Blog

Dermaplaning rejuvenates skin while removing hair.

A superior form of manual exofoliation, this treatment removes the outermost layers of dead skin cells leaving the skin immediately smooth, supple and vibrant.  Derma planing is another non-traumatic, non-invasive method of skin rejuvenation with the benefit of hair removal.  Your skin will be renewed and your topical treatments will be more effective as they will penetrate more deeply since the layers of dead skin cells will be removed.

For more information call us at 903.893.6222 or book online.

How does the Technician perform this treatment?

Our certified technician will use a #10 blade, a type of scalpel.  The blade is held against the skin at a 45 degree angle and stroked along the skin just like shaving.  However, the practitioner is doing the stroking while holding the area of skin taut.  At Bella Fontana Spa, your skin will be cleansed and prepared in advance and a treatment cream will follow so your skin will be smooth and moisturized.

Is this Derma Planing Treatment Safe?

This treatment is performed by a professionally trained technician with extensive skin type knowledge.  It is very safe and there is no more risk to the skin than when a barber shaves a face the old fashioned way.  However, we will prepare the skin in advance and will not be using shaving cream.

Doesn’t Hair grow back thicker and/or darker when shaved?

This is a common myth.  What actually happens with terminal hair (that that grows under and on the arms, legs, beards, etc.) is that when cut it has a blunt edge.  The blunt edge starts just at the skin level and feels sharp and can be seen through the skin if there is enough contrast between the skin color and hair color.  At Bella Fontana Spa, we recommend laser hair reduction or waxing for this type of hair.  Vellous hair, or the fine blonde hairs often found on the face will not be physiologically affected by cutting.  It will remain soft because the structure of the hair, and its root is undamaged and unaltered.  Terminal hair is coarse, and vellous hair is soft and each will retain the original structure after cutting.

Why do dark, or Terminal Hairs, suddenly appear?

Typically the sudden change in the thickness, texture of hair or the appearance of dark and/or coarse hair appearing where it has never been before is the result of hormonal changes, puberty, menopause or chemotherapy, thyroid disease or other hormonal changes.  Consult your physician if you are concerned about the changes in your hair.

What about Waxing?

We are waxing or depilatory experts at Bella Fontana Spa.  Waxing makes the hair appear thinner for one of two reasons.  First, waxing pulls the hair from its roots effectively restarting the dormancy and growth cycle.  The new hair will grow in with the small pointed tip making it appear thinner and feel softer.  But the structure of the hair remains the same, and if grown long enough or cut will conform to the description above about terminal vs. vellous hair.  Secondly, if you interrupt the hair growth cycle enough, there is a chance that the hair regrowth cycle will slow, or the root becomes damaged and the hair will not grow back, or finally, aging, hypothyroidism or some other factor will affect the growth cycle.

Will I bleed?

Probably not, but I must say this is one of the risks of using an open blade on the skin.  This can happen with waxing or laser hair removal as well.  Or, if you are on blood thinners, or have used certain medications, your propensity to bleed will be increased.  We do not recommend waxing, for example, for those actively using Accutane, Retinols or other treatments that thin the skin and increase the occurrence of peeling or bleeding.  The incidence of an accidental cut is slim, but about the same as shaving even with safety blades.  We have all nicked our knees and ankles, chin or other places with shaving.

What areas can be treated?

Blading the skin is performed on the face only at Bella Fontana Spa.  We recommend body waxing for arms, legs, underarms for temporary hair removal, and laser hair reduction for permanent hair removal.

Can I combine a chemical peel?

We recommend combining the derma planing procedure with our gel peel, a light salicylic or glycolic acid peel.  This peel requires no preparation and you can expect good results and a peel over a three or four day period.

Please contact us if you have any questions at 903.893.6222 or for more information about Bella Fontana Spa or book online.

Detoxifying treatments cater to guests that want to shape up body and mind

I find that our guests are becoming increasingly aware of what goes into and onto their bodies.  In response, I have begun requiring our product lines to be more earth and body friendly and many are organic, vegan, gluten and paraben free and do not test on animals.  Medical grade skin care lines such as SkinCeuticals are primarily  botanical while utilizing the best and most effective medical grade components available on the market at a price point suitable for our market.

Detoxifying wraps and body treatments cater to this trend by allowing guests to shed toxins while firming and toning the skin in the areas that need it the most.  Special products are applied that increase circulation and are steam infused to accelerate the detoxifying effect through the largest organ in the body.  What a facial does for facial skin, and a pedicure does for the skin on the feet and lower legs, a body treatment is the most effective skin care treatment for the entire body.  With the additional benefit of the Hydro3 vichy shower and steam infusion, the treatments are intensified and more effective while reducing claustrophobia and increasing the detoxification effect in a more comfortable setting.  There is less mess too!

