So, with all of the myths, information and product lines available, which green product line do we trust the most?

Beata and Tanya have both used Eminence Organic skin care products regularly since 2003, when the line was first introduced in Canada. Beata knows the founder, Boldijarre Koronczay personally and greatly admires his dedication to innovation, the strong marketing he employs, his commitment to being a truly green company and the corporate social responsibility initiative he has rolled out.

Their mission statement, “to deliver happiness and extraordinary service by providing the healthiest and most effective skin care products” and to protect “the future of our planet through our green practices” truly is the foundation behind all they do.

Eminence has been voted Favorite Skin Care Line for four years in a row by skin care professionals and #1 for skin care results in the natural and organic spa industry. Why?

• Their products are free of parabens, sodium sulfate, animal by-products, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, harmful colorants, fragrances, mineral oils and petroleum.
• Eminence is a member of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the association for the organic industry in North America. The OTA works to promote and protect organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
• Eminence is the Best of Green Award winner for the best environmental practices in the industry.
• Their products are hand-made, cruelty-free without mass production for over 50 years.

We also love Eminence because they’re committed to being an industry leader in keeping our planet green and has always been concerned about the environment. Since its inception, they’ve been using sustainable farming and green practices to create organic products- before being green was cool.

How are they doing this?

• They’ve enlisted wind and solar power energy in the making of their products, which produces no carbon dioxide.
• Their products come in recyclable packaging, their inks are vegetable-based and they use FSC certified post-consumer recycled paper.
• In their warehouses, all packing boxes are reused and recycled and their new eco-friendly software system means they don’t need to print out invoices- saving 15-20 trees per year!
• Their green office space has been designed as an eco-alternative building made primarily with renewable resources. Even their staff uses “green” transportation- 92% of their office uses public transit, walks or bikes to and from work every day.

You’re going to love this…really, you are.

Eminence has an amazing Forests for the Future initiative. Basically, every time they sell an active organic, or Biodynamic product, Eminence will plant a tree.

The Power of 1 Tree:

• Produces 260 pounds of oxygen per year
• Absorbs as much carbon in 1 year as a car produces driving 26, 000 miles
• Helps lower air temperature and helps prevent climate change
• Stabilizes soil and prevents wind and soil erosion
• Contributes to the fertility of land through nitrogen fixation and increasing water penetration

Their website has a ton of helpful resources, be sure to check it out here. Have you used Eminence before? Which products of theirs do you love?

A quick search online will result in thousands of articles all arguing something different, revealing product ‘scams’ and a host of product lines claiming to be genuinely organic, natural or green.

The fact that there is no official regulatory body in Canada and United States monitoring these products and setting guidelines for what makes something “organic” makes things even more confusing to consumers faced with a wall of beauty products to choose from, all claiming to be free of preservatives, organic or natural.

So, you decide you’re going to be pro-active and research the various ingredients included in a product you’re interested in buying before making the purchase. Did you know that Canadian regulations state that not all ingredients need to be included on product labels? Where does this leave you as a consumer? Confused, overwhelmed, misinformed and disappointed.

The first thing you need to know about products that claim to be organic is that no product can be 100% organic. It’s impossible. Why? Because any product that contains water, especially, creams, gels and serums need preservatives. These wet products in air-tight containers are the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Without a preservative mold, yeasts and fungi grow causing rashes and infections. While synthetic preservatives protect the product, parabens, a common ingredient in some synthetic preservatives, has been believed to cause cancer.

The solution seems simple, right? Find what is safe in both natural and synthetic preservatives and use that. Easier said than done. There are many complications with replacing synthetic preservatives with a natural alternative.

The issue with creating an organic or natural preservative is that there are many organic ingredients that can prevent the growth of mold, yeast or fungi however, they are not safe for consumer’s skin and will result in a strange smelling product. Using a smaller dosage means it’s not effective as a preservative and the product will have a very short shelf-life, something that is not ideal for suppliers, retailers and customers.

A universal organic preservative is also difficult to achieve because it needs to fit into a company’s pre-existing, specific working product formula. Determining how this works from company to company varies, and within the company itself, requires trial and error, which can be very expensive and time-consuming.

There is however, a light at the end of the tunnel.

