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Nurturing Mind, Body, and Soul: Sole’renity Day Spa and Nail Lounge

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by Casey Durrett, LEI – Social Media Director and National Educator, SkinPhD

 

 

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Rhonda Mordecai owner of a lovely day spa in Gainesville, Texas. Sole’renity Day Spa and Nail Lounge  is Rhonda’s love child – a business born out of faith and vision. Sole’renity features SkinPhD cosmeceutical skin care products, and we here at SkinPhD enjoy coming to know more about our spa partners – who they are, how they got here, and why they choose to work with our products.

So how was it that this nail tech of 20 years and former owner of two high energy hair salons made a huge shift into a relaxing, tranquil day spa business? Why did she choose to feature SkinPhD in her spa? And what advice would Rhonda give to spa professionals if they want to set themselves apart in this industry?

 

Sole’renity Day Spa and Nail Lounge is tucked away in downtown Gainesville, Texas. The 100+ year old building has been turned into a tranquil destination for people in need of nourishment for the mind, body, and soul. Rhonda has worked to ensure that every aspect of Sole’renity caters to a peaceful spirit and a serene atmosphere. From the calming blue wall paint down to the look and feel of her gorgeous website, Rhonda has worked to create a continuous flow of calmness from start to finish.

After 20 years in the nail business, and having owned two high-energy hair salons, Rhonda says that she “began to see that the industry was changing” and shifting more towards a complete focus on the well-being of guests rather than loud music and the fast paced nature that may often feel as if people are just being pushed out of the door. Rhonda eventually began to fill in at a day spa located inside a Bed and Breakfast. It was during this time that she fell in love with the vastly different atmosphere and energy that comes from people being cared for and enriched – tranquility, peacefulness, quietness, and serenity. Rhonda loved the one-on-one nature of the business and didn’t miss the noise or excess energy that can sometimes be the mainstay of upbeat salons.

Rhonda Mordecai - Solerenity Owner of Sole’renity Day Spa and Nail Lounge – Rhonda Mordecai

 

Sometime later, Rhonda traveled to Florida for a spa convention. It was here that she “saw the vision”. “I could see that spa services were where it was moving…  Places where people can escape from everyday stress, forget about the outside world, and be pampered – mind, body, and soul.” It was during this time, she says, that she knew things had to change for her. Rhonda eventually left the nail business for a full two years, and during this time through much prayer and thought she developed the concept for a new business.

Solerenity Logo

Sole’renity Day Spa and Nail Lounge is Rhonda’s vision come to life. Spa-goers now receive skin, nail, and massage treatments in exactly the atmosphere she had envisioned – full of tranqulity and peacefulness. Sole’renity caters to women – loving them, pampering them, and making them feel good “from the soles up”.

During our chat, I wanted to learn more about why Rhonda chose SkinPhD products for use at Sole’renity. Rhonda noted that she was impressed by the fact that SkinPhD is a cosmeceutical grade line of products featuring natural ingredients and that she loved the “story” of SkinPhD and how it was developed. She also mentioned that SkinPhD has provided “great support, training, and education on ingredients.” The consumer response to the products has been positive, and a few of Rhonda’s favorite SkinPhD products are in our Platinum Anti-Aging range of products including the Platinum Soft Foam Cleanser and Platinum Active Defense Toner. On a personal note, I couldn’t agree more with her on those choices!

As we discussed SkinPhD’s role at Sole’renity and our conversation neared a close, I also wanted to gather insight from Rhonda as to what sort of advice, if any, she might have for budding skin therapists – or even established skin therapists – to bring them success in the spa industry. Her answer was simple, and considering the warmth and heart of this woman – it was not surprising.

“Care about the people, and care about the final result.”
–Rhonda Mordecai, Owner – Sole’renity Day Spa and Nail Lounge

Solerenity Day Spa

As simple as that tidbit of sage advice may be, I believe it is the spirit of any successful day spa professional. When our guests come first, when we care for them with sincerity, and when we care about the services we are providing them at every angle – success will naturally follow. People love to be loved, and Rhonda has woven a business that was founded on this understanding.

