Dark Circle SOS

Ever wake up on the day of a special event only to find those dreadful dark circles under your eyes? Don't panic. We have some helpful tips to help you prevent or lessen dark circles.

• Let's face it, dark circles are sometimes genetic. However, having plenty of sleep and less stress certainly help minimize the appearance of dark circles.


• Be sure to drink enough water. Dark circles are usually the result of dehydration. The skin under the eyes is extremely delicate and gets dehydrated easily. You may have noticed that they typically become more noticeable after a night of alcohol or coffee consumption. That is because alcohol and caffeine usually dehydrates our body.


• Use appropriate eye creams. Many eye creams will soften the lines and brighten the eye area. Products that contain Vitamin K, Vitamin E, sesame or avocado oil will help hydrate and redistribute the built up toxins.


• Putting cucumber on eyes may be soothing but it actually does nothing to disperse the toxins. If your eyes are tired or burning, try using an eye mask instead. They will help calm the delicate eye area. Use once to twice a week for the optimal results.


• If your dark circles are becoming more of a permanent fixture, you may want to use concealers to cover them up. Some concealers contain Vitamin K, E, and Chamomile and will help fix the problem while they are concealing. Choose a yellowish tone to offset the darkness. Use one that is only one shade lighter than your foundation. Otherwise, the eye area will be too light and there may be a glare.

May we sugget the Phytomer Eye Enhancing Treatment Add-On from Le Petit Spa? The perfect add-on to any facial, our Revitalizing Eye Treatment re-hydrates and brightens the eye area reducing puffiness, dark circles and fine surface lines. Using Phytomer products, this treatment includes a gentle gommage, localized masque and finishing eye serum.

"Count Down to Prom" Body Treatments to prep your skin for Prom.

Body Treatments to get ready for your big day!

Body scrubs are a fun way to get rid of dead skin and bacteria that can cause a flare up of back-ne, (or acne on your back!).

Using either sugar or salt, a body scrub service at a spa will smooth your skin, give you a radiant glow and help clear up acne-fast!

Keeping your skin exfoliated will also help to ward off any future breakouts from happening and is a great way to prep your skin before a self tanning cream application.

Tip: Use a self tanning cream that uses DHA. DHA is a sugar that when in contact with oxygen, turns brown and “tans” your skin a golden brown. Never streaky, orange or too dark for your particular skin tone and color.

Guinot Body Bronzing Treatment

Love the look of your skin when tanned, but know it’s bad for you? A sunless body bronzing treatment will give you the sun kissed glow all girls crave during the Vancouver winter, and is totally safe for your skin; chemicals are not used in this self tanning cream, just DHA, a natural sugar that is safe for your skin and body.

Body Wraps

Body wraps are a great way to introduce nutrients, vitamins and minerals back into your body. They soften skin, moisturize and nourish your skin from the outside in with ingredients such as vitamin E, iodine, iron and magnesium.

A body wrap is the perfect compliment to a body scrub; after removing dead skin cells, a body wrap will hydrate and nourish the new, soft baby skin cells on the surface of your skin.

Seaweed body wraps can remove toxins and impurities in your skin as well; especially good for teens who suffer from body acne. Marine ingredients draw dirt, excess oil and other impurities from your pores, making the clarity of your skin brighter and smoother in appearance.

Le Petit Spa offers a 10% student discount when valid student ID is shown to be used on all of our spa services for teens.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, special events and new product launches. Have beauty questions? Wonder what happens during a Teen Facial? Email me with your beauty questions and look for the answer in a future “Count Down to Prom” blog.

"Count Down To Prom" Le Petit Spa Makes it Easy!

An easier way for the teens and tweens of Vancouver to enjoy teen spa services, Le Petit Spa offers a student discount of 10% when valid BC student ID is shown.

Le Petit Spa’s “Spa for Teens” offers a variety of treatments for all teens to get ready for prom, a special occasion or just for fun!

Below, the Le Petit Spa “Spa for Teens” list of spa services.

Le Petit Spa Teen Facial

Using products that actually inhibit the growth of bacteria in the skin, this facial will clarify skin, remove impurities such as blackheads and pustules (zits) and leave skin comfortable and balanced.

The Le Petit Spa Teen Facial follows a classic European facial including the following steps:

Cleanse - Removes makeup, excess oil and bacteria

Tone - Completes the cleansing step. Removes residue left by cleanser or water, trace elements left by tap water that build up over time causing skin Ph level to change, and returns skin to a balanced Ph level.

Exfoliate - This is the beginning of the deep cleansing portion. Exfoliating your skin removes the layer of dead skin cells, unblocking pores and allowing any impurities to be easily removed in the next step. Exfoliating oily skin or problem skin on a regular basis will also, overtime, help control oil production and balance secretions.

Extractions - A Le Petit Spa esthetician will carefully and gently put pressure around each pore with a professional implement that is used to extract blackheads and other impurities that get stuck in the skin. This allows breakouts to heal and clear up faster, revealing a more unified complexion.

Masque - The active treatment portion of the facial. A facial masque delivers, on average, 70% active ingredients into the skin to give instant results. Whether it’s to control acne, deliver extra hydration to the skin, a masque gives instant results.

Moisturizer - It’s important to moisturize all skin types, even oily skin. When the skin is lacking in moisture, the skin will pump up oil production to protect itself. A moisturizer will prevent your skin from pumping up oil production and causing any breakouts from excess oil.

The Teen Facial at Le Petit Spa uses a moisturizer that controls oil where needed, but moisturizes skin where lacking in hydration, never too think, creamy or heavy. The light gel texture of these products will leave your skin fresh and clean feeling.

Le Petit Spa Teen Pedicure

A pedicure featuring a sea salt scrub, a relaxing massage and an application of the hottest shades of the season from OPI, this pedicure will leave your toes feeling and looking like “a perfect 10”. A Le Petit Spa esthetician will shape and trim your toe nails, nip any dead skin from the cuticle area and buff the bottoms of your feet to create feet worthy of any spa teen diva.

Want something to really make your toes unique and all about you? Consider a Le Petit Spa Nail Art Pedicure. We’ll give your toes a unique nail art design on top of your polish to make your toes really stand out!

Guinot Body Bronzing

We all know tanning is horrible for your skin, not to mention your health: skin cancer rates of nearly tripled in woman aged 18 to 29 since the 70’s. Why do we do it? Because tanned skin looks absolutely gorgeous! No doubt about it! But there are safe alternatives.

The Guinot Body Bronzing treatment at Le Petit Spa offers a safe alternative to tanning. Using a sugar, DHA, that oxidizes to a brown tan when coming in contact with your skin’s own amino acids, this self tanning cream “tans” your skin to a natural looking, golden goddess tan, never orange, never too dark or streaky!

Teen Hair Removal Spa Treatments

Puberty is a challenging time for young women; there are so many changes that we go through in this time period. And an excess of body hair where previously there may not have been any can be embarrassing and make us all feel a little self conscience at one time or another.

Le Petit Spa offers a wide range of spa waxing services for teens. These include:

• Eyebrow shaping
  


• Underarm Waxing
  


• Arm waxing
  


• Bikini waxing

For a full list of waxing services offered at Le Petit Spa look at our waxing web page.

All of these spa services for teens are offered 7 days a week at Le Petit Spa. Show us your student ID and receive 10% off of your services with us (excluding packages and massage services).

Le Petit Spa offers complimentary skin type analysis to help you decide which type of products are right for you, to book your free skin type analysis, contact Le Petit Spa.

Have questions about skin care? Wonder what a glycolic facial is? We have a licensed esthetician on staff ready to answer your questions in this blog, email her and look for your answer in a future edition of this blog!

Why Should I? The Importance of Using Professional Skin Care Products

Why use professional skin care?

Why use professional skin care? Why not just head down to the local drugstore, and pick up something cheap? Why spend money on something that just goes down the drain?

These are common questions that clients ask when they come into a spa for a facial. But, if you’re coming in to a spa for a facial, why aren’t you ready to make a commitment to good skin at home? Why spend money on a facial if you return home and use not-so-great products on your skin?

This blog discusses why using professional products are beneficial to your skin and busts through some myths about professional products.

1. Professional skin care is way more expensive

Not true! Professional skin products are comparable to say, Lancôme or Clinique; and sometimes, even less expensive. Plus, on average, you’re getting 70% more active ingredients in professional products than drugstore and department store brands. See our price comparison chart on one of our professional products, Phytomer, and major department store brands…

2. Department store brands are better known and reputable

Ok, so if your idea of being reputable is spending research dollars on the next glitzy ad campaign containing your favourite celebrity, then department store brands are more reputable. The reason why these brands are so well known is for a number of reasons:

a. Hire expensive celebrities and models to promote their product. This is called “Referent Power” and is a powerful marketing tool. By law, when these spokes models promote these products they have to use them, but only for the duration of the ad campaign or commercial you’re watching.

b. Money that is accumulated from the sales of these products is put into the next ad campaign for the product, not back into the product as research and advancement techniques. Marketing behind these lines has more money spent on it than research and development of the products you’re using on your face.

And let’s face it, if your favourite celebrity shows up on your TV with perfect skin using the said product, why aren’t you going to use it to achieve her skin? These ad campaigns work wonders.

3. Why don’t we hear about professional skin care more often?

Professional skin care companies do not put money into their marketing campaigns like department store brands do. They put the money made from sales of their products into years of research and new technologies. And then, of course they do put some money into marketing; but you will see this when you enter the salon or spa that it is sold in.

4. Why are professional brands like Phytomer and Guinot sold in spa only?

When a brand is sold in a spa or salon, it is guaranteed to be of a professional grade brand, meaning it contains higher quality ingredients and more active ingredients and need professionally trained skin care therapists to use them and educate their clients on them.

