MUST HAVE Ha, Ha, HA! Hyaluronic acids are no laughing matter, but they may reduce smile lines ... and more.
Derma MD Hylo. Antioxidants, peptides and HA in this hydrating serum protect skin from free radical damage. These ingredients also improve texture and elasticity. 866.940.7546, dermamdskincare.com
Pevonia Timeless Repair Lotion. Caviar and HA work together in this alcohol-free lotion. It helps smooth wrinkles, and hydrate, rejuvenate and replenish skin. 800.446.3751, cosmoproshop.com Dr. Grandel Hydro Active. Capsules of pure hyaluronic acid quickly smooth, hydrate, firm and plump skin while reducing wrinkles. 800.543.5230, grandelusa.com
110 DAYSPA
August 2008
Biologique Recherche Serum Yall~O. This lightweight serum moisturizes and plumps skin with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. 800.755.5270, biologique-recherche.com
Kerstin Florian Rosacea Hyaluronic Serum. This calming, anti-inflammatory serum uses HA, chamomile and parsley seed oil. It helps calm redness, and balance dry, flaky skin. 888.KERSTIN, kerstinfloria.com
Menscience Eye Rescue Formula. This ultralight formula combats dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. It also increases firmness and elasticity. 800.608.MENS, menscience.com
Photography: Hannah Ross Product styling: Danielle Caseñas & Kimiko martinez
glō Therapeutics glōPure Hydration. Acai fruit extract, pink guava and pomegranate work with HA in this lightweight, hydrating gel. It protects against free-radical damage. 800.649.0510, gloskincare.com
MUST HAVE Vegan Variety Appeal to eco-conscious clients by offering natural, cruelty-free products. Ola Hawaiian Body Products Pineapple Lime Body Wash. Hawaiian pineapple, virgin coconut butter, antioxidants and enzymes moisturize, cleanse and refresh skin. 808.959.2358, hawaiianbodyproducts.com
agoodnightkiss Organic Tub Tea Blend Sachets. Herbs, antioxidants, vitamins and botanicals in this all-natural body soak relieve stress, relax sore muscles and nurture skin. 888.241.4496, agoodnightkiss.com
Verikira Naturals Acne Fighting Toner. Black willow bark in this toner provides salicylic acid to fight acne. Witch hazel soothes and tightens pores. 952.746.1290, verikira.com
PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics Eco-Sensual Balm. Palm, coconut and virgin olive oils, antioxidants and spearmint essential oil in this soothing balm moisturize and hydrate lips. 866.PEACE.36, iamapeacekeeper.com 5th Avenue Co. Foot & Leg Moisturizer. Soybean and sunflower oils, aloe and shea butter moisturize, nourish, hydrate and revitalize skin. 614.403.5298, 5thavenuebathco.com
Von Natur Grapefruit Whipped Butter. Paraben-, phthalates- and gluten-free, this naturally derived body butter nourishes skin with avocado, shea, Tamanu and jojoba oils. 866.628.8774, vonnatur.com
44 DAYSPA
September 2008
SpaRitual Instinctual Organic Bath Salts. Organic ginger essential oil in this soothing soak balances the root chakra. Mineral-rich salts detoxify and tone skin. 800.558.5571, universalcompanies.com
Natural Spa by Earth Friendly Products Pomegranate Body Souffle. Pure, plant-distilled ingredients in this moisturizer nourish skin. 800.841.3100 ext.227, ecos.com
Photography: Hannah ROss; Product styling: Kimiko Martinez
Brushes by Karen Brown Faux Collection. Made with 100% feather-soft synthetic fibers, these brushes come in 19 styles, and work with creams and powders. 800.722.0528, brushesbykaren.com
TREND WATCH Self-Splurge Can a day spa actually get away with the same self-serve philosophy as a restaurant buffet or gas station? Adding D.I.Y. treatments to your menu may be more practical and profitable than you think. Destination spas and bathhouse-style facilities have already adopted a “serve yourself” array of offerings. Here’s a sampling:
Guests at Skin Deep—The Body Spa (eskindeep.com) in Huntington Beach, California, can treat their minds and bodies with a guided, self-serve Zen Water Experience. The five-step treatment (45 min./ $45) incorporates the elements of earth, air, fire, water and wood. Guests journey alone through the rooms of the cave-like space and an attendant prompts them when it’s time to transition to the next step. “I don’t want people wearing a watch,” says Deborah Wood, owner. “I don’t want them to keep track of anything.” The treatment includes an exfoliating scrub under a warm rain shower, a therapeutic mud application followed by time in the steam room and a soak in a mineral-rich bath. “When people slow their bodies down, they need to slow their minds too,” Wood says. “This combines meditation and the healing aspect of water. It’s a symbolic cleansing of the body, and it allows the mind to settle.”
Girls Night clients at Boston’s Spa Newbury (spanewbury.com) skipped the bar and got an evening of “skin bartending” instead. This process was created by owner Selena Belisle, based on Dermalogica’s face-mapping skin analysis tool. The 1½-hour event included snacks and socialization—plus skin consultations and Q&A sessions led by licensed estheticians that culminated in do-ityourself facials with Pevonia and Dermalogica products ($50/person). “At first we were scratching our heads, wondering, ‘Is this going to work?’ For $55, we’ll do the facials for them,” Belisle says. “But we’ve had a lot of fun with them; never had a dissatisfied customer. And more than 50% purchase something.”
