Casey, one of our amazing Guest Service Assistants, was fairly new to spa services when she started with us, but she’s been enjoying “sampling” all of our services and will be contributing to the Spa Newbie section of our blog.
From Casey:
Being a newer employee working the front desk at East Village Spa, I have the opportunity to be the practice “body” for our awesome service providers to try out services they haven’t performed at the spa. My most recent endeavor was getting to be a practice body for three of our newer team members to learn about our Gong Fu Chai Body Scrub.
Before working at the spa, I had personally never heard of a body scrub, as I’m new to the spa scene. After taking part in the training session, I know know that the service entails a stress-relieving and circulation massage, while incorporating the Gong Fu Scrub. The therapists alternated between a body oil application and the scrub. I absolutely loved the difference of feeling a smooth rub, followed by a coarse rub, and finished with a warm towel. It as more relaxing than I ever anticipated.
After the service, my skin was noticeably softer. Any anxiety I had felt when we started had completely faded away. Although it is not a deep tissue massage, I still felt my body and muscles had relaxed as well. I would recommend this service to anyone wanting to relax and have their skin exfoliated at the same time. It is definitely something I will schedule for myself again!
To learn more about our Gong Fu Chai Scrub, check out our You Tube Video where Hannah demonstrates elements of the scrub on one of our employees. The scrub treats skin on the back, arms, legs, and feet and can be upgraded to include a 30 minute facial or 30 minute focused back massage.
Imagine this: You are about to leave for a weekend road trip with your friends and wake up with a crick in your neck. You call the spa hoping to squeeze in a bit of pain relief with your therapist but he or she has the day off. The receptionist suggests another great therapist, but you decline because you think you’ll hurt your therapist’s feelings.
When you return, you book with your regular massage therapist, tell them you were miserable on your trip, and they are shocked at how tense your neck and shoulders are from that painful road trip. You need to book 3 weeks in a row just to feel normal again before you can get back on your monthly schedule. Your therapist tells you they wish you’d have seen one of their colleagues for some relief before you left. After all, they trust them with their own massage therapy sessions and think they are great!
With summer so near, it is a good time to remind clients that our employees encourage you to see their colleagues for services to keep up with your progress. We know your schedule gets crazier in the summer and our employees are also planning upcoming travel, races, and family events. If they aren’t available when you need in, they want you to see one of their co-workers that they trust immensely with your care (and their own!) Here’s why:
Our spa is a “team treatment” spa and the majority of our clients see multiple providers for more booking options and treatment styles to choose from.
We have been open almost 8 years and our experienced employees are fortunate that they don’t have to compete for bookings, they are always comfortably busy!
Our employees can rest easier when they plan a vacation or have an unexpected illness knowing that their regulars can keep on their treatment schedule with one of their co-workers. Believe me, it stresses them out when planning a trip knowing someone they’ve been treating will skip a session (or complain that their therapist is leaving) rather than see a trusted colleague.
Our employees know that because they are all so busy, it is hard for clients to get in to see them as often as they need to. We’d all rather have you see 2-3 people and get in on the schedule that is recommended than wait too long between services and not get the results you could.
You might find it beneficial to experience different styles of work or different opinions from other providers! I personally have two therapists I book with at the spa when I need relaxation or want a hot stone massage, one therapist I book with for shoulder pain, and another I book with for general deep tissue.
Last but not least, our services providers care about you and hate to think you are in pain when they know someone who can help you!
No need for disguises! Most of our clients see multiple providers, we won’t be upset!
Next time you can’t get in with your regular provider, let the front desk know specifically what you like about that person and we can pair you up with someone who has a similar approach instead of waiting longer than you or your body wants to between services. You might also ask your regular provider who he or she would recommend if you ever need to get in when they aren’t available. Click here to learn about our skilled treatment team and click here to book your next appointment!
P.S. Our team had a good laugh at this picture, because it sometimes feels pretty accurate!
Not sure what to get mom from the spa for mother’s day? The moms on our team shared what they’d most like to receive as a gift!
Teresa: An indulgent EV Signature Facial is not only relaxing, but will make any mother’s skin glow and give her some pampering! This is a great way to show her you love and care.”
Tisha: “An EV Signature Massage is a great way to unwind, specifically I love the soothing aromas of honey glaze and sweet cream. It is a good way to release tension in muscles from all the daily running with children.”
Camdine: “Aches and pains are unavoidable being a mom, let a heavenly hot stone massage melt them away!”
Jamee: “A gong fu chai scrub has the relaxing effects of massage while exfoliating your cares away.”