The good news is that the big players in the beauty industry are willing to dedicate the time and money towards adequately testing products and working towards developing a more organic preservative.

This means two things. First, that with the emergence of more organic and natural products will hopefully come a regulatory body in Canada and United States. Secondly, this means that these organic products will eventually come to have lower price-points as they become less trendy and more mainstream.

In the meantime, here are some ingredients that are commonly confused as natural preservatives:

1)      Vitamin E - While it is an antioxidant and does prolong product’s shelf-life it will not prevent the growth of mold, yeasts and fungi in any products that contain water

2)      Grapefruit Seed Extract - This ingredient often has to be chemically-altered to the point of no longing being natural. While it does have some antimicrobial characteristics, it is not a good natural preservative.

3)      CO2 Extract (AKA; Rosemary Oil) - This ingredient is an antioxidant and can be used to extend the life of oil-based products; however, it is not an effective preservative in water-based products.

Want to know which organic product line we trust and personally use? Stay tuned for next week’s blog entry!

In our earlier post, we outlined some of the dangers of not having your pedicure done at a sanitary spa, or a spa that does not follow sanitation procedures properly. This week, we’ll be answering a question asked by both our regular clients, and new clients looking for a new spa to call home; “What is the sanitation process you use in between pedicure or manicure treatments?”

Our instruments

All of our staff members have been trained to follow the strict disinfection procedures outlined by the Halton Health Board. After each service is completed all instruments that cannot be disinfected such as nail files or buffers are given to our clients, or thrown away. All metal instruments are first washed with soap and water and then placed in Accel CS 20 High Level Disinfectant; for 20 minutes. This high-quality disinfectant has been approved by Halton Health Board for disinfecting medical devices and instruments. All tools are then rinsed, dried and placed in a sterilization pouch, ready to be used on the next client.

When instruments begin to look worn, or aren’t functioning in the best way, new top-of-the-line instruments are purchased in replacement to ensure all our nail care services are done with precision and attention to detail. We also welcome our clients to bring their own tools or products with them if they prefer we use their materials during their services.

Our pipe-less chairs

In our spa we have four very comfortable pedicure chairs with whirlpool baths and pipe-less GeniJet Systems. This pipe-less technology eliminates any bio-film build-up and does not give breeding ground for bacteria growth. After each client, our pedicure whirlpool baths are washed, scrubbed, rinsed with clean water and sprayed with Accel Prevention Hydrotherapy. The spray is left to sit for 5 minutes and the tubs are rinsed again with clean water. At the end of each day all whirlpool baths are filled with water and bleach, re-circulated for 10-15 minutes, drained and then rinsed with clean water (see the full procedure here)

Our staff

In keeping with European tradition and precision, we guarantee our services and assure that each of our aestheticians will exceed your expectations.

Each of our aestheticians are licensed, have undergone extensive training and have received additional certifications to provide special services, such as gel nails, for our clients. Check out our Facebook page to get to know our staff a little bit better.

Click here, for a full list of our nail care services and as always, feel free to contact us with any questions you have.

One of the most commonly used terms when discussing sun protection is SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is the universal measurement of protection against ultra-violet rays (UV rays). SPF measures how much UV radiation is required to produce a sunburn on skin that’s protected with sunscreen as opposed to how much UV radiation is required to produce a sunburn on unprotected skin. For example; a sunscreen with 30 SPF protects your skin against 30 terms the exposure of UV rays than if you were not wearing any sunscreen.

Did you know that 90% of skin cancers are a direct result of exposure to UV light from the sun? Or, how about that 1 in 6 people will develop a form of skin cancer?

While wearing a good sunscreen decreases your chances of developing skin cancer, SPF also:

a) Reduces your skin’s appearance of aging. Wearing a good sunscreen prevents wrinkle development.

b) Gives your skin a more even tone and reduces your chances of developing age spots or experiencing hyperpigmentation.

While anti-aging products are effective, your skin will continue to show the signs of aging unless these products are paired with SPF in some way.

Wearing SPF daily doesn’t necessarily have to mean wearing a separate sunscreen. Many make-up lines consist of products that include an SPF, like this one here and some creams and serums contain an SPF as well, like these ones here.

