Varsta 30+ (caracteristici)

Problema principala la aceasta varsta este lipsa de miscare – sedentarismul, din care rezulta un consum caloric minim. Tot aici se adauga alimentatia extrem de nesanatoasa (deseori grasa) si in proportii mari, anumite aspecte hormonale, dereglari ale glandei tiroide, metabolismul bazal incetinit, toate acestea creeaza un mediu propice pentru depunerile de grasime.

La 30 de ani multe femei deja au trecut printr-o nastere sau chiar doua, ceea ce le-a adus cateva sau chiar mai multe kilograme in plus si un strat adipos deosebit de incapatanat, care refuza sa paraseasca gazda.

Sfaturi alimentatie

Pentru fiecare varsta recomandarile sunt diferite si asta pentru ca se petrec foarte multe schimbari in organismul nostru odata cu trecerea anilor.

La 30 de ani provocarea este dubla, atat de a slabi, cat si de a mentine greutatea obtinuta pana la adanci batraneti. Este mult mai greu de slabit si cu siguranta mult mai dificil de sarit de la o dieta la alta, asa cum o faceam la 20 de ani. Toate incercarile gresite si drastice vor fi dusmanul nostru si nu un aliat in lupta cu kilogramele.

Dupa cum spuneam mai sus, la aceasta varsta scad nevoile energetice, ceea ce se traduce printr-un aport caloric mai mic decat la 20 ani. Daca ai aceeasi activitate fizica ca la 20 ani si nu te-a afectat sedentarismul cu siguranta ca acest aport caloric nu se va schimba prea mult.

Este varsta la care multe femei au copii, iar obiceiul de a termina ce a mai ramas in farfuria copilului este foarte des intalnit, tot mancand resturile de la copil nici nu iti dai seama cand ai sarit norma pe ziua respectiva… si parca nu ai mancat mult, dar si ciuguleala se pune in calcul.

Este recomandabil sa se administreze un complex de multivitamine cu macro si microelemente, a caror “depozite” din organism sunt secate in timpul sarcinii, nasterii, stresului, etc.

Deficitul de fier apare cel mai des la aceasta varsta. Doza zilnica recomandata de fier este de 18 mg, iar la femeile insarcinate de 27 mg.

Alimente bogate in fier sunt:

spanac carne (in special ficat de vita) cereale fortificate cu fier (germeni de grau, ovaz) galbenus de ou fasole smochine broccoli

De asemenea, sunt carente de acid folic. Doza zilnica recomandata de acid folic este de 400 mcg.

Alimente bogate in acid folic sunt:

portocale/citrice sparanghel verdeturile nucile

Dupa 35 de ani organismul femeii pierde din masa osoasa, aproape 1/2 din femei au insuficienta de calciu. Doza zilnica recomandata de calciu este de 1000 mg.

Alimente bogate in calciu sunt:

lapte semidegresat branza de vaci iaurt migdale broccoli

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La aceasta varsta se mananca morcovi, bogati in beta-caroten, care protejeaza pielea de schimbarile celulare care au loc dupa 2o ani, iar la 30 ani sunt deja vizibile cu ochiul liber sub forma de riduri.

De asemenea, morcovul are efecte benefice asupra tranzitului si un efect diuretic.

Zilnic, trebuie consumate sucuri de legume proaspete.

Sfaturi activitate fizica

Nu este un secret ca la 30 ani de ani timpul liber inseamna ceva foarte pretios si deosebit de rar. Avem familie, copii, casa, lucruri care nu ne preocupa la 20 de ani. In toata aceasta invalmaseala uneori este deosebit de complicat sa gasesti si o bucatica de timp pentru propria persoana si aici se include si practicarea unui sport.

Trebuie sa iti organizezi in asa fel timpul si sa distribui responsabilitatile intre tine si sot, incat sa resusesti sa ai grija si de silueta ta.

Poti practica jogging, mers pe jos, callanetics, dans, pilates sau ceva mai solicitant (ex: aerobic, tae-bo).

A Vichy shower is a metal arm with five to seven shower heads that runs parallel to a cushioned treatment table, so you can get a shower while lying down. It is usually part of a body treatment, like a salt scrub or body wrap. Instead of jumping up and getting in a shower to rinse off the salt or mud, you simply lie there.

The Vichy might be attached to the wall, or freestanding. It has a hinge so the therapist can turn the water on and adjust the temperature while it's away from the treatment table. Once it's the right temperature and pressure, he/she will swing it over your body. The cascade of water feels delicious!

During a Vichy shower you are usually draped with towels -- one between your legs and for women, one across your breasts. You can wear disposable underwear. When you're on your back, the therapist might put something over your face to minimize the water spray in your face.

If you're anxious about nudity, this is probably not the treatment for you. Turning over with wet towels tends to be a little sloppy.

Where Can I Find A Vichy Shower?

Check the spa menu to see if they have a Vichy shower as part of their body treatments, or ask the receptionist. Large day spas, resort spas and destination spas usually have a Vichy shower, but a small local day spa probably won't.

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well, but they can be other types. The heat is both deeply relaxing and helps tight muscles release. Watch a video of a hot stone massage.

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?

* Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the stones (very important!) and heats them in 120 to 150 degree water.

* During the massage, the therapist warms up the body with traditional Swedish massage, then massages you while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.

* The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, in the palms of your hand, on your belly, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

* If you have inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones are sometimes used.

How Much Does a Hot Stone Massage Cost?

A hot stone massage is more expensive than a basic Swedish massage because it requires more preparation and clean-up and usually runs longer. A typical hot stone massage is $125-$150, but the price can go higher.

What You Need To Know About Hot Stone Massage:

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* The therapist uses many stones of various shapes and sizes.

* The heat of the stones helps muscles release more quickly than in traditional massage.

* You should speak up if the stones are too warm or the pressure too intense.

* Technique is very important. Less experienced practitioners sometimes use too much pressure.

* Small local day spas might have less experienced therapists. If you have any doubts, ask where the therapist learned hot stone massage, and how long she has done it.

*Hot stones warmed by fire were used by Native Americans to feel better, but Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona, is generally credited with its revival. She trademarked her style, called LaStone Therapy. Most spas offer their own versions of hot stone massage.

Body wraps were originally a treatment where Ace bandages or plastic wrap was tightly wrapped around the body to cause quick weight loss through vasodilation. You can still find these types of "slimming" body wraps, which result in the temporary loss of weight and inches, at some spas.

But today a body wrap in a spa is more likely to be treatment where you’re slathered with a body mask made of algae, seaweed, mud, clay, lotion or cream, then wrapped for 20 minutes to keep you warm. Later the product is rinsed off. The body wrap usually ends with an application of lotion (technically not a massage). This body wrap treatment is sometimes called a body cocoon or body mask.

What are the Benefits of a Body Wrap?

Body wraps that use algae, seaweed, mud or clay are detox treatments that help rid the body of toxins through metabolic stimulation. *

Body wraps using shea butter and rich lotions are hydrating treatments geared towards softening the skin.

What Happens During A Body Wrap?

Often a body wrap begins with exfoliation through dry brushing or a salt scrub. You lie down on whatever you will eventually be wrapped in – often plastic or mylar, but sometimes towels or sheets.

I think it’s best when a massage therapist does the body wrap, because they naturally incorporate massage techniques as they apply the product. An esthetician, on the other hand, is not trained in massage. She is simply applying product to the skin.

Once the product is on, you’re wrapped to stay warm, usually for 20 minutes. Oftentimes the therapist leaves the room, but sometimes they stay and give you a scalp massage (much better, in my opinion!)

When the time is up, you’re unwrapped and the body mask has to come off. This is why they often take place in wet rooms, equipped with a shower, wet table, or Vichy shower. You might either jump in a shower or the therapist will rinse you off with a handheld shower or a special Vichy shower that feels absolutely fabulous. It’s like taking a shower lying down. Then you dry off, and there’s usually an application of lotion to moisturize your skin.

Things To Watch Out For With a Body Wrap

* Don’t expect a body wrap to be a massage. You can get both treatments – body wrap and massage -- or look for signature treatments that include scrub, body wrap and massage.

* If you have claustrophobia, this may not be the right treatment for you.

* You might be left alone during the treatment. If that bothers you, ask before you book the service.

A body polish is a popular body treatment that exfoliates and hydrates your skin, leaving it smooth and soft.

A body polish is primarily a treatment for the skin -- sort of like a facial for the body. It should not be confused with a massage,

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A body polish can be done with any number of materials -- salt, sugar, coffee grounds, rice bran, pecan hulls -- usually mixed with some kind of massage oil and aromatic like essential oils. If the polish uses salt, it might be called a salt scrub, salt glow or sea salt scrub. The exfoliation is usually followed by a shower and an application of body lotion.