Cammie: “The longest massage I can get! I just want my body to feel better and be taken care of and it isn’t too likely a mom like me would get an 80 minute treatment for herself”
Cassie: I’m not a mom, but I have a mom that LOVES spas! She doesn’t live in the area so I can’t treat her to services, but she gets to try all of our products and she shared some of her favorites. From “Mama Chris:” I love my sweet cream and fluffy bunny lotion from Farmhouse Fresh, and the new Citrine Beach sample you sent! You know I love my bath salts too, the Kneipp Pure Bliss smells so good!”
There you have it! Stop in to get mom a gift card from April 25th through May 8th to take advantage of our gift card sale, and pick up a little something fun to wrap up with it so she can get a taste of the spa at home. Can’t make it in? Click here to buy a gift card online (gift card voucher sale does not apply to online gift cards)
We are thrilled to present plans for Mother’s Day 2016!
Momosa Day:
The Spa will be hosting our 3rd annual “Momosa Day” event on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8th. Guests will enjoy a relaxing full body clementine massage and a mimosa facial (55 minutes each), plus pastries, a mimosa bar, tea, and a gift.
Cost is $215 and includes treatments, tax, gratuities, and goodies.Space is limited to 12 guests and openings are available at 11 am and 2 pm.
Call (515) 309-2904 to schedule mom’s most relaxing mother’s day ever!
Mother’s Day Gift Card Sale:
For the first time, we’re offering our popular holiday $20 treatment voucher program for Mother’s Day! For every $100 gift card purchased in the spa (not valid with online gift cards) from April 25-May 8th, 2016, you’ll get a $20 voucher good toward weekday spa services June-September, 2016. These vouchers work similarly to the vouchers we offer each year in December. Stop in for more information!
We’re having a fun party to kick-off our first Mother’s Day Gift Card Voucher sale on April 25th from 5-7! Click here for more information!
Camille at last year’s “Momosa” Day event.
We hope to see you at the party or stopping into the spa to pick up a gift for mom!
Some people experience periods of time when their fingers or toes turn color to white or blue and go numb. This phenomenon is called Raynaud’s disease and it is fairly common, affecting 5-10% of the population.
What is Raynaud’s Disease?
My typical post cool weather run “trick” when a couple of my fingers turn white and go completely numb.”
Raynaud’s disease is a condition characterized by periods of time when the fingers or toes (sometimes nose and ears) turn color and go numb due to an interruption of blood flow to the extremities due to a vasospasm (Mayo Clinic). Often they will turn white, sometimes blue, and then red when blood flow returns. Typically people with Reynaud’s feel numbness in the affected areas during an episode and may experience pain when blood flow returns. The most common cause of a flare up is exposure to cold, though sometimes people experience the phenomenon during times of stress.
Raynaud’s may be primary (meaning it isn’t due to an underlying cause) or secondary (the phenomenon is due to a condition such as nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.). According to Mayo Clinic, some medications can also cause the Raynaud’s phenomenon.
The majority of people who experience Raynaud’s symptoms do not report it to a physician, (Raynauds.org) but it is worth noting at your next medical visit as occasionally Raynaud’s disease presents before a more serious disorder.
Nails may turn blue during an episode and over time, nails might develop ridges related to Raynaud’s.
Can spa treatments help with Raynaud’s disease?
While I could not find research on spa services and Raynaud’s disease, some services may help with some of the causes and help to reduce some of the symptoms.
Deep tissue or orthopedic massage may be able to help people with wrist, arm, and hand injuries (like carpal tunnel) that may be contributing to the Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Hot stone massages will likely feel great and boost circulation for individuals who are perpetually cold, but aren’t going to “cure” Raynaud’s phenomenon.
If you notice an increase in Raynaud’s phenomenon at times of emotional stress, you might consider regular massage or spa services you enjoy that have been shown to lower stress.
If you are self conscious about the way your nails look as a result of Raynaud’s disease (sometimes nails can become “spooned” or develop ridges) a professional manicure and application of a shimmer or glitter polish can help to disguise any nail disfiguration due to the Raynaud’s.
Products like Kneipp mineral baths are great to purchase for an at-home spa experience to warm up during a flare-up. I personally use the Kneipp mineral baths after every cooler-weather run to relax my muscles and bring blood flow back to my hands and feet.
Can spa services trigger Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Spa services aren’t likely to trigger Raynaud’s phenomenon unless you get cold. It would be wise to let your provider know any concerns. Options to make sure your hands and feet don’t get too cold:
Ask if you can keep your socks on during a massage until the therapist works on your feet (I usually do this!)
Ask for an extra blanket on hand in the room.
