Pedicure Safety

 With pedicure season in full swing- what should you know before receiving your treatment? There are a few things you, as the consumer, should know before receiving a pedicure. With hundreds of thousands of pedicures performed every year, most are excellent experiences with great results. However, some people are concerned especially if they hear a news story that questions the safety of pedicures. So here are some tips to help you be safe:
 
 - Skip having a manicure or pedicure if you have open wounds. This is best for your health and considerate for both the nail technician and other spa guests.
 - As a safety precaution, do not shave or wax 24 hours before your pedicure. Shaving causes little openings in the skin that can allow bacteria to enter the skin, should the pedicure tub not be completely disinfected.
 - Choose a salon with pedicure basins or pipeless whirlpool units. If you must choose a salon with whirlpool units that are not pipeless, ask to forgo the hydrotherapy portion of the pedicure.One of the most challenging sanitary issues regarding pedicures is the unseen piping and jets in pedicure tubs that cannot be cleaned properly between each client.
 - Porous items such as buffers, nail files, toe seperators, porous buffing blocks and pedicure flip flops cannot be sterilized. They must be thrown away or given to you after your treatment. Metal implements should be sanitized or sterilized after each use.

 We would love to hear your experiences regarding pedicures from our blog readers!  Keep those feet safe and beautiful!

Sunscreen: Are you really protected?

  Many people have a false sense of protection from improper sunscreen use. Melanoma cases are on the rise. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, cases of melanoma increased 45 percent from 1992 to 2004.

  Sunscreen is labeled with SPF (Sun Protection Label) — a measure of sunburn protection. SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays; the SPF 30 blocks 97 percent. SPF 30 does not have twice the protection of SPF 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 or higher. Keep in mind that SPF only applies to UVB rays. UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and pre-mature aging. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect from both UVB and UVA rays.

  Most people use sunscreen inconsistently or it’s inadequately applied. A golf ball-sized full ounce of sunscreen for a normal size adult body, reapplied every two hours. If sunscreen is applied too thin; it does not work. If your bottle of sunscreen is 8 ounces, chances are it will not last you the entire summer.
June 14, 2011, the FDA finally approved new sunscreen rules and regulations. Below is a list of the changes you will see by summer 2012:


Here are the main points in the FDA’s new sunscreen rules:

•Sunscreens may be labeled “broad-spectrum” if they provide protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
•Only broad-spectrum sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher can state that they protect against skin cancer if used as directed with other sun protection measures.
•Sunscreens with an SPF of 2-14 will be required to have a warning stating that the product has not been shown to help prevent skin cancer or early skin aging.
•The terms “sunblock”, “sweatproof” and “waterproof” are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.
•A sunscreen may claim to be “water resistant”; however, the product must specify if it offers 40 minutes or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Sunscreens that are not water resistant must include a direction instructing consumers to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
•Sunscreens cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than two hours without reapplication.
•Sunscreen manufacturers will have one year to comply with the FDA ruling; smaller companies will have two years.
•The ingredients in sunscreens marketed today have been used for many years and FDA does not have any reason to believe these products are not safe for consumer use.
•The FDA reiterated that sunscreen alone is not enough, and should be used in conjunction with a complete sun protection regimen, including seeking shade, wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats and sunglasses.

Rochester NY Area Mobile Spa Now Offering Professional On Location Hair Cutting & Glycolic Chemical Peels!

            Spa Events NY now offers individual and group hair cutting & glycolic chemical peels in the comfort and convenience of your own space! As if being able to receive a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, body treatment, airbrush tan, yoga session, hair styling, make up application or eyelash extension on your own schedule, wasn't enough- we now offer even more on location professional beauty services to cater to your unique schedule!

 Benefits:
 * Save time & money
 * Personalized care & superb customer service
 * Cut one or two errands out of your busy schedule
 * Avoid long waits in barbershops or salons
 * We provide complete set up & clean up, as with any of our other mobile services. We will sweep up hair and surface clean all equipment after the service.
 * Children can receive hair cuts in their own comfort zone, while watching cartoons!
 * Mom can conveniently squeeze in a cut and style for herself while children are napping
 * No need to find a babysitter

Chemical Peels:

 What is a glycolic chemical peel?

