Sunscreen 101: Tips and Info You Should Know

It’s surprising how many people use sunscreen incorrectly. For an eye-opener, read below!

 

1. Do I need sunscreen?
   We all know the answer to this one! However, most people believe that sunscreen is only necessary when they’re heading out for a day at the beach or an extended period in the sun. The truth is, sunscreen should be part of your daily routine regardless of activities. Even if you plan to stay indoors. Up to 90% of your age signs come from sun exposure. That’s reason enough to lather up!
2. Is the occasional sunburn that bad?
   Yes, it is! Redness and sunburn is a sign that your skin cells have been damaged. Of course, the peeling and discomfort from sunburn are frustrating, but it’s the damage you can’t see that is more dangerous. In fact, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, your risk of skin cancer (melanoma) doubles if you have burned your skin five or more times in your lifetime. We aren’t sharing this to shame you (we remember the days of baby oil!). However, it is important to take the right steps to protect your skin now.
3. How to use sunscreen appropriately
   In the morning, after using cleanser and toner, apply sunscreen to your face and neck. Apply sunscreen to any skin that will be exposed throughout the day. If you are spending the day outside, apply 15-20 minutes before exposure and remember to reapply every 2 hours.
4. Not all sunscreens are created equal
   Even though stores sell SPF 4, SPF 8 and SPF 15, these are not good choices for protection. Choose a broad spectrum SPF 30 for daily use. We stand strongly behind the sunscreen products we offer in the spa and would be happy to recommend the right brand for you.

 

We recommend that you purchase sunscreen and apply it often! Have questions about protecting your skin from sun damage? Please reach out to us.

4 Skin Care Products You Should Be Using!

As you know Spring season heading to Summer is the beginning of many hours spent outside in the sun. If you’re looking to up your skin care game, we’ve outlined four favorite products below:

 

1. Sunscreen
   Protect the skin on your face and your body with a quality sunscreen. If you prefer to stay natural, reach for a mineral sunscreen that avoids chemical ingredients. All PCA and Coola sunscreen are 20% off!
2. Eye Cream
   Eye cream is essential for dark circles, wrinkles and fine lines. Plus, you will see results almost immediately! Eye cream is the ticket for radiant, bright eyes and healthy-looking skin.
3. Lightweight Moisturizer
   Choose lightweight moisturizers. Spring and summer activities can dry out skin as well (especially swimming and chlorine). Apply a moisturizer to your face every morning to keep skin hydrated.
4. Blotting Paper
   Throw this in your purse or car and use it daily. A much better alternative to reapplying makeup throughout the day, blotting paper will absorb oil and refresh foundation for a fresh-looking afternoon face.

 

Stop by and get these essentials – we have all the best products in the spa. We can provide expert recommendations for you, too! Call 520-795-3341 to see our Full line of PCA, Glo and Coola products!

The Top 3 Ways To Optimize Your Skin Health From Within

 

If you’re looking to up your skin care game, we’ve outlined the top three ways to optimize your skin health below. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that bring about the biggest change.

1. You Are What You Eat
   Groan – how many times have you heard that in your lifetime? But we are going to be completely honest. What you eat directly affects your skin, so feeding it healthy nutrients will result in clearer and more vibrant skin. Your gut is known as your second brain, and the common American diet does not bode well for a healthy gut. Consider cutting out gluten, dairy, refined sugars or other known irritants to see if it helps your skin. Lastly, drinking plenty of water is imperative to skin health and overall health.
2. 8 Hours Of Sleep
   This might sound like a no-brainer, but if you’re constantly coming up two hours too short in sleep, you will see those effects in your health. In fact, the proper amount of shut-eye is said to greatly affect your skin. Poor sleep can lead to increased stress hormones in the body that increase the severity of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis. Set an alarm for a 10-minute warning before bed and stick to it.
3. Hormones Make A Difference
   Hormone regulation is essential if you want to look and feel young. Hormone imbalance can cause a variety of issues with your health, including thinning hair, weak nails and temperamental skin. If you have hormonal concerns, please feel free to reserve a complimentary consultation with us to discuss the treatment and regulation of hormones.

 

If you are struggling with your skin or you’d like to optimize your skin’s health, start by addressing these three. As always, we are happy to discuss your skin concerns and walk you through our recommendations.

 

Adopt A New Valentine’s Tradition; Celebrating Love Around The World

1. Do V-Day With A Danish Twist
   In Denmark, Valentine’s Day is embraced in simple but thoughtful ways. Friends and sweethearts exchange lovers cards and pressed white flowers called snowdrops. Men also give women a gaekkebrev, a “joking letter” written in rhyme or poem. It’s dropped off anonymously and women that guess the giver correctly are awarded with an Easter egg later in the year. We are all for fun, new traditions!
2. Love Spoons In Wales

The Welsh celebrate the patron saint of lovers on January 25th with the traditional romantic gift of a love spoon. For centuries, Welsh men have carved symbols into wooden spoons signifying different meanings like good luck, children, love, etc. We love this simple but sweet gesture!

1. Chinese Star-Gazing

Show your love the moon and the stars on Valentine’s Day, just as the Chinese do. In China, couples celebrate Qixi, where they spend the evening watching for two stars (Vega and Altair) to cross paths. This is symbolic of the Chinese lore story where a King’s daughter, Zhinu, falls in love with a poor coward, Niulang. The two are allowed to reunite one day a year, on Qixi. We can’t think of anything more romantic than bringing your valentine out to gaze at the stars (remember to bring wine and a blanket to get cozy)!

