Massage Therapy:

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:

• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.

Massage can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that this massage therapist does not diagnose illnesses or disease, does not prescribe or adjust medications and that spinal manipulations are not a part of the treatment.  Please inform the therapist of all your known physical/medical conditions and keep therapist informed of all changes in these areas.  You are responsible for your health and well-being and any decisions you make regarding your person. Please know that the session is all about and catered to YOU, if at any time you need to stop or change the session please do so. Massage Therapy should not replace expert care by a qualified medical practitioner. Consult your own physician regarding the treatment of any medical condition.

Reflexology:

Reflexology, a manual therapy focusing on the feet, has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity as a modern holistic therapy to relieve pain and stress. Reflexology is the ancient art of foot massage which originated in China and which was also known to the Ancient Egyptians to treat a number of conditions. It can work alongside conventional Western medical medicine to promote healing and improve wellbeing and vitality.

Reflexologists believe that different areas on your feet and hands correspond to other parts of your body, and massaging them stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system to heal itself. It is believed that energy runs through the body in channels known as meridians and that massage of the feet stimulates these energy channels, promoting healing and relaxation. Every part of the foot corresponds to an area of the body, and massage of the feet stimulates the corresponding part of the body so that receiving a reflexology massage is regarded as the equivalent of a full body massage.

Sessions usually last 30 to 60 minutes and focus on the soles of your feet, unless you are very ticklish, in which case they can massage your hands. Some reflexologists use five or six sessions to treat specific health conditions and you do not have to undress.

Here are some of the benefits to Reflexology! :

• Very relaxing experience
• If you have been injured or are lacking energy, reflexology can help to restore balance and coax your body into healing itself
• It can boost a sluggish circulation
• It's useful for treating stress, migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), back pain, poor digestion, respiratory problems, bladder problems, asthma, headaches
• It can also help with relieving menopausal symptoms, PMS and period pains
• It can relieve the pain of cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments
• It can relieve pressure on the legs and feet of those who are pregnant, obese and diabetic.
• It's useful for calming the endocrine and reproductive system.

Disclaimer:  Reflexology cannot promise to cure any disease or illness. The purpose of Reflexology is intended to help promote balance and harmony within the body through relaxation and stimulating increased blood circulation. Although, this can help with cancer pain, it should not replace conventional drugs like chemotherapy. Reflexology is not suitable for everyone and shouldn't be used by people who suffer from verruca or athlete's foot, osteoporosis, a recently broken or fractured bone in your ankle, foot or hand, or show signs of broken skin. Reflexology should not replace expert care by a qualified medical practitioner. Consult your own physician regarding the treatment of any medical condition.

Aromatherapy:

Aroma means scent, and therapy means treatment. Aromatherapy is known as the use of the fragrant parts of aromatic plants to improve your health and overall general well-being. Aromatherapy offers pure enjoyment, just by smelling pleasurable scents. Taking a whiff of a spice in your kitchen or a bundle of cinnamon sticks is fundamentally aromatherapy.

Here is some great benefits that aromatherapy can give to you!:

• Inhaling the appropriate fragrance can reduce stress
• Depression Reducer
• Increases a chance of a great night's sleep, soothe your soul, or give you more energy
• Certain scents can be energizing, can help you stay alert while doing repetitive mental tasks.
• Massaging aromatic oils into your skin is another way to benefit from aromatherapy. Essential oils, the compounds responsible for a plant's fragrance, offer a multitude of healing benefits in addition to their individual scents (like Chinese Tiger Balm, for instance, eases aches and pains)
• Very versatile and can be used in many different ways to treat a wide range of physical and emotional problems.
• Aromatherapy is so easy to use! Who wouldn't welcome an opportunity to bathe with scented oils or to receive an aromatic massage?

*Aromatherapy can also be used with your Massage Therapy and Reflexology sessions as well!*

Body Waxing & Sugar Waxing

Body Waxing:

Waxing is a very convenient, cost-effective, longer-lasting, and quick method of removing any unwanted and unsightly body hair. Waxing has a pretty cool advantage from shaving, tweezing. It pulls directly from the root. So, it takes longer for hair to grow back; anywhere from 2-3 weeks depending on the individual speed of hair growth. The hair grows back much finer and softer and does not cause any ugly stubble as seen in just a day after shaving. After repeated sessions of waxing, you will notice a much sparser hair growth and hair growth may even stop eventually.

