SEARCH RESULTS

The anticipation of your first Brazilian waxing can make you nervous but the good news is… you are not alone! Here are some questions sent in by new clients and the answers. Hope these help. I have never had a Brazilian and I know Brazilians are one of the most popular services at the spa. So why do people get Brazilian sugaring done? There are a variety of reasons people tell us they like to have a Brazilian. The number one reason we hear is cleanliness. Most people feel that hair holds odor and by removing the hair the potential odor is removed. Keep in mind that Brazilian does not always mean completely hair free. Each client can choose to leave as much (or as little) hair as they want on their body. Some people like to leave hair behind on their body so they are not completely bare, however each client is the boss and gets to choose. We do exactly what each client wants for their own body. Do I get to clean myself before you "get down to business"? We do have wipes in the bathroom and in the treatment rooms. Clients can use these to “freshen up” if they feel they would like to do so. How do I prepare for my first Brazilian Sugaring? We prefer for clients to not remove their hair by any means (including shaving) for two weeks prior to their first appointment. We need the hair to be at least 1/4 inch long. (About the size of a long grain of rice) in order for the sugar paste to be able to grab it. Sugar paste does not stick to the skin, it wraps around the hair follicle and gently pulls it out. So the hair needs to be long enough for the sugar paste to wrap around it. We also ask that clients do not exfoliate their skin for 24 hours prior to their appointment and do not use any lotions or oils on the area of hair removal the day of their appointment. I envision lying wide open for all to see, is it like this? Not at all. Each treatment rooms is private and the only person in the room with each client during the appointment is the client and the Esthetician. In addition, we provide clients with a towel to “cover up” so they are covered when the Esthetician enters the room. We also always leave while clients change, before and after their treatment to give them privacy. Client comfort is very important to us. Are you going to have full vision of all my parts? Doing a Brazilian requires removing hair from the intimate areas of the body. Because we are using a sugar paste that is sticky it is difficult to remove the hair well if there is any item of clothing covering the area. Of course, we do our best to keep clients not just physically comfortable but also emotionally comfortable. If clients are concerned about having someone see the intimate areas of their body, they may want to consider a deepline or bikini sugaring first. With those services we can keep some areas covered more during the treatment. Will there be itching as the hair regrows? Usually not. Because the hair is being removed from the root you won’t experience the itching like that of sharp hair (from shaving) poking through. When hair regrows after sugaring it is more sparse, softer and finer, therefore less itchy. Can you perform a Brazilian at home? We would not recommend a client attempt their own Brazilian at home. The skin in the intimate areas of the body can be extremely sensitive and pulling too firmly or in the incorrect direction can cause the skin to tear. So why is it called a Brazilian? There is actually some controversy around this. There is a group of sisters from Brazil that owned a waxing salon in NYC. They claim they invented the removal of hair on women in this style because they wanted women to feel confident wearing small bikini bottoms. Others believe it came from the skimpy thong style bikini bottoms worn in Rio and the removal of hair to accommodate the small bikini bottoms. Who knows for sure? This method of hair removal has been around forever. It used to be called a “full front to back”, but maybe word "Brazilian" started being used because it is shorter than "full front to back" and soon everyone knew exactly what you were talking about. How long does a Brazilian Wax (Sugar) last? Most hair will stay gone for about two weeks. At that time you will notice hairs starting to grow back. However the hair will be much more sparse. It usually takes about 7-8 weeks (sometimes longer) for the hair to return to the same fullness it was prior to the Brazilian Sugaring. What should I expect after first time Brazilian from Sugar and Skin Spa? Firstly, your skin will be smooth and soft. When your hair begins to grow back