Selling professional lines in spa only means that there is a better quality control over the product as well; they are not mass produced like drugstore brands and department store brands are; they are produced in numbers compared to past years and sales trends.

This also means that you will not receive a product that has been sitting in a warehouse for five years, your professional products are fresh and of high quality.

The most important thing you should consider when using products for yourself is how you feel about the product. You should use products that you believe in, are happy with the results and deliver results to you.

When you visit a spa for a facial, listen to your esthetician about the skin care she recommends to you; she’s not just trying to make commission off of selling you something, she’s educating you about which products, from her professional experience and opinion of your skin, are right for you. She should offer you brochures and as much information about the line she is recommending to you as you want or need.

Remember: she’s not trying to force information down your throat and getting you to buy buy buy! She’s trying to help you make the best possible choice in professional skin care for you and your needs.

Come into Le Petit Spa for a complimentary skin consultation to receive education and advice about what type of products would be best for your skin. These complimentary services are available seven days a week; contact Le Petit Spa today…

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, gift with purchases, special events, and our monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Eye Creams - How Important Are They and Why?

Did you know? The eye area is 4 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face? Your eyes are the first area on your face to show the signs of ageing: puffiness, wrinkles and loss of firmness in this area always show their ugly signs first.

On average your face has about 20 layers of skin cells on the top layers of your skin. The eye area; however, only has about 12.

This means that not only should you use an eye cream that is specific for your eye area, but you should start to use it as soon as you hit 20 years of age!

Still think that eye creams are just another way for cosmetic companies to grab more of your hard earned cash? Think again!

Your eye contour area is the most fragile area on your face. Eye creams are formulated differently for this area as it can not handle heavy creams. Eye creams contain smaller molecules so they can penetrate the fine, delicate skin in this area and not clog pores. This is why, eye creams, on average are a little more expensive, but are definitely worth their weight in gold!

Did you also know? That on average, only one out of three blood vessels in your eye contour area work? Resulting in, you guessed it: Bags under the eye, dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles!

The eye contour area lacks in circulation due to this fact, therefore toxins, excess fluids and poor circulation (dark circles) quickly can develop. Of course, genetics also play a part in dark circles and how well your circulatory system works.

This is why, when you look for an eye cream to purchase, it should stimulate microcirculation to improve the look of dark circles and puffiness; but be weary of any creams that promise to get rid of these as these are mainly genetic.

However, if your dark circles and puffiness are due to not getting your full 8 hours of sleep the night before because you were out partying with the girls, eye creams can help speed up the recovery time of dark circles and puffiness, and if you didn’t experience these before your long night, you can get rid of them.

So, as a recap, eye contour creams are important because:

• The eye contour area does not contain any oil glands; therefore, the skin in your eye area dehydrates very quickly and cannot protect itself.This is why your eyes are always the first to show signs of your age!


• Circulation in your eye area is poor!The eye contour area is more prone to puffiness and dark circles


• The skin in your eye area is 4 times thinner than the rest of your skin! Regular moisturizers contain molecules that are too big for your eye area, hence white heads and blockages are common when using a regular moisturizer in this area.

Listed below are some eye creams that promote micro-circulation, helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles, and promote the youthful look of the eye contour area by reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well.:

1. Intense Youth Eye Cream from Phytomer – this advanced eye cream is for mature skin types only.

Ingredients:

o Ciliata (red algae) which provides strong anti-free radical action, protecting your skin from accelerated aging.
o Marine Spring Water: Firms eye area tissues, cohesion of the epidermis is strengthened; the skin is lifted and toned.
o Buckwheat Oil: Anti-puffiness and draining action, reduces the size of bags under the eyes.

Product applied once a day for 28 days to the eye area of 23 women with mature skin (shows visible signs of age, fine lines and wrinkles). Below, their satisfaction after 28 days:

• Eyes regained their sparkle and looked younger: 92%



• Deep wrinkles are diminished: 96%



• The eye contour area is smoothed and firmed: 100%



• Dark circles and puffiness are reduced: 91%

2. Eye Contour Long-Lasting Hydrating cream from Guinot – this ultra-moisturizing eye contour cream provides a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing loss of moisture and dehydration (fine lines and wrinkles).This eye contour cream is for skin types of 20 – 25 years (young skin)

Ingredients:

o Hydro-Liposomes deliver in-depth moisture to the heart of skin cells.
o Horse Chestnut decongests and firms skin
o Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant, slows natural aging process.

The earlier you start to use an eye cream the better: Women start to loose 1% of collagen a year after the age of 20; collagen is the fibre in our skin responsible for keeping our skin wrinkle free and “plump” looking.

Come in for a complimentary skin care analysis to receive a customized skin care program for your unique skin care concerns and needs...contact Le Petit Spa today.

Sign up for Le Petit Spa’s monthly newsletter to be the first to know about these kinds of products when they first arrive and for other exclusive offers and events. Have a beauty question or spa service question? Email me with your question and look for your answer in a future blog!

These products found on our partner website www.spaboutique.ca

Le Petit Spa - March Service Promotion

March Service Promotion at Le Petit Spa

This month, Le Petit Spa features their Signature Facial as the Monthly Service Promotion.

Featuring the Phytomer line of professional skin care products, this facial allows customization for each client; who doesn’t want their own unique professional facial made just for them?

Your Le Petit Spa Esthetician will first do a skin type analysis to expertly choose which Phytomer products are best suited for you (hydrating, oil balancing, anti-aging).

She will talk closely with you about your skin concerns, problems you may be experiencing or any specific issues you would like to address during your experience at Le Petit Spa.

The facial experience starts off with a relaxation back massage and moves into the initial steps of the facial: Cleansing, toning, exfoliation and steam are all done with products specifically picked out for your unique skin type / concerns.

Extractions are done (if necessary) a facial massage, and then your own personalized mask is applied and left to benefit your skin for up to 10 minutes. During your masqueing, a soothing and deeply relaxing hand massage is performed for you.

Your final treatment cream and eye cream is then applied to conclude your Le Petit Spa facial experience. Home care recommendations are then talked about with you.

Your Esthetician has worked closely with you and your skin for an hour now; she can best prescribe which products would work best for your skin and expertly give directions on how to use each product.

Home care is an important step in facial care; not just so you can say “I use professional products” but because the results from your facial will not last or benefit you if you return home and use products that are wrong for your skin; the money you spent on your facial just went down the drain – literally!

The biggest myth in the spa industry that I have come across is that professional skin care products sold in spas are much more expensive than say, department store brands like Lancôme and Clinique. NOT TRUE!!! Take a look at our past price comparison between our Phytomer skin care line and some major department store brands…

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about our monthly service promotions, our featured daily promotions, gift with purchases and special events….or email me with your beauty, or spa service questions, and look for your answer in a future blog!

Signature Sundays at Le Petit Spa is your "Signature" Day!

Signature Sundays

Le Petit Spa’s own Signature Day and you're invited!

Le Petit Spa has been voted within the top three day spas in Vancouver for three years straight!

Featuring their own Signature Body Care line and their very own Signature Services, all exclusive to Le Petit Spa, they have delivered the very best value in day spa services to Vancouver for the past three years.

The scent of French Lavender is Le Petit Spa’s choice for their Signature scent, and why wouldn’t it be? The unique French Country theme of Le Petit Spa, the finely tuned details and ambiance with the scent of French Lavender is as close to the Lavender fields of France as you’re going to get this side of the Atlantic!

The incorporation of Lavender into their Signature Pedicure, Manicures and aromatherapy massage is what makes Le Petit Spa services so intensely relaxing.

Le Petit Spa Signature Pedicure and Manicure feature Le Petit Spa’s own Signature Lavender sea salt scrub and Signature Lavender hand cream (manicure). Your senses are relaxed and your body highly nourished and cared for; there are no chemicals in the Le Petit Spa Signature Body Care line, it is completely natural.

Le Petit Spa Signature Facial incorporates the benefits of a facial with the aromatherapy benefits of Lavender; a hand massage with Le Petit Spa Signature Hand Cream is performed while you are masqueing.

Le Petit Spa Signature Lavender Body Scrub will have your body polished from head to toe! Your skin is left comfortable, velvety soft and supple after this full body exfoliation treatment. Lavender essential oil in this body scrub also lends aromatherapy benefits to deliver an optimal day spa experience.

To top off and feature their Signature Services, Le Petit Spa has “Signature Sundays” as a daily promotion. When you visit Le Petit Spa on a Sunday for a Signature Facial you will receive 10% off the purchase of any skin care products or Jane Iredale Mineral purchase as a “Thank you”!

Check out our other daily promotions, all delivering the best value in day spa services in Vancouver to all of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter for more exclusive incentives and promotions such as daily and monthly service promotions, in-spa promotions, gift with purchase offers and more!

Ever wondered what a body wrap is? Confused about which facial service is right for you? Email me with your spa service or beauty questions and look for your *personal answer in a future blog!

*(Your name will not be used to protect your privacy)

Le Petit Spa - Winter Skin Dry and Flaky

Clients have started coming into the spa complaining of dry, flaky skin thanks to our recent snow fall. Have you noticed your skin has changed along with the weather? Follow these tips below on how to prevent the weather from wreaking havoc on your skin:

1. Moisturize! – It’s repetitive, I know, but this is the best thing you could possibly do for your skin, not just in the winter, but throughout the year. Not only will it help prevent dry, flaky patches from developing, but it also maintains the collagen content in your skin, helping with anti-aging. My choice: Guinot Hydrazone: Moisturizing day/night cream for all skin types. Containing advanced ingredients such as hydro-liposomes, this duo – action moisturizing cream protects the outer layer of the skin, helping to lock moisture in and “floods” the skin with moisturizing ingredients.

