Are Salon Treatments Safe During Pregnancy?

Author Name: Cyndra Neal Are Salon Treatments Safe During Pregnancy?There is nothing like a new haircut or hair color, or pedicure and manicure to make you feel like a new woman. Especially when a pregnancy can leave you feeling tired and changing hormones can make you feel not quite yourself. But are these treatments safe for your developing baby? Exposure to certain environmental agents called teratogens during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Experts are divided on how much exposure is too much but at this time there are no proven risks for most salon visits and there are many things you can do to help minimize any potential problems.NailsReducing your exposure to fumes is the most important thing you can do when getting a manicure. Ask your manicurist to do your nails in a well ventilated area and ask her to tightly cap all solvent bottles. Your nail polish should be formaldehyde and toluene free if possible. There is a small risk of blood-borne infections such as HIV or hepatitis being transferred by non-sterile equipment through nicks in the cuticle. When getting acrylic nails, make sure your nail technician is careful about minimizing the skin contact with the liquids used. Be most careful when in the first trimester.PedicuresPedicure massages, especially when focused on reflex points on the feet can trigger labor. Avoid any kind of foot massage during the first trimester. Also avoid ankle massages even during the second and third trimester. Blood clots are six times more common in pregnant women. Foot and leg massages can dislodge clots if the pressure of the massage is too deep. The temperature of your foot bath should not be too hot. Again, your polish should be formaldehyde and toluene free if possible.Essential OilsSome essential oils known as emmenagogues can encourage menstruation and should be avoided during the first trimester. Make sure your pedicure technician knows which herbal oils are safe.Hair DyeExperts disagree on how much dye may be absorbed by the body and there are many doctors who think it%26#8217;s perfectly fine to get your hair dyed during pregnancy. You might want to be on the safe side and just get your hair frosted, highlighted or streaked where there is minimal contact with your scalp. Be wary of natural dyes that can still contain synthetic chemicals. Pure vegetable henna can be an alternative but not everybody will want a red-orange hue. If you do choose to have your hair dyed, be aware that changing hormones can affect the way the dye affects your hair color.Tanning BedsYou should definitely pass on this salon treatment. Excessive heat exposure is dangerous for your pregnancy and over exposure to UV light can interfere with your immune system.There are salons and day spas that cater exclusively to pregnant women. For peace of mind, you may want to find a salon that understands your special needs during your pregnancy.

Insiders Guide to Therapeutic Massages

The art of massage is crucial in terms of achieving a good sense of well-being without the need or regular use of traditional medicine, but if you are unsure if therapeutic massages are for you, this guide will assist you in deciding what body massages you require to be in better health.Deep Kneading MassagesIf you like deep kneading massage, you can try methods such as foot massage, in which your therapist will massage and knead various areas of the feet to help clear sinuses, decrease headaches, and to ease different stomach problems. It is thought that there is a specific area of the leg that is correlated with each of the internal organs.Your massage therapist will typically use the old Chinese method of reflexology to assist in curing your malaise by massaging your feet properly. It is quite possibly one of the most unusual “body massages” because you don’t just feel the massage in one section of your body but you will also feel the effects of massage, even while you are in session, in various other parts of the body.Hot Stone and Trigger Point MassagesAnother massage therapy that you can try out is the hot stone massage. For this type of technique, stones that have been warmed, which are commonly made out of marble, are placed on specific parts of the body to relax the muscle and make it more comfortable to work on by building up blood flow in that specific part of the body. The heat also functions to stimulate the nervous system, which makes the amount of time you end up spending on the massage table particularly relaxing.Trigger point therapy is an additional type of technique that you should discuss with your therapist. During this process, precise points in the bodies muscles are touched on with a minimum of pressure, as these points can trigger the transfer of pain in other sections of the body as well. This type of technique is particularly important, given the time that the muscle is touched, the position of the muscles, as well as the duration of time it takes for the pain to be relinquished from the muscle influences how well you will feel when the session is finished.Thai Massage and Sports MassagesYou can also experience some other types of therapies such as Thai massage and sports massage, which is perfect for athletes and those who have to do a significant amount of physical labor for their line of work. You can also use massage as a means of reducing the time you need to take pain killers, so be make certain to discuss with your physical therapist or doctor on various ways that each of these different therapeutic massages can help you to achieve overall good health.

