Skin Care News

Facial Hair Removal for Women

Posted on June 11, 2009 with No Comments

I know some very beautiful (I think so) who have a bit of hair above their lip and some on their chin. Being a guy, that never has been much of an issue for me, but for women “it just ain’t good” as several of them have half-joked.

Since we’re in the skin care business, I usually am the person at parties, swim meets and get-togethers that is usually corned for answers. Candidly, I enjoy the attention and having real helpful knowledge makes me a bit of a hero from time-to-time.

There are a lot of options – electrolysis, laser, waxing, dissolving, inhibitors, and several I’m sure I can’t think of right now. However, I believe the ideal hair removal products involve first dissolving the follicle, the inhibiting it’s future regrowth.

Why? Well first it’s great for home use and effective all over the body. Second, other most other systems don’t retard growth, so applications or procedures need repeating. Third, hair removal cream (even in multi-part systems) can be used all over the body – facial, arms, legs, back, bikini, et al.

Fourth, they are generally inexpensive. Granted, they require re-application, but we have found the more extended use, the better the results.

I included a link to a product above you might consider. I’m also including an excerpt from an ezine article that you might find helpful as well for facial hair removal in particular.

A two-step process is not a dance – in so many words. The process refers to the combination of hair removing products or processes necessary to safely and effectively inhibit growth. The first is dissolving or removing of the follicle shaft and slowing or stopping the Anagen growth phase that produces the cortex, shaft and root. The second phase is to retard future development of thick, coarse follicles developed by the root and bulb.

In many cases, even the most extreme retardation leaves the root and allows for future growth. Hair inhibitors should be used following removal to prevent mature follicles from appearing. So, the best procedure refers to first removing the hair, then preventing mature, thick hair from forming.

The best products for unwanted facial hair removal protect and nourish the skin, while removing and inhibiting follicle development. A safe, easy and effective two-step process helps remove hair on the face and keeps it from coming back.

Read more about Products for Facial Hair Removal.

Dermory ST Breast Enhancement Cream

Posted on May 21, 2009 with 3 Comments

Coincidentally, we had on our agenda to do a review of Dermory ST – a breast enhancement cream that was introduced last year…and, well, one of our staff was watching The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet on FOX and saw the product featured earlier in the week.

It was discussed along with other enhancement and enlargement products – inserts and a breast pump developed to stretch the skin. It was featured as an investigation segment showing women options for enlargement and augmentation without resorting to implants or cosmetic or plastic surgery. Dermory ST – as reviewed on the program – was formulated to firm sagging and drooping breasts resulting from childbirth, nursing, weight loss or from natural aging.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dermory ST, it is the first (I believe) to use Bio-Bustyl, a polypeptide developed by Croda specifically for enhancing the bust. Their clinical studies show a substantial improvement in firmness, cell respiration and reduction in skin fatigue. Bio-Bustyl is also shown to improve collagen synthesis and development and sparks natural hormonal activity to assist “plumping” and firming breast tissue – getting a “perky” and enlargement benefit.

Additionally, it uses several ingredients common to anti-aging skin care – Matrixyl, Hyaluronic Acid and Ale Vera. One of the more unique characteristics besides Bio-Bustyl is Dermory uses Emu Oil as a “carrier oil”.

While many may be indifferent to using carrier oils, a barrier to effectiveness of natural breast enhancement creams has been their ability to 1) provide adequate efficacy and 2) penetrate the dermal structure deep-enough to do any good. Emu Oil is transdermal and a natural moisturizer…in affect, carries the active ingredients into the subcutaneous layers increasing firmness.

To summarize feedback from customers and staff, Dermory ST is the only breast enhancement cream using Bio Bustyl, Emu Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Matrixyl and Aloe. Results are often seen in 7-10 days, but some of the ingredients – Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe – show benefits almost immediately. It firms and tighten the breast skin removing and smoothing wrinkles, dryness or roughness and is designed to reduce sagging (point down?!) caused and often experienced after pregnancy or losing weight. It’s ingredients work well for chest wrinkles also.

Vitamin K for Deep Tissue Bruises

Posted on April 29, 2009 with 2 Comments

Vitamin K has been shown in clinical testing to help improve health and strength of vein walls and valve function in veins and capillaries. It is an effective active ingredient in products such as Capiderm® RX (RegeneVal Labs™) and Red Alert® (medic8™) for treating and clearing spider veins, rosacea, and bruises.

