Professional Clinical Skin Care Since 1997
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Archive for the ‘In The Industry’ Category

Why Topical Vitamin C is so important

Monday, August 13th, 2012

When I go out in the sun I always make sure I use our Crystal C Serum or Lactic C Firming  in the morning under my sunscreen. The main goal of incorporating topical vitamin C is to reduce oxidative stress and reduce hyperpigmentation.  In a recent cosmeceutical report, studies show that “oxidative stress stimulates the production of free radicals that may denature proteins, alter cell cycles and influence the release of pro-inflammatory mediators that may trigger the induction of some inflammatory skin diseases”. 

Many people get confused about the forms of vitamin C because L-ascorbic acid is the same as sodium ascorbyl phosphate and the names are often used interchangeably.  Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl glucosamine are all various forms of Vitamin C considered to be effective and stable antioxidants for the skin.  The percentage of actives may vary and that is why using a professional brand will typically provide more noticeable results.  Years ago, when topical vitamin C products were first brought to market, the stability was an issue.  Today, with new cosmetic chemistry advances, the pH levels of these “bio-available” forms of vitamin C make it much more compatible for even the most sensitive skin types.

It is important to remember that vitamin C can block tyrosinase.  Tyrosinase is an enzyme important in the production of melanin (which gives our skin it’s pigment).  By using the Crystal C Serum  or Lactic C Firming Cream once or twice daily, on clean dry skin you help reduce oxidative stress and may potentially destroy free radical activity produced by the sun’s UV rays.

Sometimes it is hard to know what to use on your face with all the choices we have.   Regardless of all the choices, if you are at a plateau, outdoors during the day, noticing some new pigmentation, or just need a change, consider incorporating vitamin c topicals into your daily routine whether in a serum or moisturizer prior to applying your sunscreen as a preventative measure that you can notice now, but enjoy for a lifetime.

 

Spa Hospitality

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Arrived last night in Charlotte, NC.  Nothing beats Southern hospitality!  Having dinner with our new rep group, I was so appreciative that they had me to their home for a fabulous dinner (amazing carpaccio on a beautiful, frozen pink salt slab that looked like an art piece for starters).

While we all “engage” our customers via social media, and hear about Facebook’s staggering billion dollar IPO, nothing beats face to face contact in business.  Social media will never replace personal interaction and kindness.  Social media will never replace a clean work space, a welcome smile, the aroma of good cooking, essential oils at the spa or a great meal with associates.

How does this equate to you the spa owner or entrepreneur?  Even while growing your business and customer loyalty via social media, continue to ask yourself how you can create “southern hospitality” to your business.  As we all know, “the devil is in the details” Never underestimate these few tips below that, whether you know it outright or not, endear yourself to your valued customers:

Maintain a very clean retail area.

  • Merchandise the inventory on the shelf so it makes customers want to look at it.
  • Provide a mirror so if a customer can try something on or can see.
  • Have a magnifying glass to read the ingredients on your products.
  • Offer something to drink
  • Hire and train knowledgeable front desk person(s), who even if she/he is on the phone, knows to friendly acknowledge customers and can help push retail sales by educating customers about your spa products.
  • Place nice aromatic diffuser or light candles, so when a customer enters your spa, they feel like they are being transported and can start to relax.
  • Train your estheticians to remember to limit their personal life stories when working with a customer, and monitor this.
  • Always have clean, fresh reading material in the lobby (not year old People Magazines).

At the end of the day, your business is like a home and it should make customers feel relaxed and comfortable.  It reflects your philosophy and communicates your values whether you know it or not.

 

Not Just a Pretty Face

Monday, May 14th, 2012

When the word ‘skincare” comes up, many people think about skincare for the face but many people suffer from skin conditions on the body as well. Many of the products in the Control Corrective line offer multiple skin benefits that make your beauty care regimen fully functional.

Skin Nourishing Balm – This emollient, aromatic balm is the ultimate healer!  Place the balm in your hands and rub until it melts like butter. This can be used all over the body including skincare for all over the body. knees and elbows to relieve dry itchy skin. Also, try rubbing some on your upper chest before you go to bed and breathe in the aromatic essential oils as you drift off into your beauty sleep.

Calming Balm- After you get your eyebrows or lips waxed, the skin can be red and irritated. Apply this soothing facial moisturizing gel to help calm and hydrate the skin. Keep cold in the refrigerator and use as needed.

Sensitive Skin Enzyme Mask – It may be called a mask but that does not mean you can’t use it on other areas of the body. This creamy, clay mask doubles as a skin polisher and brightener.  In addition to your face, this mask is also great for dry hands and arms.

Anti Wrinkle Face and Neck Cream – This is an all in one wrinkle fighter. The benefit of this multifaceted cream is itcan be used as an eye cream, face cream, neck cream and declote’ cream. Great for those of you that just wants one cream for everything and don’t have time for several steps in the morning and/or evening.