In speaking with Rhonda I could feel the authenticity of her mission. Sole’renity is more than a business to her and more than a day spa or nail lounge. It’s a love child. Her heart and soul have gone into bringing this concept into reality, and she has made a career out of serving others. At SkinPhD, we love to know our partners – their dreams, their vision, their mission, and we are so honored to have people like Rhonda Mordecai and her lovely spa – Sole’renity – working with our products to bring that positive “final result” to her guests each and every day.

 

For more information on SkinPhD products  and signature therapies, please visit www.skinphd.com.

 

What’s in the Bottle?

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Discovering the Ingredients that Make SkinPhD Unique
Niacinamide and Prickly Ash Bark

  

  

  

by Casey Durrett, LEI – Social Media Director and National Educator, SkinPhD

The SkinPhD commitment to quality skin care means we must choose ingredients of merit that result in positive changes in the skin’s appearance while remaining soothing, balancing, and healthy for the skin. Prickly Ash Bark and Niacinamide are two unique ingredients you will find in our formulations for just these reasons. Prickly Ash Bark is a component of many of our products, and Niacinamide is the key ingredient in our Pigmentation Control serum.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide possesses skin hydrating, lightening, and anti-aging properties. It has also been shown to have a positive effect on breakout and acne prone skin. Niacinamide is one of two principle forms of Vitamin B3. It is better tolerated than its counterpart niacin and does not produce the well-known “niacin flush”. It is stable in heat and light and remains efficacious in formulated products. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the fantastic benefits of this skin improving agent!

Niacinamide as a Skin Lightener
As a skin lightening agent, niacinamide effectively reduces areas of uneven pigmentation and age spots. Niacinamide does not inhibit melanin production but instead inhibits the transfer of melansomes to the surrounding cells. Because of its strong lightening capabilities and its gentle, soothing nature on the skin, niacinamide is an excellent solution to pigmentation control without the negative side effects commonly associated with many other skin lightening agents. You can find niacinamide in our specialty treatment, Pigmentation Control.

 

 

 

 

Niacinamide and Skin Hydration
In order for the skin to be soft, supple, well-hydrated and radiant, the skin’s barrier must be in a healthy condition. Several classifications of lipids including ceramides and fatty acids are integral components of the skin barrier. These lipids work to maintain skin vitality by holding water in the tissue. When these important lipids are damaged or not present in sufficient volume, the result is skin that may rapidly dehydrate in a process called trans-epidermal water loss or “TEWL”. Dehydration results in poor skin texture and a lifeless complexion. Long-term dehydration of the skin may lead to damage in the deeper skin layers resulting in loss of skin firmness and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Damaged or missing ceramides and fatty acids are also linked with increased sensitivity, irritation, and redness.  

Niacinamide works to increase ceramide and fatty acid levels in the skin thereby increasing hydration levels. The end result is skin that is softer, smoother, and less prone to irritation, redness, and sensitivity.

Niacinamide and Aging Skin
As the skin ages, collagen and elastin become damaged and deteriorated. These losses lead to skin laxity, fine lines, and deep wrinkles. By increasing the activity of fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen and elastin fibers), niacinamide is an effective component in anti-aging regimens.

 

Prickly Ash Bark (Zanthoxylum Americanum)

The Prickly Ash tree was known to the Native Americans as the Toothache Tree because of its use in treating tooth aches. The bark of this tree contains potent wound-healing, stimulating, pain-relieving, and detoxifying properties. With a long history of use amongst Native American cultures, Prickly Ash also became a tool in the treatment of joint pain, arthritis, and poor circulation. Today, Prickly Ash bark is still used to improve these conditions and has been found to improve a number of skin conditions due to its excellent wound-healing properties.

Skin Protecting Properties of Prickly Ash Bark

  • Pain reliever
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antiseptic
  • Stimulates circulation and lymphatic flow
  • Wound healing

 You will find Prickly Ash bark in our Cleansing Lotion, Skin Tonic, Day Care Lotion, Night Care Cream, Breakout Control Gel, Lip Treatment Cream, and Moisture Maintenance.