Forget painting the town, visitors at the self-serve Club Mud area at Glen Ivy Hot Springs (glenivy.com) in Corona, California, paint themselves instead. According to Denise Sutterfield, marketing manager, Club Mud is included in the spa’s admission price (Monday-Friday/$35, weekends and holidays/$48), and about 80% of guests opt to slather on the nutrient-rich, therapeutic red clay. “Because Club Mud is included, many of our guests feel that the treatment is just part of the day,” she says. “They keep coming back to enjoy Club Mud, because they see and feel the difference in their skin.” The magnesium oxide in the clay mud helps prevent leg cramps, osteoporosis and PMS. Its high iron content also cleanses blood, making clients less prone to lethargy. “Guests may think they’re getting down and dirty,” Sutterfield says, “but in reality, they’re getting spic-and-span!”
Are you a trend spotter? Email feedback and ideas to Kimiko Martinez at kmartinez@creativeage.com. 12 DAYSPA
August 2008
Health
Wellness
Cracking Nut Allergies PB&J sandwiches may make you long for the good old days, but for some, the childhood staple inspires fear of a potentially deadly reaction. Unlike other food allergies, which most children grow out of, reactions to the nut can be severe, affecting about 3 million Americans and causing about 150 deaths annually. However, peanut allergies may be eliminated in the next five years through immunotherapy and genetically altering plants, some experts say. Several studies point to a potential cure in the near future—a therapy could soon be available that would alter a person’s immune response, rendering the nuts nonallergic. Genetic engineering may also someday produce an allergen-free variety, according to comments recently in The Lancet from Wesley Burks, M.D., a food allergy expert at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
Breast Practices
When it comes to bras, cups that runneth over are definitely a bad thing. Beyond tackiness, ill-fitting garments may actually be bad for a woman’s health. Wearing the wrong bra can irreparably damage the breasts, stretching fragile ligaments, sometimes causing pain and discomfort, according to recent research from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. During this pink-ribbon month, breast biomechanics researcher Wendy Hedger reminds women that breastfeeding, menopause, fluctuations in weight and other life events can lead to changes in cup size, and, therefore, the appropriate bra size.
Science
Coming Undone Celebrities are famous for doing, and undoing, nips and tucks. But they’re not the only ones. Recent reports claim there’s been a surge in demand for plastic surgery revisions and reversals. Dubbed “undo-plasties,” some doctors are promoting themselves as “revision plastic surgeons,” devoting up to 50% of their practices to fixing botched nose jobs, face lifts, breast augmentations and more. “Plastic surgery is one of the most important decisions a person can make,” says Gregory A. Wiener, M.D., a FACS boardcertified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon in Chicago. “But in today’s instant gratification society, patients are making snap decisions on cosmetic surgery without thinking about how it will affect the rest of their lives.” The most common reversal procedures, he says, are the removal of breast implants, and injectable collagen in the lips and face.
Please submit items of interest for Healing News to Kimiko Martinez at kmartinez@creativeage.com. 128 DAYSPA
October 2008
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HEALING NEWS
HEALING NEWS
Debt May Lead to a Doctor’s Office Paying bills and dealing with creditors is a pain in the neck—literally. A recent Associated Press-AOL Health poll found that people in serious debt are more likely to report health problems, including ulcers, depression and heart attacks. Between 10 and 16 million Americans’ health may be negatively affected by economic-induced chronic stress, according to Paul J. Lavrakas, a research psychologist and AP consultant who analyzed the survey results. Poll findings showed significantly higher levels of reported physical ailments in those with high debt stress. These individuals were also much more likely to have problems with sleep and concentration, and get upset easily.
Ulcers or digestive tract problems
27%
Headaches or migraines
44%
15%
Severe anxiety
29%
4%
Severe depression
23%
4%
6%
3%
51%
31%
Heart attacks Muscle tension/back pain
Saving Face Just as lifting weights can tone muscles and reshape the body, facial yoga and other “facercises” can create dramatic, injection-free results. Annelise Hagen, author of The Yoga Face: Eliminate Wrinkles with the Ultimate Natural Facelift (Penguin Group, 2007), teaches weekly facial yoga classes. They incorporate poses such as the Smiling Fish (with pursed lips), the Marilyn (a blowing kisses movement) and more. Facercise and Facebuilder For Men creator Carole Maggio licenses her facial toning system to therapists and spa professionals nationwide. The movements aim to isolate and work the 57 muscles of the face and neck to smooth skin, open eyes, diminish under-eye puffiness, tone and define jaw line, and create fuller lips ... all without needles.
130 DAYSPA
October 2008
HIGH-DEBT STRESS LOW-DEBT STRESS 8%
Pelvic Fitness New York Kegel queens looking to flex a little muscle—pelvic muscles, that is—now have a new medical spa setting in which to do so. Phit (pelvic health integrated techniques) is a Manhattan-based medical spa dedicated to vaginal rejuvenation, pelvic fitness and noninvasive skin rejuvenation. Inspired while walking past a tooth-bleaching franchise, which caters to healthy patients looking for improvement, gynecologist Lauri Romanzi extended that idea to her own practice. The spa offers individually tailored regimens that help clients get in shape from the inside out. It also features cosmetic gynecologic procedures, such as labiaplasty, vaginal tightening, and laser and radio frequency-based vulvar recontouring. Nonsurgical, noninjectable body rejuvenation options are also offered.
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