2. Cleanse – You can’t have perfect skin just by moisturizing. You have to cleanse your skin properly in order to keep it free of blemishes and build up of blemish causing impurities. Applying a moisturizer over skin that has not been cleansed properly will only cause problems and build up of dead skin cells. My favourite winter cleanser is Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk. This gentle milk cleanser leaves your skin velvety soft and hydrated, but is effective enough to remove all makeup.

3. Tone – Toning your skin can help your moisturizer and serum penetrate into your skin better because it helps to remove any residue left over from tap water or your cleanser (or a combination of both). Toners also help to return your skin to a healthy Ph level after cleansing. Phytomer Hydracontinue: Comforting Toning Lotion moisturizes your skin and removes any cleanser residue, perfect for winter months.

4. Exfoliate – Why exfoliate when you have dry, flaky skin? Because it helps to remove the build up of the skin that won’t exfoliate on its own(the flakes you see). These flakes of dry skin that remain on your skin prevent your moisturizer and other skin care products from penetrating to their maximum depth into your skin, causing the dryness to seep deeper and deeper. Phytomer Peeling Vegetal Exfoliant utilizes papaya extract to gently dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of you skin to smooth and refine the texture of your skin.

If you find that after taking all of these steps to ensure that your skin doesn’t dry out due to the change in weather that you're still faced with dry skin, then other, more specialized treatments can be taken:

1. Serums – deliver, on average, about 70% active ingredients to your skin. These can be used day/ night on a daily basis, or as an intensive treatment at times of the year when your skin is faced with specific concerns.

2. Masques – These treatment “powerhouses” deliver optimal results from ingredients to your skin. Found in many different types of formulas, some can be slept with over night, and some remain on the skin for up to 15 minutes to deliver maximum benefits to your skin. These usually are used as an intensive treatment as well, once per week for maintenance of your skin, or up to twice a week if your skin is going through a change due to the weather, or if you are treating a skin condition such as dryness or acne.

My favourite serums: Phytomer Hydracontinue: hydra-nourishing serum, which helps to boost the effectiveness of your other skin care products by 3 xs! and Guinot’s Serum Hydra Beaute: intensive treatment moisturizer concentrate contains Shea butter, Vitamin E, and trace elements which deliver essential minerals and elements vital to healthy skin.

For more information about these products, skin care, or if you would like a complimentary skin care consultation to find out which skin care products are right for your specific skin type, click here.

Check out our daily facial promotions, Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays at Le Petit Spa. These two days give Vancouver the best value for facial services in the Lower mainland and Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, weekly and daily promotions, monthly service promotions and special events. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase mentioned products at our partner website www.spaboutique.ca

Le Petit Spa Price Comparison Drug Store Products vs Spa Products

It often baffles me when a client comes into the spa for a facial and spends a fair chunk of change on the service, but does not want to invest in the return: Home Care Products!

Spa products are exclusive to spas so that they can maintain their high quality ingredients and are not mass produced. They contain, on average, about 50 to 70 % more active ingredients than drug store brands do and guess what? They are not always more expensive!

In fact, professional products are usually cheaper than mass produced product lines – all of the money from sales goes back into the product line and is used for further scientific studies, rather than flashy media campaigns. Drug store brands will usually tack on a little more dollar signs on to their products to help out with the cost of marketing campaigns.

See Le Petit Spa's private price comparison in a past issue of our monthly newsletter "spa talk" click here to view comparison.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift with purchases, product and service launches or weekly and monthly serivce promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Do I need a toner?

Do I need a toner?

One of the most popular questions in skin care is: Do I need to use a toner? What is the purpose of a toner? For years toners have had a bad rep due to the fact that in previous years their main function was to dry out the skin. Today’s toners are more advanced and specialized for many skin types and concerns.

Why use a toner if I don’t have oily skin?

Toners aren’t just for helping with excess oil. They help return your skin to its natural Ph level after using water or a cleanser to clean your skin. They also help to remove residue left over from makeup, your cleanser or water residue.

Which kind of toner is right for me?

Identify your needs: Do you have oily skin? Dry skin? Combo? Today’s toners are more specialized to combat your specific skin care needs. Not sure of your skin type? Come in to Le Petit Spa for a complementary skin care consultation, click here.

Read the three tips below to determine which toner is right for your skin:

Combo, Oily or Problem Skin:

Choose a toner that uses words such as “clarifying or absorbing”. These toners will help absorb and remove excess oil on the surface of your skin, prevent a build up of pore-clogging dirt and oil and calm breakouts and prevent future flare-ups. These toners will also minimize the appearance of pores. My pick: Phytomer Oligopur Purifying Toning Gel (250ml)

Normal to Dry Skin

Use a toner that contains moisturizing ingredients, and will leave your skin velvety soft and supple. I like Phytomer Hydracontinue: Comforting Toning Lotion (250ml). This toner moisturizes the upper layer of the skin, removing residue that may be left over from makeup or your cleanser, without removing essential moisture from your skin.

Specialized Toners

Specialized toners now are available for people looking for anti-aging effects, or for someone who wants simplified routines; there are toners that can be used as make-up removers and toners in one product.

Phytomer Eau Marine Alcohol-Free Tonic Lotion (50ml) is a toner that can be used as an eye makeup remover to remove water proof mascara and to refresh tone and cleanse the skin. It is recommended for combo and oily skin. This product also makes a great toner for men.

Phytomer Rosee Visage Face Dew (250ml) is a toner for all skin types that also doubles as both an eye makeup remover and refreshing toner for the skin. Its key active ingredient, Sorenia, relaxes the skin, causing other skin care products to work more effectively and penetrate deeper.

An anti-aging toner, such as Phytomer Ogenage: Toning Cleansing Emulsion (250ml) is specifically made for the often fragile mature skin client. This toner is a cleanser/toner and makeup remover in one highly professional product. This product has marine spring water, a highly anti-aging ingredient.

Check out our weekly facial promotions including Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays or our monthly promotions to get the best value for facials in and around Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift with purchases, product or service launches and weekly and monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase any of the above mentioned products at: www.spaboutique.ca

Le Petit Spa - Youth Enhancing Facial

Le Petit Spa’s Youth Enhancing Facial features Phytomer products; a skin care line made in St. Malo, France which utilizes marine extracts and ingredients.

This anti-aging facial is 90 minutes long and features three different masques, all made to hydrate, firm and add youthful vitality to the skin and facial features.

1. Moisture Quench mask – boots moisture in the skin, firming and adding tone to the skin

2. Thermo - active Prestige Mask – self heating marine mud helps moisture quench mask to penetrate further into the skin, relaxing the skin and allowing product to further benefit skin

3. Aqua-lift mask – firms and lifts skin – ingredient of marine spring water adds anti-aging benefits to this mask, re-mineralizes and oxygenates the skin.

A relaxing back massage, facial massage and hand massage add to the relaxing benefits of this facial service.

A special sea mud mask is applied to the back which re-mineralizes and detoxifies your skin, further adding to the anti-aging effects of this specialized facial.

Your skin will look supple, fine lines and wrinkles will be diminished and you will be left with an overall sense of well being and vitality.

Gift Certificates for this specific facial are available, click here to find out more about Le Petit Spa gift certificates or gift cards.

For more information about Le Petit Spa’s facial services, click here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, such as gift with purchase, monthly service promotions, weekly promotions and special events. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Service Promotions

Le Petit Spa is a spa that believes in giving back to the community and its customer’s. Charities, special events and tradeshows are just some of the ways that we, as a business, are involved in the community around us.

Monthly Service Promotions are one way that we can give back to our customer’s. Le Petit Spa also has weekly service promotions; each day of the week is designated for a specific service promotion.

Service promotions usually involve product launches, like our new Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial, or services that are featured on specific days of the week.

December’s service promotion is the New Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial. It features a two-step exfoliation process that removes build up of dead skin cells, refines the texture of the skin and utilizes a pure Vitamin C mask to combat dull complexions and pigmentation. A nourishing massage serum is used to strengthen the skin and deliver nourishing ingredients to the underlying layers of the skin.

Our weekly promotions run through Monday to Sunday and feature specific days set out for mothers, men and facial fanatics!

Learn more about our weekly promotions, click here…

Sign up for our e-newsletter to be the first to know about new product or service launches, special events, monthly service specials or in-spa promotions. Or you can email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Winter Skin Care - Hyaluronic Acid

Winter Skin care tips: Hyaluronic Acid

A lot of skin care companies are producing products that contain an ingredient called Hyaluronic Acid.

But what is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is a substance found in our connective tissue in our bodies. Its function is to cushion and lubricate body parts such as eyes and joints. Did you know? Hyaluronic Acid can hold 1000x its weight in water? This fact makes its hydrating effects quite eminent.

Hyaluronic Acid has been labelled by the media and press as “the key to the fountain of youth” because of its’ strong link between people who consume large amounts of Hyaluronic Acid in their diets and the length of which they live their lives.

The people studied absorbed high amounts of Hyaluronic Acid from their natural diets containing starchy root vegetables, not using **supplements of any kind.

What skincare products carry products that contain Hyaluronic Acid?

Some skincare companies with Hyaluronic Acid as an ingredient in their skincare products are Guinot, Skeyndor and Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics.

Who doesn’t want a complementary skincare consultation? To find out which products are right for you, or which skin type you have, click here.

To find out more about in spa promotions, events, daily and monthly service promotions, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, or , email me with your beauty concerns or questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

**this blog is for educational purposes only. When starting suppliments for therapeutic purposes consult your physician or health care provider.