European spa-goers begin body treatments at a young age, and guests in our areas are taking increased advantage of the services and equipment offered here at Bella Fontana Spa.  Benefits include stress relief, increased tone and firmness to the skin, temporary inch loss and stimulation of the metabolism.  To reach your goals while dieting and exercise try two or three sauna sessions and body treatments each week for inch loss and a better appearance in those critical body areas.  Add on a Lift and Tone Facial Massage or 45 Minute Therapeutic Massage and you will truly feel renewed and energized by the results you can see.

On Customer Service and Stewardship

In my business, I occasionally find myself in the middle!  There are a few occasions where things do not go as planned.  I find that someone’s expectations are not being met and usually it is due to circumstances beyond my personal control.  This doesn’t just apply to our guests, sometimes it is between employees.  For example, an employee has an urgent matter arise, but not one that might be considered an emergency.  My policy is to ensure that our guests needs are met by the team with the consideration that leaves open a smooth exit for the employee that wants to leave to take care of personal business.  Is there another employee willing to give of themselves and “pay it forward” as it were, so that they can receive the same in return on another day?  Everything we do impacts someone else, but  let it be a positive experience for everyone involved.  Our attitudes and our moods affect everyone!  It is my intention that the ‘mood’ remain positive for everyone’s benefit.  Word to wise, make every reasonable effort to make the best of any interaction and make it positive.

When I find myself in the middle, I look for opportunities for everyone to win!  The guest or customer benefits from their service, the employee performs their job and receives their hourly pay and tips,  and the business earns an income.  In most business models, including mine, the employee is going to be paid their current compensation rate for being on the job, but the real rewards come from exceeding customer expectations and growing guest relationships and with excellent performance increased compensation based on merit.  All three stakeholders then, the employee, the guest or client and the business should benefit each time a service or job is performed.  After all, that is what we are all present to do.  More than ‘being present’ the best attribute or skill to employ every minute of each day to perform well is maintaining a positive attitude and mood.  Determination and persistence to do well and do good on this earth for all involved is the winning combination.

A great book to read on the market about Customer Service is Who’s Your Gladys?. Click on this link for more information after reading the excerpt below from a recent newsletter.

MOODS ARE CONTAGIOUS – DON’T CATCH A BAD ONE!

Imagine you have a throbbing toothache. You sit down in the dentist’s chair in pain. The dentist enters the room in a cheerful mood. If you catch the dentist’s mood, you relax a bit and she breezes through the procedure. If the dentist catches your mood, what would happen? She’d wince when you winced. As your knuckles turn white grabbing the arms of the chair, her knuckles turn white grabbing her instruments. As your panic grows, her panic grows. You would probably never go back to that dentist again.People in helping professions meet others sadness, anger, and pain with an attitude of acceptance and a belief in their ability to make a difference. Imagine meeting your customer’s hostile moods with acceptance and a belief in your ability to help them feel better. To respond helpfully, start by understanding that it is okay for customers to feel what they feel. It’s okay for a customer to feel disappointed about a purchase. It’s okay for a customer to feel angry about delivery When you’re comfortable with their upset, it’s easier for them to switch gears, cope with their frustrations and move forward. To keep a customer’s hostile mood from spreading to you, take a moment to challenge yourself to choose your mood. If a customer shows anger and you reflect irritation or defensiveness, their anger grows. If you respond with compassion, it changes the dynamic. Try it – your customers will thank you!

Reprinted from the ‘Who’s Your Gladys?’ newsletter, published by Marilyn Suttle and Lori Jo Vest, a free e-zine that offers tips and tools to help readers create extraordinary customer relationships.  Subscribe at www.whosyourgladys.com.”

Keep in mind that which serves everyone best interests and intent  whether you are the customer, the employee or the manager or business owner in this scenario.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.  Most business owners I know very much want to please every customer, while ensuring the integrity and operational soundness of their business. Business owners also want to have happy employees.  Finally, business owners want to have a profitable business and a balanced and happy life as well.  I just had someone in the plumbing business say to me today, “not every customer can be pleased, even if I fired the employee that made the mistake and gave their money back it just isn’t enough”. Everyone involved has a stake in achieving the best outcome.  Bring your best attitude to everything you do and serve well.

« Previous Page — Next Page »