it will be softer, finer, and quite sparse. We encourage clients to exfoliate a couple of times a week and we always send new clients home with a sample of our awesome brand new Sweet Relief toner, a Sugar Scrub (made by a local NC company called KM Creations) and a cute swag bag. Do I have to wait to shower or swim? No, you can swim or shower immediately after getting a Brazilian Sugaring. The only thing we ask clients to do is wait 24 hours before working out or engaging in any sexual intimacy. This is because the pores are open (since the hair has been removed) and we prefer clients have no sweat in those open pores. Sweat in the open pores may cause some irritation which is why we recommend waiting 24 hours. We send new clients home with written instructions in case they forget our recommendations. :-) Do you have any funny stories you can share about sugaring? Honestly, there are so many. I guess the one that happens most often is sugar getting flung across the room. Because the sugar paste is pliable, sometimes when we “flick” the sugar paste, a little bit can be flung across the room. So there will be a little blob of sugar on the wall or floor. Good thing we are so great about cleaning and sanitation. ;-) Do people eventually find Brazilian Waxing or Sugaring comfortable or is it always uncomfortable? It is not pain free, however most of our clients tell us they just “get used to it” and it is less uncomfortable as time goes on. We tell clients the first time is always the worst time. Because the hair grows back thinner and finer a maintenance appointment, which we recommend every 4 weeks takes about half the time as an initial Brazilian. Also clients are welcome to take some motrin or tylenol 30 minutes prior to their appointment if they would like to help with discomfort. How long does a Brazilian Wax take? We schedule 45 minutes for an initial Brazilian and 30 minutes for maintenance. Watch this quick video made by Echo's client @beautywithaj getting her first Brazilian sugaring done. (posted with permission. <3. ) If you have any other questions please let us know by calling us at 757-966-2777 or emailing us at frontdesk@sugarandskinspa.com. We look forward to providing you with an excellent service!! <3 SPA BLOG

We have been doing Vajacials for clients for several years. When we first discussed adding them to the service menu, we talked about what to call it. Should we call it a VU-jacial? A VAGacial? A Vagina-facial?? It is a bit tricky because the area being serviced is actually the Mons Pubis (also known as the Pubic area) and the upper outer labia. We didn't want to call it a Pubacial, mostly because we just didn't like the way that sounded. So we settled on Vajacial. Although technically that could allow clients to think we are providing the service on or near the VAgina, at least using the VA as part of the service they know the body area we are servicing and we can explain exactly what area of the body we will be working on when we have the client in the room. Since some of you might still be wondering, we decided to explain it here also so you don't have to wait until you come in to the Spa to know exactly what a Vajacial is. So what exactly is a Vajacial and why do we do one for a client? Basically a Vajacial is a simple "facial" for the pubic area of a female on her mons pubis and upper outer labia. During the service we cleanse the skin, apply a light exfoliant (often a gentle enzyme), remove any ingrown hairs or blackheads, apply a mask to treat any skin conditions, (dark spots, ingrowns, inflammation, etc), and finish with some witch hazel to restore the skin back to its natural pH levels. We can do this service as an add-on after any Sugaring service in the pubic area of a female or we can do it as a stand alone service. It is less expensive to do as an add-on and because we perform Sugaring hair removal rather than waxing hair removal your skin will not be inflamed out irritated and a Vajacial can be done immediately after your Sugaring service. It is relaxing, and often very helpful for dealing with problems with the delicate skin in the intimate areas of the female body. Dark spots from ingrown hair or inflammation, pink spots or scars from inflammation, ingrown hairs, and many other skin concerns can all be improved with a vajacial. If you have any skin concerns "down there", talk to your Esthetician if you are already a Sugar and Skin Spa client, and if not, book an appointment to come see us and lets work together to give you the skin you want, no matter where on your body it is!