Most people don’t think twice about applying sunscreen to their bodies, however, when it comes to putting it on their face people hesitate. Most people assume that all sunscreens are greasy, oily, have a strong scent and will clog their pores. Right? Wrong.

If you are going to wear a separate sunscreen, be sure to keep these things in mind when purchasing a product for your face:

1) Choose the correct SPF level. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a product with an SPF of 15 or higher on your face.

2) Select a product with broad-spectrum protection. This means that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

3) Select an oil-free or noncomedogenic product. These are products recommended by dermatologists because they are lightweight and are guaranteed to not clog your pores.

4) Think about purchasing a tinted moisturizer-sunscreen combination. Using a combination product is a good way to minimize the number of product layers you need to apply.

5) Purchase your sunscreen from a company that already produces reputable skin care, such as this one here, or here.

If you need help selecting a good sunscreen or product with an SPF let us know next time you’re in the spa. Our aestheticians are also highly educated and qualified in this area and can answer any questions you have regarding sun damage treatments.

Myths Surrounding SPF

With so much information being circulated on the internet, all kinds of myths get created and believed whether they are true or not. Two of the most common myths are listed below.

Statement: If I’m wearing sunscreen or using a product with SPF I will not get enough vitamin D.

Answer: False.

While vitamin D is essential for your overall health research has shown that relying solely on the sun for your vitamin D intake is dangerous. Adequate amounts should be obtained through milk and fish consumption, vitamin supplementation and limited sun exposure from daily activities while wearing sunscreen. The recommended dose of vitamin D for an adult is 1,000-2,000 IU per day and the sun is unreliable; some days giving you too much exposure, and sometimes not enough.

Statement: Some sunscreens can actually cause cancer.

Answer: False

Confusion in this area arose after a study released by the University of California, Riverside concluded that sunscreens actually caused cancer. While some of the findings were correct, they were taken completely out of context.

The report stated that when exposed to UV rays for an extended period of time, sunscreen ingredients can actually break down and stimulate cellular oxidation. While this can be cause for concern, this can be avoided through proper reapplication. All sunscreens, regardless of their SPF number or ingredients should be re-applied every 2 hours. Sunscreens formulated with antioxidants in conjunction with SPF can also eliminate this concern. Look for ingredients such as caffeine, silymarin, L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E), resveratrol and glutathione for superior protection against sun-induced free radical damage.

Which sun care or SPF myths have you heard before?

Click here to learn more about SPF and proper sun care practises.

Enjoy your vacations!

Reference 1: http://www.spabeautyschools.com/article/v/10003/spf-resource-guide/

Reference 2: http://oakvillebeautyinstitute.com/links/dermaglow/the-search-for-the-ideal-sun-protection

Not having your pedicure performed at a sanitary establishment that meets the standards set by the Region of Peel Health Department or the International Pedicure Association puts you at risk for developing bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Pedicure tubs present ideal conditions for the transmission of fungal infections.

In combination with warm, damp conditions, pedicure chair piping can trap hair, skin and other bits of debris encouraging the transmission of toenail fungus, warts and furunculosis; or recurring boils.

In order to prevent the spread of infection, foot baths should be cleaned and disinfected between each client, as well as at the end of each day. Although they are not found in many spas, pipe- less pedicure chairs are ideal and greatly work to eliminate this problem.

Contaminated spa instruments are also a culprit

If the instruments aren’t being cleaned properly, they can pass along serious blood-related diseases such as Hepatitis C. Thorough washing of all instruments with soap and water followed by immersing them in a disinfectant solution must be done after every client.

Common Error: While a spa may follow the correct sanitation process, they may not store their equipment properly. Sanitizing instruments is important, however, the sanitation process is not effective if the clean instruments are then stored in a dirty drawer or container.

Anything used in a pedicure service that is not metal, such as wooden sticks, nail buffers or gloves are categorized as “single use” items and should be disposed of after every client or given to the client for at-home use.

A spa manager’s responsibility.

Salon owners and managers are responsible for ensuring their staff members understand and properly follow the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing procedures for the Country in which they operate.

Common Error: Some spas have unlicensed employees or, employees that haven’t been properly trained working as aestheticians or nail technicians. Before booking an appointment feel free to ask about employee licensing and training logs. Spa managers should have these records on-hand at the spa.

