Aesthetic VideoSource

Remember those New Year’s resolutions you made? If you are like most people, they may have included learning something new, extending your current business model, or adding new services and clients to your spa. We know that it’s sometimes difficult to break out of what has been tried-and-true and branch out into new areas. Or even to simply find the time to to keep your aesthetic spa training fresh and relevant in this challenging economy.

We have a suggestion: why not head off to sunny Miami Beach for a great weekend full of learning, networking, and fun? Make your plans now to attend The International Congress of Esthetics and Spa held April 10-12, 2010 at Miami Beach Convention Center.

Included in this jam-packed weekend are incredible sessions with industry leaders on new techniques, new ways to build your clientele, and new products to adopt and love! Check out the full brochure here.

Though we love (!) it when you purchase our comprehensive aesthetic training DVDs to train you or your staff on new techniques and procedures, we also understand that sometimes an immersion weekend away from the distractions of everyday life is a good way to shake up your learning plan. Besides, it’s Miami Beach in April!

A hydrotherapy tub is a wet body treatment that can offer underwater hydromassages, Thalassotherapy baths and aromatherapy baths. Wet body treatments are very popular and have very positive effects on the human body.

A hydrotherapy tub allows the customer to receive many positive results with their skin and with their minds. Not only are hydrotherapy tubs used for cleansing purposes, but the water also relaxes the body and mind of the customer. The tubs also strengthen the immune system, improve circulation, metabolism and digestion, while also relieving pain and stress. Warm water is also said to actually lower blood pressure, while it calms the client.

A hydrotherapy tub provides a client with the ultimate relaxation. Clients feel as though this tub is a time-out session from the stress of everyday life. Not only is this relaxing but a hydrotherapy tub is also a great cleansing agent as well.

The different offerings from a hydrotherapy tub can consist of hydromassages, thalassotherapy baths and aromatherapy baths. Underwater hydromassages are like a whirlpool or Jacuzzi. There are jets in the tub that can hit certain body parts to offer a relaxing and soothing massage. Thalassotherapy baths allows a client to receive a massage with water pressure and herbal extracts can be added for further relaxation. Some thalassotherpy baths also provide a full body scrub or algae and essential oils can be added to the bath. Aromatherapy baths involve essential oils placed in the tub to help a client relax and diminish many aches and pains.

There are many benefits of the wet body treatments but a spa therapist must know the requirements for set up, have the correct supplies and tools, consult and prepare the client for the treatment and to really know how to use these kind of tubs. In order for the client to receive the best possible care and results, a spa therapist must know how to properly use a hydrotherapy tub and must know all the pros and cons that are related.

To learn more about different wet body treatments, including hydrotherapy, please visit Aesthetic VideoSource. You can watch free video clips and request a free catalog.

Acne, the four-letter-word of the skin world, has been the bane of many people at some point in their lives. Teenagers exhaust shelves of products in drug stores to fight it and some women even suffer from it after they have a child. (Thanks, Mother Nature.) How to fight this nasty foe? A new method of combining experienced facial techniques with an 8-in-1 facial equipment machine is proving to be an effective technique in acne treatment.

Rita Page offers a new way of approaching the acne issue with her revolutionary method of combining skin analysis with tools for a full-scale treatment plan. Her experience in the beauty industry for the last 16 years has given her a broad perspective of effective skin care practices.

Page has been honored globally with as a CIDESCO Diplomat, the most prestigious aesthetic credential in the world. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Textiles and Chemistry, she studied at the Linda Seidel Institute for Corrective Makeup in Baltimore, MD. After polishing her makeup skills in California at the M.G. Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts, the most advanced makeup training in the country, she founded the Paramedical Clinic where physicians referred patients for postsurgical conditions, deformities and burn treatment.

Having been a beauty therapist and educator at both the Golden Door and Cal-a-Vie salons, Page brings her expertise back to the salon with this process that educates her clients how to best utilize the tool and tricks of the skin care trade to fight acne.

Once a skin analysis is complete, the tools are implemented. Using a steamer, with and without ozone or a galvanic current can be highly effective in treating acne. Combining these tools with a rotary brush, a vacuum, Lucas spray and CO2 spray enhance this process.

