10 Benefits of Massage Therapy

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Massage Therapy can unquestionably relax your mind and body, but here are some other reasons to consider Massage Therapy:

10 Benefits of Massage Therapy

  1. Relieves Stress
  2. Boosts Immunity
  3. Reduces Anxiety
  4. Reduces Muscle Tension and Pain
  5. Improves Posture
  6. Increases Circulation
  7. Improves Range of Motion
  8. Normalizes Blood Pressure
  9. Eases Symptoms of Depression
  10. Relaxation

Growing bodies of research support how regular Massage Therapy treatments are even better for you than you think.

*Stephanie Rodriguez is our Licensed Massage Therapist who is trained to perform Myofascial Release, Swedish, Hot Stone, Prenatal, and Sports Massage. Contact The Laser Institute of Pinehurst to book your appointment.

Can my skin absorb all these products?

Products

When applying my skin products at night/morning, and I’m applying like 5 different things… how in the world can by skin absorb the entire product? And what order is best?

Our skin does not absorb all the products that we apply. (Gasp) Depending on the size and chemical properties of the ingredients two things can happen. If the ingredients are small and permeable they will be taken in by the skin and delivered to the skin cell. Or, the product ingredients are too large to be taken into the skin which in turn they go between the skin cell and have a “reservoir effect” and in time will absorb into the skin. This is why it is very important to invest in your skin care products and skin care professional.

In applying several products at night it is my recommendation that you think thinnest to thickest. Start with your toner, eye cream, then your serums, then correctives (i.e. retinol) and finish with your moisturizer.

 

Be Colorful with TRUE Isaac Mizrahi Makeup

Isaac Mizrahi Makeup

The name Isaac Mizrahi has been synonymous with fashion for almost 30 years, and now Isaac is bringing his love of color to the makeup world.  True cosmetics has the license to develop, manufacture and distribute under the TRUE Isaac Mizrahi label.

If you were a fan of BeingTRUE cosmetics, you most certainly will be pleased with TRUE Isaac Mizrahi. Some foundation shades from BeingTRUE are still being produced, but under different names. Your skin care professional can let you know if your favorite is still offered.

Isaac states, “For so many years I have been looking at the whole subject of cosmetics and planning and plotting my entry into it. This collection is chock full of fresh, new colors.”

TRUE Isaac Mizrahi was created by estheticians, making it the only cosmetic brand that combines spa quality and designer creativity. Isaac’s desire is to make women feel beautiful and confident. All the products are cruelty free.

See the collection at http://bit.ly/1KEKvUG.

A look back at 2014

A loot back at 2014

2014 was another great year.  We thank all of our valued patients for their continuing support of our practice.

Here’s a quick recap of some of the year’s highlights:

  • We now offer tattoo removal with the PicoSure Laser. PicoSure delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to shatter tattoo ink resulting in greater clearance faster, in fewer treatments with improved recovery.
  • TRUE Mineral Makeup is no longer, but True Isaac Mizrahi makeup is now here. Many colors have carried over and we know you will love the new look.
  • The facial to the “stars”; the HydraFacial, has been added to our services. It’s a resurfacing procedure that thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and hydration.
  • Baby Foot Exfoliating Foot Peel has been flying off the shelves. It removes unwanted dead skin cells from your feet and is so simple to use.
  • Voluma XC, the first dermal filler to be approved by the FDA to restore volume to the mid-cheek area is now being offered.
  • The Clarisonic Smart Profile and Pedi Clarisonic have been added to the skin cleansing collection.
  • SkinPen treatments are now being offered. SkinPen is a skin rejuvenation treatment that improves fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks and more.
  • Laura was working part time, and now is full time as the Director of Human Resources.
  • Our hours of operation have grown
    • Gina, our permanent makeup artist and laser technician, has added another day to her work schedule to meet the growing demand for her services.
    • Amber added Mondays to her esthetician schedule and is accommodating everyone’s busy needs.
    • Our hours have expanded to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

We look forward to bringing you more services and products in 2015.

Feet as Soft as a Baby!