Winter Skin Care tips: Creams vs. Lotions

Creams vs. Lotions

What is the difference between a skincare cream and skin care lotion?

Creams are often thicker, heavier and often feel like velvet like in texture. They offer super concentrated hydrating ingredients and often last longer during the day than lotions do.

Lotions are often quite thin, almost liquid or runny in consistency. They still offer hydrating effects and active ingredients, but they are lighter meaning that they might feel like they disappear half way through your day.

Lotions are usually recommended by Estheticians or Dermatologists in the summer months as they will not leave your skin feeling greasy or sticky. In the winter, you should use a cream as they also offer more protective agents from the wind, snow, and colder temperatures experienced in the winter.

Here are some tips on how to pick a beneficial winter skincare cream:

1. Hydrating Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in our connective tissues in our skin, has been linked to having strong anti-aging effects. Hyaluronic Acid can also hold 1000x its weight in water, making it’s hydrating effects eminent

2. Thick Consistency: This means that your cream will last longer during the day and won’t evaporate.

3. Dual Action: Use a cream that is for both day and night use. This means that your skin will have a constant moisture supply day and night. This will also save you time and money!

4. Built in SPF: An SPF to protect your skin from the glare of the sun off of snow or wet sidewalks and roads. This will protect your skin from aging effects of the sun and hyper - pigmentation.

Following these tips when choosing a cream should help you protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and other environmental factors in the winter.

Who doesn’t want a free skincare consultation? Learn what skin type you have and which products are right for you, click here.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, monthly and daily service promotions, beauty advice and events or for more skin care advice, email me with your beauty concerns or questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Interested in skincare products, visit www.spaboutique.ca

Online Shopping Tips: Easy Online Shopping

Online Shopping

In today’s market of convenience, on line shopping is the ultimate answer for the busy schedule of any person.

On line shopping is fast, effective and there is a wider selection of merchandise to choose from (instead of only 100 pairs of shoes to choose from, there are thousands available to buy online!)

Here, a couple of tips to keep in mind to make your holiday online shopping safe and enjoyable!

1. Make sure the website you are on is secure: Secure websites do not store any of your personal information (i.e. credit card numbers) on their servers; they delete them after processing your order. This means that if a “hacker” tries to steal vital personal information from the website, it won’t be there.

2. Secure Payment Method: A website that uses payment options such as PayPal is a secure method of payment. PayPal does not keep credit card information as well; it is deleted after payment has gone through. Using PayPal also means that you do not have to use a charge cards; PayPal can debit your bank accounts directly, erasing this information after processing it as well.

Gift Cards are fast becoming one of the best sellers on the internet. It’s fast, convenient and the perfect gift: it will never be returned and can always be used.

There are many ways to purchase gift certificates over the internet and available in many ways:

1. Available on line with a “print now” option. This allows you to deliver to the recipient directly.
2. Available on line to be mailed directly to you.
3. Available on line to be mailed out directly to the recipient.

For more information on Gift Certificates available over on line shopping, click here.

Look for more tips, events, and service promotions in our monthly e-newsletter, or email me with your questions and look for your answer in a future blog.

Le Petit Spa Winter Skin Care Tips

Le Petit Spa Winter Skin Care Tips

Knowing how your skin changes from season to season is important because it allows you to take care of it properly and realize when it is going through change.

Dryness, irritation, tightness and flakiness are all common ailments that skin can encounter at any time of year; especially in the winter.

Below are six great steps that are recommended in order to care for your skin during the winter.

1. Exfoliate – This helps to remove unwanted dead, dull and dry flaky skin. Exfoliating and ridding yourself of dry skin allows your moisturizer to penetrate into your skin deeper and better than if you were to put it on a build up of dead skin cells; in turn preventing more dry skin from developing. Exfoliate twice at least twice a week to prevent a build up of dead skin. To prevent the rest of your body from suffering from dry skin try a Le Petit Spa Body Scrub Service.
2. Moisturize – Use a good moisturizer to prevent the cold wind and air from drying out your skin. Still dry? Switch to an oil based formula or a hydrating “cream” instead of a “lotion”. What’s good for your skin in the summer and fall may not be enough for your skin in the winter. Creams will always be thicker and more hydrating formulas than lotions are.
3. Water – Not necessarily the water you drink, the water you bathe in! Hot water has a drying effect on your skin. Yes, it feels wonderful jumping into a hot shower first thing in the morning, so if you must have a hot one, limit them to twice a week; settle for warm showers the rest of the time.
4. Temperature – The temperature outside not only dries out your skin, but it causes your capillaries (tiny superficial blood vessels) to dilate and burst when subjected to quick changes in temperature. This ties in to moisturizing well and avoiding too many hot showers: Using a heavier moisturizer will protect your skin from the cold temperatures outside; while hot shower’s also cause your capillaries to dilate quickly and burst, limit them to twice a week(if you can!)
5. Bundle up! – Protect your skin from cold temperatures outside by wearing layers. This will also prevent irritated skin if your clothing becomes wet; you will be able to change out of them quickly preventing irritation from wet, damp clothing.

Le Petit Spa facials are a great way to care for your skin during the winter months. An Esthetician can look at your skin closely and determine if your skin may need any specialized care.

To book a free skin care consultation or find out more about what spa services can care for your skin during the winter, click here.

Check out our weekly facial promotions Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays

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Le Petit Spa Body Scrub Services - Benefits of a Body Scrub

Smooth skin can be yours from head to toe! Body Scrubs are an excellent way to rid your body of dead skin and rough dry patches.

Benefits of Body Scrub Services

• Slough off dead skin cells
• Soften and give your skin a healthy glow
• Salt Glows and/or scrubs re-mineralize your skin with essential nutrients and minerals.
• Other active ingredients contained in body scrubs such as seaweed can detoxify and stimulate your circulatory system

Did you know?

Salt contains iodine, iron and magnesium which are some of the vital minerals that are essential to human life.

What should I expect from a Body Scrub?

A salt scrub is the perfect escape on a cold winter’s day: you’re tucked into a warm, inviting room while your skin is smoothed and polished from head to toe!

First, your body will be draped in warm blankets while your back is gently exfoliated. Your esthetician will then move down your legs in a circular motion and back up to your back. You will then be flipped over while the front of your legs, stomach and arms are exfoliated.

Next, a warm shower is taken to remove the salt scrub followed by being wrapped in a luxurious terry robe with a rest in our quiet relaxation lounge softly lit by candlelight while enjoying Le Petit Spa’s Lavender Rooibos tea and Petit Fours.

Le Petit Spa offers a Pacific Organic Seaweed Salt Glow that uses green tea extracts, and natural carrier oils such as grape seed oil and sweet almond oil to detoxify, stimulate and nourish your skin from the outside in.

To find out more information about Le Petit Spa’s Body Scrub Services, click here.

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Hydration Skin Care tips - collagen and the skin

After the age of 20, the amount of collagen in our skin depletes by 1% every year. Collagen is a fibrous tissue in our skin that is responsible for retaining moisture and keeping skin plump and youthful looking. When collagen starts to “dry up” wrinkles and fine lines appear.

To prevent collagen loss in your skin, moisturizing and taking proper home care steps are crucial to your skin’s health.


Below are four tips to prevent and slow the aging process and loss of collagen:

1. Moisturize – Use moisturizers that prevent loss of moisture and protect your skin. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which holds 1000x it’s weight in water, will actually grab moisture from the air therefore; helping your skin gain moisture content. Guinot Hydrazone Moisturizing Day and Night cream contains a range of ingredients to prevent moisture loss in skin.

2. Use a Sunscreen – The sun’s rays (yes even in winter!) damage the skin’s fibrous tissues, breaking them down from a structural level and causing loss in tone (elastin fibres are responsible for keeping your skin tight and toned) and collagen.

i. Did you know? In the winter, the sun’s rays rebound off the snow 80 x more powerful than if they were just to fall on your skin directly?

ii. In the summer, the suns rays bounce off the sand at the beach 17x stronger then if they were just to hit the surface of your skin directly. No matter which season, an SPF will protect your skin from damage caused by the sun.

3. 8 glasses of water a day – will prevent dry flaky skin and keep the aging away! Water helps to hydrate your skin from the inside out; it’s a well known fact now that the way we treat our bodies from the inside out is a major player of how we look on the outside. Your body uses water to hydrate your cells, plump them up and keep them from drying out. If you work out on a regular basis, you need even more water on a daily basis.

4. Caffeine – Limit caffeinated beverages to a minimum (such as coffee and soda). Caffeine (the #1 used addictive substance in the world) can absorb the water in your body; studies have suggested that caffeine leads to dehydration. The added sugar in these drinks can also wreak havoc on your skin’s appearance as well.

Want more information on skin care and facials? Book a complementary skin care consultation with a Le Petit Spa Esthetician who will be more than happy to help you meet your specific skin care concerns and needs.

Check out our Facial Fridays Promotion and our Signature Sundays Promotion to get the best deal in town on facial services in Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, events and monthly service specials. Email me with your skin care concerns or questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

The Guinot Firming Facial - anti-aging, firming and lifting facial

This intensive Guinot Firming Facial is a non-surgical, non-invasive way of obtaining a face - lift in under two hours. Utilizing Ginseng to stimulate and firm, and pure extracts of Vitamin C to brighten the complexion, this facial visibly lifts and contours facial features after only one treatment.

Using specialized ionic gels, high active ingredients are ionized and pushed into the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating cellular renewal and tightening facial skin. Lymphatic drainage and blood circulation are stimulated, causing puffiness around the eyes and cheeks to diminish while the complexion is stimulated and a new radiant glow is born.

