Archive for January, 2010
Random afternoon funny | Mistakes
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” It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others”
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Funny?
not really… well not when it’s YOUR life that they’re referring to, but I’m sure that we can all think of at least a handful of people who may fall into this category 
So let’s make it happen. Today, start doing whatever it takes so that this is not your running script.
No better day like today, after all it’s the first day of the rest of your life!
Here’s to an awesome week!
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Ooops! | Short Hair Mistakes
Short hair is all the rave. More than a cut, short hair is a personality, one that you can’t fake and have to get just right. In the right cut, short hair can be an effortlessly chic, no brainer. However, not all short cuts are created equal. The right short ‘do for you will depend on many factors including, but not limited to:
- The shape of your face
- Your social lifestyle
- The natural texture of your hair
- The thickness of your hair
- Your wardrobe
- Your personality
- Your bank account balance/ stylist hookups
for example.
If you are thinking about making the transition to short hair, or even if you’ve already made it and find some difficulty in maintaining it, check out some of the tips below on what to avoid:
1. Blunt cut on curly hair
It may look on ‘fyah’ when you are in the salon, but when you walk out and that humidity hits you can end up looking like the poodle down the street.
With curly hair, there’s no telling where the chips will fall when the natural curl instinct kicks in after it’s first wash, meaning you will never be able to wash your hair and make a dash (lounging around at the beach/ pool perhaps), or engage in any activity where humidity is involved, including being anywhere outside when it rains. eeek!
To keep the unkempt poodle look, try a short cut that is layered. The curlier the hair the less layered it should be though, because the more curly the hair the greater the shrinkage, and the more likely the ‘layers’ will turn into a ‘mullet’. Not cool.
2. Too blunt.
Too helmet gear-ish. Kinda-sorta like wearing a masculine cut jacket WITH super spongy shoulder pads, this look is overly severe. Blunt AND straight AND stiff is just about the recipe I’d say.
This only works on the runway I’m afraid, where , to the average human being, almost everything else looks like it’s made for another planet.
Even if it’s a blunt cut, soften by adding some layers, or by removing some of the weight from the ends by using the texturizing process.
3. Wrong proportions
Find the right proportions. If you are voluptuous avoid cutting hair too close to the scalp to avoid looking like a pin head. Likewise, if you are petite avoid overly layered, voluminous hair, which would make you look top heavy.
4. Lack of maintenance
Not keeping up with a chic short cut is a clear sign of a Diva wannabee. Short hair needs to be cut every 4-6 weeks depending on your rate of hair growth as well as the cut. If you have neither the time nor the money to keep up with this, go for a layered cut instead that would be more forgiving when your hair grows out.
5. Not styling
Short hair needs to be styled daily, especially if you’ve opted for a style that the hair you were born with doesn’t follow, naturally. Depending on your cut and hair texture ‘styling’ can be anywhere from following with mousse after wetting every morning to full hundred breaking out the flat iron.
Consult with your stylist on the styling routine required by the cut on your hair before making the commitment.
6. Over accessorizing
Ladies, short hair is already chic. With short hair your face is put on front street. Don’t mask it with dangly earrings AND a glittery bandeau AND loud makeup AND a necklace – too much.
Choose one accessory to focus on.
**Where applicable, the tips above go for male or female – so long as you have hair that needs to be both maintained using some cutting device and styled.**
Snip away!
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Hygiene Tip | Clean Balls
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Guys, if you have dirty balls that need cleaning, check out this very important message from Axe.
Me likey mucho thiso concepto.
It’s that much more enjoyable to play with clean equipment.
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Thanks for looking out Lise.
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Skin condition | "Acne"
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Acne is a skin condition/ disorder that is normally associated with teenagers, but it can affect people at almost any age. It can be a phase as well as it can also be a lifelong battle.
The word ‘acne’ usually refers to the condition acne vulgaris, which is the most common form of acne. It is an hereditary disorder, and requires dedicated treatment for many years. Although it is not infectious, contagious or life threatening, it is not uncommon for the presence of acne to severely affect one’s social life, self-esteem and self-perception.