Here are some tips and tricks to help make your waxing experience as easy as possible with fewer instances of ingrown hairs/bumps!

Pre-Waxing Tips:
You will need about 2-3 weeks of hair growth (about a 1/4-inch for fine hair and 1/2-inch for coarse hair).

The day before your waxing appointment, use a body scrub to exfoliate the skin. While the skin on the face is generally exfoliated enough in terms of waxing, the body needs a little extra help. A somewhat gritty body scrub will help rid dead cells around skin pores and hair follicles, providing and easier waxing service for both you and the waxing professional.

If you are sensitive to waxing, we suggest using a numbing cream to reduce sensitivity. We recommend Bare Ease (Available for Sale). Apply it 30-45 minutes before your appointment.

Post-Waxing Tips:
For at least 24 hours after waxing, avoid direct sunlight exposure or tanning beds.

Do not use any high-fragranced lotions or creams around the area. To help prevent ingrown hairs, start exfoliating the area 3 days after your waxing session.

Disclaimer: If you are using Bear Ease before your appointment, please follow the directions as directed. For a tutorial on how to use Bear Ease, please click here. If any questions are needed about the use of Bear Ease, please click here.

Sugar Waxing:

Sugaring is the purest and the most natural way to remove any unwanted body hair. Due to it's gentleness, the paste can be applied more than once to the same area. It exfoliates dead skin cells, which results in a more thorough removal of hair and leaves the skin feeling silky and soft.

There is also a greater permanent diminishment of regrowth because the hair is removed completely, leaving no broken hair in the follicle. After a number of treatments the hair follicle begins to deplete. The hair grows in more refined each time. Sugar can extract such short hair, it is possible to extract the hair in the early growth phase, which can lead to permanency. You will see superior results in just a few treatments.

The Sugar Wax kit used is made by the company: Sugar Streak.

Here are more benefits about the wonderful use of Sugar Waxing

• Products are 100% natural (Sugaring paste is only made out of sugar, water, & lemon juice. It's even edible!). So, it is Organic. It is Paraben, Resin Free! 
• Sugaring paste is applied at body temperature & will not burn your skin.
• Sugar paste can be cleaned up easily with water. Never again will you a waxing treatment feeling sticky.
• Sugar cannot adhere to live skin cells. Since the sugar paste is water soluble, it will not adhere to live skin cells. This means less discomfort for you & less trauma to your skin. Sugaring does remove dead skin cells - so as the hair is removed your skin is also getting exfoliated! It is gentle enough to go over the same area several times to extract stubborn hairs without causing skin damage or irritation. No tweezers needed.
• They are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
• The sugar paste naturally helps control cross contamination & bacteria cannot breed in the tub of sugar.
• Requires less than 1/16 inch of hair (8 -12 days growth or less after shaving) for successful extraction.
• Excellent for those with Eczema. Psoriasis and Sensitive skin.

*The same tips and tricks used in the "Body Waxing" section can be applied as well*

 (*Information taken from Alexandria Professional Body Sugaring Reference Guide)

Facials:

Facials are a treatment for the face that's meant to cleanse, firm, smooth and moisturize the skin. Many people swear by facials not only as a way to feel relaxed and pampered, but also as a means for making their skin more rejuvenated. The body's natural processes can dull facial skin. Your skin constantly sloughs off dead cells. These cells can clog pores and give the skin an aged look. Daily exposure to the sun and other elements also take a toll on the skin. Facials are believed by many to fix these common skin problems.

According to data collected by the International Spa Association, facials are the third most popular spa treatment, right behind massages and manicures or pedicures.

 Each person who gets a facial has his or her own reasons for doing so, including:

• to deeply clean the skin and pores
• to improve skin that is either too dry or too oily
• to rejuvenate skin that has begun to look old or wrinkled
• to relax and de-stress

Simple facials are probably what you think of when you picture the treatment -- cleaning, steaming and finishing off with a nice massage. Special facials can be tailored to your specific skin type. For example, hypoallergenic products may be part of a facial for sensitive skin.

If your eyes are looking a little tired, you might want to consider a bio-lift facial, which hones in on treating that unwanted baggage. Alpha hydroxyl acid facials claim to help aging skin look more youthful, as do collagen or paraffin facials.