Massage For Aches and Pains

Of all medical problems massage is probably most renowned for helping back pain, stiff neck and shoulders, and general aches and pains. Although the aging process contributes to some of these problems, many can be avoided by simple lifestyle changes such as improving posture, taking more exercise, drinking more water, and eating more fresh fruit and vegetables.Massage for backaches and painsBack pain is one of the most commonly experienced problems, causing more days off work than any other physical symptom. Massage can help relax stiff muscles, locate and loosen areas of tension, and ease stress, which is often a factor in back pain. Helpful treatments for back pain, covered elsewhere in this book, include kneading, skin rolling, firm pressures, Chinese massage, Thai massage, shiatsu, and reflexology.Massage for other aches and painsAches and pains become increasingly common with age, and for many elderly people the pain, swelling, and stiffness of arthritis and rheumatism is a sad fact of life. However, there is plenty of evidence that shows the benefits of regular massage in reducing pain and swelling, increasing mobility, reducing the need for painkillers, and improving mood. Some of the massage treatments suitable for aches and pains include hand and foot massage, manual lymphatic drainage, and hydrotherapy.Self-help for aches and painFor back pain, self-massage of the neck, shoulders, and lower back can work wonders. It will relieve pain and alleviate stress at the same time. Other self-help treatments include applying a hot or cold compress to the back, and reflexology: massage the instep to affect the back.Never massage directly on an inflamed joint. Avoid any area that feels hot and swollen, instead massage very gently above the inflamed region.Other measuresAches and pains can be washed away in a relaxing bath. Try adding a few drops of rosemary, chemomile, or lavender essential oil to your bath and benefit from their soothing properties. Regular exercise, particularly swimming, is very important to maintain mobility.

Natural stress relief

Stress is an accumulation of harried activities. Multi tasking is a necessary means of survival and also stay-at-home moms and dads feel the need to break free. If you get this runaway feeling and extremely burnt out kind of sensation in your chores, you are at the risk of extreme stress. Stress manifests itself as a skin irritation, hair loss and the inability to recollect simple things. The other dangerous forms include palpitation, heart disease, high triglycerides and also abnormal blood pressure. The best way to refresh one is to backpack and go on a holiday. If commitments do not allow such luxuries then start by organizing your weekends. Finish your laundry on Friday nights and freeze some food for the weekend. The lavish breakfast can be replaced with a healthy cereal or muesli so that you have more time in your hands. Make it a fun time with family by manicuring the lawn or doing up your garden. Nurturing plants is about life and the joy at seeing a flower bloom is beautiful.The easiest way to de-stress is to get a massage or plan a treatment in the spa. The procrastinated facial and manicure does much to your morale. Go shopping alone or with a friend. Take a lonely walk instead of the boring bus ride to break the monotony of routine transport. A drive in the rains with your spouse is magically refreshing. Foot massage is extremely stressed relieving and learn a few tips on acupressure. Know the right way to breathe. Exhale negativity and inhale life.Make life a little liveable by postponing cleaning the attic and switching off the television. In the normal work hours make at least fifteen minutes as personal time. Close your eyes and make this a time for reflection. Meditation may seem difficult but what essentially is required is quietening the mind. Life is full of surprises and being over ambitious in the daily agenda may lead to dissatisfaction. Go for a makeover with a new hair cut and cut your hair in bob style or use spikes. Confidence in personality is another way to combat boredom and stress.Call up an old friend and connect with your ex-colleagues this weekend. Arrange a babysitter for your toddler or ask your partner to make the weekly visit to the supermarket. Replace routines and take time to smell the flowers. Just stop and enjoy life. Day dream, pen a poem, write a letter to your parents or watch the rain from your window sill. Simple and natural stress relief methods are more effective. Today most companies especially IT companies have stress management programs to help its employees to overcome their stress. Coconut oil if applied daily, is also considered to be a good stress buster.