Available at Le Petit Spa in Vancouver, British Columbia, this facial is available for $120 and utilizes 8 of the most powerful anti-aging products from the Guinot facial line; this facial promotes youthfulness, new found vitality and radiance in any mature skin type. Using cleansers and moisturizers to fight and target the signs of aging, and specific serums to tighten and firm the neck area, this facial will have even the most experienced facial client amazed with its immediate results.

To learn more about the Guinot Firming Facial, click here

Check out our Facial Fridays Promotion and Signature Sundays Facial Promotion to learn more about Le Petit Spa facial services and weekly featured service specials.

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Email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for the answers and tips in a future blog!

Skin Care Tips for Men and Spa Facials for Men

Skin Care Tips for Men and Spa Facials for Men

Men naturally have 20% more collagen in their skin than women do, therefore; they age slower and better than women do. A male skin is naturally thicker and oilier than female skin is.

But that doesn’t mean that men don’t have to take care of their skin just as well as women do. Men can benefit just as much as women from a trip to the spa: it reduces stress, promotes relaxation and allows men to take care of themselves and feel and look their best.

Benefits of men visiting the spa:

1. Reduction of stress

2. Overall feeling of well being

3. Promotes relaxation

4. Education about grooming and maintenance of skin care needs

Spa Facials for Men have become a permanent service on nearly all spa menus and are customized specifically for the skin of a man.

Below, the specific steps and benefits of Spa Facials for Men:

1. Cleanser – to remove dirt, dead skin cells that can block pores and cause break outs, excess oil and other skin irritants.

2. Toner – Removes residue left over from cleanser or shave gel, returns skin to natural Ph level and reduces irritation.

3. Exfoliant – Removes superficial layer of dead skin to unclog pores, help loosen black heads/white heads for extractions.

4. Extractions – The professional removal method of black heads and white heads, clears the complexion of built up dirt and oil.

5. Massage – Stimulates blood flow and lymph drainage, reducing puffiness and encourages the nourishment of the skin

6. Mask –Delivers active ingredients to the skin to address particular skin care concerns:

i. Dryness

ii. Oiliness

iii. Sensitive

7. Moisturizer – Protects the skin after cleansing and exfoliating. Even though men generally have thicker and oilier skin, they still need a daily moisturizer to prevent the skin from producing excess oil in order to protect itself; causing blocked pores and breakouts.

Daily Regime

Men need a daily skin care regime to protect and care for their skin at home just as women do. This should consist of these following steps:

1. Cleanse – Made specifically for men and their specific skin care needs, Global Pur Detoxifying Cleansing Gel thoroughly cleanses and refreshes.

2. Shave – Does your man hate shaving because of its irritating effects? I recommend Phytomer Rasage Perfect Shaving Mask – softens the beard to prevent irritation caused by shaving and moisturizes to prevent razor burn. Leave on for 10 minutes to soak into the beard before shaving.

3. After Shave – Use an alcohol free after shave – alcohol burns and stings after putting it on ski after shaving and it dries out the skin’s moisture supply. I recommend Rasage Perfect Cool Marine Soothing Aftershave. This can also be used as a toner after cleansing.

4. Moisturize – Weather your mans skin is oily, sensitive or dehydrated, a moisturizer is vital to his skin’s health.

i. Facial Protect Comforting Moisture Care – moisturizes and protects dehydrated skin

ii. Facial Protect Active Care for Wrinkles and Fine Lines – targets the signs of aging

iii. Facial Protect Anti-Shine Control Gel – controls oil production while moisturizing dry areas.

These are just daily steps that men can take to promote healthier skin for themselves. There are also weekly skin care steps men can take:

1. Exfoliation – To prevent black heads and the build up of excess oil, exfoliation is a weekly step that promotes healthier skin. Global Pur Exfoliating and Oxygenating Skin Care is an exfoliant specifically for the thick skin of a man. Exfoliation should take place once to twice a week to prevent breakouts and build up of excess oil.

2. Eye Cream – To promote healthy skin around the eyes and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Phytomer Homme Lift Contour Anti-Aging Eye Care, contours and firms the delicate eye area.

Not sure of which products are right for your man? Book him a complementary skin care analysis at Le Petit Spa to learn more about skin care for men.

Gift Cards make the perfect gift for the holiday season, click here to find out which services for him are available in a Le Petit Spa gift card!

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Winter Skin Care Survival Guide

Winter Skin Care Survival Guide

The change in weather during the winter can cause several changes in your skin and the condition of it, if not properly cared for during the harsh, dry temperatures inside and out. Heat from furnaces and the cold temperatures outside can dry out your skin causing flakiness, excess dryness, tightness, redness and irritation.

Here are six guidelines to follow to prevent the winter weather from wreaking havoc on your skin!

1. Switch to a heavier moisturizer. The winter months have lower humidity in the air than in the summer. The moisturizer that you used during the hot summer months may not be heavy enough to withstand the cool temperatures of winter. Look for products labelled “creams” rather than “lotion”, they will be thicker and able to withstand the wind and cold winter weather.

2. Apply an SPF An SPF in the summer is just as important in the winter:

Did you know?

• In the summer, 17% of the suns rays are illuminated off the sand, onto your skin,
• In the winter 80% of the suns rays are illuminated off of the snow!
  

Wearing a sunscreen will not only protect your skin from the cold temperatures( as their formulas are usually thicker then skin lotions), but it will protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun as well.

3. Use a humidifier. With the heat inside turned up and with the windows closed, the air inside your house can become very dry. Use a humidifier to restore the moisture in the air in your house. This will prevent your skin from drying out, causing irritation and redness.

4. Add a Serum to your skincare regime. Quite often these products are for treatments to treat a specific skin problem or as an added bonus to your skin care regimen at home.

• A serum to moisturize, such as Phytomer Hydracontinue: Hydra Nourishing Serum, will work with any moisturizer to boost its benefits by 3 times!
  

5. Use Mild, non drying Cleansers. Perhaps you were using a foaming cleanser during the summer? Try switching to a Milk or Cream cleanser in the winter. These formulas are less drying than foam cleansers and won’t strip as much natural oil from your skin as found in the summer.

• Guinot Refreshing Cleansing Milk – will leave your skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean without drying out your skin!

6. Apply Body Moisturizer while your skin is still damp after your show or bath. This will lock in extra moisture into your skin, preventing it from drying out, causing itchiness and irritation.

Find out which winter skin care products are right for you Book a free skincare consultation at Le Petit Spa to find out which skin products are right for your specific skin needs and concerns.

Sign up for our E-Newsletter and be the first to know about specials, tips and promotions at Le Petit Spa! Or email me with your questions and beauty concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Benefits of Having a Monthly Professional Spa Facial

Benefits of having a Monthly Professional Spa Facial

Professional Spa Facials are an important part of maintaining and keeping your skin healthy and radiant.

Did you know?

Your skin renews itself every 28 days. But as we age, this process of desquamation slows down, resulting in a build up of dead, dull skin and the signs of aging.

Here are nine great reasons as to why you should give yourself a Professional Monthly Facial!

• Stimulation of new collagen and elastin through cell renewal
• Hydration and nourishment of the skin
• Oxygenation and blood circulation are increased to facial muscles
• Relaxation of tight over-used facial muscles that cause deep lines
• Restoration of your skin's health
• Relaxation - of your mind
• Re-energization of your soul and skin cells, resulting in a glowing complexion
• Removal - of dead cells that cause a dull complexion
• Education – Your Esthetician will educate you on how to care for your specific skin at home with home care recommendations.

After a thorough skin care analysis, your esthetician will decide which products will be best suited for your skin type and concerns. All products chosen will provide the above benefits to your skin during the facial service.

Book a free skin care analysis at Le Petit Spa to find out how your esthetician can design a customized skincare regimen for at home designed specifically for you and your skincare needs!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive further skin care tips and information about our in-spa promotions, or email me with any skin concerns or questions that you may have and look for your answer in a future blog!

Steps of Professional Spa Facials and Benefits

Steps of Professional Spa Facials and Benefits

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between you cleansing your skin at home and a professional spa facial? Or what steps a professional facial includes?

Many people don’t realize how different the two processes can be, or what important information you can find out about your skin from a professional esthetician.

Spa Facials are not only to deeply relax and soothe the worries of a tired soul; they treat and prevent skin conditions, and can identify skin changes before they become problems. Professional Estheticians are trained to identify skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, acne, psoriasis and hormonal changes in the skin so that they may make an educated decision as to which skin type their clients are so that they may design a home regimen to help with preventative skin care at home.

Listed below are the steps of a professional Basic Spa Facial and why each step is taken:

1. Skin Analysis Your Esthetician will look at your skin through a magnifying lamp to see if any conditions (such as milia, comedones(blackheads) or broken capillaries) exist. This also helps the esthetician determine which products they will be using during your facial service. The client’s skin concerns and issues will be discussed at this time as well so that the esthetician may address the concerns during the service.

2. Cleanse After determining the specialized products for the client’s skin, a superficial cleansing of the skin is done. This removes any makeup on the skin.

3. Tone Toning helps to remove any residue left by the water and/or cleaser. Toning the skin also helps to return the skin to its natural Ph level after touching water during the cleansing stage or after any product removal.

4 Exfoliation Exfoliation can be applied chemically or mechanically (scrubs). This is where the facial steps from superficial to deep cleansing. This removes the layer of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin to help the following products penetrate into your skin better and into the underlying layers of the skin.