Skin PhD Products

For more information on our clinically-endorsed range of products and our signature therapies, please visit www.skinphd.com.

Founders of Placécol USA Launch New Cosmeceutical Skin Care Line – SkinPhD

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by Casey Durrett, LEI – Social Media Director, Placécol USA & SkinPhD
   
Beyond Beauty & Skin – The founders of Placécol USA are launching a potent, clinically-endorsed range of cosmeceutical skin care products – SkinPhD. Our products are formulated and manufactured in South Africa where rich African extracts and the latest innovations in cosmetic technology are combined to create a product range that balances, nourishes, and renews the skin.  

Our philosophy in caring for and correcting skin results in a product portfolio that has undergone rigorous testing, is suitable for sensitive skin, and is endorsed by dermatologists. SkinPhD products are intended to correct and balance the skin without aggression. Our formulators ensure that the ingredients used in our products will create positive changes in the skin through the use of materials that improve the skin’s barrier function, maintain healthy skin pH, reduce inflammatory conditions, and bring balance to the oil and water content of the skin. All skin types experience positive results when these important areas of skin health are addressed.    

 As a cosmeceutical range, our products rely on bio-active ingredients to produce beneficial changes in the appearance of the skin. Bio-active ingredients work beyond the skin’s surface to create true change. Some benefits of bio-active ingredients include increased cellular renewal and regeneration, improved barrier function, and the stabilization of collagen and elastin. SkinPhD features a host of bio-actives including vitamins, polysaccharides, botanicals, proteins, peptides, and enzymes.    

 
The SkinPhD product portfolio includes:    

  • Core Range – These daily care products are formulated with beneficial ingredients such as Prickly Ash Bark which promotes wound healing and increases circulation, and Niacinamide which increases barrier function, improves collagen synthesis, and reduces hyperpigmentation concerns. In addition to fundamental products like cleansers and moisturizers, SkinPhD offers specialized products that target key areas of concern including eye and lip care, skin firming, and cellutlite.
  •  Renaissance – A complete range of products for skin of color – This range addresses the unique needs of skin of color and features indigenous African ingredients Marula extract and Kalahari Melon.
  • Platinum – A complete range of optimal aging products – These powerful anti-aging formulations contain Phyto-Hormones, Collagen-Building Actives, high levels of Antioxidants, and Zincite. Zincite is a semi-precious stone that plays an important role in the metabolism of DNA maintaining their double-helix structure, aids in cellular proliferation and survival and brings long-term geno-protective benefits.

In addition to our existing product ranges, SkinPhD will be launching an exciting new selection of products intended to clarify problem skin. This range will feature a powerful yet natural purifying ingredient – Honeybush. Honeybush is a sibling of Rooibos and is cultivated in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region. It is a natural anti-fungal agent and is rich in iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, and manganese.    

   
Left: Zincite – A feature ingredient of SkinPhD’s Platinum range
Right: Honeybush – A potent ingredient in SkinPhD’s upcoming Clarify range  

  

 SkinPhD reaches beyond beauty and skin.
Value, excellence, and integrity are at the core of our vision.
Our products are a viable choice for skin of all types, conditions, and ethnicities. We welcome you to the SkinPhD brand and invite you to experience the wonderful changes our products have to offer.    

‘Tis the Season for Chocolate…on your Face!

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by Holly Harmon, Executive Director of Aesthetics and Training Placecol USA and SkinPhD

Ummm, cholocate is the indulgence that so many of us crave.  Can it be true…that chocolate is actually good for us and our skin?  Yes!  Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables.  These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.  Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries).   Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.  Chocolate is good for you internally and as an application on the skin if pure dark chocolate courtesy of the cacao plant is used…as in our signature Revitalizing Facial.

At Placecol and Skin PhD, we have the most luxurious one hour facial therapy that incorporates our signature cold laser therapy and our decadent cocoa mask.

