Question: One of my friends swears that Jojoba Oil is the best natural skin moisturizer and also claims that it is great for treating acne.  Is she right?

I will start out by pointing out something that, while it may seem like splitting hairs, is actually quite important.  Jojoba oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the Jojoba plant; is not technically an oil.  It is actually a wax ester produced by the combination of the natural fatty acids and fatty alcohols that occur in the seeds of the Jojoba plant.  Although it is not a triglyceride itself, Jojoba Oil has attributes similar to many triglycerides which, along with other wax esters, form a major component of the sebum produced by our skin.

Existing as a liquid at room temperature, pure Jojoba oil may vary from being golden in color with a nutty smell to clear and completely odorless, depending on the degree to which it is refined.  Additionally, its moisturizing qualities combined with its non-comedogenic properties have made Jojoba oil a popular moisturizing agent in many face and body creams – especially those that are “natural” and/or “organic”.  It is also both lighter and more stable than most seed and vegetable oils and is very easily absorbed by the skin.  These properties, combined with its mild natural antibacterial and antifungal attributes, allows Jojoba oil to act as a stabilizer and mild preservative when used in cosmetic preparations.  Used straight, it is a decent makeup remover and an effective massage oil.

As to its efficacy as a skin care product ingredient: Jojoba oil is, when formulated properly, a safe and reasonably effective skin moisturizing agent/booster.  Moreover, while it is not per-se a treatment for acne; its non-comedogenic and antibacterial/antifungal properties at the very least insure that it neither contributes to nor worsens acne.  Just don’t take it internally as it is non-digestible and can have the same undesired effect as olestra: a condition known as steatorrhea – which has a similar spelling to diarrhea for good reason.

Please submit your questions by email to Ms. Zaborski at [email protected]

In 1978 Ms. Zaborski founded the Corrective Skin Care Institute Inc, a pioneering medical spa, and for the past fifteen years has worked with an international team of cosmetic chemists and medical professionals to develop the System for Optimal Skin™ (SOS™) skin correction system.

The post Jojoba Oil – The Back of the Bottle appeared first on Spa Canada.

“It’s all about staying positive.” Jennifer Nikkel-Walls is sitting in one of the treatment rooms at Riverstone Spa in Winnipeg, talking about spa treatments for cancer patients and cancer survivors.

There is an intensity in her voice that suggests she understands it in a way only cancer survivors can – the nightmare cancer patients go through and just how hard it is for cancer patients to stay positive.

“When you’re dealing with this affliction, nearly everything is bittersweet. It’s impossible to be positive all the time, and it can be a slippery slope into severe depression.

“It’s so important to accept the bad days, to pick yourself up again, and go on living because that is the reason we fight.”

Jennifer took it a few steps further. She decided to become a registered professional with the International Society of Oncology Estheticians, undergoing training thorough “Touch for Cancer”, based in Saskatchewan. Their program is called Oncology Training International (http://oti-oncologytraining.com) Jennifer is the only registered professional in Manitoba.

“Anything that can be done to make the cancer journey less horrific is a valuable commodity.”

The course covered topics like how cancer behaves, the treatments that can be used and how they may affect the body. At the end, she says, you’re able to modify your treatments to accommodate people who are going through treatments or those who have had cancer, even it’s years after they’ve had a treatment.

“There are often long-term side effects that need to be approached in a certain way, essentially for someone who’s currently going through treatment.”

There are concerns, for example, that a lot of skin conditions can occur, mostly with chemotherapy. There can also be change to the skin caused by radiation. And if the lymph nodes are affected, you need to adjust massage techniques, and know what types of products and ingredients to avoid and what to look for.

A lot of what she does is offering advice on how cancer patients and survivors can take care of their skin.

A big part of it is not completely changing your services or necessarily offering oncology services but accommodating people as needed. “That’s important because two people on the same chemo therapy drug can have completely different side effects.

“It’s looking at the symptoms and also knowing what to be aware of, such as blood counts – one of the biggest concerns because if there’s any chance of infection, it’s a huge concern for someone going through chemotherapy.”

As an Oncology Esthetician, she is able to address risks associated with low blood counts; chemo-induced skin conditions; nail disorders; surgical scars; radiation areas; missing or radiated lympth nodes; various side effects like dry mouth and hot and cold sensitivities; over-all skin care during treatment; pre-cancerous skin lesions; loss of eyebrows and lashes; and physiological effects.

“The purpose is not to treat the cancer, itself, but to treat the person as a whole, and these therapies help a person cope with cancer, its treatment or side effects, and to feel better.”

She also has each of her clients provide an update on their condition, medications, etc., every time they come to the spa.