Traditional skin care comes into play next with deep pore cleansing, gommage, desincrustation, extractions, corrective cream and a mask. A post-treatment consultation is the last step in this procedure, verifying the client’s comfort level and final feelings about the results.

Many of the tools and methods Page implements are used separately by aestheticians or dermatologists in treating acne. She has found a method for combining them for the best possible results. With each acne condition having so many possible causes, knowing what tools you can best utilize to battle it could be the difference between success and failure.

To learn more about Rita Page and her educational DVD’s on various types of Esthetic treatments, visit Aesthetic VideoSource. They have videos on everything from paraffin treatments to chemical peels to microdermabrasion. Stop by today and request a free catalog.

(PRWEB) — Spa travelers have spoken, choosing Destination Spas as the “Best of the Best” for Spa Finder and Travel + Leisure magazines. Both companies recently announced the winners of their readers’ choice polls. Despite being a small sector of the spa industry, Destination Spa Group members were honored in most of the categories and dominated the overall results.

Travel + Leisure announced the Top 15 Destination Spas in the world, as ranked by their readers. Chiva-Som International Health Resort, a Destination Spa Group member, won the title of Best Destination Spa. Other Destination Spas that made the highly coveted list include Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Golden Door, Rancho La Puerta, Lake Austin Spa Resort, and Canyon Ranch in Lenox.

The Spa Finder awards were announced  in New York City. When asked about the awards, Spa Finder President Susie Ellis stated, “Of particular note this year is the number of Destination Spas that ranked as readers’ favorites.” The biggest honor went to Chiva-Som for Favorite Spa in Asia, which is 1 of the 6 Crystal Awards presented this year by Spa Finder. The crystal awards represent the crème de la crème of the spa world and reflect overall favorites rather than specific categories. Another exceptional winner was Rancho La Puerta for the Favorite Spa of Mexico category.

In addition to Destination oriented awards, Spa Finder readers named favorite spas for specific offerings – activities, programs and services. Destination Spa Group members swept the Best Spas for Affordability category, taking all 10 awards. This demystifies the thought that all-inclusive Destination Spas are only for the rich and famous. In reality, they are for everyone.

Destination Spas are dedicated to creating an entire environment geared towards life enhancement and Spa Finder readers overwhelmingly rewarded Destination Spas for their strong programming efforts by nominating Destination Spa Group members in almost every award category. Destination Spa Group members comprised at least 80% (8 or more out of 10) of the winners in the following categories:

• Best of Hiking
• Best of Yoga
• Best of Fitness
• Best Cuisine
• Best for Going Solo
• Best of Mind-Body-Spirit programs
• Best for Weight Loss

Overall, seventeen Destination Spa Group members were honored with a Spa Finder reader’s choice award:
Cal-a-Vie, Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Chiva-Som, Copperhood Inn & Spa, Deerfield Spa, Golden Door, Green Mountain at Fox Run, Green Valley Spa, The Heartland Spa, Lake Austin Spa Resort, New Age Health Spa, The Oaks at Ojai, Rancho La Puerta, Red Mountain Spa, Regency Spa, and Tennessee Fitness Spa.

A destination spa is defined as a facility that is dedicated to life enhancement through a full-immersion program of physical activity, nutritious cuisine, wellness education, special interest classes, therapeutic massage and body treatments. DSG is an organization of destination spa owners dedicated to educating the public about destination spas. Member spas must meet specific criteria for membership and be committed to providing a health renewing experience. A Destination Spa Vacations guide listing member spas with photographs and pricing information can be obtained by calling DSG at 888-772-4363 or by visiting http://www.destinationspas.com

(PRWEB) – Spa gift certificates are becoming more and more popular and are right at the top of holiday wish lists for both men and women. Spas offer stress-relief, pampering, and results. Spa gift certificates are a wonderful way to show friends, family, employees, or the one you love, how much you care. A gift certificate to an upscale day spa says you want them to feel their very best and give them the stress relief they deserve.
When selecting a spa gift certificate, consider the following:

• Not all day spas offer the same services. To ensure the best spa experience consider looking for the spa voted best in your metropolitan area. www.citysearch.com lists best day spas for areas of the country.