Causes
Acne does not occur because of a lack of cleanliness. Yes it is important to keep the skin clean, but acne is caused by:
- Heridity and
- Hormones
As acne is a genetic disorder, if parents suffer from acne then chances are that their children will also.
- Stress can also be a factor in the cause of acne.
Heredity
Acne, as a hereditary condition, is also referred to as retention hyperkeratosis. Here, dead skin cells do not shed off the skin’s surface as regularly and as frequently as they would on a normal skin type.
As discussed earlier, skin type is hereditary.
The tendency to have excess sebum production (as is the case with Oily skin) is one skin type that is inherited. The oilier the skin, the greater the tendency for severe acne. With very oily skin, all areas of the skin (not only the T-Zone – forehead, nose, chin) are oily and the scalp may be oily as well. The presence of enlarged pores also facilitate the formation of acne.
For more on oily skin see post Skin Type | Oily Skin
Retention hyperkeratosis will be discussed further in a later post.
Hormones
Hormones are also key in the formation of acne. Androgens, or male hormones, stimulate the skin’s oil glands and cause an increase in its oil (sebum) production. These hormones also cause increased inflammation in pores or the skin’s follicles.
Hormones play a huge part in acne in both tweens/ teenagers (around puberty) and in adults, females more so than males.
Most hormonal acne is minimal and may be treated. The biggest issue with hormonal acne in teenagers is their lack of discipline with treating their skin.
Stress
Of course, stress is also a factor in acne.
It is not uncommon to experience a breakout when one is going through any of life’s many traumas – an exam that you didn’t study for, marriage, divorce, loss of employment etc. This is because stress usually causes hormonal imbalance; it is the production of the adrenaline hormone, which is used by humans to cope with stressful events like danger and emergencies, from the adrenal gland which is partly responsible for this imbalance.
The stimulation of the adrenal gland also causes an increase in the production of androgen. In women, the majority of androgen, the male hormone which increases the oil production, is produced by the adrenal gland. This may explain why women have a greater tendency than men to break out under stress.
Grades of Acne
There are different grades of acne, from the occasional pimples to the acne that is disfiguring or that which causes redness, pustules and even permanent scarring. The severity of the acne is referred to by dermatologists in varying ‘grades’ from grades 1 – 4, Grade 1 being the least worrisome and grade 4 being the most.
Grades 1 – 2
Grades 1 -2 are comprised mostly of open and closed comedones.
- Open comedones - commonly known as blackheads.
- Closed comedones - appear as small bumps just under the skin and are sometimes called whiteheads.
Both of these types of comedones are non-inflammatory lesions i.e. skin is not red or irritated, and is perhaps why, although technically considered to be acne, grades 1 and 2 aren’t usually considered as such by the average person.
In Grade 2 acne:
- Papules, a type of raised lesion that is usually characterized by red bumps or
- pustules, an infected papule, one that is filled with pus, a whitish fluid that is a mixture of dead white blood cells (from fighting against the infection), bacteria, blood and skin cells that have been destroyed by the infection
are also present. These terms will be covered in depth in a later post.
These grades of acne can benefit from the extraction of open and closed comedones by an esthetician.
Grades 3 -4
In grades 3 – 4 acne, in addition to all of the above, skin is inflamed and red. This is what people typically think of when they refer to ‘acne’.
Grade 4 acne is the worst type of acne vulgaris. This type of acne will also comprise of deep nodules and cysts, as well as scarring may be present along with severe inflammation.
Although follow up, deep-cleansing treatments can be done by an esthetician, these grades of acne must first be treated by a dermatologist, as oral and/ or topical medication and other more aggressive treatments may be needed to get this condition under control.
Acne Management
Acne that is hereditary cannot be changed just by visiting the esthetician at your neighborhood Spa. A dermatologist or endocrinologist (a doctor who deals with hormones) may be able to manipulate hormones, but a permanent and complete change may not be successful.