Top 5 Spa Break Treatments

For most of us who have never been to a spa, we always envision ourselves lying on a bed and getting a massage. And then going home in 30-45 minutes. Well, that was the old days. Today, the business of spa is not only associated with relieving your back spasms, but invigorating your body, replenishing the energy, refreshing your soul, reenergizing your body and making you look younger. Spa is more than simply massage. Some of the things you can have done at a spa include the following:Botox: Botox injections are done using very fine needles and they help erase the very fine wrinkles on the face. The injections are not painful and take only a few minutes but do cost several hundred dollars.Fitness: For those into exercise, many spas now have fitness rooms and boot training sessions. These regular spa work outs are designed to help you lose weight. After a strenuous exercise, you will be allowed to use the sauna, drink a variety of herbal beverages and enjoy a full body massage.Skin rejuvenation: Today many spas offer a variety of treatments for the skin. The goal is to erase the signs of aging using a combination of herbs and aromatherapy. Various concoctions are applied to the face. And while you wait for the herbs to work, you are given a sensuous body massage. At the end of the day, not only are your wrinkles gone but you will have no more body aches either.Yoga: There are many spas who offer a variety of natural rejuvenators to help you relax and relieve the stress. Yoga classes are widely prescribed at many spas and are done over a period of weeks to get the best results.Oriental massages. Today, almost every spa offers exotic massages. From the Thai foot massage to the Indian acupressure, some type of body rub is offered. It is widely believed that many of these oriental massages have some therapeutic potential. While there is little chance that you may reverse the clock, you will definitely feel young, refreshed and vibrant. There is no way to describe a Thai massage until you have had one. It is an out of this world experience.

Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage is a way for people who have injuries or other issues with their back, muscles, or other body parts to seek effective relief. This type of massage therapy involves many forms of potential treatment, some of which are supervised by a medical professional. This kind of help is common and many therapeutic massage locations offer this type of service.In therapeutic massage, the soft tissue is massaged and maneuvered. Tendons, joints, ligaments, connective tissues, and muscles are all types of soft tissues. Massage therapy seeks to restore the body to maximum health and repair the damage done by any injury. Massage therapy can consist of many different forms of massage, such as partial massage, whole body massage, or foot massage. It is popular for massage therapists to work on body parts while the client’s feet are soaking in a foot spa. This helps to ensure healthy and relaxed feet. Problems with the feet can cause pain in many different parts of the body, thus massage of the feet or foot baths are often employed in therapeutic massage. Some massage techniques feature the use of warm effusion treatments to help the process of healing. Warm effusion is basically an herbal treatment that benefits the patient through the use of herbal mixes. These herbal combinations are applied directly to the body and used in conjunction with massage oils to provide the best possible massage experience.Therapeutic massage can be dangerous if not performed correctly. The massage therapist must avoid any endangerment sites when giving the therapeutic massage. These endangerment sites are areas of the body where vital organs and other sensitive areas are not well protected. Manipulating these spots in an incorrect way can result in dangerous consequences, including damage to internal organs or other parts of the body. Massage therapy is often the best medicine for pain, but it cannot fix the problem itself. Massage therapy is an incredibly effective facet of medicine in terms of pain alleviation, and therapeutic massage is used all over the world to help people cope with the pain in their joints or other body parts.

Nothing beats the spa after a hard day at work. A soothing foot massage coupled with scented floral oils in the foreground provide the most soothing atmosphere to relax and wind down from the grind of deadlines and meetings. Spas are everywhere nowadays but even though they have now become affordable, sometimes we don’t have the time to lift ourselves off the comforts of our home to drive to the nearest spa. This is the main reason why home made essential oils have become a huge hit in the market place.

To create a spa like atmosphere, one of the favorites is the floral scented essential oil. There are many specialty shops where one can acquire oil extracts from flowers. The wax, wick, coloring and molds can all be bought from hobby stores around any major city. Contrary to popular belief though, burning the oils mixed from candles do not always result therapeutic effects. As many would say, there is a huge difference in candles that make you feel sleepy versus candles that make you feel totally relaxed. The latter is what one should aim for.

The burning of therapeutic oils is ill advised. Instead, there are two things to consider when looking for complete relaxation. First, one must make sure that the oil being used is a therapeutic-grade essential oil. Finding this out is rather tricky as it is important to know good dealers in specialty shops who know their oils like the back of their hand. Several specialty stores online also engage in oil delivery.

The second item to consider is the way they are used. Rather than burning these oils from candles or through a heat source or open fire, it is better to diffuse the oils using a cold diffusion method or if need be, through reeds. The latter is usually seen in displays at health stores in the Philippines. Replacing the “stock” oil is necessary though because these may be mass-produced and contain petrochemicals that can be harmful to people.

In most cases, spas use flower-scented essential oils to create a relaxing atmosphere. Oils as well as scented candles comprise a very lucrative industry worldwide because of the huge demands of the wellness sector. The process of extracting oils from flowers, especially roses is a very tedious. One can say that it is not an economical idea to go the “home grown route” and extract oils yourself: to extract one ounce of rose petal oil you will need several pounds of petals at your disposal. Thus, making your own scented candles usually entails buying the essential oils from flowers from your local wellness store or ordering through a retail florist.

