Fun in the Sun?

Like a Raisin in the Sun doesn't conjure up the best image, does it? Exposure to harmful UV rays has been shown to accelerate the skin's aging process, and even accentuate the breakdown of the skin's interconnected matrix, or, more commonly, give you wrinkles!

As I sit here in sunny Los Angeles this week watching my freckles darken, I'm forced to remember the importance of sunscreen. There was an article in the New York Times this past July about the misconceptions of sunscreen and the need to follow instructions much like you would a prescription medicine. This caught my interest, and after speaking with industry skin care experts, I also learned about the harmful effects of mixing chemicals beneath the surface of your skin.

The essence of skincare in today's world is that we are forever applying the latest products with the most high tech ingredients to effectively manage the skin's aging process. But what we often forget is that chemicals don't always get along, and when in mixed company can sometimes start trouble. The mixing of chemicals beneath the surface of the skin, and especially when the sun's heat is added to the equation, can actually lead to other skin problems and even damage the skin's cellular structure; sometimes applying sunscreen can be in vain (yes, pun intended).

So how can we cover all our bases? IS Clinical's approach to sunscreen is by far my favorite. They have determined a way to microencapsulate the sunscreen to create little spheres of sunscreen that sit on your skin's surface without ever penetrating your skin. This means that not only are you truly shielded by that protective barrier, anything that is on your skin underneath that shield (meaning your high tech-ingredient serums and moisturizers) will never come into contact with the metals and chemicals necessary to ensure full UV protection.

Now don't go throwing away all your spf products yet- they are still effective for the body and, in a pinch, will do for your face! Being proactive about skincare is always a great idea, so have your fun in the sun, but be mindful of the damage that could be done!

Will you apply liberally?

Put a Spring in Your Step!

This Thursday we officially welcome Spring!

Time to show off those tootsies in your strappy sandals and peep-toed pumps but first, time to get your winter feet a pedicure! Besides making your feet look more presentable, a pedicure has many health benefits, too, as most pampering spa therapies do! (we're so clever, we spa citizens).
Your feet feel pressure like no other body part does: a cumulative force of several hundred tons in just one day, according to http://www.footweb.com/ experts. Calluses, or an accumulation of dead skin, can cause an uneven distribution of pressure and can lead to all sorts of imbalances from a physiological perspective; an imbalance in your feet can manifest itself in your knees, your back, and therefore, your overall posture. That certainly puts the necessity of foot care in perspective, doesn't it?

Pedicures aren't just for pretty toes anymore! Licensed nail technicians know how to rid your feet of these horrid calluses and alleviate accumulated pressure from the feet using reflexology techniques. Reflexology can address your overall wellbeing; after all, the foot is a map of the body, and stimulation of certain points can actually send healing energy to your internal organs.

But let's not forget that sexy feet are always a good look! New nail polish collections for spring have already hit the salons, and they are hotter than ever! According to nail-therapist-to-the-stars, Zoe Miller, "your nails should be your easiest accessory; your polish color should reflect your personality and style, and that will enhance your overall appearance."

Two polished thumbs up to that, Zoe!!!


Will you put your foot down and make pedicures a priority this spring?

Getting Your Beauty Sleep

A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation reports that the average American gets 6 hours and 40 minutes of sleep per night (scarily, that is down from the 7+ hours reported last year!). We all know that we need sleep for mental clarity, immunity, and mood stabilization, but did you know that a good night's sleep also provides cellular detoxification and renewal of the skin?

Sleeping is actually the easiest way to look better! Knowing this, it will therefore come as no surprise that many orally administered medications prescribed by dermatologists for skin conditions such as acne and eczema contain small amounts of sedatives; looks like even modern medicine is forcing us to sleep more for enhanced beauty results.

Even if you don't have specific skin problems, puffy under-eyes and a pale complexion is never a good look, so why do we routinely deprive ourselves of this much-needed restoration?

An increased average workday is the top culprit, but other factors such as lifestyle, increased stress levels, and sleep disorders are also to blame. (This whole time I thought it was because Leno doesn't come on until 11:30!)

Ever-dedicated to encouraging all to reach full wellbeing potential, the spa world's answer to this imbalanced dilemma is The Sleep Spa, of course!! One of the top trends in the spa industry in 2008 is the prevalence of sleep programs in the spa environment, according to Spa Finder's CEO, Susie Ellis. That's right, the power nap has returned, and this time, it's trendy! (Just a little note here, the siesta midday break has been more of a staple than a trend in European and Latin countries; are we finally accepting that they may have been on to something this whole time?)

