7 Steps For the Best at Home Facial
Do you want spa-like results for your facial, but at home? Were you given all these products to try, but don’t know where to start? I notice that a lot with people who are getting into skincare for the first time, or are looking to expand their knowledge. I gave my mother-in-law a bunch of stuff to try and then had to write down the order to use them in. So instead of writing down all the steps over and over again, you have all you need right here, at your fingertips!
Step 1 - Cleanse
Good way to start all at-home facials! You want to cleanse off all the dirt, debris, and makeup from the day (or night!) before starting in with anything else. This helps prep the skin for the rest of the products to do their job better!
Step 2 - Exfoliate
Now that the surface is cleaned off, you’ll want to take off the top layer of dead skin cells to so the next products don’t have to fight through that tough layer of skin to penetrate deeper. Don’t over exfoliate, though! If you’re just starting out with getting into skincare, you want to start with exfoliating once a week. After a while, you can move up to twice a week, but exfoliating is not an every day activity. We will go over the different types of exfoliation and the importance of it at another time.
Step 3 - Add-ons
If you have a jade roller, or gua sha at home, now’s the time to use them! Massaging the skin helps prep the skin for the masque to sink in. Jade rollers can help with puffiness and gua sha can help with firming and toning the skin. Both can also help move lymph so your immune system can stay strong.
Step 4 - Masque
Now that the skin is prepped and cleared, now it’s time to masque! Leave the masque on 5-7 minutes. I use mine in the shower and then rinse off when I’m ready to get out! There are many different types of masques that can target different things, such as purifying, texture, and hydration. If you’re unsure of what type of masque would be best for you, be sure to ask your esthetician!
Step 5 - Eye Cream
When using eye creams, it’s important to not use them too close to the eyes. The skin around the eyes is fairly thin and it can penetrate a bit too deep into the skin. A good rule of thumb is to only use eye creams where you feel bone.
Step 6 - Serum
Now’s the time for the products to seep into the skin to continue doing their work. While the other products are removed after use, serums stay on the skin. To me, serums are the heavy lifters of what you’re looking to accomplish. Once again, there are many different types, so be sure to ask your esthetician which one is right for you!
Step 7 - Moisturize
Last, but not least, end your facial with a good moisturizer. When doing an at-home facial in the morning, be sure to add SPF, or use a moisturizer that already has some in it, to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. When doing an at-home facial before bed, you can use a moisturizer that is a little heavier. Remember, when you sleep, your body is busy regenerating, so the products you use during the day, may be different than the products you use at night.
Although all facials follow all of these steps, you don’t have to do every step every time you cleanse and moisturize. It’s important to remember this is the order these steps go in, but some (like exfoliating) can be skipped if your skin is not ready yet. If you need a little help deciding which products to use, book your next facial at Jefferson City’s own Respiro Spa and we can come up with a plan together!
5 Reasons to Add Cupping to Your Massage
“What is cupping?” You might ask. Cupping is an ancient technique dating way back to 1550 BC or before. The practitioner will place the cups along the body, using suction as a form of treatment to the body. Sometimes they will move the cups along the body, while suctioning the entire time, creating a massage-like feeling with cupping. In this post I will talk about the different benefits you may get from adding cupping to your massage.
#1 Increase Blood Flow
The suction that the cups provide will draw blood to the affected area. This helps promote healing by bringing more oxygen to the area. By bringing more oxygen to the area it helps promote healing in the body. The increased blood flow is what results in the marks you may (or may not) have post session. These marks are not bruises as they don’t have any characteristics that a normal bruise has. The marks do not hurt, they don’t migrate like some bruises do, and they don’t change colors as they fade, like normal bruises do.
#2 Break up Adhesions
The pressure and suction from the cups with help pull the adhesions in your body apart easier than what a normal massage may do. Cupping is especially effective post injury or surgery, where there may be more adhesions present. The cups can sit on the area that needs broken up while other parts of the body can be paid attention to. This allows more body parts to be covered as the cup can work on one, and the therapist can work on another. Sometimes we may put multiple cups on at one time, allowing a much broader area to be worked out in one session.
