Spascape Day Spa

skincare factoids

 

My mom is a pretty skin-savy customer and it's not just because I'm her daughter.  She reads her articles, watches the pertinant tv shows and, asks her doctors many many questions.  Still, I found out the other day that there were a few things that she did not know and so I am taking her advice and blogging about these little factoids incase there are others out there who are unaware.  For example did you know........

that most skincare products take anywhere from 4-8 weeks before you see significant results?  It takes that long for the skin cells to regenerate and change, and the older you are the longer it will take (hello 8 weeks!).  So don't expect your new eye cream to work miracles over night.  Yes you may see a difference right away between the old and the new cream but in general give it a good 6 - 8 weeks before you expect to see the results that it claims to make.  A case in point, my mom bought the Clairsonic sonic cleansing brush and even though her skin became immediately glowy she was dissapointed that it didn't make the wrinkles go away.  "You're 72 Mom, give it a good 8 weeks before you decide to return it" I told her.  And sure enough, with time the lines did in fact begin to soften as claimed (FYI:  if this sounds good to you, we carry the awesome Clairsonic at Spascape).

And did you know that you can't actually shrink the size of your pores?  However you certainly can reduce the appearance.  One way is too keep the skin clean and free of oils and debris (again I'll recommend the Clairsonic sonic cleansing brush) and another is to use a retinol product.  At Spascape Day Spa we carry Environ - the best retinol products I have come across.  Not only are they loaded with anti-oxidants but they are made with fat soluable vitamin A which has none of the side effects found in the traditional retinol products that most of us are familiar with.  In addition Environ makes Vitamin A creams in varying stregths so you can slowly acclimate your skin to the vitamin.  I would come in and consult with one of our Environ-trained estheticians to pick out the product that is right for you.  

 My mom also didn't realize that her vitamin C skincare serum was making her a little photosensitive.  While it is true that most vitamin C products are recommended for daytime use because they are rich with anti-oxidants that fight environmental damages, they also need to be followed with a good sunscreen to be reapplied every two hours.  And because we are coming into suncreeen season anyway (Spring is officially here in less than a week!  Yay!) you'll definitely want to chech out our selection of suncreens at Spascape.  We've got professional brands of sunscreeen from Environ, GM Collin, and some people, like our fearless leader Deb Larson, even like to use the Jane Iredale mineral powders.

Maybe you already knew some of these skincare factoids or maybe you didn't but one final fact you should know is that Spascape provides leading expertise in skin and we would be more than happy to help you with any of your skincare concerns (781) 545-1200.

TLC for your eyes

 

If there's one thing I can say to you is when it comes to skincare is don't ignore your eyes.  (actually there's alot more than one thing I want to say to you about your skin but we'll have to save that for other postings). Anyway....the eyes.  Don't ignore the eyes.  This even applies to you lovely young things in your twenties because at your age you want to be all about prevention.  Trust me on this. If you don't take care, one morning you'll wake up and you'll have crow's feet.  That's how fast it can happen.  And then you'll spend the rest of your life trying desperately to erase them. Which is not totally impossible but it just gets more involved and more expensive as you get older. But that's enough of the doom and gloom, now we'll move on to some solutions.....

It is never too late to start using eyecreams because you actually can soften and smooth out your wrinkles and firm the loose skin at bit.  And I always get asked "why do you need an eyecream - can't I just use my regular moisturizer?"  My answer is, if you are serious about your skin, you will definitely need an eyecream.  The skin around your eyes is actually quite different from the rest of the skin on your face and right off the bat I can think of four good reasons to use an eye cream instead of just a regular moisturizer:

1. the skin around your eyes is a lot thinner than the rest of the skin on your face 2. it does not have the same sebaceous glands to secret hydrating oils so it can be drier than the rest of the skin on your face  3. the eye area it is often times more sensitive than facial skin and 4. if you use a regular moisturizer on your eye area it can sometimes cause millia - those hard white little bumps that can only be removed by an esthetician or dermatologist. But bottom line let me just say this: my regular moisturizer does nothing for my crow's feet but my eyecream makes me look 8-10 years younger than I actually am.

