Friday, September 19, 2014

Prevent premature skin aging with these three healthy habits


Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in premature skin aging. While there are limited options in preventing or slowing down the biological aging process and the effects it has on skin, the impact of environmental factors can be buffered with good skin care habits.

Limit sun exposure

Image Source: skinsmart.net

The sun's rays more than brighten the day: sun exposure is the leading cause of wrinkles. UV rays break down the skin's collagen and elastin fibers, leading to wrinkles, creases, leathery or sagging skin, and even skin cancer.

Prolonged sun exposure also causes the skin's overproduction of melanin, causing dark spots. Sun exposure also permanently dilates small blood vessels, contributing to a mottled, uneven skin tone.

Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays religiously, even on cloudy days, can help prevent premature skin aging.

Moisturize

Image Source: socialgirlworld.com

Aging causes skin to become thinner and dryer, and while drinking lots of water is good for the health, there's no solid scientific evidence that doing so makes skin more hydrated and supple.

Instead, moisturize with products that contain proven ingredients such as retinoids and hyaluronic acid. Retinoids work by spurring new cell growth, strengthening the deeper layer of skin, and preventing the breakdown of collagen. The result: less prominent wrinkles and smoother, more supple skin.

Hyaluronic acid enhances the skin's moisture-absorbing capabilities, plumping up and tightening sagging skin and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.

Exercise and eat well

Image Source: stylecaster.com

Yo-yo dieting causes repeated stretching of skin. As it ages, skin loses its elasticity, and might not bounce back the next time weight comes off. It's best to lose weight gradually: health experts recommend losing a maximum of one to two lbs a week and eating more vegetables.

Regular exercise helps with weight loss as well, and it could also help keep skin looking youthful. A 2014 study performed by researchers at McMaster University found that men and women over the age of 40 who exercised regularly had healthier, younger skin. Under microscopic observation, their skin appeared to be similar in composition to that of 20 to 30 year olds.

Growing older is a natural part of life, but crow's feet and wrinkles don't have to be. With the right habits, one can delay and even repair the signs of skin aging.

Like this Massage Envy Facebook page for reviews on anti-aging facial treatments and products.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Massage Envy Provides an Assortment of Services to Help You Feel Better

If you visit a Massage Envy spa, it makes sense that you would expect that the spa offers massages. You might not expect the wide range of techniques available, such as hot stone therapy, reflexology, trigger point therapy, cranio-sacral, and geriatric massage. Massage Envy is dedicated to helping you feel good so it offers all types of massage, as well as facials and enhanced therapies.

You can select from one of four facials. The Environmental Shield Vitamin C facial addresses skin damage from the sun, smog and stress. The Clarifying Enzyme Acne facial helps relieve blemishes on the skin. Anti-aging restores a more youthful appearance to your face and the Sensitive Skin facial soothes and cools irritated areas.


Image Source: massageenvy.com

Some Massage Envy spa visitors favor the enhanced therapies, such as the Sugar Foot Scrub. People who have been on their feet all day especially like this therapy, which uses sugar to reinvigorate your feet without dehydrating them. Clients with chronic muscle pain or sports injuries like the deep muscle therapy session. The therapist will use a number of techniques to get to deep muscles and tendons. You will also get a warming towel compression, warming ointment and cooling gel applied to your muscles. This combination of therapies makes a big difference for many customers.

You can also ask for aromatherapy at a Massage Envy spa. Your masseuse will use one of four types of fragrant oils to achieve relief of aches and pains, anxiety, inflammation or circulatory issues. Aromas range from rosemary to lavender to patchouli to mint and more. Depending on your affliction, you can select an aroma that works best. Your masseuse can help you choose.

Today’s health spas provide a number of ways to help you feel better. Many types of massage are available as are facials and enhanced therapies for massage and facials.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Massage Envy Contributes to Holistic Health for Clients

In the last 20 years, America has seen the emergence of the concept of integrative medicine. This approach to health recognizes the roles of acupuncture, herbs, meditation and massage in addressing health issues. Today, people see a masseuse to relieve issues ranging from muscle pain to stress to back pain to headaches. Often, athletes and others who push their bodies physically will visit Massage Envy to receive treatment of sore muscles. Research shows that a variety of massage methods can treat muscle spasms, improve the ability of muscles to relax and address several other health issues.

Image Source: massageenvy.com

One of the benefits of visiting Massage Envy is that it employs only licensed therapists who can offer a variety of modalities of treatment. All massage therapists must adhere to state licensing requirements. In addition, they must be trained in Swedish massage and Deep Tissue massage. The former type of treatment is what most people imagine when they hear the term “massage.” It includes circular motions, kneading and rubbing of muscles. A study by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine on volunteers found that massage contributed to reduced stress hormone levels and increased the number of lymphocytes in these patients. Deep tissue massage addresses the deepest layers of tendons and muscles and is useful for releasing chronic muscle tension.

Massage Envy offers many other types of treatments. Sports massage specifically addresses sports injury and performance. Trigger point therapy relieves referred pain originating in a different muscle. Reflexology focuses on massaging and pressing specific points on the feet to relieve pain in the feet and in other parts of the body. Cranio-sacral therapy can relieve headaches. A practitioner will focus on the neck, spinal column, sacrum and bones of the head. Another treatment places hot stones on specific areas of the body that are causing muscle problems.

A massage feels good but is also good for you.