#3 Loosen Fascia
Massage normally takes time to work deeper into the body to get to the root cause of the issue. Cupping will use the pressure to pull apart the fascia naturally so I can get deeper into the body more easily. This is extremely beneficial for those are just “tight”. Typically people who work out a lot may be this type as their whole body is affected. Cupping will help me loosen up the surface area first and then I can get to work.
#4 Decreased Sensitivity
Do you maybe need deep tissue work but it hurts when you get it done? Cupping would be great for you! Since the cups will break up the fascia and adhesions first, it makes it easier for not only me, but you too! I don’t have to fight as hard with the body to get deeper and that means less pain for you.
#5 Different Approach
Massage is really just a bunch of trickery to try to get the muscles to respond in the way that we want. Even deep tissue has many different types of techniques we can try when one way isn’t working as well. Typical massage is generally just pushing and compressing the body and breaking up the adhesions with force. Cupping provides a different approach that can help confuse the muscles into submission. When pushing and compressing doesn’t work, why not try pulling instead?
Cupping isn’t for everyone. You want to avoid if you have blood disorders, hypermobility such as EDS, diabetes, or inflammation. Talk to your practitioner for a full list of contraindications associated with cupping. But, if you’ve ever thought about trying something different or adding in a new approach to your massage, cupping is a great place to start. Book your next cupping massage with Jefferson City’s own Respiro Spa.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Post Wax Care
Waxing is great! The long lasting smoothness of your skin (plus all the other benefits I talked about in 7 Reasons to Try Waxing instead of Shaving) make waxing a great choice for hair removal. But, is it working out the way you wanted it to? You’re supposed to not have as many ingrowns, so why are they still showing up? Waxing is supposed to leave your skin smooth and exfoliated, so why is it all red and irritated? Good post-wax care is a MUST for proper results. In this post I will go over the necessary do’s and don’ts for post wax care to ensure you’re getting the best results every time.
Do Wear Loose Clothing
Still getting those pesky ingrowns? Well, your skin needs to breathe too! Eventually that hair is going to grow back, and by wearing tight clothing, it’s restricting where that hair will grow. If it doesn't have adequate space to poke through the follicle it’s going to grow right back inside the skin!
Do Exfoliate After 24-48hrs
Exfoliating (after 24-48hrs) will help keep the dead skin cells from reforming over the follicle and keep the path clear for the hair to pop back out. Continue exfoliating until those hairs are all poked out for best results. Don’t know what to exfoliate with? BushBalm has an amazing body scrub that I use in my post wax care routine.
Do Keep Clean
Your skin is highly susceptible to bacteria and infections post wax. By pulling the hair completely out of the follicle, you have now opened up a pathway straight into your system. It’s recommended to change clothes, bedsheets, and even pillowcases after a wax to help limit the amount of bacteria introduced into your skin.
Do Apply Post-Depilatory Creme
While changing clothes and bed sheets is necessary to keep your post wax skin clean, you can also use a post-depilatory creme to help keep bacteria out. If waxing is going to become a part of your hair removal routine, it’s best to keep a little on hand for the first couple days following a wax, when the follicles are most susceptible. I, personally, like the antibacterial creme, Finipil to use for the first few days post wax.
Do Keep a Schedule
Although the hair only needs to be, at minimum, the length of a grain of rice in order to be waxed, it’s not great to go much past that. The longer the hair is, the higher chance for tugging. A wax already is uncomfortable enough, we don’t need tugging too! Staying on a consistent schedule, roughly every 3-5 weeks will keep your wax the optimal length for a smooth service.
Don’t Touch/Pick
This one cannot be stated enough. I know it feels smooth, but the skin is so susceptible to infections, it’s best to just leave it alone. If you do end up getting an ingrown, even after all the Do’s of post wax, please, please, please do not pick at it. It will just open up the follicle to infection again.