Still, it is possible to control and manage acne to the point where there are no visible and inflamed lesions, although the occasional lesion may pop up from time to time. Regardless of the grade of acne that is present on the skin, regular visits to your esthetician for deep-cleansing facials, coupled with proper skin care management at home are required to keep acne flares under control.
There are other factors that both you and your esthetician can control to keep problem skin under wraps. These too will be discussed at a further point.
Works Consulted:
D’Angelo, J. & Dean, P. Milady’s Standard Comprehensive Training for Estheticians. Thomson Learning, Inc.
Class notes
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PSA | Aid to Haiti
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In an earlier post I made the recommendation that, with respect to donations to Haiti, ‘all help counts’. Let me clarify, things not to donate to Haiti:
- Disco and other types of synthetic party wear – Haitians not going clubbing anytime soon.
- used toiletries, like toothbrushes
- plastic jewelry
- torn handbags
- dirty, used clothing
- used/ soiled underwear
The stories that I get from my friends and family who have been volunteering to sort donated items bound for Haiti just blow my mind. There is a huge outpouring of support in terms of in-kind donations yes, but the things that people are donating is another story.
Not just because people are destitute does it mean that they ought to be treated like second class citizens.
Used/ soiled underwear? I mean seriously. Would we feel good about accepting these items for our family?
Then why would we think that’s acceptable to donate to someone else’s?
Lets not confuse the act of donating with personal spring cleaning.
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Another thing I need to address is this matter of individuals seeking funding to make a trip to Haiti, as I’ve been flooded with such emails.
To do what exactly? There already are a lot of people over there. You’re not a doctor, or nurse… what are you really going to do? If you really want to help, pay your own fare why not. Why should I take MY money and buy YOU a plane ticket? What help is that going to do? Wouldn’t the money be better served sending directly to Haiti, so that the relevant authorities can buy tangible items that people can actually benefit from such as:
- Bottled water
- Medical supplies
- Canned food
- Baby clothing
- Clean, unsoiled clothing, wearable as is.
perhaps?
Some seek fame in devastation.
According to most charity sites, including all chapters of the Red Cross, there are more than enough people on the ground in Haiti to help/ volunteer, what they really need is money to:
1. Get all the in-kind donations they’ve been flooded with to reach Haiti
2. Get additional, urgent supplies that they are lacking.
Think long and hard about your contributions to assist Haiti. It costs to send these containers guys, not to mention the inventory and warehousing costs to store every thing before (and after) they get enough volunteers to sort the mountains of donated items.
Think about what you are sending and don’t send stuff just because you don’t want it. It’s just a waste of money to send stuff that noone is going to use.
All ‘dontations’ aren’t created equal.
The Canadian Red Cross states that:
In-kind donations of food, clothing and other items, while well intentioned, are not the best way to help those in need. There are tremendous processing and transportation costs involved in shipping these items to beneficiaries. Local purchases of food and clothing are more culturally appropriate and effective. Red Cross supplies can be purchased in the immediate area, thereby reducing transportation costs.
Cash transfers to the affected region provide the optimum flexibility to our Red Cross colleagues so they can meet the most urgent needs.
A lot of volunteers are needed to sort in-kind donations, then the administrative and logistical costs of shipping and return of the containers, the same cost of volunteers on the ground.
Then, there’s the logistical cost to distribute… man, it’s a charity’s nightmare to move all and everything in time.
With regard to Haiti, just donate $10 already. That way the organization that you chose to partner with can put it where it’s most needed, in a timely fashion. You can always give the (useable) in-kind stuff you gathered in your New Year’s spring cleaning activity to your local charity.
Just a thought.
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The ‘Smart’ Curse
Being perceived as ‘smart’ is definitely a blessing.
It also has it’s drawbacks.
Everyone expects that you do something ‘phenomenal’ with your life, at the very least become a doctor, a lawyer, some engineer of some sort. An accountant. A neurosurgeon. A rocket scientist.