During pedicures or manicures, after a soak in water, ask for your foot or hand to be wrapped in a towel so it isn’t exposed to air
Cut the toes off of a pair of old socks and bring them to put on before your nail technician polishes your nails. While your toes will be exposed, at least your feet will be warmer while your polish dries. You can cut the finger tips off of an inexpensive pair of “one-size-fits-all” stretch gloves for a winter manicure.
After a service like a body wrap or hot stone massage, make sure to have plenty of warm clothes and gloves (especially in winter) or grab a cup of hot tea to hold after your service so you aren’t shocked by a temperature change.
If you are one of many of us who experience discomfort from Raynaud’s, don’t be afraid to speak up when getting a massage, skin care, or nail care service! Your provider will be happy to make adjustments because he or she wants to make sure you can get full enjoyment and benefit from their work without worrying about your fingers and toes going numb!
My Facebook and Twitter feeds are often full of health and beauty posts, but not all of it is sound (or accurate!). Pinterest is especially full of health and skincare tips of questionable benefit, or worse, potential for harm. With so many people posting and sharing information, it is easy to lose sight of what information is helpful, safe, and accurate.
When reading information online, ask yourself the following questions:
Is the information based on unbiased research (i.e. did a product manufacturer do their own research?)
What is the quality of the research? (How big of a study? Was the study controlled? Peer reviewed?)
Who maintains the website? (.gov is a governmental agency, .org is an organization, .edu is an educational institution)
What resources (if any) are cited with the information? (journals like the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) New England Journal of Medicine, studies from teaching institutions, research from professional associations like American Massage Therapy Association or American Dermatological Association)
Is there contact information from the author on the site?
How recent is the information? Is there a date when the information or website was last updated readily available?
Does it seem too good to be true? (If it does, it generally is!)
Are other sites or sources backing up the information?
If you aren’t sure if something you read online is true, you can check it out at www.snopes.com!
If you are wanting to research a health topic, some good places to start are:
http://www.medlineplus.gov (National library of Medicine)
http://www.mayoclinic.org (Mayo clinic is very supportive of complementary and integrative medicine and research!)
https://nccih.nih.gov (National center for complementary and integrative health)
Teaching institution sites (for example, http://www.health.harvard.edu)
Sites for national health associations like the American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org) or the American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org)
For skincare research and information, check out the links available here:
Clients are starting to abandon their heavy winter moisturizers for lighter skincare and spend more time outside so it is the perfect chance to learn what’s new for sun care! I talked to Cassandra Lacina-Griffin, one of our licensed estheticians, for answers to common questions.
Question: If I have SPF in my make-up, is that enough coverage?
Answer: Probably not. Most people aren’t wearing full make-up to take the dogs for a walk and by afternoon, the coverage won’t be effective if you put your make-up on in the morning. For people who want light-feeling SPF coverage, a good choice is the Rhonda Allison Sheer Tint Finisher. It provides SPF 18, is easy to apply, and as an added benefit, evens many skin tones so is perfect under make-up or powder. No SPF product lasts all day, so you would need to reapply something if you put on your sheer tint finisher and SPF make-up in the morning before going out in the afternoon sun.
If you will be out for more than a few minutes, you could consider the Rhonda Allison SPF 30 sunscreen which is good for face and body (don’t forget your hands and decollete! They are some of the first body parts to show signs of sun damage!) This still needs reapplied, but will last longer outside and provide more coverage than make-up. You can still wear make-up over it.
Question: Should I put on my sunscreen before or after my moisturizer?
Answer: Sunscreen goes on after your moisturizer. Depending on your moisturizer (or serum) you’ll want those active ingredients closer to the skin so they can penetrate the skin easier. You want your sunscreen closest to the sun exposure to provide a barrier.
Question: Do the products I use impact what kind of sunscreen I need?
Answer: When you are using professional grade correctives like many of the Rhonda Allison line, your skin is getting more exfoliation, which means new, fresh skin that is more susceptible to burns. Just because you aren’t prone to burning, you still need sun protection. If you are investing in great skin care and corrective products, you need sunscreen more than ever so you don’t counteract all the good you are doing for your skin.
If you’d like more information, book a facial with Cassandra or any of our estheticians by clicking here.
Whether you need a perfect hostess gift or some Easter basket fillers, we have lots of cute options…including some on sale!
For the Easter Brunch hosts: This Bunny Loves You Gift Set (15% off through April 30th, 2016)
This Bunny Loves You set includes a Fluffy Bunny (lavender mint) hand cream and a sweet cream salt scrub. It is so pretty it doesn’t need a basket!
For sisters and nieces: Nail polish minis (Zoya sets are 15% off through April 30th, 2016.
