post

Spa FAQs

If you are new to enjoying spa treatments, here are some frequently asked questions that will help you get the most from your treatments.

Is it safe to go to a spa break if I am pregnant –During your pregnancy, it is best to avoid treatments that include the Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, aromatherapy, and any treatment may put pressure on your stomach. However, you can look at getting manicures, pedicures, head massages and facials.

Do venues have treatments for teenagers? – Most Asian spa NYC parlors have a strict policy that only allows customers over the ages of 18 years to make a booking. However, basic treatments like manicures or pedicures can be booked by children 16 and over.

What should I wear on my spa break? – To ensure that you stay relaxed it is best to wear something comfortable. Most of the best massage NYC offer facilities like swimming pools, saunas, and Jacuzzi’s. Therefore, if you want to use these facilities, you will have to wear a swimsuit. It is also a good idea to include a pair of flip flops for when you are between treatments.

What should I wear to have my treatment? – Most spas will offer you a robe and towels. However, you may want to pack an extra swimsuit to stay dry when lounging between treatments.

 

post

Aromatherapy massages explained

By Garden Retreat Spa

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote healing, well-being, and relaxation. These treatments involve using essential oils, derived from plants and herbs, which provide additional benefits. Oils are chosen and blended to create a synergistic blend that enhances the properties of each oil.

After the oils have been blended the therapist will massage the oil into the client’s body. Aromatherapy massages can take the form of a full body massage, taking in the back, chest, arms, legs, head, and stomach, or a simple back massage or a facial beauty massage. Most massages start with the back, buttocks, and legs before the client is turned over. Asian massage in NYC, offer aromatherapy massages that start with sweeping strokes that warm the muscles and skin and then move into a deep tissue massage.

There are many benefits that can be gained by enjoying an aromatherapy massage. Firstly, the increased circulation will help to eliminate toxins from your body and help to speed recovery. The essential oils will help to heal skin and carry the oil’s properties to your organs.

The effects of an aromatherapy massage can last up to 48 hours. After a massage, your skin may feel greasy and you may require a warm shower before you leave the massage parlor. If you wish to shower after your massage, speak to your massage parlor beforehand and check if shower facilities are offered.

Most Asian massage Manhattan offers aromatherapy massages that include a trained therapist, who will help to choose oils that will assist healing of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, migraines, arthritis etc.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking for an Asian massage spa NYC, you don’t have to look any further than Garden Retreat Spa. You’ll leave feeling like a completely new person and even experience some serious health benefits from your New York massage.

 

Apply Nighttime Skin Products in The Right Order

nighttime-skincareBefore bed, you wash your face, then clean your skin with an astringent, then add night cream and eye cream. Good. Done. Right? Wrong. Did you know that putting on products in the wrong order can actually effect how they perform? The general rule to follow is to go from thin to thick. That’s just one of the tools that will help your nighttime routine have you radiant in the morning.

Here are the right steps for maximum perfection.

  1. Cleanser. While it’s easy to just use a makeup remover cloth, which just skims the service. A cleanser removed buildup of dirt and oil. Use the makeup remover if you must, and then the cleanser. The beauty experts suggest exfoliating for a thorough cleanse at least once a week.
  2. Toner. Many people skip this step. It’s actually one of the most important in the evening because it gets rid of any impurities on your skin and acts as a second defense against dirt and grease. This is an especially good product for people with oily skin.
  3. Serum. Use a skin serum with Vitamin C as an ingredient. It has been shown to stimulate new collagen in the skin. Some people use multiple serums for different areas of the skin – wrinkles, crow’s feet, neck. Remember layering here, and apply the ones with the thinnest consistency first.
  4. Night Cream or Moisturizer. Apply this soon after other face products because moisturizers and night creams lock in moisture and hydration. And should you use a moisturizer or night cream? Skin repairs itself in the nighttime hours, which is why night creams are heavier since their absorption rate can work over the course of 8 hours.
  5. Eye Cream. This should be applied in the morning and at night, beauty experts advise. And don’t skip eye cream. Consistency is the key to maintaining eyelids and the skin around the eyes.

As with any products, everyone’s different, so finding what works for you is the icing on the cake for optimal beauty effect.


 

post

The benefits of a full body massage

 

Massage techniques have evolved for thousands of years and now there are over 80 different types of massage. These all involve using hands and fingers in pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissue. You can get one at one of the many Asian spa NYC has to offer.

We all know massages feel good. But did you know that there are actual health benefits to full body massage NYC? Here are a few that get you to book your next appointment right now:

Reduce swelling

Massage can also reduce swelling. The technique involves massaging around the area and that causes the fluids to circulate towards the swelling. A full body massage will mean that no area will get missed.

Digestion

Massages can also improve digestion. This can result in improved nutrient absorption and reduction or elimination of headaches, insomnia, pain, and constipation.

