City & Guilds VRQ Level 3 Beauty Therapy Log Book
I was delighted to be asked to contribute to the City & Guilds Level 3 Beauty Therapy VRQ log book, for the brand new educational standards being introduced.
A piece about me and quotations I wrote espcially for the log book were added along-side contributions from top people in the industry such as hairdresser Andrew Barton, make-up artist Sita Gill and prosthetic film and TV artist Lars Carlsson.
It is a real honour to be included along side these amazing poeple in a capacity to motivate and inspire new people training to come into the industry.
A piece about me and quotations I wrote espcially for the log book were added along-side contributions from top people in the industry such as hairdresser Andrew Barton, make-up artist Sita Gill and prosthetic film and TV artist Lars Carlsson.
It is a real honour to be included along side these amazing poeple in a capacity to motivate and inspire new people training to come into the industry.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011 |
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Skin Peels
Most of us have heard the term “Skin Peel” and also seen them on the TV program, 10 Years Younger. The peels that you may have seen on “10 Years Younger” are Medical Grade, which means they need to be performed by a medical skin care professional such as a surgeon, doctor or nurse. However, there are many different skin peels available to us and it is my goal here to uncover some of the the truths and myths surrounding skin peeling.
Skin Peels have been around for many years, going back as far as the 80’s. There are many new methods of peeling but some of the old methods are still used. Many people think that there is only one type of peel available – this is a myth. There are many types and many different strengths. Most people who I speak to have seen the peels on “ 10 years younger “ and believe that all peels will cause the skin to peel away and go through what is commonly known as “ Down Time,” which means you need to stay home and take time off work, the skin will be very red and eventually peel away. The results which can be achieved with this type of peel are good, but the peel does not suit everyone and certainly does not suit all skin types either. This type of peel needs to be performed by as Doctor, Surgeon or Nurse – basically a medical professional. It is very important to note that not all peels will make the skin peel.
Firstly let us look at how a skin peel works and how it affects the skin.
Skin peels can address multiple skin conditions and concerns including ageing and sun damaged skin, hyper pigmentation , acne, scarring and rosacea. They work by removing the out layer of dead skin cells to reveal a fresher, more youthful skin beneath. In the process they will also clear congested pores and stimulate the collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of the skin, this will help to “remodel” the skin and is particularly beneficial for skin losing elasticity. By removing the layer of dead skin cells you are in effect removing a “barrier” which can potentially hinder the penetration of any topically applied products So any products applied after a peel will have a much better chance of penetration and will be more effective.
Secondly let us look at the different types of peels available.
Different peels work at different depths in the skin. I will give you some examples of the different types of peels on the market, who can perform them and which ingredients are used:
A superficial peel .
The superficial peel is most commonly performed by a Skin Therapist or Beauty Therapist, however, some medical professionals will also use this type of peel as they are very safe to use but still provide outstanding results. This type of peel affects the outer layers of skin, for example: the upper epidermal layers. The skin will not peel and there is no “down time”. They are mostly performed as a six week program with the client having one peel each week for six weeks. The ingredients commonly used for this type of peel are Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid. Unless there are any contra- indications, this type of peel suits all skin types, and will address most skin conditions and concerns.
A medium depth peel.
A medium depth peel needs to be performed by a medical professional and will go much deeper into the skin than a superficial peel. There will be “down time” and the client may need to stay home and take time off work. The skin will go through the peeling process. These type of peels are most commonly performed as either a one off treatment, or a short course depending upon which one is administered. The ingredients commonly use for this type of peel are TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid ) or Glycolic Acid.
A deep peel.
The deep peels such as a Phenol peel go very deep into the skin and are really only used in extreme cases of sun damage. The “down time” with this type of peel can be extensive and range from a few weeks to two months. These types of peels are hardly used any more as the skin is left extremely sensitive to UV rays.
After you have had a peel whether it is superficial, medium depth or deep it is important that you follow the aftercare advice provided by your skin care professional. Most skin care professionals will carefully recommend the correct homecare products for you to use and this must include the use of a good sunscreen, usually and SPf30 is sufficient.