• Visit a spa if possible. Look at the environment; meet the staff and smell the aromas. Just 30 seconds in a spa will give you an idea of the kind of experience you might expect. If you cannot visit a spa in person, visit the web site. Visiting the web site for a spa can give you an idea of the spas environment, their experience, and philosophy. The spa experience begins when a guest enters the door. By taking a virtual tour, you can get an idea of what the experience will be.

• Spa gift certificates are available in either dollar amounts or by custom designed treatments and packages. A more personal, and often more affordable, approach is to select a spa package rather than a gift certificate in a dollar amount. In this case, be certain that a spa will allow the recipient to make changes in the gift certificate if he or she desires.

• Some of the best gifts are things that one would typically not consider purchasing for themselves. A very popular trend today is treatments using more than one therapist. There is nothing quite like a facial (which includes a massage of the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, hands and arms) combined with a second therapist simultaneously massaging the feet with both hands and hot stones. This type of treatment is absolutely decadent and can be surprisingly affordable. At Blue Water Spa, a Foot Fantasy can be combined with almost any treatment. This is a heavenly experience with a skilled therapist providing both a manual and hot stone massage using essential oils and a warm parrafin dip.

• When considering a spa service for a man, be sure the environment is comfortable for a gentleman. Overstuffed sofas, needlepoint wall hangings, and especially co-ed waiting areas can be very intimidating to men. Instead, look for an upscale, contemporary environment with privacy.

• Ask about gift certificate delivery. For those of us who wait until the last minute, gift certificates that can be purchased over the phone can be a big help. In most cases, gift certificates can even be emailed to ensure on-time” delivery.

• When giving a spa gift certificate, be sure to ask the spas policy on aestheticians (facialists) leaving the room during a treatment. The therapist should be in the room at all times delivering pampering, relaxation, and results. A client who is left alone can feel forgotten and uneasy and certainly they are not getting the best treatment possible. In some spas, aestheticians will leave the room to go pick out products for clients to purchse or even start a treatment on a second client. Upscale spas would not think of leaving a client alone in a treatment room.

• Adding some products to a gift certificate can enhance the spa experience, especially if the gift is for your spouse. Aromatherapy candles, essential oils, soaps, shower gels, and luxurious massage cream can make for a romantic spa experience for a couple to share at home.

• If you see silk or plastic flowers, run away fast. Okay, maybe this is just me (and Oprah), but if someone cannot care for fresh flowers, I am not going to trust them with my face or body.

Every day the skin is assaulted by damaging influences. Some are external, such as sun and air pollution. Others are natural influences, such as aging, fatigue and gravity, or health-related causes, such as diet and stress. As a result, the skin sheds about 80,000 cells each day. These dead skin cells, left on the surface, slow down healthy cell renewal, increase the depth of wrinkles and create a dull, sluggish appearance.
The simple act of exfoliation can counteract the effects of all of these influences on the skin by removing damaged cells on the surface, which allows new live cells to replace the old. Because exfoliation helps to accelerate cell regeneration, the more you effectively exfoliate, the younger the skin looks and the better your skin care products can penetrate deeply.

Some history
Exfoliation is not a new concept. The first known use of dermabrasion as a skin care technique dates back to the ancient Egyptian kings and queens, who used alabaster and pumice to smooth and soften their skin. Some years ago, the term “exfoliation” became a buzzword in the modern-day skin care industry—the fastest way to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin.

The 1960s saw the introduction of mechanical exfoliators that utilize abrasive agents with sharp edges to actually scrape and cut the skin. Apricot seeds were employed first, followed by granulated peach kernels, corn cob, silica, walnut shells and sugar, as well as brushes, sponges and loofahs. This resulted in pulled, torn, stretched, abraded and traumatized skin that was covered with microlesions.

European skin care companies also offered their own professional gommage products at the time. With a strong botanical orientation, they tended to use milder particles as exfoliants, such as almond meal and the newer scientifically size- and form-controlled polyethylene chips, which produced less destructive results.