5. Extractions Extractions allow the esthetician to remove built up dirt and impurities from pores. The chin, nose and forehead are common areas of where extractions may be done. A metal implement is gently pressed against the areas needing extractions and distributes pressure to the surrounding pores, causing dirt and impurities (such as blackheads) to exit the pores. This step is totally non-invasive and safe, and does not leave any scarring as the implement does not enter the skin.

6. Massage Ah! Massage is a highly relaxing part of any professional facial, but it serves more of a purpose to be served for just relaxation! Swedish Massage and Digito-Drainage Massage are two different types of facial massage your esthetican may decide to use on you.

Swedish is preferable for clients with dry to normal skin. It is quite stimulating and increases blood flow and stimulates oil production. If the client has a condition such as acne, or a sensitive skin, your esthetician will probably perform Digito-Drainage Massage.

DDM (digito-drainage) is a massage that stimulates your lymphatic system, helping toxins and excess fluid drain from your skin. It helps flush any bacteria in your skin away from the areas that may have breakouts. The lymph system is also responsible for nourishing and healing your skin, therefore; skin nourishment is stimulated and the healing process takes place.

7. Mask and / or Serum A mask is used to help penetrate active ingredients into the deeper layers of your skin. A serum is a concentrate of 70% active ingredients. Together, these two steps are customized for each client to aid in certain skin conditions such as hydration, acne, soothing for sensitive skin, anti-aging or a combination thereof. This is the “treatment” part of your facial and will always be a major step in any Professional Spa Facial Service.

8. Finishing Cream Your finishing cream is one of the most important steps of your facial. Your esthetician will customize this for your skin type. Finishing creams are moisturizers that will protect your newly exfoliated and cleansed skin from environmental factors when you step outside the spa. They deliver the same benefits that are provided to you during your facial and help to seal in moisture well after you finish your facial service.

9. Home Care Recommendations Your Esthetician has now worked with your skin, has identified your skin concerns and any problems that you are having with your skin. She now can recommend a skincare regime for you to follow at home. This is an important step in facial care; if you do not treat your skin with care at home, the results achieved with a facial will not last and your money spent on a professional facial goes down the drain!

To book a Professional Facial or skincare analysis, or to find out more about this service or any of Le Petit Spa’s services, click here.

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The Benefits of Exfoliation and Cell Turnover

The Benefits of Exfoliation and Cell Turnover

Did you know?

Your skin renews itself every 28 days; at the end of the month you have a fresh, new layer of baby cells giving your skin radiance and a youthful appearance.

But, as we age, this process of desquamation (the process by which your skin sheds itself) slows down, resulting in slack, loose skin, fine lines, uneven skin texture, dry areas and wrinkles! Your skin has slowed its renewal process and it's time to take action!

How can I speed up Cell Turnover?

Cell Turnover naturally slows down over time as we grow older. But there are ways to help your body keep up with its natural cell turnover process.

Exfoliation helps cell turnover by removing the cells your body is not able to shed naturally. It helps your skin remember that dead cells need to be shed, therefore helping to generate new ones and continue the desquamation process.

Do different types of Exfoliation work better than others?

Yes. There are different methods of exfoliation, each one having different effects in determining how much skin will be exfoliated during each exfoliation process.

Chemical exfoliants, like Glycolic Acid, will penetrate the superficial layers of the skin. This means more skin will be removed during the exfoliation process. Different strengths of this treatment will also have different effects in determining how much skin will be exfoliated during the exfoliation process. Glycolic Acid is usually used in facial treatments such as Glycolic Facials

Mechanical exfoliants, like facial scrubs, only remove the outer layer of the epidermis. They do not penetrate into the skin, therefore; only dead skin cells on the surface of the skin will be removed.

Your skin needs exfoliation on a weekly basis to keep itself healthy, radiant and young looking. It will surely thank you by staying supple, smooth and luminous!

Not sure of how often you should be exfoliating? To book a free skin care consultation or to find out more about facials and exfoliation, click here.

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Melasma and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Melasma and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

What is Melasma?

Melasma (sometimes referred to as Pregnancy Mask) is abnormal pigmentation that appears on the skin during pregnancy. Melasma is caused by the stimulation of the female hormone estrogen which causes the body to produce more melanin during pregnancy to protect itself while in the sun.


What does Melasma look like?

Melasma can appear on the cheeks, nose, lips and forehead, basically anywhere on the face that hits direct sun light. Melasma appears as dark discolorations on the skin and appears irregular in shape.

How can I treat Melasma?

Melasma usually develops gradually over the length of the pregnancy. Therefore; when using products to treat the appearance of Melasma, it will fade gradually.

One popular method that is safe to use while pregnant and during breastfeeding is Glycolic Acid.

Glycolic Acid is a natural hydroxy acid derived from fruits and sugar cane. It gently, but thoroughly, sloughs off dead skin cells, lightening superficial pigmentation such as Melasma.

There are no side effects from Glycolic Acid treatments and no need for down time (or recovery time).

Glycolic Acid treatments can be performed as a peel or a glycolic facial.

Glycolic Facials are a non invasive, natural way to remove unwanted pigmentation from the skin.
The glycolic facial treatment will usually consist of cleansing,toning,exfoliation(glycolic preparation)massage, mask, treatment serum and finishing cream.

Not sure if a glycolic facial is right for you? To book a free skin consultation or to find out more information on glycolic facials, click here.

Sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter for tips, specials and promotions or email me with a beauty question or concern and look for your answer in a future blog!

Some information for this blog found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melasma

Pigmentation and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Pigmentation and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid which is derived from the sugar cane plant, grapes, apples and other fruits. It exfoliates by removing the top layer of skin and aids in opening clogged pores. Clinical studies show it improves acne, scarring and skin pigmentation caused by sun damage.

Pigmentation (Melanocytes produce melanin (pigment). When these cells are damaged by the sun, they “burst” causing melanin to stay in the superficial layers of the skin, resulting in brown pigmentation.)This pigmentation can appear in many forms such as freckles, chloasma and age spots.

Pigmentation not only dulls the complexion, but also can add as much as a decade on to your look, making skin appear more weathered and older than it actually is!

Which Skin Treatments can help with Pigmentation?

Glycolic Acid gently exfoliates the outer most layer of the skin, the Stratum Corneum. It gradually lightens pigmentation by sloughing off layers of dead and sun damaged skin. Your skin then goes through a process called Phagocytosis, where the body absorbs the damaged pigment cells and disposes of them as waste matter.

Glycolic Acid Treatments can be found in peels or Glycolic Facials and are safe and non invasive. Clients who have Glycolic Treatments do not need recovery time and can continue with their day to day routines same day.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid Treatments:

• Reduced Scarring (such as scars from surgery or acne)

• Reduced Pigmentation (from sun damage, an SPF will prevent further sun damage)

• Increase in Collagen Production ( the skin goes into “repair” mode during a Glycolic treatment and produces more collagen to “protect” itself)

• Appearance of Fine lines and Wrinkles are reduced

• Improved skin texture

• Improved skin clarity

Where can I get information about Glycolic Treatments?

To learn more about Le Petit Spa’s MD Formulations Glycolic Facial Service, or to book an appointment, click here. If you would like more information about Le Petit Spa’s monthly specials and features, sign up for our e-newsletter to receive future tips, specials and promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Glycolic Facial Treatment

The Glycolic Facial

This $75 facial is an hour of skin revealing bliss and utilizes up to 10 different products from the MD Formulations Glycolic Facial line. It starts with a botanical based cleanser and includes serums and treatment creams formulated for specific skin types, as well as the most important element , the glycolic preparation.

In strengths of 5 % – 20%, the glycolic preparation is placed on the skin and in under a minute begins to tingle. In 3-10 minutes the potion has worked its magic and reveals the fresh, bright, smooth skin that is hiding underneath.

What is Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid is an organic alpha hydroxy acid derived from fruit. It is non toxic and naturally occurs in our environment. A thorough exfoliator, it non-invasively removes the outer layers of thickened and damaged skin that can develop due to harsh environmental elements and sun damage. The deeper levels of the skin are penetrated which increases the rate of dead cell shedding revealing smoother and healthier skin.

How will this Facial Benefit me?

After this facial, skin production and collagen formation is enhanced and with prolonged use will improve dry skin, treat age spots, fade freckles caused by sun damage, improve oily and acne prone skin and decrease fine lines and wrinkles.


Where can I find a spa that offers a Glycolic Facial?

Le Petit Spa, which is situated at 4- 3701 West Broadway (corner of Broadway and Alma), offers the MD Formulations Glycolic Facial as well as other Corrective Skin Care Facials.

Do you have skin concerns? Email me and look for the answer in a future blog!

Types of Exfoliation

Types of Exfoliation

There are two main types of exfoliation: Physical Exfoliation and Chemical. Both methods have many benefits and advantages of using them.



Physical Exfoliation is a method of exfoliation that needs to be manipulated in some way for it to work. This method includes gommage and scrub methods, (the product actually has to be worked with on the surface of the skin for exfoliation to take place).

The ideal candidate for a physcial exfoliation method is a client who prefers to feel the product working, who may have an oilier skin type or one that does not need a deep exfoliation, as chemical exfoliants go deeper into the epidermis than physical exfoliants do.

Chemical Exfoliation goes deeper into the top layer of skin than physical exfoliants do. Chemical Exfoliants can include Glycolic Acids, AHA’s and enzymatic ingredients (such as Papain, or Papaya extract). These Exfoliants lie on the surface of the epidermis (stratum corneum) and “eat” or “dissolve” dead skin cells. They do not need to be manipulated in any way to exfoliate the skin.

The ideal candidate for chemical exfoliants is someone who may have a thick, keratinized outer layer of skin build-up or who has hyper-pigmentation problems, acne or scarring.

Which method is right for you?

