This will depend on your skin type and what your skin concerns are. Facials can target areas of specific concern and it is best to discuss this with your therapist so she can recommend the best course of treatment.
Dermaplaning is a painless facial treatment which removes the peach fuzz (vellus) hair on the face. The benefits of dermaplaning are; hair-free face, smoother skin, reduces the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles, aids in product absorption by up to 50%, reduces the amount of make-up on application, makes the silhouette of the face appear more defined and can help to reduce the signs of pigmentation.
Dermaplaning only removes the fine ‘peach fuzz’ (vellus) hairs down to the surface of the skin. The coarseness of these hairs is much less than terminal hairs which we see on other areas of the body such as legs, eyebrows, underarms, bikini etc. Prior to a dermaplaning facial, your therapist will ask you about any hair removal you normally do on the face. Coarse, terminal hairs will be removed by a different method such as waxing or threading prior to the treatment to ensure that only the vellus hairs are during the facial. Any increase in coarse hair is likely to be the result of hormonal changes which would have occurred even without the dermaplaning treatment.
It is essential to apply an SPF after a dermaplaning treatment and to make this a part of your everyday product application. As dermaplaning removes layers of dead skin and exposes delicate skin cells underneath it is important to protect the skins integrity with an SPF. Failure to do so may result in premature ageing and pigmentation.
You may find that you need to apply more moisturiser in the days immediately after a dermaplaning facial. The skin will absorb products better after treatment and without the vellus hair absorbing the moisturiser the skin may feel slightly drier than normal.
Both of these products are part of the ‘acrylates’ family commonly used for nail services. Acrylic has been popular for many years however, recently it has seen a decline in popularity largely due to inferior products and poor service experience from Non Standard Salons. Gel became the ‘go to’ product as it was commonly thought to be better for the nails, no odour and felt lighter to wear. However, with a vast range of quality products now available and a score of well-educated nail technicians both products are equal in their qualities. Nowadays, gel and acrylic can be as strong as each other, they can both perform similarly and neither should be credited with damaging the natural nails as that is largely down to aggressive preparation or poor removal. Your nail technician will likely have a preference for one over the other or she may use both and can recommend which is most suited to what you would like to achieve.
This will largely depend on if you are following aftercare advice. A gel polish is normally suggested to last up to 2 weeks. Gel overlays and extensions may last up to 3 weeks at which point a removal or infill appointment should be scheduled. If nails last beyond this timescale they may experience more breakages and we do not suggest allowing gaps longer than 3 weeks between appointments. The nails will have grown, some product breakdown may start to show and the nails may feel unmanageable which may encourage some clients to start picking at the product.
This will depend on how you would like to look and feel. Relaxing treatments are a fantastic way to destress and unwind in the run up to the big day. Scalp massages, reflexology and pedicures can help to release tension in different parts of the body.
For flawless skin, you may opt for a course of facials to prep the skin in time for the big day. We recommend discussing with your therapist your skin concerns so you can agree on a treatment plan. Avoid facials 3-4 days before the wedding in case of any unlikely reactions or outbreaks.
Nails are always at the top of a brides list when it comes to wedding preparation. The most common bridal style is a French Manicure which gives a healthy, natural finish but we sometimes get requests for something a little more daring and sparkle always goes down well.
If you’re planning on honeymooning straight after the wedding then we suggest a pre-holiday wax. Not only will your skin be smooth and hair-free for longer but you won’t need to waste time shaving or disguising irritated skin whilst you’re away. It’s best to get into a regular wax routine months prior to the wedding so that you can get the best results and schedule your pre wedding wax at the optimum time.
Our skin and body tissues have the ability to absorb light and transfer it into energy. LED light therapy delivers beneficial light energy to the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase blood circulation and treat mild to moderate cases of acne. The light may be applied to the skin via a handheld device, mask or lamp. This treatment can be used alone or combined with other facial treatments to increase results.
Whilst we can’t promise your waxing appointment will be completely pain free, we use the best products and techniques for the most comfortable waxing experience. Hair is removed quickly in patches so any little ‘ouch’ moments are minimal. We take care of the skin to ensure that we protect skin integrity and leave you with a smooth finish.
For best results the hair should be the length of a grain of rice. This allows the wax to fully grip the hair. If the hair is shorter than this it is possible that you may not achieve the desired result and would likely need to schedule another wax sooner.
We normally recommend scheduling your waxing appointments every 4 weeks although this will depend on your hair growth cycle. If you’re a regular waxer you will likely get into a routine that suits you but if you’re new to waxing it may take you a couple of appointments to work out what is best for you. Your therapist will make recommendations based on observation and the information you give her.
