Posts Tagged "#lasvegas"

When you are traveling, it may seem that your skincare list is not a top priority to you. But, if you have spent time trying to figure out the best skincare routine for you, do not neglect it when it comes to traveling!

It is important to find a way to keep your skincare routine intact when traveling, even if it means downsizing your products into travel size containers. It is important to keep your skin looking it’s best while you’re in the air, on the road, or just spending a few nights away from home.

Below are some tips and tricks to maintaining your skincare routine while on the go!

1. Keep things as similar to your usual routine as possible.

In general, trying to keep up as much of your skin-care routine as possible is ideal. If what you’re doing is working, why change if you don’t have to? And for those who are trying to manage skin conditions while traveling, keeping your routine consistent is especially key.

There can be many reasons to why a person’s skin can fluctuate while traveling. However, keeping your same skincare routine that you do at home while traveling is important.

The easiest way to keep your same routine is to buy travel sized, (under 3oz if traveling by airplane), versions of your favorite products. If the brand you like does not have travel size, pick up a few small to-go product containers and fill them up with your facial cleanser, serums, and moisturizers.

2. If you are limited to a few products, focus on the essentials.

If you need or prefer to pack lighter, stick to the essentials of your skincare routine. The skincare essentials are considered to be: Sunscreen with at least SPF 30, makeup wipes, facial cleanser, and nighttime moisturizer. Skipping out on the toners and serums for the time being is OK.

3. If your favorites do not come in travel size, get creative!

There are a ton of excellent skin-care products that come in travel-friendly sizes these days. But if your go-tos aren’t available in minis, there are some other things you can do.

Like I stated before, the easiest way is to pack your products in mini containers that you can purchase at the store.

You can also use contact lenses for smaller quantities of products, such as eye cream. You can also pre-soak cotton balls in makeup remover or toners and store them in a tightly sealed bag to lock in the moisture.

4. Think ahead about the dry plane ride.

Long plane rides can dehydrate your skin. Applying a thick, nighttime facial moisturizer prior to boarding is best to ensure your skin’s hydration.

You might also find it helpful and refreshing to use hydrating sheet masks, under-eye masks, or facial mists while in flight.

Of course, wherever you are traveling to matters as well. Keeping your skincare routine the same is important, however, increasing or decreasing your moisturizer depending on your location is up to you to decide. If you are traveling to somewhere colder, a thicker moisturizer is needed. If you are traveling to a hotter destination, a thin layer of moisturizer will do.

5. Pay special attention to your eyes and lips.

If you’re enduring a dry plane ride or a change in time zones, your eyes and lips may be the part of your face to feel most of the effects.

A time change or jet lag can be the biggest downfall in traveling. Which is why using the correct amount and right eye cream can be crucial while traveling.

Don’t forget the lips! Your lips can become chapped and irritated while traveling and changing to different climates. So, keep them moisturized constantly!

6. Don’t just think about skincare products.

Sun safety is always essential for preventing both skin cancer and early signs of aging, but it’s also something way too many of us tend to slack off on. And we know that sunscreen alone isn’t enough to keep us as protected as possible.

Along with sunscreen, be sure to bring sunglasses to protect your eyes, a broad brimmed hat, and sun protective clothing as well.

It is inevitable for us humans to experience pain in our jaws some point in our lives. Certain exercises are known to help ease the pain, however, a certain type of massage is known to improve jaw pain in an instant. This type of massage is called the pterygoid massage. The lateral pterygoids are muscles on each side of your head that help control the temporo-mandibular joint, or TMJ. The muscles help to open your jaw and to move it from side to side. The joint is very complex, so if you are experiencing pain, make sure to see an expert.

The Pterygoid Muscle

The pterygoid is a powerful muscle of mastication. The pterygoid muscles are two of the four muscles of mastication. These muscles are: lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid. It is involved in closing the jaw as well as protrusion of the jaw. Therefore manual release of the pterygoid muscle can benefit those both with generalized TMJ pain and discomfort as well as people with overbite.

What causes the pain?

The jaw is virtually constantly working when talking, chewing, grinding and clenching and there are estimates that it moves more than a couple of thousand times every day. Below is what causes the pain of the jaw.