Let me tell you how my day started. At precisely 6:22 a.m. I receive a text, and what do I see?  A foot, not just any foot, but the bottom of a foot with skin sloughing off, in fact, it looks like the better part of the heel is going to be MIA.  Next, I receive another text; appears to be the same foot, not as much flaking and, may I dare say, this foot is actually looking pretty.  I receive a third, this with a foot that is smooth and youthful looking.  Am I curious why I’m receiving these foot alerts?  Absolutely, but I patiently wait for an explanation.

The phone rings, and Stephanie begins with, “I’ve got to tell you about Dean’s feet!”  I have no time to reply as Stephanie continues in her ever so enthusiastic Southern drawl telling me all about her husband’s feet.  “I sent you the photos because I didn’t know if you would believe the peel we got from Baby Foot.  You’ve got to get Tom to try this exfoliator, it’s amazing!”

Baby Foot

Stephanie so loved the results of an all-natural product called Baby Foot to exfoliate her feet that she convinced her husband to try it.  Dean, who would never feel comfortable receiving a pedicure, was fine with putting his feet in “baggies with lotion” for an hour while drinking some wine and watching football.  The “lotion” contains a formula of 17 types of natural extracts. Dean was pleasantly surprised that his feet were not uncomfortable during the hour long process and afterwards, just rinsed the product off in the bathtub.

It took 7 days, but on that 7th day, the peeling began!  Dean’s feet peeled for a total of 2 weeks, he made certain not to peel the skin off and let the exfoliation occur naturally.  He wore socks all the time, even to bed.  The results, according to Dean and Stephanie, are so worth the peeling.  As well as the bottom of the feet being softer, Dean’s cuticles and top of the feet are soft, and as a bonus, the process has helped to alleviate foot odor.

After Stephanie’s in depth account of the “Baby Foot Experience”, I know what my family will be receiving in their stockings this year!

 

3 Days of Amazing Savings

It’s that time of year where we have amazing specials for you!  Save on facials, gift cards, your favorite skin care – online and at our office.  We’re celebrating Black Friday, Small Business Saturday AND Cyber Monday! Remember to Shop Small Saturday and check out all the amazing merchants who live and work in your very own community. Here’s to the start of a wonderful holiday season!

BLACK FRIDAY SALESave BIG on Shop Small Saturday!Cyber Monday!

Hollywood Eyes

I had not seen Stephanie for a few months, and I have to tell you, right away I noticed her eyelashes.  They were so much fuller and longer I knew she was either using Latisse or had false lashes.  Not one to beat around the bush, I immediately asked what was the cause of those gorgeous lashes.  “Latisse!” she exclaimed, “aren’t they fabulous!”   Now I was kicking myself for not faithfully using the product and making that a part of my beauty regimen.

Here’s a recap of my quick-fire conversation with Stephanie.

Latisse
Stephanie before using Latisse and at 4 Months

How long did it take to see an actual change in your lashes?

“I really started noticing the results at 8 or 9 weeks.  I had to keep telling myself it would be worth it and to be patient.”

Did you have any negative side effects?

“Latisse is a prescription and Dr. Melley went over the possible side effects with me. Some people may experience skin darkening around the eyes as well as eyes becoming itchy and red.  I have a little bit of reddening on my eyelids where I apply the solution.  It’s easily covered up with my makeup and not very noticeable, I will definitely take a little bit of redness to have my lashes look like they do.”

Will you keep on using Latisse?

“Absolutely.  Once I’ve had these results I would never want to go back to the way my lashes looked before, and if you do stop using Latisse eventually your lashes will look the way they did prior to using the product.  One nice thing is now that I have my lashes looking the way I like, I don’t use the product every night and that helps it to last longer.”

Any advice for someone thinking about trying Latisse?

“I’d say go for it!  Be patient and get into a routine of applying Latisse, everyone is different, but my side effect of a little redness is well worth the end results.  And, be prepared for compliments – I was just told I have “Hollywood Eyes”, I love it!”