The Checklist

So, when it’s time for your next pedicure and you’re looking for a spa, keep this checklist top-of-mind:

• Do the pedicure areas, whirlpools and overall spa look clean?
• Do the nail technicians/pedicurists have their licenses?
• Have your feet been examined and health questions asked before the pedicure?
• Do the instruments look clean and have they been disinfected?
• Are single-use items disposed of or given to you after the pedicure?
• Are proper tools being used?
• Are drill bits disinfected?
• Does the spa have adequate ventilation?
• Is a laundered towel or new disposable towel used on each client?

Other than research, what can you do to prevent the spread of infection during your pedicure?

• Do not shave or wax your legs for 48 hours prior to your pedicure. Shaving or waxing may leave small nicks or open pores on the skin which allow bacteria to easily enter during the soaking process.
• Do not have a pedicure if you have any open wounds on your legs or feet.
• Ask that your pedicurist wear gloves during your treatment both for their protection, as well as your own.

Remember, the cost of your pedicure goes far beyond the service being performed. Your total at the register includes: covering the cost of the materials being used as well as labor. This involves; preparation of the work space, initial cleaning and disinfecting of materials, performing the pedicure service and tear down procedure which meets the strict Region of Peel Health Department requirements.

Stay tuned for next week’s post on our sanitation procedures and details! Feel free to come in for a tour of our pedicure area and ask any questions you might have.

References:

http://www.pedicureassociation.org/

http://www.peelregion.ca/health/pss/man-pedcure.htm

With all the different nail gel options available, it’s difficult to understand what makes one brand different fromanother.There is also confusion surrounding imitation brands, health benefits or risks and pricing.

Let us clear up the confusion for you.

At Beauty Institute and Spa we ONLY carry Bio Sculpture Gel products and have recently introduced Gelish products as well, as the safest products on the market. If you’ve gone to other nail salons, you may have realized that our Bio Sculpture Gels are a little bit more expensive than other gel or Shellac options.

So, why do we choose to carry this product?

• Bio Sculpture Gel is the #1 selling color gel in Canada.
• Bio Sculpture Gel is the only nail gel to receive a 5-Star Safety Rating.
• Bio Sculpture Canada offers training to aestheticians so they can become certified technicians, guaranteeing their work quality.
• Bio Sculpture Gel not only looks natural, but is actually a nail hardening treatment that strengthens and promotes natural nail growth. This product can be applied directly onto your natural nail without damaging the nail plate and works to protect them while brittle, cracked nails grow and repair.
• Bio Sculpture Gel does not use primers, bonders, glues or resins.
• No excessive buffing before or after the gel is applied is necessary
• Bio Sculpture Gel can be removed using non-acetone polish remover and the permanent nail color will be restored to its original state.
• The line is made up of over 100 colors.

Imitation Nail Gel Products Have Flooded the Market

Upon going to a nail salon or spa you may be presented with other “bio gel” options that appear to be Bio Sculpture Gel products. One of the most common imitations is gels packaged in little black jars with “Bio Gel” written across the label in gold lettering.

How can you tell if the product being used in your manicure is an authentic Bio Sculpture Gel product?

1)       The label should also include the Bio Sculpture Gel diamond symbol

2)       It should read “Made in South Africa”

3)       The product should be odorless

4)       Bio Sculpture Gel nails can be removed using a non-acetone soak

If you have any other questions about Bio Sculpture Gel be sure to ask one of our certified nail technicians next time you’re in the spa.

Have a question you’d like us to answer? Submit it via our Facebook page or e-mail indulge@beautyinstituteandspa.com

Reference: www.biosculpturenails.com

Our aestheticians get asked all kinds of questions when working on their clients. In this FAQ series, we’ll beanswering some of the most commonly asked

FAQ #1: What is the difference between a serum and a cream? Do I need to use both? What’s the difference between face cream and a specialized eye cream?

Serums are highly concentrated products with advanced active ingredients such as vitamins, anti-oxidants, Natural Algae Hormones, Silicum, Hyaluronic Acid, and Collagen. Serums can also contain Natural Retinol Alternative or Swiss Green Apple Stem Cells. Generally speaking, they are made up of smaller molecules, meaning they are able to penetrate through your skin’s layers and more directly target any problem areas, such as; dehydration, lack of firmness, wrinkles, pigmentation issues and they are also used to brighten the skin.

