It is not a secret. Tanning does not do a body good. But truth be told, many of us still envy the look of the beach bronzed sun goddess. Oh, that golden glow. Being an expert in aesthetics, I know spending countless hours worshiping the sun is like asking the sun gods to hurry up and turn you into a prune. While dried-out plums may do wonderful things for your digestive system, it is not a look many of us can pull off. Ultraviolet light causes your skin to go into “fight or flight” mode, producing melanin and creating the tanned look. But as we age, long-term sun exposure leaves behind a trail of unwanted spots. Read More

Researchers at University of Hawai’i Cancer Center have discovered germline BAP1 mutations are associated with a novel cancer syndrome characterized by malignant mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, cutaneous melanoma and atypical melanocytic tumors. Germline mutations are hereditary gene defects that are present in every cell.The investigation examined two unrelated families with BAP1 defects and found an increase in the existence of mole-like melanocytic tumors that are non-cancerous flat or slightly elevated and pigmented skin lesions. These benign skin lesions were found to carry the BAP1 mutation and it was determined that individuals with this precise type of melanocytic lesion are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma and melanoma. Read More

Fashion and beauty are some of the more common ways to express yourself. Without words or actions, you can explain yourself using colors, styles and patterns. Another common form of self-expression is in the form of body art… piercings, tattoos, makeup and hair styles. But why should it stop there? Hair styles and fads continue to change. I am not just talking about the hair on your head; what about the hair down there? Personalizing pubic hair has become the thing to do. At this time you can do everything, if not more than you can do with the hair on your head. From waxing to laser and hair style to color, the bikini area is becoming a work of art and a statement of your style. Read More

NO SMOKING We all learned in school that smoking has negative effects on our bodies. But do our clients? While in the treatment room, talk to your clients about the aesthetic damages smoking has on their skin. Remind them how much smoking really contributes to wrinkles… especially around the lips. It narrows the tiny blood ... Read More

Every morning I fill my French press with the mixture of herbs with a little mineral-rich salts. The aroma of the fresh herbs creates a sense of well-being and calm. After I prepare my herbal infusion, I pour a small amount into a beautiful glass bowl etch with healing words: love, peace, joy. I apply three applications of topical hydrotherapy to my skin with an organic face cloth. The compressions with the face cloth feel comforting and I can feel my skin pulse from the activation. Read More

Creating a new appreciation for aromatherapy in your spa… and in your life! When asked which of our five senses is most precious to us, most of us will say our eyesight — how lost we would be without our eyes! Second in the hierarchy, most of us say we would be devastated to lose our sense of hearing; imagine never listening to Chopin (or Blue Oyster Cult) again. Few of us would identify our sense of smell as our top pick of the five senses. Yet it is our enigmatic and long-misunderstood olfactory capacity which may contain the deepest essence of our mood, behavior and personality — and the mysteries of human love and sex. Read More

University of Colorado Cancer Center recently published a study on parent's growing concerns and their children. Even though parents are concerned about their child getting skin cancer, the worry does not keep their children indoors. In fact, it is the opposite! The CU Cancer Center tried to understand parents' concerns on this subject. Such questions were asked over the phone: "How serious do you think melanoma is?" and "How easy or hard is it for doctors to treat a typical case of melanoma?" Parents were also asked how many hours per day their children spend outside and physical examinations determined kids' body mass indices (BMIs). Read More

From baking soda to salt, there are several items that are considered staples within the typical American kitchen. One such item is apple cider vinegar. Whether it is used to make salad dressing or as a household cleanser this pantry item has played a starring role. However, many do not realize that the organic, unfiltered kind has also enjoyed a long history as the basis of Read More

When client relationship checkups are not performed regularly, the relationships can take unexpected turns. An example of this can be seen through an experience one of my clients had. This particular client is a Fortune 100 company with a longstanding relationship with IBM. The CEO of IBM at the time, Sam Palmisano, had decided to visit my client's CEO. A week ahead of the visit my client's relationship manager for IBM called his counterpart to discuss the upcoming CEO summit between their companies. Apparently he did not get a return phone call during that week! Read More