3 min read
There is a great amount of confusion regarding the use of sunscreen. There is a myriad of different products on the market with SPF (sun protection factor) values ranging from 2 to over 100. Products claiming they are waterproof; products offering protection from UVA and UVB rays. Furthermore, these products are available in many different ... Read More
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3 min read
Work burnout is very common in the beauty industry and spa and bodywork professionals often experience it. Burnout can take the form of irritation, fatigue, apathy, lack of interest in the day’s work or even in physical illness. Aestheticians and massage therapists have physically and energetically challenging jobs, where daily client work can often become ... Read More
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4 min read
It is no secret that winter’s colder temperatures and dreary days can affect our moods. You have probably heard the term “the winter blahs” and maybe you are experiencing them right now. On the other hand, maybe what you are feeling is not actually connected to the weather at all. Maybe it is something that ... Read More
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4 min read
Why did you want to become an aesthetician? What was it about this industry that hooked you and drew you into the exciting world of skin care? There are many reasons to love what we do. The key is to remember them when we need a pick-me-up. Whether it be a client who has completely ... Read More
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4 min read
Thanks for inviting me to dinner tonight. Without telling you, I am going to show up an hour earlier than expected. I guess that will cause you a little bit of panic. Perhaps I will ask for a tour of your home and I will certainly have to visit your restroom. While you are busy ... Read More
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14 min read
Inflammation – What Does It Mean? Let us begin by exploring the meaning of the word and what is implied when we speak about the effects of inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be a temporary response to a minor infliction to the skin or it can be a major response to systemic infection or other key assault on the body. This short article is but a portal into a greater exploration that requires further reading and study. Inflammation: (L. inflammare, from flamma, flame) The complicated physiological process in mobilization of body defenses against foreign substances and infection agents, and repair damage from such agents.1 Inflammatory Response: A complex series of interactions between fragments of damaged cells, surrounding tissues, circulating blood cells and specific antibodies; typical of infection.2 The Immune Response – Inflammation The signs of inflammation are redness, swelling, heat and pain with an inability for normal cells to function correctly. Inflammation occurs only in vascular tissues.3 The purpose of the inflammatory response is to mobilize the body's defenses against infection.4 The biological signs of inflammation are Read More
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11 min read
In the suburbs of Philadelphia on the affluent Main Line, the name “Ilona” has come to be synonymous with holistic skin and body care. In the early 1980s when Ilona Csaky first posted the word “aesthetics” on her business sign, most people were puzzled about its meaning. Since that time when she introduced the serious holistic spa concept to the area, she has become known for offering aesthetics for the whole body, externally and internally. Born and raised in a small village in Hungary, Ilona developed her strong will and determination due to the life she had there. Because of the communist system and her family's situation, she was helping her mother care for the family by the tender age of five. As the second oldest of eight siblings, there was a lot of work to be done and children of which to take care. Yet Ilona's curious mind afforded her a way to get an education. When she was in first grade, she was in charge of caring for her one-year old brother. While the other siblings went to work in the fields, Ilona would carry her one-year old brother to and from school, just so that she could Read More
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8 min read
They are the chemical messengers that control nearly every aspect of the human body. Without hormones, growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, mood control, digestion and other necessary functions would not be possible.Small changes in hormones can cause big changes within the bodyand the skin. Hormonally induced skin conditions, like acne and melasmacan be frustrating, asfluctuations in hormones are unpredictable and often not easily detected, even with medical testing. Knowing the pivotal times in life when hormonal fluctuations are most likely to occur and becoming familiar with the skin conditions influenced by hormonal changes are crucial to successfully controlling hormonally induced skin concerns. Read More
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12 min read
Understanding hormones and their effect on the skin, from the teenage years to perimenopause and menopause, is challenging for many skin care specialists. Journeying through the roller coaster with many clients can be rough sailing. Understanding the prominent hormones in the body is essential in order to correctly diagnose, treat and prevent hormone related skin conditions. Estrogen and progesterone are the main partners in this delicate balancing act. Designed to work together as a team, when that balance leans more to one direction than the other, a whole host of problems occur. Read More
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13 min read
Imagine entering a private sanctuary just for you. Greeted by a potpourri of natural aromas, you breathe deeply to smell a hint of sage, rosemary and lavender. The energy is sublime and you immediately feel welcomed. Safe and secure, you sink into the facial chair and feel like you are floating on a cloud. The lighting is soft but not dark. You hear a hint of music with a rhythm that calls to your soul. Who is that artist, you wonder. The therapist is warm and professional as she asks a series of questions to discover your needs and purpose for your visit. Her soothing voice walks you through the steps she will take. During the treatment it feels as if the therapist becomes attuned with an unseen energy that makes the treatment different from any other. Sixty minutes later you feel completely transformed. Read More
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