REVITALIZING COLD LASER FACIAL WITH COCOA MASK

As with all of our facials, our steps are to cleanse the face, apply toner, exfoliate ot remove the dead skin cells on the epidermis and then we use cold laser on the face that stimulates a process called ATP in the mitochondria of the cell.  This brings the cells back to their original state of health thus repairing and healing the skin from the cellular level.  Next, we apply our exclusive Revitalizing Cocoa Mask.  This unique mask rejuvenates the skin by means of its active ingredients such as alginates extracted from kelp. The polyphenols and vitamin A are powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and slow the effects of aging. The tannins, because of their astringent and tonic properties, bring back the firmness to the epidermis. In addition cocoa has moisturizing properties that are essential for preventing wrinkle formation. The skin’s protective film is reconstituted, and its glow is restored.  How divine!

For more details on our signature therapies or to contact spas/physicians that carry our products and therapies, please visit us at www.placecolusa.com and on facebook www.facebook.com/placecolusa

Kalahari Melon: the gift for your skin from the deserts of Africa

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by Holly Harmon, Executive Director of Training and Aesthetics, Placecol USA  hollyh@placecolusa.com

Oil from the seeds of the Kalahari melon is used to moisturize, regenerate and restructure the skin. Kalahari melon oil is rich in essential fatty acids, especially linoleic, oleic and palmitic fatty acids.  It has high antioxidant activity, which possibly helps the plant to survive in the harsh Kalahari desert environment.  

Our cosmetic scientists in South Africa have long known the restoring properties of Kalahari Melon extract along with the many other elements from nature on the Continent.  Of course, Africa is rich with many indigenous plants and fruits whose extracts are unparalleled for skin restoration and repair.  You will find these “gifts” from Africa used throughout our skin care collections.  Our Renaissance® Restoring Night Cream includes the healing antidote from nature for damaged and aging skin–Kalahari Melon–along with Mongongo Nut Oil and Rhodiola Extract.  

About the Kalahari Melon

The Kalahari melon (citrullus lanatus) is also known as the Tsamma melon or wild watermelon and is the biological ancestor of the common watermelon now found worldwide. It is a creeping annual herb with hairy stems and bright yellow flowers.  Unlike the common watermelon, whose flesh is sweet and red, the Kalahari melon’s juicy flesh is pale yellow or green, and tastes bitter. Kalahari melon fruits are small and round in the wild, but larger and oval when cultivated.  The Kalahari melon is highly adapted to surviving drought and the harsh light of the desert environment. Although found all over Southern Africa, it is most closely associated with the Kalahari sands of Namibia, Botswana, south-western Zambia and western Zimbabwe. 

For more information on our products and therapies:  www.placecolusa.com  www.facebook/placecolusa

Placécol uses Cold Lasers for Revolutionary Skin Therapies

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Placécol is the first skin care company to use cold laser therapy with our dermatologist-endorsed, clinically-validated skin care products for a revolutionary treatment that actually heals and repairs your skin!   We have been performing these treatments in South Africa for the better part of a decade and now we are bringing them to the U.S. market.  But what is a cold laser?  There are so many lasers and light-based aesthetic treatments that the whole thing is just plain confusing!

Cold lasers supply energy to the body using non-thermal photos of light versus those that use heated photons of light.  Light waves in the near infrared (cold laser) ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves.  Cold lasers transmit light through the skin’s layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin).  Cold lasers create photo bio-stimulation which is the process where a chain of chemical reaction is triggered by exposure to light.  Primary photo-acceptors (which are activated by light) are located in the mitochondria and can convert light energy to electro-chemical energy.  Cold lasers stimulate the cell’s mitochondria and thus trigger the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which is to say that they bring the cells back to their original state of health.  It is this energy that heals, repairs, builds collagen, increases cell turnover, and oxygenates the blood.

Cold lasers are good for your skin…and the rest of your body!  It is a scientific fact that light transmitted to

Placécol's Cold Laser from Multi Radiance Medical

the blood in this way has positive effects throughout the entire body, supplying vital oxygen and energy to every cell, increasing cell turnover, and improving collagen and elasticity. Up until this point, cold laser therapy has been used by pain management physicians, chiropractors, and massage therapists for pain reduction.  The science that enables the device to work for healing also has incredible rejuvenating effects on the skin.