• T.M.J
• Teeth clenched
• Poor body position
• Stress or anxiety
• Reduced jaw opening
• Clicking jaw
• Headaches
• Cheek tingling
• Chronic pain and inflammation in the jaw area
• Chewing too much gum

Trigger points

If there are trigger points present in the medial pterygoids then you will often have pain in the TMJ and also around the ear. It can also be difficult to swallow with pain referred to the back of the mouth. If you have restrictions in how far you can open your mouth then there is likelihood that you will have trigger points in this muscle, normally present on both sides of the head.

How to prevent the pain:

• Eat soft foods
• Avoid eating too much gum
• Practice stress reduction and relaxation techniques
• The use of plastic toothbrushes recommended by jaw care professionals
• Get a pterygoid massage at Elements!

Why a pterygoid massage is important for you

Everyone knows that any type of massage is beneficial for them. If you are continuously experiencing pain in your jaw/mouth, the pterygoid massage will help to ease the pain. And, coming in for continuous sessions will result in your pain going away quicker. This massage is also beneficial for headaches. If you experience frequent headaches, this massage will help control the headaches better and decrease the frequency of them. At Elements, the pterygoid massage can be added onto any type of full body massage.

After the pterygoid massage

Any time you massage trigger points in muscle groups it is a good idea to stretch them out afterwards to enhance the relaxation of the muscle. One recommended stretch for these muscles is to open your mouth against resistance by placing your hand under your chin while you slowly open the mouth against the resistance.

As the weather starts to cool down and eventually become chilling, it can take a toll on your feet, making them dry and feeling uncomfortable. Even if you are trying your best to enclose your feet in layers of socks or boots, the chilling winds of the winter season can really make your feet dry. So, it becomes extremely important to care for your feet during the winter season. By reading this article, you can pick up some helpful tips on maintaining the dry skin and keeping your feet looking good!

Scrub those feet!

Your feet tend to become dry and rough as winter draws in, which is normal! But, it is important to take care of them. To remove the dead skin cells, impurities and roughness from your feet, scrub it good. The coarse particles of the scrub ensure to remove the grime and leave you with soft and supple feet. It is recommended that you at least exfoliate your feet once a week.

Get the pumice stone!

Using a pumice stone on your feet is definitely one of the essentials. And it becomes even more important during the winter time. Use a pumice stone to scrub off the hard surface of your heels and wash your feet thoroughly afterwards. To keep your feet soft and stunning during the winter, use the pumice stone at least twice a week.

Always keep your feet moisturized!

Keeping your feet moisturized with foot cream or certain lotions designed for the feet is key. Dry feet during the winter can lead to various skin troubles. Keeping your feet moisturized is important. So, apply a generous amount of moisturizer on your feet every day to get soft and smooth feet.

Start wearing socks more often!

Socks definitely come in handy during the winter time. One pro about socks during the winter time is they keep the moisture locked in your feet. One tip is to apply lotion at bedtime and put socks over the lotion all night for soft, supple feet. As your feet will be covered a lot, choose the socks that make your feet happy. Go for natural material like cotton and avoid synthetic socks.

Soak your feet in hot water often!

Soaking your feet in hot water often provides relief for any possible pains in you feet and helps moisten the roughness of the feet for easy scrubbing. Soak your feet in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Pull out your feet afterwards, use the pumice stone to scrub away the dead skin, apply some moisturizer and you will have soft and supple feet in no time.

Choose the right footwear!

We all know that wearing flip flops in the winter can cause dry, cracked feet. So, it is a good tip to stay away from the flip flops for winter and stick the the close toed shoes. Do not stuff your feet in extremely tight shoes to keep it warm. It is important to choose the right type of shoes in which you can wiggle your toes comfortably and your feet are relaxed. You can also opt for the sandals that are open at the front to give your feet space to breathe.

Massage the feet!

When massaging the feet, you boost the blood circulation and that improves skin texture and enhance the softness of your feet. So, once a week, massage your feet with coconut oil for about 10-15 minutes. You can also opt for a professional foot massage. Just a 30 minute foot massage by a therapist will give your feet the relief they need.

Always go for the pedicure!

There can be no better way of pampering your feet than a relaxing pedicure. A pedicure involves massaging, soaking, exfoliation, foot masks and relaxing your feet. Pedicures remove all the dirt, dead skin cells and roughened skin to leave you with nourished and soft feet. Granted, it can be a little expensive but it is worth it. At Elements, you can sign up for the VIP membership that discounts you off pedicures. With this membership, you can schedule pedicures any time you want. It is the perfect membership for keeping those feet looking beautiful!

