Seaweed Wraps

Seaweed Wrap

Slippery and Stringy how does it benefit your skin. 

Seaweed:

There is no food on the planet more abundant in minerals and trace elements than seaweed.  1 gallon of fresh micronized seaweed powder offers the equivalent of 10,000 liters of seawater in trace elements of copper, zinc, manganese, iodine and selenium.  All of these elements can and do penetrate the skin’s barrier to provide nutritional supplementation when used in body wraps and baths.  

There’s More:

You might be surprised to learn however that seaweed body wraps are far more worthy of your attention.  They play an important role in your health and quality of life that is becoming more needed today.  Many people find that a weekly or monthly Seaweed Body Wrap is the solution to problem areas and even do target areas between full body wraps.  

Process:

A Seaweed Body Wrap is aiming for skin toning, relaxation and sweating to detox.  Provided you aren't claustrophobic, this wrap can be very relaxing...

It's often done in a dim room with soothing music, blissful aromas and a warm temperature.   

The first step for a seaweed body wrap is to exfoliate the skin.  Secondly, the sea element is applied, spreading over entire body.  The body is then wrapped in heated foil, blankets, towels while the paste soaks in.  The typical wrap involves rosemary, clay, eucalyptus or other herbs. You'll feel compressed, but not suffocated, in the tight wrapping which is said to encourage you to sweat out toxins and lose excess fluid in the spaces between your cells. You may remain wrapped for 20 minutes or longer.  This is then followed with a skin toner and then moisturizers with additives to lock in the smoothness that a seaweed body wrap gives to the skin. 

Benefits:

Detoxifies

A seaweed wrap helps to eliminate toxins from your body. The paste is applied to the body warm, causing you to sweat. During the sweating process, your body is eliminating impurities. These are then brought to the surface of the skin and rinsed away when the wrap is washed off.  Seaweed baths provide intensive re-mineralization using Laminaria algae rich in trace elements and iodine to stimulate metabolism and promote detoxification through hydro-lymphatic drainage.  These toxins may be byproducts of metabolism or the result of nutrition and the environment.  Ionizing minerals found in the bath powder neutralize free radicals responsible for many common afflictions and aches and pains. Our blend of essential oils works on the liver and intestines to restore purity to the body’s eco-system and promote a more youthful lifestyle.

Removes Dead Skin and Moisturizes

Dead skin prevents your body from absorbing moisture. While you sweat during a seaweed wrap, not only are toxins removed from the body, but dead skin is loosened as well. The seaweed itself is chock full of proteins, vitamins, minerals and lipids that easily soak into the skin to add moisture.

Improves Skin Elasticity and Regeneration

Over time, your skin loses the ability to stretch and return to normal. This can lead to stretch marks and wrinkles. Seaweed contains antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamin A, all of which can help to rebuild the elasticity of the skin. It also makes your skin more supple by increasing blood flow to its surface, regenerates damaged skin cells, produces collagen to firm and tone the skin, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Reduces Cellulite and Improves Body Contouring

Body wraps absorb excess water and compact the skin, which can improve circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite. If you’ve recently lost weight and have excess skin, a seaweed wrap can help with body contouring. It aids in shaping the excess skin so it’s smoother and less noticeable by direct diffusion of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, if cellulite is a problem, a seaweed wrap may help reduce the undesirable marks it leaves on the skin.  Body wraps are a popular weight loss technique, which when added to a diet and exercise plan, can trim a few inches from your body. Body wraps are great ways to help reduce the appearance of cellulite, trim the stomach, buttocks and thighs and conditions and tones the skin. 

Reduce Aches & Pains:

Seaweed contains vitamins and minerals as well as iodine that is beneficial for relieving aches and pains.Seaweed detox body wrap certainly benefits to the skin. In addition, the entire process for a seaweed body wrap is an excellent way to relieve daily stress and to help the body feel new and improved.  A seaweed body wrap also helps the body to feel better and remove toxins. The best way that a seaweed wrap helps to detoxify the body is through the sweating process that helps to eliminate impurities from the body. If you have problems with aching bones, arthritis, joint pain or water retention a weekly seaweed body wrap can be beneficial to you as well.

