Quick Home Remedies For Dry Hair
October 8, 2016

Arizona’s dry heat is no friend to the health of our hair.  Not to mention, the idea of continuously spending time and money at the hair salon for chemically made conditioning masks isn’t ultra appealing either. Luckily, there are a few at home remedies that can help with naturally conditioning dry hair. 
Coconut Oil
What doesn’t coconut oil help with?  From being a healthier oil to cook with to an excellent skin moisturizer, coconut oil does it all! In addition to all of its other miracle purposes, it’s even used to help strengthen and condition hair. Apply the oil in its liquid form to damp hair, and leave in for approximately an hour.  Wash the oil out while still in the shower, and appreciate your healthy, renewed locks once dried.
 
Egg Yolk and Avocado
Both eggs and avocado are considered to be superfoods. However, not only are they filled with a multitude of health benefits, they are also great for moisturizing hair.  All you’ll need is half of an avocado and two egg yolks.  Mix the two ingredients together well and then apply to wet or damp hair.  Let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then wash out for silky smooth results.
Yogurt, Honey and Olive Oil
Honey in your hair? Who would have thought! Mix one-teaspoon olive oil with one-tablespoon honey and a fourth of a cup of plain yogurt until all of the ingredients are blended together well.  Apply the mixture to damp hair, and leave it in for about 15 minutes before you wash it out completely.
Banana and Almond Oil
These two ingredients are the couple of the year for your hair.  Mash up half of a banana and mix with one teaspoon almond oil.  Apply this mixture to the bottom half of your damp hair, and let sit for about half an hour, then wash.  The proteins and thickness of the banana will help to protect your hair, while the oil works to add moisture and soften your mane, rendering it far healthier than before.
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Things To Know About Laser Hair Removal
September 24, 2016

No one wants to deal with mortifying waxing experiences, messy at-home creams or last minute bikini season shaving. When it comes to removing unwanted body hair, laser hair removal is both an effective and long-lasting solution. The SPA at The SHAW Center offers the Lumenis LightSheer Infinity for 75% faster treatments than the average hair reduction session, and it can be used on all skin types. There are a few things you should know before setting on your way to a silky smooth lifestyle.
Avoid the Sun Before Your Treatments
Laser hair removal works best on dark hair and pale skin, so if you’re tan the effectiveness of treatments can be hindered. When your skin is tanned, the laser has to be reduced, which can render it less effective as well. Additionally, you’ll need to keep your recently treated areas out of  sunlight, so it’s best to begin these treatments during autumn or winter.
Don’t Expect Instant Results
We wish it only took the one treatment, but good things take time. While our SPA offers the gold standard in laser hair removal with the LightSheer Infinity, we still recommend anywhere from five to six sessions to see drastic results.
You Can’t Target the Whole Body at Once
If someone tells you that you can, you’ve been seriously misinformed. While our SPA is all about helping you to achieve your aesthetic goals, we’re big on safety too. There’s only a certain amount of cosmetic laser light and heat your body can safely absorb each session.
Consistency is Key
Your hair follicles are on their own growth cycle, so those who see the best results will typically go in for treatment every four to six weeks in order to maximize eliminating the most follicles. This time frame also allows the dead hair shafts to fall out on their own.
Our SPA is offering a free laser hair removal package when you buy the first one now through the end of September. Call our SPA at (480)767-1900 to learn more about this special.
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Sleep Better With These Sweet Dream Suggestions
September 16, 2016

 

There’s nothing worse than incessant tossing and turning just as soon as you’ve decided to check out for the evening and hit the sheets. Some nights may be more restless than others depending on a number of factors, such as stress, anxiety, chronic pain or just the type of following morning that you’re anticipating. While this issue might not be resolved overnight (literally), we do have a few tuck-in tips to help out with possible sleeplessness.