The fall time is a great time of year. It is a nice transition from the blazing summer heat of Vegas to nice, cool weather. For many people, with the sudden changes of heat to cooler weather, it can cause dryness and sensitivity to the skin.  Even if your skin is generally on the oilier side, it’s common to experience abrupt changes when the seasons shift — particularly from warmer months to cooler ones.

You might not know it, but sometimes, dry skin can be a bad thing for acne. If you have an abundance of dryness on your face, it can clog your pores and cause unwanted pimples, just like oil and dirt. Everyone strives for clear, glowing skin at any time of the year, but it’s essential to pay attention to your face as the weather gets colder and dry.

To prepare for the upcoming cold season and to make your skin healthy, glowing, and beautiful, take a look at the essential skincare tips for this fall season.

1. Switch To A Soap-free Cleanser

Instead of standard soap, choose a specified gel or foaming cleanser designated for people with acne-prone or dry skin, depending on your skin type. Both of these cleansers are loaded with moisturizing properties that won’t damage the skin’s surface. Regular soap can harm your skin’s outer protective layer, leading to accentuated wrinkles and pores, and can trigger acne and inflammation, making breakouts worse and harder to manage.

Find a cleanser that works best for you, and use it twice daily for the best results. If you’re concerned about constant acne breakouts, look for one that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid increases the amount of moisture in the skin and then dissolves the substance that causes the cells to stick together, making it easier to shed skin skills and acne spots.

2. Apply Natural, Topical Treatments

If you have a breakout that is difficult to maintain, even when you wash your face twice a day, consider applying natural topical treatments directly to the affected spots. The right kind of topical treatment can take a few days to start working, but they’ll help reduce inflammation and control the spread. There are many topical treatments that you can find at the drugstore, and most of them contain an ingredient called benzoyl peroxide. This chemical treatment works by killing bacteria underneath the skin that can cause acne. It’s a well-known ingredient in the skincare community and has shown positive results on many individuals who experience regular breakouts.

However, if you prefer a more natural topical treatment, there are many other products that serve more of an organic, natural ingredient. Check out your nearest health food store or wellness website and look for ointments, including:

• Tea tree oil
• Witch hazel
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Turmeric

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent that can go directly on the surface of any spots you have. Instead of the standard toner used after cleansing your face — splash some witch hazel as an additional exfoliate and pore cleanser. Honey and turmeric are excellent anti-inflammatory agents used in skincare routines for centuries worldwide. The critical thing to remember is to maintain moisture while you use these methods. Never go to bed without a nourishing moisturizer lotion or oil.

3. Try A Thicker Moisturizer

As summer time ends and the heat goes away, it is time to say goodbye to that light weight moisturizer and hello to a thicker moisturizer.

Finding a thicker moisturizer may not be the easiest, but once you do find one, you’ll never look back. It is worth consulting with an aesthetician about what the best, thicker moisturizer will work best on your skin. Sometimes, a skincare routine isn’t as simple as looking for products marketed to oily, dry, or combination skin types. Your skin will dictate the type of moisturizer you need to stay hydrated without becoming too oily. While you should find the right moisturizer for you, remember to also look for one that protects your skin from the cold, dry, and transitional autumn climate.

4. A Professional Chemical Peel

One of the best and most convenient ways to get your face ready for the colder months, treat acne scars, and bring out your natural beauty is to have a professional chemical peel. Here at Elements Salon and Wellness Spa, we provide a chemical peel service that is done by the hands of our aestheticians. There are so many benefits to a chemical peel. A chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and areas of your skin’s upper and middle layers. It’s used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. But, make sure to consult with the aesthetician first to make sure this service is best for your skin type.

Following a skincare routine is an act of self-care. Dedicating a few minutes each morning and night to your beauty and skin ritual is vital because you’re demonstrating that you matter and love yourself! It’s too easy to forget the importance of being kind to yourself when life gets busy and chaotic. This fall, bring out your natural beauty and give yourself some love with these tips.

A face mask is a type of skincare product that you apply on your face. It is considered one of the easiest ways to get healthy and supple skin within minutes. There are many face masks that are designed for your skin type and that work best to clear up any imperfections your skin may have. It is recommended to apply face masks at least twice a week to get the best results.

