Elaine Moore's Blog

Posted by Elaine Moore

December is the perfect time to partake of spa services and purchase spa holiday gifts. Discounts on gift certificates, special combined packages and reduced fee services make spa holiday visits a genuine pleasure. Even simpler, at many spas you can buy a printable gift certificate online. It doesn’t get much easier than this.

Gift Certificates and More

Through December 22, 2009 Spa Week is selling $100 gift certificates for $80.00. These gift cards are good for one year and can be used any time during the year at Spa Week member spas. See list on the website. Some spas may prohibit the use of gift cards during the Spa Week biannual events when services are heavily discounted and often booked well in advance.

Spa Week also maintains a list of monthly Steals and Deals. Some of the best deals in December include an IPL Photo-facial regularly priced at $400 for $150 at the Lunaris Spa and Weight Loss Center in Lawndale, California. At the OH2 Medical Spa in Alpharetta, Georgia, the monthly special for $50 includes your choice of microdermabrasion, a pumpkin peel facial, or a laser hair removal for the underarms treatment.

Discounts and Presents

Spa Addicts also maintains a list of holiday specials and discounted services at spas throughout the country. Information on spa getaways worldwide is also available.

Many spas also carry a wide selection of scented candles, healthy teas, bath and body lotions, and gift baskets. Veda spas also have a wide assortment of travel-size shampoos, conditioners, foot lotions, and hand creams that make perfect stocking stuffers. Shop locally or online. Either way, ask about promotional specials.

Don't forget to take time for yourself in December. Schedule a massage after a day of shopping or before your big night out. Taking care of yourself during the hectic holiday season is especially important. Let your favorite spa keep you happy and healthy this holiday season.

Posted by Elaine Moore

With a few practical precautions, your regular spa visits should help you maintain health and protect you from disease.

• Take note of your aesthetician’s appearance. If he or she is coughing, sneezing, or appears ill, ask to have your procedure performed by someone else or reschedule it.
• Avoid becoming chilled. If your room is too cold or too hot, let your aesthetician know. They can adjust the temperature or provide you with heated blankets if needed.
• Observe your aesthetician wash hands before and after the procedure. If sinks aren’t available, be sure your aesthetician has used hand sanitizer. Proper hand washing is the most effective treatment for reducing disease transmission.
• Avoid irritating oils and fragrances. If essential oils or an aromatherapy session has you sneezing or gasping to get your breath, ask that this particular scent not be used. Chemical sensitivities can aggravate and induce respiratory ailments.
• If possible, shower after your procedure. At the minimum, wash your hands. If you’ve shampooed your hair, dry is thoroughly before stepping out into the cold air.
• Drink plenty of fluids both before and after your spa session. It’s important to remain well hydrated to keep body fluids circulating properly.
• Dress appropriately for the weather before heading outside. Bundle up if the weather calls for it. Maintain your glow of health with these simple precautions.

Posted by Elaine Moore

Spas offer a number of different medical therapies including hydrotherapy procedures and massage. Individuals with certain medical diagnoses such as arthritis, degenerative disk disease, fibromyalgia, and various neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders may be surprised to find that their medical insurance covers certain spa services.

For instance, insurance may cover a limited number of hydrotherapy or massage sessions for patients with rheumatological disorders. In some cases hydrotherapy sessions may be scheduled 5 days/weekly. Depending on the number of physical therapy rehabilitation services in the area, insurance may cover sessions at health clubs, wellness centers, spa, or gymnasiums. Occasionally, patients are first sent to a physical therapist for instructions and then scheduled for sessions at locations that are more convenient.

Studies conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine show that hydrotherapy, massage, and acupuncture are all effective remedies for certain medical conditions. Check with your health care provider to see what complementary services you may be eligible for before scheduling your next spa session.

Certain dermatological procedures performed at spas may also be covered by insurance depending on the individual’s diagnosis. Although procedures performed for cosmetic purposes are generally not covered, individuals with skin conditions related to specific conditions may be covered.

Posted by Elaine Moore

My daughter loves her new neighborhood near downtown Atlanta. As part of a neighborhood greeting, last week The Jazmin Spa in 5 Points Atlanta emailed her their newsletter which is a great way for newbies in the area to learn about local facilities. The newsletter offered a 15% discount on any service done on your birthday. Since she was visiting out of state on her birthday in December they let her have her discount on a massage she treated herself to this morning.

She marveled over the spa and enjoyed the professionalism of her Russian masseuse Svetlana. No surprise since we both admit that our favorite spa therapies to date were indulged in at a European spa on the lower east side of Manhattan by reasonably priced Hungarian aesthetitians.

The Newsletter

The top educational tip in the Jazmin Spa’s newsletter advised how to tell if your facial cleanser is right for you. To find out wash your face as usual and without adding any products wait 5 minutes. If after 5 minutes skin feels tight and dry, a more hydrating cleanser is recommended. Alternately if your skin feels oily, you may need a gel based cleanser. If your skin feels fresh and soft, you’ve found the perfect cleanser for now, and you’re on your way to perfect skin.

After perusing the newsletter, via email, I also learned that the Jazmin is offering some special discounts for 2009. After you sign up for a series and buy six products or sessions, the 7th service is on the house.

Other features in the newsletter included a description of a top line masque from Dermatological along with a concise list of its benefits and uses.

And Free Manicures: Yes, the ad stipulates FREE Manicures!!!

On Monday through Wednesday pedicures scheduled from 10am-4pm entitle their patrons a free manicure. Just mention this newsletter ad and you will get a FREE manicure. Receive the same great service and relaxing Sea Salt Glow manicure as always, but now you can enjoy in for FREE! Hurry up; this great offer ends January 31, 2009.

Posted by Elaine Moore

Livedo reticularis, which is also known as vasculitis racemosa, livedo racemosa, and livedo annularis, is as autoimmune-related skin disorder that causes a mottled, purple skin discoloration. Livedo reticularis is known to occur in several different autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) , autoimmune hemolytic anemia, polyarteritis nodosa, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis cold agglutinin syndrome, cryoglobulinemia, vasculitis, and antiphospholipid syndrome. Livedo reticularis can also occur in other conditions such as lymphoma, pancreatitis, and tuberculosis.

Symptoms

Livedo reticularis causes a constriction or narrowing of the fine capillary blood vessels that feed the upper layers of the skin. In livedo reticularis, over time dilation of these vessels causes the blood to stagnate, which causes a mottled discoloration of the overlying skin. The rash in livedo reticularis is described as a reticular or lacy, net-like purplish coloration surrounding a pale central area.

Livedo reticularis occurs primarily on the legs, arms, and trunk with symptoms becoming more pronounced in cold weather. The mottled appearance is related to spasms that occur in the dilated vessels. Mottling is more common in the forearms, thighs and lower abdomen.

Sneddon’s Syndrome

Sneddon’s syndrome is a form of idiopathic or autoimmune livedo reticularis with systemic involvement. The blood vessels most affected are those in the brain, eye, and heart. Idiopathic livedo reticularis primarily occurs in young and middle-aged females.

Treatment

There is no treatment for livedo reticularis. Rewarming the skin may reverse the discoloration although eventually the capillaries become permanently dilated and the condition results in permanent discoloration.

Resources

Teresa Kauke, Livedo Reticularis and Cold Agglutinins, Tbe New England Journal of Medicine, Jan 18, 2007, vol 356 (3): 284.

Livedo Reticularis, DermNet NZ, accessed Jan 10, 2007.