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/

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).

The Healing and renewing effects of facial Massage

The Healing and renewing effects of facial Massage.

The Healing and renewing effects of facial Massage

The Healing and renewing effects of facial Massage

 A well-performed facial massage is a wonderful treat that will help relieve puffiness and improve skin tone and complexion. Other physical benefits of a facial massage include stimulation of the skin’s immune mechanisms, firming of weak muscles, tissue regeneration, and anti-aging effects. There are also many mental benefits, including stress relief and a greater awareness of the body-mind connection.

How the Skin Moves Nutrients In order to fully understand the benefits of facial massage, it is helpful to understand the anatomy and physiology of the skin.
We all know that skin is a complex organ consisting of a number of specialized cells. Its functions include pH and temperature regulation, and sebum and sweat production. The condition of the integumentary system (the skin and its components) depends on homeostasis and the coordination of circulatory, nerve, muscular, endocrine, and lymphatic systems. The skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, does not have a direct blood supply–all nutrients, water, and oxygen needed to feed these cells must come from the dermis. If nutrients are lacking in the dermis, the skin cells will be undernourished.

To move from the dermis to the epidermis, nutrients must cross the basement membrane that joins these two layers. Small molecules, such as water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and glycerol, can cross this membrane by diffusion. Larger molecules must cross by facilitated diffusion (being carried across by proteins). Nutrients or other substances that exist in lower concentrations in the dermis than in the epidermis must be moved into the epidermis by active transport. Water, an effective transportation system, can pass through membranes in response to changes in ion concentration. Hormones and mechanical movements, such as massage, can regulate the rate at which water passes through the membrane.

What about absorption from the outside of the skin into the underlying tissues of the body? Skin permits absorption, but the tightly located coenocytes and lipids between cells make absorption limited. When products are applied to the skin, certain elements play a role in the absorption rate, including the features of the skin, changes in skin barrier function, size of product molecules, and the type of delivery system used in the product.

Connective tissue also plays a role in how the skin moves nutrients. All substances that are transported in the blood must pass through the connective tissue to reach the cells or to be removed as waste. Connective tissue contains cells that produce collagen and elastin, and a half-gel, half-fluid binding mass called the ground substance, which surrounds every cell. Through the ground substance, nutrients are transported from the blood capillaries to the cell, and waste products are moved from the cells to the capillaries. The condition of the ground substance will affect the diffusion rate of nutrients and waste products, creating the cells’ environment. This environment can be clean and healthy, or polluted with metabolic wastes.

Applying pressure and movement through massage can help to normalize the function and composition of the connective tissue, and free it of harmful substances.


Lymphatic MassageThe body’s lymphatic system is responsible for draining away the debris from our cells. It transports water out of the tissue, along with waste substances: bacteria, cell fragments, immobile cells, inorganic substances, large molecular fats, proteins, and viruses. This process is constantly happening all over the body, as the lymph cleanses each cell and drains away the debris in a circulatory system powered only by breathing and muscle movements. With mechanical manipulation such as massage, the lymph system can move up to 10 times more fluid than it normally does.

Manual lymph drainage (MLD), which was developed by Emil Vodder, PhD, is a type of gentle massage that accelerates the natural circulation of the lymph and encourages its movement away from swollen areas. MLD is firm, but gentler than ordinary massage. Because the lymph vessels are all interlinked, lymph flow will be affected in the entire region of the area being massaged. Other types of lymphatic massage include lymph drainage therapy, developed by Bruno Chikly, MD.

A facial massage that involves lymphatic work improves circulation to the skin, which increases nutrition to the skin cells and speeds up the filtering of water in and out of cells, removing waste products. The vasodilation of the surface capillaries during massage improves skin color, and facial massage also improves elasticity and suppleness of the skin. With facial massage, the skin becomes more balanced, less prone to breakouts, and more resistant to infection.

This Winter do something nice for your skin when it begins to look sad and dull renew with one of our Spa Specials and Book this Winter by calling Miracles Day Spa 845-702-3526 on the web http://www.Spamiracles.com

WINTER SPECIAL

Half Day Of Beauty

90 minutes $135.00 Regular price $155.00

Aromatherapy custom body scrub and exfoliating facial mask. Swedish massage and oh my aching feet moisturizing warm wax foot treatment and reflexology.