Using a serum recommended for your skin-type, regularly, is proven to prolong the benefits your skin receives during a facial.

VS.

Creams are made up of larger molecules than a serum is. This means that creams cannot penetrate the skin’s layers as deeply as a serum can. Creams are topical and are responsible for protecting your skin’s outer layers from the elements and from Trans-Epidermal Water Loss, or, evaporation of moisture from the skin. They usually suit more dry, mature and sensitive skin types and are especially beneficial during cold weather months.

Did you know that the pores around your eyes are smaller than the pores that cover the rest of your face?

This is why using an eye cream around your eye area, as opposed to your regular face cream or moisturizer is important. Eye creams are made up of smaller molecules, therefore meaning they can penetrate the sensitive skin’s layers more effectively. Eye creams also contain ingredients to reduce redness, reduce puffiness or reduce dark circles.

So, you may be wondering how to integrate a serum into your skin care routine. Your serum becomes step #3 in your skin care routine:

1)      Cleanse your skin

2)      Apply your toner

3)      Apply a dime-sized amount of serum. If you have especially dry skin, you should apply your serum right after you’ve applied your toner so that your damp skin can seal in as much serum as possible.

4)      Apply your eye cream being careful not to apply any cream higher than your cheek bones. Any cream that gets applied too close to the eye area will end of in your eyes throughout the night and result in more redness and puffiness the next morning.

5)      Apply your cream. Be sure to wait until your serum has been absorbed and then apply your moisturizer. Waiting 5-10 minutes before applying your cream means that your skin is able to reap the benefits of the serum, fully.

Be sure to ask your aesthetician which serum they would recommend for you.

If you have a question you’d like answered on our blog, be sure to e-mail it to us at; indulge@beautyinstituteandspa.com

Each Friday, we’ll be posting an entry here, answering frequently asked questions or exploring a new trend or treatment in the beauty industry. We hope you’ll read it regularly and that it becomes a valuable resource for you.

Please leave us your comments and feedback- it’s important to us! If there’s a question you’d like to have answered, or explored on the blog please feel free to e-mail; indulge@beautyinstituteandspa.com and submit your question.

Find us on Facebook, here.

Thank you,

The Beauty Institute Team

Article originally posted in the Oakville Beaver on February 10, 2010.

Give the gift of Jet Peel skin-rejuvenation this Valentines Day

By Kelly Mencfeld

Because I have always had, let’s say, not so perfect skin, I was skeptical when I first learned about the Microdermabrasion with Jet Peel service that the Beauty Institute and Day Spa offers. This new procedure is often used to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, remove unwanted pigmentation and for overall skin rejuvenation. It is also very useful with acne, blackheads and other come done eruptions.

Thinking that it would be like any harsh sounding, skin treatment, it would make my sensitive, acne-prone skin do what it does best – breakout; however, after much research and self-convincing, I packed up my stuff and went to my appointment.

Once I arrived to this modern and luxurious day spa, I was escorted into my private room to prepare for the treatment.  When I was ready, my experienced aestheticians began the process that took the better part of 90 minutes.

Like any facial treatment, it began with the cleansing of my face, neck and décolleté area to remove any makeup and dirt and oil that had built up on my skin throughout the day. Once my skin was prepared, the aesthetician explained how the Jet Peel procedure worked. “It is an all natural, virtually painless skin treatment that dramatically improves the appearance and texture of your skin,” she explained. “It is like a ‘pressure wash’ for your skin, utilizing, a two-phase jet stream comprised of air and micro droplets of a hospital grade saline accelerated to supersonic velocities. This jet stream gently yet effectively impacts the skin and unclogs pores, exfoliates, hydrates and removes any debris that has naturally built-up in your skin over the years.”

The Jet Peel, in my case as well in many others, is often paired with an Intense Pulse Light (IPL™) facial treatment to achieve ultimate skin rejuvenation results and has shown to provide astonishing results while treating acne, rosacea, hyper pigmentation, skin discolouration and broken capillaries. “This procedure is often sought out by women in their 50’s to help rejuvenate and minimize any unwanted lines, however it is great preventative treatment for younger women as well.”