For Janice Colatruglio, Riverstone’s spa director, it’s one of the things that make her spa different and unique.

The spa is located on the main floor of the Inn of the two Forks, a major historical spot in Winnipeg, where the Red River and the Assiniboine meet.

“We’ve also worked a lot of our treatments around the location. We called our spa Riverstone and have incorporated stones in our treatments,” said Janice.

She also created a number of indigenous treatments, working closely with Thunderbird House in Winnipeg to enlist its help in incorporating indigenous techniques into the spa’s treatments.

“We felt a need to develop a treatment that would complement and reflect the history of our area, and with the support and encouragement from the First Nations community, we created the Riverstone Indigenous Hot Stone Massage.”

This grounding treatment incorporates aboriginal traditions and practices, using hot baslt and cold marble stones. Sacred elements such as cedar, sage and sweet grass are also used to enhance the experience “of true cleansing and the strengthening of the body, mind and spirit”.

In recognition, the spa was presented with an authentic eagle father, which is used in a ceremonious segment of the treatment, where the client and the treatment room are cleansed  or “smudged”, using smoldering sage and leaves.

Braided ribbons, representing the four colours of the four nations, and a star blanket, made exclusively for the spa, are also incorporated into the décor. Cedar and sage teas are served, and sweet grass candles are lit to enhance the spiritual nature of the treatment.

Linda Biomme, resident elder of the Circle of Life, Thunderbird House, liked what she saw on her visit to the spa. “The décor made me feel welcome with the sacred elements of cedar, sage and sweet grass in the room. I certainly felt a sense of inclusiveness.”

Smudging is used to clear the room of any unwanted energy. Smudging begins in the East “because it’s where the sun rises and gives us strength. The eyes are cleansed so that we can see the truth; our mouth, so that we speak the truth; our  ears, so that we can hear the truth; our hearts, so that we feel the truth; and our feet, so that we can walk the true path”.

Its Indigenous treatments include Riverstone’s Indigenous Hot Stone Massgage and body treatments like Sacred Nature Organic Face and Cocoon, Sacred Naruee Organic Relaxations, Grotta Gulsti Signature Face and Body Cocoon and its Purifying Back Regimen.

The spa offers a full range of services, ranging from massages and facials to foot therapy treatments, etc., “with the emphasis on what’s different and unique” like its Zero Gravity Chair, which relines all the way back so that you feel you’re in a higher position than your head. “We perform all our hand and foot treatments this way.”

The spa uses Comfort Zone from Italy in its spa  treatments and Jane Iredale for its cosmetics.

Bob and Diane Sparrow, who own the hotel, have worked closely with her over the years. Their son, Ben Sparrow, is now general manager.

Like other spa directors, Janice has had her share of challenges. Initially, it was getting construction of the spa done on time. The spa opened a couple weeks after the hotel opened its doors.

“We actually opened up missing the glass door to the spa. We had to put our retail products away and lock them in our dispensary every night until the glass doors finally arrived.”

For Janice and her team, every day has its own challenges and she has learned over the years to deal with them as they come along. “We try to learn from our mistakes and when someone offers constructive criticism, we regard it as a positive. If you run your life that way, things go more smoothly.”

You get a pretty good idea of what the spa is like even before you walk through the glass doors and into the spa’s retail and reception area.

The spa is located on the main floor of the hotel and clearly visible from check-in. A “river” – a small, 12-inch wide flow of water – starts from the front of the hotel lobby check-in and flows all the way into the spa, past the spa area and into the spa’s lounge.

“It’s also an invitation to follow the stream unto the spa for a natural spa experience and a complete escape.”

But it’s also a big challenge to keep that “river” sparkling clean, adds Janice. But a lot of our guests are amazed by it and like to play in it.

The spa also has two water walls – one in the retail waiting room area and the other, at the back lounge – where the water trickles down into the river.

As you enter spa reception and its retail area, you’re met by a retail co-ordinator and a makeup artist to answer with any questions about the products it sells.

You’ll also be met by one of the spa’s two receptionists to guide you through check-in and escort you to a locker room, where you’ll exchange your shoes for sandals before being taken to the back of the spa and its Quiet Zone to get ready for your treatment.

The men’s and women’s locker rooms are also located in the Quiet Zone. Each locker room has its own shower and steam rooms and a sauna.

The spa has 12 treatment rooms that feature indigenous art on the walls, which are painted in earth tones.. The floors are inlaid and designed to give the appearance of river stones.

One of the big lessons she’s learned along the way is to be mindful of your surroundings. As a spa director, you need to what your staff and clients are saying “because they provide the best information for you.

“Listening is hugely important – probably the most important thing every esthetician can do.”