Rebalancing:  

Addresses problems associated with circulation and water retention due to hormonal imbalance and lymphatic congestion.  Congestion is at the root of many ailments such as PMS, menopause-related skin aging and heavy legs.  Transdermal penetration of calcium, magnesium and silica help drain the lymph system and relieve symptoms of PMS and bloat.

Health Benefits:

Seaweed is a virtual storehouse of vital minerals and trace elements.  Why this is relevant becomes more evident when we consider that the modern diet in America today is impoverished in terms of these vital elements. he same is true with levels of magnesium, potassium, selenium, iodine and many more elements that are vital to good health.  And this total devitalization of American produce can be a root to the epidemic spread of degenerative diseases. 

Scientific Aspect:

We can examine the case for iodine.  This element plays an important role in the regulation of the thyroid and its hormones. In fact, their studies claim that breast cancer and uterine cancer can be classified as “iodine-deficiency” diseases and that each disease can be traced to a mineral deficiency.  Iodine, itself is linked to reproductive health.

To highlight why iodine is so necessary (more than ever) is the high levels of levels of bromides found in the baking of bread.  Bromides replaced iodine in baking bread, inhibiting the assimilation of iodine in our diet.  So even if you are consuming the minimum RDA of iodine, bromides may actually be creating a deficiency in this vital element…..along with fluorides and chlorides.

How Seaweed Wraps Help...

Since our skin is a barrier, how do these molecules break through to nourish your body? 
The answer lies with two factors:

1.  Bio-compatibility: Seawater and human blood plasma are chemically and qualitatively identical.  Simply put, pure seawater mixed with three parts fresh water is the original saline solution.  The mineral composition of seawater is identical to that of the human body making it (seawater) indistinguishable from your own blood plasma and lymph.


2.  Molecular Weight: The miniscule size of minerals and vital trace elements such as copper, zinc, iodine, manganese and iron for example, make the diffusion through the skin easy.  

For these reasons, Body Wraps have been a mainstay of most resort destination spas as well as urban day spas for the past three decades.  It is a must on any spa menu.

Various Marine Algae and their benefits

The Spa Technologies offers two programs to restore vital minerals to rejuvenate aging skin and tone up bodies.  Body wraps containing various species of seaweed are nature’s best remedy for fighting cellulite and other conditions such as water retention and aging skin.  Below are some of the seaweeds used in treatments:

Lithothamnium White Algae drives in calcium to drain away trapped fluids, reduce congestion and alleviate the symptoms of PMS and bloat.

Laminaria Brown Algae is iodine rich to stimulate the metabolism of fat and contains copper, zinc and manganese to stimulate collagen synthesis.Brown algae, or kelp, is one of the most common types of seaweed which is believed to rid the body of toxins and heavy metals that cause a variety of health problem such as obesity, arthritis and high blood pressure. Rich in minerals like iodine and potassium, seaweed also believed to boost the body’s natural immune system and improve thyroid and liver function which also helps with detoxification

Fucus Brown Algae offers many of the same benefits as Laminaria algae but with a lower dose of iodine.

Porphyra Red Algae contains essential fatty acids and amino acids for their super hydrating qualities and their ability to protect cell membranes against free radical damage.

Spirulina Blue-Green Algae provide a chlorophyll rich antioxidant that also enhances the aesthetics of the body treatment.

Irish Moss Red Algae provide super moisturization when used in seaweed gel masks.  They are anti-inflammatory and excellent when used on sunburned skin.

Klamath Blue-Green Algae is the most nutrient dense food on the planet, containing glyco-proteins, vitamins, minerals, simple carbohydrates, lipids and biologically active enzymes. Due to the algae’s nutritious soft cell wall, these nutrients are readily available to the body. As the body uses only a small amount of energy to convert this superfood into fuel, consuming Klamath.