Change the world in some magnificent boom bang way that will require you to give speeches where people introduce you and the alphabet that comes after your name, in some terrificly formal shindig setting.
So while you are conquering the world, doing and fulfilling everything that everyone else has dreamed for you, all you really want to do is sell rubber slippers and marinate by the beach.
Being a hero is great and all, but sometimes you just want to not think about anything, to not be responsible for saving the world. Maybe it’s a phase, maybe it’s not, still it doesn’t remove the fact that it’s a genuine feeling that you have. It’s quite possible that if you sit long enough, you can formulate the next best thing, but you just don’t wish to do it today. Not this year, and quite possibly, not for the rest of your life.
It’s not that you don’t wish to be successful or achieve something in life, you just wish to be free from the bondage of lofty, mismatched expectations for a quick second.
Interestingly enough, so many of my friends experience this feeling.
The civil engineer, who works in construction who’s dream is to one day own a kite surfing place, where he teaches people how to kite surf for the whole day, everyday. The master accountant, working in one of the biggest accounting firms in the world who wishes to be a photographer and have his own studio. The high profile lawyer who just wishes to write and maybe one day become a journalist, or the engineer who sells fuel oil to Europe who wishes to switch to an industry where the average starting salary is minimum wage.
Totally irrational isn’t it?
This world can be so competitive at times that parents can’t help but want the best for their children. It is especially difficult for ‘smart’ kids who have the opportunity for higher education, an opportunity that maybe their parents didn’t have. So yeah, I totally get it.
In an age where it is more and more of a requirement to have a degree to even get through the door of a corporate interview, there is the added pressure of going to University to pursue… something, anything that will get you even a prayer of a ‘stable’ future. It is not uncommon for some kids to be the first in their family to have the opportunity to attend University, so even then the pressure builds, and builds. The entire dreams of past generations are heaved upon a 13 year old:
“Son, what are you going to do with your life?”
Thing is, in a world that is so competitive, how can you NOT want the ‘best’ for your child?
Not that my kids will not go to University, eeerrr…. no. That’s not what I’m saying. If they want to do PhD in basket weaving even, they will get that paper, for it is not my intention to understate the value of an education. The aim isn’t to be necessarily disadvantaged, but just to take the path in life that closely matches your dreams and aspirations.
I’m just saying, the world is such a smaller place now, and there are so many niche markets. These are exciting times. You can do almost anything and be successful once you posses the passion (and talent!) for it.
It’s never too late to take some time, even if it’s part time or maybe once a week, to do or start that thing that you’ve always ‘dreamed’ of doing. Of course, it’s not necessarily going to be easy, but going after something that you are passionate about rarely is. I’ve found that though it may be difficult to balance the many, doing something that you enjoy can bring the sanity to the sensationally insane world that we live in.
In terms of kids, why not take an honest look at their natural talents.
- What are they good at?
- What do they enjoy?
- What would they like to try?
Let this be a starting point from which you formulate their lives rather than formulate it from the point of view of what you always wanted to do.
It’s not always this simple but it’s a start. Knowing and understanding the natural talents of our kids, make us better prepared to jump at the opportunity for them to pursue their purpose in life, whenever one may present itself. It may take us a while to find one, but at least we will be prepared.
This is not always an easy process, as often times we haven’t yet taken the time to do the same with ourselves.
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Success can be defined not so much by the amount of money we make, but by the quality of life that we experience. Success is subjective; Not everything is for everyone.
There is so much to be excited for in this life; so much to see, to experience, to do. People to meet, places to visit, things to do.
Do what you love. Love what you do.
Live life passionately.
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What is it? | "Dry Scalp"
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In the Caribbean, we are familiar with ‘dry scalp’, a term that is used to explain almost any scalp condition that involves powdery flakes – on the scalp, in the hair, on someone’s back and on their clothing, which usually serves as a source of embarrassment. Some also use this state as an indication to shampoo their hair.
The term ‘dry scalp’ is also used to refer to another condition, also called dandruff – thick patches of scale that are caked to the scalp, that may also be associated with acne-like bumps on the head.
