Cupping Therapy
Traditional Chinese Medicine is most often associated with acupuncture and the use of natural herbs as healing remedies. Cupping is a lesser-known treatment that can provide a tension releasing, pain reducing effect. It has been used for thousands of years, one of the earliest documentations of cupping dating all the way back to 300 AD.
By Dr. Amy Nykoluk
Traditional Chinese Medicine is most often associated with acupuncture and the use of natural herbs as healing remedies. Cupping is a lesser-known treatment that can provide a tension releasing, pain reducing effect. It has been used for thousands of years, one of the earliest documentations of cupping dating all the way back to 300 AD.
Cupping is a general term used to describe a technique where suction is formed in a cup that is placed on the skin, and when the skin is drawn into the cup, tension is released from the muscles, toxins are released, blow flow is increased, circulation improved, nutrients flood the area, and pain can be reduced due to sedation of the nervous system. People seek cupping out to treat many things, including, but not limited to high blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, depression, weak/tired/sore muscles, acne, lumbago, neck tension, and cellulite and fat loss.
Many people will experience a deep discolouration, much like bruising on the skin after a cupping session, which can be startling to someone who has never experienced it, or doesn't understand the reason behind it.
When injuries occur deep beneath the surface of the skin, bleeding often occurs causing a bruise, sometimes visible, sometimes not. There can also be swelling in the area, an accumulation of fluid and proteins. When this sticky fluid, and blood gather, it creates a blockage, disrupting circulation, which in turn leads to pain, and chronic conditions.
In order for oxygen, cells, and nutrients to reach all areas of the body, we need to ensure these blockages are released. The suction created in the cup allows space in the area for the circulation to continue through, as well as draws up all this debris to the surface of the skin. The colour and pattern of the marks vary person to person, and depend on the level of stagnation in the area, and range from a bright red to dark purple, sometimes black, usually lasting 3 days to a week - sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a pink marking which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours. For people receiving regular cupping sessions, the marks are minimal, if even present, as the toxins aren't given a chance to build up beneath the skins surface, although even if a person receives regular treatment, if they live in an environment surrounded by pollution, eating processed foods, or taking in other toxins on a regular basis, the skin will still show marks.
For many people, it is a daily occurrence to spot people with the very recognizable cupping marks, and in fact, it is seen in a positive light, as it shows the release of toxins from the body. For the people who aren't familiar, it usually only takes one treatment, and to feel the results, to fully believe the marks are worth the results. There are many different styles of cupping, different types of cups, and different techniques that are used depending on the needs of the person being treated. Cupping is an effective and relaxing treatment that can really be added to anyone's personal health regime, and a great way to be introduced to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Sources: www.cuppingtherapy.org Giovanni Macciocia - Foundations in Traditional Chinese Medicine www.pacificcollege.com
Skin Care for Men
Guys, let's face it; even if you don’t say it, we all know you care about how you look! You don’t have to tell me but if you read on, I will give you some simple techniques for keeping your skin tip-top from top-to-bottom.
By Rachel Lamont
Spa Owner & Medical Esthetician
Guys, let's face it; even if you don’t say it, we all know you care about how you look! You don’t have to tell me but if you read on, I will give you some simple techniques for keeping your skin tip-top from top-to-bottom. So here are my expert tips for you manly men, to look like the well-groomed studs I know are buried in each of you! We are going to go into a bit more detail then the cheap disposable razor and an equally cheap and generic grocery store bar of drying perfumed soap; I’m going to break it down to you in a few simple categories to choose from, for any area you feel needs work.
FACE
Cleanse at night to wash off all the sweat and dirt of the day and choose a proper moisturizer for your skin type. If you don’t know what your skin care cream should be, ask a qualified Esthetician - we are the professionals that will help you choose the right one. If you have oily acne-prone skin, a low oil acne moisturizer may be right for you. If you are dry and sensitive (which, yes, male skin can be!) then a more nourishing, sensitive product may be right for you. Don't be fooled; there is not one product that is right for all men... I know, if it were only that simple! If you are experiencing difficult skin care issues, seek out a good skin care provider. I always advise my male clients to scrub their facial skin 1-2 times a week with a suitable exfoliate, that suits their skin care needs. Also; please wear sun screen - you don’t want to look like a wrinkly old shoe when you hit 40! Remember that the sun penetrates through the windshield of your car... and office windows too. "Distinguished" is certainly one sexy look, but "Old Boot" is another thing all-together!
SHAVING AND BODY HAIR
The ideal time to shave is after a shower when your skin is clean and moist. This will help keep irritation at bay. Use a good, hydrating, natural and fragrance-free shave cream and work it into the skin. Shave in the direction of the hair grain and try to do as few swipes with a clean fresh blade as possible. This will lessen the chance of irritation also. After your shave is finished, rinse the face clean and apply your night cream or any serums for after shaving and to prevent irritation. The Eminence Recovery Oil is great for this. As for body hair; wear it how you like it! Long, trimmed, short, waxed…. I like them all. However, it is good to use a wash cloth, loofa, natural sponge and/or a body brush to scrub all hair that grows in covered areas. This will help to treat any ingrown hairs.
BODY
Wash your face, hands, underarms, groin, bum and feet every day. Scrub the rest of your body every 2-3 days only, with a natural soap, to let your body's natural oils build up and nourish the skin. You can scrub every day with a cloth, loofa or body brush; just don’t use soap everyday! Scrubbing removes dead skin, ingrown hairs, create healthy circulation and will stimulate the body, the lymphatic drainage system... and it just feels good! Treat your skin to a good daily body lotion - one that you can put on your whole body and will make your skin feel soft and more comfortable, and leave you less itchy and dry. Even though you are men, you still get dry skin too! Sometimes your skin can even be worse than the ladies, simply because some of you have jobs that require more time in the elements or in dry environments.