The Zoya lips and tips quad includes 3 spring minis and a coordinating lipstick. The Vinylux Flirtation gift set includes 4 polishes minis and fast dry topcoat mini. These sets are perfect to give whole or split to fill Easter eggs!
For moms, co-workers and your BFF: Farmhouse Fresh spring scented shea butters. These scents are 15% off through April 30th, 2016!
Farmhouse Fresh has tons of delightful scents, but our two favorites for sprin are their Fluffy Bunny (lavender mint) and Rainbow Road (pear). They come in a beautiful jar and a purse size hand cream tube.
For YOU: A visit to the spa
Whether you’re hosting a big Easter gathering or worn out from getting your garden beds ready for spring planting, you deserve a trip to the spa. Check out our fun spring specials and book YOUR spa visit here!
A question we’re frequently asked is “How often do you get a massage?” or “Who does your massages?” I decided to ask our team to share stories of how massage and complementary medicine have impacted them personally. Our massage therapist, Teresa, was the first to share her story. Stay tuned for more stories in the series!
From Teresa:
Teresa, a massage therapist at East Village Spa, provides a craniosacral massage to Kelly.
For the past 5 + years, I have been a dedicated client/recipient of myofascial/deep tissue massage and chiropractic adjustments. I believe I would not be able to sustain a career in massage therapy without receiving this therapy myself.
For years before moving back to Iowa, I sought help through massage and chiropractors, with some success, but I would describe it more as hit-and-miss. When I moved back to Iowa, I learned about myofascial massage methods used with deep tissue with the help of a knowledgeable, skilled and gifted therapist, James Kozuki. I began regular sessions, and we have been able to peel back the layers of restrictions and “stuck” tissue that had resulted from soft tissue trauma I sustained many, many years ago, not to mention any other sprains, strains and “normal” tension (like pregnancy) that were layered on top!
In those early-in-life accidents, I had been jarred, whip-lashed, bruised and twisted up (no broken bones) and as the years went by, stiffness and soreness in my neck and low back became more pronounced. Now, with the help of massage therapy and chiropractic care, I can turn my head in all directions without pain or stiffness, and my low back is better than ever. I am forever grateful for the gifts of massage therapists (and gifted chiropractors, too), especially when you find one that fits exactly what you need!
****
Thank you to Teresa for sharing her story! To learn about our massage therapists, our services, or to schedule an appointment online, click here!
Our estheticians want to shed light on a few common misconceptions about skincare. It is easy to see why people get confused because these ideas are sometimes completely counterintuitive!
Myth: The best way to treat excessively oily skin is by drying it out.
Truth: While it seems like drying out oily skin is the best route, skipping moisturizer or using a harsh toner to try to dry skin can actually strip natural oils from the skin causing the skin to over-produce oil to protect itself. The best option to hydrate oily skin is a serum or gel moisturizer. These products will absorb quickly and skin won’t “panic” and produce even more oil.
Serums or gels, like the Rhonda Allison Blushed Wine Gel are great light moisturizers to hydrate oily skin.
Myth: Acids are harsh chemicals and aggressive on skin
Truth: The acids we use in skincare are naturally derived and vary in strength and benefit. For example, Hyaluronic Acid, which may sound scary, is naturally occurring in the body in synovial (joint) fluid and in the eye. This acid is used in products to plump and hydrate skin and some medical professionals recommend this for wound and burn healing. Lactic acid is derived from milk and is beneficial for dry, mature skin and is often used to exfoliate without over-drying. Some acids are more potent, but just because a product or ingredient is labeled an “acid” doesn’t mean it is scary.
Cassie getting a light facial peel using a variety of acids from our esthetician, Cammie.
Myth: If you have true acne, you need a good facial (or body) scrub to help unclog pores.
Truth: True acne occurs when excess skin cells, oil, and debris clog pores, potentially leading to infection. Using a mechanical scrub over acneic skin may spread bacteria and increase inflammation, worsening the problem. Depending on the severity of the acne, a chemical exfoliation (don’t let the word “chemical” scare you!) is best. For example, glycolic or salicylic acids, applied topically as recommended by your esthetician or dermatologist, will help to break down skin cells and excess oil without spreading bacteria or increasing irritation.
Gritty scrubs like those pictured above can spread bacteria and further inflame acneic skin. It is best to stick with an acid based exfoliation instead of a manual exfoliation during a breakout.
If you have questions about your skin care or want to find out whether or not something you read online or heard from a friend is accurate, ask your esthetician! To schedule a facial for an in-depth consultation and treatment, click here.
Casey, one of our amazing Guest Service Assistants, was fairly new to spa services when she started with us, but she’s been enjoying “sampling” all of our services and will be contributing to the Spa Newbie section of our blog.
