Tuesday, 20 September 2011

THE TRUTH ABOUT THINNING HAIR



At NIOXIN®, their philosophy has always been that achieving beautiful, healthy-looking hair starts where your hair begins—with the scalp. And as the leading provider of the most effective natural skincare solutions, NIOXIN® products are formulated to be Skincare for the scalp.

Overcoming the appearance of thinning hair is a process. Through a daily regimen of cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing, each NIOXIN® system works to help improve the appearance of thinning hair and create and maintain an optimum scalp environment.

Some loss or shedding of hair every day is normal. However, hair may not be growing back at the same rate as it's falling out, resulting in a deficient hair count.

The following is an explanation of how NIOXIN's scientific approach to scalp and hair care aims to help :
There are three phases in the lifecycle fo a hair. The longest phase is anagen, in which the hair is growing. The intermediate and shortest phase is catagen, during which the lower two-thirds of the follicle is destroyed. The last phase is telogen, during which the follicle is resting and preparing to return to the anagen (growing) phase.

The Growth Cycle – Anagen can last 2 to 6 years (if not disrupted). Nioxin interacts during this stage to strengthen the hair and follicle with a vitamin enriched, nutrient formula.

The Resting Cycle - Catagen lasts only 1 to 2 weeks, when the hair starts to detach from its food source, the papilla.

The Fall-out Cycle - Telogen lasts around 5 to 6 weeks when the hair starts to move upwards preparing to fall out having completely detached from the follicle. It then takes about 9 months for the dermal papilla to produce new anagen hair.

However, hair can be rushed into the fall-out stage. Some factors can prematurely advance the follicle into the telogen stage, these include stress, medication, illness, diet or poor quality chemical procedures. When hair is in the fall-out stage NO product can re-attach it to it's food source, the papilla! Badly damaged hair will unfortunately continue to fall out.

Defining Normal/Abnormal Hair Loss

So how much hair loss is normal?
Conventional wisdom has indicated that the loss of 100 to 125 hairs per day is normal. And obviously, hair must be replaced at the same rate as its daily loss to maintain existing hair density. However, NIOXIN believe that the loss of more than 50 hairs per day may be excessive and an early indication of thinning hair problems. The average healthy person using NIOXIN as recommended, should lose only 10 to 50 hairs a day within the first month of use.

Nioxin Research Laboratories has identified give characteristics indicating the likelihood that a person could experience premature hair loss.

Acne
Adult cystic acne or acne with cysts containing keratin and sebum. Inflammation of the sebaceous glands from retained secretion. Cystic acne is associated with DHT;
therefore the presence of this type of acne is a warning sign and indicates the same hormonal imbalances that often lead to premature hair loss.

Seborrhea
The sebaceous gland starts to produce excess sebum, which builds up on the scalp (sometimes looking like adult cradle cap). As the sebaceous gland is hormonally
regulated, over production of sebum indicates the same hormonal imbalance that often leads to premature hair loss.

Alopecia Areata
This is a non-hormonal form of hair loss. Genetics, diet and stress trigger what's believed to be an auto-immune disease and the subsequent hair loss associated with
it. Once you have alopecia areata, even though the bald spots can come and go, it's generally a condition warning of more severe hair loss problems ahead. Proper scalp care can reduce the severity of the episodes and time between them, but there is
no known permanent solution.

Excessive Shedding
Hair must be replaced at the same rate of loss in order to maintain current thickness and volume. When shampooing daily, the loss of 50 or more hairs can be a warning
sign of potential hair loss problems.

Excessive Body Hair

MEN :
50% greater risk of thinning/balding if the man has complete chest hair.

70% greater risk of thinning/balding if the man has chest, shoulder and back hair.
90% greater risk of thinning/balding if the man has total body hair.

WOMEN :
Excessive body hair (hirsutism) or sudden appearance of facial hair is a warning sign as it represents the same hormonal imbalance that can cause premature thinning and baldness.