There are a variety of face masks available on the market. At Elements Salon and Wellness Spa, there are different types of face masks that are best suitable for your skin type. These face masks can be worn twice a week, as recommended by your aesthetician, for about 10-20 minutes, depending on the face mask.

Top 5 Benefits of Using Face Masks:

1. Refines skin pores: Face mask can help you to get clearer skin and more refined pores. It deep cleanses the pores and clears the pores of dead skin cells, metabolic wastes and the oily substances that can clog them.
2. Increases hydration: Face mask can also bring moisture and hydration to dry and dehydrated skin types. The water from the mask penetrates deep into the skin epidermis to soften the skin and enhance its elasticity. When the skin is hydrated and well moisturized, it becomes easy to apply proper makeup. Also it gives a more plump and youthful appearance to the skin.
3. Diminishes fine lines: Regular use of face masks can reduce the signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and brown spots and so on. Also you will get to enjoy a softer and smoother skin texture.
4. Gives even skin tone: Face masks are also designed to diminish hyper-pigmentation and give you more even skin tone and texture. It also promotes the sweat gland secretion so as to increase the oxygen content of the skin.
5. Firmer skin: Loose skin can make your look older than your age. The problem of loose skin can be easily solved with regular use of face masks. There are certain types of face masks that help to enhance collagen production and fight off free radical damage which will gradually result in firmer, tighter, fresher looking skin.

Apart from the above mentioned skin benefits, applying a face mask also helps you to relax. You get the time to relax, while your face mask is working. This will help you to de-stress and that alone can make you look and feel better! Whether you use a cream or a sheet based face mask, you’ll feel great during the process.

The Top 5 Face Masks at Elements:

• Pumpkin Enzyme Mask: The pumpkin puree in this mask is rich in vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that are known for their anti-oxidant and exfoliating properties. This mask gently exfoliates the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines, age spots, freckles, and rough skin. It minimizes pore size and other skin imperfections while stimulating the production of new and healthy skin cells.

• Soft Papaya and Pumpkin Mask: A special active papaya enzyme is incorporated in this crème mask. The active papaya enzymes will remove dead skin cells and reveal a smooth texture to the skin without irritation. Beeswax and avocado oil moisturize and hydrate to soften parched skin. Tapioca starch and kaolin clay tighten the surface of the skin.

• Clarifying Camphor Mask: This extremely effective mask will manage and help clarify severe acne or problematic skin conditions. For combination skin types, it is most effective to use two to three times a week to control excessive oiliness or occasional blemishes. This mask can also be applied directly to a blemish at night and leave on overnight to reduce the blemish.

• Skin Recovery Mask: This creamy, emollient rich, antioxidant and multi-vitamin treatment mask is designed to enhance micro-circulation, improve epidermal regeneration, and naturally brighten the skin. Nutrient rich carrot oil, mango butter, and natural plant extracts help to increase the skin moisture level, oxygen uptake , and prevent early appearance of wrinkles.

• Aloe and Azulene Gel Mask: Aloe and azulene soothe and reduce flare-ups and redness. Sodium hyaluronate is added to hydrate and lubricate delicate skin. Green tea extract is an antioxidant, added to reduce redness. Lavender oil cools and refreshes the senses. This mask is perfect for soothing skin damaged by sunburn, waxing, extractions, peels and laser treatments.

Takeaway

As you can see, face masks are very beneficial for your skin weekly. Aside from the face masks, it is also important to include professional facials about once a month in your skincare routine. To know what products are best for your skin, consult with your aesthetician.

In the skincare world, beneficial ingredients are a dime a dozen. But, the hyaluronic acid ingredient is here to stay. It is a great hydrator for the skin that is safe for all skin types. Hyaluronic acid can be founds in serums, moisturizers, and eye cream.

What really is hyaluronic acid? Naturally produced in the human body, hyaluronic acid is a type of a sugar molecule that keeps our tissues cushioned and lubricated. It is found in skin, joints, and connective tissues.

Now, don’t be afraid of the word “acid” in its name: HA is a gentle hydrator for anyone’s skin. In fact, when it’s formulated for skincare, hyaluronic acid is like a sponge that finds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. HA is what gives your skin that plumpness!

What is Hyaluronic Acid Good For?

