg have joined the CND Nail Team. Team CND is comprised of a venerable group of Education Ambassadors from around the world who flawlessly represent CND's brand personality. These Nail Professionals were chosen after submitting bids and being evaluated on several categories including nail skills, nail fashion, creativity and presentation style. Members of Team CND are given incredible opportunities to showcase their skills, including leading at trade and consumer photo shoots, managing Fashion Week nail teams and acting as spokesperson for CND at notable events.

South Seas® Skin Care has recently promoted office manager, Sarah Current to operations manager. Current has been with South Seas® Skin Care since 2009 and has been responsible for overseeing customer service and retention, client training sessions, and product research and development.

PSI is happy to announce their new examination site now open in McAllen, Texas. The site gave its first practical cosmetology examinations (ahead of schedule) on Monday, June 25, while computer-based examinations began Friday, June 29. The new site is located at 7000 N. 10th Street, Suite C-4, McAllen, Texas 78504.

The National Psoriasis Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Lois Smith and Andrew Robertson, Ph.D. to their organization. Smith joins the foundation's management team as its new director of advocacy and government relations. Smith will oversee all advocacy, government relations and policy initiatives for the organization. Robertson joins as the organization's chief science and medical officer. As a member of the Psoriasis Foundation executive team, Robertson will oversee all research initiatives, including the Foundation's robust grant program, and guide the strategic leadership of its science and medical programs.

Aloxxi is thrilled to welcome Mindy Dillan as Aloxxi's new director of sales. Dillan will combine a personal passion for color with her extensive experience in sales, distribution and education to implement Aloxxi's strategic distribution plan in conjunction with The Kirschner Group.

Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas has promoted Cheryl Santucci to director of aesthetics in addition to her roles overseeing beauty and retail for the company's 17 locations. In this expanded role, Santucci will develop strategies to provide guests with innovative products and services in skin care much as she has done in beauty and retail. She expanded the company's line of cosmetics and brought in hair and body care brands utilizing the latest technology offering the most effective results. She will also enhance the aesthetics training program, drawing on her experience and success training the beauty and retail teams.

The month of September is upon us and for many it signifies a month of transition. Although the weather still signifies the hot temperatures of the summer months, it also means the return of school and the end of summer vacation. Change is in the air during the month of September, and Jessica Millsaps captures the month beautifully through the words in her poem, September Changes.

In our July issue, we focused on the largest organ of the body, our skin, and how body treatments play an integral part in its overall health. Within our August issue we take this concept a step farther by focusing on exfoliation. 
Our skin holds us together and protects us from harm, but did you also know that it is constantly changing, always evolving and regenerating itself on an average of 28 to 31 days out of the year?

“The food you eat can either be the safest form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison.” This famous quote, spoken by raw food enthusiast Dr. Ann Wigmore many decades ago, seems truer today than ever. Even as we are continually bombarded with new technologies in health and well-being, there is growing popularity in relying on more natural methods of maintaining good health, both internally and externally. This trend has created a starring role for the “super food” category, foods that pack the most power in nourishing and protecting the body.

May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month and three dermatologists and a physician assistant from South Shore Skin Center and Spa will be on site at the free Skin Cancer Screening Clinic on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Jordan Hospital Club Cancer Center, 275 Sandwich Street in Plymouth.

Eligible aesthetic students could receive a one thousand dollar incentive scholarship while attending aesthetic school. Applicants must be midway through an aesthetics only training program, maintain at least 80 percent attendance, and maintain an 80 percent grade average. A selection committee comprised of NCEA members will review all complete applications that meet the requirements and are verified by the student's school.

Carefully crafted client relationships build businesses. Studies show that younger consumers increasingly cite excellent customer service and personal identification with a business as primary reasons for selecting one business over another. Clients want to know that a business cares about them, not just as consumers of products and services, but as people.
Forgetting that yours is a personal business focused on individual needs is one way we get off track. Instead, you must understand your patients, let them know that you hear them, and show that you value them on a personal level.

I challenge you to find even one person who is not familiar with the healing abilities of aloe. Begin asking people and you will hear statements like, "I keep a plant in my kitchen for burns and cuts" or "Many of the products I buy contain aloe." But the healing abilities of aloe go far beyond the comprehension of most consumers. After all, we are so used to seeing aloe touted as an ingredient in everything from hand sanitizer to toilet paper. When aloe is properly utilized the results are nothing short of astonishing.

