Tips for Doing a Skin Cancer Self-Examination

Tips for Doing a Skin Cancer Self-Examination

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, adding to the 5.4 million new cases that are diagnosed in the United States each year. Being diligent about skin cancer all year long, however, is the best way to beat the odds and keep risks of getting it lower.

“The American Academy of Dermatology reports that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country,” says Katherine Goldman, celebrity esthetician/waxologist and owner of the Stript Wax Bar. “The good news is that there are plenty of things we can do to help minimize the risks of getting it.”

Skin cancer is when the cells in the skin have been damaged by tanning beds or the sun. Those damaged cells begin to quickly multiply out of control and form a tumor. Doing routine self-examinations is the best way to catch possible skin cancer sites early so they can be treated. To conduct a self-examination, keep these tips in mind:
– Twice a year, conduct a self-examination of the entire body.
– While examining the entire body, look for moles, birthmarks, beauty marks, or any brown marks.
– Once you have identified those particular marks, pay attention to whether or not they change in color, size, and texture. Look for any spots that are irregularly shaped or that are larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
– Also, look for skin growths that appear brown, black, translucent, pearly, or multicolored, as well as those that may be sore, hurt, itch, bleed, or scab.
– If you find spots that meet the criteria and are concerning, be sure to have them checked out by a doctor.

“Along with regular examinations, it’s important to protect the skin from the start,” says Goldman. “We need to take measures from the start to help keep our skin safe from the sun and to choose safer tanning options. Spray tanning is very popular, looks great, and helps people avoid the ultraviolet (UV) light risks.”

Skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, which is a known carcinogen. There are 419,000 cases of skin cancer each year that are linked to indoor tanning. Despite the information available about the dangers of tanning beds, many people are still putting themselves at risk. Spray tans are a healthier way to have a tan, because they allow people to avoid tanning by being in the sunlight or using tanning beds. People can still have the same bronzed and beautiful look, without all of the health risks of going to a tanning bed. Plus, it’s estimated that 90 percent of skin aging is caused by sun exposure, so people can protect their skin from cancer and from aging at the same time when they opt for a spray tan, rather than tanning in the sun or a tanning bed.

http://www.miraclesdayspa.com/

Tips for Doing a Skin Cancer Self-Examination

Tips for Doing a Skin Cancer Self-Examination

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, adding to the 5.4 million new cases that are diagnosed in the United States each year. Being diligent about skin cancer all year long, however, is the best way to beat the odds and keep risks of getting it lower.

“The American Academy of Dermatology reports that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country,” says Katherine Goldman, celebrity esthetician/waxologist and owner of the Stript Wax Bar. “The good news is that there are plenty of things we can do to help minimize the risks of getting it.”

Skin cancer is when the cells in the skin have been damaged by tanning beds or the sun. Those damaged cells begin to quickly multiply out of control and form a tumor. Doing routine self-examinations is the best way to catch possible skin cancer sites early so they can be treated. To conduct a self-examination, keep these tips in mind:
– Twice a year, conduct a self-examination of the entire body.
– While examining the entire body, look for moles, birthmarks, beauty marks, or any brown marks.
– Once you have identified those particular marks, pay attention to whether or not they change in color, size, and texture. Look for any spots that are irregularly shaped or that are larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
– Also, look for skin growths that appear brown, black, translucent, pearly, or multicolored, as well as those that may be sore, hurt, itch, bleed, or scab.
– If you find spots that meet the criteria and are concerning, be sure to have them checked out by a doctor.

“Along with regular examinations, it’s important to protect the skin from the start,” says Goldman. “We need to take measures from the start to help keep our skin safe from the sun and to choose safer tanning options. Spray tanning is very popular, looks great, and helps people avoid the ultraviolet (UV) light risks.”

Skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, which is a known carcinogen. There are 419,000 cases of skin cancer each year that are linked to indoor tanning. Despite the information available about the dangers of tanning beds, many people are still putting themselves at risk. Spray tans are a healthier way to have a tan, because they allow people to avoid tanning by being in the sunlight or using tanning beds. People can still have the same bronzed and beautiful look, without all of the health risks of going to a tanning bed. Plus, it’s estimated that 90 percent of skin aging is caused by sun exposure, so people can protect their skin from cancer and from aging at the same time when they opt for a spray tan, rather than tanning in the sun or a tanning bed.

http://www.miraclesdayspa.com/

Winter Skin Renewal

Miracles day Spa is featuring an Ayurvedic mineral body scrub treatment with Aromatherapy dry skin formula Massage. We also are offering a facial using Light Stim facial renewal.  Light Stim utilizes light therapy technology to promote collagen and elastin tissue growth . The promotion of collagen and elastin in the skin helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and also lifts and tones the skin. It is an effective and safe way to get your glow back  into your skin. Learn more or Book now http://www.miraclesdayspa.com/bookings/