Skincare products with HA work hard to bring moisture to your skin all day by consistently drawing hydration from the air into your skin. In beauty lab tests, it shows that products with hyaluronic acid can hydrate the skin efficiently, sometimes 400% better than creams 18 times the price.

Here is what HA is best at:

• Hydrating. HA is a skin plumper by its way to obtain moisture. It helps to hydrate dry skin, providing a smoother, softer skin appearance.
• Anti-aging. As we age our skin produces less HA, contributing to the appearance of wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Joint pain. Yes, it can help joint pain! Hyaluronic acid injections are also given to joints of people suffering from arthritis. HA supplements are also popular for those suffering from joint pain and osteopenia.

Are There Any Side Effects to Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is something your body naturally makes, so it is generally considered safe for all skin types. Allergic reactions to HA are rare, so that means whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, you have the green light to use hyaluronic acid products. HA is particularly helpful for parched skin in need of deep hydration.

What Hyaluronic Acid Products Are Best For The Skin?

Because it works by retaining skin moisture, HA is most often found in products that are left on the skin. It can be found in face creams, serums, eye creams, and body lotions. Here at Elements Salon and Wellness Spa, we have our very own Hyaluronic Acid Serum that is 100% pure. This serum is best used to put under your moisturizer, which will give you the best results.

Consult With Your Aesthetician

As always, it is best to consult with your aesthetician about what product is best for your skin type. However, the hyaluronic acid serum works on any skin type, given that it is water for your skin! Hopefully by reading this article, you are now an expert on HA and that it is really beneficial for your skin.

A good daily skincare routine is essential for maintaining that healthy, fresh looking skin. But, every once in a while, it is best to leave it to the aesthetician to really take care of your skin and give you the professional help your skin may need. More precisely, you should get a facial once a month or every 6 weeks.

What Does a Facial Consist Of?

A facial is a multi-step skin care treatment that includes steam, face masks, exfoliation, extractions if needed, cleansing, a face massage, and a variety of face lotions and creams. There are many types of facial treatments, and choosing the one you need depends on your skin type and skin issues. Some are highly moisturizing, others are firming and restoring, while some focus on problem areas and certain skin conditions.

Deep Cleansing Facial

A cleansing facial will help your skin get rid of oil buildup, toxins and dirt from your everyday environment, thoroughly removing all the bacteria that could cause skin issues.

A good deep cleansing facial would be a microdermabrasion facial. This facial will remove your dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and unclog the pores, allowing the absorption of other products. This will also make your skin look and feel softer and smoother, making your makeup blend easier and look better. 

Extractions, if needed, is great for removing blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and preventing breakouts. This is a must – do step for everyone struggling with acne because it clears out the skin and gives it a purifying effect.

Anti-Aging

Facial treatments can help slow down the aging process and prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Massaging your face with an anti-aging cream will immediately increase the blood circulation and oxygen flow, which promotes collagen production and enhances the elasticity of your skin. This leads to a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and preventing their appearance. Remember, It’s never too early to take good care of your skin! 

Facials are Relaxing

Massages are great for relaxing, relieving stress and balancing your mind. Just like your body, your face muscles need a massage. The boost in circulation you’ll get will stimulate the lymphatic vessels and detoxify your skin, making it look healthy and youthful. The nice smell of face masks is an incredible addition to a soothing, relaxing experience. 

Promotes Skin Rejuvenation

The exfoliation, extraction, massage, steam and mask application during a facial treatment lead to skin rejuvenation, or in other words – a fresh, renewed skin. This will improve the look of your skin, giving your skin a healthy looking glow.

You might not see the results instantly, but in the long run, your skin is going to get restored! So keep in mind that being regular and consistent with your facials is key. 

Improved Skin Care Routine

An aesthetician will analyze your skin and help you choose the best facial treatment for your skin type. When talking to your aesthetician, you can pick up some good skin care advice and decide which products are best for at home use. This is important because you can use these tips to prevent further issues and keep your skin in good condition.

Treating a Variety of Skin Issues

Getting regular facials monthly will help treat any skin concerns you may have. Issues like blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, sunspots and sun damage, acne, inflammation and redness, rosacea, dehydration, wrinkles, acne scarring, loss of firmness and elasticity can be minimized or completely treated with the right facial treatment.

Treat Yourself!

Lastly, it is important to treat yourself to a relaxing facial. Not only is the facial relaxing, but your skin will look it’s best after getting regular treatments.