Credibility and Clinical Studies

Laser therapy is supported by over 4000 clinical studies.  Our engineers worked on the Russian space program; they are among the most prominent physicists and engineers in the world.  Over 2500 published articles on light therapy exist with over 1200 references.  Over 170 randomized, double blind studies were conducted.

How does our cold laser work?

Our cold laser by Multi Radiance Medical is FDA-approved and includes patented technology.  It is designed with three specific radiances built into a cluster that combines the following wavelengths and light sources:

∞ 905nm super-pulsed laser                 ∞ 875 nm non-coherent IREDs           ∞ 660nm non-coherent LED

These wavelengths combine the most effective infrared wavelengths with a red light LED.  The resulting photochemical reaction from these modalities produce:  1) an increase in the cellular metabolism rate that expedites cell repair and the stimulation of the immune, lymphatic and vascular systems, 2)  an increase in collagen and elasticity in the skin, 3) an increase in oxygen flow and energy throughout the body, 4) a decrease in bacteria, 4) an improvement in tone and texture, and 5) a reduction in wrinkles which all lead to beautiful, glowing, and healthy skin!

For more information visit www. placecolusa.com and www.facebook.com/placecolusa

Rhodiola Extract has antioxidant properties for the skin 20X more powerful than Vitamin C

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Hilary Bell, Health and Beauty Blogger

In today’s world of heightened health awareness, to say that skin care has reached borderline revolutionary proportions would be quite the understatement.  “Lather, Rinse, Repeat” has long since been replaced by “Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate,” and the average bar of soap simply won’t do. 

More often than not, the consumer beings we are fall victim to the marketing promises on the front of our skincare bottles, and with promises like- “Silky Smooth Hair in 10 Days!” and “Look 10 years younger in 2 weeks!” who wouldn’t?  The problem is that those exciting results promised on the front of those bottles tend to result in our neglect in reading the back of the “little jar full of promises.”

Your first look at the back of those bottles can be eye opening.   The first few names on the list of ingredients will either look like a foreign language or the answers to that Chemistry test you forgot to study for in high school.  There may be no grade involved in this scenario, but these unfamiliar words are no less frightening.  Despite what the front of the bottle promises, these ingredients are hardly contributing to healthier skin and are actually toxic in some cases. 

For example, any one of the first few foreign ingredients could very well be a toxic preservative snuck into many skincare products.  On the other hand, that word you recognize from your Chemistry test may be an emulsifier used to create the illusion of smoother, healthier skin.  When it, in fact, it may actually be a irritant that damages the skin’s protein.   Even a word as seemingly innocent as, “fragrance” can mean that wonderful pomegranate smell in your cleanser is made up of thousands of harmful synthetic chemicals.  In other words, just because it smells like an antioxidant rich pomegranate doesn’t necessarily mean it’s full of antioxidants.

This is where Placécol comes in.  With an emphasis on nutrient- dense plant based ingredients, the backs of these bottles contain no toxins disguised as nice smells and instant smoothing results.  Placécol’s Renaissance® range, in particular, contains a wide variety of products made of natural ingredients that nourish your skin.  For example, the Radiance Toner and Restoring Night Cream contain Rhodiola Extract. 

Rhodiola Rosea, or Golden Root, belongs to the Crassulaceae family.   Rhodiola contains an almost unlimited amount of phenolic antioxidants and contains Proanthocyanidins—a phytochemical found in grape seed, cinnamon, cocoa, bilberry, cranberry, black currant, green tea, and black tea.  Recent studies show that this phytochemical’s antioxidant capabilities are 20 times more powerful than that of Vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E.   While this is indeed an impressive little factoid, what makes Rhodiola unique to The Renaissance® Range is its ability to penetrate skin with more melanin (darker skin tones) extremely effectively.  A note to you beautiful women with darker skin tones, when they tell you that “one size fits all” for skin care—it is simply not true!  Placécol’s products are formulated and manufactured in South Africa and we ARE experts in this area.  To put it simply, the free radicals you’re constantly warned about in today’s commercials are no match for Placécol’s Renaissance® products.   Also, the Proanthocyanidins in Rhodiola suppress the production of endothelin-1, a protein that constricts the blood vessels.  Why is that significant?  Well, the suppression of this protein makes for greater bioavailability, which, in short, means your body is able to absorb and use ALL the benefits from an antioxidant rich plant like Rhodiola.  To put it simply, it’s a win-win for you and your skin.