Don’t Workout
You should wait at least 24 hours before resuming any workout routine. Open follicles and sweat really do not mix well. Aside from that, all the rubbing on the newly waxed skin will probably just cause more irritation overall. It’s best to wait until your skin has healed from a wax before working out again.
Don’t Overheat
Saunas, hot baths, and sunbathing are all amazing! But not after a wax! Irritation and heat just do not go well together. Just be sure to wait until your skin has healed from the service before planning on spending a day in the sun.
Don’t Swim
Whether it’s a pool or a lake, you really do not want to expose your freshly opened follicles to any unnecessary chemicals or bacteria. Once again, it’s best to wait about 48hours so those follicles can close back up and protect your body from outside forces.
Don’t Exfoliate Immediately
While exfoliating is good and necessary for good post wax care, exfoliating too soon is not so good. Your skin has already been exfoliated during the waxing process. Waxing not only removes the hair, but also the top layer of dead skin cells in the process. Exfoliating within the first 48hours after a wax will only irritated already super sensitive skin. After 48hours are up, go for it!
Waxing is really a great service, but we can’t do it all. Any service requires post care to ensure you get the best results overall. So keep yourself on schedule, and book your next wax with Jefferson City’s own, Respiro Spa.
9 Benefits to Getting Facials Monthly
Facials feel amazing! I have always said I have a love-hate relationship with facials. I love them so much I always fall asleep and I hate that I miss it! But have you ever wondered what else they do? In this article I will explain 9 benefits of getting them monthly and why you need to add them to your self-care routine.
#1 Relaxing
In today’s crazy world we don’t seem to make as much time for ourselves as we should. The face, scalp, shoulder, and arm massage that’s included in a facial help calm our nervous system and provide a deeper stress relief. And yes, you may also fall asleep too!
#2 Increased Circulation
The massage that’s included in a facial will help promote increased blood circulation. With better circulation your body works more efficiently at turning over new cells. Normally, the process for cell turnover takes up to 40 days. With monthly facials that process speeds up to 28 days, leaving you with newer, healthier skin.
#3 Collagen Production
Increased circulation will also help speed up collagen production. Collagen is essentially the elastic that keeps our skin tight and firm. As time goes on, we stop producing it as quickly as we once did. With monthly facials we can speed that process up as well, keeping our skin more firm for longer.
#4 Deeper Cleanse
Every facial comes with extractions. As much as we know you want to pop those zits when you get them, they’re really not good for your skin. Popping pimples is really damaging and often times makes those small spots bigger problems. It can also cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which essentially means it will get red and discolored for a few days (sometimes longer, depending on the amount of damage). Your esthetician was trained to treat these spots in a way that will not cause harm and keep your skin looking clear and fresh.
#5 Deeper Exfoliation
Every facial will also come with an exfoliation step. Regular exfoliation has a couple benefits all on it’s own. It helps clear away the dead skin cells that stay on your skin during the natural cell turnover process. Once those dead skin cells are cleared off, it also allows for the other products used, such as serums, masques, and moisturizers, to penetrate more deeply so your skin can get the full benefit of those products. There are a few ways to exfoliate your skin and I will go deeper into the different types at another time.
#6 Even Skin Tone
Between the products used, higher cell turnover, and safer ways of extracting, monthly facials will provide a more even skin tone. The number one aging factor for our skin is the sun. Even though time in the sun does have some benefits, anything after 15 minutes is strictly damage. Facials can help clear the age spots caused by the sun, and always end with SPF to help protect from further damage.
#7 Balance PH
Our skin is a delicate balance. Skin that is too acidic can cause irritation or redness, or promote bacteria growth which leads to more breakouts. Skin that is too alkaline can strip the skin of it’s natural oils, which can also promote breakouts from trying to overcorrect. Regular facials help keep your skin at the right Ph level so your skin doesn’t have to work too hard to balance itself.
#8 Fresh Start to Skincare
Regular facials, while great, are not the only thing you should be doing to maintain a good skincare routine. The products that are used will help give your skin a boost, but ultimately a good skincare routine starts at home. Monthly facials will help give your skin a head start to starting and maintaining that routine at home.