In it’s mildest form, ‘dry scalp’ is harmless, although it can do a number on your social life.
Dr. Patricia Yap, a dermatologist who practices in Jamaica and specializes in black skin, states that:
The medical term for ‘dry scalp’ is Seborrheic Eczema/ Dermatitis. It is a condition that is usually accompanied by itching, redness or whitening of the scalp and face. Other parts of the body can also become involved, such as the hairline, eyebrows, and the sides of the nose, behind and in the ears, in the middle of the chest and back and in the groin. These areas have the highest concentration of sebaceous (oil) glands. It can also be found in infants and when present during infancy, is called cradle cap when present on the scalp but can affect the entire body of the enfant.
Seborrheic eczema is a subdivision of eczema and is based solely on clinical grounds. The term “seborrheic” is thought to be misleading because seborrhoea (a medical term applied to describe an accumulation on the skin of the normal sebaceous secretion mixed with dirt and forming scales or a distinct incrustation) is not always present and is not required to make a diagnosis.
It has been proven that pityrosporum, a type of yeast, plays an active role in Seborrheic eczema. These yeasts are oil-loving organisms, (lipophilic) and are normally found on the skin in areas where oil (sebaceous) glands are abundant.
Findings
In her Jamaican practice, Dr. Yap has found that Seborrheic eczema:
- Exists in infants
- Is commonest in young adults, females more so than males
- Is common in patients with Parkinson’s disease and immuno-suppression.
Symptoms
Large quantities of these organisms can give rise to the following:
1. Inflammation, which results in redness, scaly or dry patches on skin, especially after washing face.
2. Itching and burning of the face when hot or after face is washed.
3. Hair loss when combing or even tugging on hair. This worsens after the hair is chemically processed, as often during chemical treatments, there is excessive burning, which causes acute damage to the scalp.
4. Uneven skin tone – whitening or darkening of the areas involved, especially those on the face.
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Dr. Yap found it interesting that, in the the Jamaican culture, it is not uncommon for hairdressers to suggest oiling of the scalp for effective treatment of this condition. While oiling of the scalp makes the flakes less obvious (masking the flakes), it worsens the condition as the presence of this oil provides a rich breeding ground for the reproduction of the Pityrosporum yeasts, and so they remain.
Some factors she highlights that contribute to the high incidence of Seborrheic eczema in Jamaica are:
1. Genetic
This condition is hereditary, i.e. the patient has a first degree relative e.g. a mother, father, daughter or son, with this condition.
2. Cultural Practices
Because of certain hair styles and processes, it is not uncommon for many women to wash their hair no more than twice a month. This natural oil buildup, coupled with oiling of the scalp provides an ideal environment for multiplication of these yeasts.
3. Environmental
Heat worsens this condition, and the tropical climate of Jamaica provides the ideal temperature for growth of these yeasts, which grow best between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius - the temperature of Jamaica in summer when the condition has been found to be most prevalent.
4. Stress
During stress, oil glands are more active. It is then perhaps as a result of the increased production of oil, the yeasts multiply and conquer. It is then no coincidence that individuals who are often under stress, for example police officers, lawyers, accountants and students who are studying for exams for example, often are affected by this condition.
5. Hormonal
Seborrheic eczema has been shown to be more active near menstruation as well as during pregnancy.
6. The overuse of harsh cleansing soaps like blue soap, Protex and Lifebuoy.
The pH of the skin is about 5.5, which is the optimal pH needed for the skin to fight off infection, bacteria, yeasts and potential viruses.
Using harsh soaps, which are alkaline in nature, alters the pH of the skin, leaving it susceptible to the invasion of the yeasts that perpetuate this condition.
The use of antibacterial soaps kill the normal bacterial flora needed to fight the growth of the yeast.
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In my view, many of Dr. Yap’s findings may be applied to the wider Caribbean, and possibly to other areas of the world where such conditions and/ or practices, as listed above, are found.
Seborrheic Eczema/ Dermatitis is a treatable condition, you do not have to live with its symptoms for the rest of your life.