Medical Grade

In the 1980s, a more effective and safer second generation swept the industry—chemical exfoliators, which used ingredients such as glycolic, alpha and lactic acids. However, these methods not only attacked the dead layers, but also dried out new live cells, making skin more susceptible to UV light and environmental damage. Nevertheless, new companies were formed based on glycolic acid—the smooth skin miracle with instant results. Nearly every company in the skin care business joined the trend. In addition, all sorts of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) were touted, along with the formula’s pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, highest percentages or special acid blends.

Today’s exfoliation
Exfoliation is defined as the removal of surface dead skin cells, but the goal of the treatment is to clear cellular debris from the surface without damaging the healthy cells underneath. Estheticians throughout the world long have preferred enzymes for exfoliation, but the strong unpleasant odor makes them unmarketable. In Europe, with its botanical tradition and leading-edge technology, a very different answer to the scrubs-and-acids approach has emerged, spearheaded by German enzyme scientists. In developing a new type of exfoliation process, their objective was twofold: to biologically engineer an enzyme without the unpleasant odor; and to control its molecular weight so that only the optimal size needed to successfully enter and exit pores could be captured, thereby maximizing performance.

Due to an advanced crystallization process, scientists successfully have eliminated the objectionable odor.

Alpha Hydroxy Peel

This was accomplished by bioengineering odorless enzymes from organic barley, resulting in subtilisin—an extracellular bioactive enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of proteins into polypeptides and dissolves dead skin cells. This ingredient is now skin care’s new powerhouse biological exfoliation. In addition, the second objective was accomplished by perfecting the process that encapsulates enzymes small enough to enter skin pores and remove dead cells, while still big enough to rinse back out and off the skin. These two research achievements have led to a new technology: enzyme-based biological exfoliation.

The biological exfoliation approach utilizes live “intelligent” enzymes that have the ability to distinguish between living tissues and expired nonactive cells in order to exfoliate thoroughly, while preserving a healthy epidermis. This is not about wrinkle reduction, but about the systematic removal of dead cellular debris.

Maximum renewal
Biological exfoliation represents a leap from the first generation of exfoliators, and this new technology is a key component in the ongoing effort to promote maximum skin renewal at all ages. As the skin grows older, its natural cell-renewal efficiency diminishes. The best that can be done is to slow the aging process by speeding up the cell-renewal process enhanced by exfoliation, enabling effective penetration of moisturizers and treatments.

This article was originally published in the October 2006 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine and is being republished with permission. All rights reserved.

Rita Page and Malinda McHenry show you numerous ways of exfoliating the skin, from sugar body scrubs to chemical peels, in Aesthetic VideoSources educational dvds. Videos on every topic related to skin care and body treatments. Visit them today to request a free catalog.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this Viewpoint are those of the author and not necessarily those of Skin Inc. magazine or Aesthetic VideoSource.

My name is Jason … from that, you can tell I’m a guy. I’m also an esthetician. That puts me in a small group of other men who work in the skin care industry as estheticians. If you’re a guy and an esthetician, you’ll know exactly where I’m going with this column. If you’re a female and an esthetician, I invite you to read on and discover a whole new perspective on skin care from a guy’s point of view.

I’ve been an esthetician for five years, and I work in a terrific spa in San Francisco that provides services for a health club and a five-star hotel. I only mention this because I have a wide array of clientele, ranging from athletes to hotel guests, both male and female. So I’ve had to learn how to give facials and other skin care treatments, including waxing services, to all kinds of people. And I’ve had to learn how to do all of this by myself.
There’s very little support or education available to address the male esthetician. Even in esthetic school, I had to adjust everything to the fact that I am a man. Simple things, such as the size of my hands, the pressure I used during facial massage, glove sizes, extractions, everything was different for me than what I was being taught in school and what I saw my female colleagues doing.

And then there’s waxing and the whole “male waxing a female” conundrum. I like to refer to it as Pandora’s wax pot. Is it appropriate for me to be giving a female client a bikini wax? The five-star hotel I work for says “No way,” and I have to respect its rules. But I often ask myself, “Why not?” I’ve found that some of my female clients would rather have me do their waxing. They trust me, they know they are safe and in a professional environment. Their modesty is completely and strictly maintained both for their comfort and mine. I mention waxing as a classic example of how our industry really hasn’t addressed the issue.