So there you have it.  Buy an eyecream and use it twice a day every day.  There are scads of great eyecreams out there - some light, some rich, some for younger skin, some for more mature skin.  There are even eyecreams to help puffiness and dark circles. So I would do your research and if at all possible get some samples to try things out.  If you are in your 20s or 30s I would definitely look for something with lots of antioxidants for prevention and if you are in your 40s and up I would look for any kind of peptides in the ingredient list.  At Spascape Day Spa we sell the fabulously anti-aging GM Collin Bota-Peptide Eye Contour (with loads of firming peptides) and the all natural, antioxidant -laden Osea Eye Gel Serum (awesome for dark circles and puffiness).

So call us now for some TLC for your eyes and don't forget, pat the eyecream on gently! (781) 545-1200

 

Environ skincare & vitamin A

 

In my professional opinion everyone's skin could use a little vitamin A, no matter how old you are or what skin type you have.  It's a fact that skin needs plenty of vitamin A for proper nutrition.

In your twenties it's all about preventative measures.  You may be experiencing extra time in the sun and late nights of partying lifestyle.  You'll want to protect yourself as much as possible.

In your thirties you may be concentrating on building a career and/or raising a family which can result in stress and too little sleep.  Vitamin A can fight the effects of stress which increases the levels of cortisol a destructive stress hormone.

In your forties the wrinkles begin in earnest.  Your skin gets lazy and loses it's ability to regenerate on its own.  Vitamin A will provide the outside stimulation to help your skin regenerate.

In your fifties and older your skin is producing less collagen so the skin becomes looser and flatter, and skin discoloration and dehydration may occur.  High levels of Vitamin A are now needed for support.

If vitamin A sounds like something you want to try Spascape Day Spa has the perfect solution.  We carry the professional skincare line Environ which specializes in vitamin A, in all different formulas suitable for all different skintypes.

 Environ and is known for it's healthy content of vitamins, A,C, E, B5, resveratrol (love resveratrol!) and other antioxidants as well.  The theory here is that this combination of ingredients will restore the health of your skin, the collagen structure, and it's protective abilities. Because of all that it is terrific for sensitive or reactive skin (many vitamin A products will irritate) and it can even help prevent skin cancer. 

One of the reasons Environ is so powerful is that vitamin A is the only ingredient that can permanently change the nucleus of the skin's DNA.  It can permanently restore the skin to be thicker, healthier, happier and even less sensitive.  Of course it is also terrific for reducing sun damage, erasing wrinkles, and clearing up congested skin.

Furthermore, the vitamin A used in Environ products is fat soluble as opposed to most acidic Vitamin A which is what people are more familiar with.  What this means is that fat soluble Vitamin A is more "user friendly".  ie. You can get waxed. You can go out in the sun year round. There is less irritation.

Everyone here at Spascape is hooked on Environ and with good reason.  If you want to stop by the spa we can set you up with the right formula best suited for your skin.  (781)545-1200

large pores

 

You wouldn't believe how many women come into Spascape Day Spa and complain about their large pores when in reality, from my professional perspective, they actually have quite lovely skin.  Of course there are the people who truly do have enlarged pores and not just a case of perfectionism but whatever your situation there are a few things you should know:

The Golden Rule of Pores:  You cannot actually shrink the size of your pores but you can definitely improve their appearance.  You would do this by:

#1 Keep the pores completely clean.  Sebum can collect in the pore, pooling up and stretching the circumference.  If you have large pores I would highly recommend getting one of our Clairsonic cleansing brushes which will clean your skin six times greater than manual cleansing alone.  I promise you will notice a difference!