Yes! Pumpkin for you face! Pumpkin is amazing for your skin! This time of year, is all about Pumpkins. Summer is filled with peaches, plums, nectarines, etc. They are summer fruits, but fall is filled with other fruits, namely Pumpkin. (I searched Google, and that is how I know Pumpkin is a fruit). Now, I am not personally a huge fan of pumpkin in my drinks, but I am all about putting it on my skin! And my clients' skin! Why you may ask? Well, let me share with you why this big orange fruit is not just meant to decorate your porch as a Jack-O-Lantern: First, it just smells yummy! I mean, pumpkin pie smell on your face? Yes please! In fact, many of the seasonal and festive ingredients we love to eat and smell are often great for the skin too. Pumpkin is actually chock full of things that are corrective, soothing, and anti-aging. So, aside from smelling amazing and putting us in a cozy autumn mood, what are the benefits of using pumpkin on the skin? Pumpkin is filled with quite a long list of active properties that are well known for producing beautiful, soft, supple skin. For starters, it has Natural Fruit Enzymes and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which work to exfoliate dead surface cells leaving the skin soft and silky smooth. These enzymes and AHAs reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve skin texture and allows other topical nutrients to be better absorbed. They provide a healthy glow to the skin. Pumpkin is also rich in Vitamins A and C. These powerful antioxidants soften and smooth skin while also boosting collagen production and working to reduce the visible signs of aging. Vitamin A specifically helps to decrease wrinkles, remove brown spots and help reverse sun damage. Vitamin C helps boost your body’s immunity to fight off colds, the flu and infections, as well as helps fight sun damage and free radicals on the skin, preventing aging, wrinkles and brown spots. In fact many aging factors can be dramatically improved with antioxidants (both topically and internally). So putting antioxidant rich foods into your diet is beneficial in many ways for your body! Zinc is another beneficial active found in pumpkin. Zinc regulates oil production in the skin and can help decrease active breakouts as well as healing blemishes in the skin. Many skin care experts often refer to Zinc as “nature’s best healing agent,” for its acne-preventing and skin-healing abilities. Pumpkin seeds, are high in Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamin E. These properties provide moisture to the skin as well as providing a barrier to restore hydration to dry and compromised skin. Are you ready to take advantage of the many beauty benefits of fall’s favorite fruit? If you are ready Book your Pumpkin Spice facial now! 10% discount on this antioxidant filled and super yummy smelling facial during the month of October!

HEALTHY SKIN HAS A PERFECT OIL AND WATER BALANCE! We frequently talk about balance in our lives. We balance our diets, balance the checkbook and try to balance our time. With all this talk about balance there is one more thing we need to balance and it is CRUCIAL. We need to balance our skin! If our skin is not balanced, it can trick us into thinking it is one thing when it is not. Although we can discuss balancing the pH of our skin, but that is not the type of balance I want to talk about today. Today I want to talk about basic balance, which I believe to be our water-oil balance. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WATER AND OIL ARE NOT BALANCED? Healthy skin has a perfect oil and water balance, which allows skin cells to do their job naturally and effectively. If someone asks, you which skin type you have, what would your answer be? For most people it would probably be “I’m not really sure, it might be oily or dry”. Water-Oil balance is the basis of skin type, and once your esthetician has determined what your true skin type is, he or she can create a skin care regimen that will work FOR you and not AGAINST you. UNBALANCED SKIN CAN CAUSE SKIN: Become dull looking and increase fine lines Rough texture Redness Dry patches Flaky skin Acne All skin requires moisture from both water and oil in order to function properly and do everything from looking and feeling great to keeping us looking younger longer. Depleted or imbalanced hydration – lacking either oil or water – is the first thing that causes our skin to become dull looking as well as increasing aging and fine lines. So when our skin doesn’t get enough moisture either due to environmental factors, intrinsic factors or simply the wrong skin care regimen our skin becomes weak and sensitive. If we don’t have proper moisture in our skin, the skin creates more oil to combat the dryness and dehydration. When our skin is out of balance it cannot defend itself from these factors and therefore can’t heal and protect itself from damage. This can lead to common skin concerns such as rough texture, redness, dry patches, flaky skin, and even acne. When these things happen, we panic and may resort to stripping cleansers, over-exfoliation, neglect, the wrong products, or a myriad of other things we think are helping, but in fact are causing more problems. With all that said, here is what you need to know about water vs. oil in your skin. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WATER VS. OIL IN YOUR SKIN There is an important relationship between water and skin. When your skin doesn’t have enough water it is dehydrated. Since our bodies are composed 70% of water it only makes sense that we need it for our skin also. After all, skin is the largest organ of our body. Our skin cannot produce moisture on its own and relies on moisture from the water we drink and moisturizers we apply. Environmental factors can also increase the dehydration of our skin. Things like heaters in the winter, smoking, travel, and dry air can also dehydrate our skin. When our skin is dehydrated it does the best it can to compensate……it creates oil. So our skin is now dry AND oily. So we feel oily and do what we think is right which usually strips the oil and makes our skin even more dehydrated. Now some people do just naturally have dry skin. Dry skin makes the least amount of its own oil. Normal skin produces a normal amount of oil and oily skin produces the most amount of oil. Age, smoking and weather conditions can cause our skin to produce less oil, and using harsh cleansers can also remove our skins natural oil. So when our skin lacks oil, that is when it gets sensitive, red, blotchy and have acne. So your skin creates more oil to combat the dryness and the dry/oily/dehydrated cycle just keep repeating! SO HOW CAN YOU STAY BALANCED? With a skin care regimen that is correct for your individual skin! Finding products with the correct ingredients for your skin type, you may need to make changes during different seasons, and use the right amount of products. Too little can keep you dry and too many can be an overload. Here at Sugar and Skin we offer a Consultation and Analysis so our Licensed Estheticians can examine your skin closely and create a regimen that will be right for your skin. If you don’t have time to visit our Chesapeake Spa, we offer an online skin consultation that offers free product samples. Make your appointment today!!