There should be standards set and strict training required so that male estheticians are accepted in all arenas of skin care. I find our profession to be sexist in some very subtle and very obvious ways. For example, in advertising, you never see a man giving a client a facial; however, any time I see laser being advertised, it’s often a man doing the procedure. Are there not any female dermatologists out there? Are there only female estheticians? Of course not. So why do estheticians put up with this blatant role-playing. It can only hurt us in the long run because we are basically allowing advertisers to tell the general public who should and should not be getting or giving skin care treatments.

Another example of sexism in the spa industry is spas that are overly feminine, including the decor, the menus, the treatments and the products being sold. Why do spa owners effectively scare away male clients and make male estheticians seem out of place working at their facility? I have struggled for years trying to get my spa to butch it up a bit. Still, to this day, every client is handed a fluffy white robe. Male clients are asked to go into the men’s locker room with all the other guys, change in and out of their workout gear, don a fluffy white robe, and walk back to the waiting area. Ladies, guys don’t like that! Our menu colors used to be pink and light blue with cursive print. Ladies, guys don’t like that! The name of one of our spa’s main skin care lines means “beautiful woman.” Try convincing a male to buy from that line.

It’s not just my spa either. The majority of spas effectively discriminate against men and male employees. In any other profession, there would be outrage, but in this industry, nobody seems to care or even notice. Hairstylists are men and women, and the majority of salons are unisex on purpose. Makeup artists are both male and female—almost 50/50. There’s an even amount of male and female massage therapists, and it’s common to ask a client who books a massage whether they would prefer a male or female therapist. Why is this not the same for facials?

The skin care arena has collectively said “no” to men as both estheticians and clients. I’m also a flight attendant and have been flying for 25 years. When I started flying in the mid-1980s, there wasn’t a trace of sexism among crew members, and that was a huge hurdle for men to jump back then. So when I became an esthetician in 2003, I expected the same. I was very shocked to find myself in a female-dominated career that had no idea what to do with me as an esthetician, from how to train me to what uniform I should wear.

I was more than used to working with women, so it didn’t bother me at first. But now I see my personal profits being scared away by an antiquated paradigm that states that only girls like skin care. Profits are being lost because of this, and I believe we all need to focus on making our industry unisex from now on. I challenge industry publications to publish more articles for male estheticians, to show men giving facials, to talk about men and waxing, to encourage men to join the ranks of professional estheticians and to convince skin care lines to tone down the feminine attitude. Don’t get me wrong, I love women and I love working with and for women; I just want men to feel comfortable, too. It’s only fair and it’s good business.

This article was originally published in the December 2008 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine and is being reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Professional skin care must play a crucial role in the liberation of human touch. Take a close look at this profession. Why do clients come to you—because they want their skin to look younger? Yes, most definitely. Because they want to correct topical problems, such as acne outbreaks or hyperpigmentation? Of course. These are the most literal and circumstantial reasons for the existence of the skin care profession. But there is another reason: skin hunger.

I have had the following experience many times and am positive that you, as a skin care professional, have had similar ones, as well. A client—usually a woman—walks into your spa and asks if she can have a treatment. You check the schedule and see that your day is full. You apologize about not being able to fit her in today and offer to reschedule her for tomorrow or the next day. The woman chews her lip and asks if there is an opening for a massage. There isn’t. How about a manicure and pedicure? A blow-out? Maybe a makeup application? A lip wax, even? You explain that there is a huge wedding party here today, and everyone on the team is booked. She reads the menu over and over, asking about each service—even the obscure ones that nobody ever requests. She doesn’t want to leave and seems desperate because she is: desperate to be touched in a nurturing, nonthreatening way.

The tide is turning, and more and more people are realizing that skin care, energy work and body work are not treats, indulgences or pampering, but truly are tools for survival in these touch-phobic times.
As a skin therapist, you must step up to your role as a cultural healer. It is not too grand a mission. You can do it. In fact, you must do it because you are among some of the last people on Earth who are trusted to touch others without facing criminal charges.