Klamath contains amino acids, nucleic acid content, chlorophyll and B-12 vitamins content, mineral content, carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acids.

It has the nutritional balance to assist the immune system and enhance better brain and emotional functions. Additionally, it has helps your physical well-being, mental clarity, and overcoming allergies.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that Klamath can boost your immune system and have natural anti-viral properties, which helps suppress the growth of HIV and other viruses. Consuming Klamath algae also helps relieve fatigue and improve your tolerance of exercise.


Thea Kelp is the largest and most nutrient rich of all seaweed species. Skin care benefits of Sea Kelp offer superior hydration as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits. Rich in vitamins and trace minerals, Sea Kelp can be applied on the skin as a firming agent, healing agent, exfoliating agent, and strengthening agent.

Sea Kelp contains essential fatty acids that don’t just suffuse your skin with moisture, but also prevents your skin from losing that moisture with continued use.

Having a lot of toxins alive inside your skin makes you look dull and lifeless. If you want that fresh and bright look, you’ve got to get rid of them! Simply let Sea Kelp sit on your skin. It will draw out any excess fluid, dead cells, and toxins that are preventing the real you from shimmering through. As an additional skin care benefit of Sea Kelp, getting rid of all those toxins will make your skin smoother.

Sea Kelp reduces the pooling of blood underneath the skin, lessening the symptoms of Rosacea which is a skin condition that causes facial inflammation, swelling, red discoloration and acne associated with Rosacea. Sea Kelp’s natural, anti-inflammatory compounds can have a positive effect on any type of acne flare-ups. Acne is the swelling of the skin pores, which trap the oil, resulting in blackheads and whiteheads, acne, and even cystic acne. The anti-inflammatory effect of Sea Kelp reduces the swelling of acne. It can also be used as a natural exfoliating agent to remove dead skin cells, which can block pores. Sea Kelp can also help protect the skin from environmental damage.


Sea Kelp and Klamath Blue-green algae are two of the main ingredients in the Seaweed Wrap available at Darling Esthetics.   Along with those are willow bark extract, aloe vera oil, Vitamin E, rosehip seed oil, lavender, and a touch of fragrance to lift the spirits. This special combination of ingredients gives a pleasant scent and excellent results.


In Conclusion, seaweed body wraps are beneficial to the skin in several ways, so whether you’d like to drop excess skin after losing weight or rid your body of toxins, seaweed will do the trick.  Many users reported that they feel better after a seaweed body wrap and have fewer aches and pains.  Seaweed has long been valued in Asian countries for its nutritional and medicinal qualities, and Western cultures have now embraced it for its health benefits, particularly its ability to cleanse or detox the body. As you can see, there are many advantages to a seaweed body wrap.  For that reason alone, seaweed extracts are used for a variety of skin conditions, including acne and rosacea. 

Ouch, My Sensitive Skin

Ouch!  My Sensitive Skin!

Sensitive is everywhere. Nearly half the world population describes their skin as sensitive or very sensitive.  Yet, finding the right treatment products for clients can feel almost impossible. That’s because your sensitive skin looks and feels different for everyone else.  What works for one person more than likely won’t work for another.

Some people experience mild, occasional flare-ups while others deal with constant redness and discomfort. Sometimes sensitive skin is hereditary and other times it’s tied to stress, diet, cosmetic ingredients or pollution. Triggers can be tough to figure and even harder to avoid.

Why?

Clinically speaking, sensitive skin describes a predisposition you’re born with. When skin is sensitive, its protective outer layer (the epidermal lipid barrier) is less efficient at blocking irritants, microbes and allergens, and thus more prone to reactions such as blushing and allergies. This predisposition is genetic, but it can be managed with appropriate care. sensitized skin Irritability from lifestyle and external factors is sensitized skin. Avoiding triggers can reduce or eliminate symptoms. When triggers can’t be avoided (think pollution, environment and temperature sensitivity), symptoms can be managed through skin care and lifestyle changes.