Many people, both men and women have facial or body hair they would rather not have. They don’t like it and would like to have it removed. They are many ways to remove unwanted hair: shaving, waxing, laser, tweezing, threading and sugaring. Today I want to focus on the pros and cons of Shaving vs. Sugaring. I want to talk about shaving because it is the most common form of hair removal. Probably because it is usually convenient and easy for most people to simply grab a razor and cut the hair down to the level of the skin. It would be like mowing the grass to the level of the ground. Mowing the grass is very similar to shaving in the way it reduces the length of the hair or grass as the case may be. However, although it may be more convenient there are definitely some drawbacks to shaving. One statistic I think is interesting is the cost and frequency of shaving for women. Women who shave can spend up to $10,000 dollars in their lifetime on the items needed for shaving! 10K !!! That is a LOT of razors and shaving cream ladies! And most women shave 12 times a month!! That is a LOT of time spent in the shower or bath removing hair. Well, actually the hair isn’t really being removed, it is really just being shortened. So 10k a year, and 12 times a month to shorten the hair. It is still there, in the skin, just waiting to pop through. Which it will..…every time. Also, shaving is time-consuming and can be rough on skin. Think about it: scraping your skin with a sharp razor. Cutting yourself and wearing down skin cells can occur. Not to mention, exposure to all the chemicals in shaving cream or soap can build up over time. However, I think the thing I hear the most from my clients is the fact that they have decided to try sugaring because they are just really tired of the razor bumps they get when they shave. Red, itchy, painful……YUCK! I can’t think why anyone would want that! Enter Sugaring. Also known as Sugar Waxing. WHAT EXACTLY IS SUGARING (SUGAR WAXING) AND HOW IS IT DONE? Sugaring is one of the oldest forms of hair removal around. It dates back to Cleopatra’s time, and is gaining more and more practitioners and clients! The Sugaring technique uses a sugar paste made from sugar, lemon juice and water. This paste has NO sticky resins, chemicals, preservatives and dyes that conventional “strip” or “hard” wax contains. This makes it a lovely natural alternative that works even for clients with very sensitive skin! The paste is warmed to room temperature, and applied against the direction of hair growth. It is then removed with a “flick” of the Esthetician’s hand. It is removed with the natural direction of the hair growth. Also, the sugar paste never adheres to live skin, but only to dead skin cells. The paste permeates into the hair follicle, effectively removing the hair and the inner root sheath (the white, waxy bulb you find at the end of your hair shaft). This removal is also a gentle, yet effective exfoliating treatment that leaves your skin silky, sweet and smooth after the process. WHERE ON YOUR BODY CAN YOU GET SUGARED? Anywhere, really! Legs, arms, bikini area, lips, even underarms—anywhere you'd like to remove hair as long as the hair is long enough to pull out. So what is the appropriate length? Sugaring requires one-eighth inch of hair, about the length of a grain of rice. This is the length it typically grows just five to seven days after shaving. However because I like to be COMPLETELY transparent I also want to mention the pros and cons of Sugaring. Pros: Helps reduce the risk of ingrown hairs Gently exfoliates while improving the appearance of skin tone and texture Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive Sugar paste is all-natural and hypoallergenic Results last up to 4-6 weeks and if performed regularly, can lead to permanency Hair only needs to be 1/8th inch long to be sugared The mixture is water-soluble, so it washes off with water if any residue is left behind Sugaring is eco-friendly and cost efficient. It requires no strips, popsicles sticks for applying or any other waste that is necessary for conventional waxing procedures Cons: Can take longer than traditional waxing, depending on body area being treated. You need to ensure you are seeing a Certified Sugarist, because if not performed well, hair breakage and irritation to the skin is possible While there are some cons to Sugaring the Pros greatly outweigh them! So if you are curious, or convinced that Sugaring (Sugar Waxing) might be for you, I suggest you go ahead and book an appointment with Suffolk’s sweetest spa, Sugar and Skin, and gain more confidence with your body as our expert Sugarists rid you of that unwanted hair.