If you pay attention to your inner circadian rhythm, you'll find that there is a late afternoon lull, about 8 hours after you wake up, and that it is natural to want to sleep. So, instead of going for that 4pm coffee jolt, it's actually more natural and beneficial to take a 20-minute nap.

Yelo, a Manhattan-based sleeping haven, is on the cutting edge of this trend. They offer signature YeloCabs, ideal cubbies for optimized napping that can be booked in 20 or 40-minute increments. You can justify a midday visit to your boss by explaining that it's likely that your productivity will increase while your stress will decrease, but you can justify it to yourself by knowing that following your body's natural rhythms will likely keep your skin looking radiant and young.

Look for more dedicated sleep spas and designated sleeping areas and therapies to be incorporated into your local spa soon...sleeping never looked so good.

Will you be a true sleeping beauty?

Paraben There, Done That!

With all the controversy surrounding the use of the popular preservatives known as parabens in almost every mass produced beauty product, it seems that science has us working our worry lines. And maybe for good reason: it's been clinically proven that these chemicals mimic the hormone estrogen when absorbed through our skin, and it's been well documented that an increase of estrogen has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Parabens, still considered safe by the EPA, are not hidden in the ingredient list on products; the most common ones are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, and most of the time, they are used in conjunction with each other (comforting, isn't it?).

The use of parabens is most common in moisturizers and makeup: topically applied products. Our skin is our largest organ and an increasingly popular means to administer medicine; just look at all the transdermally administered prescriptions that now exist in our pharmaceutical world (birth control patches are a great example), so you can see how worrisome it is when you realize the implications of absorbing these estrogen-mimicking chemicals directly into our skin!

The good news is that paraben-free products not only exist, they are slowly becoming commonplace in our spas, health stores, and food markets.

The concept of adding preservatives to products remains important, however, so that our product safety and shelf life expectations are still met. Choosing product lines that use grapefruit seed extract, lemon, essential oils, salt or sugar as natural preservatives should fill your preservative needs, and while these products tend to be pricier than their paraben alternatives, their quality will more than compensate.

I will forever suffer for fashion (Manolos, I will never forsake you!), but can we really afford to suffer for beauty?

Will you still buy your favorite products knowing the risks?

Prescription: Spa

I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that accepts alternative healing remedies as gospel and encourages participation in indulgences such as beautification and stress relief.

Science tells us that an estimated 90% of our maladies are stress-related, and yet many continue to view the spa as a frivolous luxury. If a traditional spa therapy such as massage has been clinically documented to reduce stress, why, then, do we not proactively treat our troubles?

I would like to share a story about a spa guest who understood the value of the healing spa environment. Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer and had just finished her last round of chemotherapy when she walked into the spa. Her doctor recommended that she incorporate various stress-reducing activities into her daily life so that her body would, in turn, continue to heal itself without distraction. As most would, she turned to the spa for regular massage therapies.

In today's spa world (fortunately for Andrea!) most spas are also true wellness centers, and can therefore provide even more support than at first glance. Because Andrea was so forthcoming with her intentions and goals for visiting the spa, she was recommended other expertly acknowledged stress reducing disciplines such as meditation, Yoga, and acupuncture.

Having been an athlete much of her life, Andrea recognized the value in cross-training, and applied that same concept in her recovery. She started taking private Yoga sessions and working with a massage therapist and acupuncturist weekly. After 4 weeks, I received a call from her doctor, who was very carefully monitoring her condition, thanking me for our dedication and special attention to his patient. I assured him that her progress had everything to do with her dedication to making stress-reduction a priority in her life.

Clearly this stress-reduced living has its merits, but for many who are time-starved in this stressful world, adding another 'to do' to the list seems very Catch22-ish. Unfortunately, it often takes a 'have to' situation to nudge us in the right direction. Andrea's situation, however extreme, demonstrates the importance of incorporating stress-reducing elements into our daily lives for the betterment of our general health. Identifying wellness centers is as easy as a Google search, yet some of the most well known healing centers exist as destinations (Miraval, Canyon Ranch, Golden Door).