Signs of Sensitivity & Sensitization:

• Visible redness, flaking or cracking on the cheeks and forehead. This indicates dehydrated skin and impaired barrier function
• Blushing and itching, or burning sensations, which can also be a sign of over-reactive capillaries
• Small, rash-like bumps or breakouts, not to be confused with acne breakouts
• Thin skin texture with a translucent appearance
• A feeling of tightness, which can indicate dehydration and lead to skin reactions from products
• Redness or blotchiness. This signals over-reactive capillaries or a tendency toward rosaceaNo matter what the trigger, a common trait of sensitive skin is a compromised lipid barrier. A healthy lipid barrier helps keep skin hydrated and healthy by holding water in and keeping environmental pollutants and microbes out.

Sensitivity Factors

• Lifestyle (stress, diet, hot showers or baths, spicy foods, air travel smoking, dehydration, alcohol, reactions to cosmetic ingredients, trauma from laser resurfacing or peels, and over processing caused by excess exfoliation or non-pH balanced products)
• Environment (pollution, airborne allergens, sun exposure, weather, and sudden changes in climates or microclimates – like transfer from cold, dry winds outdoors to dry heat indoors)
• Physiology (stress, hormonal fluctuations)
• Disease (rosacea, eczema, psoriasis)
• Genetics (hereditary skin sensitivity)

Fortunately for sensitive skin sufferers, there is hope.

Paying attention to factors and their effects can help you treat them.  Note the possible effects of common irritants including, extreme temperatures, and current skin care products or cosmetics. Also, pay attention to possible skin reactions to diet and stress. Adjust your diet and stress levels, and you can go a long way toward improving skin yourhealth.  Pollution, alcohol, smoking, medical resurfacing procedures and over-exfoliation should be avoided or reduced, or skin should be protected.  Use SPF protection daily. Physical sunscreens with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide among their active ingredients are usually less irritating to highly-sensitive skin than their chemical-based counterparts.

Research by The International Dermal Institute shows that combining certain natural botanical extracts can help reduce symptoms of sensitive or sensitized skin without interrupting skin’s natural healing process while soothing soothes sensitive skin’s most painful and embarrassing symptoms, from redness and dehydration to discomfort, burning and compromised barrier.

Darling Esthetics chooses to use Dermalogica’s powerfully soothing UltraCalming ™ line.  It allows you get to the bottom of your sensitivity and guard against future flare-ups.  UltraCalming ™ products don’t just comfort and soothe. They defend against future flare-ups by restoring the skin's protective barrier and returning it to its healthiest state

Ingredients matter and Dermalogica knows it. 