There is a very important point that I would like to cover. I would like you to be aware of a vital point when undertaking any non surgical treatment – and it is this: you must remember that whatever professional treatment you decide to have - the results will only be as good as your homecare program. By this I mean that it is pointless investing time and money in good quality professional treatments if you go home and do not use a good quality effective skin care program such as a cosmeceutcal brand. Many people miss this vital key point when it comes to looking after their skin. Good quality home care with high levels of active ingredients will provide you with outstanding results when combined with skin peels. Of course you will get good results without the homecare – but if you would rather have outstanding results then combine the peels with a good long term cosmeceutical homecare program.
In a nutshell, skin peels are a safe, effective method of resurfacing the skin and helping the skin to look and behave much younger. The superficial peels are safe to use long term and once you have completed your course you can have a peel once a month as a maintenance facial. So whether your concern is to keep your skin looking young or to address a skin condition you can rest assured that a professional strength skin peel will provide you with the desired result.
I offer a range of chemical peels to suite all skin types and conditions.
Click here to find out more.
Thursday, July 21, 2011 |
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Eve Taylor™ Prescriptive Facial Skin Health Treatment
This treatment is great for clients new to the Eve Taylor brand; new to skin treatments in general; or for clients which are in need of a general skin health pick me up.
Designed to meet the demands of the skin, products specific for the skin type and condition will be used to reach optimum effect.
Starting with a thorough and indepth consultation I will assertain your needs and expectations and plan a treatment to meet these.
Once comortable on the treatment couch, you will be wrapped within a cotton sheet in a safe and secure cocoon and covered to keep you warm.
- The skin will be double cleansed under steam using cleansing products especially for your skin type and condition.
- Skin analysis under a magnifying lamp to see exactly how your skin is behaving.
- Exfoliated using amazing resurfacing products which are powerful yet gentle.
- Galvanic machine based deep cleansing (if skin is tolerant).
- Blackheads are extracted if necessary.
- High frequency machine used to stimulate circulation and blood flow, help product penetration and give an anti bacterial germicidal and healing effect on the skin.
- Your face, scalp and shoulders will be massaged using relaxing pressure point and drainage movements.
- Galvanic machine used to penetrate powerful serums into the deeper layers of the skin.
- Facial masque specific for your skin, blended with essential oil hydrolats or cold tea.
- Application of Treatment oil.
- Toning and hydrating spritz.
- Moisturisation using lotion or cream specific to your skin type and condition.
- Application of Sun protection, SPF15+.
By the end of the treatment your skin will be cleaner, clearer, brighter and more hydrated.
I can give you advice on how to keep up the results by recomending only the necessary products to use and showing you the best way to use them.
I can give you advice on how to keep up the results by recomending only the necessary products to use and showing you the best way to use them.
For clients with specific problems I recommend a course of treatments at weekly intervals until the issues are resolved; once they are, monthly maintenance treatments are all that is needed.
The treatment lasts 1 hour and is £34.00.
Click here to book your treatment.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 |
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Parabens
There is a huge debate running currently on the use of parabens within products used for skincare, with 2 sides adamant they are corrent!
In a complete nutshell, there has been some studies carried out which suggest that the use of parabens can cause cancer in humans. May I point out that this only 'suggests' and does not 'prove' anything.
Parabens are deemed to be the safest preservative available and are used widespread, however due to the public demand, many companies are formulating without them.
I personally have done much reserach and have my own opinion on the matter, but I have decided to only use products WITHOUT parabens in the formulations.
This includes both professional products that I use within my treatments and the homecare products that I prescribe to you.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011 |
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The POWER of Touch
Touch comes in many forms on a daily basis, shaking hands when meeting someone, the full on hug goodbye or just the small pat on the back; it is also emphasised within the words we speak: ‘Keep in touch’, ‘How are you feeling?’, ‘I feel so touched’.
Touch is an international language that every human being can use to communicate with each other, but why is this process so significant to us?
Let’s first look towards the animal kingdom; as we are indeed derivatives of our primate counterparts. Primates groom each other socially to build relationships by cleaning the parts they cannot reach, male and female, old and young have their place within their social network and show this by touching and giving each other physical contact.
Their babies cling fearlessly to their mother’s backs, not just to be transported, but to maintain that feeling of security and bond.
Household pets are also a great example, cats and dogs when young are carried by the scruff of their necks by their mothers, they are also licked clean and groomed.