#2 Exfoliating.  You would want to do this as another measure of keeping the pores clean but also many times people's pores get larger as they age, and regular exfoliation can help speed up the cell turnover rate and thus slow down the aging process.  I would use one of our enzyme exfoliants such as GM Collin's Exfozyme or Intensive Exfoliating Gel because a harsh scrub can actually pull and abuse the pores making them more slack.

#3 Hydrate.  Many people associate large pores with oily skin but that is not always the case.  As I mentioned before merely the aging process can enlarge your pores.  But no matter what your skin type it can become dehydrated and then the pores will look like gaping holes dying for moisture.  And here's the real reason  to hydrate - hydration plumps up the skin, fine lines, wrinkles and pores too.  Moisture will make the walls of your enlarged pore look fat and closed up and smooth.  Yay!  If you have oily skin use a moisturizer designed for oily skin such as our GM Collin Hydramucine Optimal Gel and if you have normal to dry skin the sky's the limit.

#4 Retinol.  Don't let the word scare you - there are many other options besides the often harsh and drying prescription-strength formulas.  Retinol is the ultimate smoother-outer, pore-appearance-shrinker, skin-refiner.  I would definitely recommend using our Environ professional skincare line which contains gentle, user-friendly forms of retinol.  In fact the Environ products come in varying strengths of retinol so you can start out gentle and work your way up to the really high powered stuff.

#5 Use the right makeup.  The right makeup is out there for you.  Experiment with different foundations, some will definitely work better than others, and I would really look into a foundation primer that will fill in the pores and giving you a much smoother foundation application.  At Spascape we have a couple different foundations that tend to work well with large pores.  TheBalm has Time Balm a medium to heavy coverage dreamy-creamy foundation that will smooth things right over.  And for some people, the Jane Iredale mineral powder foundation can make your skin look as flawless and satiny as a pearl.

So you see, large pores are not the end of the world.  We have many solutions for you here at Spascape and together we can minimize the look of your pores.  (781)545-1200

 

5 ways to detox for the flu season

 

Like it or not cold and flu season is here and we need to do whatever we can to stay healthy.  Everyone knows about vitamin C and washing your hands but from a spa perspective there are a few more things we could be doing.

1.  For lymphatic drainage and energy detox give your body a dry brushing every morning before you shower.  Using a bristled body brush or exfoliating mitt, brush your body all over with upward, circular strokes.  Dry brushing feels so amazing and invigorating that you will look forward to getting out of bed in the morning.

2.  Whenever you start to feel run down, or even once or twice a week for maintenance, take a nice hot detox bath with epsom salts.  For additional healing throw in some essential oils such as BC Essentials Flu Fighter blend or even their Stress Relief or Aches & Pains blend - we've got them all here at Spascape Day Spa.

3.  Massage is an excellent way to keep your body healthy and prevent any sickness.  Not only that but if you come in to Spascape fifteen minutes early for your massage you can use the steamroom.  Steamrooms have been medically proven to eliminate toxins, and improve your circulation so the steam, combined with a nice releasing massage, will be sure to set you right.

4.  Spascape is proud to carry the exclusive Infinite Health & Wellness Homeopathic Flu Remedy.  This formula was created by Spascape's own Homeopathic/Integrative Wellness Practitioner Kathleen Ogar.  After years of research Kathleen has come up with a preventative formula that you take once a day, just like you would a vitamin, to build your body's own natural immune system.

5.  A detox bath that you will be sure to luxuriate in is Osea Gigartina Beauty Bath.  Not only is it stunningly packaged in a tall glass cylinder but the soothing therapeutic properties are not to be believed. Seaweed and marine products are the ultimate in natural detoxification and the Gigartina bath in particular is proported to be like taking a bath in freshseaweed (not the washed-ashore stinky seaweed and not the diluted or chemical-laden stuff you can unintentionally end up buying).  Osea harvests strictly the purest organic seaweed from the pristine waters of Patagonia so not only will this bath relax your body but it can be used as a preventative measure to help keep colds and flus at bay.