Having a little time for pampering yourself in a peaceful environment will definitely uplift your spirit and clear your mind. So once a month, take some time off and treat yourself!

Did you know that you need to wear sunscreen on your face year round? Even in the cold winter? Yes, it’s true! Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to put on the same old sunscreen that your spray on your body when you go swimming. There are many moisturizers that have SPF in them to give your skin that moisture and glow while your protect your skin from the everyday sun rays.

Finding the right moisturizer for your skin that contains SPF is key. Everyone has a specific skin type and it’s important that you choose the facial moisturizer that’s best for you. Whether you have dry, oily, normal or a combination-type skin tone, using a facial moisturizer that contains SPF has become simpler and a popular skin care routine to achieve beautiful, healthy skin.

The Benefits of a Facial Moisturizer with SPF

There are many benefits that can be seen from choosing to integrate SPF into your daily facial moisturizing routine. This can take as little as a quick application of your daily facial moisturizing product, in the morning, before your skin is exposed to the sun through the course of your day.

• Skin protected from the sun through a facial moisturizer with SPF can help to retain the ability of collagen production. Without SPF within your moisturizer, the moisture within your skin is depleted from sun exposure. Skin creates collagen. With the ability of the skin to create collagen, the skin not only can appear moisturized but also be less prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
• A good facial moisturizer with SPF can reduce the instance of developing carcinoma of the skin.
• Using a facial moisturizer with SPF can reduce the chance in which laser or cosmetic procedures are required to correct damage that has already been caused by the skin.
• As part of the natural aging process of the skin, many people experience discoloration through certain areas of the skin. These discolored areas of the skin can be reduced through proper protection from the sun through the use of facial moisturizing products that contain SPF.

What We Have Learned

Studies have shown that using SPF 30 in your moisturizers are much more effective than using SPF 15. Using a good facial moisturizer with SPF is also an effective way to reduce the amount of products used in your daily skin care routine. Rather than using a facial moisturizer and applying a sun protection product over it, it’s much simpler to combine the two and use one product on the skin that will fully protect the skin.

Before deciding whether a good facial moisturizer is right for you, consider your specific skin tone needs. This is the most important part of selecting any good product; a facial moisturizer with SPF or not.

Choosing a good facial moisturizer with SPF keeps the skin protected from the sun, keeps skin moisturized, prevents wrinkles and fine lines, can help prevent the development of cancer, lessen the need for cosmetic surgery in the future and reduce the chance of discoloration of the skin.

A Good Tip About SPF

Your lips are a prime spot for skin cancer to develop because they are exposed to the sun rays year round and we often forget to apply the sunscreen on the lips.

Lipstick or lip balm that contains SPF 30 or above will really protect your lips from getting burnt and help prevent skin cancer. To be effective, you must reapply your lipstick or lip balm throughout the day.

But beware of products that contain no SPF, especially those that are glossy. Lip gloss without SPF can actually be worse than putting nothing on your lips. It is basically like spreading baby oil on your lips, which intensifies the amount of sun rays on your lips and can cause severe burning.

Do you ever wonder if waxing is ultimately the best for your skin? Are you tired of shaving every week just to find razor bumps and burns on your skin? Well, waxing may just be the answer for you.

Waxing swiftly pulls hair from the root through repetitive tugs. Shaving is more of a trim, only removing hair from the surface of the skin and leaving the root intact.

When going to a professional, they will either use hard or soft wax and cloth or paper strips to gently remove the hair. The purpose of the wax is to remove the hair from the root, making the hair appear thinner over time. Waxing can be done anywhere on your body and the pain is only moderate, depending on the area. The results of waxing last up to 3-4 weeks, while shaving can last up to 3 days.

Process of Wax

Waxing involves a warm mixture that’s applied to the skin and removed quickly once it cools. There are two different types of wax: soft and hard wax.

Soft wax requires strips to remove and is made with rosin, oils, and other additives. The wax is applied, and the strip is placed on top to remove the hair against the direction of growth.

Hard waxes firm up on their own and are made from beeswax, resin, and oils. Unlike soft waxes, hard waxes remove hair without strips.

Which Area Does Wax Work Best On?

This depends on your preference, but some find shaving easier to perform on a day to day basis for the underarms, legs and bikini area.

However, if you are looking for long term effects, waxing is best for the underarms, legs and bikini area.