 

Consistency is Key
While some of us may get overly excited about sleeping in on the weekends, it’s important to be aware of how this can affect the rest of the week’s sleeping schedule.  Next time you’re considering wearing your blanket until noon, reconsider this version of self-imposed jet lag, and find a consistent schedule that works generally the same for you seven days a week.
Exercise Accordingly
Not all of us have the luxury of time, so a last minute work out right before bed may be our only option sometimes. However, it’s recommended to avoid the gym within three hours of your bedtime.
Avoid Technology
Aside from setting your phone alarm, try to avoid checking your email or scrolling your newsfeeds right before bed. This can be one of the biggest sleep offenders of all.  Engaging in this kind of activity can make it extremely difficult for our brains to turn off completely, even hours into the night.
Try Aromatherapy
The scent of lavender has been shown to have multiple calming benefits and can aid in providing you with a much deeper sleep as well. Opt for a bedside oil diffuser or even sprinkle a few drops on your pillow just right before bed.
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The Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
September 10, 2016

 

Whether you’re seeking a mommy makeover or just overall fed up with the appearance of your stomach despite your best diet and exercise efforts, The SHAW Center has a solution.  Abdominoplasty, or most commonly referred to as a “tummy tuck,” can resolve even the most stubborn fat deposits. Not only can a tummy tuck enhance the appearance of your midriff, but also provide additional benefits, such as the ones outlined below.
Reduces Stress and Urinary Incontinuence
Vaginal birth can sometimes cause bladder control issues, or incontinuence, which can then lead to leakage through sneezing, coughing exercising and in some cases, laughing.
Improves Posture and Abdominal Tone
While dieting and exercising can aid in physical appearance, some women who’ve lost a significant amount of weight or who have had multiple pregnancies can experience their stomach muscles becoming swollen. Improved posture and support can help in relieving back pain.
Ventral Hernia Correction
At times having a weak abdominal can cause hernias to form. Excessive weight loss can tend to cause abdominal weakness, but a tummy tuck can help to correct this.
Aside from the obvious benefit of a tummy tuck in helping to improve the appearance of your stomach, undergoing this procedure can also result in a multitude of other advantages as well.
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How to Properly Prepare for Your Tattoo Removal Appointment
September 3, 2016
 
It’s unlikely that you’ll go through life having absolutely no regrets, but if there’s some you’re able to erase, then we’re all for it.  Not all tattoos are timeless, and that’s why we have a solution. The PicoSure Tattoo Removal laser is the gold standard in tattoo removal, and our SPA not only offers this service but also highly experienced and well-trained laser technicians to help you achieve your desired results.
Be Realistic About Your Expectations
Your tattoo may take more than one session to fade away and can take between 4-8 months of treatments to achieve the desired results.  Also, the outcome of the treatments may vary depending on the depth of needle penetration used by the artist, as well as the color of the ink.  While it is normal to experience a little pain, the PicoSure Tattoo Laser at the SPA at the SHAW Center is far more comfortable than other tattoo removal technologies.
Excellent Aftercare is a Must
You may experience some side effects after the procedure that your technician can discuss in depth with you.  It’s very important to ice the treated area when needed and to not pick at any blisters if they should arise.  Be very delicate with the area after the procedure in order to ensure you won’t scar or get an infection.
Ask as Many Questions as You Need
As with most procedures, it’s vital to feel completely comfortable in the hands of your technician.  Don’t hesitate to ask any and all questions about post care and pre-treatment, and feel free to reach out to your technician after the procedure for additional follow-up questions. Whether you’re wondering how easily a certain color will be to remove or the time in which it will take to erase your particular tattoo, we have an answer.  Never be afraid to ask the questions that are important to you, so that your technician can provide you with the best overall experience.