Not sure of which exfoliation method is right for your skin type? Have a professional Esthetician determine your skin type and decide which exfoliation methods are right for you, visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information.

Facts on Exfoliation

What is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin (stratum corneum) with a physical or chemical exfoliation method.





Methods of Exfoliation

Methods of physical exfoliation can include:

• Scrubs
• Toners
• Masks
• Peels
• Abrasive sponges

Methods of chemical exfoliation can include:

• Glycolic Acids
• AHA’s
• Vitamin A (eg. Retinol)
• Enzymatic Exfoliates (eg. Papaya enzymes)

Why Exfoliate?

Your skin naturally exfoliates itself every 28 days, revealing a whole new layer of fresh, young skin cells, however, as we age, this process of cell turnover, (desquamation) slows down, resulting in a loss of tone, elasticity and radiance.

It is important to exfoliate on a weekly basis to help promote your skin’s natural exfoliation process and help prevent build up of dead, dull skin cells.

Spa Treatments for Exfoliation

Many Day Spa’s have a wide range of exfoliation treatments to help towards many skin ailments. Glycolic Facials and Body Scrubs are just a couple of spa services that increase cell turnover and uncover fresh, glowing skin cells.


Determining the best exfoliation treatment for your skin type:

Not sure of which exfoliation method is right for your skin type? Have a professional Esthetician determine your skin type and decide which exfoliation methods are right for you, visit Le Petit Spa for more information.

Skin and Body Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a technique where the layer of mostly dead epidermal cells on the outer surface of the skin is removed to expose fresher mostly living cells. It takes at least a few days for a sizeable amount of dead cells to accumulate. For most people who decide to exfoliate, once or twice a week is sufficient. Popular exfoliation methods include alpha and beta hydroxy acids, enzyme peels, microdermabrasion and other products like scrubs, loofahs, creams, cleansers and masks .

Benefits of Exfoliation:

• Removes dead skin cells.
• Makes your skin softer and smoother, fresher and brighter
• Boosts your circulation and helps unclog pores.
• Accelerates the growth of new cells.
• Results in a more even tan
• New cells are better at absorbing moisture applied to the surface

Body Exfoliation Tips & Techniques:

1. Brush dry skin before showering. Use either a loofah, Plastic Exfoliating
   Gloves or a body exfoliating brush. Start at the soles of the feet and working up.
2. Get into the bath or shower and wet your entire body.
3. Apply exfoliant cleanser to your loofah or exfoliating brush or gloves.
   Choose exfoliating cleansers that contain ingredients such as oatmeal, ground almonds or even sea salt. The grainy texture exfoliates the skin- we recommend Ancient Secrets Body Scrub/ Salts
4. Scrub your body with it, using gentle, circular motions.
5. You can make your own exfoliating cleanser, if you prefer. Mix sea salt,
   olive oil and lemon juice together, or mix ground almonds and powdered milk.
6. Use a washcloth for mild exfoliation.
7. Rub rough spots, such as heels, with a pumice stone or stick.
8. Be sure to use body moisturizers at least once every day. We recommend
   Ancient Secrets Body Lotions.
9. For a bit of pampering, try a Spa Body Scrub or Body Wrap service

Note: Some products are more abrasive than others. If your skin is sensitive, use as little friction as possible and stick to the least abrasive products.

Face Exfoliation: Keep in mind that the facial area is more sensitive than your body, do no use body scrubs on your face. Try Phytomer Gommage or MD Formulations products which host glycolic compounds for intensive exfoliation. For professional face exfoliation try a Spa Glycolic Facial.

Exfoliation and Self Tanning: Exfoliation is very important especially if you are going to apply self tanner. Be sure to exfoliate every bit of dead skin or you will notice streaks that are darker than others. Areas of concentration: Knees, elbows, feet and knuckles. For professional tanning results, try a Spa Guinot Body Bronzing service.

Foot Exfoliation: Get rid of dry cracked peeling feet and ragged, dry nails with a Spa Pedicure. After one visit, your dry skin will be gone and your feet will be ready to soak up the Spring and Summer weather.

For more information on the products and spa services in Vancouver, please visit www.lepetitspa.ca or www.spaboutique.ca. For more tips and special promotions, sign up for our newsletter on our home page.

If you have any additional beauty or skin care questions e-mail us and look for your answer in a future blog.

For The Men

Men definitely have skin care needs, but you could never convince the vast majority of men to put even a fraction of the attention and energy into the issue that women do. One result of this lack of interest is that most men don't spend their money on wrinkle creams or products for their skin. While this monetary savings is significant, it probably means most men don't use sunscreen on a consistent basis, leaving their skin at risk for certain cancers, not to mention wrinkles or other signs of sun damage.

This also means most men don't know to stay away from irritating skin care ingredients in their shave products and end up with red, rash-like bumps and razor burn. Men wrinkle as much as women (any notion that they don't is a myth, and a bias about how much better men look with wrinkles than women do) and they, too, can have dry skin, breakouts, skin disorders (rosacea, psoriasis, seborrhea, eczema), skin discolouration, and oily skin. Men also have the additional concerns involving facial hair. Shaving can cause red, irritated spots, and ingrown hair.

So why don't men seem to care as much as women do about taking care of their skin? Probably because it is one of the last vestiges of legitimate machismo left to a man. The morning shave is a characteristic feature that starts the typical man's day. Most men's shaving creams and pre-shave products contain a high concentration of irritating ingredients such as alcohol, menthol, mint, potassium or sodium hydroxide, as well as camphor. These skin irritants make the hair follicle and skin swell, forcing the hair up and away from the skin. While this does make the hair stand up to some extent, supposedly allowing for a closer shave, the irritation and resulting swelling cause some of the hair to be hidden by the swollen follicle and skin. So while it might get the hair to rise to the occasion, it really doesn't make for a better shave because the swollen skin prevents the razor from getting close to the base of the hair. Additionally, after you shave, because some of the facial hair is hidden beneath swollen skin (which it does almost immediately) before the swelling is reduced; the likelihood of ingrown hairs is increased. Moreover, a razor gliding over the face abrades the skin -- granted not all that much, but enough to cause havoc when an innocent-looking aftershave with irritating ingredients is splashed over the broken skin. Think of splashing an aftershave on a cut or scrape on any other part of your body where you have an abrasion. Now, why would you want to do that to your face?

Basic skin care rule number one for both men and women: if the skin care product you're using repeatedly burns, irritates, tingles, causes the skin to become inflamed, or hurts, don't use it. Men's skin can benefit just as much as women's skin from quality skin care products and treatments like a spa facial, and they'd enjoy the facial massage too.

To help the men with a skin care regimen Le Petit Spa has Phytomer's men's skin care products line Phytomer Homme available in spa. They are formulated according to the specific features and functions of men’s skin, combined with simple, fast and effective actions that guarantee instant results.

Stay tuned for more men's skin care recommendations in tomorrow's blog!

Invitation Still Open to Oprah to Come to Vancouver for a Brazilian Waxing

Oprah was talking about Brazilian waxing again this past Tuesday, December 6th. Le Petit Spa sent an email to Oprah in December 2004 (http://www.lepetitspa.ca/news.htm) inviting her to try the best Brazilian waxing in Vancouver at Le Petit Spa. We're waiting and will be speechless when she comes through our door. Somebody will have to get focused to give her the Brazilian.

Oprah was talking Brazilian again since one of her viewers asked if she, as a mother of three, was too old to have one. She had never had a Brazilian before and was curious. O Magazine beauty director Valerie Monroe was on the show and said you’re never too old to do anything that will “enhance the pleasure you take out of being alive” and we strongly agree. Getting a Brazilian may make you feel good for a variety of reasons – try something new if you’ve never had one, you feel sexy, free, cleaner, smoother. You may do it for yourself (more women wax for their own benefit than to please their partners) or for your mate or both, and as long as it enhances your life, it’s a benefit!

Here is information on Brazilian waxing if you don’t click on the link above to the earlier email we sent to Oprah:

- it is a cleaner, more hygienic, method of hair removal
- waxing leaves a smooth, bump-free, surface by not leaving any shadow
of the hair follicle
- hair grows back softer with less irritation or itching
- hair takes longer to grow back – between 3-5 weeks

If you have any questions please send us an email at info@lepetitspa.ca or call us 604.224.4314 and we will be happy to provide any answers.

Slowing down the Aging Process

Factors of dehydration and dryness of the skin are divided into
-Environmental factors: pollution, harsh weather conditions, extreme cold, air conditioning and harsh detergents.
-Internal factors: cellular aging, hormone imbalances, stress and hereditary factors.

Characteristics of dehydrated skin: rough, flakiness, tightness, and fine line. When dehydrated the skin is 75% more vulnerable and its aging mechanism is likely to accelerate.

However, it is possible to reduce or slow down this process, with regular facials, even ‘at home’ facials are helpful.

For more information about Le Petit Spa’s Hydrating Facial or for a free skin care consultation, please do not hesitate to come see us in Kits, at the corner of West Broadway & Alma.
We carry a variety of products from Vie to MD Formulations; that can help with your ‘at home’ facial!
Looking forward to seeing you at Le Petit Spa in Kits!!

Hyperpigmentation

Pigmentation refers to the synthesis and distribution of melanin for the absorption of free radicals and protection from UV radiation. The amount of melanin that reaches the skin's surface gives the skin its colour. Hyperpigmentation is a pigmentation disorder caused by the local increase and/or uneven distribution of melanin. The causes of hyperpigmentation include sun exposure, acne, friction and hormonal imbalances caused by contraception, pregnancy and stress. Excessive colour is mostly an accumulation of pigment in the stratum coneum. Pigmentation usually improves and/or is eliminated through surface exfoliation, which then allows the use of glycolic acid to lighten and even eliminate dark spots by removing superficial excessive pigmentation. Bleaching agents also accelerate the depigmenting process. It is important to note that although exfoliation effectively treats hyperpigmentation in the epidermis, it does not if the discolouration is in the dermis. Only pigment that is located in the epidermis moves towards the surface and can be exfoliated. Dermal pigmentation can only be treated with deep peals and laser resurfacing. Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information or visit the spa for a complimentary skin care consultation or to book a glycolic facial.

