Amazing Aromatherapy

We all know going to the spa can be an excellent and relaxing experience, but what if I told you it can actually change your mood? Along with offering safe, clean, and doctor approved pedicures, Step Alive Spa offers aromatherapy as part of the complete salon experience. These amazing essential oils can actually effect your mood, therefore enhancing your spa experience.  So if you are feeling stressed, tired, or uncomfortable, aromatherapy is the treatment for you.

Stress
If work, school, or life at home has your shoulders pulled up to your ears with stress these fragrances can help relieve some tension....

• Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Patchouli, Vanilla, and Ylang Ylang

Nerves

Need to get over your nerves about your presentation tomorrow? Try these relaxing scents...

• Bergamot, Chamomile (Roman), Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, and Sandalwood

Self-Esteem
How about some confidence for that looming presentation?

• Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, and Rosemary

Grief
If you have suffered a loss and need some time to relax and recover these scents can help...

• Bergamot, Chamomile (Roman), Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Fatigue
Just plain worn out? Try these rejuvenating essential oils...

• Basil, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood

Agitation
If everything has you on edge; there's an essential oil for that!

• Chamomile (Roman), Lavender, Mandarin, Sandalwood

Isolation
If you are feeling lonely or isolated, these oils may help get your social life grooving again...

• Chamomile (Roman), Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Rose

Memory
Having trouble keeping track of things? Try these essential oils to boost your memory...

• Basil, Cypress, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary 

Romance
Or if you just need a little romance back in your life try these great scents...

•  Clary Sage, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang

So, it is a given that the spa can make you look great, but who knew a trip to the spa can actually make you feel great too! Essential oils are based on the idea that the aroma from a plant has healing properties.  Best of all, these oils are all natural unlike perfumes which are a blend of harsh chemicals.  So, what are you waiting for? Schedule your appointment with the Step Alive Spa today and get on the road to looking and feeling better!

*source: aromatherapy.com

Safe Nail Polish

When you receive a manicure or pedicure at the Step Alive Spa, Dr.'s Remedy nail polish is used.  This is because of its anti-fungal properties and APMA's seal of approval.  A list of frequently asked questions and answers about the product follow. 

Q: What makes Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish unique from other nail polishes?

A: Dr.'s REMEDY® unlike many commercial nail polishes, is free from dangerous toxins, such as DBP, toluene and formaldehyde. It's also enriched with natural ingredients.

Q: Dr.'s REMEDY® is an Enriched Nail Polish. What's been added and what are the benefits?

A: Dr.'s REMEDY® has been Enriched with naturally occurring antifungal ingredients, as well as vitamins and protein. The following is a list of the natural ingredients found in Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish:

• Tea Tree Oil: an essential oil obtained from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifornia, which is found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity.
• Garlic Bulb Extract: contains Allicin, a powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent that joins forces with Vitamin C to help kill harmful germs.
• Vitamins C&E: for healthier skin and nails.
• Wheat Protein: a vegetable derived, high quality protein which contains moisture binding capabilities and naturally increases shine.

Q: Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in commercial nail polish. Why is it used and by removing it from Dr.'s REMEDY® does the quality suffer?

A: Formaldehyde, despite having been proven to cause cancer, was added to nail polish to aid in durability and longevity. Because the 50 billion dollar beauty industry is so powerful it's kept itself unregulated for decades. In the United States, it's perfectly legal for beauty products to contain chemicals linked to cancer, learning disabilities, infertility and other chronic diseases that are on the rise (SafeCosmetics.org). When formulating Dr.'s REMEDY®, the doctor's found that by stripping Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish of formaldehyde it did not sacrifice any effectiveness, quality or beauty!

Q: What's special about BASIC (basecoat), how is it different from CALMING clear (topcoat)?

A: BASIC will help the longevity of a manicure, it will help eliminate any premature chipping and add to your polish's durability. CALMING is meant to be used as a sealing top coat. It will add shine to the polish and also help prevent premature chipping.

Q: Why is it important to stress that doctors founded AdWill Labs, Inc. makers of Dr.'s REMEDY®?

A: Dr. Cirlincione and Dr. Spielfogel are Board Certified podiatrists, who understand the need for a healthier, more natural nail polish. When working with chemists, they stressed the importance of adding naturally occurring antifungals as well as strengthening agents like vitamins and protein, because they know the needs of their patients and the direct effects of the harsh chemicals contained in many commercial nail polishes.

Q: Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish is good for health conscious women, but what about children?

A: Young girls who opt to wear commercial nail polish are exposing themselves to toxic chemicals. While we don't necessarily know how porous the nail actually is, children are often known for biting their nails and chipping off nail polish with their teeth. Choosing a healthier nail polish is a safer, smarter option.

Q: Why should pregnant women use Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish?

A: Women who are pregnant should avoid DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) because of its links to infertility and birth defects. Dr.'s REMEDY® is stripped of this toxin.

*Source: http://www.remedynails.com/

Safely Give Yourself a Pedicure

Increased media attention has heightened awareness for the spread of infections from shared instruments and unhygienic practices in many salons. One way to avoid any exposure is to do pedicures for yourself at home. Here are some easy steps to follow that will make sure to keep your feet safe:


1. Soak your feet in warm soapy water for approximately 10 minutes. This helps soften and clean skin and nails.

2. After the foot soaking, gently rub the skin with a pumice stone or emery board. This gets rid of dead skin cells and calluses. Some body scrub products can help exfoliate dead skin. (Please contact our office if you have deep calluses or corns and need help shaving them.)

3. Push back the cuticles with an orange stick or a Hindu stone. Cuticles offer protection from bacteria and infection. Cuticles clearly overhanging the nail margins need to be carefully trimmed. Do not trim any further than the nail margin or draw blood as this can lead to infection.

4. Trim toenails straight across rather than in a curved pattern. This helps prevent ingrown toenails, allowing the straight edge of the nail to advance as one unit. Toenails should be trimmed just enough so that you can see a few millimeters of skin just beyond the nail margin. Nails should not overhang the edge of the toe.

5. Refine the nail edge with an emery board, maintaining the straight edge.

6. Apply cream and moisturizing lotion to the skin and nail margins.

7. Massage the cream or lotion into the feet. A foot massage can help relieve tension and tired, aching feet. You can get a good massage at home by rolling your feet back and forth over a rolling pin or bottle. Specialists in the body's reflexes, called reflexologists, believe that points on the foot correspond to other body parts and ailments can be relieved through reflexology. They believe the ball of the foot has a connection to the lungs, the heel to the lower back, and the great toe to the head. Although no scientific research exists to back up these claims, reflexology does seem to produce positive results in some people.

8. Apply nail polish remover to the nails to gently remove excess lotion. This allows nail polish to adhere better to the nail. To apply nail polish, start with a base coat, followed by one or two coats of the nail color, and, finally, a clear topcoat.

9. Space your pedicures apart by approximately eight weeks.

These tips will help you achieve a safe at-home pedicure, but if you really want to pamper yourself we all know the salon is the place to go.  Schedule a pedicure appointment with the Step Alive Spa to ensure you get a safe, clean, relaxing pedicure.  Visit Step Alive Spa Center to learn more about the services the salon offers.  While you're on the web you may also want to check out the manicure/pedicure tools available through our online product store like Dr.'s Remedy Nail Polish and remover.  This polish is the only doctor recommended polish and is enriched with anti-fungal properties.  If you notice any problems with your feet during your pedicure at home or at the Step Alive Spa, be sure to make an appointment with our office to check it out. Call (419-423-1888) or visit our website to schedule an appointment.