How Hobbies Lead to Happiness at Work and in Life
Written by Rachael Pontillo, owner of Holistically hauteTM, LLC
Aestheticians play a significant role in helping their clients remember the importance of prioritizing self-care. While self-care most certainly refers to relaxing spa treatments and taking time at home for a high quality at-home skin care regimen, the true meaning of self-care goes beyond that. My definition of self-care encompasses the care of one’s whole self – not only the physical self, but also the…
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Wellness
Sleep... and You
Written by The Aesthetic Science Institute
Sleep deficiency can affect your mood, concentration, energy level, memory, coordination, depression and lack of sex drive. When you take each of these factors into consideration and the role that they play in your everyday lives, what is left? A good night’s sleep is necessary for getting the most out of each day, out of yourself, and out of your life. So, what defines a…
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Wellness
Music to the Mind, Body and Soul
Written by David Young
Life always has its fair share of changes. Over the years, I found that working with affirmations helped me through the rough times and helped me build a new, higher state of consciousness into my life. Not too long ago, I took an advanced workshop with Dr. Joe Dispenza, one of the main speakers interviewed in the film What The Bleep Do We Know? I…
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Wellness
When I have a training class or seminar on skin conditions, I often start by asking how many people have a stress-free life. I rarely get a hand raised. If I do get one, they quickly retreat with a silly statement like “just kidding.” Unfortunately, not many of us can raise our hand for that one. On a Sunday morning, I sat down to write…
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Wellness
The human body was designed to heal and repair itself through its own immune system. Most of the time, it does an excellent job of doing so without outside help. However, there are many factors that interfere with the immune system’s ability to protect the body from invaders – some of which we cannot control and some of which we can control to a certain…
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Wellness
This month I want to talk about balance. I did say balance, and I did not mean standing on one foot with your other leg out in front of you. I mean balance in your life. When I accepted the opportunity to write this monthly column on health and wellness and its direct impact on you, the aesthetician, it prompted me to do a bit…
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Wellness
How often have you heard somebody say to stop and smell the roses? Well, how often have you actually done it? And I do not mean the roses on your desk from Valentine's Day or your birthday; but the fragrant, soft petaled beauties growing in your garden (or even someone else's)! Taking It for Granted It is not very often that we think about how…
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Wellness
This month I want to talk about exercise and you. Yes, I mean you – the professional aesthetician. Now, I do not want to preach, but I am going to and I have to tell you how critical exercise is to you and your life. Any time I broach this topic, the non-exercisers immediately come out with “I do not have time,” “It does not…
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Wellness
Most of us educate about the products and treatments used in client care, but when our clients walk away from us, what understanding do they have of the nutrition needed for great skin? It is not yesteryear when skin care consisted of cleansers, toners and moisturizers. It is much different today and turning away from what is ultimately going to have a large impact in…
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Nutrition
How do we achieve healthy skin? Is it just using the right skin care products? Or is it using a sunscreen with a SPF of 30+ every day? It is not quite that easy. Healthy skin begins with a healthy stratum corneum, the outer most layer of skin that serves as a barrier against desiccation and environmental stressors. The stratum corneum (SC) was once thought…
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Chemistry
For years, skin care practitioners have known that regular use of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and other topicals offer effective acne treatments. We have also known that certain peptides, some botanicals and vitamin C can help brighten the skin, even tone and ease pigmentation problems. But combining these and other topicals with specific nutrients – or, in some cases, avoiding certain foods and supplements –…
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Nutrition
Minerals are among the most important elements needed by the body. They are directly and indirectly involved in every bodily and skin process. Along with amino acids (protein), minerals are the basic building blocks of every cell in the body. RNA/DNA, the blueprints to each cell, does not function properly without certain minerals. Enzymes will not form nor function properly without the minerals they require…
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Chemistry
Mitochondria
Written by
Skin ailments and concerns can be best addressed when underlying cellular functions and processes are understood. Cellular metabolism at the mitochondrial level can tell us much about how skin changes throughout time and when exposed to different conditions, as well as what is affecting our skin and its appearance. Currently, the skin care industry is engaged in research to determine the best ways to harness…
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Chemistry
10 Things About... Diabetes
Written by Annette Tobia, Ph.D.
Diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease that results in high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes or "diabetes mellitus" refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. Glucose is the main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and tissues, including brain cells, and is therefore vital to health. Insulin is…
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Nutrition
Corneobiology refers to a broad range of experimental studies focused on the anatomy, physiology and biology of the stratum corneum, focused specifically on the horny layer that is very unique to human beings.1 This science encompasses numerous studies that deal with immunology, endocrinology, neurobiology and psychology. Studies as early as 1964 showed that the horny layer membrane was a coherent tissue of cornified cells (corneocytes)…
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Chemistry
Stem Cells: What and Why
Written by
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…
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Chemistry
Processing Herbs and Herbal Skin Care
Written by
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…
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Chemistry
The inner-outer body connection is well documented and has been for years. The physical, emotional and psychological condition of the human body has the ability to influence not only the inner functioning of the body, but its outer appearance as well. Nutrients, eating habits and food categories all have an influence on the condition of the skin; and as an aesthetician it is critical that…
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Nutrition
Ayurveda (pronounced: are-you-vay-da) is a Sanskrit term. "Ayur" comes from the noun "ayus" meaning life, living or longevity. "Veda" comes from the verb "vid" meaning to know about, to study or science. Thus Ayurveda is commonly translated as science of life or study of longevity. It is the knowledge of what it takes to live a balanced, healthy and inspiring life. Ayurveda originated in the…
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Holistic
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. with more than two million Americans diagnosed annually. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma make up the majority of these cases. The third type, melanoma, arises from pigment producing cells called melanocytes. The ability to spread widely to other parts of the body is a unique characteristic of melanoma that the other skin cancers…
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Oncology
When we enter the spa for relaxation and that all important get away from the rush of everyday life we have certain expectations. There is an ambiance that is created within the spa, the soft, relaxing music, the pleasing to the eye décor, and the cozy treatment rooms. There is however the ‘Spa smell’. The luxurious, gentle smell of essential oils that lulls you into…
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Holistic
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Eminence Organic Skin CareDescription: Éminence Organic Skin Care provides effective, award-winning natural, organic and Biodynamic® skin care to leading spas worldwide. As pioneers of the organic skin care movement since 1958, Éminence combines more than half a century of herbal craft ...
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Next-Level Learning
Southeastern EstheticsDescription: Welcome to Southeastern Esthetics Institute, a premier esthetics training institute located in the heart of South Carolina. SEEI is more than just an esthetics training program, we are a one of a kind esthetics school that offers an intimate setting and ...