The final step to my treatment was a hydrating and soothing mask. The mask was left on my skin for 15 minutes to achieve ultimate hydration. After a brief, yet relaxing nap, my 15 minutes was up and the aesthetician was back to finish off the treatment.  After removing the mask and placing a protective moisturizer on my skin I was handed a mirror to see the difference the treatment had made on my skin – and what a difference it was! My skin looked and felt 10 years younger; I couldn’t believe that I was first skeptical about the treatment.

Seven days later, my skin is still much smoother and my pores are much less noticeable than ever before. I cannot wait to go back for my next appointment; with results like this, how could I not? Possibly my husband will catch on to my not-so subtle hints and get me my next treatment for Valentine’s Day.

For more information about the Microdermabrasion with Jet Peel service and the other services the spa offers visit www.beautyinstituteandspa.com, call 289-291-0168 or visit the day spa conveniently located next to the Whole Food Market at 361 Cornwall Road.

The follicle has several parts that interest us.
Dermal papilla - The dermal papilla directs and dictates the embryonic
generation of a hair follicle and it also retains this instructive ability
throughout the life of the hair follicle. It consists of a highly active group
of cells shown to be capable of inducing follicle development from the
epidermis and production of hair fiber (Oliver 1966a, Oliver 1966b,
Oliver 1967).
The bigger the Dermal Papilla is, the more cells it has - the thicker the
hair fiber that the hair follicle produces.

Basement Lamina - a thin layer of cells that separates the Dermal Papilla
form the hair sheath cells. Providing a barrier between the dermis and
 epidermis.

Matrix cells - Epidermal derived cells close to the Dermal Papilla. These
cells remain undifferentiated and focus on multiplying and proliferating
to produce more cells. Those cells made in the center of the hair follicle
are destined to become part of the hair fiber and are called Cortex
(cortical) cells.

Cortex Cells - Cells that are made by the matrix cells, aimed to become a
part of the hair fiber.

As these cells multiply, the constant stream of production pushes the cells
upward towards the skin surface. As they move up the hair follicle they
begin to differentiate into particular cell types. The cortex cells change
from a round into a flattened appearance. They are squeezed together into
layers (lamella). If the hair follicle contains melanocyte cells then
melanin pigment is incorporated into the cortex cells. These cortex cells
become keratinized and harden. As they do so it becomes impossible for
the cells to function properly and the cells die. The keratinized cells are
then pushed away from the hair bulb region and upwards as new cells
come in behind. The cortex cells are now part of the dead keratinized
fiber. Which is the hair that we see.

Capillaries - small blood vessels that brings food and oxygen to the hair
follicles and takes away the CO2 and waste of the cells metabolic cycle.

When we give a pulse of light, the light penetrates the epidermis and
absorbs in the cells.

The darker the area the more energy it will absorb. As you can see in the
picture, the darkest area is the area of the matrix cells (the cells that
produce the hair fiber cells). That is because of the melanin, which is
inside these cells.

Another dark area is the Capillaries area - especially the capillaries that
have vain blood in them. Vain blood is darker because it has hemoglobin,
which is not attached to oxygen.

When we give a pulse of light many matrix cells are coagulated and stop
 functioning.

Matrix cells that are not coagulated are triggered to activate their calcium
pumps. According to Friedmann (1993), a high intensity light pulse will
cause a vast calcium release from mitochondria into cytoplasm. The
hyperactivity of Ca+2 pumps exhausts the ATP (an energy molecule) pool
of the cell, thereby inhibiting cell metabolism resulting in the production
of less Cortex Cells and therefor - less hair or more feathery hair.

Another effect of the light pulse is the clotting of the vain blood in the
capillaries. The clotting disturbs the blood flow to the hair follicle
meaning less food and oxygen are delivered to the hair follicle, resulting
in a smaller ability to produce hair.

These three effects are the cause of the hair removal. The coagulation is
the main reason but the other two effects contribute to the hair loss as
 well.

The Crystal 512 and Record 618delivers enough light energy, in the right wavelength, in
order to cause these effects but avoids from too much energy that might
influence other areas of the skin.

www.active2001.com