We use Rhodiola in our Renaissance® range because it is a powerful energizing and protective concentrate that results in healthy and radiant skin.  It protects cells from free radical aggression and recharges cells with energy.  The result is a revitalized, glowing complexion with improved skin tone. 

Renaissance Restoring Night Cream with Rhodiomax

Active Ingredients:

Rhodiola Extract:       Protects cells from free Radical aggression and recharge cells with energy.  Significant stimulation of the skin’s cell respiration.

Mongongo Nut :     This oil is restructuring

Watermelon Extract:   Assists in the protection of DNA

Benefits:   This special blend of active skin care ingredients help to revitalize  the skin, refining its appearance and improving texture and tone.  The result is smooth, soft, velvety skin, with a radiant and translucent glow. 

 Ultimately, Placécol’s Renaissance products for skin health offer you something essential – results from REAL all natural plant based ingredients designed to work with your skin instead of against it.  With ingredients like Rhodiola, the back of the bottle will never again be a scary place to look.  Once you’ve achieved the younger, healthier looking and feeling skin you’ve been searching for in those other products, you’ll realize that Placécol is the one skincare line that keeps all its promises.

Placécol launches the World of Beauty in South Africa

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Heather Elrod, President and CEO of Placécol USA

 

The Skinwell group (parent company of Placécol) launched a new concept store called the World of Beauty which is a combination Placécol Skin Treatment Centre, Dreamnails & Body, and also includes a hair salon.  The World of Beauty is comparable to a day Spa in the United States but before now in South Africa, skin care and hair/nail services were separate so this is a historic event for Placécol!

The World of Beauty was launched today at Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg.  This concept store has been tested by the group for over a year at Placécol Zambezi and has proved to be a very profitable business model.  The World of Beauty concept store offers the best in skincare, nail care and hair care in both services and retail offerings.   

The recently appointed Skinwell CEO, Esna Colyn says that the World of Beauty salon is based on international trends to offer a one stop innovative beauty experience to its customers.  Dreamnails & Body, which is a 25 year old brand and ready to evolve, offers the best in nail enhancements to its customers. Placécol, also a brand that is older than 13 years, offers the best in skin care treatments through its signature Photo bio-stimulation facial therapies (with patented cold laser technology) that is used in conjunction with its dermatologist-endorsed and clinically-tested Placécol skincare ranges. Placécol will launch its own Placécol Peels in July 2010.  The hair offering is equally exciting through the Goldwell and Redken brands.  The Skinwell group has more than 100 franchised and company owned beauty outlets nationally.  The group will continue to open Placécol and Dreamnails & Body outlets where appropriate, such as the recently opened Placécol in Sea Point, Cape Town and also plans to open a new Placécol store in the Eastern Cape in July 2010.

The Great Benefits of Exfoliation

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by Holly Harmon, Master Aesthetician and Executive Director of Training for Placécol USA. 

We often find in the aesthetics profession that many of our clients do not understand the importance of making exfoliation a part of their weekly skin care regimen.  What does exfoliation do?  The term exfoliation refers to the sloughing or peeling away of the horny layer or outer layer of the skin, also known as the corneum.  An exfoliant is a particular ingredient that facilitates this process.