 

 

Get Your Glow Back

The Indian food spice Tumeric is all the rage in skincare and healthcare alike. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a dynamic ingredient in facial masks. Tumeric contains Tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THC) are derived from curcuminoids (extracted from the roots of curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric root). Tetrahydrocurcuminoids are phenolic in nature, acting as antioxidants, protecting against free radicals and preventing the generation of free radicals.   Tetrahydrocurcumin has been shown to efficiently inhibit tyrosinase. As such, it is an effective skin lightening agent.  It has been tested to determine its safety for topical use with no irritant or sensitization side effects.The anti-inflammatory effects of THC combined with their efficient antioxidant action render them useful as ingredients in anti-aging formulations, skin lightening and brightening products and topical formulations designed to maintain general skin health and integrity. We are featuring a new skin brightening and anti aging facial with Tumeric and Light Stim technology all Summer.

Check out our skin brightening and anti aging facials at http://www.miraclesdayspa.com/prices/

Winter skin bath recipes for February and March

Winter skin is here. Is your skin extra dry and itchy? Do you have red scaly patches that appear in spots every winter? If your a Winter skin sufferer try a luxurious bath filled with ingredients to soothe and moisturize your skin and at the same time unwind your mind.

The first tool in your fabulous bath kit is your favorite candle. Candlelight creates a relaxing glow that signals your brain to know this is warm bath leave the world behind time.

Let’s get creative with some soothing skin ingredients: add 8 drops of the essential oil of Rose into 2 cups of water, add 2 bay leaves,1/2 oz crushed cloves, and two cups apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, Simmer for 1 hour add water as needed to keep the liquid at 4 cups. Store the infusion in the fridge use.

When your ready to bathe fill your bath tub with warm water add 1/2 cup of your infusion, Mix in 4 Tablespoons of your favorite skin oil (some examples are Organic olive oil, coconut oil, apricot seed oil, almond oil, grape seed oil.) Light your candle, dim the lights, and enjoy a good for your skin and mind soak.

When you ready to come out and face the world again distribute the oils in your bath onto your skin, lightly rinse under the shower  so that some of the oils remain on your skin, and lovingly put on you favorite cotton pajamas, wrap up in blankets and rest.

Natural Beauty Foods

What Massage Can Do For You

What Massage Can Do For You

Beyond Pain Relief, Massage is Valuable for Preventive Care

Karrie Osborn

 

Whether it is an aching back, recovery from an injury, a case of carpal tunnel syndrome, or a host of other debilitating physiological conditions, there’s no doubt massage and bodywork works to relieve pain. But once your therapist has helped you tackle your pain, do you quit calling? When the pain is gone, are you gone, too?

Massage therapy is highly effective for pain relief, but it is an amazing preventive therapy as well. Massage helps build and maintain a healthy body (and mind), it combats stress, and it works to keep the immune system strong. In short, massage can keep on working for you, even after the pain is gone.

MASSAGE FOR WELLNESS
If it’s been a while since you booked your last massage–because your pain is no longer an issue or your injury is fully rehabbed–you might want to consider massage for preventive care.

Massage can play an important role in a good health-care regimen. Just as you eat healthily, exercise regularly, and take your vitamins to ward off illness and maintain a fit body, you should consider making frequent massage a part of your wellness lifestyle.

According to Benny Vaughn, a sports massage expert in Fort Worth, Texas, one of the benefits of consistent and regular massage therapy is better flexibility. “This happens because regular and structured touch stimulus enhances the nervous system’s sensory and spatial processing capacity,” he says. “That is, the person becomes more aware of her body’s movement in space and becomes more aware of tightness or pain long before it reaches a critical point of mechanical dysfunction.”

As a preventive measure, frequent massage puts you more in tune with your body. “The consistency of massage therapy over time creates a cumulative stress-reduction effect,” Vaughn says. “The person becomes acutely aware of stress within her body long before it can create stress-driven damage.”

And the more massage you receive, the more benefits you reap. “Massage therapists know that people who get massage regularly demonstrate greater improvement and notice a reduction in pain and muscular tension, as well as an improvement in posture,” says Anne Williams, author of Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional (Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 2012).

“People regularly make a commitment to fitness,” Williams says. “People regularly make a commitment to changing their diet. The difference they’d experience if they regularly made a commitment to massage is mind-blowing.”

STRESS IS A KILLER
Stress is more than just a word we throw around to describe the nature of our hectic day. Today, we understand that stress kills.

According to the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, 60-90 percent of all US medical visits are for stress-related disorders. Chronic pain, headaches, heart disease, hypertension, and ulcers can all be wrought from stress. Many would argue that the best benefit of massage is its ability to reduce the stress in our lives.