For the bikini area, waxing is more precise and can result in less razor bumps because of the delicate skin area.

Benefits of Waxing

One of the main benefits of waxing is that it lightly exfoliates your skin. Because the wax adheres to the top layer of skin, it can remove dead skin cells to reveal a softer underlying layer.

Your skin will be less prone to inflammation. With this, you will have less of that annoying itch and prickliness that comes with shaving.

A big benefit of waxing is that you don’t have to worry about the knicks and cuts! A professional will gently remove your unwanted hair with wax, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth. Waxing will also give you less of a chance of those stubborn ingrown hairs.

How Often to Wax?

Waxing can only be done when the hair is between 1/4- to 1/2-inch long. This means you should usually wax once every 3 to 4 weeks. Shaving can be done as often as necessary, but keep in mind that more frequent shaving may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

What To Do Before Your Waxing Appointment

Before a waxing appointment, grow your hair out to at least 1/4-inch long. If it’s longer than 1/2 inch, you might have to trim it.

The day before, make sure you don’t exfoliate, tan, or dry out your skin with swimming. The day of, avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol and wearing lotions or creams.

To decrease pain, take an over-the-counter pain medication 30 minutes before your appointment.

The Bottom Line

After your waxing appointment, you can return to exfoliating 24 hours after waxing. Keep the area moisturized in order to prevent itching and irritation.

If you are still uncertain if waxing is the best choice for your skin, consult your aesthetician. It is important to know what choice is best for your skin and will not cause irritation.

As these two massage are typically the popular choices to choose from, there is quite a difference between the two. Swedish massage promotes relaxation while a deep tissue massage unknots the deeper stressed muscles. Swedish massage is executed in slow, circular movements with even pressure to enhance the circulatory system. Deep tissue massage, on the other hand, is more focused on specific parts of the body which experiences pain.

Swedish Massage

The Swedish massage is a form of massage done by long circular strokes. The Swedish massage is primarily used to induce relaxation for stressed and overly active muscles. The purpose of the Swedish massage aside from relaxation is to enhance the circulation of blood all over the body to increase the functions of the nervous system.

One of the biggest benefits of the Swedish massage is that it can boost your mood significantly. Studies have shown that massage can increase serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, which all help to elevate your mood and general well-being.

The Swedish massage also helps to reduce stress and anxiety. With that being said, it can also improve your sleep. There has been a study that found that massage therapy improved the quality of sleep in breast cancer patients. Better sleep, in turn, reduces stress and anxiety levels.

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage is used to relieve stressed muscles, especially in the neck, arm, leg and thigh areas. This type of massage is aimed at the tissues that normal massages could not reach and the muscles that are usually stressed than the others. A hard pressure needs to be applied in order to obtain results with deep tissue massage. A deeper pressure should be expected with this massage, however, if you experience any pain, please consult your therapist.

This massage helps to break up scar tissue that forms following an injury and reduce tension in muscle and tissue. It may also promote faster healing by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.

Unlike the Swedish massage that focuses on relaxation, deep tissue massage helps to treat muscle pain and improve stiffness. But it can still help to you unwind mentally, too. Some people have reported that the deep tissues massage helps in:

*Sports injuries

*Fibromylagia

*Plantar Fasciitis

*High blood pressure

*Sciatica

*Tennis elbow

Key Differences Between Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue

*Intended use: Deep tissue massage is primarily used to treat chronic pain and muscle and sports-related injuries. Swedish massage is mainly used to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension caused by everyday activities, such as sitting at a computer.

*Pressure: The Swedish massage is a gentler massage compared to the deep tissue, which provides firm pressure. Both types involve use of the palms and fingers to knead and manipulate your tissues, but the elbows and forearms may also be used to apply increased pressure during a deep tissue massage.

*Area of focus:  Deep tissue massage targets the inner layers of your muscles. It’s used to treat muscle and tendon injuries, pain, and stiffness in your major muscle groups and joints. Swedish massage targets the superficial layers of muscle and focuses on the parts of your body that tend to hold the most tension, such as your neck, shoulders, and back.

Overall:

Our massage therapists at Elements Salon and Wellness Spa are here to provide expert care on any concerns with your body. If you are still having a hard time deciding between the two massages, your therapist will consult with you on what the best massage is. Hopefully by reading this article, you are now an expert on Swedish and deep tissue massages!