If mature skin isn't your problem -- rather, you're on the youthful end with too much acne, you can seek out a specialized acne facial to try to clear skin. You can also try to clear up your skin with antioxidant and pollution-fighting facials that have special ingredients formulated to fight free radicals that can contaminate and damage your skin.

If you want a clear mind in addition to a clear face, consider an aromatherapy facial, which focuses on specific essential oils to calm the body and the spirit.

Facials: What To Expect

You will need to choose the right facial for you. A consultation will allow the aesthetician to determine your skin type. It is important when deciding which products to use and procedures to include. The consultation also would give you a chance to warn the consultant about any products you might be allergic to.

During your consultation, please don't be afraid to ask questions. Professional aestheticians will have no problem explaining what they plan to do and discussing the products they will use.

Before the facial, make it clear what procedures or products you'd rather not use. Maybe you don't want blackheads plucked out because it's too painful. Perhaps you want to try only a little electric current stimulation on your face muscles, just to see what it's like. There might be a line of skin products that has made your skin break out in the past.

It's your facial and your money, so you should get what you want. Let the aesthetician know what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable. Facials are meant to relax you, not to stress you out.

The facial, which could last from 20 minutes to more than an hour, you'll likely be taken to a darkened room illuminated by low lights or flickering candles. You'll lie down on a table or relax in a comfy recliner as your aesthetician applies various oils, creams, cleansers, toners and gels to your face and neck. After each application -- while the aesthetician waits for a mask to work or a cream to soak into the skin -- he or she might massage your face, neck, shoulders or feet.

Here are some tips to make sure your skin stays soft and supple, days to weeks after your facial!

• Always wear a moisturized sunscreen when outdoors, summer and winter. The sun's rays can burn you even if the air feels cool, and sunlight reflected off water or snow can be particularly powerful.
• No matter what your skin type is, use a protective sunscreen when you are in the sun; don't expose your skin for more than 15 minutes. Don't forget to use sunscreen on your face and the back of your hands because these are constantly exposed to the sun's rays.
• Always remove your makeup before going to bed.
• If you usually wear makeup, give your skin a chance to breathe one day a week by going without it.
• If your face tends to be puffy in the mornings, keep skin freshener, astringent, and cotton pads for your eyelids in the refrigerator for a quick pick-me-up.
• Use a humidifier to lessen the drying effects of indoor heat on your skin in the winter.

Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels have the ability to make you look younger by eliminating the appearance of skin imperfections such as sunspots and acne scars. The best part is that chemical peels work by taking advantage of a natural biological process that is constantly at work in our bodies. Most people probably don't even know it's happening.

We are constantly shedding our skin. In fact, we shed our entire skin about once a month, when the cells, our body makes new ones to replace them. Often when we develop imperfections such as sunspots, scars or hyperpigmentation. They only affect the top few layers of skin. Removing those layers of skin would help remove those imperfections.

That's where a chemical peel can help. It literally removes layers of skin so that newer, healthier skin cells can surface. In the process, blemishes and other imperfections are literally peeled away. Depending on the extent of the damage, one treatment might not completely eliminate imperfections, but it can make them much less obvious.

Glycolic Acid will be used in this treatment. Glycolic acid peels are among the mildest and most popular. Glycolic Acid are considered to be natural because it comes from sugar cane. It is by far the most popular and well-known acid of the bunch.

During a glycolic acid peel, the solution is applied using a sponge and left on the skin for only 5 minutes based on concentration (20-30% concentration). It penetrates the skin and breaks the bonds that hold each layer together. Once the desired number of layers have been separated and removed, the acid can be washed off with water.

Immediately after a treatment, the skin will look red and continue to peel for several days. The entire process from treatment to recovery can take a week or more.

*Chemical Peels can be used along with your facial as well!*

Disclaimer: A chemical peel will not be perform until the client has had a facial with the practitioner. You should not get a chemical peel if any of these situations apply to you: an allergy to aspirin or salicylate, an allergy to citric acid of any kind: oranges, lemons, grapefruit and etc. Anyone who says they are “highly allergic”, pregnant or trying to become pregnant, use of Accutane less than one year ago, use of antibiotics (topical or systemic), laser surgery within the last 12 weeks, or using glycolic acid products, retin A, or renova in the last 10 days. This practitioner is NOT responsible if a chemical peel was performed and was not informed ahead of time of any of the situations listed above.