Her advice to someone thinking about starting their own spa – do a lot of research on your own.

“During the entire time I’ve been in the industry, you never stop learning – you have to keep up to date on what’s happening in the industry – what’s new; check out the competition; know what other people are doing; what’s the latest and the newest; be different; and don’t copy what the competition is doing.”

During her career, Janice has operated her own spa, worked as an esthetician in other spas and taught esthetics before becoming spa director at Riverstone.

Janice is vice-president for Provincial Trade Advisory For Manitoba board (PTAC ) and has sat on that board  for the past five years, representing Esthetics and Electrolysis trade.

Learn more at www.riverstonespa.ca

The post Spa Treatments For Cancer Patients appeared first on Spa Canada.

Using Eye Cream to Contrast Aging, Bags and Dark Circles

Stress, a hectic lifestyle and the passing of time all take a negative toll on the appearance of your eyes and eye contour. Since eyes are the most expressive part of your face, a tired and aged eye contour instantly ages the face.

Today’s cosmetics offer advanced solutions to combat aging and tiredness of the eye contour. Using a cosmeceutical skin care line packed with antiaging ingredients can make a big difference. RVB SKINLAB from Diego Dalla Palma professional is one line that offers 3 options for eye creams, each with a different target.

Which Eye Cream is For You?

If you have sensitive skin…

Delicate eye contour cream

If you have sensitive skin, it is important that your eye cream is specifically formulated for delicate skin as the eye contour area can be especially reactive. Pick an eye cream that is free of harmful ingredients like parabens, paraffin, mineral oil, heavy metals, or other ingredients that reduce the purity or may be irritants to the skin. RVB SKINLAB’s  delicate eye contour cream is tested to contain no heavy metals below 0.0001 ppm – making it safe for even the most sensitive skins.  Your delicate cream will effectively contrast the signs of fatigue and the passing time of the eye area.

If you’re starting to see the first signs of aging…

Antiage eye contour cream

To fight the first signs of wrinkles, you need an eye cream with biomimetic peptides to smooth wrinkles around the eyes and grant an immediate feeling of elasticity and firmness. RVB SKINLAB’s antiage eye contour cream features the exclusive 51+3 Hyalu Complex to provide cellular bio- revitalization and protection of the skin’s support structure.

If you have mature skin and drooping lids…

V-LIFTING Remodelling eye contour Cream

For mature skins, you need a cream that can contrast the heaviness and drooping of the eyelids that comes with age. Choose a cream with an instant lifting effect designed to redefine contours by lifting the eye non-surgically. V-Lifting remodeling cream from RVB SKINLAB features the UP remodeling complex – a 3D tensor film that lifts drooping lids and smooths wrinkles and crow’s feet, with immediate and long-term results. It has specific anti-puffiness and anti-dark circles action, thanks to precious micro-particles that reflect coloured light to colour correct shadows and dark circles.

Anti-stress eyes massage

In the inner corner of the eye area, under the area of the tear ducts, gently massage with circular motions. Then slide your finger along the side of the nose to nostrils. This quick massage helps to eliminate bags, puffiness and dark circles.

Find out more are www.intercosmetics.ca

The post Beauty Advice – Eye Cream appeared first on Spa Canada.

what we missed is a MYSTERY

Have you found yourself in an unfamiliar learning environment questioning your destiny, doubting the commitment to yourself the first place?

That’s how I felt when I started formal Reflexology Studies. My doubt was connected to fear.  This fear emerged as I held the new textbook on Anatomy. Uncertainty set in as I cautiously flipped the pages ahead through to the section on the digestive system. I felt a rush of nausea and unease as I saw a startling reproduction of a cadaver’s Sigmoid Colon.

Then the little voice in my head murmured the words; “Oh what have I done now”?

I have trouble looking at graphic photographs of internal organs. So I began to question the affect I could possibly have on these organs. What responsibility came with being a Reflexologist? The course curriculum belonging to Reflexology appeared to be centered around these unseen protected factories and processors that are part of our autonomic system. I immediately began to judge myself, and started to question my own logic.

Curiosity and intuition had brought me this far and I felt these trusted motivators had abandoned me at the “altar of fear.” All I could see was the looming uncertainty that lay ahead. Mentally, I began to “pack it in” as I realized the massive portion of this course was going to be about concepts I found disturbing. Fortunately, Jean-Louis Dube, my observant and progressive teacher, quickly lifted me out of this negativity before I became a victim of my own invention. The new anatomy book I was given contained hand drawn diagrams of the human organs and systems. My teacher kept a close eye on my progress and I never looked back. In the end, I managed to keep my lunch down every day, and surprised myself when I graduated with honours in 2001.