What Happens During a Body Polish?

A body polish usually takes place in a wet room, which has a tile floor and a drain. The therapist may offer you disposable underwear, the leave the room. You will start face-down on a massage table covered with a towel, a sheet or a thin piece of plastic, or on a special wet table that has a Vichy shower overhead. In that case you won't have to get up to be rinsed off.

The therapist will return and start by gently rubbing the exfoliant on your back, the backs of your arms, and the backs of your legs and feet. You are draped with a towel or sheet, so only the part she is working on is exposed. Then you turn over and she does the other side.

When the therapist is finished, you usually step into a shower to rinse off. Be sure to rinse thoroughly so you don't take little granules back to the table. And don't use shower gel -- it's good to keep the oil and aromatics on your skin. If the spa is doing the treatment on a special wet table, the therapist will either rinse you off with a hand-held shower, or turn on a Vichy shower.

If you step into the shower, the therapist will put clean sheets on the treatment table while you're showering and step out of the room again. You dry off and lie face-down on the treatment table underneath a sheet or towel. Then the therapist returns and applies body lotion or oil.

Other Things You Should Know About Body Polishes

Some spas do body polishes in a room without a shower and remove the exfoliant with steamed towels. You can get a body polish on its own, but often it's the first step in a body wrap , often a seaweed or mud wrap. You can also combine a body polish with a massage. Get the body polish first because it is stimulating, whereas the

massage calms you down. Some spas have signature treatments that combine both body polish and massage. Salt and other exfoliants can be abrasive, and some therapists have a heavier hand than others. Individuals also

differ in their skin sensitivity. If it feels too harsh, speak up. A salt glow (also known as a salt scrub or sea salt scrub) is the most popular body treatment at the spa. The primary

purpose of a salt glow is to exfoliate your skin. A salt glow also hydrates your skin because the salt is combined with oil and usually some aromatic like lemon,

lavender, or even figs. (Spas can get very creative here.) The salt glow is followed by a shower and an application of body lotion, and leaves your skin feeling very soft and fragrant.

What Happens During a Salt Glow? A salt glow usually takes place in a wet room. Depending on the spa, you might be laying on a massage table

covered with a towel or sheet or a thin piece of plastic, or you might be lying on a wet table. You might be offered a pair of disposable underwear.

As you lay on your stomach, the therapist rubs a mixture of sea salt, oil, and aromatics like lemon or lavender into your skin. Then you turn over and she does the other side. Usually, you are draped with a towel, and only the part she is working on is exposed.

When she’s finished, you’ll step into a shower to rinse off all the salt. Don’t use shower gel – it’s good to keep the oil and aromatics on your skin. If the spa is doing the treatment on a special wet table, the therapist will either rinse you off with a hand-held shower, or turn on a Vichy shower, a special six-headed shower that is parallel to the table. There is something very wonderful about getting a shower laying down, or having someone bath you, and I highly recommend it. Both of these feel fabulous!

You can get a salt glow on its own, but often it’s the first step in a body wrap , often a seaweed or mud wrap. That’s because exfoliation prepares the skin for products like seaweed or algae that detoxify the body by stimulating circulation through vasodilation of blood capillaries.

You can also combine a salt glow with a massage. I recommend getting the salt glow first because it is stimulating, whereas the massage calms you down. Sometimes spas have signature treatments that combine both services – salt glow and massage.

Sea salt is fairly abrasive, and some therapists have a heavier hand than others. Individuals also differ in their skin sensitivity. If it feels too harsh, be sure and speak up.

Indigenous treatments are a spa trend that highlight local ingredients and therapeutic traditions -- ruby grapefruit scrubs in Texas, blueberry wraps in Maine, Lomi Lomi massage in Hawaii.

Spas use a lot of creativity to come up with these indigenous treatments. At their best, indigenous treatments are deeply authentic, giving you experiences you couldn't have anywhere else, like a highly skilled Lomi Lomi massage by a skilled Hawaiian practitioner. Sometimes they're a little gimmicky, but still fun.

Here are a few examples of indigenous treatments: * The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa offers a Cactus Flower Wrap that uses prickly pear cactus extract to soften

your skin, and a Sedona Mud Wrap that uses local mud to detoxify your body and nourish your skin.

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* Hawaiian spas offer Lomi Lomi, a healing type of Hawaiian massage derived from ancient Polynesian traditions. It usually begins with a blessing, and the massage is given with very fluid motions using the forearms.

* Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York has a Mohonk Red massage that uses towels infused with a witchhazel that only grows in the Shawangunk Mountains.

* The Cliff House in Maine has a Blueberry Body Wrap and Blueberry Smoothie Pedicure and offers hot stone massage with stones it collected from its own beach.

The Cotton House in the Caribbean island of Mustique uses tropical fruits in its Lime and Pineapple Extravanza. Fresh lime is mixed with sea salt for a body scrub, followed by a pineapple, yogurt and honey wrap to soothe and soften the skin.

Ayurvedic Therapies

Upstairs I had an Ayurvedic treatment that combined Abhyanga and Shirodhara ($290 for 80 minutes). Also known as a "four-handed massage", Abhyanga is performed by two therapists who work on you simultaneously, using lots of warm oil. The two therapists mirror each other's moves, and there is something wonderful about being so taken over by sensation. It's almost like being a baby again, when your mother's hands could cover your whole body.

The treatment segued into a Shirodhara, which was less successful. Suddenly Slimmer has a beautiful piece of equipment with a hanging copper pot from which oil drips onto your forehead. But it was a little noisy when the therapist pushed it into place and the oil had cooled by the time it hit my forehead because the copper pot drew away all the heat. She added more hot oil, but it was not the seamless, soothing experience one hopes for (and rarely finds.) Right now you can only get Abhyanga and Shirodhara together. It would be nice if you could get the Abhyanga without the Shirodhara.

Pregnancy massage, also known as pre-natal massage, promotes relaxation, soothes nerves, and relieves strained back and leg muscles in expectant mothers. Pregnancy massage is especially benefical in the second and third trimesters, when the extra weight in your belly puts a strain on your back.

Before you get a pregnancy massage, make sure the therapist has been specially trained so there is no risk of miscarriage.

What Happens During Pregnancy Massage? A pregnancy massage differs from traditional massage in a few different ways. First, the massage therapist will take

extra care to make sure your body gets the cushioning and support it needs. When you’re lying on your back, there will be pillows underneath your knees and shoulders. If you’re far along in

your pregnancy, you might be positioned in a semi-reclining position, where you’re looking at the wall instead of the ceiling.

Some pregnancy massage also uses special bolsters with a deep cutout in the center so you can lie face-down comfortably. You can also have your back massaged during pregnancy by lying on your side, with pillows under your head and between your legs.

A pregnancy massage should be very soothing and relaxing in style. Deep tissue work, abdominal kneading and certain acupressure points should be avoided.

Pregnant women should also avoid Jacuzzis, hot springs, mineral springs. The Benefits of Pregancy Massage Pregnancy massage provides relaxation by relieving stress on joints. It eases

neck and back pain, helps you to keep good posture and relaxes and provides flexibility to birthing muscles. Pregnancy massage aids the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which keeps blood flowing to both the mother and

the baby. It stimulates different glands in the body, which help to stabilize hormone levels, and relieves nervous tension throughout the body. And the nurturing touch during pregnancy massage promotes relaxation and provides emotional support. Post-Partum Pregnancy Massage Pregnancy massage is also good after giving birth. Postpartum pregnancy massage can help restore a mother's body to its pre-pregnancy condition. It helps to realign the body weight, and tones the over-stretched skin over the belly. As with all massage, it relieves muscle tension and stress from mothering duties!

Eminence Organic Body Wraps

The treatment commences with a full cleanse & exfoliation using dry body brushing techniques to loosen dead skin cells and stimulate lymph flow. Next your customised herbal and fruit masque is applied, you are then wrapped and covered in towels whilst a heated blanket helps to keep you warm as the ingredients are activated. While resting in your cocoon your therapist will treat you to a relaxing scalp and foot massage, the experience completes with an application of hydrating body lotion. Choose from:

Blueberry Soy Slimming Wrap Has a firming and sculpting action by improving elasticity of skin and reinforcing collagen fibres, rejuvenates and revitalises improving skin texture. Ideal taken as a course alongside a calorie controlled diet.

Pumpkin Cream Extremely nourishing and moisturising treatment rich in antioxidants and nutrients, increases elasticity and

revitalises texture of the skin.

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Eminence Organic Herbal Cellulite Treatment

Minerals taken from an underground Thermal Lake in Hungary provide a potent blend of Sulphur, Spring Water and Phyto estrogens. These elements have been combined into a stimulating and detoxifying herbal treatment to target areas of cellulite and sluggish circulation. Ivy, stinging nettle and paprika help to burn fat cells to improve the appearance and tone of the skin. A tingling sensation can be felt in the areas applied as the circulation increases, the remainder of the body is wrapped in a nourishing body butter whilst you enjoy a rejuvenating foot massage.