• Avena Sativa (Oat Kernel) extracts: rich in Avenanthramides, the active component of the Avena Sativa plant, which have natural anti-irritant and anti-redness properties. It moisturizes, soothes, and calms irritation
• Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, a synthetic Avenathramide, that boosts the efficacy of natural Oat.
• Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract reduces acne and skin edema, a type of inflammation inhibits development of skin tumors, expedites wound healing and collagen production, improving skin structure and wound repair.
• Bisabolol (derived from German Chamomile): work synergistically to help reduce skin redness and irritation.
• Boerhavia Diffusa (Red Hogweed) Root Extract: has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties that help balance and restore skin integrity.
• Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extracts form a phytochemical blend that delivers immediate hydration, soothes and strengthens connective tissues.
• Glycerin hydrate and soften while defending skin against dryness.
• Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Cactus Pear) Stem Extract helps soothe sensitivity and imparts water-binding properties to help support healthy moisture balance.
• Sodium Hyaluronate, which Sodium Hyaluronate is a natural component of the skin that holds a thousand times its weight in water, maintaining optimum skin hydration levels, and Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate form a Dual Hyaluronic Acid technology that works in different skin surface layers to increase and lock in moisture.
• Aloe Vera Leaf Juice hydrates skin to help relieve irritation from dryness A Triple Defense Complex in the formula nourishes the skin, relieves dryness and reinforces barrier integrity against future irritation.
• Squalene locks in moisture and boosts skin’s elasticity.
• Tetrahydrocurcuminoids from Turmeric stop skin damaging enzymes in their tracks, and combat free radical damage.
• Pharmaceutical-grade Colloidal Oatmeal forms a protective layer that seals in skin’s natural moisture while also providing additional nutrients.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice acts as a softening and soothing agent.
• Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract soothes irritated skin and serves as a rich source of phytochemicals including ellagic acid, which acts as an antioxidant.
• Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract contains cooling agents that help soothe and calm irritated skin.
• Panthenol has humectant properties
• Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil is an enriched source of gamma linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is required for intact epidermal lipid bilayers.
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract is a ceramide-rich extract required for maintaining the integrity of the skin.
• Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Sterols, a source of plant phytosterols, help maintain the skin’s lipid barrier layer.
• Portulaca Oleracea (Purslane) Extract is an enriched extract of vitamins, fatty acids and flavonoids that help control and reduce redness.
• Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil is rich sources of gamma linoleic acid, a fatty acid required or maintaining proper lipid barrier properties.
• Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) for collagen production and maintenance, but it is also a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals in the skin.
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E) help combat free radical damage that can lead to irritation
• Emollient and protective silicones help reinforce the skin's barrier and provide a silky, smooth feel.
• Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are natural mineral sunscreens that provide protection against skin-irritating UVA and UVB rays.
• Citrullus (Watermelon) full of antioxidants
• Lens Esculenta (Lentil) functions as a skin protectant, conditioning agent, and antioxidant.
• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice) works to improve the appearance of dry/damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness, and also functions as an anti-irritant with anti-inflammatory and skin soothing capabilities.
• Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extracts help calm irritation.
• Hyaluronic Acid helps maintain optimal hydration and improves elasticity.
• Dimethicone is a skin-conditioning silicone that protects and reinforces barrier lipids, which are often compromised in sensitized

In conclusion, it is important to use the right ingredients to treat your unique sensitivity.  It is always best to consult a professional skin care therapist, esthetician.  A healthy skin barrier equals healthy and more even looking skin.

LED..Bright Light, Bright Light

Bright Light, Bright Light!

January 6, 2018

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Jennifer Darling

LED Light Therapy

 Picture courtesy of Darling Esthetics

What is it?

LED light therapy is a painless, relaxing, non-invasive skin-care treatment that has multiple benefits.  LED treatments work by using an array of bright light-emitting diodes (originally developed by NASA!) that send low-level light energy into the deeper layers of the skin.  Professional LED treatments are given at select day spas, usually those with a serious focus on skin care, or from estheticians with their own skin care studios.   

The recommended professional LED protocol is six treatments a week or two apart, followed by a maintenance treatment every month or two.  LED treatments are painless and relaxing, and in winter have a side benefit of counteracting seasonal affective disorder (SAD).   LED treatments last about ten to twenty minutes, and can be a stand-alone treatment or part of a facial. They are given by an esthetician and usually cost somewhere between $75 to $125 a treatment as a standalone, more if part of a larger treatment such as a Hydrafacial.

Depending on the type of LED machine the spa has, it can take anywhere from five minutes to thirty minutes. Some machines have a small head (about three inches wide) that has to be held in place on the skin for a few minutes before moving on to the next spot. These treatments take longer. Other machine have a seven-inch square that the therapist holds over your face in three sections, so the treatment is done much faster.

Your eyes can't be hurt by LED light so they don't have to be covered.  LED light therapy treatments are a good choice for people who want to boost collagen or treat mild to moderate acne.  Unlike IPL or laser treatments, LED treatments carry no risk of burning.  An IPL treatment delivers a bright blast of light at very high energy levels through a hand-held device, and can be uncomfortable, even painful.  LED treatments are actually very soothing.  An LED photofacial is a very gentle light therapy treatment suitable for the face, neck, chest, back, or all of those areas

How does it Work?