While chirality is actually nothing new to science and the pharmaceutical drug industry, it is a relatively new concept to skin care. But what do chirally correct ingredients offer the skin and can they provide real benefits otherwise unmatched?
In 1847, renowned French chemist Louis Pasteur first discovered the concept of chirality as a graduate student while studying two acids in wine. He observed that while the chemical composition of tartrate and paratartrate were identical, their crystals polarized differently.

Aesthetics Professional 
Where Passion
Meets Collaboration

Stress, that cliché word meaning 'totally overwhelmed,' is now acknowledged as a proven threat to health. "Over 50 percent of deaths in the United States can be attributed to behavioral and social factors [stress]," says psychologist Oakley Ray, Ph.D., of the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in a study. This and other research implicates stress in causing disease and degradation at the cellular and molecular level, diminishing a person's health and quality of life and resulting in the manifestation of disease.[i]

Scientists and researchers have come a long way in their efforts to understand the properties and benefits of supplements in skin care. The use of vitamins and other nutrients to hydrate, normalize, protect, heal, condition and beautify the skin appears to be the wave of both the present and the future. Clearly, the internal use of vitamins is one of the most powerful weapons in the ongoing quest for younger, healthier, more attractive-looking skin.

For many people in the U.S., nutritional supplements are simply a natural alternative to synthetic drugs, used in similar ways for similar conditions. But, for those who have used nutritional supplements for years and are familiar with the research on supplements and their use worldwide, nutritional supplements are an integral part of not just addressing health problems, but of creating optimal health and well-being, even in people who aren't sick.
This is not to say that supplements aren't useful for correcting specific health problems, but they do so in a manner fundamentally different from that of drugs.

In August of 1979, I was at the end of my rope. I was 38 years old, but I felt helpless and hopeless. More than three years of rapidly declining health had left me nearly disabled by pain, fatigue, and depression; all of which were caused by a disease syndrome that no doctor could properly diagnose. The best that they could offer me was the management of my multiple symptoms with a host of prescription drugs. I had been on over 30 different medications in a year's time, each of which helped with its assigned symptom, but the side effects were becoming an illness unto themselves.

HOLISTIC: The word implies healing and wellness. It is a word that we are seeing more and more in the spa industry. The word actually does refer to healing. When a person is out of "balance", they are literally feeling "torn apart" by their perceptions of the pressures of their life. Because of this, their body manufactures different kinds of chemicals that aid in their perceived defense. This is called the "flight or fight" response. Whenever we feel fear, our body produces adrenaline and cortisol to strengthen our limbs and improve our vision for flight and/or fight.

The expansion into Katy and Clear Lake will leverage the convenience of Amerejuve’s robust esthetic services to provide a comprehensive level of beautification services to the greater Houston area. Amerejuve will offer Katy, Clear Lake and the surrounding Bay area with its full range of cutting-edge services designed and executed by a team of licensed healthcare professionals. Amerejuve Katy will be conveniently located in the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch shopping center, while Amerejuve Clear Lake will be located right off West Bay Area Blvd. 

Laser By Sia’s new Visia Complexion Analysis technology measures skin conditions for wrinkles, texture, pores and pigmentation, providing an invaluable guide for optimal treatment and rejuvenation.

Sia Hendry of Laser By Sia says this new technology means Laser By Sia clinics are able to map the complexion, determine the effects of the aging process on the skin over five years, and then design an individual rejuvenation program to specifically address skin needs.

Are you experiencing growth or is your practice or spa maintaining an internal status quo that actually puts it at risk for extinction? By expanding your menu of services, you can stay competitive – and even take a lucrative step ahead of the pack.
According to the 2008 Global Spa Summit in New York, "The global spa economy is estimated to be over $250 billion." And in spite of the economic downturn, the industry continues to grow at a breakneck pace.

Not all exfoliating methods are created equal, especially when it comes to treating ethnic skin. In order to provide your patients of color with safe and effective exfoliation procedures, it is imperative to understand the differences in the structure and function of ethnic skin. As we become a more blended global society, many patients we treat will have mixed heritage. Even a patient who has very light skin, but has Asian, African, or Hispanic ancestry will need to be exfoliated with more gentle techniques as if they were a patient with very dark, Fitzpatrick VI skin.

