Did you know that massage is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself? Massage therapy helps relieve tension that is held in the soft tissue of the body. By manipulating the soft tissue of the the body, massage can help break down muscular and fascial (the connective tissue that runs throughout our bodies) adhesions. When this is done, an overall sense of well-being and homeostasis can be restored to our often over worked bodies. Not only is tension and stress relieved, blood flow and oxygen in the body is increased as well as lymph flow. Clients are often made aware of muscular holding patterns which happen daily that they are unaware of. Once aware of these patterns and learning to give yourself cues to release or relax those areas throughout the day can help individuals maintain a more relaxed, less tense posture.

At Vitality, we help bring homeostasis and renewed vitality back to your body through massage/body work techniques that benefit you. That may include hot-stone, deep tissue, Swedish, or a combination with stretching and massage cupping. You will feel the difference after a session with one of our highly skilled therapists. Call us today to discuss your body work needs.

Information obtained from Skin Inc.

Enzymes…These powerful biological molecules are an excellent source to help achieve luminous, radiant skin. Enzymes serve as a catalyst for most cellular functions. Some help break larger molecules down, so they are more easily absorbed, while others bind molecules to produce new molecules. Enzymes exist in every living thing – animals and botanicals. These powerhouse molecules are very effective in skin regeneration and help to achieve a radiant, luminous glow to your skin. Enzymes applied topically digest the cells of the stratum corneum. Enzymes also speed up the rate of most chemical reactions that take place in cells. Enzymes are needed to initiate the production of melanin as an example. They break down old cells that clog up pores and prevent the penetration of other topicals. Enzymes provide nourishing and skin-building benefits, in addition to digestive actions.

If you would like to incorporate enzymes in your home care regiment try our Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides peeling cream.

With 2020 and the challenges that came with it in our rear-view mirror, we look hopefully forward to a brighter and healthier 2021. We will continue to make our space relaxing and comfortable for you while keeping both your and our health a top priority. We always strive to keep our work space and your relaxation and healing space clean and sanitized. We will limit the number of customers in our common area and ask that you wear your mask upon entry and exit. We will continue to provide the quality service that you are accustomed to in order to help you with your body work and skin care goals.

It is our goal that our services help you relax, revitalize and help you carry on more calmly with a refreshed and renewed sense of well-being in 2021. We want to encourage you to be mindful of doing healthy things for your body and skin. Some of those things may include a healthier diet, a little more exercise, stretching, taking deeper breaths, getting adequate sleep, drinking more water, being grateful and thankful each day and of course getting massage/therapeutic body work and skin treatments. Your well-being is an investment and we appreciate you entrusting a part of that with us at Vitality. We look forward to new beginnings in 2021.

Peace

Celery juice may not sound like the most appetizing food to fall in love with, but it is the new wellness food that people, including celebrities, can’t get enough of. This trend started on Instagram with wellness channels beginning to promote this celery juice, and all of its benefits from helping with eczema to delivering antioxidants. So this begs the question…should you add celery juice into your spa menu?

The low-calorie juice checks a lot of boxes in terms of delivering vitamins A, K and C, beta carotene, flavonoids, phytonutrients and tons of other nutrients the body needs. However, it goes beyond being low calorie and diet friendly, and it is shown to help prevent chronic diseases, lower blood pressure and minimize oxidative stress, according to Healthline.com.

While this may have started trending in 2018, the research for it can date back to 2015. A study published by NCBI discussed the anti-inflammatory benefits, explaining how it can be used to treat arthritis.

Celery and the Skin

It is fairly well known that celery has anti-inflammatory properties, and it is actually the luteolin and polyacetylenes that provide powerful antioxidant properties and lower inflammatory prostaglandins.1 

A more indirect way that celery juice can actually help the skin is by promoting sleep. Getting enough sleep at night is important for skin care, and celery restores hydration and contains a high amount of magnesium to help clients sleep better at night. 1

Finally, drinking celery juice can actually improve the skin as well by providing anti-aging benefits through vitamin K and vitamin C.1

References

1. www.vitamonk.com/blogs/health/health-benefits-of-celery-juice

Skin occupies more than 18 square feet on our bodies and accounts for roughly 16% of our body weight, depending on the individual.  Only 9% is found on our head and neck, meaning 91% of skin is located on the rest of the body. It is high time we paid the rest of our body as much love as our beloved head and neck. The skin on our bodies need to be exfoliated as regularly as our faces. Our body’s skin also needs nourishing and hydrating like our facial skin. Come in and check out our great-smelling body scrubs and hydration products and schedule a body treatment. 