Circulation

By massaging stiff and sore muscles, this causes the circulatory system to improve blood flow to the area’s and thereby delivering more oxygen. This, in turn, causes faster recovery and healing. This is why professional athletes get massages following a game.

Stress

By improving circulation and relaxing the body, massages also reduce stress and anxiety. Sometimes we cannot control factors that cause stress, in those situations treatments like massages can go a long way to reducing stress.

post

The Top 10 Celebrities with the Best Skin

Celebrities may seem glowy and flawless in every situation, however for many, this is just the result of expensive beauty products, a talented makeup artist, handy airbrushing and flattering lighting. However, for dedicated celebrity spotters like us, it’s easy to pick out the ones who are either blessed or work at having superb skin:

  1. Lucy Liu

At 47, this actress has maintained her glowing skin very well. According to Lucy, foregoing caffeine is one of her beauty secrets. Instead, she drinks a lot of water. (We guess she hasn’t seen the research that shows that caffeine is chock-ful of antioxidants and when prepared with the right concentration in a cream, can even help minimize the appearance of cellulite.)

  1. Liv Tyler

Liv’s skin seems so flawless and uniform that she sometimes looks like the “after” version of a shot worked heavily in Photoshop. But shots of her without makeup suggests this is just how she looks—lucky her! She also is a huge fan of sunscreen, which is a smart idea to prevent wrinkles and discoloration.

  1. Reese Witherspoon

Reese is a fair-skinned beauty who also doesn’t scrimp on the sunscreen, which is why she practically looks like the young starlet who charmed the world in Legally Blonde back in 2001.

  1. Halle Berry

Still spectacular in her 40`s, Halle has been a star since the early 90s and doesn’t look much different from when she first burst on the scene. The secret to her spectacular skin is textbook care: she regularly uses cleanser, moisturizer and eye cream. She also makes sure to get a facial once a week that uses lactic and malic acids, along with an oxygen mask.

  1. Ashton Kutcher

At 38, he still retains much of that boyish look he had when he became a heartthrob on That 70s Show. While some speculate his smooth skin comes from some Botox, his overall look suggests he’s using exfoliators regularly, with maybe some microdermabrasion treatments. Regardless, it’s clearly working for him.

  1. Jennifer Love Hewitt

Though she’s close to 40 (age 37), Jennifer still looks spectacular. Some of her beauty fixes are unconventional (like toothpaste for acne), but mostly she sticks to the staples of exfoliation and moisturizers.

  1. Ryan Reynolds

The Deadpool star turns 40 this far, but still looks as baby-faced as he did during his Van Wilder Days. Is it natural or did he have some help? Some dermatologists suspect he’s had some Botox, maybe some fillers—but it also looks like he protects himself from the sun and does regular skin maintenance.

  1. Beyonce

Beyonce seems blessed with perfect skin, but she also works at it, smearing Aquaphor on before going to bed for maximum moisturizing. She also uses plenty of sunscreen and stays hydrated.

  1. Hayden Panettiere

Hayden is still young, but judging from her routine (sunscreen, water, proper cleansing) and just how she looks, she is well on track to maintaining that fresh-faced look well into her forties and beyond.

  1. Nicole Kidman

While she’s not 100% the stunning beauty from 1991’s Days of Thunder, Nicole is quite close. She credits this to her organic diet, swimming, Aquaphor and Crème Le Mer.

 

post

How to Handle Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin condition whose cause is as yet known. It basically involves a redness on the cheeks, nose and chin that can arrive at any time. If you don’t get it treated, you can also get bumps and pimples, and your nose can even get swollen with excess tissue: the comedian W.C. Fields had this, and Googling images of him will clearly show you this is NOT a good look to have.

According to estimates, as many as 16 million Americans suffer from it—and nearly half a million people have it around the world. While it comes and comes, it rarely heals itself on its own. One of the first steps in dealing with it is having a dermatologist examine you. They are usually experts in diagnosing this condition and having them check you out is crucial because other conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, eczema and season allergies, among others, can produce similar symptoms.

A number of different medical treatments can help manage—but not cure—rosacea. These include pulsed light or lasers to remove visible blood vessels, beta-blockers, azelaic acid and metronidazole to control bumps and swelling, along with lower-dose antibiotics like Oracea.

While it’s best to work directly with your dermatologist to handle rosacea, you may want to pay attention to foods and lifestyle issues that can trigger it, including spicy foods and stress. In addition, daily use of sunscreen seems to help with controlling outbreaks, since sunlight can often trigger rosacea. Studies also suggest that moisturizers with kinetin (a plant-derived cytokinin or substance that promotes cell division in plants) may also help people with minor rosacea.

 

post

How to Find a Good Dental Office for You and Your Family

When it’s time to find a new dentist for you and your family, there are a few ways that you can begin your search. A Glendora family dental office, as well as those in other cities, will often have reviews from patients on a website so that you can see how others feel about the care provided. Talk to family and friends to find out who they see on a regular basis. Ask your doctor or local pharmacist as they will know who to work with and who to avoid seeing.

