FAQ's

1. How do I maintain my style while I sleep?
To hold on to your blow dry an extra day use a satin or silk pillow case. Don’t have one? Then cover your pillow with a silk scarf. Your hair will slide rather than get static and pulled on a cotton pillow case!

2. How do I keep my hair from turning green from the pool?
Hair is a fiber that acts like a sponge. It can only soak up a certain amount of moisture. The secret: Wet hair before swimming. It'll absorb less chlorine. When you emerge from your swim, before your hair has a chance to dry, rinse your hair with tap water. Better yet, rinsing with Club soda after your dip in the pool helps eliminate the copper-rich bleach of chlorine. Shower off then use a good conditioner.

3. I'm using a shine product to control frizz. Is there a better way?
Avoid using shine products to control frizzes. They often contain silicone and can coat your hair after just a few times. What’s wrong with that? Let’s talk about silicones for a moment. Silicones are viscous oily liquids that coat the hair shaft in gloss, misleading you to think your hair has a healthy sheen. It seems like a miracle at first, however, silicones are not water soluble. They can only be removed with harsh detergents that strip the hair of it’s natural oils which the scalp produces to keep the hair and scalp healthy supple and shiny. The results are straw like dry hair, this in turn makes the beauty queen think she needs more silicone which become a vicious cycle. A barrier is then created preventing moisturizing conditioners from penetrating the hair, further drying it out. It’s hard to avoid and hard to believe how bad it is for the hair. But the extra-work and avoidance is worth it to have the best hair possible.

4. Should I use any oil products in my hair?
Your hair is not an engine! Avoid products that contain synthetic oils such as mineral and/or petroleum oil, as they further dehydrate the hair.

5. What are the benefits of body treatments?
Body treatments help to restore, revitalize, and rejuvenate your skin from head to toe. Additonally, the sense of well-being you experience during the treatment is very relaxing and therapeutic.

6. I have little bumps on my face called "milia". How do I get rid of them?
Milia are closed comedones that result from decreased cell turnover associated with aging. They also can develop in association with acne. Salicylic acid cleansers can be helpful. However, simple incision and drainage is the best therapeutic approach to treat established milia.

7. Which skin lightening ingredients are most likely to reduce brown spots?
The most effective lightening ingredients include azelaic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, mulberry or bearberry extract, vitamin C, and retinoids.

8. Why do I need to invest in high quality hair care products?
Salon products are designed to work with what your stylist uses to cleanse and condition at the salon. As well, if color treating or correcting, these products are designed to prolong your salon experience.

9. What can I do to keep my color from fading?
Many factors contribute to color loss, in particular astringent shampoo, exposure to the Sun, and improper protection from heat styling. The best way to keep professional color from fading is to follow the prescription provided by your colorist for your hair type.

10. Why is your main nutrition product a chewable?
We are very proud to offer Chews-4-Health. It's amazing. Now to answer: can you name a food that you swallow whole without chewing first? Think about it. Every type of food you eat, you CHEW before swallowing. Well, there is a scientific reason for that. The most important part of digestion actually takes place in your mouth. Your teeth break apart food into small particles and your saliva, which contains 3 digestive enzymes, breaks down the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. If you swallow vitamins and minerals in pill form, you are skipping this vital part of the digestive process and many of these nutrients will never fully absorb into your body. I also have to tell you that they taste fabulous so you'll enjoy them immensely. And you'll love the way your body will feel too. I do.

11. On the Power Plate® machine, do I really just stand there?
No. At the very least you should perform a static squat or lunge. Bear in mind that although you might not be moving, your muscles are! And, as you progress, doing the exercises dynamically (with movement) can make them even more challenging.

12. Will the Power Plate® machine help me lose weight?
As you build muscle, which burns more calories than fat, you can increase your metabolic rate to lose weight and become more lean. An additional benefit is that Power Plate training can help combat cellulite through increased circulation and the massage effect on skin and tissues.

13.What Is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a mini procedure that involves the skin being "sandblasted" by aluminum oxide crystals, baking soda, salt or corn cob granules to remove the stratum corneum (top) layer of the skin; dead skin cells. Microdermabrasion also promotes the production of new cells in the basal (deepest) layer of the dermis. This procedure may not give everyone the same results but if you have the money it is a nice treat and requires no down time. It can clean your pores incredibly and hinder any future breaks outs if used on a regular basis. Microdermabrasion also stimulates collagen net working to further even out skin texture and appearance.

14. Are You a Candidate For Microdermabrasion?
The best candidates for microdermabrasion are individuals with acne prone and blotchy skin, small scars, rhytides, keratoses, large pores, milia, or sebaceous hyperplasia. If you have sun damage or uneven texture and would like to improve the condition of your skin, you may be a good candidate for Microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is not recommended for those who have active keloids, undiagnosed lesions, recent herpes outbreaks, warts, active, weeping acne (stages 3 to 4), active rosacea, unstable diabetes or auto-immune system disorders.

15. Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?
Microdermabrasion does not hurt although it may sting a little around the eye area. The patient normally works up to a level as they go to increase the penetration to the skin. Your skin may feel a little hot and appear a little pink for the first day.

You should be perfectly fine that night. Although really intense micro- dermabrasion treatments may leave you pink for several days. The technician can turn down the controls if the suction or level of the blast is too strong for you.

16. What to Expect During a Treatment?
Patients have attributed the sensation of a microdermabrasion treatment to a slight windburn. Although depending upon the level that you wish to reach the discomfort is usually quite minimal, if at all. The treatments typically last 20 to 30 minutes for the face, if your treatment includes the neck and upper chest area, it may last up to an hour.