When present on the scalp in it’s mildest form, this condition can be rectified by washing hair regularly, at least 2-3 times a week – not necessarily everyday because then you may develop other issues, especially if your hair is naturally dry.
For other acute forms, or if for some reason you are unable to wash your hair that regularly, seek the advice of a dermatologist. Seborrheic Eczema/ Dermatitis shows up very differently in darker skins than it does in lighter skins, so if you fall in the former category, it would be in your best interest to seek the advice of a dermatologists who specializes in black skin.
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Source, (Reproduced with permission):
Pamphlet: “This Thing called Dry, Itchy, Scalp”, Dr. Patricia Yap - MBBS, Dip. Derm.; F.A.A.D
Presentation: “Seborrheic Dermatitis: The Jamaican Experience”, – Dr. Patricia Yap - MBBS, Dip. Derm.; F.A.A.D
Dr. Yap is a dermatologist practicing in Jamaica. She is a member of the Dermatology Association of Jamaica and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She runs her own practice at:
Apex Skin and Laser Centre
2A Molynes Road
Kingston 10
Jamaica W.I.
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Two thousand and Zen | Spa Etiquette
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Now that all the festivities are over, and life has (more or less) returned to normal, there is no better time than the present to cash in your Spa gift certificate.
Let’s face it, if you don’t now, it will probably either expire or get lost in the ‘things to do’ for 2010. This is a slow period for Spas, so chances are that you will get your treatment straight up and in order, and may even get a few freebies thrown in.
As fun and relaxing as Spas can be, there are certain things that you ought to know and do as a client that, when practiced, can enhance your experience. As there are a lot of protocols at Spas (most of which aren’t articulated upfront) not knowing what these protocols are can indeed result in you having a lousy experience even at the most high end of Spas.
When next you are making your way to a Spa, especially if you are a first timer, heed the following to ensure the best experience possible. The following goes for both men and women:
1. Figure out what treatment you are going for in advance
Call, stop by or visit the Spa’s website for information on all the treatments and services, and their respective costs before the day you wish to get a treatment done. It will save you time, a whole lot of hassle and you wouldn’t frustrate the person at the front desk while you try to figure out what treatment you want, when your slot time is in 10 minutes.
2. Reschedule your appointment if you are sick
This is just common courtesy people. Spa therapists work hard at their jobs, and their bread and butter depends on it. They come into contact with a lot of people on a daily basis and that alone can stretch an immune system to the max. Don’t be selfish; ain’t nobody want your germs, that’s just nasty.
If you find yourself coming down with something, call the Spa ahead of time to reschedule your appointment. Please.
And while you’re at it…
3. Understand the cancellation policy
Spa’s normally have a cancellation policy; one usually has to give at least 24 hours notice before canceling a treatment, otherwise you will still be charged anywhere from half to the full price of the treatment.
Treatment beds/ rooms in Spas are usually limited so just because you aren’t considerate enough to alert them that you will not be coming in, for whatever reason, doesn’t mean that they should lose money.
Call or check the Spa’s website for the cancellation policy.
4. Arrive EARLY
Not on time folks, early. I’d say about 15 minutes before your scheduled treatment time.
There is usually a consultation form(s) that needs to be filled out prior to any treatment. This laundry list of questions can range anywhere from your basic contact information to your health and lifestyle choices.
Spa treatments aren’t like Salon (Hair) treatments. In a salon you pay for a service i.e. if you are paying for a colour, cut and blow out service, you pay the same whether your stylist takes 1 hour or 10 hours to complete it. Your stylist can’t exactly stop your service and have you walk out with half your hair coloured and in foils when “ooopps!” your 2 hours are up.
With Spa treatments however, you pay for time. That is to say, if you paid for a 1 hour hot stone massage from 9 am to 10 am, then 9 am – 10 am alone is your time. If you choose to reach for 9 am, spend 15 minutes filling out your consultation forms, and then 5 minutes to change into your robe, understand you will then pay full price for 40 minute (or less) massage. Boo hoo to you.