Human skin, like all other organs, undergoes chronological aging. Skin aging is characterized histologically by irregularly dispersed melanocytes, elastosis, reduction, and alterations in collagen and accumulation of a variety of lipid-derived pigments such as chromolipoids and lipofuscins. These internal and silent histological shifts manifest clinically in the skin and the visible benchmarks are identified by fine and coarse wrinkling, roughness, laxity, dryness, sallowness, pigmentary moddling, and actinic keratosis conditions.

What common link is the primary foundation of skin aging? The environment. Skin in direct contact with the environment undergoes all consequences of environmental damage causing dry skin, thereby exacerbating aging.

We have all heard of lymphatic drainage and many of us actually perform the treatment regularly for our clients. Therefore, it would stand to reason that the fundamentals of this therapy should be common knowledge among skin and massage therapists. However, as amazing as it may seem, many therapists are quite perplexed by this modality and do not have the level of knowledge needed to be able to execute the treatment safely and effectively, as they are unaware of the functions and intricacies of the lymphatic system itself. However, when performed by a well-trained practitioner, lymphatic drainage can actually help treat a plethora of skin and body ailments.

Researchers at the University of Leeds, funded by Cancer Research UK, suggest that people with very pale skin may be unable to spend enough time in the sun to make the amount of vitamin D the body needs - while also avoiding sunburn. The study, published in Cancer Causes and Control*, suggested that melanoma patients may need vitamin D supplements as well. But researchers also noted that sunlight and supplements are not the only factors that can determine the level of vitamin D in a person's body. Some inherited differences in the way people's bodies process vitamin D into the active form also have a strong effect on people's vitamin D levels.

As anyone with a chronic, inflammatory skin condition, such as psoriasis, rosacea or acne, knows, dealing with unpredictable flares can cause considerable stress and have a negative effect on a person's overall well-being. Now, an ever-growing body of research shows how the complex link between the skin and the psyche — including the role of stress — affects skin conditions.

At the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting 2011 in New York, dermatologist and clinical psychologist Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD, FAAD, of Yardley, Pa., discussed the skin-psyche connection and how incorporating various stress-management techniques into a dermatologic treatment regimen can help patients with skin conditions feel better physically and emotionally.

Research points to need for more aggressive approach to secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients.

Heart attack patients with psoriasis are 26 per cent more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, or suffer from recurrent heart attacks or strokes, and are 18 per cent more likely to die from all causes than those without the inflammatory skin disease. That's the key finding of a Danish study published in the September issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Bosses and/or supervisors do not want to be babysitters, referees, or counselors. Bosses have their own job to do and want employees to do their job so the bosses can get their own work done. If you are an employee, it can be helpful to put yourself in your supervisor's shoes and think about how you, as your boss, would want you, as the employee, to behave. When employees are at work, they are being paid to work for the employer not for themselves. How do employees learn to be good employees?

IFT Member Claudia Fajardo-Lira, PhD, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at California State University-Northridge, explains the facts about antioxidants:

Q: What are antioxidants?
A: Antioxidants play an important role in overall health. They are natural compounds found in some foods that help neutralize free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are substances that occur naturally in our bodies but attack the fats, protein and the DNA in our cells, which can cause different types of diseases and accelerate the aging process.

Communication is essential in all aspects of life, whether interaction is achieved through words, writing, or actions. Without effective communication there can be no mutual understanding between individuals, exchange of information, nor expression of true feelings thoughts or ideas. It is so often taken for granted that when we speak to others what we say is actually perceived in the manner in which we meant for it to be interpreted. Too often we speak without forethought or consideration and our message is misconstrued by the recipient resulting in confusion or insult. Communication goes beyond the spoken word.

The advantages of introducing an organic product line into your skin care practice are quite clear: They are clean and safe. No need to worry about potential reactions to foreign chemicals by clients, or yourself. (That is not to say allergic reactions can not happen with botanical ingredients, because we can be allergic to any substance!)
Once my clients become used to the pure, fresh feeling of products that feed their skin the way nature intended, they tell me they do not even want to touch waxy, fluffy creams anymore. Because good organic products are free of synthetic waxes that do not clog their pores.

Aging younger is performing daily housekeeping of your body, which includes drinking the perfect water!
We are undergoing a paradigm shift in America from the sickness industry to the wellness industry. Current medical pharmacological sickness industry thinking is based on treating disease and the wellness industry is about prevention and promoting good health. But chronic disease doesn’t just appear out of nowhere; it can actually begin in youth and progress at a sub-clinical level, until it reaches a threshold. When the symptoms appear from a disease, it is oftentimes long after the disease has progressed.