It is perfectly fine to be interested in the latest products and the newest technologies. Curiosity is part of being passionate, and you always must seek out what is new in order to understand it and to decide whether it is best for your clientele. But, as the front line in the cultural revolution to make touch safe again, never underestimate your own hands. More than any peptide, enzyme or piece of high-tech hardware, your two hands are wonder-workers. Even in the most secular sense, the “laying on of hands” is a deeply healing experience. The effects go beyond the release of oxytocin to something more mysterious and, ultimately, more important than mere chemistry.

The cultural revolution
Unlike most of the industrial world, straining so as not to innocently bump into or graze the sleeve of a stranger in passing, skin therapists do not have to apologize for touching another person’s skin with their bare hands. In fact, you are paid to touch them. Your clients sigh. Some drowse blissfully under your touch. Some giggle with nervousness, perhaps because they are not touched often or because it has been a long time since they have been. Occasionally, some weep with cathartic relief and release. And they all thank you.

This article was originally published in the January 2006 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine and is being reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Esthetician remedies personal anguish by treating others

Celeste Raydon, a skin-care specialist, has made a career out of making others feel good about themselves through various procedures at her Rancho Palos Verdes business, Skin Sanctuary.

However, getting where she is today began under some tragic circumstances.

Raydon’s mother, Alyda Raydon, endured a battle with ovarian cancer that ended with a stroke in December 2005. After being ousted from her “cold” corporate job selling architectural products — a direct result of caring for her dying mother — Raydon took the advice of one of her three brothers and “reinvented” herself, taking a chance at the profession she “always wanted to do,” she said.

“It kind of began initial growth on my part because I remember feeling really bitter,” the former Peninsula resident said. “I already knew I’m never working for anybody else. That was my goal … I always wanted to affect a change in people, and I always wanted to be of service and to give to them. So many people have helped me along the way, and have been loving and kind and given me good advice or just listened to me. That’s just how I want to live … I wanted to be my own person.”

Once she received some of her mother’s trust money, Raydon, 47, attended Paul Mitchell’s Skin Academy, where she graduated in the top of her class. Since Sept. 13, 2006, she has independently contracted her business, eventually creating a permanent space inside the Western Avenue establishment Le Salon Specialiste.

With the support of her husband, Dean Slater, and friends, who now are clients, Raydon had many helping hands in all aspects of the salon, from creating a logo, marketing and even painting her treatment room a distinct eggplant purple.

“I just wanted it to be this place where you can come and feel enveloped and loved and safe,” she said. “It would be an experience … What goes in the room stays in the room — kind of like the Vegas thing, only true. Whatever you’re having done or whatever you’ve shared is in the room, it’s private; it’s between us.”

The relief provided from the therapeutic experience is something that keeps her client, Shauna Tate of San Pedro, coming back to Skin Sanctuary. Tate’s first visit to Raydon’s room was almost two months ago, when she was “feeling gloomy,” facing her own mother’s fight with bladder cancer — a common ground that brings the two women closer together. A pumpkin facial peel and massage later, Tate left the salon “walking taller.”

“I walked in feeling not really terrific, and her humor, her story made me appreciate what I was going through at the time, and saw that struggles do lend itself to triumph,” she said. “Her story really moved me — what she has gone through and where she is today.

“[Celeste is] a huge giver, and her generous spirit makes me want to give back, as well,” Tate continued. “She treated me with lots of tender loving care, and made me laugh up a storm … You can tell she gets so much joy out of that.”

Said Raydon, “It’s one of the very few places that you can go and be touched in a healthy, loving way … I’m seeing the really beautiful parts of them. It feels just great.”

Aside from the mandatory 600 hours of clinical practice to earn her esthetician license, Raydon also studied the science of skin and chemicals at the International Dermal Institute, and receives extra training from Dr. Howard Murad of the Murad skin product line.

“Fascinated” by skin conditions, Raydon uses various techniques and regimens to treat skin conditions such as rosacea, acne and psoriasis.

“It’s a good challenge to work with a dermatologist to get that person’s skin to be clear,” she said. “It’s really debilitating, in terms of self-esteem.”

Raydon also is skilled in microdermabrasion, LED light treatment, performing extractions to remove blemishes, the art of dyeing and custom shaping eyebrows, Brazilian waxing, body treatments, medical peels, makeup and facial massages, among other areas.

