August 9th, 2010
Chances are, if you have had at least one massage, you know water is essential after a session. The reason – before a massage treatment the body is full of toxic substances that enter and can accumulate in the body. After a massage, hydration aids in eliminating those toxins.
This process is very important but instead of using water every time, you can actually add certain supplements to stimulated a better detox process:
- The reishi, maitake, shitake and cordycep mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, which promote a healthy, happy liver, which is the powerhouse of detoxification.
- Green and white tea, the acai berry and pomegranates are rich in polyphenols, which support liver function and contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cranberries and elderberries promote healthy kidneys
While most of these come in pill form, it is best to encourage the detox process by diluting a liquid supplement in your water. Not only does this promote the hydration process it also helps the compounds in the supplement spread around more generously and the body absorbs the nutrients as soon as you take the first sip.
Do you hydrate after your massage? Have you tried incorporating supplements? If so, what were you favorites?
Tags: hydration, massage therapy
Posted in Green Tea, Massage, Natural Remedies, Neck Pain, Red Tea | No Comments »
August 6th, 2010
Serious stuff first - Happy Friday guys, if y’all are staying on top of oppose the Safety Cosmetics Act and I know you are, here is what’s going on this week…….
As of yesterday 3,168 people have signed the Petition to oppose this Act. If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to add your name.You can also become involved by donating to Oppose SCA here.
Dona Maria, of the Indy Beauty Network, has also created a video, Can You Comply with 50 State Cosmetics Laws please take a look at this video and share it on your blogs, Facebooks, etc.
And on a lighter note - giveaways and reviews. Stop by these wonderful sites for your chance at something Scandle-ous:
Have a great weekend!!!!!
Tags: giveaways, Oppose Safe Cosmetics Act, Safe Cosmetics Act
Posted in Scandle Candle | No Comments »
August 4th, 2010
Another bonus point for nanoparticles and Mother Nature – new research says naturally occurring nanoparticles from the English ivy plant can act as UV filters and protect the skin from sun exposure.
The researchers found that particles in the aerial roots of the plant can absorb and scatter light. The only difference between the nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the current basis of most sunscreen products, is that ivy nanoparticls do not absorb and scatter light in the visible spectrum – they remain almost invisible when applied to the skin.
The study suggests that these nanoparticles will become a safer and preferred alternative to titanium and zinc oxide. Titanium and dioxide nanoparticles are a completely safe, FDA regulated formulation base but with metal-based particles there is always some hesitation.
To read more about these new findings, click here.
Let me know what you think, when it comes to sun protection, would you opt for Mother Nature or trust the current formulas?
Tags: English ivy, nanoparticles, sunscreen
Posted in Beauty Care & Treatments, Green Living, Scandle Candle, Skin & Body Care/Treatments, Skin Care, Skin Damage, Sun Damage | No Comments »
August 3rd, 2010
The Story of Cosmetics, released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to coincide with the Safe Cosmetics Act before Congress, has been viewed over 200,000 times in the short time it has been out.
This video is grossly misleading. From the beginning, Scandle has always taken a stance against the “science” behind The Story of Cosmetics and the new Act before the House of Representatives.
In response to the lack of science behind this video, Lee Doran, a member of activist group the Competitive Enterprise Institute and blogger released a video that breaks down the truth behind their claims.
Doran’s video explores the statements made in the CSC video and breaks down actual scientific studies and research to debunk their “science” on the beauty industry.
Please take some time and check out Doran’s video and let me know what you think.
Tags: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Safe Cosmetics Act, Story of Cosmetics the critique
Posted in Beauty Care & Treatments, Hair Treatments, Safe Cosmetics Act, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
August 2nd, 2010
We are so excited to announce our newest distributor and make our signature ceramic massage candles available in the Caribbean region.
Global Spa, founded in 1995, specializes in spa business services and architectural implementation.
To read the complete press release, click here.
Tags: Global Spa, new distributor
Posted in News | No Comments »
July 30th, 2010
Bamboo can be found in almost every spa nowadays. It is a great, eco-friendly design element. It is resiliently and can grow in almost any climate and fast too – up to three feet in just one day!!
But what you might not know is this staple spa plant can be used in almost any spa treatment. Bamboo particles can be used in exfoliation treatments, and its sap and extracts are super hydrating and can aid in cell regeneration.
In an exfoliation treatment, the bamboo works much like salt but is tremendously softer – making it a perfect treatment to offer people with sensitive skin.
Not only does it have inner beauty benefits, the bamboo sticks can be used as an effective massage tool. Spas that offer this type of treatment combine warm oil infused with essential oils to glide and rub the sticks up and down the body.