Some people are taught how to take care of their skin properly. Some are not. And even people who were taught about proper skin care can learn new things. I spent 12 years working as a Medical assistant and Skin Care Specialist in a Dermatology practice, yet when I went to Esthetician school I learned so much! Even when we think we know a lot there are always things we can learn. I recently wrote about the Balance of oil and water in the skin and how it can affect acne, dryness, aging and more. Balance is so important and many things can throw it off. Weather, hormones, age, and the amount of product you are using. Over the years I have had many people explain to me the proper amount of product I should be using on my skin, only to find that for me it was either way too much or not quite enough. I remember my instructor in Esthetician school advising us to use ½ the amount of product we thought we would need. Even though we were told that I still saw so much waste of product as many students didn’t listen and ended up throwing away the excess product. I am not a fan of wasting anything, especially not something that can be expensive (which some products are). Also, too much product can be harmful to your skin. So, with all that being said, today I am going to tell you my thoughts on how much of each product is the appropriate amount to use, as well as giving you an easy to follow guide. It is a picture that I love because it shows exactly how much is the right amount! (and honestly I also probably love it because I think it is very easy for anyone to visualize proper amounts of products using their own hand). So what I would advise you all to do is actually do this to your own hand so you can see how much the amount in the picture equates to your products. For example is the correct amount of product one pump or two (if you have a pump on your product). Or is it ½ a pump (the daytime serum I use). If my product pours, is it fast or slow? And if your product comes in a jar, please don’t use your fingers to get it out. Use Q-tips, or another thing you can throw away after use. I buy popsicle sticks (aka craft sticks) from the store and break them in ½ to scoop product out of a jar. I do this because fingers have bacteria on them, and you don’t want to introduce any bacteria to your products! This picture has saved me lots of money, especially with masks. I often grab too much mask and end up throwing away what I don’t use. I hate that! So, being mindful of how much product to use will: 1) Save you money, since you won’t be wasteful. 2) Save you time, since you will have less product to remove or rub in. 3) Save your skin, since you won’t be overdoing it. And if you aren’t sure which products are the best for your skin, please feel free to make an appointment for a Consultation and Analysis so we can evaluate your skin and help you find the right products for you, as well as get your homecare regimen on track.

