Finally, pollen....uh.....I mean spring is in the air! Hopefully by the time I get all the winter clothes packed away, the cold weather and snow will also be gone for another year! If you have those wretched allergies like my poor friend Linda, my heart goes out to you. Remember to increase your water intake when using antihistamines and other allergy relief medications as these tend to have a diuretic effect. Also, it's important for allergy sufferers to boost your immune system. I came across a website that may be of interest: http://www.allergyescape.com/ that has some suggestions for alternative allergy relief methods.
The MRSA Bacteria:
There' s been an emergence of a bacterium called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is spreading with alarming frequency, causing 94,000 life-threatening infections and nearly 19,000 deaths in 2005. While there are still antibiotics that treat MRSA, if it spreads to the blood, lungs or organs, they may not be enough. It used to be that MRSA was found mostly in hospitals and threatened mainly the weak and elderly, but as life forms do, it evolved into something more resistant to drugs. MRSA is primarily transmitted by skin-to-skin contact when an open sore is present. An infection may look like a pimple, boil, bump or bug bite. It's often red and swollen. If it looks infected it should be covered and seen by a doctor. MRSA often lives harmlessly on people's skin or in their noses and can be transmitted fairly readily to a nick or wound on the skin. CAREFUL HAND WASHING is one of the biggest ways to cut the risk of many kinds of infection. Skin care facilities, spas, health clubs and nail salons must be diligent in infection control. I want to reassure my clients that Bend Skin CO. complies with all OSHA specified infection control standards. These include using disposables whenever possible, the use of a registered U.S. EPA high-level disinfectant, washing all linens in 125 degree water with detergent and bleach and cleaning all surfaces after each client with an EPA recommended disinfectant. My 20+ years as a dental surgical assistant has ingrained in me the critical importance of infection control and I bring that to my skin care practice. If you have any questions about this please don't hesitate to call me.
The Clarisonic Pro Skin Care System and Spot Therapy Kits are in! The essential first step to any skin care ritual is a thorough yet gentle cleansing. The makers of the Sonicare toothbrush have produced the same efficacy in a skin care cleansing tool. The Clarisonic is a professional-caliber brush that uses a gentle sonic micro-massage action to deeply cleanse pores without harsh abrasion or chemicals. Clinical results include 6x more make-up removed than manual cleansing, reduced appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles and improved skin tone. Thoroughly cleansed skin allows for better absorption of serums and moisturizers. This little machine is truly incredible! I've been using it myself and see a huge difference in my skin tone. My 10 year old son now has the cleanest skin in all of the Bend-LaPine School District! And it's also gentle enough for the most sensitive skin types such as rosacea and acne. For chronic acne clients, the Clarisonic is one of the most effective tools you can use in deep pore cleansing. This system has 4 speeds; 3 gentle enough for cleansing the face and a fourth, higher speed plus Spot Therapy mode for the decollete', neck and arms. The Spot Therapy Brush Head also gently exfoliates elbows, knees and feet for smoother, firmer skin that allows your moisturizer optimal penetration. This particular system is only available through a Licensed Aesthetician. It is a higher grade machine than is sold through a very few retailers. It's completely waterproof and can be used in the shower. It also comes with a two year unconditional guarantee. Bend Skin CO. is an authorized distributor of the Clarisonic Pro which retails for $225.00. Please let me know if you'd like to come in for a 5 minutes demonstration. And just to give you an idea how effective the Clarisonic is......I started out with 15 units last Monday and now have only 6 left.
Mother's Day is just around the corner and you know your Mom or Grandmother has her fingers and toes crossed that you'll pamper her with a Spa Facial! Most women I know 'burn the candle at both ends' as they say, because we all try to be SuperMom. We work inside and outside the home, we carpool, do homework, take the dog to the Vet, get the kids activities accomplished with style and the list doesn't end! The gift of "me" time, relaxation and having someone pamper us is one op the most appreciated gifts you can give. I'll have gift bags made up with gift certificates and some extra goodies like product samples, herbal teas or chocolates for a lovely treat! Look at the service menu at http://www.bendskinco.com/ to see what's available. Call me if you're not sure what to buy. Also, for you Mom's and Grammy's........ you could just forward this newsletter to the kids or hubby as a hint! And if you purchase a Mother's Day gift certificate for Mom, I'll give you 10% off any one service on your next visit.