It is recommended that you shower before your appointment and avoid applying any creams or perfumes to the area to be treated as this may affect the efficiency of the wax to adhere to the hairs. 24-48 hours before your appointment, you may like to use an exfoliator to remove the dead skin cells and lift the hairs or loosen any ingrown hairs. This will aid in a better waxing result.
Your therapist will advise you on the specific aftercare for your waxing service. Most importantly you should avoid exposing the area to heat such as hot showers/baths, saunas, steam or sun. Wear loose clothing to reduce any friction to the skin and avoid applying any creams, perfumes or tanning products for 24 hours which may irritate the skin. You may exfoliate the area 1-2 times a week to reduce ingrown hairs and keep the area smooth. Couple it with Wax:One Care to prevent and treat ingrown hairs.
Hair will not grow back thicker after waxing, if anything, over time the hair growth will actually slow down and hairs will become finer. An increase in hair growth is most commonly a result of hormonal changes. It is common to find coarse, dark hairs as we age and our oestrogen levels decrease.
A Hollywood bikini wax is a popular waxing style of the bikini area. All hairs are removed from the intimate bikini area and bottom ensuring that if you wish to wear a swimsuit or G-String no hairs will be visible. Your therapist may ask you to remove your underwear and provide you with a modesty towel in order to perform the service thoroughly and most effectively.
Similar to a Hollywood bikini wax, the Brazilian is a popular waxing style. All hair is removed except a small strip or triangle on the pubic bone. This gives a clean, tidy finish if you wish to wear a swimsuit or G-String.
We would always recommend to ask your therapist to remove your gel polish/product as she is trained to do so efficiently and quickly. However, if you do find yourself needing to remove it here is what to do;
Establish what kind of product it is – ask your therapist if it is a soak off or file off product.
If it is a file off product you should file the product to remove the colour and leave a thin layer of clear product on the nail which will grow out. This will prevent overfilling the natural nail.
If the product is soak off you should file the surface to remove all the shine. Then, soak cotton wool in acetone, place directly on the nail and wrap the finger with aluminium foil. Allow the acetone to penetrate for 10-15 minutes.
Remove 1 finger wrap at a time and using a soft pusher, gentle push the product off the nail. If the product is still adhered, lightly file over it and rewrap with fresh cotton wool soaked in acetone. Leave for another 5 minutes. DO NOT PICK the product off the nail as this will result in damage to the natural nail.
Once all product is removed, you can lightly smooth over the nails with a soft buffer then apply hand cream and cuticle oil daily.
If the nails feel a little softer without the added strength of the gel your therapist will be able to recommend a homecare product to you. Avoid nail strengtheners which will actually dehydrate the nails and make them brittle.
These products will not damage your nails if they are quality products (hypoallergenic, HEMA free, responsibly manufactured etc). Damage to the nails largely occurs from incorrect removal, aggressive treatment to the natural nail, ignoring aftercare recommendations or cheap, inferior products.
This is one of the biggest nail myths that we hear all the time. The nails are dead, hardened skin cells called Keratin. They do not have a respiratory function and therefore do not need to ‘breathe’. Your nails also do not need a rest from nail products such as gel or acrylic as long as the products that are used are of the best quality, the therapist that is applying them are well trained to do so, that removal is carried out safely and that you as the client follow the aftercare recommended to you such as applying cuticle oil daily, not picking at the product and not stretching your nail appointments too far apart.
Toenails grow slower than the nails on our hands and it actually can take up to a year for a toenail to grow from base to tip. However, we will all experience different rates of growth especially if the nails have any deformity. It is recommended to trim the toenails every 4-6 weeks unless advised otherwise. This will keep them at a comfortable, manageable length without cutting them too low or leaving them too long, both of which can lead to other foot problems.
Largely, over the counter corn treatments don’t work. They are designed to soften the callus overlying the corn but won’t treat the root of the problem. Always visit a Foot Health Specialist, who can advise on the best course of treatment. This may involve enucleating (removing) the corn, padding the area or changing the footwear to remove the pressure which is causing the corn.
Verrucae or Plantar Warts are notoriously difficult to treat and unfortunately there isn’t one specific treatment that will suit everyone. There are lots of different treatments such as creams, acids, freezing, microwave therapy and even surgical removal but none of them can claim to be 100% effective at removing the verruca indefinitely. It is a plausible theory that the verruca may well disappear on its own accord however, if the area is particularly painful or large you should consult a Foot Health Specialist or Podiatrist who can explain the range of treatments available.
Frequently Asked Questions