#9 Product Recommendations
Now that we’ve established a good routine starts at home, how do you even know where to begin? Every facial comes with a an analysis that helps you determine what your skin needs. Breakouts can happen because of too dry or too oily, so how do you know what’s best for you? What should you use at home to target those sun spots that started showing up? Your esthetician will help you come up with a customized routine to help you invest in your best self.
Overall, monthly facials do a lot for our skin. We may not see it now, but the aging process creeps up on you quickly. While there is no such thing as age reversing, there is always prevention for the effects of aging. Start now, before the effects settle in. Book your facial to talk with a professional and come up with your own customized skincare plan today!
Swedish vs. Deep Tissue, Explained by a Licensed Massage Therapist
In my twelve years in the field, this is probably the most common question I get asked. “I don’t know what I need, what’s the difference?” You don’t know which does what, you just want to feel better. With all the misinformation online today, it can be really confusing. In this article I will explain the differences with techniques and the pros and cons of each to help you make the best decision for your body.
Have you ever heard, “If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not doing anything”? I hear it all the time. People are scared to try deep tissue because they think it’s going to hurt. That’s what they were told. Deep tissue, despite the name, is not associated with pressure at all. It’s called deep tissue, because as opposed to swedish, which focuses on the more superficial layers of the body, the focus is on the deeper muscles that lay within. Your body has layers and layers of muscles and sometimes a little more pressure is necessary to access those muscles; however, just pushing harder is not going to release them. Typically, deep tissue is going to be much slower in order not to cause harm to the body. It also requires a lot more in-depth knowledge of the body. We have to know what muscles are making it so that you can’t turn your head to the right, find them, and release them. While deep tissue isn’t supposed to hurt, it can still be perceived as a “good hurt”. The kind where you can tell, that’s the spot that hurts, get it out! Deep tissue is more about finding knots and adhesions in the body and working them out specifically.
Maybe you don’t have any knots or adhesions. You probably do, but maybe they don’t bother you. That’s where the swedish massage comes in. Because swedish doesn’t go into the deeper muscles of the body, it tends to be more associated with relaxation and is great for stress relief. Swedish massage uses longer, broader strokes that calm you and make you feel good. And yes, you can push harder with a good swedish massage! Because swedish massage is superficial and doesn’t require as in-depth knowledge of the body, some states, Missouri included, allow people other than licensed massage therapists to perform them. Estheticians often times will give you a swedish massage as they are trained to relax the body.
But what if you want both? That’s ok! I find most of the clients I have talked to want a nice mix. Truthfully, deep tissue isn’t even possible without some swedish as well. In order to access those deeper muscles in a way that doesn’t cause harm, those tissues need to be warmed up. Swedish techniques are generally used first to get the body to relaxed and warmed up so it can be susceptible to release. Remember, the body doesn't take too kindly to being forced to do anything. You need to be relaxed before any change can occur. For this reason, I don’t have deep tissue massage listed as a service on my menu. A full body deep tissue massage does not exist as you need a mix of both. Instead, I have the option for a customized therapeutic massage, as all deep tissue is customized to your body and your particular needs at that time.
Okay, so you know what they do, but what are the downsides? Although the main concern of deep tissue isn’t to hurt, it can cause some next day soreness. It’s similar to working out at the gym. It may not hurt while lifting weights or running, but you’re probably going to feel it the next day. That’s not always desirable. If you’re body is too sore after a massage, then that means too much pressure was used and you need to let your therapist know. Because of this, deep tissue is not usually recommended for a first-timer. We want you to get used to touch, and relaxation before going deep to start messing with stuff. You wouldn’t go to the gym for the first time and start racking up 100s of lbs, would you? Start slow, and work up to it.
So which one is right for you? That’s up to you to decide. Determine your goal for the session and go from there. Are you looking to zone out and maybe take a nap? Or do you have a spot that’s been bothering for months and you really need it worked out? Whichever is a higher priority is what I would recommend. Deep tissue for knot work. Swedish for relaxation.