More than one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year.  Many more are diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions.  These numbers continue to increase, not only in the U.S., but worldwide.  A nice dark tan looks great, but is it healthy?  The notion that sunscreen is an occasional summer-only accessory is still prevalent, yet mistaken. 

Exposure to UVA wavelengths is probably the most important factors contributing to the rise of skin cancer.  UVA rays were previously thought of as harmless, however, these UVA rays are now known to contribute significantly to skin damage, skin cancer, & immune system suppression.  

UVA wavelengths penetrate the skin deeper and, unlike UVB rays (which cause initial redness & burning), create damage that is not immediately detected. 

Long-term exposure to sunlight damages the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and the dermis, (deeper layer where skin’s framework exists), causing elastin fibers to thicken and become more numerous.  Damage to collagen causes it to undergo degradation.  This equals wrinkling and thinning of the skin.  Also, sunburns in childhood appear to set the stage for high rates of melanoma in later life. So, they especially need to be protected.

Good News – With some simple & consistent steps, sun damaged skin can be avoided, even repaired.  Sun related damage can be minimized and some damage can be reversed.  A critical step is one’s awareness that sun protection must be used daily and year-round.  

Sunlight is a primary source for vitamin D, which keeps our bones strong.  The current recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 200 IU from birth to age 50, 400 IU between age 51 & 70, and 600 IU after age 71.  Recent studies suggest that 1,000 IU a day may reduce the incidence of certain cancers, such as ovary, breast, and colon cancers by as much as 50%.  That is because vitamin D strengthens the immune system and supports cell growth.  Get your vitamin D by consuming a serving of oily fish (250-360 IU), one tablespoon of cod liver oil (1,360 IU) or through supplements taken alone or combined with calcium. 

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – The number assigned to sunscreen represents the factor by which the time required for unprotected skin to become sunburned can be increased through the application of a sunscreen.        

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – The number assigned to sunscreen represents the product’s ability to screen the sun’s burning rays, or UVBs.  An SPF of 15 protects against 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 protects from 97% and an SPF of 60 protects from 98% of UVB radiation.  Many dermatologists believe an SPF higher than 30 is of little value.  Generally, products with an extremely high SPF are thicker and heavier, and because they provide minimal added protection, they are often unnecessary.  People often incorrectly believe that re-application is not warranted when using a high SPF.  Nearly all sunscreen products break down and must be reapplied every 2 hours.  

One should look for “broad-spectrum” sunscreen which indicates a product’s ability to protect against both UVA & UVB rays.  The only way to ensure that a sunscreen absorbs UVA rays is to read the ingredient label.  At least one of the following ingredients must be listed: avobenzone, ecamsule titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.  

When dealing with skin care it is often focused on the face only. The forehead, cheeks, chin and nose are focal points for breakouts and pigmentation. A forgotten zone may be the delicate eye area.

Premature aging can show up in this area before other areas. The skin on and around the eyes, often referred to as the periocular area, is approximately 10 times thinner than the rest of the face.  The result is less protection than other parts of the face and body. Additionally, the eye area is one of the most constantly moving parts of the body; each person blinks about 10,000 times per day.

After factoring in smiling, squinting, diet, water intake, allergies and stress, the eyes show signs of degradation more quickly and with more severity than skin elsewhere on the body.

The periocular skin absorbs and loses moisture differently than the skin on the rest of the face. With few oil glands to maintain natural moisturization, the skin around the eyes is subject to dehydration.  Desquamation – the skin’s renewal process – occurs at a slower rate with age. As this process of shedding dead cells slows, the eye are often develops a buildup of dead cells.  The collection of corneocytes results in thicker, aged, rough skin with impaired barrier function.

To maintain healthy skin around the eyes and postpone the signs of aging, collagen-stimulating ingredients to help promote regeneration and prevent degeneration should be incorporated into your daily regiment along with your spa treatment.

Peptides such as Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 and Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate are of the newest matrix-building peptides that are effective in preventing the loss of collagen and increasing the production of collagen, laminin 5, fibronectin and hyaluronic acid in your skin while also aiding in quick wrinkle –smoothing effects and diminishing expression lines by interrupting the repeated muscle contractions around the eyes responsible for the formation of crow’s feet.