The next time you get a scratchy throat or stuffy nose pop your vitamin C and come by Spascape for some detox delight (781)545-1200 

 

exactly why you should not pop your own pimples and what you can do instead

 

Picture the big mushroom cloud of the Atom bomb. Now picture that bomb detonating under ground, the big toxic cloud ballooning out beneath the surface. That is what happens to all the bacteria of a pimple if you squeeze it incorrectly - it is going underground and that spells trouble.  

Further more, most people aren't popping pimples in sanitary conditions (ie thoroughly cleansed hands and face) and most people are trying to pop a pimple that is not ready to release yet. It may even appear that some of the sebum has been squeezed out but in fact you could have caused an imploding of the pimple beneath the surface of the skin. This will spread the bacteria further and further along and may just create more pimples in its wake, or even worse it could cause scarring.

If I have not put the fear of the skincare gods into you with this information, I don't know what else I can say to convince you to leave the pimple alone but just please please please resist the mighty urge to pop your own pimples.   Instead keep them extremely clean and bombard them with tea tree oil (a natural anti-bacterial) or super strength spot treatments such as GM Collin Acne Complex (both solutions are sold at all Spascape locations).  The resuslts may not always be absolutely instantaneous but it will work and your skin will be all the healthier for it.

And if you still really and truly need that pimple to be popped call Spascape Day Spa to get an emergency appointment for a mini- facial that basically just includes exfoliation/extraction/soothing. (781)545-1200 

 

dehydrated skin

 Autumn is officially here and I have been seeing the effects of the weather changes on people's faces - dry, dehydrated, dull.  And it will only get worse when Winter is here with the indoor heating systems too.  But do not despair dear friends - all it takes is a little adjustment in your skincare routine.  Break out that creamy cleanser, be diligent with that night cream, and be sure your moisturizer is pulling it's weight.  Light consistency Summer-time moisturizers rarely give enough hydration during the Fall and Winter seasons.  A sure-fire way to tell if your skin is dehydrated is if it looks dull or crepey in spots, if it feels tight after cleansing, or if your skin shows redness and irritation, or slack and enlarged pores.  The signs of dehydration may not even be that obvious to you but here is a quick test you can give yourself to see if your skin is dehydrated:

Make a fist with one hand, then point out the index and middle fingers, kind of like making a fake gun.  Place these fingers flat under your cheek bone, then gently press inward and upward so that it makes a bulge above the fingers.  If your bulge is crepey, or wrinkly, or has fine ripples then your skin is dehydrated.  If you have a fairly smooth, solid bulge then your skin is sufficiently hydrated.  

Keeping optimally hydrated skin is an inside AND outside job.  Yes, you need to drink plenty of water and eat juicy fruits and vegetables but in addition you need to treat the skin topically.  At Spascape Day Spa we have a variety of solutions for dehydration.  You can make an appointment to get your skin back on track with the ultra-quenching Algo facial or the spectacular Hydralift facial.  You can also purchase hydrating products for your own use at home.  What you do on a daily basis really makes a difference, so I would recommend using the G.M. Collin Hydramucine line.  This line is phenomenal, and they make a hydrating product suitable for every skin type, because even oily or acneic skin can get dehydrated.

Hydramucine products are based on the Nobel Prize-winning concept of aquaporines (water channels) in the skin.  With this concept in mind not only does Hydramucine provide ingredients to feed your skin moisture but it also improves the water circulation of the skin thus improving its natural hydration ability.  This revolutionary approach rebalances, revitalizes, and leaves the skin healthier and plumper (dehydrated skin can age your appearance dramatically).  Needless to say, the Hydramucine line does very well in our retail salon, and has been a favorite of our clients for years. To give you a quick run down, the line consists of:    

Hydramucine Cleansing Milk.  A soothing creamy cleanser that leaves the skin feeling clear, soft and supple.  It gently removes all make-up and contains essential oils for purifying, soothing, and of course hydrating.

Hydramucine Treating Lotion.  This is actually a liquid, kind of like a toner but with even more skin repairing abilities.  It gives immediate comfort and moisture to the skin and does NOT contain any alcohol, fragrance, or color.