It can be difficult and costly to find very good quality essential oils. However, the fulfillment of being able to undergo the tedious process of making your own essential oils may be a fulfilling hobby and to many people, a reward in itself.

For purpose of improving the ambiance, oil extracts from flowers should not be diffused by heat from an open fire. Besides the soot, it also generates small amounts of indoor pollutants that in the proper dose, can be harmful to people. In attempting to produce essential oils at home, one has to be aware not only of the type of oils to be used but also the way the oils are utilized. Once you perfect this system, you will be able to enjoy your homemade spa atmosphere.

The most descriptive term we can use for the Repose R500 is “Wow!” This chair packs an unbelievable number of features into a chair priced at just under $1,200. We’ve only added Repose as a manufacturer quite recently, so we don’t have a lot of experience with the company and can’t give them the kind of ranking reserved for long-time proven manufacturers, but the Repose R500 clearly stands above all the other chairs in the $1,000 to $2,000 category for features and affordability. The R500 is very similar to the R600. The biggest differences are that the R500 does not have the MP3 player or the heated back and feet. Other than that, though, the R500 is almost the same chair. So if you believe the R600 is a good value, as we do, then for $1,000 less, you have to consider the R500 nothing less than a steal. Let’s talk about the features the R500 carries over from the R600. The R500 features Repose’s body scan technology, which allows the chair to scan your body type and adjust the massage to meet your needs. This is a high-tech capability, and incorporating it into such an affordable chair is really an exceptional accomplishment. The chair also offers the basic functions of knead, knock, roll, and vibration, and it combines those functions in four automatic programs (Gentle, Relax, Enliven, and Repose). The R500 also has a classic look, with its wooden arm rests and curved base. This design will fit into all kinds of décor without detracting from the overall feel and comfort of a room. One of the biggest draws of this chair is the foot massage it offers. No other chair in this class offers the foot massage. And the massage is a relatively high-quality one. This chair gives you a “wave” massage throughout the legs and feet, with five air bags in the seat, twelve in the legs, and six more in the feet. This “wave” action will relax your lower body quickly and completely. The warranty for this chair is not spectacular, but it is solid. The chair offers a three-year warranty on parts and a one-year labor limited warranty for mechanical defects and workmanship. As always, you should see the actual manufacturer’s warranty for specifics. Now for the affordability. You will not find a chair with more high-quality features for anywhere near this amount of money. We’re still trying to figure out how Repose packs in all these features for the low cost it charges for this chair, but we definitely recommend it for anyone looking in this price range. For individuals with larger bodies (over 5′7″) who like the features offered by this chair, we recommend the larger R300. It is slightly more expensive, but it accommodates a larger body and offers the same types of features for a lower price than is available elsewhere. Again, we highly recommend this chair. It would rank higher in this category if we had more experience with this manufacturer. But since our ratings system gives a great deal of weight to our experience with how these manufacturers treat our customers, we will have to revisit this ranking once we have some more experience with Repose and their commitment to customer service. In the meantime, this chair looks like a great buy.

Hot Tubs - Best Uses
by John Lewis

Some of the best uses of a Hot Tub are related to the physical properties of water.

The physical properties of water means that it is the ideal medium in which to exercise and at the same time one can use hydro therapy and hydro massage to treat muscle, neck and back pain.

The very many natural advantages that water provides to help this Hydro massage and Hydrotherapy is of course related to the Buoyancy and semi buoyancy effect of water.

The flotation effect of water helps to greatly reduce body weight and effectively counter balance gravity and at the same time this supports our own weight which can be controlled by using different seats in the Hot Tub.

This semi buoyancy is a great support to the development of an improved balance and simple exercises such as flexing and stretching can be carried out in a warm welcoming environment.

That said however I thought it would be good to just set out a few reasons some different some not so different on the best uses of a Jacuzzi Hot Tub Spa.

Faster Weight Loss

Some research and clients personal experience has shown that all things being equal, that people who use a hot tub regularly every day tend to lose more weight than others who do not use Hot Tub whilst they are on the same diet and exercise pattern

Enjoying the Sunset

What a way to unwind watching the sun set while taking time out with your loved ones.

Make some Magical Memories

Relaxing in a Hot Tub with your special someone does make the scene for some classic memory opportunities. You will be bale to remember when you witnessed that special sunset, or watching the moon traverse the sky. As you watch the stars you may even be lucky enough to see a shooting star

Relieve tension in the Neck and Shoulders

Tension always seems to be in the shoulder and neck area. Modern Hot Tubs have jets designed to relieve this tension. Lie back and enjoy relief.