NIOXIN is considered the most advanced product for improving fine or thinning hair quality. Its ability to remove DHT from the scalp skin and then help protect hair follicles from chemical deterioration is unsurpassed. The primary cause of hair loss and follicle deterioration is dihydrotestosterone but, diet, pollution, radiation, stress, medication and other factors reduce hair quality and increase hair loss. NIOXIN is a system designed to improve the environment of the scalp for fuller, thicker, healthier hair. NIOXIN is not a drug, contains no harmful chemicals and is safe for all ages to use and benefit from.
The NIOXIN range of products is designed to be just as beneficial to people who want to maintain a healthy head of hair, as it is to those already concerned with the problem of increasingly fine, fragile or thinning hair.
The NIOXIN range is a system committed to the science of living hair.

There are 8 Nioxin system's to choose from. Choose the system that is right for you!

Monday, 19 September 2011



This weekend I treated yet another new client experiencing extreme sensitivity, with itching, stinging and redness and at a complete loss as to how to deal with it. Sound familiar?

All the above are the signs of sensitive skin, but the triggers behind these sensations are less clear; genetics, hormones, stress, chemical assaults, foods and even aggressive skin treatments can intensify skin's highly reactive state. In addition, environmental factors, ageing and lifestyle choices can all increase skin sensitisation.

Cold winds and low temperatures, sun exposure, pollution and chemical exposure in cleaning and household products can irritate and dry out skin, depriving it of lipids and moisture between cells that keep the protective layer of the skin intact. Without these substances skin is left unprotected against bacteria and irritant invation and moisture is drawn out. Did you know dry skin is a precurser to sensitised skin?

Whether skin is naturally sensitive or has become sensitized by external factors,the common factor behind sensitive skin is inflammation. When paired with the loss of skin’s protective barrier, skin health is compromised and becomes highly reactive.

How does it work?
Using active botanical extracts, Dermalogica have created the UltraCalming range, the first and only treatment system to target both immunogenic and neurogenic inflamation as well as reinforcing the skin’s lipid barrier layer. Dermalogica UltraCalming is the most advanced treatment system on the market for sensitised skin.

Immunogenic Inflammation
Triggered by the immune system, skin inflammation is caused by a foreign substance such as pollen or artificial fragrances.

Neurogenic Inflammation
Triggered by the nervous system, sensitized or inflamed skin may be the result of the environment, chemicals or physical and emotional stress.
Loss of Protective Barrier
Excess exfoliation, exposure to soap and water, even psychological stress can compromise the skin’s protective barrier, lowering tolerance against potential stressors resulting in sensitization and irritation.


UltraCalming Cleanser
An extremely gentle cleansing gel/cream that can either be rinsed off or gently removed with tissue or The Sponge Cloth. Helps combat skin sensitivity caused by exposure to pollution, harsh climate, stress, hormonal imbalance, irritating cosmetic products and other environmental influences. Contains no artificial fragrance or colour.

UltraCalming Mist
A soothing, hydrating mist that quickly relieves sensitivity while helping to calm redness, stinging and aggravated skin. Contains no artificial fragrance or colour.

UltraCalming Serum Concentrate
The antidote for skin sensitivity: a super-concentrated serum that helps calm, restore and defend sensitized skin. Contains no artificial fragrance or colour.

UltraCalming Relief Masque
A powerful, ultra-calming treatment masque enriched with Colloidal Oatmeal to soothe enraged skin and provide lasting relief from sensitized skin flare-ups, redness and rosacea.

Barrier Repair
A unique anhydrous (waterless) moisturiser that melts gently into sensitised skin to soothe and help repair damage caused by environmental aggressions from pollution, temperature extremes, irritating cosmetic products, harsh detergents, chemical exposure, stress, poor diet or hormonal factors. Formulated with Dermalogica's exclusive Anti-Ozonate Complex to protect skin from reactive ozone. Oil of Evening Primrose and emollient silicones provide a velvety feel, while strengthening the skin's natural lipid barrier to resist future damage. Shea Butter, Vitamin C and Bisabolol protect skin from dehydration, free radicals and inflammation.