Hydramucine Concentrate.  An intensely hydrating serum that reinforces the moisturizing action of the cream that you put on top of it.  This is the line's heavy hitter and its noncomedogenic (non-clogging) formula is appropriate for all skin types.

Hydramucine Optimal Cream.  A daily moisturizer for skin that is naturally in the normal to dry range.  It provides a protective lipid (type of fat) barrier as well as helping the skin produce more of its own lipids in the epidermis. This makes it ideal for skin that is sensitive or gets sensitive when it is dry.   Despite all the lipid action, the formulation increases the skin's water level without ever being thick or greasy.  Above all it has been tested to out perform the competitor creams by up to 88%.  

Hydramucine Optimal Gel.  A light weight, noncomedogenic moisturizer designed for combination or oily skin.  Even oily skin can get dehydrated and I am hear to tell you that proper hydration can plump up those large pores up to appear much less noticeable.  This moisturizer is a real thirst quencher for the skin and has been proven to provide up to 57% more hydration than competitive gels.

We have testers of all the Hydramucine products at the spa, so feel free to come in and try them out and don't hesitate to ask one of our estheticians for help in diagnosing or treating your dehydration.  Also I cannot in good conscience sign off here until I make one more plug for the fantabulous Hydralift facial.  I love love love the Hydralift facial! This facial delivers dramatic results and is a must have before any special event!  (781) 545-1200

the secret to good skin

The secret to good skin (besides having good genes!) is to pay attention to it.  Get to know your skin intimately - it is as special and unique as you are and has quirks and needs and likes and dislikes, just as you do.  And just like you, your skin will have good days and bad days.  It is the largest organ of your body and a part of your integumentary system, so don't you think it deserves the same TLC that you give your liver or say your lungs?  So pay attention.  Cherish it.  And I promise you that even problematic skin can have a chance to improve.

I myself have very reactive sensitive skin yet no one would ever know because I have learned over time to give it what it likes and avoid what it doesn't like - thus I am always complimented on my skin and people believe me to be alot younger than I am.  True, skincare is my profession, but I'll let you in on a little secret:  it's all about trial and error.  Start off with a good skin analysis from your favorite skincare professional and have them recommend some products to start with and either get free samples first or ask about the return policy if the product does not agree with you.  Remember trial and error is the key.  We here at Spascape Day Spa are more than happy to give you a free skincare analysis, product recommendations, or free skincare samples.   Our estheticians are highly trained, not just in the physiology of skin but in the professional products and ingredients that are out there.

So as I said, get intimate with your skin.  Don't be afraid to really look in the mirror.  Observe what is going on, it can change from day to day, or season to season.  Learn how to look for certain signs and adjust accordingly:

Is there dullness and/or a little puckering around the eyes or mouth?  If so, then your skin is dehydrated and a switch to a more hydrating/richer moisturizer is warranted and trying a creamy cleanser would not be remiss either - you will end up looking years younger. 

Or maybe you will notice some redness on your cheeks, chin, or nose which is an indication of sensitivity so you might want to shop around for very pure, gentle products that say "soothing" , especially ones that will keep you well hydrated.  Again, a more even skin tone can make you look years younger. 

But perhaps you look closely and notice that beneath the slight sheen on your face you see large or clogged pores.  You know your skin needs something but what?  I would recommend using a cleanser, and/or toner with salicylic acid, paired with a good oil-free moisturizer. That's the general rule of thumb but then again, you may be one of those people whose skin just does not like salicylic acid.  Some skin does not respond well to it so maybe your skin would prefer a little retinol.  Once you do find the right product you can have smoother, more refined skin which again, can make you look years younger.

I am a big believer that there is a skincare solution for virtually everyone, it's just a matter of observing your skin and trying things out.  Don't be afraid to turn to a skincare professional for help getting you on the right track - it is our joy to work with you - and don't be afraid to ask for those samples either!  Be a sample queen!  And most importantly, keep the faith and don't give up, your great-looking skin is out there.