She guarantees a “red-free exit” and a glow on the outside that is a reflection of a restored internal confidence.

By Ashley Ratcliff, Peninsula News
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 6:43 PM PDT

Being reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Aesthetic VideoSource has a wide variety of educational DVD for estheticians. These informative step by step videos can teach you everything from chemical peels & facial massage to brazilian waxing & microdermabrasion. Stop by today and advance your career by learning a new technique or two.

1.    Facial exercises tone facial muscles and make a person appear younger.
The face is the only part of the body where muscles are attached directly to the skin; there are no facial ligaments and tissue. Constant facial exercise and tugging contribute to additional lines. Actually, wrinkles often form along expression lines caused by facial movements.
2.    Vitamin E minimizes scarring.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and helps build skin, but there is no evidence that it does anything to help with scarring. There is even some research that suggests it may have a negative effect on scarring.1
3.    Cucumbers help reduce puffiness around the eyes.
The principle ingredient in cucumbers is 90% water with the balance being inert fiber. They can be soothing and, with moisture, hydrate skin temporarily. The same results can be obtained from a cold compress.
4.    Skin pores open and close.
Pores are openings in the skin that allow oils (sebum) to reach the surface. If pores are larger, this can be due to dead cells, genetics or scarring from squeezing blemishes.
5.    The higher the skin protection factor (SPF) rating, the better.
SPF ratings, soon to be revised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only refer to protection from UVB rays. A person needs sun protection that has chemical and physical blockers, plus antioxidants. A higher SPF also gives a false sense of security and introduces more potentially harmful chemicals to the body. Plus, an SPF of 50 is only marginally more protective than an SPF of 15; an SPF of 30 has only 2% more protection than an SPF of 15, and a 40 has only 1% more than a 30. Sunscreens need to be reapplied every 90–120 minutes.
6.    Layering several products with SPF ratings increases protection.
You are only protected to the extent of the higher rating of one product. A foundation with an SPF of 10, moisturizer with an SPF of 15 and a sunscreen with an SPF of 20 does not yield an SPF rating of 45.
7.    Topical creams containing collagen can replace collagen.
There is a lack of impartial, empirical evidence that the topical application of collagen or elastin can penetrate the dermis, even when using nanotechnology. They can provide moisturization to the epidermis, but only injections are conclusively effective.
8.    Mineral oil is bad for your skin.
Today’s cosmeceutical mineral oil is a far cry from the industrial type that was previously used on skin. It is a very effective ingredient in helping remove excess oil from the skin. Oil attracts oil, and the modern mineral oil formulated for use in skin care has a different molecular weight and will not harm skin or clog pores. Mixed with kaolin—fine clay—it makes a potent cocktail to assist in controlling oil production in problematic skin. Vitamin A is the best ingredient to normalize skin.
9.    Mineral oil is comedogenic.
Cosmeceutical-grade mineral oil is not comedogenic. The myth is that industrial-grade mineral oil and lubricants are the same as those used in cosmetic ingredients. So-called medicinal white mineral oil has met with stringent safety standards. To remove sebum plugs in the follicles, an oil-based substance is needed. Water-based products cannot melt or remove sebum plugs.
10.  Preservatives in skin care products are bad.
Preservatives help prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other organisms that can not only deteriorate a product’s effectiveness and spoil the product itself, but also allow harmful bacteria to get on or in the skin. Although there is concern about the use of parabens, the research is not definitive that topical application leads to harmful accumulations. Parabens are found throughout nature; for example, many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, are naturally full of parabens. But further study is needed.
11.  Packaging is not important.
Packaging in skin care is vitally important—not for aesthetic reasons—but to protect the efficacy of the ingredients. Wide-mouth jars, transparent containers and pumps that are not airless all pose problems in keeping ingredients safe and potent.
12.  Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne.
Eating chocolate does not cause acne. Hormonal factors, bacteria and skin cells are at the root of problematic skin, and stress can exacerbate flareups. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to foods that can cause inflammation, as well.
13.  Natural and organic products are always better.
Buyer, beware! Many natural and organic products are not as they claim. Plus, many times, active ingredients have to be synthesized to be bioavailable and efficacious. Synthetic compounds can actually be identical to those found in nature and be more effective. Natural vs. laboratory-processed should not lead to an up or down decision about whether a product is good or bad. Not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural or organic ingredients are good.
14.  Using larger quantities of a product will yield better results.
Less is more. Normally, a pea-sized amount of facial product will do the trick. Excessive amounts can cause skin problems and waste money.
15.  Blackheads are a caused by improperly cleansed skin.
Blackheads or comedones are caused by clogged pores, and excessive scrubbing can irritate and further inflame skin. Blackheads often contain dirt, oil, and dry and dead skin cells that need to be removed. Products that help dissolve sebum are the most effective.
16.  Drying problematic or oily skin clears up acne.
The opposite is true. When skin becomes overly dry, an environment is created in which the skin is signaled that is too dry and produces more oil. Use drying products sparingly, and look to lightly moisture oily skin. The goal is to keep skin balanced.
17.  Get a base tan to prevent burning before going on vacation.
Any tan is a scar, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. Self-tanners are the safest way to obtain tanned skin.