The Hazards of the Sun

Q: What are the differences between UV, UVA and UVB radiation?

A: Ultraviolet light is light that we cannot see as it has a wavelength shorter than the visible light that we can see. It is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC has the shortest wavelength and cannot get through the ozone layer to reach us. UVA and UVB have both been linked to skin cancer, including malignant and melanoma. Both sunbathing and using sun beds increases your skin's exposure to ultraviolet light and so increases your risk of skin cancer in addition to damaging your skin’s current condition. More specifically, UV radiation results in the following damage to the skin:

UV Radiation:
-reduces the skin’s antioxidant potential
-impairs the skin’s immune system, lowering resistence to skin disease
-can damage and/or destroy cellular membranes and/or DNA

UVA:
-favours the destruction of collagen and elastin
-causes skin wrinkling and sagging
-is present in amounts 100 times greater than UVB

UVB:
-damages and/or destroys epidermal appearance and structure
-causes the skin to burn
-leads to skin cancer
-increases hyperpigmentation

The best defence against the sun is to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 as well as to limit your time in the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is most powerful. Visit http://www.lepetitspa.ca/ for more information on sun care protection or visit the spa to sample our high-quality sunscreen or our sunless tanning lotion which gives the appearance of a golden tan minus the risks to you skin!

Experience Le Petit Spa's Prestige Facial

Nico, one of Le Petit Spa's senior estheticians, has been performing our Spa Prestige Facial since late in June when it was introduced. She, as well as her customers have been pleased with the results. Designed for clients prone to tight, dehydrated skin it also offers relief for acne prone skin.
The experience starts with a self-heating mud treatment to induce relaxation and warmth from start to finish. Next is a hand exfoliation and massage to relax tired muscles and rejuvenate the hands. For optimal results this spa facial entails three masks: the first being Phytomer's Moisture Quench Mask, followed by a Thermo-active Prestige Mask and finished by an Enhancing Moisturizing Prestige Mask.

Results, Nico noticed, are an immediate moisturizing effect: 46% increase in moisturizing level one hour after the treatment and comfort, "cocooning" feeling during the treatment. Once the treatment is completed the skin is moisturized, nourished, comfortable and revitalized.

Exfoliation Tips from Le Petit Spa's Estheticians

Exfoliation is important for all areas of the body in order to make your skin ready for the summer months:

Face: Exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells which will help your products (including your sunscreen) penetrate deeper into the epidermis and become more effective
Le Petit Spa staff favourite: Phytomer Peeling Vegetal exfoliant for sensitive skin

Body: Exfoliate prior to applying your self tanner for an even and natural glow
Le Petit Spa staff favourite: Sothys Pre-Tan Exfoliating Care and Satin Self-Tanning Spray

Bikini Area: Exfoliating regularly will help prevent ingrown hairs and promotes smoother skin
Le Petit Spa staff favourite: PFB Vanish roll-on exfoliator and moisturizer

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Hyperpigmentation - color corrective makeup

Hyperpigmentation- Hyperpigmentation is another prevalent reason for clients to request color corrective makeup. These irregular dark patches can result from pregnancy, birthmarks, freckles, age spots, melasma or chloasma. no matter the cause, clients want it to disappear. Color corrective estheticians can assist them in achieving this temporarily with mineral makeup, as well as permanently with treatments such as microdermabrasion and laser. When selecting a dark spot corrector, keep in mind that warm tones reflect light away to make skin imperfections less noticeable. Opt for mineral yellows, gold's, apricots, and oranges. Blend the selected brightening tone onto the dark areas by pressing and patting. Once the darkness is obscured, lightly layer the entire face with a color that matches the neck. the sun protection properties provided by mineral makeup offer the added bonus of further preventing the exacerbation of most brown discolorations.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Redness is the most persuasive issue faced by esthiticians

Redness- Redness is the most persuasive issue faced by estheticians. Fortunately, it can be camouflaged very easily. The most natural looking cover for redness is to use yellow, located on the color wheel adjacent to red's color complement, green. Warmer hues, such as yellows, gold's and apricots, enhance the skin by reflecting light away from texture and color imperfections. Because green is a cooler color, it absorbs light, and can give the skin a pasty or ashy appearance. Try warmer tones first to correct, but if the redness is more purplish in nature, green may be necessary for complete coverage. Once the discoloration is resolved, add warmth to create a believable skin tone.

Estheticians may see redness in their clients skin due to conditions such as rosacea, burns, acne, cuperose, psoriasis, telangiectasia, and rashes. Procedures such as waxing, injectable fillers, extractions, Co2 laser and microdermabrasion can result in redness of differing degrees. All of these can be covered very effectively with mineral makeup and deliberate application techniques. There are instances when a customized salve can be created by mixing loose minerals into the post-treatment cream prescribed for use by a physician. A complex containing oat beta glean mixed with the minerals is extremely effective, as oat beta glucan can assist in diminishing redness by up to 80%. The application of such a custom color cream enhances the coverage provided by minerals alone, especially on skin that is flaking and peeling with an irregular surface.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

For Best Results...

If you want to get more out of your visits to the esthetician, here are my top five tips:

1. Think of your esthetician as a long-term partner. The truth is, neither of you can achieve your skin care goals alone. Only by working together with your esthetician can you achieve and maintain balanced, healthy, younger-looking skin.
2. Be prepared for an ongoing commitment. You just won’t get the results you want by popping into the spa twice a year for an express facial. Is it a commitment in time and money? You bet, but it’s like that commercial – you have to decide whether you, and your skin care goals, are worth it. If you’re short on time or cash, talk to your esthetician. She may be able to recommend a streamlined treatment regimen or a more affordable product line.
3. Be truthful with your esthetician. If she asks how much sleep you get each night, how much water you drink each day, or how much time you spend on skin care, answer honestly. It’s the only way she can accurately assess the condition of your skin and prescribe an effective skin care plan that will yield the results you’re after.
4. Don’t wait until you have a skin problem to see your esthetician. The earlier you begin treatment, the more options are available to you and the better the end results will be. For example, anti-aging treatments should begin in your 20s, before signs of aging are apparent. If wait until your early 40s to see an esthetician, damage has already been done and your options are much more limited.
5. Do what your esthetician tells you. Your esthetician is a trained professional, and she can recommend an effective skin care plan, but you won’t see results if you don’t follow through. It’s that simple.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa Vancouver, BC!

Finding a Great Esthetician

So, how do you find a quality esthetician? First, look for someone who’s licensed and accredited. You may be surprised to know that in British Columbia, the esthetics industry has been deregulated in recent years. Anyone can hang out a shingle and offer treatments (even electrolysis!) without the appropriate training and experience.

To protect consumers and maintain industry standards, the Cosmetology Industry Association of B.C. (CIABC) offers an accreditation program, which requires estheticians to take and pass a rigorous exam. To be sure you’re dealing with an accredited CIABC esthetician or spa, look for a CIABC sign at the front desk or in the window.

Not every esthetics training program is the same. Generally, esthetics courses cover makeup, waxing, manicures/pedicures, body treatments and facials. Electrolysis and massage are often not included, although they can be taken as electives. Ask your esthetician about her training, and what types of treatments were covered.

Speaking of asking, a good esthetician will ask you a lot of questions. Ideally, you shouldn’t have to volunteer anything. She will know the right questions to ask to assess your skin, identify your objectives for your skin and any problem areas, and prescribe a treatment plan.

A good esthetician also has extensive knowledge about skin care techniques and products. She should be able to recommend a specific treatment regimen and product line for your skin, and explain why she has made these recommendations.

Next time, I’ll explain how to get the greatest benefit out of your esthetic treatments.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.


Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Dermatologist or Esthetician?

Since I’m often asked, I thought I’d begin this blog by explaining the difference between dermatologists and estheticians.

Essentially, dermatologists deal with the medical condition of your skin. They treat specific skin problems such as acne or rosacea, generally with medication in pill or cream form. Estheticians take a less invasive approach, working with the natural functions of the living skin to solve specific skin problems and achieve balance and optimal skin health.

While dermatologists and estheticians both work with clients to solve specific skin conditions, estheticians also focus on prevention. Regular visits to your esthetician can help avoid problems such as acne in the first place.

Although medications can be successful at reducing or eliminating the effects of a skin problem, they can also have adverse reactions or unwanted side effects. You may also find that the benefits continue only as long as you keep taking the medication.

Estheticians are trained to deliver long-lasting results using gentler, less invasive techniques. An experienced esthetician will carefully assess your skin, ask questions to get to the root of the problem and prescribe a treatment plan that will achieve and maintain balance without creating other problems. She’ll also work with you to identify areas of concern (break outs, acne, signs of aging, etc.) and prescribe a preventative treatment plan to address these issues.

Some people still think of estheticians as beauticians. The truth is that esthetics is tough, physically demanding work. An esthetician is a skin care therapist who has received up to a year of intensive, full-time instruction.

Did you know that esthetics students study a lot of the same material as medical students? Only after they have a thorough understanding of basic biology and the body’s main systems do they move on to learning about specific treatments like facials, body treatments and manicures.

Next, time, I’ll give you some tips about what to look for in an esthetician.



Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage!