FAQs
What should I do before and after a peel?
I use naturally derived peels, which are less harsh them normal chemically peels. People see very little irritation, like peeling, flaking or redness; however, this does depend on the strength used. With that said, it is still necessary to follow these guidelines..
Pre-Treatment Care
- Stop using Accutane one (1) year prior to treatment.
- Stop using any retinoic acid (including, but not limited to, Retin-A,
Renova,Tazorac and Differin) two (2) weeks prior and after this treatment.
- Stop tanning or using a tanning bed two (2) to four (4) weeks prior
and after this treatment.
- Stop any type of hair removal treatments (waxing and depilatory
creams) two (2) prior and after your treatment to the area treated (only applies to the face).
- Stop any laser/IPL treatments and electrolysis two (2) to four (4)
weeks prior and after your treatment to the area treated.
Post-Treatment Care
- Use a gentle cleanser without AHA/BHA and do not scrub.
- Do not peel, pick or scratch the treated area, as this may result in
scarring.
- Apply polysporin, bacitracin or Vaseline to dry flaky
areas.
- Do not have other facial treatments for at least one (1)
week after your peel.
- Use a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 sunscreen for at least
72-hours after your peel as you could burn more easily or begin/extend
hyperpigmentation.
What should I do before and after a wax?
Before
- Topical retinoic acids like Retin-A and Differin can thin the skin and can cause tearing even though it is not applied on the area being waxed. When waxing a facial area, you MUST go off these products at least one week before the service!
- Hair must be at least 1/4" long to wax. Cease shaving or tweezing the area to be waxed at least 2-4 weeks in advance.
- Avoid exfoliating (physically or chemically) the area at least 48 hours prior to the service to avoid skin sensitivity.
- Do not tan (naturally or artificially) at least 48 hours prior to the service.
- Book appointment at least 48 hours prior to special occasions or vacations in case of an adverse reaction.
- Dyes can sometimes irritate the area waxed, try to wear white clothing for the area waxed (e.g., white tee for back or chest wax).
- To help with any discomfort and inflammation for waxing, you can take an aspirin or something comparable 30-60 minutes before the appointment.
After
- Do not apply makeup for 2 hours after a facial wax.
- Do not apply highly fragrant soaps, oils or lotions over the waxed area(s).
- Do not use harsh or detergent soaps over waxed areas immediately following the service.
- Avoid exposing the waxed areas to sun, tanning beds or spray tans for at least 24 hours following the service.
- Discontinue use of exfoliants for 24 hours following the service.
- Do not swim the same day of waxing to avoid skin rashes and reactions.
- Avoid excessively hot showers, saunas or steam rooms for several hours after waxing.
- If prone to ingrowns, exfoliate the area waxed 1-2 times per week, but wait at least 24 hours after the service.
What are the benefits of massage?
Many people think of massage as luxury, but it is much more than simple relaxation. The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be studied, but research has shown it to be effective in:
- Decreasing pain
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Improving range of motion
- Decreasing carpal tunnel symptoms
- Reducing muscle soreness
- Boosting immune system
- Lessening depression
- Relieving back pain
- Promoting tissue regeneration
- Easing withdrawal symptoms
- Treating cancer-related fatigue
- Easing labor pain and stress
- Relieving migraine pain
- And more
What's the difference between deep tissue and deep pressure? Deep pressure is the amount of pressure someone likes (light, medium or hard). This is very subjective and can vary from person to person, therapist to therapist and even body area to body area. For example, I like a lot of pressure on my back. However, my legs are very sensitive. So I like light to medium pressure there. In addition, a therapist could be working on my back and I'm fine until they hit a certain spot, which makes me want to jump off the the table. That is because they have hit a tender spot or trigger point. In addition, if I go to one therapist and tell them I like firm pressure, it is fine. I can go to another and it is too much. This is why it is important to communicate with your therapist if the pressure is ever too much. On a scale of 1 - 10, you want a pain or discomfort level of 5-7. If it is more than that, the muscle will tense up and won't release.
Deep Tissue is a type of massage modality or technique designed to relieve severe tension in the fascia and muscle. The therapist uses their fist, forearm and/or elbow with slow, repetitive strokes to warm up each layer of the muscle. Sometimes called "stripping". As each layer relaxes, it allows them to get deeper in the muscle and get to the deeper muscles of the body. Typically less massage oil/cream/lotion is used and a full session is used to target one or two specific areas of the body. Deep tissue, if done properly, should not hurt and can be done with someone who likes light to medium pressure.
If you are looking for a Deep Tissue massage and someone is charging extra for it, ask them if they have been trained in it and/or how much training they received. Most schools just spend a day or two on it. To do it properly, they need to take a specific course or continuing education class on it. For example, I received 100 hours of training in deep tissue.