UltraCalming Sensitized Skin Treatment Kit
Research shows that up to 50% of people suffer from sensitisation at any time* The Dermalogica UltraCalming™ Treatment Kit provides the most effective system for providing stinging, burning and redness relief

Dermalogica UltraCalming™ Treatment Kit contains :
Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser 50ml
Dermalogica UltraCalming Relief Masque 15ml
Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate 10ml
Dermalogica UltraCalming Barrier Repair 10ml
Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist 50ml


Friday, 16 September 2011

Post Summer Skin

We are now back from our holidays and the kids are back to school. The question on our minds is have you looked after your skin over the summer months?
UV exposure causes far reaching damage to skin that may not be noticeable at the time but accumulates and shows its ugly face when we hit our 30s and 40s.
UVA rays are the longest rays in the spectrum, and they penetrate deepest into the skin. UVA rays are responsible for causing the damage at a cellular level, making them responsible for the main cause of the signs of ageing in the form of wrinkles and pigmentation. UVA is present all year round, even in wintertime!

UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and cause the burn or tan effect in the skin. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause cancer, so wearing a
broad spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants is absolutely essential!

UVC radiation is potentially the most damaging as it is very energetic but is absorbed by oxygen and ozone in the stratosphere and never reaches the Earth's surface.
Speak with your professional skin therapist about SPF moisturisers that can be worn comfortably under make-up or alone deliver defence against skin ageing UV light.

Visit our
website about SPF moisturisers that can be worn comfortably under make-up or alone deliver defence against skin ageing UV light.

Thursday, 15 September 2011

We're Shattered!



We have had the most fun since it's launch this year, experimenting with the OPI Shatter Collection, which is now available in 6 fabulous colours.

Shatter by O.P.I. features a special formula which when applied over nail lacquer instantly cracks to give an eye catching shattered effect revealing your chosen base colour below it.

Applying OPI Shatter is really simple...
1. Apply your manicure as normal, with your favourite base coat and two coats of your favourite colour.
2. Once the polish has completely dried, apply one (and only one!) coat of Shatter, quickly covering the entire nail.
3. Try not to overlap the Shatter polish too much and only apply one coat.
4. Now watch it separate as it dries!
5. If you want a gloss finish, finish with a coat of your favourite top coat

WATCH OPI'S TUTORIAL ON
HOW TO SHATTER

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Don't Forget your Eyes!

They say your eyes are the windows to your soul, so don’t forget to nourish, hydrate, brighten and protect with Dermalogica Eye Treatments.
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate, which means it is extra susceptible and more likely to be the first place to show any signs of skin damage caused by environmental assaults. We highly recommend that your use specific
Dermalogica Eye Treatments to address this.

Dermalogica Total Eye Care - A technically-advanced eye treatment cream to help protect and repair the delicate eye area. Gentle alpha hydroxy acids smooth while firming plant extracts re-texturise the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of puffiness and fine lines. Optical light diffusers help diminish dark circles, instantly restoring translucency and freshness to the skin. A chemical-free sunscreen helps to shield against further damage.
- Smooths and re-texturises the skin around the delicate eye area, helping to diminish fine, dry lines.
- Non-chemical sunblock with SPF15 provides non-irritating protection from harmful UV rays.
- Helps to reduce puffiness.
- Restores translucency and freshness to the eye area and helps diminish dark circles.

Suitable for all skin conditions

1. Gently pat around the entire eye area, blending inward from the outer corner.


Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Compex
Reverse multiple signs of aging with this breakthrough treatment specifically formulated for the delicate eye area. Targets concerns of the eye area, primarily wrinkles and crow’s feet plus puffiness, dark circles due to hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity due to dehydration.

- Retinol helps minimize lines around delicate eye area; helps reverse photoaging and chronological aging of skin tissues.

- Exclusive AGE Smart® active ingredient complex helps prevent AGEs, inhibits MMP activity and quenches ROS (free radicals).

- Fights bags and under eye dark circles while strengthening blood capillaries and increasing blood mircrocirculation.

Suitable for Mature or prematurely-aging skin around the eye area.


Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm - Combat visible lines around the eye and mouth area with this powerful firming complex. Seaweed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E, plus a healing shield of Organic Silicones, protect against damage, accelerate repair, strengthen elasticity and improve smoothness.

- Helps repair the signs of premature aging.
- Increases skin elasticity and firmness.
- Scavenges dangerous free radicals.
- Protects against moisture loss. Mature or prematurely-aging skin

1. Smooth around the eyes and mouth after cleansing, concentrating on areas of visible aging.
2. For optimum results, use morning and night.

Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair - An ultra-rich cream to help diminish dry lines and repair skin damage around the delicate eye area. Skin-replenishing phytonutrients and eye-soothing botanicals of Cucumber, Butcherbroom and Arnica help maintain the skin's optimum health and restore suppleness. Wild Yam Extract and healing Pro-Vitamin B5 help repair prematurely aging skin, while antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E plus Grape Seed Extract protect the skin from harmful free radicals.

- Soothing botanicals and phytonutrients help bring the skin to optimum health and restore suppleness.
- Helps repair prematurely aged skin, while antioxidants protect against further damage.
- Diminishes dry, fine lines and replenishes hydration around the delicate eye area.

Suitable for Dry to Ultra-dry skin conditions

1. Gently pat around the eye area, blending inward from the outer corner.

Protect the health and appearance of your eyes with our Eye Treatments, designed to be worn day and night for enhanced protection against environmental assaults while nourishing, hydrating, brightening and minimizing the appearance of dark circles and fine dryness lines.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Nioxin - It's Skin Care for Your Scalp







NIOXIN is considered the most advanced product for improving fine or thinning hair quality. Its ability to remove DHT from the scalp skin and then help protect hair follicles from chemical deterioration is unsurpassed. The primary cause of hair loss and follicle deterioration is dihydrotestosterone but, diet, pollution, radiation, stress, medication and other factors reduce hair quality and increase hair loss. NIOXIN is a system designed to improve the environment of the scalp for fuller, thicker, healthier hair. NIOXIN is not a drug, contains no harmful chemicals and is safe for all ages to use and benefit from.

The NIOXIN range of products is designed to be just as beneficial to people who want to maintain a healthy head of hair, as it is to those already concerned with the problem of increasingly fine, fragile or thinning hair.

The NIOXIN range is a system committed to the science of living hair.

Choose the Nioxin system that is right for you!

Monday, 12 September 2011

Spotlight on Aromatherapy Associates



We are so excited to have Aromatherapy Associates as part of our portfolio at Donna Maisey Skin Care!

For your daily needs you can select from
Aromatherapy Associates bath, body and skincare collections and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spa grade products.

Aromatherapy Associates have been sharing the therapeutic benefits of essential oils for over 30 years. Starting out as therapists in the early 1970s, Geraldine Howard and Sue Beechey were privileged to be involved in the emerging practice of aromatherapy. They experienced first hand the fantastic positive effects of essential oils on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of their clients. It was clear to them then that aromatherapy could produce powerful results and they’ve maintained a strong commitment to its traditional principles ever since.

Aromatherapy Associates is truly dedicated to taking care of all aspects of your physical and emotional wellbeing. From a bath & shower oil to ease aching muscles or soothe an overactive mind, to a nourishing body butter for dry skins, the bath and body ranges include products to treat all your everyday needs. Rich in precious essential oils and active botanical extracts, every one of Aromatherapy Associates’ products is carefully blended, using the purest ingredients, to enhance a natural radiance and vitality from the inside out.

IN OUR BATH, BODY AND SKINCARE, WE DO NOT USE:
- Mineral or sulphonated oils which can block the performance of the essential oils
- GM ingredients
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
- Petrolatum
- Propylene Glycol
- Synthetic colours or fragrance
- Parabens
- Ingredients that have been tested on animals – and we don’t test our finished products on animals
- Animal derivatives, except for silk and beeswax, which are animal by-products.

You know we like to give you that little bit extra for choosing to shop with us and Aromatherapy Associates is no different. Our current
Aromatherapy Associates Gift With Purchase promotion;

Purchase any Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil 55ml and receive a Body Gel worth up to £27.50 of your choice.

Choose from:
* De-Stress Muscle Gel 150ml
* Revive Body Gel 200ml
* Renew Rose Hydrating Body Gel 200ml
* Enrich Body Serum 200ml

Only 1 Body Gel may be added for each Bath & Shower Oil 55ml purchase.

Finally, why not visit us and experience an Aromatherapy Associates signature treatment for yourself. Our diverse treatments are underpinned by traditional aromatherapy massage techniques. Involving carefully applied spinal pressures to target the autonomic nervous system, they’re highly effective for stress-related symptoms. By releasing tension and helping to rebalance the body’s systems they will leave you feeling renewed and revitalised.