Eminence Organic Bacial with vapour steam

A wonderful deep cleansing treatment for that hard to reach area, Hungarian herbal mud’s and clays combine to give a detoxifying and calming treatment to the back. Suitable for all skin types and perfect as a pre-holiday treatment or for monthly maintenance of problematic skins. Includes extractions if required with vapour steam, and massage to head, back and shoulders.

Pure Fiji Coconut Crème Body Glow

Cleanse, polish and protect your skin. Pineapple extracts gently buff away dull skin cells and unclog pores rejuvenating your skin followed by an application of Hydrating Body Lotion which rapidly hydrates your skin with fresh coconut milk and a nourishing blend of exotic nut oils which will stay with you all day.

A variety of body wraps are available that can remove toxins, reduce inches, restore nutrients, tighten and tone

skin, and provide temporary weight loss.

Body wraps top the list of spa treatments that offer cosmetic and therapeutic benefits for the entire body. Body wraps are therapies that can detoxify the body, remove excess fat and fluid from tissues, restore minerals, reduce joint pain, tighten and tone the skin, and nourish and soften the skin. Dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome body wraps have been traditionally used to beautify the skin, detoxify and heal the body, reduce weight by promoting fluid loss, and soothe the spirit.

The Science Behind Body Wraps

The cells of the skin are surrounded by interstitial fluid. This fluid can accumulate in excess within cells and between cells because of a lack of exercise, aging, diets high in salt and sugar, and a build-up of toxins. Body wraps contain ingredients designed to draw out these excess fluids while restoring nutrients to skin cells.

Components of Body Wraps

The skin is first prepared by exfoliation with the assistance of mineral scrubs, exfoliating agents or body polishes. For instance, Dead Sea salt scrubs or citrus body polishes are frequently used before wraps are applied to remove dead skin cells and cellular debris.

A specific blend of ingredients is applied to the skin. Depending on the type of body wrap requested, the blend might contain clay, flax, seaweed, various herbs, and other plant-based ingredients. The client is usually instructed to lie flat on a massage table while the blend is applied and sealed although in some types of body wraps, such as the Suddenly Slender Wrap by Mirabella, the client remains upright and moving to increase circulation and generate body heat.

The blend is sealed with a layer of cellophane or foil so that the ingredients can penetrate the skin. A heating blanket is placed over the body to help the blend draw out impurities and restore minerals.

Once the blend is rinsed from the body, the skin is massaged with oils that help seal in the benefits derived from the wrap.

Types of Body Wraps

Herbal body wraps were originally introduced in Baden Baden, Germany to remove toxins from the body. Investigating the benefits of herbal wraps, researchers discovered that the herbal wrap also removed fatty material from the body, which resulted in a reduction in inches. The active herbal ingredients are reported to break down cellulite and reduce the size of fat cells by drawing fat from cells into the interstitial fluid. The herbal wrap is reported to produce results that last for at least 30 days. Toxins eventually build up again at a rate that’s increased by poor diets and a lack of exercise.

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Water elimination wraps are designed to remove excess fluid from tissues quickly. These wraps contain diuretics or other ingredients such as caffeine that facilitate fluid loss. Water elimination wraps cause effects similar to those of saunas. Although fluid loss is more impressive than that seen with herbal wraps, the results are only apparent for a few days.

Many spas also offer signature wraps designed exclusively for use at their facility. For instance, the Bliss Spas in New York City offer a wrap designed to remove cellulite. Some spas also combine hydrotherapy procedures that are followed by body wraps.

The history of body wraps

There is evidence of the use of poultices for the absorption of toxins and poisons even in pre-historic times from illustrated reference to the use of what must have been herbs and mosses. We know from hieroglyphs that Cleopatra used Nile clay poultices as skin treatments as well as her asses milk baths. In medieval times the mustard poultice was a common treatment for skin infections but the advent of chemical medicine at the turn of the 20th century saw the decline of many traditional therapies in favour of more modern pills and potions.

For a while conventional medicine denied that the epidermis was in any way porous and dismissed virtually all skin treatments as superficial. Most recently however this has been exposed as nonsense and the use of medicinal patches for all sorts of treatments, from nicotine addiction to pain relief, by the application of skin patches is common place and effective. With the use of penetration enhancers a number of medicines are already being administered in this way instead of by injection.

Beauty treatments like face masks and body wraps have relied on clay or mud poultices since Cleopatra’s days and many have been recently been enhanced for use in beauty salons. Salon body wraps were first introduced in 1960’s in USA and successfully provided instant visible inch loss to any part of the body within an hour or two.

Indeed a TV test first broadcast in the 1970s on the popular American Phil Donahue Show vividly demonstrated the inch loss capabilities of a full body wrap and the process became ingrained in the beauty culture of America and inevitably came to Europe shortly thereafter.

Unfortunately body wraps produced exclusively for salons were messy and cumbersome. Furthermore relatively few people could afford such luxurious treatments in beauty salons, whilst others wanted to continue treatments from the comfort of home and thus the home wrap was born.

Facial treatments

Code of practice 12

Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Practice (COP) is to support the policy decisions and conditions of licence adopted by the Council in respect of Special Treatments Establishments.

Scope

This COP details specific requirements for facial treatments in addition to those laid down in the Regulations applicable to all special treatment licensed premises.

Definitions

Facial

For the purposes of this COP facial treatment refers to treatment of the facial skin and/or the skin of the neck and upper torso including the shoulders that is designed to improve and/or maintain skin condition. The treatment usually incorporates cleansing, toning and moisturising stages as well as other optional stages that may include exfoliation, application of masks, extraction of comedones, massage, application of oils, lotions or creams, steam (or other heat treatment) and electrical stimuli.

Facial Steamer

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Equipment capable of producing water vapour that can be directed on to the client's face and can mounted on a moveable stand or be portable and used on a stand, worktop or trolley.

Client consultation

A full client consultation must be carried out and recorded at the time of the first visit. This must include:

Name and address of the client; Age – Clients under 16 years of age should be accompanied by a parent or guardian; Medical history:

o Pregnancy; o Heart disease/pacemaker; o Epilepsy; o Diabetes; o High or low blood pressure; o Allergies; o Taking blood thinning medication; o Haemophilia; o Hepatitis; o Concurrent drug treatments such as antihistamines, steroids;  o Skin conditions;  o Immuno-compromising conditions;  o Implants as a result of surgery/artificial joints; o Psychiatric disorders;  o Any other medical condition that may affect treatment.

Contra-indications noted and client referred to their GP for advice if required; Type of treatment requested and treatment plan; Risks and reactions to treatment discussed and recorded.

Roaccutane

Clients having received Roaccutane, or any other Vitamin A treatment for acne, should be referred to their GP before receiving facial treatments.

The record should be signed by the client, or guardian/parent of the client if under 16, as a declaration of agreement to treatment, having been advised of the risks.

A record of subsequent treatments and any contra-actions must be kept

Clients should be provided with suitable verbal and written aftercare advice.

If pre-existing conditions are declared or noted during the consultation, and fall outside the scope of the therapist's training, treatment should not be provided without the consent of the client's Doctor or other appropriate healthcare professional.

Infection control

Hand wash facilities should ideally be available within the treatment area. If the hand wash basin is outside the room the therapist will need to demonstrate through a process of risk assessment that hygiene and infection control are not compromised.

Liquid soap and hand drying facilities must be located by the hand wash basin.

A separate hand wash basin must be available within the toilet facilities.

Hands must be washed using liquid soap immediately prior to and after treatment

Couches, tables and trolleys must be wiped with a suitable disinfectant between clients. If towels are used a clean towel must be used for each client. Towels should be washed at 65°C or greater.

Couch roll should be changed between clients

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Whilst hand washing is vital to maintaining hygiene and infection control the therapist must have due regard to the risk of dermatitis and use appropriate products. (Further information available via the HSE & Habia websites).

Training

All therapists carrying out treatments detailed in this COP must hold a relevant professional qualification that is externally verified, specific to the treatment and meets current national occupational standards. Suitable qualifications include:

ITEC;  NVQ Level 2 (facials including steam but excluding electrical stimuli);  NVQ 3 (facials incorporating steam and/or electrical stimuli);  VTCT Level 2 (facials including steam but excluding electrical stimuli);  VTCT Level 3 (incorporating steam and/or electrical stimuli);  City & Guilds Level 3;  BTEC National Diploma in Beauty Therapy Sciences;  Cidesco;  CIBTAC Diplomas.