18.  All sun damage to skin occurs before 18 years of age.

Sun damage continues to occur throughout life, although recent information suggests less than 50% of sun damage happens before a person is 18.2 It is never too late to protect your skin.
19.  Indoor tanning is safe.
The argument that tanning beds and booths do not cause skin mutations that may cause cancerous lesions to develop is patently false. UVA rays found in indoor tanning lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells.
20.  Antioxidants reverse wrinkles.
Antioxidants are essential in fighting free radical formation and are important in helping prevent skin damage, but they cannot make wrinkles go away.
21.  Skin damage and signs of aging can be cleared up quickly.
If a product sounds too good to be true, you can bet its claims are false. The damage did not happen overnight, and it cannot be magically repaired. Expect at least three skin cycles—a cycle can be between 21–40 days, depending on age—to begin to see measurable results.
22.  All alcohol in skin products is bad.
Some compounds that contain alcohol can act as emollients, which can decrease the skin’s water loss. Cetyl, benzyl and oleyl alcohol are examples of good alcohols. It is important to know what comes before the OH in chemical compounds.
23.  Sun exposure will improve acne.
Yes, sun exposure can hide the appearance of acne for awhile, but will lead to skin damage, pigmentation and drying that signals the skin to produce more oil.
24.  Alcohol abuse can cause your nose to become red and bulbous.
The intake of alcohol can temporarily dilate blood vessels and make skin appear flushed, but in most cases, a large, inflamed, red and bulbous nose is a result of rosacea.
25. Skin repair only happens at night.
A good night’s sleep is certainly helpful to skin health; however, skin repair is ongoing. Inadequate sleep can cause stress, skin puffiness and can slow the natural development of collagen.
26.  Skin care products can last three or more years.
Despite a number of claims to the contrary, most skin care products lose a great deal of their potency within 12 months. It is best to use the entire contents within one year because preservatives do not last forever and ingredients can get contaminated with bacteria, or they can evaporate.
27.  Strong scrubs, soaps and abrasives are good for your skin.
Be careful how you wash your face. Too much scrubbing or too many abrasive products can remove protective oils, create tiny micro tears and contribute to aging, irritated skin. Less is more, and a gentle cleanser and light moisturizer work well for most people.
28.  Vitamin A thins the skin.

Actually, the reverse is true. Skin can become thin due to the lack of vitamin A because it helps to create new, healthy and normal skin cells. Vitamin A is arguably the most important skin care ingredient, bar none. It is one of the few—if not the only—ingredient that is backed by more than 50 years of objective, scientific research supporting its efficacy.
29.  The only form of vitamin C that works is L-ascorbic acid.
L-ascorbic acid only remains in its most potent state for a limited time. A new era in vitamin C formulations, one of the best antioxidants for your skin, has arrived. There are several forms that have been developed that are not water-based, which means they can better penetrate the skin and remain more potent for longer periods of time.
30.  There is one antioxidant ingredient that is the best.
Every year, there is a hot, newly discovered antioxidant that is touted as the best, but this is not true. A cocktail of antioxidants provides better results than just one. Seek products containing a plethora of antioxidants.

This article was originally published in the May 2009 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine and is reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.