 Every day our skin undergoes the normal process of sloughing older dead skin cells.They are replaced by new cells, which ultimately, suffer the same fate. In young skin, the rate of cellular turnover is 28 days. As we age, the time needed for cells to slough off ncreases. Older cells stay in place longer, causing our skin to look dull and rough; impurities and moisture loss increase and fine wrinkles develop. Since peels accelerate the rate of cellular turnover, the appearance of the skin is improved.
 A chemical peel involves the application of acid to burn off damaged and dead skin cells of the face, neck, décolleté and hands. A peel removes several layers of sun-damaged and aged cells to expose fresh skin with a more even surface and color. Depending on peel depth, freckles, age spots and melasma may be lightened and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles may be reduced. Acneic skin greatly benefits from peels because the acid used dissolves or softens white heads and black heads for easier extraction. Peels may be
repeated every few weeks until desired results have been approached or achieved. Peel depth is determined by the degree of acidity, concentration of the peel medium, and the length of time the acid is allowed to interact with skin.

 How is it applied?
 After prepping the facial skin with degreasing agents, the glycolic acid is applied to the face. If it left on for two minutes (occasionally longer) and then neutralized. Glycolic acid causes a tolerable stinging sensation, which stops when neutralized. If the sensation becomes intolerable, it may be neutralized at any time. Gentle
peeling or flaking will usually begin after the 2nd day and may last up to 7 days. During that time you absolutely must not pick the skin and follow post-peel instructions. Using a sun block throughout the day (even if the sun does not shine) is mandatory

 How often should I repeat a Glycolic Peel?
 On average, we recommend a series of 3 to 5 treatments, spaced 3-4 weeks apart for optimum results.

 What can I expect afterwards?Everyone’s reaction to a peel treatment will vary depending on the depth of the peel, variances in skin density and thickness of the stratum corneum (dead skin cell layer). You may experience a ‘flushed’ sensation that can last a few hours following a peel. Slight flaking or peeling of the skin can last up to seven days, although you may not have visible flaking with every peel treatment, as the main function of these treatments are to cause cellular exfoliation and regeneration.
  Benefits of on location peels:
 * Some clients experience mild redness which can last a few hours following the treatment- with having this service done at home, you won't have to worry about walking out of the salon and seeing a neighbor or co-worker! You can relax at home immediately following while the pinkess subsides.
 *  Experience it with a friend over appetizers & drinks! Everything is more fun with friends.
 * Same level of professional service you would recieve in a spa, but with our low overhead- we can bring the same services to you with no ridiculous on location convenience upcharges!
 * With our "Girlfriends Club" program- spa Monday-Thursday and earn FREE Services by hosting a group of friends starting in August 2011!

Skin Benefits:
(Results depend upon skin conditions & number of peels)

 * Refined appearance of pores
 * Minimized appearance of fine lines
 * Increased ability to absorb product
 * Reduced appearance of superficial hyper-pigmentation
 * Stimulated circulation: improved skin tone
 * Encouraged shedding on dead skin cells
 * Improved elasticity and texture
 * Extractions of impurities are more easily performed

  You will also recieve an in depth "how to" prior to your party when booking for all glycolic chemical peel services! These services are performed by licensed, insured and experience estheticians who are ready to get your skin glowing! Inquire today about our "peel parties" or individual services appointments Monday-Thursday from 9 AM - 7 PM. Travel restrictions may apply for individual service appointments but please inquire.

Hair Tip Of The Day: 2 in 1, Yay Or Nay?

Do not use two-in-one shampoo and conditioner products. Ever! Shampoo is designed to have one effect on your hair, while conditioner is supposed to do another, and one application cannot do both. Shampoo opens the pores or scales on the hair follicles and cleans away any buildup of oil, dirt and pollutants. Conditioner closes or smoothes the follicles down, filling them with clean moisture and protection. It is important to do both, regardless of your hair type.

Benefits Of Spa Treatments: Rochester NY

No matter how busy you are, taking care of yourself should always be a top priority!  Many people have so many difficult challenges to face that they often feel the effects of a stress-filled life.  Studies have been conducted and show that stress is one of the major causes of various illnesses.  It is a great idea to make sure that you take the time to take care of your body and give yourself time to unwind and relax.  This relaxation is a necessary means to get rid of the stress that has built up on a daily basis.
  One way of doing this is by going to the spa (or better yet, having the spa come to you!) There are many benefits & reducing or eliminating stress is just one of them.  It is very important that you should stay away from stressful people and situations when possible- It will help you have positive thinking and be able to control your emotion.  Eliminating stress makes you more patient and some little things that seemed to annoy you before will not affect you anymore.
  Spa treatments also offer ways to relieve joint and muscle pains caused by over work. Many spa treatments incorporate massage that will relieve body pain and give you a sense of renewal and overall well being.
 Often times the most difficult part of it all is setting up the appointment! So next time your feeling stressed or need a little "me" time.... pick up the phone, order up a spa treatment or two & then sit back, relax, pour yourself a glass of wine, grab the remote and let our professional therapists pamper you into complete and utter bliss.