Practitioners who hold qualifications not listed above, or hold a qualification obtained abroad, will need to undertake a suitable course as listed above or have the qualification verified by a NVQ approved acquired learning assessor and the U.K. equivalent qualification awarded or apply for UK comparison through an organisation such as UK NARIC.

Therapists must not offer treatment types outside their area of qualification.

Aftercare

Clients must be advised of the possible after effects of treatments verbally and, for first time clients, in writing.

Provision must be made for clients to rest after treatment.

Review

This Code of Practice will be reviewed regularly and updated in light of current industry guidance and legal opinion. Any changes will be notified to licensees and will be attached as conditions to your licence with effect from the date of the next renewal of your licence.

Beauty Therapy transports us to a magical world of peace and bliss. Relaxation, rejuvenation, pampering and comfort are among the positive associations with beauty therapy. You relax to gentle background music, while you have your feet soaked and massaged. Your hands are pampered and your face is steamed and exfoliated to slough away old dead skins to allow for deep penetration of active ingredients. In the world of beauty therapy lines are erased, muscles are encouraged to unwind and let go, unwanted hair is removed and faces are healthy, glowing and happy. Thighs and bottoms are pummelled and detox therapies including lymph drainage are performed to reduce the lumps and bumps. Makeovers, longer thicker lashes, softer, smoother skin, minimized skin blemishes, glowing tan, longer nails and de-stress therapies are all the normal procedures performed in a day at the Beauty Salon, all in the name of personal care.

A Beauty Therapist also called an Aesthetician (UK) or Esthetician (USA) is a practitioner of specialized beauty therapy treatments. Beauty Therapy includes a multitude of face and body treatments performed in a salon or spa. Beauty therapy treatments differ from one salon to the next. General beauty therapy includes facials, Swedish massage, manicure, pedicures, waxing, lash and brow tinting, skin analysis, make-up application and skin care product recommendation.

Facials: This skin treatment involves deep cleansing, steaming, exfoliation, extractions, facial, neck and décolleté massage, treatment mask, moisturisation and SPF. Various facials are available such as: Claryfing Facial with or without Galvanic therapy, Collagen and Micro-current Anti-aging Facials.

Swedish massage: Swedish massage is a classic relaxation massage which uses  flowing strokes to massage. The basic strokes include efflerage, petrissage, tapotement and friction.Manicure:  The basic manicure consists of cleaning, filing and shaping, cuticle treatment, massage, buffing and polishing may be included and nail color application.

Pedicure: Pedicures includes soaking the feet, shaping and filing the nails, removing rough dry skin, massage, foot mask, cream and nail color application.

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Waxing: Waxing removes the hair by the root using warm wax and wax strips. Over time waxing weakens the hair bulb, therefore hair growth weakens and it takes longer to grow back.Lash and Brow Tinting: Enhancing eyes with darker lashes and they appear thicker and longer. Emphasise and frame eyes with darker brows. The tinting procedure takes about 15 minutes.

Brow Shaping: Brows are shaped to achieve the ideal arch shape to emphasise eyes and enhance the face.

Skin Analysis:  skin analysis is to assess skin type, skin condition, sun damage, assess current product use and the effects on the skin.

Skin care Product Recommendation:Beauty Therapists are also salespeople who advise on skin type and recommend skin care products. The beauty salon uses Professional salon only products with active deep penetrating ingredients for optimum results.A skin care regime will be designed and recommended for your home care maintenance. Your Therapist will help you understand your skin type and recommend proper skin care products for your skin. Whether you are concerned about acne, aging or pigmentation, we will give you the tools to achieve optimal results.

Make-up application: Make-up Makeover is a fun component of beauty therapy. Create new looks and transform features with the right application of contouring and highlighting foundation, eye shadow, blush, mascara, eye liner, lip color, powder and gloss.

Advanced Beauty Therapy: Specialized technique, method and equipment are often used in the beauty therapy industry, such as ozone therapy, galvanic current, micro-current, microdermabrasion, slimming devices, nail extensions, lash extensions and Ayurvedic (Ayurveda) therapies.

Also called an Aesthetician (UK) or Esthetician (USA). A Beauty Therapist is a practitioner of specialized skin and body care treatments. A wide range of treatments such as Facials, Hair removal, Massage, Aromatherapy, Manicures, Pedicures, Body wraps, Eye lash and Eyebrow tinting, and Make-up artistry along with Spa body treatments.

The specialist may complete advanced training for treatments such as machine operated treatments such as Microdermabrasion, Non- surgical facelifts and Faradic muscle tone , laser hair removal and electrolysis. The Beauty Therapist needs to know health and safety applications.

The beauty industry is vast and expanding . Alternative and Complementary therapies are often included within the beauty therapy realm such as Reflexology, Reiki, Nail Technology, Acupressure Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Spray Tanning, Ayurveda and Spa treatments. Beauty Therapy can be very broad and constantly changing as certain Beauty Salons and Spas incorporate Complementary Therapies in the pursuit of health and well-being.

Beauty Therapist love their job because they help their clients feel better about themselves. One of the best ways to promote a positive self-image is to help others.  As a Beauty Therapist it is part of your job to be well groomed, practice safety and client care. Beauty Therapists wear a uniform or conform to a particular dress code. Personal appearance is important- skin care, full make-up, neat short nails, minimal jewelry and tidy hair away from the face is the usual professional image for the Beauty Therapist. Positive body language, communication and attitude are all inclusive character traits of the skin, health and beauty therapist.

Treatments are designed to improve skin care and condition, and the work includes a range of electrotherapy treatments for face and body, all designed to help improve facial and body conditions. Being organised and on time is crucial, as well as having a relaxed and calm demeanour to set clients at ease. Beauty Therapist undergo training in skin structure and its functions, anatomy and physiology, Knowledge of Cosmetic Chemistry, communication, nutritional science, technology and applications of beauty equipment, product sales, and hundreds of hours of practical training.  Skin analysis skills and product knowledge is essential. It is important to be attentive to clients’ needs and aware of their expectations to ensure excellent results. Skin care products are crucial to any salon and spa, both when performing treatments and when advising clients regarding daily and specialist skin care. A beauty therapist needs to know each product with each range. She will need to explain to clients how to use the product, when to use the product and what are the benefits, advantage and expected results.

Touch is an integral part of beauty therapy especially with massage, so it needs to be appropriate and carried out in a professional manner. Massage has been recognised as being beneficial and healing. Beauty therapist learn about client modesty, draping techniques and client care and comfort.

Beauty Therapist can work in Beauty Salons; Day Spas, Wellness Centres, Destination Resorts and Retreats, or travel the world working on cruise ships; for major Skincare & Cosmetic brands in many roles such as Training, Sales or Marketing, as a beauty journalist for the growing number of publications and online media, and a Beauty Therapist may go on to manage and own their own successful beauty salons.

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Masks are chosen according to skin type and intended purpose. A mask may be used to cleanse or refine the skin, minimise pores, remove excess oiliness, or to enhance the penetration of active ingredients and feed the skin. A mask is applied after the skin has been deep cleaned with a cleanser and exfoliation product. The mask is thinly applied with an applicator brush or finger tips.

 

A Variety of Masks is available:

Clay and Mud Masks Non-setting Gel, paste or Cream Masks (Hydrating and Nourishing) Phytotherapy Masks (fruit, plant and herb based) Peel-off Masks Thermal Masks Warm oil and Paraffin Masks Biological Emulsion Mask (active ingredients such as liposomes, nanoparticles) Infra-red Specialist Mask

 

Masks Effects and Benefits

* The effects and action are dependent on the Mask formulation. * Deep cleansing * Refining and pore minimising * Stabilise the skins PH level * Astringent and anti-bacterial effects * Soothe and calm to reduce irritation * Hydrate and Moisturise (water) * Feed and Nourish (oil) * Increased cellular activity * Remove excess oiliness * Brighten skin tone * Refresh the skin

 

Mask Application

Directly after cleansing and exfoliation (scrub) the skin is dried and the mask is applied.

With an applicator brush or fingertips the mask is applied to the neck. Then moving up onto the face starting at the jawline applied from the centre of the face outwards. Apply to nose, cheeks and forehead.

Avoid the lips, nostrils brows and eye area.

Two masks may be applied to a combination skin.

Tell the client about any expected reaction, such as tightening of the mask, tingling etc. Explain the  purpose of the mask and the beneficial effects of the mask.

Apply eye gel or eye mask and eye pads and allow the client to rest for 10 to 20 minutes while the mask is activated.

Tell the client when you are going to remove the mask. Remove the eye pads. Apply a warm compress to pre-moisten and gently assist in removing the mask. Damp sponges and cottonwool will remove the remaining mask.

Apply toner and moisturiser.

*Note* Specialist mask may require gauze or ampoule application prior to application. Active ingredients may need to be blended just before application. * Always read manufacturer’s directions for mask application. 