7 Reasons To Try Waxing Instead of Shaving
Do you like the feel of freshly shaved legs or underarms, but get tired of the routine it takes to keep it up? Do you spend hours in the shower every week to try to stay smooth? Have you ever thought about trying a new method, but worried about the pain or cost? In this post we will provide 7 Reasons why you should try waxing and explain why it's so effective.
#1 Slows hair growth
While shaving hair only removes the top of the hair from the skin, waxing removes the hair from the root. It takes time for the hair to form and regrow, whereas with shaving, you can feel the hair poking out in just a few days. Post-wax, it takes approximately 3 weeks before the hair is ready to be removed again. Sometimes longer if waxing is done on a routine basis. Every time the hair is removed from the root, the blood supply (or the papilla) is damaged, and that means less nutrients to the hair. Waxing on a regular basis continues to damage the blood supply, meaning the more often you do it, the slower it grows back!
#2 Less maintenance
How often do you have to shave? Once a week? Once a day? I got tired of spending hours in the shower shaving only to feel the prickliness coming back just a day later. With waxing, you only need to go in roughly once a month. Since waxing means slower hair growth, you can wait longer between removal. That means I have more time to do the things I want.
#3 Thins out hair
The papilla doesn't just control how quickly the hair grows back. The papilla also keeps the hair strong and thick. That's not how I want the hair on my legs to look. By routinely damaging the papilla with waxing, you are limiting the amount of nutrients it gets, which means it doesn't have the strength to get thick, dark, or coarse. Shaving, on the other hand, does nothing to the papilla, and so the hair stays thick and dark.
#4 Smoother skin
Waxing doesn't just remove hair. It is also a form of exfoliation. When wax is removed, it takes everything with it, including dead skin cells that may cause dryness or roughness. Those dead skin cells can cause other problems with the skin. It's a barrier for the most important organ in your body. To help keep things out, but to also keep things in. When shaving, the hair is cut at an angle. That makes it harder to poke out of the skin, and even harder if it has to fight through the skin barrier. The hair will curl under the skin as it keeps growing and cause painful ingrown hairs. Waxing limits this from happening, and keeps your skin looking, and feeling, smoother for longer.
#5 Convenient
Have you ever gotten done shaving for a big event, or girl's night out, then realized you missed an entire section on the back of your leg? Shaving is annoying and you already do it almost every day so you just want to get it done with, but you've gone too quickly and missed some. Oops. Waxing gives you the freedom of letting someone else handle it for you. Don't worry about those hard to reach areas on the back of your thighs, or touching every square inch of your body trying to find hairs that may or may not still be there. I, personally, love letting someone else be my eyes and hands. I know that when the appointment is over, they've looked over and covered every square inch of the part being waxed.
#6 Reduced discomfort
While waxing is not painless, over time it becomes less so. Remember the papilla I was talking about earlier? When the hair gets thinner, and more malnourished, it doesn't hurt as badly when it's removed. There may be some discomfort when starting out, but when done on a regular basis, waxing becomes easier and less painful. The process is also very quick. Like pulling off a band-aid!
#7 Cost
Okay. Now you know why waxing, over shaving, is more beneficial. But what about the cost of doing it? Depending on the area waxed, it can range anywhere from $15-$75. Maybe more if you add a vajacial, but that's for another time. But what about shaving? Razors cost $10. Maybe more if you get the really nice ones. And why wouldn't you? You're using them every day. So that means you're also replacing them a lot. That adds up. Waxing only needs done every few weeks, and less often when done regularly. $75 can be a lot up front, but when it's only once a month, for the convenience and benefits, that sounds a lot better to me.
Waxing isn't for everyone. Not every one cares about hair growth, or smooth skin. But if you do, and you've experienced the drawbacks associated with shaving, I say try it! It won't hurt (much). Book your next brazilian, leg, or brow wax with Jefferson City’s own today!