Here’s how each of the different colors, or wavelengths of light, work to promote various different results in a photo facial

Blue Light for Acne & Blemishes

Blue Light Therapy – (405 nm to 420 nm) Blue light in this wavelength range has proven to have highly powerful bacteria fighting properties. Moreover, this light can kill P. acnes, one of the primary acne causing bacteria, meaning that it can be a very effective treatment for mild to moderate acne conditions. Blue light photofacials can also help to stabilize oil glands, ease inflammation, and purify the skin.Learn more about blue light for acne treatment.Learn more about the product shown.

Green Light for Hyperpigmentation, Freckles & Age Spots

Green Light Therapy – (495 nm – 570 nm) Green light is absorbed by the melanin producing cells of the skin, slowing melanin production, and gradually breaking up excess melanin collections which are then reabsorbed by the body. Green light is known to have a highly calming effect on the skin. It can also brighten the complexion by helping to lighten areas of hyperpigmentation, freckles and age spots. At the same time, green light photo facials can soothe the skin’s surface with its anti-inflammatory properties.Learn more about green light therapy.Learn more about the product shown.

Amber Light for Spider Veins & Red Spots

Amber Light Therapy – (570 nm to 620 nm) Amber light is used for its reduction in inflammation, swelling, and redness on the face including broken capillaries and spider veins. It is often chosen for the treatment of sunburns and other types of burns, as well as conditions such as rosacea. Amber light therapy can help to bring vitality back to complexions that have become dull looking. It can bring back a more youthful “glow”.Learn more about amber light therapy.Learn more about the product shown.

Red & Infrared Light for Collagen Production & Elimination of Fine Lines & Wrinkles.  Red Light Therapy–(620 nm to 700 nm) Red light Red light photo facials are used for reducing scarring, wrinkles, deep lines, stimulates cellular activity, including the fibroblasts that produce collagen, which gives young skin its plump look. This unique ability to penetrate deeply into the skin, stimulates collagen production, rejuvenates the face, encourages cellular repair, and boosts the circulation to the face so that the complexion appears more youthful and vibrant. Thus helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles, treat sun-damage and stretch marks, and reduce redness after more and evens out the skin tone.

However, if your treatments work best in conjunction with a regular skin care routine that you develop with your esthetician.

Do they really work?

Yes, but not overnight.  It's not a cure. It's a treatment.  Low-level light therapy (LLLT) with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is emerging from the mists of black magic as a solid medico-scientific modality, with a substantial buildup of corroborative bodies of evidence for its efficacy and elucidation of the modes of action.  It has a great effect on skin cells in both the epidermis and dermis and enhanced blood flow. Thus, LED-LLLT is a safe and effective stand-alone therapy for patients who are prepared to wait until the final effect is perceived.  

Protocol

The LED light by itself can stimulate specific cell lines and improve certain aspects of the skin, and the technology can be further improved when combined with light-absorbing chromophore gel, which allows the LED light to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Darling Esthetics uses Dermalogica IonActive treatments to achieve results.  Here's how a typical light-emitting diode session unfolds: the patient comes in after having her picture taken and lies down on an examination table, where the esthetician uses a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup or impurities.  There is an exfoliation procedure and then European massage, then a special gel is applied onto face. The multi-LED light system is then used to activate the gel, converting the light from the lamp into different color wavelengths. The light panels can also be used on other body areas, such as the chest or back.   

The good news?

This particular treatment lasts nine minutes (most LED treatments are over in less than twenty minutes), during which a warm, pleasant sensation can be felt over the entire face. While you're there you can listen to some background music, mediate, even take a nap.  After the treatment, once the gel is delicately removed, a moisturizer is applied along with an SPF to protect the skin from UV rays. Flushing very rarely occurs. That's right, you're free to walk around town or go right back to work -- no one will ever guess what you were doing just a few minutes before!