There are a few questions that you want to ask of dentists in San Dimas CA as well as other cities depending on where you live. Find out if the office submits claims to insurance companies or if that’s something you need to do after the visit. Are there payment options if you don’t have insurance? Make sure the dentist has received the proper education. Try to find a dentist located close to your home or workplace so that you don’t have to travel far if there is ever an emergency.

A Covina dental office, as well as other offices across the country, will often offer special discounts for new patients. Ask if you have to transfer your own records to the office or if the records can be requested by the new dentist. Find a dentist who you are comfortable talking to and who the family enjoys seeing.

Bio: Ecco Dental is a Covina dental office specializing in Invisalign and holistic dentistry.

How to Make Workouts More Habitual

Laziness is something that comes naturally. In order to beat this, it’s important that you maintain proper habits.

gym-habitualIt’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind of workouts that you perform almost on a nightly basis. Furthermore, it’s easier to become complacent and stick with what you know and do best during your routine. For instance, once you’ve become accustomed to a certain type of exercise, the strive to increase the weight that you lift slowly starts creeping into the back of your mind. But, with enough dedication and motivation, you can easily surpass this challenge and accelerate the muscle-building process. Here are some tips that will help you keep your workouts balanced and progressive.

Be Consistent

Varying your schedule to hit the gym hurts you more than it helps. While everybody is stuck with a busy schedule, it’s crucial that you maintain the proper discipline to hit the gym at the hours that you’re free. Continuing to do so will become habitual and you’ll begin seeing gains at a much quicker pace that you might be accustomed to.

Eat High-Quality Food

If you want your body to adapt to the workouts and reduce the overall fat, you’ll want to ensure that it gets the proper nutrients that high-quality foods have. Foods like rice, oatmeal, vegetables, tuna, beef, and other staple foods should be a regular part of your diet.

Sleep At Least 8 Hours per Night

The natural growth hormone in your body is maximized through a good night’s rest. Now, it’s safe to say that you’re not going to be getting 8 hours every single night, but it’s important that you try and fit in these hours to help build towards substantial muscle growth.

Nick Diruscio is a personal fitness trainer that has helped hundreds of clients lose weight and achieve their weight gain goals.

post

Skincare in Public Bathrooms

I’ve got some bad news for you.  It seems that those pesky hot air blowers that dry your skin are actually blowing viruses around everywhere. After reading an article in Fortune magazine today it really made me think about this. It’s funny how we invent new technology to take care of one issue such as wasting paper and killing more trees in exchange for dispersing viruses throughout a public bathroom to get everyone sick.

The new study was quoted as saying:

“virus(‘s) in the air even 15 minutes after someone used a jet dryer, at levels 100 times higher than after a paper towel was used.”

100x?  That’s pretty significant.  Of course when you dry your hands on a paper towel how much are you actually putting in the air?  Almost zero, so a hundred times nearly zero is still a small amount right?  But if you have one of these in a hospital it is a different scenario.  Any medical facility should prefer disposable wipes, towels, or napkins to ensure as much of the evil bacteria is removed and disposed away from the public.  A dryer for your skin in those areas can cause an issue.

If you are in a standard nail salon or cosmetics store your risk of high pathogens is much lower. So for the rest of the world your skin getting blown dry should continue to be the standard in bathrooms most everywhere.

Getting Closer to Beating Alzheimer’s

By Phineas Upham

Recently, medical scientists discovered something interesting about Alzheimer’s: it could be transmittable through medical procedures. Even everyday dental work could increase a patient’s chances of contracting Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s causes a build up of neurotoxic amyloid plaques, which eventually erodes the patient’s memory. If, they reasoned, there were some method to decrease that build up some function could be restored.

Scientists looked at various methods they could employ to try and reduce or remove that buildup. The problem is, it’s all very close the brain. If they make a mistake there, the patient could suffer in other ways. The treatment that came out of Australia focuses on using a non-invasive procedure that guides ultrasound into the brain. The pulses break the plaque down.

The plaque buildup isn’t like the kind on your teeth. It causes the neurofibrils in your brain to tangle, which misfires signals and leads to reduced function. Mice with this buildup were gauged to have recovered up to 75% of their full memory function.

Plaque buildup is only half the mystery, and the brain me be to blame for the other half. The brain uses proteins to repair itself, so the plaque causes the brain to cease that function. There is a drug currently in testing that allows for the production of the enzymes responsible for that repair. That could halt or reverse the long term effects some patients suffer from.

It’s likely that in the future, both of these methods will become part of the mainstream treatment regimen for Alzheimer’s patients.


Phineas Upham is an investor from NYC and SF. You may contact Phin on his Phineas Upham website or LinkedIn page.