SUGARING (SUGAR WAXING), SO… WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK? Many new Sugaring clients have made a comment that makes me think I need to write a blog to tell you all exactly what Sugaring is and what it is not. Quite a few clients have come in for their appointments, and been surprised when I show them the jar of sugar paste. Because they have never heard of Sugaring they think I am going to put sugar on them (granulated sugar) and somehow remove their hair. I wish it were like that. That truly would be sweet and pain free hair removal. However, that isn’t exactly how Sugaring works. The ingredients of sugar paste truly are ONLY sugar, lemon juice and water, but they are combined and heated so they create a sticky paste that is a phenomenal way to remove unwanted hair. I purchase my Sugar from a wonderful company called My Gold Sugar that makes an awesome professional sugar paste. The owner Grace Powers has been Sugaring for many, many years and is dedicated to educating and supporting Certified Sugarists. SUGAR WAX IS ALL NATURAL WITH ZERO CHEMICALS Because sugar paste is made from sugar, lemon juice and water it is natural and has NO chemicals or additives in it. This is awesome, because most hair removal waxes (both hard wax and soft wax) have chemicals added in to make them smell a certain way, or be better for sensitive skin, etc. Additionally, both soft and hard wax have ingredients added to them that can be allergenic for some people. Since sugar paste is used at room temperature, there is no possibility of being burned when you are Sugared. Wax is heated and then applied, and anyone who has been burned by hot wax (raising my hand here) can attest to how uncomfortable that is. Also, the sugar paste only adheres to hair and dead skin cells so there is no way for you to have any live skin removed. Anyone ever had their skin taken off with the wax? (Raising my hand for that too). In fact I have permanent light areas above both my eyebrows from damage to my skin caused by pulling my skin off during eyebrow waxing. Sugaring does not pull your skin; therefore it is safe for use ANYWHERE, which is why it is such a wonderful medium for Brazilians. Sugar can safely get ALL the hairs, even inside the labia.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I GET ASKED ON A REGULAR BASIS BY MY CLIENTS IS: HOW DO I USE MY PRODUCTS? For most people the answers to these questions are the same, although there may be some variability based on individual needs. For a definitive answer based on your skin, I would advise you to make an appointment for a Consultation and Analysis, (C&A). During a C&A I cleanse the skin, and then take a detailed look under both a bright magnifying lamp and a black (Woods) lamp. After that is done I discuss in detail with each client what I see and what is the best course of action to address and correct their skin care concerns. We also discuss the products a client is currently using and how they can tweak their home skincare regimen to best suit the needs of their skin. I also always apply a corrective mask that targets clients concerns, and follow with a moisturizer suited to each person’s individual needs. An appointment for a Consultation and Analysis can be made by clicking on the Facials button and following the link. It is quite affordable at a price of $35.00, and will be very beneficial to getting your skin on the right track. So as far as how to use products there are a couple of suggestions I give to clients so they can get the best results from their skin care AND get the most use of their products. Let’s be honest, some products can be costly and I want you to get the most bang for your buck and not waste a drop. Additionally it is important to know how to get your product from the container onto your skin correctly. (Yes, there is a right and wrong way to do this.) In a previous blog, I have provided a picture that shows how much product to use and I love the fact that it is very clear and easy to understand. With face cleansing, I tell clients to use their fingers and not a cloth or rag. Unless you are using a clean washcloth EVERY time you cleanse you may be doing more harm than good. When a cloth is damp it can start to grow mold and bacteria and I don’t want you putting that on your skin. So wash your hands, and then use your hands to wash your face. To dry use a paper towel or if you have a clean towel, pat (don’t wipe) your face dry. (See, I told you there was a right and wrong way to do things.) Toner should be used after washing for a couple of reasons. First of all it removes any cleanser that may have been left behind (which can lead to blemishes if left there), and also because it cleans and leftover oils away so your products (especially the targeted ones) can get into your skin and do what they are meant to do. Targeted products should always be the first products to go onto your skin once it is cleansed and toned. Targeted products are the performance products such as anti-wrinkle treatments, Vitamin C serums, eye Serums and treatments for hyperpigmentation (dark spots). If they are in a pump just use a pea sized amount and if they are in a jar please please use a Q-tip or other disposable item such as a popsicle stick broken in half (I buy mine at Michaels) or a spatula to remove the product from the container. Fingers should never be used, as they can introduce bacteria and dirt into your products. Once the targeted products are on, you can finish up your regimen to make your skin ready for the day or for sleeping. These would be things such as eye creams, moisturizers, and SPF. Eye creams should always be applied with your middle or ring finger and gently patted under, on the sides and on the upper eyelids (so you don’t pull the delicate skin around the eyes). Also, please read the instructions on your eye cream to ensure it is safe for use on your upper lid. If you are unsure send me a text or private message via Facebook and I can help. Moisturizer and SPF should be dotted around the face and rubbed in until it has been absorbed. You usually only need a pea sized amount for your entire face and neck. Yes, please pull your moisturizer done to your neck. And if you are wearing a v neck or scoop neck shirt apply a little to your décolleté also so you don’t have a youthful face and old looking neck and décolleté area. Please remember these are general guidelines and may be different for each person based on their skin and skincare needs. If you are unsure about your products or need further guidance please schedule an appointment for a C&A so we can get you on the right track to correcting any concerns and having beautiful skin!