5. Be honest
Spa therapists aren’t clairvoyant.
They have no idea what’s going on with you or what personal issues you have, neither do they care. This is not to say that they do not want the best for you, nor that they aren’t friendly, loving, caring people. However, although they readily listen and empathize with a lot of people’s personal stuff, they aren’t qualified psychologists, and can’t tell what’s going on with you by what you don’t say.
Spa therapists are there to provide you with the best treatment possible, depending on your specific needs and conditions.
Depending on your desired service, consultation questions may include, but are not limited to:
- Any previous surgeries, or pregnancies
- Implants, embedded metallic plates,
- Medical conditions e.g. epilepsy, HIV, diabetes, cancer.
- Lifestyle – e.g. Sun exposure, alcohol & water intake, frequency with which you exercise, diet
- Medication you are on or have been on for the past year.
Do be prepared to answer these honestly, as dishonest answers can result in serious complications, especially if you are interested in Medical Spa Treatments such as Chemical Peels, Laser or Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments.
If not it, will be left up to you to deal with any complications that you may develop after a specific medical treatment, because the document that you signed (and quite possibly didn’t read through) waives the Spa and the Spa therapist from all responsibility of possible complications, as a result of you not taking the time to be honest with yourself.
6. Speak up and ask questions
Bed inclination, lighting and room temperature for example can all be adjusted. Remember you are the client, all this pampering is being done to make you comfortable. Speak up and ask questions about anything that either makes you uncomfortable, that you would like changed, particularly enjoy or would prefer more of.
If you are at the Spa enjoying a service with a group of friends, treatments to the hands and feet for example, do remember to use your inside voices out of respect to your fellow ‘Spasians’. Turn off cell phones, or put them on silent – vibration mode is sometimes just as noisy as a ringtone, especially if the phone is vibrating on a wooden or plastic table.
Be pleasant, especially if you are enjoying your service. Spa therapists know a lot of ways that your treatment may be upgraded, and they are only human; even though there is a protocol for performing services, it is not uncommon for them to throw in a few extras, from massage movements to product samples, to those clients who make their work worthwhile.
7. Avoid perfume/ cologne.
Ladies, this also goes for makeup. Your therapist can remove it, no worries, but taking the time to remove makeup that is caked on, during facial treatments for example, will cut into your treatment time.
Heavy perfume scents can totally throw off the Zen in a Spa environment.
8. Tip
This entire Spa deal may be a luxury for you, but it’s a livelihood for your Spa Therapist(s).
Most therapists, especially entry level ones, aren’t normally paid much more than minimum wage, and so they depend heavily on tips. TIPS (To Insure Proper Service), is your way of showing appreciation for a service well performed.
Like with all other professions, all therapists aren’t created equal. There are crack-shot doctors and there are crack-shot therapists. To be a great therapist requires unparalleled dedication to what you do, and to the people on whom you work. It’s a job that’s requires stamina, physical strength as well as mental strength to deal with some of you clients who are having a bad day. Mhm… we’ve all dealt with some of those.
So, if you’ve experienced an excellent treatment, or you thought that your Spa therapist really paid attention to detail and did a great job, please tip.
The industry standard is 20%
.
Organize yourself accordingly, and move to suit.
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Haiti, I'm Sorry
Our prayers go out to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
I’d say that the destruction that has been left in the wake of that tremendous, 7.0 earthquake – tens of thousands dead, and widespread damage of catastrophic proportions, but truth be told, Haiti’s been in a rough patch for more than a minute now and just can’t seem to catch a break.
Impact your world.
This is human suffering. There are many organizations that are working to offer help in various ways to Haiti. Look around you to see what organizations you can partner with to help, based on your resources. It doesn’t have to be monetary, all help counts
***See updated post *** PSA | Aid to Haiti
“Haiti” by David Rudder
Arranged by Pelham Goddard, Haiti Lypsoland, Trinidad & Tobago, 1988
PSA | Aid to Haiti
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