From the perspective of daily living, think about the stress you felt at today’s meeting–now it’s hiding in your neck. Tomorrow that can turn into stiffness and eventually begin to affect other parts of your body. If you see your massage therapist for your regular session this week, the chances are good you won’t reach the tipping point. Think of massage and bodywork as a way to re balance your body.

Noted researcher Tiffany Field and her colleagues from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine report that massage causes positive biological changes when it comes to stress. Through the course of more than 20 studies, these scientists found that massage decreases cortisol (a stress-derived hormone that negatively affects immune function and kills our immune cells) and increases dopamine and serotonin (the neurotransmitters most associated with emotional well-being).

Add to this the research that shows massage can lower your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure, and you have a mighty effective, nonpharmacological, stress-fighting tool that’s about as natural as natural can get.

A ONE-HOUR VACATION AND SO MUCH MORE
You may no longer need to rehab that knee or work the scar tissue from your surgery, but don’t forget about everything else massage can do for you. Massage is the entire package, helping to heal body, mind, and spirit. Think of it as a one-hour vacation with amazing return on investment.

Whether it be maintaining joint flexibility, managing blood pressure, or enhancing immunity, massage works. From repair to relief and from recovery to relaxation, massage is a magnificent piece of natural medicine you should always have as part of your health-care routine.

Book your monthly massage

http://www.MiraclesDaySpa.com

Mmmm Massage

Good foods to put on your face

Everyone knows the benefits of incorporating fresh vegetables in their diet, but have you ever thought of bringing them into your skin care routine? Ask your esthetician if any of these natural treatments will complement your current recommended home-care routine.

Refreshing CucumbersImages of women basking with cucumber slices over their eyes are practically synonymous with spas. Many people have pooh-poohed it as a cliche, but there’s real power in those slices. Cucumber extract is good for acne, contains high levels of antioxidants, modulates transepidermal water loss, and fortifies the skin lipid barrier, all of which mean healthier skin.
Cucumber WaterUse this water as a toner, or for eye and facial compresses.
Ingredients:
2 organic English cucumbers (seedless); 24 ounces of warm water; Lemon or lime (optional, for scent); 3 sprigs of fresh mint (optional, for scent);
Wash cucumbers and pat dry. Slice cucumber (with peel on) paper-thin. Add slices to sterilized container with warm water. Cover and shake container. Let steep for 10 minutes. Make fresh daily.

The same ingredients can be used to make a pure cucumber juice concentrate by running them through a juicer. The resulting concentrate should be kept in a sterilized container and can be added to many treatments, including clays and dry exfoliants. This should also be made fresh daily.


Botanical OilsThe use of oils to condition the skin is as ubiquitous as using water to cleanse it. Historically, oils were used as cleansers, slathered on and then scraped off with an implement called a strigil. Today, botanical oils are used for their moisturizing and healing benefits.

Flaxseed oil contains some of the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and calms skin that is raw and irritated due to conditions like eczema or psoriasis. It helps repair skin cells and hydrates even the driest skin.

Flaxseed Gel MaskFlaxseeds, when boiled and cooled, make gel. This gel can be used alone as a compress, or other ingredients can be added to it for a customized treatment.
Ingredients:
One-third cup whole flaxseeds; 2 cups filtered water or cucumber juice; 4 ounces of aloe vera gel (optional); One-half teaspoon of honey (optional); One-half teaspoon of sunflower seed oil (optional)

Bring water to a boil. Stir in flaxseeds and immediately reduce heat. Stir and simmer until the gel forms (about 10 minutes). Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and then transfer to a sterilized container. Apply to face and decollete with a fan brush for five to ten minutes. Remove with warm towel. Flaxseed gel can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Pure Avocado Facial MaskAvocados are known for their “good fats” but they are also full of vitamins and anti-bacterial properties. Flaxseed helps fight inflammation. When combined together, this calming mask will leave the skin looking hydrated and refreshed.

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado (peeled, pitted, and cubed); 2 tablespoons sunflower seed oil or rice bran oil; 2-3 drops lemon or lime juice (optional); 2 ounces flaxseed gel (optional); 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

In a blender or food processor, process the avocado until smooth. Add other ingredients to mixture slowly. Once mixture is combined, apply to face and decollete with wooden spatula. Leave on skin for 10-15 minutes, remove with warm towel.


Healthy ProbioticsProbiotics–the live cultures in yogurt–exhibit antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits when used on skin. They have been shown to reduce acne lesions by half over an eight-week period. Probiotics increase ceramide production, which boosts skin protection against the bacteria that causes acne.