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How to Blend a Clay Mask

Use clay which is appropriate for the specific skin type. As a rough guide yellow clay for oily skin, green clay for dry skin, pink clay for sensitive skin, red clay for mature skin.

To activate the minerals in clay a nutritive wetting agent is required.

Popular Active wetting agents:

Nourishing Oils such as jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, emu, avocado or apricot kernel.

Floral waters or hydrosol such as Rose water, orange, neroli or witch hazel

Humectant (preserves the moisture or water content of the skin) such as glycerol/glycerine, lactic acid. 

Peel-Off Mask

They are applied to the skin in liquid form, allowed to dry, and then peeled off. As they dry, the liquid sets into a flexible “second skin” with a soft latex rubbery feel and appearance. The mask bonds with dulling dead skin, dirt, and sebum. A peel-off mask helps to unclog pores and remove blackheads. Peel-off masks give a luster and luminosity to the skin. Peel-off mask may be ready to use, or may require blending with water to form a paste. There are a variety of peel-off masks available. They are often used for pigmentation, whitening and blackhead removal and to slough away dead skin cells. 

Infra-red Warm Oil Specialist Masks

Mature and Dry skin can benefit from warm oil Mask using infra-red rays. The heat helps with the deep penetration of the oil and the therapeutic effect of the infra-red heat stimulates skin regeneration. The skin has the ability to absorb infrared light and use it as a source of energy to stimulate cellular regeneration. It accelerates blood circulation, increases the oxygen supply and stimulates the normal cell production.

After cleansing and exfoliation, warm facial oil is applied to the neck and face with gauze which has been soaked in the oil.

The infrared rays are directed at the face usually between 50cm and 1 m (18in-3feet) according to the sensitivity of the lamp and the sensitivity of the skin. The light emission is in position for 10 – 20 minutes.

The gauze is removed and the excess oil is massaged into the skin. Any remaining oil is blotted off with a tissue. A mild toner is sprayed onto the skin. Warn the client to expect a cool mist of toner. Apply moisturiser.

Paraben free products have been around forever, but have only gained attention in recent years.  In 2004, researchers announced that parabens had been found in high concentrations in breast cancer tumors.  Attempts to explain the significance of those findings are still ongoing.

The chemicals are used as preservatives.  While there are a few naturally occurring parabens, they are not used commercially.  All of the parabens found in personal care products, foods and other commercial goods are created synthetically.

A number of different companies produce the chemicals.  The process is relatively simple.  Para-hydroxybenzoic acid is combined with one or more types of alcohol to create them.  Those compounds are synthesized from other chemicals.  One is Triethylamine.

Some of the adverse health effects of these chemicals are well known.  For example, Triethylamine I known to cause swelling of the cornea, the clear membrane that covers the eye.  Irritation of the lungs and nasal passages occurs when the substance is inhaled on a frequent basis.  In animal studies, the chemical has been shown to cause liver, kidney and heart damage.

Most people use shampoo, body wash, perfume, deodorant, lotion and similar products on a daily basis.  Unless they are all paraben free, they are exposed to Triethylamine on a daily basis from many different products.

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Parabens have been widely accepted as safe and non-toxic.  Animal studies have provided the basis for this belief.  But the metabolism of a rat is quite different from that of a human.

The rat’s metabolism quickly metabolizes toxins disposes of them as waste.  Toxins are known to accumulate in human organs and tissues.  So, it should really come as no surprise that “safe” parabens were found in breast cancer tumors.

We might not know everything there is to know about the need for paraben free products.  But there are some things we do know.

Parabens are common allergens.  The allergic reaction caused in people with sensitive skin is not as severe as that caused by other artificial preservatives, but there is a reaction.

People can become more sensitive to the chemicals as time goes by.  If products containing them are used on broken or damaged skin, there is a greater risk of adverse reaction, which usually includes burning, itching and irritation.  This is the reason for the product advisement; not to be used on broken or damaged skin.

People with a history of food allergies are advised to buy only paraben free foods.  The allergic reactions caused by ingesting the chemicals are believed by some experts to be greater than those caused by applying them to the skin’s surface.  Some researchers disagree with that.

Allergic reactions are acute.  They happen quickly and suddenly.  They often resolve on their own very quickly.  There is more concern about chronic or long-term health effects, which are not immediately apparent and often cannot be traced to a single cause.

The parabens found in the tumors are known to be the ones commonly found in antiperspirants and other skincare products.  That is something the scientists know.  So they were absorbed through the skin and not ingested through eating.

The best suggestion is to always shop for paraben free products.  There is no reason to buy products containing them.  Safe and natural alternatives are available now, just as they have always been.

Haute couture aka high end prestige skin care products are easily imitated by incorporating trendy ingredients into a base cream such as Marine-derived ingredients, Epidermal growth factor, Neuro-Peptides, Blue Lotus Extract and Pomegranate extract. You can purchase potent active ingredients to super charge your creams and moisturizers. A little goes a long way - literally a few drops per ounce.

Base Cream Recipe

This simple cream can be used to carry active ingredients, essential oils and herbal extracts for external application. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Ingredients

8g/2tsp beeswax (granules or grated)

10g cocoa butter

30ml/2tbsp almond oil

15ml/1tbsp wheatgerm oil

45ml/11/2 fl oz/3tbsp spring water

tsp borax

Method

1. Heat the beeswax, cocoa butter and base oils together in a bowl over a saucepan of water until the ingredients have melted.

2. Warm the spring water in a saucepan and dissolve the borax in it. 3. Take the oily mixture off the heat. Slowly add the spring water mixture to the oily mixture and stir until cool.

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4. Add the essential oils or herbal tincture. Store is a dark glass jar in the refrigerator.

This recipe makes approximately 100g/3.5 oz.

When blending your own skin care, you may be tempted to think that more is better, but when you are using 3 or 4 active in one cream, you are really overdoing it. You will just irritate the skin. A fruit juice contains 90% water. If you added too much fruit concentrate, it would be too sweet and acidic and spoilt. The same applies to skin care. Too much actives and the product doesn't blend well and it burns the skin and its money down the drain. Too many active ingredients counteract the effectiveness of the product. When using an active ingredient, it is important to use only the exact amount specified on the direction.

Top skin care lines and brands are imitated by incorporating active ingredients into a base cream such as:

Marine-derived ingredients(seaweed, kelp) Active ingredients found in La Prairie, Le Mer Creme

Epidermal growth factor, found in Celebrity facialist, Tracie Martyn's products and RVive skin care.

Neuro-Peptides, Available in Dr. Nicholas Perricone Skin care products.

Blue Lotus Extract, featured in Ella Bach skin care.

Pomegranate extract found in certain Dr Murad products.

The skin care giants spend a fortune on marketing, gorgeous models, endorsements, glossy ads and packaging. At a fraction of the cost you can handcraft and customise your own brand new signature blends or improve existing products by adding a touch of magical actives, with a twist of aloe, or a few drops of hi-tech proteins and a dash of antioxidants.

Where can I buy Active Ingredients to Formulate my own Products? Active Ingredient Stockists

From trendy hair salons to corner barber shops, this comprehensive guide will show you how to start the salon or day spa you've always dreamed of.

Editor's note: This article was excerpted from our Salon or Day Spa start-up guide, available from SmallBizBooks.com.

Since the dawn of the new millennium, the stock market has been in a freefall and the economy has been in the doldrums. But it was a good time to start a hair salon and day spa--and it still is today.

According to Modern Salon/Vance Publishing, total salon industry revenue is predicted to be $3.4 billion in 2005, up 11.8 percent from 2002. How is it possible for a service sector like the beauty industry to continue to grow, given the state of the economy? No doubt because many of the services offered by salons simply cannot be duplicated at home--or at least not duplicated well. In addition, in an age where people freely shell out $59.95 a month for unlimited cellular service or hundreds of dollars to lease the latest SUV model with the most bells and whistles, the price of a haircut probably doesn't seem very high considering the lift it can give your spirits. Also, the baby boomers, who now constitute the largest population segment in America, are more than willing and are financially able to spend money on any personal care service they perceive will make them look younger and more attractive.

What all this prosperity means to you is that the prospects for people who own personal care businesses are bright. The 2003 Job Demand Survey, distributed by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, indicated that average total income (including tips) for salon owners was $53,150 in 2002, although it's possible to earn much more depending on where and how you do business.

(And just as a side note: When we say "salon" throughout this article, we mean salon and day spa, as the title of the start-up kit indicates. Since the tools necessary to open both are basically the same, it seemed redundant to say "salon/spa" over and over.)