Cats and dogs crave the feeling to be stroked and petted; one example is of my family cat Jasper who would sit at the side of you and gently tap your leg twice with his front paw, and wait patiently. If you didn’t respond, he would repeat the process until you stroked him. If a small stroke wasn’t enough for him, he would again repeat the leg tap until you allowed him onto your lap and gave him his sufficient amount of stroking. If you had to let him down you were met with a look of disappointment and dissatisfaction. And he would then look for his next point of contact.
On a scientific level, when we receive touch in a positive way the brain is flooded with a tsunami of chemicals including Endorphins and oxytocin.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters which are released from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. The word endorphin is derived from two words: ‘endo’ – endogenous (within the body) and ‘orphine’ – morphine, a powerful pain relief drug. Just like morphine, endorphins have an opiate like effect on the body and the ability to relieve pain. But unlike the synthetic version given intravenously, this is created within the body naturally.
Endorphins are renowned and well documented to show many benefits on the human body, reducing stress, anxiety, depression, easing physical pain, and lowering blood pressure.
Oxytocin, a neuromodulator is a hugely powerful chemical created within the brain and is renowned for counterbalancing Cortisol - widely known as the ‘stress hormone’, this is responsible for the horrible uncomfortable nasty feelings we get during fight or flight moments, where high levels are secreted.
Oxytocin is released during childbirth and in breast feeding mothers; babies recognise this chemical which is secreted from the mother’s breast. There is much evidence to show that a stronger bond is developed between breast fed babies and their mothers than bottle fed babies.
Oxytocin gives many positive loving feelings creating a host of happy emotions and giving a strong sense of attachment and bond between two people.
I first became aware of how powerful the power of touch was whilst at college training to become a massage therapist. I’d had the inclination that person to person contact was something special but wasn’t aware of how much.
A very good friend of mine came into college for one of my Indian head massage assessments, learning the correct way it involved not only the head but the face neck shoulders and back so there was plenty of hand on skin contact. My friend is a sufferer of fibromyalgia and chronic muscle fatigue and so is in constant pain 24 hours a day; so I thought that this may well give her a little bit of relaxation.
The assessment went amazingly well and I felt a real sense of connection with her during the massage, it didn’t feel at all like just performing a massage, it was more personal as I did it with meaning.
Proceeding the massage I took her upstairs in the lift and was astounded to see her burst into floods of tears, I honestly thought that I had caused some pain and was momentarily mortified until she revealed to me that I have given her such relief with the massage, it had not only given her relief to the pain that she was suffering but had also given her a sense of wellbeing and being nurtured which had resonated in this burst of happy emotion.
It was at this point that I realised that touch was one of the most powerful things imaginable.
A question that I ask myself is this: would the effect of touch on her body and mind have been the same without my positive intention?
As a skin and massage therapist, I (as many therapists out there do) get to touch my clients all the time, but I believe it’s the intention that I give towards the treatment and my clients on a personal human to human basis that makes the difference. I believe in what I am doing and do it in a positive way; I don’t see it as just a job or a chore but a way of connecting with people and providing them with both the physical effects that they come for and the psychological effects from being in contact with another human.
The amount of times I have heard of people talking about having a massage which either wasn’t relaxing because the therapist was unskilled at their trade, or that it just lacked ‘something’ and it’s the ‘something’ that makes all the difference, that something is the intention in which its done with.
I have read many stories about killers, mass murderers and generally nasty people that inflict pain upon others and they all have one common denominator, they are all ‘loners’, people unconnected from people, disjointed from family and friends or often in extremely unhappy relationships. These are the people that do not get to feel touch from others, they don’t feel sincere intention from other human beings or even feel love from anyone.
Now some of these people are just evil and have psychotic tendencies, but others have been classed as ‘normal’ people that have gone over the edge and committed heinous acts. It’s a very sad thought to think that if they had been in a position where they had received touch would this have come about? Could these terrible things have been avoided if contact was made with others, releasing endorphins and oxytocin. I’m not saying that anyone that doesn’t get touched will quickly turn into an axe murderer, but its food for thought in the reasons that people have gone over the edge.
I challenge you to think about the intention in which you touch others, your family friends or partner; do you do it with meaning or just because you feel you need to?
For the latter answer, from now on do it with meaning and sincerity and see the amazing effect the power of touch has.
Matthew Taylor. 2011.
Monday, July 04, 2011 |
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http://www.appointment-diary.com/appt/diary/viewStaffDiary.do?companyId=237
Sunday, June 26, 2011 |
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