Creamy Yogurt Facial TreatmentUse this recipe on skin with acne.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon sunflower seed oil or rice bran oil; 1 tablespoon honey (optional); Crushed mint leaves (optional; remove before treatment)

Combine the ingredients together in a bowl. Apply mixture with a fan brush to face and decollete for five to ten minutes. Remove with warm towel. Enjoy learning more and having Natural skincare treatments at our spa llink below

miraclesdayspa.com

Lynn Parentini is a respected author, educator, esthetician, massage therapist, and author of The Joy of Healthy Skin (Prentice Hall, 1995).

Healthy Aging and Your Skin

Healthy Aging and Your Skin

Trends and Treatments for Baby Boomers

With more than 70 million baby boomers in the United States poised to join the ranks of those aged 65 and older in coming years, this generation has embraced a new twist on aging gracefully. These individuals don’t think of themselves as old, and in many respects, they are not, at least not in the same sense their parents were after they passed the 65-year mark.


A State of Mind

Aging beautifully with regular facials is the key

In addition to wanting to remain vital and active, boomers are increasingly expressing a desire to look as young as they feel. Many boomers are turning to minimally invasive procedures to avoid the downtime and drastic changes in appearance associated with plastic surgery. Almost miraculously, it’s possible to look much younger than one’s years, since modern health care is helping ward off life-shortening disease at a tremendous rate. The result is a growing population expected to live longer than any generation before and to look better doing it.

One of the first indicators of overall health and how gracefully someone is aging is the condition of someone’s skin. Take the backs of the hands, for example. The increasingly noticeable and enlarging veins and so-called age spots are some of the first telltale signs of aging.


Vitality at Any Age John Roseby, executive spa director at the famous Arizona-based spa, Canyon Ranch, says skin care, massage, and bodywork are part of their wellness philosophy.

“Health and vitality at any age is one of our core messages and one we believe in passionately,” he says. “Regular skin care programs allow vibrant health to shine from deep within.”

Anne Williams, esthetician and director of education at Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, agrees and says a spa is an excellent place to treat the entire body. “Massage improves the appearance and condition of skin, and tones muscle tissue, thanks to improved local circulation.”

With age and inactivity, circulation slows and skin becomes pale and cold. “Massage has a stimulating cellular function in the hyperdermis, dermis, and epidermis,” says Sharon Puszko, director of Day-Break Geriatric Massage Institute. “Touch nurtures, relaxes, and heals, as well as stimulates and activates.”

Ultimately, Williams says, one of the greatest benefits of any type of skin care and bodywork treatment is the ability it gives you to reconnect. “You re-experience your body. When you’re in your body, you own it in a different way. You care about it in a different way.”


Skin’s Graceful Aging Proper skin care can help ward off signs of aging. Here are some healthful skin care tips for caring for maturing skin.

Protect Your Skin The most important thing you can do for your skin, Williams says, is to consistently use sunscreen. Whether skiing the Colorado Rockies, swimming the Pacific Ocean, or just walking to your car for a lunch break, sunscreen should be a part of your daily routine, as sun damage is the number one cause of prematurely aged skin. Consider buying makeup or moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher to ensure constant protection. To protect you from the full range of ultraviolet rays, look for products containing at least one of these ingredients: avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.

Keep it Moist Depending on where you live, you may not give much credence to moisturizer use, but experts say it is a critical piece of the puzzle for great skin. Avoid traditional grocery store finds in favor of a more targeted moisturizing product, preferably one recommended by your esthetician. If you spend money on anything, Williams says, spend it on a good moisturizer. A gentle cleanser (no bar soap on the face, ever, she says) and an alcohol-free toner will round out a simple, yet effective skin care plan. In general, it’s a good idea to stick with one product line since products are usually designed to work together.

Don’t Overdo It In our zeal to clean our skin, we often overdo it. Just as you shouldn’t exfoliate too often (no more than once a week), you should also avoid over scrubbing your face, even with just water and a washcloth. Your skin is fragile; treat it as such. It pays to leave the serious exfoliation to an expert Aesthetician and go gently on your skin at home.

Watch What You Eat The healthier you eat, the better your skin will look. This means natural, unprocessed foods with high antioxidant and vitamin contents (in other words, fruits and vegetables). Strive to replace processed breads and cereals with whole-grain alternatives that contain fiber. Eliminate or go easy on caffeine and sugar. Many believe drinking plenty of water will keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Talk to the Experts Williams says working with a skin care professional will help establish a good base of knowledge about how to care for your skin. Having an expert who knows you and your history will help address changes going forward. For example, if you change climates, your skin’s needs will change as well. The same is true with the seasons.

The seasons of your life will bring yet more changes to your skin care needs. Talking to an expert will help guide you through those changes and give you proactive self-care steps. Growing older doesn’t have to mean growing old.

Book a facial Today and save your skin for tomorrow check us out on the web:

SpaMiracles.com

The Healing and renewing effects of facial Massage

The Healing and renewing effects of facial Massage.