The irony of my learning experience is what frightened me most and challenged me most, those organs, became the catalyst that formed the most important contribution in my professional life.

Reflexology Anatomy ™ focuses on and measures results by engaging the non-autonomic systems of the Human body – “no organs please!”

As RA developed I had to re-think how I was to explain this new functional reflexology system to my peers and the public.

As much as I wanted to demystify my own struggles with Westernized Reflexology and the many ways it can be perceived,  I had to adopt the same commitment to unravel the same myths that were perceived by my clients.  For the last 15 years I have paid particular attention to the way clients react to Reflexology.  I enjoy listening to the client’s ideas of what this modality means to them, and their reactions during a treatment. When I ask the question: “What comes into your mind when you think of Reflexology? Often the response is “Oh….. its all about the organs”, as they draw one hand over their midsection to dramatize the conviction behind their statement. There was one person who described my work as belonging to warlocks, sorceresses and medical “magic men”.  There are so many historical and social elements that shroud the ancient mechanics of Reflexology all over the world.  The Egyptians utilized reflexology for healing and for medical diagnosis.  This is the 21st century; the claims that history has made about reflexology is still cloaked in mystery. Reflexology Anatomy™ prudently demonstrates the potential within it and the benefits it provides.

Often in life when we do not understand things we  protect ourselves by strapping on negative armor rather than refocusing our way of thinking.

Fear of the unknown can incapacitate any one of us. Often when doubt turns into apprehension then negativity gains control and we miss opportunities.

As I continue to teach and lecture on the subject of Reflexology Anatomy ™,   I do not want anyone, student, peer or client to miss out on the effectiveness and fascination attached to this new modality.  If I am given the opportunity to demonstrate its hidden treasures and at the same time dismiss a person’s fears of the unknown, then I have achieved success.  This month I have been invited as a guest lecturer at Concordia University to speak about RA.   I plan to address the audience with zeal as I describe the approach and pain relief systems that form Reflexology Anatomy ™.   Perhaps this story has given you fodder for thought. Trusting your intuition and nurturing your curiosity allows you to meet with opportunity and discovery.  I know that I did “hit” some history,  but I will never stop enjoying and uncovering the mysteries.

Written by: Douglas

Alexander Coburn

AIIC, RA cert., B.Sc.Pod

Edited by: Phyllis Mary Bell

I dedicate this to my professor, Mr. Jean-Louis Dube

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON Reflexology Anatomy TM go to:

www.dougcoburn.com

The post Reflexology Anatomy Facts and Fiction appeared first on Spa Canada.

As a yogi, I have experienced the healing powers of restorative “YIN Yoga” practice both teaching and taking classes. These variations of yoga asanas (poses) are held for periods of six to ten minutes (sometimes longer) progressively aiding the body to achieve flexibility, spiritual clarity and overall wellness. YIN means more passive or slower moving.

Over the decades of providing massage therapy to my clientele, I had noticed common afflictions in parts of the body that tend to hold tension and pain. These ”hot spots” are usually found in the areas of the hips, lower back, shoulders and neck, and are often caused by poor posture and repetitive work tasks. New studies are showing injuries from texting and other handheld devices that cause cervical trauma due to improper stacking and pressure points on the discs and vertebrae. Accumulation of these disorders may cause fatigue, body imbalance and discomfort.

“Yoga and YIN yoga are not a passing fad or trend, but a lifestyle that can be implemented at your spa.”

YIN Style yoga postures can be incorporated into spa treatments such as massage, facials or be provided as a separate service. With the addition of a YIN practice service, you can provide your client the opportunity to achieve their own MOKSHA , Sanskrit for “body liberation”.

Achieving this moment of euphoria with clients is obtainable by using inexpensive props such as blankets, blocks, bolsters, yoga mats and straps. Even your staff can replenish their postural vitality between sessions by having these tools available to them.

In addition to a YIN Yoga treatment you can take it up a notch by adding pranayama breathing techniques. ‘Prana’ meaning life force and ‘ayama” meaning control.

Breath is a powerful tool when trying to guide someone to relax. Re-learning how to breathe properly especially while receiving spa treatments becomes a vital gift to your client. As a therapist and service provider we have the ability to set the tone and pace of every session by helping our clients maintain their drishti – (focus) on their spa experience.

Be innovative and create new services such as: “YIN Yogassage” or an “Essential Prana Facial” that will be beneficial to any spa guest.

Feel free to contact me if you require assistance to set up these new practices at your spa or for additional information on these treatments.

Namaste (meaning ‘I bow to the divine in you’) ASHe

The post Add a Little YIN To Your Spa Therapy appeared first on Spa Canada.