My new location at Touchmark, Mt. Bachelor Village, is incredible! I can't tell you how lovely the facility is and hope you'll make an appointment soon to come check out my new 'home away from home'! There are a few things I want to tell you about my new spot. When you come in for an appointment, there is a parking space reserved for Bend Skin CO. in front of the Cliff Lodge. Just be sure not to park in the spot reserved for Massage by Kathi, unless you have an appointment with both of us. (which, by the way, is a fabulous idea!) Secondly, I am still accepting Visa, MasterCard and Debit cards, however the charges have to be processed at the end of each business day. If you use your credit card and for some reason it's denied, I'll call you immediately to make alternate payment arrangements. Also, here's something for you to keep in mind when using your credit card. If you would like to express your appreciation for the value of my services with tips, may I encourage you to do so with cash or check? Tips are an incredibly generous gesture and let me know the value of my services to you while also allowing me to manage my treatment costs. I'd also like to take a moment to remind everyone that when you need to change an appointment, 24 hours notice is a true courtesy to me. I understand that there are times when this is not possible, but I appreciate as much notice as you can give me. And finally a word about samples. YonKa products are among the world's finest skin care lines. There is no more affordable, higher quality product available. However, it is a little known fact that YonKa charges it's partners (i.e. me) for samples that I provide to my clients; they believe this is acceptable, regardless of the perspective we generally have towards product samples in the U.S.A. I am happy to provide samples to my clients so that they may try YonKa and appreciate the many benefits to your skin. I ask only that my clients not take unfair advantage of the availability of samples. As always, thank you for being part of Bend Skin CO. My clients are the lifeblood of my business. It is my topmost objective to provide the best service and obtain the most desirable results for my clients of any skin care facility anywhere. I love what I do......................may you enjoy!
In the last newsletter I shared some of YonKa's prestigious product awards. YonKa is now promoting several of these products with special pricing. YonKa's "Prolongateur De Bronzage" received a "Best Beauty Award" by Image Magazine because of its hydration, anti-oxidant properties and its ability to illuminate the skin with an iridescent golden glow. Regularly $55.00 it's now on special for $46.00. The "Optimizer Fluid" is one of the film industry's favorites because of its 'lift effect' and ability to diminish fine lines. It is one of YonKa's most effective age-intervention moisturizers and can be used for both daytime and nighttime hydration. Normally $69.0o, it's now on special for $52.00. Finally, Masque N1, a time-release, intensive hydration treatment mask, normally priced at $58.00 is now $49.00. Please take advantage of these incredible specials while supplies last and don't forget to view http://www.yonka.com/ for more information on the entire product line.
This 'n That: *Welcome Gracie Schuler! Gracie is a 3 month old Labradoodle that is keeping her mom, Sheila, in lots of smiles these days! *Thanks to everyone who voted for Baker Simpkins in the Bend Bulletin Pet Pal contest. He made it to the final 12 but ultimately didn't place. He consoled himself by stealing cat food and some Cheetos. *Congratulations to Staci Sawyer and Jeremy Cox on their recent wedding! *Congratulations to Ben and Lehua Parker on the birth of their new baby boy, Tristan! *Congratulations to my sister, Amy Burke, on her promotion and relocation with Mars/Pedigree.
In closing.....The easiest and quickest happiness enhancer I know is to take a deep breath and think of three things you are grateful for, right in this moment. Try it and see is works for you! Remember to call me if you have any questions or concerns with your skincare and to schedule your next appointment. 541-390-3338
Fondly, Debra