Have you tried one of these new treatments? Would you? Let me know what you think………………….
Tags: bamboo, bamboo massage, bamboo treatments
Posted in Beauty Treatments, Body Scrubs, Green Living | No Comments »
July 29th, 2010
There are officially 4 months before Black Friday. Is your retail or spa ready to increase its sales?
Competition in the spa, salon, and beauty products industry is at an all-time high. Day spa signs are sprouting up around us like spring grasses, grocery stores and gift shops have their own little “spa aromatherapy” departments.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for even large retailers to retain their share of the beauty products market when so many means of access to these goods is now available to their customers.
One thing that continues to prove successful in increasing sales is private labeling. Not only are you providing your customers a unique product, you are creating brand awareness and loyalty by putting your name on that product.
As far as the consumer is concerned the only place to get your brand is from you, whether it be at the retail counter, by mail order, or through your own online store.
Department and grocery chains are dedicating increasingly larger amount of shelf space to house brands in an effort to reduce costs and limit competition. Many even feature “select” or upscale choices within their own lines as a means of eliminating holdover ideas in some customers that house brands are merely generic or of a lower quality than better-known products. The decline of cereal giants like Kellogg is an example of the success of this strategy for retailers.
So are private label products right for your spa business? Only you can answer this question accurately. But if retail profits, customer protection, and building some real brand-equity into your company investment has any meaning for you there are fewer options available that can help you better than this can.
During the month of August, once a week I will have a post about preparing for a successful holiday season this year. So stay tuned and if you have got any great tips, please do share………….
Scandle offers their award-winning body massage candles with private labeling.
Tags: holiday 2010 sales, preparing for holiday sales, private label, retail shops
Posted in Aromatherapy, Beauty Treatments, Body Scrubs, Massage, Scandle Candle, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
July 28th, 2010
Massage therapy, especially when combines with aromatherapy, reduces depression in individuals suffering from the disease. Another reason why massage is not only good for the body but good for the mind.
In a study published this month, researches have linked depression to dementia. People who have serious depression have almost double the risk of developing dementia.
The study did not prove that depression itself literally causes dementia but it does show the numerous ways depression can impact the risk of it. Depression causes inflammation of brain tissue and certain proteins found in the brain increase along with that inflammation. The swelling and proteins increase the risk of developing dementia.
Not only are there medical connections between dementia and depression, the study also points out lifestyle factors in someone who suffers from depression, such as diet, exercise and social time the person engages in. Those can also influence the chance.
Massage therapy should always be performed by a trained professional, but there are several options to help you in between sessions:
Let me know your favorite at-home massage treatment………….
Tags: dementia, depression, massage therapy
Posted in Aromatherapy, Hand Massage, Healthy Lifestyle, Inflammation, Massage, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
July 26th, 2010
Last week, the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 was introduced in the House of Representatives.
If you are in the beauty or personal care industry this bill is extremely important to you. And if you are a consumer of beauty or personal care, if this legislation passes, your favorite natural product may no longer be on the market.
The Indie Beauty Network has put together a wealth of resources and information on how you can get involved. They also a lot better job of explaining the legislation
To access the resources of the IBN you have to be a member. But they have created a new site to inform the public about the potential damage this bill could cause. Click here to access the site.
There is also a petition you can sign to show your support to small beauty/personal care companies. To add your signature, click here.
It is important that we all get involved because the lack of scientific research could potentially cripple small beauty businesses and those are the ones that abide by the rules of truly natural ingredients and formulations.
How are you getting involved? Please share your tips and advice on this……
Tags: Indie Beauty Network, Safe Cosmetics Act
Posted in Beauty Care & Treatments, Green Living, Natural Treatments & Products, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
July 23rd, 2010
A research team at Kansas State has found a way to create natural fragrance products in the lab.
The teams claims to have found a way of engineering enzymes to efficiently catalyze chemical reactions. Those reactions can then be used to create ingredients that replicate the scents of fragrances and perfumed products.
How is the possible – nanoparticles. This new patented method uses enzyme-covered nanoparticles of fumed silica. The researches claim that because those enzymes used in the process are natural and the scent they produce is an exact replica of what is found in nature – it can be thought of as natural.
The reason why this is such a great finding, if it truly is natural, is in the fragrance industry, ways of producing scents that have the same perfume as their natural counterparts in mass quantities devised in a lab use a purely chemical process.
And developing a long-lasting and effective natural fragrances has been a tough task, made even more difficult by the increasingly strict organic certifications.
So what do you think? Is it natural if it comes from the lab?
Tags: fragrance, nanoparticles, natural fragrances
Posted in Beauty Care & Treatments, Natural Treatments & Products, News, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