Call today to book a consultation, or even better yet one of the fabulous Spascape facials, and be sure to ask all about our outstanding professional skincare products - I just know we will have something that is right for you (781) 545-1200

Vibrant Wellness

 I am so excited about the new direction that Deb Larson is taking Spascape Day Spa.  She is expanding, expanding, expanding (isn't life grand?) and it's all about health and wellness, education and solutions! She has a real knack for knowing who and what to bring on board. Her latest innovation is to add a Vibrant Wellness Workshop that is all about our relationship with ourselves and food.  Fantastic!  I know very few fortunate individuals for whom food and eating is not an issue.  

The workshop will have once-a-month classes lead by Holistic Health Coach Christina Kilduff BA, MA, who studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  Her whole approach is about attainable and sustainable eating through mindfulness, and she coaches from a place of empathy not ego.  Christina originally comes from trenches of unsustainable restrictive dieting, fluctuating weight, low energy, and food cravings.  She's been there, done that.  But through education and introspection her journey has taken her to a place of inner peace and a sense of purpose and mindfulness in every day living.  And now she is here to help you achieve more vibrant wellness in your life too.

The workshop outline sounds fascinating and I suspect you'll be seeing me at most of the classes.  Here's a sneak peak of what's being offered:

September 21 Vibrant Greens:  learn about the various leafy green vegetables and incorporate them into your diet.

October 19 Sugar Blues:  how sugar negatively affects health and happiness.  Learn how to help cravings without deprivation.

November 16 Moody Food!:  how food directly effects your mood

December 21 Mindful Eating:  learn strategies to slow down for increased energy and weight loss

January 18 New Year NEW YOU!  Vibrant Energy!:  identify factors that contribute to our vibrant energy and the important role of "primary foods".

Now doesn't that sound exciting!?!  Feel free to call us with any questions or to sign up for the classes you are interested in (781) 545-1200.

new offerings

Watch out Bliss Spa, now that we are opening a fourth Spascape Day Spa location (see new location!) we are practically a conglomerate like you!  Just kidding.  Sort of.

Obviously we are  growing because we are so successful and need to keep up with the demand but what we are not, and never will be, is an impersonal spa chain.  In fact we are just the opposite, with a reputation for being down to earth, friendly, and comforting.  So what our new growth does mean, besides being more accessible to more people, is that we are now able to offer some pretty unique opportunities to our clients.  For example:

We will be putting together spa get-away trips to places like the famous Phoenician Resort in Arizona.  With our new conglomerate-type status Spascape will be able to get discounted rates on destination spa packages and can pass them on to any of our clients who want to sign up for one of our trips.  Wouldn't that be amazing to travel with a group of friends and like-minded people to a luxury spa that you might never have dreamed of going to before?

Another excellent opportunity coming your way is the Spascape Day Spa Wellness Works program.  This is a health, nutrition, and wellness program lead by Kathleen Ogar a certified nutrition and wellness coach with over ten years in the health and wellness field.  The program is only $35 a month and offers weekly classes such as: learn your metabolic type, organic wines and dark chocolate, eight causes of cravings, Ayurvedic body types, and balance your ph levels.

In addition to the weekly class there is a monthly 90 minutes private session with Kathleen, an online forum, and plenty of handouts of recipes and foods to try.

Wellness Works is not about dieting or deprivation, but is a program customized to each individual's specific concerns, lifestyle, and body type.  Kathleen says that "this unique approach is proven to provide meaningful lasting results"  as well as a "focus on other areas of your life that feed you on a deeper level".  Sounds good to me!  After all, who couldn't use a little help in this area?

So keep an eye out for these amazing opportunities and more.  Deb Larson, our spa owner and fearless leader, is always coming up with innovative and exciting ideas that make Spascape the very special award-winning spa that it is.

To sign up or find out more about our unique offerings call (781) 545-1200