The Opportunities

There are three ways you can make your mark on the hair industry. You can open a franchise hair salon, in which you pay money upfront for the privilege of opening that salon using someone else's established name (which gives you an instant reputation) and its resources (like advertising campaigns). You can buy an established salon from someone who is retiring from the business, has tired of the business, or has damaged the business and forced it into bankruptcy (all three happen every

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day). A third option is to establish your own salon using your own money, your own ingenuity and your own optimism that hard work and talent will win out.

There's one more option that bears mentioning here because it's so prevalent in the beauty business. Booth rental salons are owned by a person (or persons) who is basically the landlord for a group of hairstylists and other service providers working under his or her roof. As the landlord, the salon owner/operator collects a flat monthly fee from the service providers, for which they have the privilege of using salon space and nonremovable equipment like a styling station and chair. The renters, in turn, are considered independent contractors who must provide their own supplies (everything from hair dryers to perm rods), set their own hours, book their own appointments and have their own key to the building.

To begin with, you must consider your hours of operation carefully so you can accommodate the maximum number of clients during the business day. You undoubtedly already know that the beauty business isn't a 9-to-5 kind of industry. Salons are now open seven days a week and on some of the traditional holidays, and their hours may be extended around prom time or during peak wedding season. What has driven this demand has been the proliferation of two--income couples who manage the demands of raising a family while juggling careers and managing their own personal business. So while it wasn't so long ago that people wouldn't even consider getting a haircut on Sunday, salon hours on Sunday are now a must (even if on an abbreviated schedule). Even day spas are open on Sundays, since this may be the only time during the week that a busy career mom can get away for some personal pampering.

Typically, hair salons in metropolitan areas are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, unless the owners are enlightened and add those Sunday hours mentioned above, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in smaller communities. By design, Sunday and holiday hours often are the same as those of local retailers like malls and department stores, and they generally run from noon to 5 p.m. Lunch hours and early evening hours tend to be the busiest times for salons. You might also need to have special hours to accommodate special needs. For example, if you do a lot of wedding work, you'll probably have to be open earlier on Saturday mornings, say at 8 a.m., for the brides who have to get to church for a 10 a.m. service.

Pricing

Another important part of your salon development plan is the appropriate pricing of your services. Set prices too high, and you'll limit the number of people who can afford them; set them too low, and you'll limit your profit potential and possibly put the business at risk. Of course, the price the market will bear is very much dependent on the demographics of your service area. If you're in an upscale area with larger homes occupied by people with more disposable income, you can price your services accordingly and even offer high-end spa services. But if the surrounding community is peopled by young working families, you'll have to forego the spa services (or offer no more than the bare minimum) and concentrate instead on basic haircutting and color services that are affordably priced.

When setting prices, you must consider the three factors that will influence your prices: labor and supplies, overhead, and profit. Labor costs for salons include salary and benefits costs for both your stylist/spa staff and administrative people (including your manager, receptionist and other support staff). Your own salary is included as a part of this cost. This cost is generally expressed as a price per hour and can vary depending on the amount of time it takes your employees to cut hair or perform other services.

Next, you need to consider your overhead costs, which consist of all costs required to operate the business other than labor. This includes your mortgage or lease payment, utilities, and so on. It's reasonable to estimate that your overhead will be from 40 to 50 percent of your labor and materials cost. (This figure can be adjusted later as you accumulate financial data.) So let's say when you tally up all your labor and materials costs for the year, you arrive at a figure of $100,000. Your estimated overhead expenses (at 45 percent) would be $45,000. This would give you an overhead rate of 45 percent.

The last part of the pricing equation is profit. Salon owners generally can expect to have a net profit of 11 to 15 percent (although you can certainly make this profit figure higher or lower as you see fit). To arrive at the net profit you want, you have to add a markup percentage factor to your services so you'll arrive at the approximate gross amount you'll earn.

One way to simplify the process of setting prices to the extreme is to figure out how much the salon needs to make for the year and do the math to arrive there. For instance, let's assume you want the salon to make $52,000 per year. Here are the calculations you'd use to figure out your prices:

$52,000/52 weeks = $1,000 per week

$1,000/100 hours the salon is open each week = $10/hr

Add a 10 percent profit margin = $11/hr

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On the hair salon side, the most sought-after service is, of course, haircutting and styling. This includes everything from styles created with a blow dryer, curling iron or hand scrunching to tried-and-true roller/dryer sets for the "mature" clientele. Popular color services include highlighting, lowlighting, glazing, corrective coloring, dimensional special effects, and hair and scalp treatments. Texture services include permanent waves, partial or spot perms, spiral perms and anti-curl treatments. Braiding, which has made a strong comeback in many parts of the country, falls into a category of its own. Finally, special occasion hairstyling, for events like proms and weddings, round out the typical hair services menu.

Although technically it's an aesthetic service, nail and foot care is often offered in hair salons. Nail services include:

Manicures (both traditional and French manicures) Pedicures Nail wrapping Acrylic nail application Sculpted nail application Nail tipping Paraffin treatments Skin exfoliation and hand/foot massage are often part of the manicure and pedicure processes.

Whether you offer nail services is entirely dependent on the size of your salon and whether you can afford both the equipment and the salary of a nail technician at the outset. Today's nail client is used to visiting shops devoted only to nail services, so she won't be surprised if you don't offer manicures, acrylic nails and tipping. But you may be able to get her to leave her regular manicurist if she sees that you're offering the same service at your cool new salon. At the very least, you should offer haircuts and styling, basic perms, straightening treatments and highlighting.

Types of Spa Services

As mentioned before, spa services are a rapidly growing segment of the personal care industry. The range of services is truly dazzling, but basically, aesthetic services offered at a day spa fall into three categories: skin and body care, hair removal and makeup. (Technically, there is a fourth category--nail services--but as we just mentioned, nail services have crossed over into the beauty mainstream and are no longer considered just a spa service. However, when offered in a spa setting, nail services tend to be higher priced than in a salon.) Skin and body care spa services include:

Facials and body exfoliation (which may involve the use of salt glows, body polish, enzyme peels, and body masks like mud or paraffin)

Massage (full body massage, facial and/or hand/foot massage) Wraps and packs (used to combat cellulite and reduce water retention) Hydrotherapy treatments (whirlpool baths, Scotch hose--a type of massage that uses a hose to direct streams of

water on the client to improve circulation--and hot tub treatments) Body tanning (self-tanners and tanning beds) Hair-removal services include: Electrolysis Waxing (face, legs, arms, bikini, back and underarms) Eyebrow arching Makeup services include: Cosmetics application Color analysis Eyelash tinting Eyebrow tinting Ear piercing

When determining which of these spa services to offer, it's important to weigh factors like equipment cost against potential profitability. For instance, you may want to offer hydrotherapy in your new day spa. But hydrotherapy services require the greatest outlay of cash for equipment and facility development. So it might be a better idea to limit your spa services initially to massage (which doesn't require as much equipment) and/or facials.

Another important factor to consider when deciding which spa services you'll offer is that many of them require a wet room. This includes the hydrotherapies mentioned above, as well as any body masks, exfoliation treatments and other body treatments that must be rinsed off after application. Even if you decide not to offer hydro services when you first open, you should at least plan to include a wet room in your initial plans or you'll always be limited to "dry" services--unless, of course, you move to new digs or expand your existing location.

Because the concept of a day spa implies a day of pampering similar to what you might enjoy on a spa vacation or a cruise ship, it's common for spa owners to offer packages of services. Generally speaking, packages should consist of at least three

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complementary services, or in the case of hydrotherapy treatments, one hydro service and up to four "dry" services. Spa industry insiders recommend offering half-day packages that run about three hours and full-day, five-hour packages that include 30 minutes to an hour for a light lunch.

A Day in the Life

Even though no two days tend to be alike for salon owners because the needs of their clients (not to mention their employees) vary so widely, there are certain tasks you can expect to perform on a regular basis. To begin with, you'll probably spend a lot of time on the telephone every day, helping to book appointments, ordering supplies, talking to salespeople, arranging for in-shop or offsite training, and so on. You'll also have to make up work schedules (then juggle them to accommodate employees' scheduled time off and personal needs), track receivables, monitor costs, dream up new advertising and marketing strategies, and possibly create daily or weekly specials that can be emailed to your regular customers to lure them in for additional services. On the personnel side, you'll hire new employees, visit beauty schools to troll for hot prospects, conduct performance reviews, mentor young stylists and/or aesthetics technicians with minimal experience, consult with stylists or colorists whose efforts go awry, and mediate when tempers flare between staff members. And of course, if you're also a licensed practicing cosmetologist, you'll be styling hair, applying color and rolling perms.

Sounds like a lot for one person to do, doesn't it? Well, it is--and that's why many salon owners (even those whose salons are quite small) often hire a salon manager to take over some of the administrative duties. This is a particularly good idea if you intend to continue to work behind the chair, since hairstyling chores alone can take up a lot of your time every day. And while it's possible to slip in some administrative work while you're waiting for someone's perm to process or a late client to arrive, it can be difficult to switch gears and give administrative tasks like balancing the books the full concentration they need.