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5 Toxic Makeup Ingredients to Avoid
August 20, 2016
What you put in your body is just as much of a concern as what you put on it. Your skin can easily absorb most products, and that’s why when it comes to cosmetics it’s essential to know exactly the types of ingredients that go into your makeup. We’ve rounded up five potentially harmful ingredients that could be living in your cosmetic bag this very minute.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, AKA Teflon®)
PTFE can be found in some foundations, pressed or loose powder, bronzer, blush and many other makeup products.  PTFE provides a smooth and sleek finish, which is why it’s desirable among makeup lines. PTFE can also be disguised as other ingredients such as DEA-C8-18 or Perfluoroalkylethyl Phospate.
Lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.
These ingredients can be found in lip products, eyeliner, as well as foundation. Heavy metals can be added intentionally or found as contaminants. However, their presence in cosmetics is only restricted in the United States, while they are completely banned in Canada, Japan, and the EU.
Talc
Talc is an ingredient found within some foundations, eye shadows and even baby powder.  The primary uses of Talc are to make products appear opaque on the skin, as well as to prevent caking.  Talc can pose health risks when it contains asbestos, so always search for companies that certify that their talc is free of asbestos on their websites and products.
Butylated Compounds
Butylated Compounds (BHA, BHT) are present in some lip products, sunscreen and face makeup. BHT typically serves as an antioxidant and preservative within makeup, food and animal feed.  The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) claims that there is a fair amount of evidence to conclude that BHT is a human irritant.
Carbon Black
Carbon Black can be found in eyeliner, mascaras, eye shadows and other face makeup.  Carbon black that is available for commercial use contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are possible human carcinogens.  Carbon Black can also be identified as D & C Black No. 2, Acetylene Black, or Thermal Black and is restricted, but no banned, by the United States and the Europe Union.
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5 Causes That Are Secretly Aging Your Skin
August 12, 2016

 

Aging is inevitable, so it’s important to at least be cautious of the factors that can exacerbate this process in order to stall the hands of time when we can. While some causes seem more obvious than other, such as sun exposure and smoking, there are a multitude of other under-the-radar variables that can also lead to a weathered complexion.
Spraying Perfume/Cologne On Your Neck
Did you know that one of the main ingredients in perfume and cologne is alcohol? Alcohol increases your photosensitivity, which means you’re more likely to sunburn in the areas where you’ve applied the fragrance. Our necks and chests are the areas on our bodies that are most susceptible to signs of aging, so it’s best to spray your clothes with the scent in order to minimize your chances of premature aging.
Fad Diets
Juicing, the “Raw Food Diet” and the “Master Cleanse” are all examples of fad diets.   Fad diets can eliminate a beneficial food group out of the mix, which means your body isn’t getting what it entirely needs.  Your skin requires lots of nutrients, antioxidants and protein in order to age well.  Next to water, protein is the most plentiful substance in your body.
Your Pillow
Most of us have a favorite side of our body that we like to sleep on, whether it’s on the left, right, or even your stomach.  When you sleep on a particular side,  your face is continuously smashed into the pillow night after night, which can weaken the connective tissue and collagen on that certain favored side.  When it comes to combatting premature aging, it’s best to at least attempt to sleep on your back in order to keep skin smooth and symmetrical.
Gel Manicures
Gel manicures look incredible, but the process of drying the gel polish under the UV or LED nail lamps puts your hands at risk for premature aging. Both UV and LED nail lamps produce UVA rays, so the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen 20 minutes prior to UV light exposure.
Eye Makeup
It’s incredibly important to remove makeup before falling asleep each night, but it’s equally as important to be as gentle as possible when removing makeup.  Particularly when it comes removing eye makeup, the constant rubbing and scrubbing can cause the delicate skin on and around the eye to wrinkle and age.  Always use gentle rubbing motions when removing eye makeup, and stick to an oil-based eye makeup remover that will help to breakdown the product.
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Common Skin Myths Debunked
August 6, 2016

When you’re focused on skin health and aesthetics, it’s inevitable to run into your fair share of myths and assumptions. There are plenty of skin-related myths out there, and we feel that it’s time to shed some light on a few of those tall tales. We’ve rounded up some of the most common ones in order to debunk them once and for all.
Cellulite is directly correlated to a poor diet.
Cellulite is caused by a variety of different factors including, genetics, lifestyle, hormones and diet.  Cellulite is also more prevalent in women than men; in fact, at least 90% of all women will experience cellulite during their lifetime.  The appearance of cellulite can be reduced by regular exercise and a diet low in fat. However, even individuals that are lean and eat healthy can still experience this issue.
What you eat has no effect on your skin.
A few studies were conducted in the 70’s claiming that diet and acne have no direct correlation.  Since then, these findings have been falsified, and it’s now been determined that diets with a high-glycemic index can in fact lead to breakouts.  Acne flare-ups along the jawline can also indicate an allergy or sensitivity to dairy products.
Sunscreen/sunblock is the same thing.
Sunblock offers physical protection by sitting atop of the skin in order to provide a barrier between the skin and UVB light.  Sunscreen offers chemical protection by absorbing into the skin, providing a barrier between the skin and UVA light.  UVA and UVB light are completely different light spectrums, and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends protection from both, which is available in sunscreens labeled as “broad-spectrum.”
                   