For years, researchers have published papers that associate chronic stress with chromosomal damage.
Now researchers at DukeUniversityMedicalCenter have discovered a mechanism that helps to explain the stress response in terms of DNA damage.
"We believe this paper is the first to propose a specific mechanism through which a hallmark of chronic stress, elevated adrenaline, could eventually cause DNA damage that is detectable," said senior author Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D., James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator at DukeUniversityMedicalCenter.

When contracting the muscles on their faces after a cosmetic procedure around their eyes, the majority of patients and doctors commented that Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) fared better than Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA). However, while facial muscles were at rest there appeared to be no significant difference between the two, scientists from the University of California, San Francisco wrote in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.
Even though older Botox is more popular and better known than newer Dysport - Dysport appears to be better at reducing crow's feet.

There is no evidence that Botulinum toxin injections reduce chronic neck pain or associated headaches, says a group of scientists who reviewed nine trials involving a total of 503 participants. Their findings are published in the latest update of The Cochrane Library.
The Botulinum toxin (BoNT) operates by temporarily stopping muscles contracting. This reduces muscle tightness or spasm. It is best known for its use in cosmetic treatments where commercially available products such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Myobloc or Neurobloc are used to reduce wrinkles. Effects begin within three to eight days of an injection and may last up to four months. When the effect wears off, it can be repeated.

A team of board-certified Connecticut dermatologists representing the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS) will provide free skin cancer screenings to tennis fans attending the New Haven Open on Finals Day, Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 11 am-5 pm. Sun damage assessments, sun safety education and free sunscreen will also be provided by volunteers in the WDS tent located in the exhibition area at the Connecticut Tennis Center. This community outreach is part of the WDS award-winning campaign, Play Safe in the Sun

People who frequently use tanning beds experience changes in brain activity during their tanning sessions that mimic the patterns of drug addiction, new research shows.
Scientists have suspected for some time that frequent exposure to ultraviolet radiation has the potential to become addictive, but the new research is the first to actually peer inside the brains of people as they lay in tanning beds.
What the researchers found was that several parts of the brain that play a role in addiction were activated when the subjects were exposed to UV rays.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the second late-stage melanoma drug this year, adding the drug to the treatment arsenal for patients with one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.

The drug, known as Zelboraf, could offer hope for patients with metastatic melanoma that cannot be removed with surgery, experts said. Zelboraf, which was reviewed under the FDA's priority review program, received advanced approval after a single international study published in June 2011 showed that patients who took drug lived longer.

The adage "what's in a name" has often been debated. When it comes to products an inventive, catchy name that sums up what your product is and what it offers is critical. After all, the name will be the first things consumers see on a shelf, a website, or marketing materials. A well thought out name may even make it easier for search engines to find your product and bring it up in the first few pages of Google or Yahoo!. An example of a name that says it all: Tummy Tuck Jeans.

The changes from Senate Bill 1170 include the replacement of the term "facialist" with "esthetician."

If you are a licensed facialist, facialist instructor, facialist booth renter, or facialist salon owner, you will be issued an esthetician replacement license on August 25, 2011. This license will be issued at no cost to you so that your license reflects the new terminology.

To ensure the 7.5 million Americans living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are fully and fairly treated—and to help patients develop more effective relationships with medical providers—the National Psoriasis Foundation created its Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for People with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.
The bill aims to help patients get the care they need by outlining their responsibilities in the health care relationship, and it encourages doctors to take psoriatic disease more seriously and keep informed about treatment options. Read the full Bill of Rights and Responsibilities: www.psoriasis.org/billofrights.

Before back-to-school slumps your child back into the "backpack hunch", build their posture awareness and benchmark their growing body with a posture picture.  Annual posture pictures are a great idea to systematically keep an ongoing record of how kids look and stand.  While kids ignore a parent's nagging to "straighten up", when they see an image of their own body hunched over...it makes an impression.

Botox is unsafe and even deadly? This is a common statement made by men and women. It's so common, in fact, that it’s likely the first thing anyone will hear when someone who opposes Botox speaks. There are two parts to their argument: 1) Botox is a poison, 2) Too much of it can kill you.  
Interestingly, both of these statements are actually true. Botox does what it does because it’s a mild poison and too much of any poison, no matter how mild, can kill you. What the statement misses is the “mild” part and the amount required to cause harm. Too much water can kill you too, but you won't hear that announced as fact very often.