The main thing that will influence business in your salon will be economics. After all, when the economy is riding high, people are willing and able to spend money on more expensive salon services, services that can easily be done at home, and luxury spa services like full-body massage and body wraps. But when the economy is slumping, those services may be considered a luxury rather than a necessity. As a result, customers may cut back on the frequency of their salon visits, or they may opt only for the basic services provided by one of the budget-conscious national chains.

One way to avoid being caught up a creek without a paddle is to research your target market's economic base carefully. If you've done your market research well so far, you already have some idea of the average income levels in your neighborhood. Now you need to look at data like the percentage of people who are employed full time and the types of jobs they hold. If the local market is driven by a lot of blue-collar, heavy industry jobs, a downturn in the economy could make cash tight and affect your ability to keep customers. Luckily, most people still use salon services, even if it's just for a basic cut, when times are tough, but they may go longer between services. So make a phone call to your city's economic development office now to get a handle on the health of local industry.

Your Salon's Website

Just as you'll access other companies' websites for information about their products and services, you'll want both prospective and repeat clients to be able to find you in cyberspace. Your website will be crucial to your marketing efforts and can be used for everything from posting your hours and driving directions to selling salon services.

Spas come off particularly well in a cyber tour. Well-decorated private treatment rooms can communicate a feeling of soothing relaxation even on screen, while suggesting that a resort-style oasis of serene tranquility is no more than a phone call away.

Because your Website is virtual advertising that's available on demand 24 hours a day, it's important to spend a fair amount of time considering what it should say. (We're assuming that your site will be an "online brochure" with multiple pages rather than an electronic business card.) The best way to determine content is by thinking like a customer and answering the questions you think he or she would have when searching for a new salon or spa. Here are examples of the kinds of questions a prospective salon/spa customer might have:

Salon

Do you provide initial consultations? Is there a charge? Can you give me the same hairstyle as (name of celebrity)? What's the latest look? Are your stylists experienced? Where did they study/train? What do your services cost? Do you sell gift certificates? What hair-care product lines do you carry?

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Which credit/debit cards do you accept? Where are you located? What are your hours? How can I reach you?

 

Spa

Are your spa employees licensed? Are your masseuses male or female? Are hyrdo treatments better than massage? How do you sanitize your equipment? How long will my treatment take? What do you charge? May I take a tour of your facility?

Choosing a location for your salon is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the early stages of establishing your new business. Obviously, you'll want to locate it in an area that's easily accessible by highway or byway, with plenty of traffic (both foot and the four-wheeled variety) and parking. The surrounding area should be attractive, well-lighted and safe. There should also be other retail businesses nearby (as opposed to commercial areas like industrial parks or a regional airport) because they can generate business for you even as they attract customers through their own doors.

Typically, salons operate out of three types of establishments: Free-standing buildings, storefront properties and shopping centers like strip malls. Occasionally, salons are located in malls, but it's actually more common for them to operate out of a free-standing building located on the perimeter or an "outlot" of the mall property because the rent is so high inside the mall. They're also sometimes found on the ground floor of office buildings in large metropolitan areas where there is a significant amount of foot traffic during the business day. However, such locations may not be optimal if they're in an urban area that doesn't have much traffic in the evenings or on weekends.

There's one other type of property that deserves serious consideration when you're looking for a place to set up shop. A facility that once served as a beauty salon may be a good choice for your new location. The good news is, a lot of the infrastructure you'll need, including extra plumbing, special electrical outlets, and maybe even fixtures like salon stations and the reception desk, may already be onsite and available for purchase with the building. The bad news is, there might be a really good reason why the salon closed, like there's too much competition in the area, the location is crummy, or the previous owner had a poor reputation among clients and in the community. The same goes for a salon that's currently in business but is up for sale.

Size of Your Shop

Salons usually range from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, although small spaces can be considerably smaller (fewer than 1,000 square feet). You'll need four separate areas in your hair salon: Reception and retail, shampoo, cutting/service, and storage. The largest of these, of course, should be your salon services area, which should take up about 50 percent of the floor space. About 20 percent of the space should be allotted for retail/reception, 10 percent for the shampoo area, and the remaining 20 percent for storage and an employee break/lunch room area. The employee/client restroom and your office also should be located in this area. If space permits, you may wish to provide a one-person changing room for customers who are having treatments like color or perms. Otherwise, the restroom can serve as a changing room. Be sure to put a large hamper in the changing room/bathroom for collecting soiled smocks. Any retail products you sell should be displayed in the reception area and placed near the cash register for easy access.

The shampoo area is usually located toward the back of the salon and is equipped with shampoo sinks (either free-standing or affixed to the wall) and chairs. Each station should also have a "back bar," or cabinet, for storing products used in the salon, like shampoos, conditioners and deep-conditioning treatments. Naturally, these should be the same products you sell in the retail area, and your stylists should be trained to discuss each product used with the client as a way to spur sales.

Layout

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If you decide to include spa services as part of your salon, then the overall layout of your salon should be created by a professional designer or an architect. That's because unlike a hair salon, which tends to be a large open area with few partitions or walls, a spa needs to be somewhat compartmentalized. However, if you've worked in or visited enough spas in the course of your career, or you have good visualization skills, you may already have a good idea of how you want your spa to look. In that case, it may be possible to work with a draftsperson to draw up plans for the spa, and then hire someone to build the space for you.

Spas are usually divided into a series of rooms that are used as changing and showering facilities, treatment rooms, consultation rooms (for discussing treatment options and post-treatment care), and so on. The consultation room may also be used as an office when not in use by an aesthetician and a client, although we'll assume you will have your main office in the salon area. There also should be a retail area that's separate from the hair salon's retail area (so customers aren't confused or distracted by products that don't relate to spa items). The spa and the salon can share a reception area, however, as long as it's centrally located and easily accessible to both sides of the business. Ideally, the reception area will be in the center, with the salon and the spa radiating out to either side. If possible, incorporate a supply room into your spa area. If that's not possible, spa products can share storage space with salon products, but strive to keep them separate and organized for easy accessibility.

Separate treatment rooms are needed for wet and dry services. While good overhead lighting is needed in treatment rooms both before and after services are rendered, it should be softly diffused. During procedures like massage and hydrotherapy, the overhead lights should be turned off and an alternate, softer light source should be turned on to create an atmosphere of relaxation and peace. Adequate ventilation is also a must, as is hot and cold running water so aestheticians can mix dry products or dampen towels during treatment without leaving the room. Finally, the treatment room should have its own sound system, on which relaxing music or nature's sounds should be played. No rap or heavy metal!

One of the more challenging aspects of being a salon owner will be hiring and retaining good employees. This can seem like a daunting task, not just because both of these responsibilities can be very time-consuming, but also because there's so much riding on employees' skills. After all, your employees will be the front-line representatives of the business you have lovingly and painstakingly cobbled out of little more than some loans, some ingenuity and a lot of "shear" determination. Their ability and talent, as well as their attitudes and work ethic, will influence every aspect of the business, from client retention rate to the bottom line.

Here's a rundown of the salon and spa employees you're likely to need for the day-to-day functioning of your new business.

Owner/Operator. You're an employee, too, so you're first on the list. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include overseeing operations, making sure customer service is a top priority, making financial decisions, checking salon product and retail product inventory, handling personnel matters, hiring new staff, and assessing employee performance. All of this is in addition to providing salon services if you're a licensed, practicing cosmetologist.

Salon Manager. While it may be tempting to try to undertake all the management tasks of the new salon yourself rather than hiring a salon manager, try to resist the urge. Unless your salon is extremely small, the price you'll pay for a manager's salary is worth it. The manager can handle myriad tasks like paperwork, record-keeping, employee scheduling and purchasing. He or she will also oversee salon maintenance and handle facility management issues. This person should have the authority to act on your behalf in your absence long-term success."

Hairstylist/Cosmetologist. Your stylists are at the heart of your salon staff. Every state requires stylists to be licensed cosmetologists, so you'll want to check their credentials when they apply for a job. A cosmetology license typically allows the holder to cut and color hair and give manicures and facials. Ordinarily, additional licensing is necessary for services like massage therapy, but it's possible your cosmetologist will be permitted to give hand and foot massages without extra licenses. Check with your state's board of cosmetology to see what the requirements are.

Shampoo/Salon Assistant. This is the person who shampoos clients' hair while the stylist is finishing up another client. He or she may also fold towels, sweep up hair clippings and provide other general assistance around the shop. Often these assistants are newly minted cosmetology graduates who are looking for experience in the industry, or licensed assistants who haven't yet completed enough hours to become a fully licensed stylist.