Let’s look at the skin cells journey:  new skin cells are created in the skin’s lower layer, the dermis. Over time, cells migrate to the surface of the skin and become more acidic. During their 30 day journey, they die and become saturated with keratin. Keratin is important because it protects the skin from outside elements. Through the ageing process, and after menopause for women, the natural process of skin erosion becomes uneven, which gives skin a dry and rough character. Exfoliation removes the outer layer to reveal the newer skin beneath. This shedding of the outer layer unclogs pores, keeps skin clean and more youthful/healthy in appearance, and helps reduce acne breakouts. There are different types of exfoliants, ranging from chemical, acidic, or enzymatic exfoliants to mechanical exfoliation (such as microdermabrasion).

Chemical exfoliants include scrubs, serums or gels containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid which may be applied in high concentrations by a dermatologist or in lower concentrations in over-the-counter products. Chemical exfoliation may also involve the use of products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that act to weaken the bonds that  holds the skin cells together and sloughs them away more readily.

Why is it vital to skin health?  There are great benefits of exfoliation.  Women have exfoliated their skin for centuries.  In fact, credit is given to the ancient Egyptians for the practice of exfoliation.  Proper and habitual exfoliating can improve dull, lifeless skin tone; oily, clogged pores with minor acne, blackheads and/or whiteheads; dehydrated skin with cell build-up and flakiness; and in some cases, improve fine lines and wrinkles.  Just remember… “you must remove to improve!”

 While we recommend a professional facial at least once per month or once every other month for skin health and we absolutely recommend that you exfoliate two times per week.1

This is your facial at home!  Placécol has several exfoliating options for your skin-specific needs.  Two of Placécol’s exfoliants are rich in alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).  The skin-rejuvenating properties of certain AHA’s have been known for centuries. Cleopatra bathed in sour milk, which contains lactic acid, and the women of the French court washed their faces in spoiled wine, which contains tartaric acid.  AHA’s are weak organic acids. They are naturally found throughout nature in sugar cane as glycolic acid, in sour milk as lactic acid, and in fruits as malic, citric and tartaric acids.  The principal cosmetic actions of AHA’s on the skin are increased exfoliation and moisturization. The moisturizing qualities of cosmetic AHA’s help diminish the appearance of fine lines and help maintain the skin’s proper moisture level.   Low concentration AHA’s facilitate shedding of the outer layer of the epidermis resulting in cosmetically improved skin with a radiant, youthful glow to the skin.  With proper and regular exfoliation, your skin will radiate a healthy glow. Visible improvements appear in skin texture, smoothness, and overall skin health.

Placecol’s Gentle Exfoliating Serum contains AHA’s origin form red berries such Blackcurrant and Bilberry, containing citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and malic acid. These red fruits are rich in sugars, minerals and vitamin C, an active stimulant for cell regeneration that protects the skin against free radicals.  It also contains glycoproteins which increase cell turnover and cell proliferation while stimulating the skin’s immunosystem.

 ahaPlacécol’s AHA Exfoliating Cream is rich in Bilberry, Sugar Cane, Sugar Maple, Orange and Lemon extract it is also enriched with Shea butter for additional mildness on the skin.  This concentrated blend of five botanical extracts contains several naturally occurring alpha hydroxyl acids.  These extracts contain a wide variety of residual natural substances, such as cellulose, carbohydrates, proteins, water soluble vitamins and minerals.  The primary action of AHA’s lies in their keratolytic ability – they weaken bonds that hold dead skin cells together. When these bonds are weakened, the dead skin cells can be shed from the surface of the skin, resulting in skin that appears fresher, smoother and younger.

This natural fruit acid blend also helps to normalize and improve the production of new skin cells, while the addition of Shea butter nourishes and conditions the skin, leaving it in superlative condition.  Suitable for dry, sensitive skin.

 

gentle-exfoliatorPlacécol’s Platinum Gentle Exfoliator with Papaya is a unique and highly effective exfoliator that uses papaya as the fruit acid exfoliator.  This highly effective exfoliator is designed for mature/dry skin with changing hormone levels and appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.  It contains super hydrating Ximenia Oil and Calendula Oil leaving your skin more youthful in appearance, toned, hydrated, and rejuvenated.