HANDS/FEET/NAILS
Buy a pedicure foot scrubbing paddle to buff off any dead skin that builds up on the bottom of your feet and palms. For hands, do this a few times a week and for feet, always wash between each toe. If you don’t, your feet will end up looking like troll feet and could crack and become uncomfortable! There are too many men out there that are not taking care of their feet and hands; All I want to say is: “We notice." Trim your nails every week, and clean under your nails in the shower every night to discourage nail fungus from growing under the nail plate. If you leave dead skin, dirt and bacteria under your nails, you are promoting the chance of nail fungus growth! I also like to scrape around the base of my nail beds and push back cuticles to get rid of that extra skin. All this advice goes for the hands as well. Yes, even the foot paddle part! This is because some very hard-working man hands get beat up and rugged... and men, these need to be softened before stroking your pretty ladies!
Guys, that is my head-to-toe how-to, make a man look and feel good!
The Basics of Skin Care for Busy Moms
Sometimes you get so busy that you need to scale back to the basics. During the busy times of their lives, like having children, clients always ask me, "What are the basics?"
By Rachel Lamont
Spa Owner & Medical Esthetician
Sometimes you get so busy that you need to scale back to the basics. During the busy times of their lives, like having children, clients always ask me, "What are the basics?" To me, the basics are the things that are quick and easy, and maintain the look and health of your skin and body until a time comes when you may have more time.
If you can save your good daily clean up for the evening when the children go to bed, you will have more time and be able to give some personal attention to yourself. The mornings are not always ideal, simply because getting the children ready and out the door is the highest priority! For your morning, wake up and drink a big glass of water, rinse your face and simply apply your SPF. A great 3-1 is the Eminence Tinted Moisturizers. They have a light moisturizing complex and contain nourishing ingredients, with a SPF 30 base and a light tint to help even out skin tone. Now you're done and off for the day!
In the evening, take a shower; this is the time to wash the day off and get yourself ready and clean for bed. A good daily cleanser that is balanced for your skin type is important. You can simply use a wash cloth to exfoliate if you want to keep it simple. Follow by a nutrient dense, but not necessarily heavy, night cream. I find eye creams are also important for some people if they are particularly dry or dark. For the body, a simple natural body oil or coconut oil is great! Make sure to moisturize and take care of your whole body every day. Then finally - go to bed!
As for makeup, I think a simple tinted moisturizer or mineral powder with mascara and lip gloss makes a very simple, easy and put-together look. With new moms, it's always easy to panic when they have to go simple, but remember that with some key products it can be very simple and stress free to maintain a healthy glow.
Just Wash Your Face!
One of the most important and basic rules of skin care and hygiene is to cleanse yourself before bed. This means "Wash your face!"
By Rachel Lamont
Spa Owner & Medical Esthetician
One of the most important and basic rules of skin care and hygiene is to cleanse yourself before bed. This means "Wash your face!"
At the end of every long and rewarding day you must complete the ritual of cleansing the day off. Especially if you had a long, hot, sweaty and possibly makeup filled day.
For myself, it's a beautiful finish to everyday. I enjoy making it to the finish line and taking this moment to cleanse, reflect and refresh. I could not even think of going to sleep with all my makeup still on, not even when I'm camping! No matter how good my products are - and they are the best! - they still need to come off at the end of my day.
Remember that oil, sweat, dirt, environmental pollutants, and of course, for many of us makeup, will get stuck deep into the skin. This is a good part of how I make my living; squeezing and cleansing all that junk out of my clients skin. It's a great job! But the bottom line is that if you want better skin, then don't let this stuff sit over night on your face. This is what blackheads are made of!
Some of my favourite products for getting makeup off are Eminence Makeup Remover, their brand new 3-1 Rice Cleansing Milk, any Eminence creamy cleanser as a pre cleanse, Jane Iredale Makeup Remover and of course, the Magic-Mitts! Even some home remedies such as coconut oil are a great skin care tip when you are in a pinch. It you wear a lot of makeup, think of using a 2-step cleansing process.
I hope this is helpful to all of you. Feel free to stop in at the spa and ask one of us to help you find the best options for your own individual skin care needs; we are always happy to help!
Changing Your Products for the Season
As the seasons change, so does the condition of your skin... and so should your products! This is especially true for Albertan's, with the drastic change in the seasons that we experience here.
By Rachel Lamont
Spa Owner & Medical Esthetician
As the seasons change, so does the condition of your skin... and so should your products! This is especially true for Albertan's, with the drastic change in the seasons that we experience here. During the winter, and the lack of humidity during this time of year, your products need to be richer in hydrating ingredients. If your skin remains dry then you can leave it susceptible to lines, dullness, the feeling of tightness and irritated skin; with the lack of oil as a protectant on the skin, it can leave your skin open to invading bacteria the may cause breakouts.
There are plenty of options to choose from at the spa and a professional skin care expert can help. On the opposite side of the line, if you don't lower the moisture in the beautiful hot season, your skin will feel heavy and oily and can be more prone to congestion, and will also affect how your makeup sits and lasts.
Here are some of our suggestions to switch it up this Spring season:
- Eight Greens Whip to Thermal or Clear Skin Moisturizer
- Jasmine or Monoi Cream to Guava or Mango Moisturizer
- Clear Skin Wash to Eucalyptus Wash
- Vanilla SPF Moisturizer to Tinted Moisturizer
This can also be a time when you may not need additional oil; some people that use oils on top of their moisturizer during the winter may not need them in the summer. Using less product and more water to dilute your product down will also work to lighten the consistency for spring and summer.