Receptionist. In addition to greeting customers as they arrive, the receptionist answers the phone, books appointments, gives directions, cashes out customers and performs various other customer service duties like making coffee or even hanging up coats for clients.

Manicurist. As previously noted, the manicurist may be part of either the hair salon or spa staff. This professional provides services like manicures, pedicures and acrylic nail application and tipping and must be a licensed cosmetologist.

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Aesthetician. This is one of the most skilled people on your spa staff. Aestheticians hold a special license from the state so they can provide services like facials, waxing, massage and other specialty body-care services like Scotch hose therapy. Quite often this person also does makeup consultations and application, especially if there's not room in the budget to hire a dedicated makeup artist.

Massage Therapist. Although an aesthetician can provide many massage services, a massage therapist has a higher level of training and additional expertise. Most states require these professionals to hold a massage therapist license

Electrologist. This person provides hair removal services and needs an electrologist license in many states.

Independent Contractors. The independent contractor is a person who is not on your payroll but provides certain services in your salon, including hairstyling and manicuring. This type of business arrangement most commonly occurs when a cosmetologist rents space from you (known as booth rental), but is responsible for everything from buying his or her own tools and supplies to paying taxes on earned income

For an industry that offers such specialized services, it's amazing how much information there is in print and in cyberspace about both the hair salon and the day spa industries. The Internet is an especially rich source of background information, business tips and marketing know-how, much of which is posted by people who are themselves in the industry. We've presented some useful resources here, but the list is by no means exhaustive. Also, please note that all contact information was current and accurate at the time of publication.

“Create a Unique Salon Experience and Build Client Loyalty”

We all know that Customer Service is important. But what exactly does Customer/Client Service mean? Does it mean getting the Client what they want with a smile? Is it ensuring a client is satisfied and her needs are met?

Did you know that most clients go to a competitor Salon, because of a Therapist’s attitude? Often Beauty Salons are overbooked. Clients are kept waiting and their appointments are rushed and they are solicited for further product sales and add on treatments and quickly pushed out the door. Many clients treated this way will never return to your Salon. Realise the importance of clients. Without clients you have no business. Clients expect client service, in other words, the standard no waiting, general procedure of carrying out your job competently. When you take this a step further you create a whole new dimension in the Salon Experience.

When you offer something extra: a cup of coffee, a chat, a joke, ask your clients about their life, work, children etc. Always make special notes on your client cards. If your client mentions spouses name or children’s sports, interesting events, etc. Make a note. Next time you make a point of asking about them. Without fail your clients will be impressed that you remembered.

Lets pretend for a moment:

You are welcomed into an Exclusive and Luxurious Salon where you are addressed by your name (many times). You talk about yourself. You feel comfortable opening up to the Beauty Therapist. You laugh as the Therapist tells you something funny. You are surprised that your Therapist remembers you went on holiday and she asks whether you enjoyed it. You admire the beautiful Art, the tall and elegant arrangement of flowers. (No pictures of anatomy and skin care products.)

You are offered a Cappuccino/Herbal tea/Mineral Water.

The Therapist enquires, “Are you warm enough? Comfortable?” You can tell the Therapist is highly skilled and you feel confident in her ability. She discusses your concerns.

You settle in and are transported to a relaxing atmosphere. There’s soft deeply relaxing music playing; the skin care products bring forth a fresh and amazing scent. Your muscles “melt” and you feel the tension dissipate at the touch of the Therapist.

Not only do you feel like a VIP, but also you are left with outstanding treatment results. You understood how the home care products will advance the results you obtained in the salon. You wish you could stay all day and you know you will never go elsewhere ...

When you strive to make the Clients time with you unforgettable and deliver the ultimate goal of client experience; this is when you move from client service to client experience. Client Experience leads to Client Loyalty.Do you really care about your clients?

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When clients have a bad salon experience they feel they have lost money.

When the client get satisfactory service they feel they have spent money.

When they feel good about the experience and would like to return they feel it is worth exchanging money for the Experience they received at your salon.

I’ve never come across a Beauty Therapist who asks her clients how she could improve the service. When you know exactly what your client wants, then you can deliver the ultimate client experience. Client Experience leads to Client Loyalty.

Many Salons claim that waxing is their most popular service. I know a Therapist who solely has a waxing clientele. After each and every wax she not only applies Post Epilation lotion; she massages the area too. Her clients love it and they have been loyal clients for many, many years. If they were to go elsewhere they would feel cheated, as they would miss out on the lovely massage. Waxing is certainly not classified as a pleasurable treatment, yet she soothes their pain and makes up for it with the massage and her clients feel it was worth it.

When a client makes a request, do you tell her it’s not your policy? Clients are the lifeblood of your business, and it is your business to keep them happy, right? This may mean customising your service to there needs. Some clients want to chat, some want complete silence. Give them what they want. You client may recommend you do not use sponges on her skin, she would prefer cotton wool. So be it. I have seen Therapist refuse these requests. They use excuses that sponges are the standard treatment. We are a franchise and if you were to go to any of our salons you would receive the same standard treatment. When you ignore request, you reject your client’s need, and they do not feel satisfied. When you go the extra mile, clients appreciate it and reward you will their loyalty to your business.

When you go beyond the expected or meet client requests you show you care. When you treat clients like they are special, they will be back again for your special treatment. Search for unmet needs. Ask you clients how you can be of greater assistance. You clients can only be impressed when you make extra effort to meet their needs and wants.

If a celebrity were to visit your salon, would you go to extra effort? Would you be friendlier, more helpful? Would you give it your best effort? Treat every client like a celebrity.

What makes you Special?

Developing a Beauty Salon and Spa concept can be seen as getting rid of labels. I’m a beauty therapist, can be interpreted as an array of labels. For example, she is a beautician, or a facialist, or a make-up artist, beauty consultant etc. People have preconceived ideas about what a beauty therapist is and does. Likewise if you say I do facials. The person you are speaking to may have had a freebie Avon facial many years ago, where someone rubbed on products and applied make-up. Now she assumes that this is what ALL facials are like. Do you see the danger in using general statements like beauty salon/beauty therapist/facialist etc? It is of no use to develop a brand new concept in facials, yet you are still calling it a Facial. Your potential clients will not understand that this is something Different!

The most successful Skin Care experts give there treatments brand new names. Their facial may not even be hugely different to another facial, but they create marketing concepts to differentiate themselves from other beauty businesses. Why? Without a concept, you ARE just another beauty therapist or just another beauty salon.

Exclusive Brands, Treatments, Techniques and Products

Jeanne Piaubert created her own exclusive treatment methods. She developed her own personalised three step approach comprising firstly of mechanical and manual techniques; secondly various electro aesthetic currents and thirdly high-tech products. Her exclusive take on customising her treatments and teaching specialised home care methods has given her much success and publicity.

Your focus may be acne treatments, in which case you would develop a marketing concept for corrective skin care, the solution for problem skin. The solution may encompass in-house specialist anti-acne treatments with prescribed home remedies for inner and outer skin care. An acne concept may encompass light therapy, to treat acne, reduce sebum production and kill bacteria. An acne concept would incorporate persuasive words such as clear skin, remove scars, and reduce beak-outs; before and after photos of actual clients including a description of the healing process including price.

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Get in Touch with your Core Business

Therapists often run in circles trying to add new modalities to their business. The one day it is cellulite wraps, the next they are sold on sunless tanning and they are looking into a new massage technique. It is all very confusing. It will drive you crazy always thinking there is something better. What ends up happening, is multiple micro-businesses under one roof. Get in touch with your core business and stick to it. Create your concept around your core business. It is easier to define your business and build your concept when your heart is at the core of your business. When you become clear about your passion, and focus your effort in one direction, you become clear about who your client is and exactly how you can help them. With a single focus you can find clarity in your marketing concept. Once you are clear on your core focus, you can continue to tweak and build on your skills and add to the service you provide for your clients.

Pay

Pay for make-up artists varies depending on where they work, the number of clients they have, whether they are self-employed, and their level of experience.

As an apprentice or assistant make-up artist, you can expect to earn the minimum wage. Experienced make-up artists working on smaller budget films and productions will probably earn less than $500 a

week. Make-up artists with a number of years' experience working on a can earn up to $2,500 a week. For make-up artists at salons or cosmetic companies, pay can start from the minimum wage and go up to $50,000 a

year, depending on your client base and the success of the salon/company. Pay for beauty therapists varies, but they usually earn between $12 and $16 an hour (or $24,960 to $33,280 a

year, based on a 40-hour week).

Self-employed beauty therapists may earn more than this.

Career Progression Beauticians may complete additional qualifications to become beauty therapists.

Beauty therapists may progress into management positions, or set up their own beauty business. Some may choose to become sales representatives in the beauty industry.

Beauticians may complete additional qualifications to become beauty therapists.

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