A normal course of microdermabrasion treatments varies between 4 to 8 at approximately 2 week intervals. It is recommended that you schedule an additional treatment every 1 to 3 months to maintain your skin in excellent condition. Most patients actually feel and see a difference just after one or two treatments but schedule additional treatments to increase this improvement.

17. After The Treatment

• A rehydrating toner, moisturizer and sunscreen is applied to your skin prior to leaving the surgeon or dermatologist's office.
• Some redness is expected after a treatment, however this is not likely to persist more than a few hours. The sensation of having a mild windburn or sunburn will also pass after a few hours. Applying a high quality moisturizer to re-hydrate the skin at this point will help.
• Avoid direct sun exposure for 7 days after a treatment. We do stress the importance of using a high quality sun protectant product as well as minimizing sun exposure. Exposure to UV radiation is one of the key factors in speeding the skin aging process.
• Avoid Alpha-Hydroxy Acid, Glycolic Acid products and skin exfoliation scrubs for 72 hours both before and after a treatment.
• Avoid full face make-up, i.e. liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours after a treatment. Eye make-up, lipstick etc. may be applied immediately after a treatment.

18. What Results Are Gained From Microdermabrasion?
Your skin will feel vibrant and healthy and you will notice an immediate difference in your softer, smoother skin. There is virtually no recovery time, no discomfort and you can return to work immediately.

A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles, remove thickened skin areas due to the impact of environmental factors and reduce the appearance of blemishes caused by sun damage. Additionally, microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of open pores by unclogging sebum (oil) build-up and eliminate white and black heads.

19. What Can't Microdermabrasion Do?
Please be advised, raised or deeply pitted skin areas (possibly from old severe acne scars) and darker pigmented areas will require multiple treatments. I must advise that while Microdermabrasion does is not the cure all for heavily damaged skin, it is a non invasive technique for those of you who do not need a serious laser or chemical peel treatment.

Microdermabrasion also can not be expected to remove tattoos, I don't care what your dermatologist thinks, It is not going to happen. They are lying if they tell you it will. It takes a bunch of sessions just for mild acne scarring to be removed much less ink buried deep into your skin.

20. The Differences In The Machines
There are so many machines out there it is unreal. Something like 80 companies manufacturing 2 to 4 per company. The originating company is reportedly either Dermagenesis or Power Peel. Who knows, they both say they are. Many copy cat companies and machines have since blossomed and their is no regulation for what you should receive for your dollar. Some are better, some stink!

And don't think there aren't people out there who don't give a second thought to taking advantage of you. There are far too many people doing this to the innocent everyday. The only way you can avoid this is to be aware of the different machines and call around for a good deal or buy "packages." Below are some typical machines in order of what I think is best and beneficial. I must say to be sure you are getting your money's worth, Power Peel® is one of the best. Also, all of these machines utilize aluminum oxide (al2O3) crystals, aka Corundum as their abrasive unless otherwise noted. According to Dr. Robert A .Weiss, the crystal's diameter/size is the same as the fine grit sandpaper used in the final phase of preparing drywall. (Dr. Robert A Weiss - Micro-abrasion, John Hopkins).

You may not be able to pick and choose your choice of machines, but you can make sure that whatever machines they do have are sterile. Ask how they crystals are replenished. The best machines have closed systems that the crystal containers are never refilled, only changed out. You see, the better machines offer their crystals or are compatible with companies who sell crystals that are sold in the containers that you see on the side of the machine so that the old, used crystals are thrown away in its own container and a new, empty sterile container replaces the old one for easy clean up and the new filled container replaces the empty, spent one.

21. How Much Does Microdermabrasion Cost?
A single microdermabrasion treatment costs anywhere from $75. on up to $200. It depends on your area as well as where you receive the treatment. Sometimes a spa or salon machine may be the same make and model you a doctor may have. If you are armed with knowledge your chances of being taken advantage of are lessened.

You are not going to pay less than $75. a treatment and if you do, you're lucky! The national average is $135. The average machine is going to give you the penetration you need for the first few anyway. You normally work up to a higher level of penetration, but beware! Medical grade machines on their high levels can rip right through your skin.

Most doctors and aestheticians recommend a "series". A series consists of, on average, 4-6 treatments at 7- 10 day intervals. Some believe you must wait at least 10 days for your skin to heal properly or you will be doing your skin more harm than good. Still others consider an aggressive course with treatments every 5 days more effective. Some doctors or aestheticians will offer a package of treatments starting at $500. for 4-6 treatments.

What do I think? I think anything over $100 is a rip off. I'd sooner get on Obagi NuDerm with Retin A - 6 weeks to beautiful skin, for cheaper! That's what I did and I must tell you that if I had the money I'd get microdermabrasion as a luxury but for removing your complaints, tretinoin and Hydroquinone (or Kojic Acid) works fast.

22. The Risks Associated With Microdermabrasion

There are not many risks associated with microdermabrasion if you are a healthy adult, but enough to mention for those of you with skin or medical conditions. If the medical grade machines are used at high power it carries potential risks of hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection. Infection can also be a risk if the machines are not sterile. Many components of these machines are meant to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out with a new disposable piece. Any and all pieces that come into contact with your skin should be able to be sterilized or changed out.

 

23. Are There Risks Associated With Brazilian Blowout?

OSHA’s Action Level of 0.5 parts per million is the most stringent level of exposure set by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

On October 29, 2010, Oregon OSHA released results of a comprehensive air monitoring study conducted across seven salons. Each case yielded formaldehyde exposure levels well beneath OSHA’s Action Level, Permissible Exposure Level (PEL), and Short-Term Exposure Level.

The average Formaldehyde gas exposure level for the seven salons tested by Oregon OSHA was 0.079 parts per million; well beneath the OSHA Action Level of 0.5 parts per million.

Read the full article here.