In addition to your daily product usage make sure to avoid unprotected sun exposure.

Sunglasses are also important in order to protect the delicate eye area. Hats are helpful as well. Smoking is very harmful to the periocular area as well as the whole body. Tugging, pulling or rubbing the eye area can also exacerbate inflammation and irritation.

(This information was published in Skin Inc. Magazine)

The cell renewal factor (CRF) is a natural process that slows down with age.  Babies renew their cells every 14 days, teenagers every 21 to 28 days, middle-age adults every 28-42 days and it takes 42-48 days to renew cells by age 50 or older.  Many things influence our CRF like the environment, lifestyles, medical history, genetics and hygiene.  The corneum layer of the epidermis consists of 15 to 20 layers.  Excess dead skin cells accumulated on its surface.   Exfoliation is defined as “peeling or sloughing of the horny outer layer of the skin, or corneum.” 

Any ingredient that is used in this process is an exfoliant.  Exfoliation is also called superficial peeling, keratolysis and desquamation.  The surplus accumulation of skin cells, hyperkeratosis, is especially common in oily skin.  Excess sebum clogs pores and causes dead skin cell build-up, which makes regular exfoliation essential for oily skin.

It is important to note that the esthetician works only on the superficial epidermis, leaving deeper exfoliation to physicians, who work in the live layers below the epidermis. Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) started being used to exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin in the 1980s.  AHAs derived from fruit became popular in the 1990s, and today, the advancement of exfoliation grows with innovations such as microdermabrasion.

There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical.  Mechanical involves physically sloughing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin by the means of microdermabrasion, brush machines, or granular scrubs made with natural or synthetic materials.  Chemical exfoliation involves chemical agents that dissolve the intercellular glue that binds dead skin cells together.  Examples include enzymes, AHAs, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), glycolic & lactic acid and beta hydroxyl acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid.

Benefits of exfoliation are many:  stimulated blood flow, accelerated cell turnover rate, eased extractions, increased moisture retention for the skin, increased product penetration, and the skin is left smoother and with a more even tone.  There are contraindications one should be aware of. 

     Facials that are incorporated with potent ingredients that help erase fine lines, plump sagging skin, and restore a youthful glow can relieve you of those self-conscious feelings about your crow’s feet and dark spots.

     A favorite at spas and dermatology practices alike are vitamins.  Vitamins are often incorporated into anti-aging products and treatments because of their complexion-enhancing abilities.  Following, are a few of those favorites.  Retin-A and its gentler cousin retinol (both forms of vitamin A) are typically added to acid peels to enhance their sloughing effect, although they are notorious for leaving users susceptible to sunburn.  Meanwhile, vitamin C – often applied as a facial serum – is loaded with anti-oxidants effective in fighting environmental damage.  For any anti-aging regimentthe three most popular recommendations are Retin-A (only available from dermatologist) or retinol, vitamin C and a sunscreen.

     Acids are another category of tried and true age-fighters.  Hyaluronic acid kicks up moisture retention in cells, causing visible pluming and luminosity, while glycolic acid reduces the appearance of fine lines and age spots.  For a natural approach, opt for acid-rich fruit enzymes like apple, grape, and pineapple, to name a few.  These are often used in serums, masques, and peels to promote cell turnover and renewal, brightening and firming crepey, sagging, or discolored skin.

     Additional natural healing can be found in the ocean.  Antioxidant-rich seaweed, algae, and kelp are typically freeze-dried, powdered, blended with oil or water, then applied as a masque to hydrate and detoxify skin.  Algae is exceptionally effective in delivering essential fatty acids for collagen production and cell renewal.  When used topically, thise nutrients are also absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the dermis, aiding the regeneration of skin cells from the inside out.  Our bodies are familiar with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and the percentages of these vitamins and minerals are already in perfect balance in algae.  It’s like taking vitamins.

     Protein rich caviar takes the marine element even further, boosting skin elasticity and firmness by nourishing cells with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and lipids.  It is most often administered in extract form and combined with other age-defying elements for maximum effect.

     In the jewels sector, pearls have essential minerals that are believed to promote cell renewal and elasticity, while diamonds can be finely ground and used as an exfoliator.

     Of course, an anti-aging facial, no matter how extraordinary, isn’t likely to be a permanent fix.  But it just may give you the beauty boost you need to stop obsessing about your flaws and feel confident in front of a mirror, regardless of age.