You will age just like your Mom.
Genetics play an obvious and vital role within our bodies.  However, when it comes to aging, genes only a small part since so many other factors can affect our aging processes.  Smoking, sun exposure, diet and skin care regimes can all transform the composition of our skin and how well we age.  If mom looks great, be sure to follow her footsteps and limit sun exposure, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that you can reapply throughout the day, adopt a nutritious diet, acquire a simple yet effective skin care regime and don’t smoke.
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Why Men Should Adopt a Skincare Routine
July 23, 2016

 

 

 

At one point in time, we’ve all seen a man somehow able to complete his morning/evening regime with a 3- in-one product.  Judgment and exasperated sighs aside, you can’t blame the poor guy.  It wasn’t until recently that the men’s skincare industry evolved beyond its usual, simple bar of soap. It’s important for men, just as women, to adopt a proper skincare routine in order to ensure aging more gracefully and preventing stubborn breakouts. We’ve rounded up some product concepts that we think are essential in perfecting the perfect men’s skincare routine.
An oil based cleanser/gentle cleanser:
Because men tend to have thicker and oilier skin than women, they need a cleanser that removes oil and sweat without drying out the face.  An oil-based cleanser is ideal for oily skin because it doesn’t entirely strip the skin of its natural oils.  For men with dryer skin, a more gentle and fragrance-free cleanser would be appropriate as well. You should also wash your face every evening in order to remove the sweat and dirt that’s accumulated throughout the day.
A moisturizer with SPF:
Shaving can take a toll on your skin, especially for men that shave their faces on a daily basis.  By adding a moisturizer into the routine, men can ease dryness and irritation that is often associated with shaving. A moisturizer containing SPF is even better if you can manage, as it will protect your face throughout the day while helping in the anti-aging process, as well as in helping to prevent sun damage.
An exfoliating scrub: 
Shaving is already exfoliating, but additionally you should exfoliate everywhere else once a week. Exfoliating scrubs will help to eliminate dead skin and dirt, which will unclog pores and prevent breakouts.
Retinol and eye cream:
Retinol contains Vitamin A, which is incredibly necessary when it comes to aging gracefully, George Clooney style.  However, Retinol can be very drying, (it started out as a means to treat acne) so be wary if your skin starts to flake.  Eye cream will assist with dark circles, the appearance of crow’s feet and overall puffiness in the eye area. 

 

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Plastic Surgery Centers V. Med Spas
July 9, 2016

           In this day and age med spas have become increasingly more popular and have developed a greater presence in the world of aesthetics. Unfortunately, the cosmetic industry has become more convoluted with falsified advertising and misleading promises as a result of the ever-growing trend of Botox and fillers. However, board certified plastic surgery centers have consistently remained just as qualified throughout.
            There are significant differences between plastic surgery centers and medical spa doctors. One of the obvious distinctions being that a plastic surgeon that is board certified has been required to go through extensive training and rigorous exams in order to be the most knowledgeable that they can be in the field of medicine. 
 
            It is also not uncommon for the doctor overseeing the med spa to come from an entirely irrelevant background. While there is a requirement is to be board certified, the certification could technically be in an unrelated field.  You always want to check to see if the doctor’s experience is first relevant. 
Additionally, med spas are not held to the same standard as a free standing accredited medical or surgical facility. There are different safety standards that don’t necessarily measure up to a more credentialed medical facility or doctor’s office.
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