HOW TO AVOID INGROWN HAIRS AFTER WAXING? After you remove hair from waxing or sugaring your skin is left with clean open pores that are susceptible to debris that can cause ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs — nobody wants those! EXFOLIATE ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK EXFOLIATE WITH A SUGAR SCRUB IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE A NON-COMEDOGENIC OIL IN THE SCRUB SUCH AS GRAPESEED, HEMP OR SWEET ALMOMD OIL WAIT 24 HOURS AFTER WAXING OR SUGARING TO EXFOLIATE We recommend that our clients exfoliate with a sugar scrub specifically made per Sugar and Skin Spa’s specifications because we know how it is made, we know what’s in it and we know it’s good for you! It’s natural: Organic Sugar, Grapeseed Oil with a touch of Azelaic Acid. Grapeseed oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores and the Azelaic Acid kills bacteria that cause acne, so it too works to keep the pores clean. Our scrub is thick, using less oil than others and reduces the slippery, oily mess in the shower. HOW DO WE CARE FOR INGROWN HAIRS AT THE SPA? Sometimes, even with exfoliating and taking proper care of your skin, you can still get ingrown hairs. There is a variety of reasons for this, and we can help remove them. If you are prone to ingrown hairs we recommend that you book a Vajacial (women) or Pelvic area cleanse (men). During this treatment we cleanse the skin, do a light exfoliation, extractions that need to be done to include ingrown hairs, and finish with a soothing mask. This can be done as an add-on service with a Brazilian , Deepline or Bikini Sugaring or as a stand alone service. Ingrown hairs can occur for anyone and we offer suggestions and solutions to help clients rid themselves of this annoying and often painful condition. Let us know how we can help you! GET A SAMPLE Every new sugaring client receives a sample of our sugar scrub because we want clients to love our products before they buy them. PRO TIP TUESDAY - EXFOLIATION AFTER WAXING AND SUGARING

WHAT ARE THE BEST OILS FOR YOUR SKIN? All oils are not created equal. There are comedogenic oils and non-comedogenic oils. Comedogenic is just a fancy word for pore clogging. You should always use non-comedogenic oils because they will not clog your pores. A great way to see which oils are best is to look at a comedogenic scale online, however, many of them have information that clash with each other. In order to clear up some of the confusion about this subject I talked about it in last week’s Pro Tip Tuesday, live on our Facebook page. I love to share my knowledge so people can benefit from and make more informed decisions about their skincare routines. The best oils for your skin will be found lower on the comedogenic scale 0 - will not clog pores at all 1 - very low 2 - moderately low 3 - moderately likely 4 - fairly high 5 - high ARGAN OIL OR COCONUT OIL - WHICH IS BEST? One of the most popular oils that people often rave about is coconut oil. Coconut oil is a four on the comedogenic scale, so it’s probably going to clog your pores. Fractionated coconut oil is a bit better for your pores and lies in the two to three range. If you’re debating between argan oil or coconut oil, go with argan oil it’s a zero verses coconut at a four! We love to see Grapeseed oil in products (in fact we use that in the Sugar scrub we sell for exfoliation after a Sugaring hair removal treatment), and Jojoba oil as well. Argan oil can be expensive, so we are glad that CBD oil is so popular because it is affordable and has a zero on the scale. Keep checking here for more information about the CBD oil products we will be carrying in the spa soon as well as the services where we will be using CBD for clients skincare! OILS LOW ON THE COMEDOGENIC SCALE Grapeseed Oil - 1 CBD Oil - 0 Argon Oil - 0 Abyssinian Oil - 0 Sweet Almond Oil - 2 Jojoba oil - 2 Soy Bean Oil – 5