 

The regular use of products such as Placecol’s Gentle Exfoliating Serum, AHA Exfoliating Cream,  or the Platinum Gentle Exfoliator with Papaya make skin appear fresher, smoother and younger while at the same time releasing the benefits of hydration and collegen sythesis from lactic and citric acids. These products are effective yet gentle enough as to not over-exfoliate or break down the skins natural protection and impeded cellular function while improving the over-all health of your skin.  A simple addition of a good exfoliator to your skin care regime can have beautiful and skin healthy results!

1It is important to note that exfoliation can cause irritation or damage to the skin and capillaries if overused or used incorrectly. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a skin care professional to assess your skin type and proper skin care regimen.

“Show me the Money”-how to increase your spa/medspa cash flow” Placécol speaking at the Day Spa Expo in Las Vegas

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“Show Me The Money”- How To Increase Your Day Spa/Medspa Cash Flow
Posted by Day Spa Expo and Business Forum at 8:00 am, January 26th 2010.


“Show Me The Money”- How To Increase Your Day Spa/Medspa Cash Flow

by Heather Elrod, Placécol Corporation USA

Heather ElrodMost of us have heard “manage to the metrics” or “know your financial Key Result Areas”. But let’s face it, how many of us are truly diligent and disciplined in analyzing our business financial statements on a monthly basis? Who really wants to spend time evaluating financial statements, right? This is the perfect chore to procrastinate! But, the reality is that this is perhaps one of the best uses of time as business owners and managers. Your Income Statement or Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement is an incredible weapon in your business management arsenal. Used effectively, it is a blueprint for guiding decision-making around the Key Result Areas of your business: top line revenue and bottom line profit!

Let’s break the P&L Statement into two parts: (note: the Balance Sheet is also critically important for the full “picture” of the business but we will only focus on the P&L for now).

P & LP&L Part I:

1) Revenue

a. Sales by category

i. Services (salon separated from

spa)

ii. Retail

iii. Other

2) Cost of Goods Sold

a. By category listed above

b. Service provider salaries are often

included

3) Gross Profit

a. Revenue -Cost of Goods Sold = Gross

Profit

Tip #1: The categorization is important! This shows your sales mix: hair, nails, spa, and retail sales within each category. Knowing your sales mix should guide marketing tactics, incentive plans, purchases, staffing levels, etc.

Tip #2: retail sales can greatly improve cash flow. This is often a neglected aspect of the business! The industry targets retail sales of 30% but we rarely see retail sales anywhere close to that percentage. In fact, most P & L Statements that we have evaluated show retail sales at single digit, less than 10%! The focus is generally skewed on services over retail but retail sales are a quick and easy way to increase sales and profit. In fact, we have seen retail sales turn Day Spas with negative cash flow into positive cash flow. Your profit on your retail products should be at least 50% (if not, you have the wrong vendor partners). There are unique tactics increasing retail sales that we will discuss in the workshop at the Day Spa Expo.

P&L Part II:

1) Operating Expens

i. All other expenses (e.g. Administrative Salaries, Marketing/Advertising, Rent, etc)

Tip #3: The most common expense categories that we see out of alignment and eating away profits are: 1) Salaries, 2) Supplies (general and back bar), and 3) Marketing/Advertising (for medspas: add malpractice insurance and repairs/maintenance to the list).

There are relatively simple ways to control these variable expenses but the first step is to know where you stand in these categories by taking a hard look at your P&L Statement. We’ll look at sample P&Ls, discuss targeted performance, and share best practices for increasing cash flow in our workshop at the Expo. We hope to see you there!

Heather Elrod, Placécol Corporation USA

888.855.5245

www.placecolusa.com

heather@placecolusa.com

To view full details on Heather Elrod’s presentation at the Day Spa Expo & Business Forum on Sunday, March 14th, click here: http://www.dayspaexpo.com/2010dayspaexpobusinessforum.html#Heather_Elrod

Special Discounts apply for social media participants! You will receive 10% off your Full Business Forum using social media discount code: SM1020 when you pre-register online by March 1st. Register Now! Click Here and use Code SM1020 *Discounts cannot be combined with DSA/IMSA Member discount.