Reflexology - Foot Massage

After a long day perhaps driving a car or out walking or even playing golf nothing feels better than a foot massage. Many Hot Tubs have special foot jets to provide that special massage treatment. Many Golfers often ask for the “Golfers Spa” and of course it is because they enjoy a luxurious Foot massage after playing golf.

Hydro Massage

This better than your very own personal masseuse, plenty of jets provide the ultimate massage whether you need a pleasant gentle touch or a direct stronger massage.

Surround Yourself with Hydrotherapy

Sit in a therapy seat and feel the soothing massage of warm water from your neck to the tip of your toes. Hot tub owners rave about the wave massage systems that you can get.

Develop a regular Hot Tub Routine

Schedule a regular Hot Tub routine. Everyone meets up in the hot tub and gets to talk about what has been happening in their day, Or perhaps the latest news. Or what ever you want to discuss as you all chill out.

Make Driving and Parking seem more Tolerable

While driving in traffic is a pain and the hassles other drives cause can rattle the nerves of the calmest drivers, just knowing that a session in a Javcuzzi style hot tub awaits you goes a long way to calm and to settle your nerves.

Instant Massage and relaxation

A portable hot tub Jacuzzi spa is always available 24/7 365 the filters keep the water crystal clear and the insulated cover and heater keeps the water inviting and warm.

It is always available for use and ready willing and able when ever you are.

Water maintenance is elementary and with ozone in use today the amount of chemicals required to sanitise the water is much reduced. Simple testing using strips and monitoring the chemical balance on a regular basis is all you have to do.

Now that you have a very good idea of the benefits of hot tub ownership, in order to get the most from your spa investment you will need to look for a well established manufacturer one who has been around for some decades and boasts an industry-wide reputation for long-term durability, high quality, true-depth construction, and ease of use and maintenance.

The Truth About Home Made Essential Oils
by timothy spencer

Nothing beats the spa after a hard day at work. A soothing foot massage coupled with scented floral oils in the foreground provide the most soothing atmosphere to relax and wind down from the grind of deadlines and meetings. Spas are everywhere nowadays but even though they have now become affordable, sometimes we dont have the time to lift ourselves off the comforts of our home to drive to the nearest spa. This is the main reason why home made essential oils have become a huge hit in the market place.

To create a spa like atmosphere, one of the favorites is the floral scented essential oil. There are many specialty shops where one can acquire oil extracts from flowers. The wax, wick, coloring and molds can all be bought from hobby stores around any major city. Contrary to popular belief though, burning the oils mixed from candles do not always result therapeutic effects. As many would say, there is a huge difference in candles that make you feel sleepy versus candles that make you feel totally relaxed. The latter is what one should aim for.

The burning of therapeutic oils is ill advised. Instead, there are two things to consider when looking for complete relaxation. First, one must make sure that the oil being used is a therapeutic-grade essential oil. Finding this out is rather tricky as it is important to know good dealers in specialty shops who know their oils like the back of their hand. Several specialty stores online also engage in oil delivery.

The second item to consider is the way they are used. Rather than burning these oils from candles or through a heat source or open fire, it is better to diffuse the oils using a cold diffusion method or if need be, through reeds. The latter is usually seen in displays at health stores in the Philippines. Replacing the stock oil is necessary though because these may be mass-produced and contain petrochemicals that can be harmful to people.

In most cases, spas use flower-scented essential oils to create a relaxing atmosphere. Oils as well as scented candles comprise a very lucrative industry worldwide because of the huge demands of the wellness sector. The process of extracting oils from flowers, especially roses is a very tedious. One can say that it is not an economical idea to go the home grown route and extract oils yourself: to extract one ounce of rose petal oil you will need several pounds of petals at your disposal. Thus, making your own scented candles usually entails buying the essential oils from flowers from your local wellness store or ordering through a retail florist.

It can be difficult and costly to find very good quality essential oils. However, the fulfillment of being able to undergo the tedious process of making your own essential oils may be a fulfilling hobby and to many people, a reward in itself.

For purpose of improving the ambiance, oil extracts from flowers should not be diffused by heat from an open fire. Besides the soot, it also generates small amounts of indoor pollutants that in the proper dose, can be harmful to people. In attempting to produce essential oils at home, one has to be aware not only of the type of oils to be used but also the way the oils are utilized. Once you perfect this system, you will be able to enjoy your homemade spa atmosphere