In addition to improving vein health, Vitamin K assists coagulation – accelerating and promoting fading of discoloration caused by superficial and deep tissue bruising.

This property also helps fading of clogged micro-capillaries and veins prominent on the nose and cheeks.

Bruises are far more common than we’d like them to be. No matter how careful we may try to be, there are always bangs, trips, stumbles and falls that could cause bruising. A bruise is essential an external manifestation of trauma or injury caused to blood veins.

Minor bruises will fade away slowly and naturally and within 5 to 10 days it will be just another memory in a long list of bruises. Deep tissue bruises however are more serious. These are essentially deeper bruises and could signify the possibility of muscle damage.

Deep tissue bruising calls for medical attention. It is important that you first get a doctors opinion to rule out any serious internal injury. It is often a symptom of muscle trauma and is often accompanied by tenderness around the affected area.

In addition to medical attention, you can lessen the duration and bruising and can even reduce the severity of the bruise with the help of creams that contain 1% or more formulation. Vitamin K is the substance the body uses to help clot blood and slow bleeding.Since a bruise is really nothing more than pooled and/or seeping blood, Vitamin K cream is the perfect defense.

Vitamin K is fat soluble which means that it can be easily absorbed through the skin.Using a cream form allows it to be applied directly to the affected area where it can be absorbed even into a deep tissue bruise.

Removing Stretch Mark and Acne Scars

Posted on April 26, 2009 with No Comments

Scarring resulting from acne or pregnancy is generally difficult to remove. Torn or damaged tissue is slow to rejuvenate and deep tearing from acne often requires treatment and laser resurfacing. With time many can be healed with proper skin products, the most successful procedure and treatment short of out-patient surgery, is to help prevent scars from occurring.

Pitting, discoloration and marks often occur (related to stretch marks) during periods of rapid weight gain. Most prominantly for women during pregnancy. Breasts, the abdomen and along the upper thighs are most prone – where ther greatest accumulation of fatty tissure resides.

For existing scars, using a microdermabrasion product has produced the greates results. Skin cell “turnover” and replenishment takes time. Encouraging new growth can often be accelerated by sloughing or polishing off old cells. With consistent use, disfigured or poorly aligned cells regenerate and rebuild normalized collagen and elastin fibers – necessary for skin pliability and absorption and retention of moisture.

Products with Hyaluronic Acid, soluble collagen, and Emu Oil have been found effective at working with microdermabrasion products for post-operative scarring (c section, plastic surgery, breast enhancement, et al), and work well smoothing and fading discoloration of potting left from severe acne and blemishes.

Scar creams and products help improve moisture content and retention stimulating healthy collagen growth. Emu Oil, in particular, has been used in Australia during pregnancy to help stave-off marking as prgnancy matures into the second and third trimester when stretching and tearing of dermal tissue is moste prominent.

Improving Spa Profitability – The Fundamentals

Posted on April 15, 2009 with 1 Comment

Business is a game. A serious game with real money with real careers, futures and success on the line. But, a game none-the-less.

In this game we have variables we can control and some we can’t. There is little we can do to control weather, suppliers, material costs, and competitors. There are, however, variables in this game we do control and can influence. Those are…

• Revenue
• Gross Margin
• Expenses

While it’s often difficult to focus on these fundamental components as an owner/operator of executive of a mid-sized operation, entrepreneurship sooner or later comes down to these three key components.

For various companies I have been involved in, I have had to stop myself and our team to reminder ourselves to “block and tackle”. Improving a company’s profitability – especially a spa in a down economy – requires putting each of these components under a microscope and identify what you can do to win the game.

I guess if this were a play game, decisions might come easier, but discussion and planning should be fairly helpful.

For instance, sit down and consider all the things you can do to increase revenue. Consider advertising, flyers, partnering programs (with a salon for instance), or developing relationships with civic programs, churches, or schools.

From a gross margin perspective, push higher margin services, introduce new programs (expanding your service or product lines), add ancillary services (skin care products), find less expensive suppliers.

Expenses can be tackled from several angles. Shop for the best deal on office supplies, watch utility bills, opt for lower cost advertising – or free advertising by contributing to local newspaper or magazines; watch staff expenses.

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to break down some details of managing Revenue, Gross Margin and Expenses that might give you a few more ideas – specific to Spa, Salon or MedSpa operations . The bottom-line (literally) is to wake-up every morning and think “what can I do to affect these numbers?” Individually, get sales, margin and costs going in the right direction.

If all works out well, each will move simultaneously, and it will have a great impact on profitability!