Winter Facial Special:

1hr. $65.00 Regular price $80.00

Renew Revitalize Rejoice

A must for dry Winter weary skin. This facial combines the fruits of Pear and Apple for a unique super exfoliating and deeply moisturizing effect. This special facial includes a warm wax moisture treatment for the hands too. Everything you need to renew your Winter weary skin!

Melt pain and stiffness away with a Hot Stone Massage this Winter

60 minutes $100.00  90 minutes $125.00
Click Here for further information

Check out our Instant On-Line Gift Certificates http://www.spamiracles.com

Massage Therapy is a very helpful approach to combat pain in Winter

Massage Therapy is a very helpful approach to combat pain in Winter.

Massage Therapy is a very helpful approach to combat pain in Winter

Massage Therapy is very Helpful during the cold weather season

Posted on November 20, 2014 by cpowerslab7 under Uncategorized

So many of us suffer from body changes during the cold weather season. Muscles respond to cold by constricting and If you are already suffering from tight sore muscles and joint inflammation the cold can exacerbate the symptoms. Regular Massage therapy helps to create space in the body and counteracts the constricting effect cold has on the muscles and joints. When the bodies tissues have adequate space many important circulatory, metabolic and immune system responses can occur very efficiently. This efficiency promotes renewed health and well-being. Another added benefit to having regular Massage Therapy during the cold weather season is that massage promotes healthy messages to the nervous system and helps the body resist negative prolonged holding patterns of poor posture and chronic pain “bracing against the cold”. Chronic pain patterns which may be worse when weather  conditions are too cold and damp can be altered into a state of less pain pattern. Giving the body time to adapt to feeling less pain and good health is a very important approach to maintaining a healthy body and mind Massage therapy is extremely helpful in keeping healthy patterns that our bodies can adapt to and begin to adopt.

There are other ways in which you can enhance the benefits of regular Massage therapy. For instance take lots of warm baths and showers. Layer your clothing keep your body warm so that your body may combat the constricting effects of the cold. If you can. Keep active and flexible with regular outdoor and indoor exercise like dancing ,walking and Yoga class.

The holidays are coming give the relaxing and healing gift of Massage . There are many on-line gift certificate providers where you can choose the certificate design and way in which it is sent to the recipient.

Give the gift of Hot Stone Massage this Holiday season. Order an instant on-line gift certificate from Miracles Day Spa at

Mmmm Massage

http://www.SpaMiracles.com

Stay warm and well

Christina Powers

Staying centered and Stress free

Staying centered and Stress free.

Staying centered and Stress free

Staying centered and stress free isn’t always easy.

 Yoga Moves for Calm

It’s one of those mornings. Your alarm didn’t go off and you have an appointment in an hour. How can you quickly collect and calm yourself enough to be fully present for the day ahead? Breath and yoga.

Breath

Take this time to center and calm yourself. Start by channeling your yoga instructor or massage therapist and begin with breath (pranayama): inhaling to the count of three and exhaling to the count of six. Do this three times and move on to do a few yoga poses (asanas).

Yoga

You remember a few basic yoga poses from class, right? Try these two: simple seated twist and standing half moon. Simple Seated Twist Continuing to use your breath, sit on the floor in an easy, cross-legged pose and begin simple seated twist. Raise the crown of your head to the ceiling, elongating your neck and spine. Inhale and exhale, then twist to the left. Exhaling, move through center, and repeat on the right, continuing to inhale and exhale.

Standing Half Moon, Bikram Style

From there, step your right foot forward, followed by your left foot, and slowly roll up one vertebrae at a time until you are standing upright with your feet firmly grounded into the earth. Feeling your feet firmly grounded, raise your hands overhead, taking the wrinkles out of your neck and elongating your spine. Inhale, exhale, and side bend to the right. Once there, exhale and feel your side body open up as you press your foot into the earth to enhance the stretch. Inhaling through center, exhale and bend to the left. Return to your center and take one more deep breath in and out. You feel better, right? Now, let go of that harried morning and begin your day fully present and centered.-MaryBeth Braun