Cucumber Bead Cleanser – Cleanse with cucumbers all over the body. Works well as a luxurious body polish or as a facial pre-shave. Use this aromatic exfoliating cleanser in your shower for a spa-like experience from head to toe.

 

Share how Control Corrective Skincare has helped make your beauty care regimen fully functional by leaving a comment below.

When and why to use Salicylic Wash?

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Salicylic Acid is used in many dermatologic preparations.  Found in products for acne, calluses, keratosis pilaris, and dandruff shampoo, salicylic acid works as a comedolytic and keratolytic agent helping epidermal cells shed easily, loosing up congestion and neutralizing bacteria within the pore.  Salicylic acid can be used for many different skin types.  It is capable of penetrating and breaking-down fats and lipids which makes it a great choice when working with acne-prone skin.

I have worked on many women over 35, concerned with wrinkles, but also experiencing micro-comedonal congestion, whether from hormones, cosmetics, pressure and friction or simply not using the right products.  These are the perfect clients to recommend using our Salicylic Wash 2% three to five times per week.  It is often all that is needed to gently loosen and exfoliate the skin, without over drying.

For acne-prone skin, whether oily or dry, the benefit of combining salicylic acid with glycolic acid provides a stronger keratolytic effect that is often necessary for chronic acne conditions, very oily “resistant” skin.  The key is to blend these actives in way that does not over-dry the skin.  The Control Corrective, Acne Spot Treatment, which can be used once to twice daily on the affected area, will do the trick for most.  It will not only help clear up the blemish, but will help lighten the residual dark spots.

When choosing a peel for acne prone or “rough” aging skin, our professional Beta Peel 22% is a great choice.  This creamy peel contains a strong enough percentage, but will not “over-dry” the skin.  Left on 2-3 minutes, then neutralized, it is a perfect peel for those who have built up a tolerance to AHA peels.  Keep in mind that 2% salicylic acid = 8% glycolic acid in terms of strength, so when comparing a glycolic acid peel to a salicylic acid peel, the percentages need to be converted in terms of action on the skin.

It is also important to note that salicylic acid peeling is not advised for those allergic to aspirin, while on Accutane, when using Retin-A (or retinoic acid derivatives), during pregnancy, on highly sensitive skin, sunburned skin, on clients going through treatment for auto immune disorders, chemo/radiation, or other treatments that make the skin more photo-sensitive.  Always review current medication usage with your clients so you can adjust the facial treatment to best meet their needs.  Watch a video demonstration of our Beta Clear Facial to view how to incorporate this peel into your menu.

Salicylic acid peels and products are credited with great skin improvement for many skin conditions and can be a great way to boost and improve the complexion.

A typical home care regimen for combination skin/acne prone adult:

  1. Cleanse with Salicylic Wash 2%
  2. Apply Balancing Tonic
  3. Apply Acne Spot Treatment on blemishes (1-2x daily)
  4. Apply Aroma Matte Day Cream (SPF 30)
  5. Apply Oil Free Healing Lotion at night as desired
  6. With fingers or fan brush apply Sulfur Calming Mask (as needed- left on blemishes overnight if desired)

Business Takeaways from Cosmoprof Bologna 2012

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

When they say that this is the biggest beauty trade fair in the world I can now see why.  I felt like I was at the Olympics.  You definitely must have a map or you can easily get lost (and possibly run over).  To see beauty companies from around the world show their products, equipment and supplies was a dream come true.  Our booth was part of the new California Pavilion, and a first for the state.

Here is what I learned that all business owners can benefit from:

 

Look up at your ceiling, in the corners, everywhere in your spa or salon.  Creating a “special” atmosphere for your clients is of utmost importance.  I think we can all improve on this after seeing what reminded me of a “diorama” many booths created.  From painted ceilings and floors, many of these brands used EVERY BIT OF SPACE to give the visitor an intense feeling of their brand, and drew us in to be part of the “experience”.

  1. Smile and be generous.  I have to give the prize to Moroccan Oil!  They not only handed out the best, most amazing vinyl aqua bags with a few     samples, (I think I heard they handed out at least 20,000 – maybe per day?), they gave you a few extra if you wanted, and they happily did so, even if you came back every day.  Of course, that was costly, but great marketing and now the we in the beauty world will soon become addicted to putting Moroccan Oil in our hair.
  2. Add color.  Of course that is what we have done with Control Corrective and I might add, received quite a bit of compliments about our packaging.  But whether you add color in your spa decor, your menu, POS materials, seasonal displays, do so thoughtfully and with impact so it draws your clients in to say, “oh, what’s that?”, “I don’t remember that from last time”.  ”I need some of that…”
  3. Lastly, ask good questions and travel.  We learned as much from attendees, as we did from fellow exhibitors and neighbors.  I learned for example that in Russia, the demand for American made products is very high, and that Italy has a “Woman’s Day” every March 8th,  that honors all women in the country and on that day you bring all your female loved-ones Mimosa flowers (beautiful yellow flowers – very delicate).