Celebrate the Tattoos you Love and Clear the Ones you Regret with PicoSure

For those who harbor tattoo regret stemming from outdated art, a messy job, or a symbolic gesture that has lost its significance, you now have your chance to start fresh with a clean canvas. Whether the goal is to clean up the lines of an existing tattoo or totally remove it, the first FDA-cleared picosecond aesthetic laser, PicoSure, is offering breakthrough technology. Recognized as the first significant improvement in the treatment of tattoo removal in over 20 years, PicoSure can effectively erase tattoos with fewer treatments and better results.

“Just like a relationship, tattoo trends can easily come and go, leaving one wondering years later what the reason, or lack thereof, of getting the tattoo was in the first place,” states Dr. Ofelia Melley, President and founder of The Laser Institute of Pinehurst.  “Some people ask to remove all traces of ink, while others choose to cover it up with another tattoo. They can then come in for laser treatments to clean up what can’t be covered. “

An unparalleled breakthrough in tattoo removal technology, PicoSure’s PressureWave gently delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to the tattoo ink in trillionths of a second without injury to the surrounding skin.  This shatters the ink into tiny particles that are easily eliminated by the body.  Based on physician studies PicoSure has proven efficacy on difficult ink colors, as well as previously-treated tattoos, for better clearance with fewer laser treatments and improved recovery time.

Surveys results vary but it is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans have at least one tattoo,  According to The America Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more Americans received tattoo removal treatment in 2013 than in past years.  Up by 11% in 2013, tattoo removal has also seen a boost from different age groups as more American adults marked their middle age by trading out their old tattoos.  PicoSure has made tattoo removal faster so if you are looking to clear your existing tattoo in efforts to celebrate a new one, you can have a clear canvas.

 

 

Serving your Country & Tattoos

Thought that gesture of having the date you were married or your loved ones’ name tattooed on your wedding ring finger was romantic?  Well, the Army isn’t so inclined.  If you have tattoos on your head, face, neck, wrists, hands or fingers, you cannot request commissioning or appointment, according to Army Regulation 670-1 which became official in March 2014.
With the issuance of these stricter tattoo guidelines in the Army and our proximity to Fort Bragg, we have been receiving quite a few phone calls from our military personnel who are requesting information about laser tattoo removal with the new PicoSure Laser by Cynosure.
A little history here; several years ago we offered laser tattoo removal; however, we stopped offering  the treatments as the results were unacceptable to our practice.  While you may not have the tattoo anymore, the results that took its’ place were not always appealing, and many patients experienced too much discomfort.
What makes PicoSure different?  Ultra-short pulses create a photomechanical impact, shattering the ink or pigment into tiny dust-like particles.  The particles are very small and easily absorbed and eliminated through the body’s natural processes.  With each treatment, the tattoo will lighten and clear faster than ever before.   Treatments (recommended every 6 weeks) are quick, less treatments are required and we, along with our patients are thrilled.
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re-Treatment, Immediately After, 4 Days Later
Courtesy of:  The Laser Institute of Pinehurst

Greet the Season Beautifully

Greet-the-Season-Beautifully

Worried about looking your best this holiday season?  Don’t fret; there is still time to have you feeling and looking fabulous.

Whatever the question – Botox is the answer!  Seriously, come in for Botox and you won’t have that scowl when you bite into that overcooked turkey (again) this year!   Be assured all our injectables are expertly performed by Dr. Melley.

If you would like to brighten the appearance of your skin, the Pomegranate Brightening Peel could be just what you are needing for that youthful complexion.  This is a featured special this month and it’s full of anti-oxidants, helps stimulate collagen, evens out the top layers of skin and more!

Are you a little embarrassed by your dry, aging hands?  The Jan Marini Hand and Body Lotion improves the appearance of aging and environmentally damaged skin.  This amazing product combines the rejuvenating benefits of glycolic acid with specialized ingredients that minimizes area that have contour irregularities, due to uneven fat distribution.  Next, let us perform a manicure treatment and you can show off those lovely hands.

Not exactly certain what treatment or product is best for you?  Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our estheticians and let’s help you “Greet the Season Beautifully”!