While it's important to maintain a stress-free life, you can jumpstart this by scheduling a week or more in some of these reputable places, all while being monitored by medical doctors. Whichever wellness path you take, remember that your goal is to make you feel better for your greater good, and though it may feel indulgent and extravagant, it doesn't lessen the therapeutic benefits of stress management.

The fact that stress management via the spa environment is increasingly more accepted by the medical community speaks volumes; are you listening?


How do you manage your stress on a daily basis?

A Spa is a Spa is a Spa….

Back in the medieval days of Spa, Belgium, one was cured of maladies, supplemented for deficiencies, and sustained in wellbeing by partaking of the local spring water. By the 16th century, other believers had established satellite “water” towns (the most famous one still known today is Bath, England), and the term “Spa” became more commonly defined as any water-based therapy, either internally or externally administered, for the betterment of one’s physical condition.

Today, among the original definition, the dictionary defines spa as “a commercial establishment providing facilities devoted especially to health, fitness, weight loss, beauty, and relaxation,” and the International Spa Association (ISPA) offers, "Spas are places devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.” So, does this mean that your local nail salon can be considered a spa? Yes! …but so, too, can your dentist.

How can we wade through the diluted waters of spa-land by today’s definition? Experts in the industry feel the term “Spa” still holds true to the original ideals and beliefs – that natural remedies, modern enhancements, and spiritual awareness can heal, supplement, and sustain our happiness and general wellbeing. If your weekly pedicure eases your stress levels, or your teeth whitening treatment boosts your happiness, you have found yourself a spa!

The most progressive approach to Spa is the Medispa. Medical doctors have recently seen the benefit of coupling a modern, medical approach with a pampering and restorative environment. And while the approach is less based in the natural remedy space, the intent to heal, restore and nurture certainly has been preserved.

My favorite spa style will continue to be the true wellness centers, commonly found in a destination setting like the Golden Door or Miraval, and more decadently in luxury residence communities such as Canyon Ranch. A new breed of spa, the urban destination concept such as exhale mind body spa ®, nationwide, brings this destination spa experience to everyday life, so you can lead a destination spa lifestyle on a daily basis. These types of spa tend to offer total mind and body wellness options and programs, encompassing fitness classes, healing treatments, and traditional spa and beauty therapies.

With the overabundance of spa choices, we can certainly look at the proverbial spring water bottle as half full; perhaps that is why the spa has become more prevalent in our daily lives and will continue to offer alternative healing remedies for what ails us.

How do you see the future of the spa industry? Do you think it will return to a more traditional spa focus or continue on its expansionist path?

I Spa You!

Receiving a gift for a spa experience is always exciting and welcome, especially on Valentine’s Day! There is no better way to say, “I love you” or “I love me” than with a decadent spa therapy.

Many spas offer specials year round, but have featured services on Valentine’s Day for couples massage or all day couples spa packages. Most spas also have a coed relaxation area, so you and your soul mate can unwind together…a new twist on couples’ therapy! Let the healers put you in the most blissful state possible before you carry on with your night.

Spa parties for friends on Valentine’s Day have also become a new standard. What better time to gather your nearest and dearest to enjoy rejuvenating spa services together while reconnecting or just catching up. Gossip, optional!

Want to be a homebody with somebody? Turn your home into a romantic spa:

• Create the environment with candles to sweeten the air with a sexy aroma (I Y Buddha Nose’s Heart Spray).


• Indulge your sweetie with a massage (I Y SpaRitual’s Infinitely Loving Massage Oil) that will linger in thoughts long after the day is over...

How will you "Spa" this Valentines Day?


Long live love!
Susan

Hello Spa Bloggers.

Hi, Everyone! My name is Susan, and I’m so pleased to be a part of this forward-thinking wellness community!

As a spa director, I have been fortunate to work in spas on both coasts, and I’ve experienced many aspects of the spa concept throughout my career. Indisputably, an ongoing theme of this industry always rings true: Take time to care for yourself, whether by pampering or for healing.

The spa concept is, and will continue to be, a well-founded anchor in the world of wellness. It is a safe, reliable environment that enables expert healers to advance a healthy lifestyle for all.

It is energizing to be able to reach out to like-minded individuals who are as enthusiastic about personal well being as I am. I look forward to us sharing thoughts, opinions, and inspiration—all in the pursuit of mind and body wellness.

Here's to your health!!

Susan