Hope this puts a little fire under you to get out and do something different to help you grow and be successful.  Visit us in Las Vegas this June at IECSC if you need a good excuse to go to a trade show and keep learning.

 

 

Spa Lessons from Cancun

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Last week I went to Cancun, Mexico for a launch event with our distributor and to meet the resort directors that carry our brand.  We had the opportunity to go to several five-star resorts as a small group for a “behind the scenes” tour with the spa directors.   I was reminded of three important aspects of the spa experience that all spa businesses should think about:

Reminder 1

Never forget that the facial experience begins the minute your client walks in the door.  You do not have to be a 5-Star resort to implement simple things to set your spa aside.  Every property we walked into immediately offered us a choice of two key beverages, and beautifully scented wet hand towels.  There was also

Ellen in Cancun displaying Control Corrective

fresh fruit in a basket along with a full cookie tray.  A lovely receptionist smiled, and offered us the refreshments.  It started to relax us right away and the lesson being that the experience really does begin before the treatment, and the front desk should be in charge of “setting the stage”.

Reminder 2

Hire the right attitude.  You can always teach an esthetician how to execute a good facial if you have excellent products and good training materials.  What is more difficult to train is to instill a gracious attitude.  I would rather have a new graduate from beauty school with a positive outlook, a love of helping others and a willingness to work hard over a ten year veteran who thinks there is only one way to be successful, and claims, “the reason the clients come here is because of me”.  Always interview for the attitude.

Reminder 3

How are you creating a memorable experience?  Find something you can do differently than your competition.  I scheduled a massage in our hotel and had no idea what the experience would be like.  I was

Fish Pedicure Treatment

delighted to be led to a small, but absolutely wonderful spa facility.  After enjoying the facilities, the massage therapist led me to a large couch area with spa music piping through and dim lightning, where she put aromatherapy heated mitts on my feet, and around my shoulders and let me enjoy for several minutes before the massage.  I was already feeling the relaxation and nurturing and drifting away before she led me to the treatment room.  I think of this as the “appetizer”….  What type of complimentary appetizers can you offer to create a memorable experience for your clients?  This costs very little in money and the obvious gain is significant…larger tips, client retention, word of mouth, and experience being elevated.

You know it’s a good trip when all I could think about at the Cancun airport was when I can get back to these resort spas that work so hard to create an enchanting experience.

Professional Review from Lady J Skincare – Salicylic Wash

Friday, September 30th, 2011

I have been using this cleanser for only 3 days and the texture of my skin is already smoother, softer, and my blemishes are shrinking. I have not had any new blemishes! These are great results for my skin. I am ecstatic with these results!

“Sweep away dead skin cell build-up so blackheads and whiteheads don’t stand a chance. By dissolving sticky pore-clogging oils and cellular debris, exfoliating Salicylic Wash creamy gel helps reduce congestion and improve skin texture on the face, back, shoulders and arms.”-Control Corrective

The cleanser is a gentle soft pearl solution, is not overstimulating, does not smell like harsh chemicals, does not irritate my skin and a little product goes a long way. 2% Salicylic Acid dissolves dead skin cells and pore clogging oils, preventing clogged pores. Aloe Vera Juice and Chamomile calm irritated skin. The cleanser feels silky on my skin, leaves my skin feeling extremely clean, without stripping my skin of moisture. After cleansing my skin feels great, not tight, but comfortable. This cleanser delivers on all its claims, I am sold. I Love it! Recommended for normal, combination, oily and acne-prone skin types.

 

Green Friendly Spas

Friday, June 24th, 2011

 

There’s a lot of green buzz around the day spa industry in recent years. In 2007, the total number of spas in the US was 14,615 and about 76 percent of those spas are adopting environmentally forward practices in an effort to green-up their daily operations.  It is important for many consumers to support the spas that support the green initiatives.  That is why we want to help you learn more about what to look for and ask about at a day spa to make sure they our loving mother earth as much as you do. (more…)

The Devil is in the Details!

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

This past Sunday, I arrived for my bi-monthly massage at the spa.  Since I was a few minutes early, and after changing into my robe, I went to the lobby to look at some of the retail skin care products and makeup. I observed two women in their mid fifties trying to decide what products to purchase.  There were two well known spa brands and they were trying to figure out the best “wrinkle-fighter”.  The receptionist behind the counter, a young attractive twenty-something simply ignored them, spending her time on the phone confirming the appointments for the next day. You get the picture, and I am sure you have observed this common occurrence if you are a regular spa goer. (more…)

Cruelty Free Beauty

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Since 1968 there has been a 40% decrease in the numbers of animals used in biomedical research and testing in the United States. Control Corrective has never tested on animals. We are part of the The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program and you can find us in their cruelty free shopping guide. The Leaping Bunny program was created by eight national animal protection groups that banded together to form the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). The CCIC promotes a single comprehensive standard and an internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo. They work with companies to help make shopping for animal-friendly products easier and more trustworthy. (more…)


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