1. Valentine’s Vows In The Philippines

While the Philippines celebrates Valentine’s Day in similar ways to America, they have a popular tradition that includes mass marriages, exchanging or renewing vows with hundreds of others in malls or public areas. Would your sweetheart be open to Valentine’s vows? It would make for a fun February memory!

1. Dia Dos Namorados In Brazil

Brazilians skip the February 14th celebration and choose to celebrate Dia dos Namorados, or “Lovers Day,” on June 12th. While gifts and candy are common exchanges, Brazilians take it a step further and celebrate with friends and relatives over dinner. Why not share the love?! The more people who feel loved, the better!

 

Take a cue from these celebrations and try something new for Valentine’s Day! Or give your lover the best gift of all — a gift to the spa! We have so many V-Day specials it will make anyone swoon. Call us and we can customize the perfect day, complete with champagne and a special gift.

 

Top 3 Minimally Invasive Treatments For Valentine’s Day

There is no better time to indulge in a little self-love than Valentine’s Day! Maybe it’s in anticipation of a special night with a special someone, or maybe it’s simply because you deserve it. Here are a few minimally invasive procedures that we love and we’re sure you will too.

1. Lip Injections
   Change the size, shape, and contour of your lips in one easy, painless procedure. Lip injections give the perfect plump you need for Valentine’s Day and every day. If you’ve always felt your lips needed a boost or you’ve just noticed a loss of fullness with age, lip injections are the perfect procedure for Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself!

 

1. Microneedling

Reduce fine and deep wrinkles with this no downtime treatment that promotes natural elastin and collagen. It’s a quick and easy way to get more youthful-looking skin. Improve the quality and texture of skin, exfoliate the skin, reduce blackheads and scarring, treat acne, and help skin tone.

 

1. Latisse

You’ll be batting your eyes in the mirror in no time! Latisse reveals results in just 4-6 weeks and it’s the easiest application ever! Apply daily to the base of your lashes and voila! You’re on your way to thicker, longer, sexy lashes.

 

Give your February that loving feeling with these fantastic treatments. Choose one or all! Plus, check us online for the other specials we have going on for Valentine’s Day.

 

WE have all three available at Lasala Spa Services of Tucson, AZ

Call 520-795-3341

Everything You Need to Know About Lip Fillers

Lip fillers are one of the fastest growing trends in the med spa. So if you’re looking to adopt plump, pouty kissers, we’ve outlined everything you should know.

1. Reserve A Consultation

A consultation is a great way to see behind the scenes and feel comfortable with your injector. However, it’s also the perfect time to ask ANY question. You can also discuss preparation, post-injection info and much more.

1. What Products Are Available?

Your injector will make proper recommendations, because there are several products to choose from. Juvederm, Restylane, Restylane Perlane, etc. There should be open communication regarding what is being used in your specific injection.

1. You Pay For Expertise

It’s not about price; it’s about expertise. You will pay more for someone with years of experience. Keep in mind, you will need follow-up appointments to keep that pout nice and plump.

1. The Procedure Details

Your pre-injection research will likely take much longer than the procedure itself. Usually, lip injections are done within an hour and you can go about your day. You will notice a change in volume immediately, but full results will take a couple of days.

If you are looking to have fuller lips, call us for a consultation!

Our Filler RN is available by appointment only on Fridays. Call 520-795-3341

Other injectables such as Botox/Dysport offered throughout the week

4 Benefits Of Microneedling (And Why It Should Be Your Next Purchase)

What is microneedling — this all-the-rage self-care necessity — anyway? Microneedling uses a pen with very small needles that creates pinpricks (or incisions) in the epidermis (top) layer of your skin. The goal is to stimulate the healing process and create new collagen and elastin.

We’ve outlined the top four benefits of microneedling (of course, there are more), in the list below:

1. Improved Skin Texture
   Self-confidence is one of the few things that we feel so passionately about. Improving the texture and overall appearance of your skin is bound to boost your confidence. Microneedling’s tiny pinpricks stimulate the formation of new collagen. This is what boosts skin texture and creates that smooth, gorgeous radiance. (Bonus: you will see the change in your skin almost immediately following your visit). And, if you have scarring, especially from acne, microneedling is the solution! When your skin scars, it forms strong fibrous tissue under the surface, which is why it is so hard to treat. Microneedling breaks up and releases this tissue to reveal less distinct scars and smoother skin!
2. Minimizes Pores And Reduces Blackheads
   Blackhead sufferers everywhere, rejoice! Microneedling cleans up your pores and clears out a majority of blackheads. It’s also a great way to see a reduction in your pores. The effects are temporary, though, and usually last for 3-4 weeks before pore size begins to return to normal. However, we do recommend several products, including a vitamin E cream that will promote smaller pores and reduce blackheads over time.
3. Reduce Fine Lines And Wrinkles
   Microneedling is a great option for reducing the signs of aging, and it improves your skin’s texture in the same way it works to improve acne scars. The tiny pinpricks send the skin the message that healing is necessary as it forces your body to repair and heal through the formation of collagen and elastin. This is essential for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as tightening your skin. You will look and feel years younger!
4. Even Skin Tone And Reduce Hyperpigmentation
   Blotchy and uneven skin, be gone! The uneven production of melanin (which is responsible for your skin color) is usually the culprit of skin tone issues. Microneedling will improve the slight color changes in your skin tone caused by trauma including acne, blackheads and inflammation.

Need more reasons to fall back in love with your skin? Microneedling is the answer to many skin issues, and we are happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss its benefits. Look younger and enjoy smooth, brilliant skin with microneedling. You deserve this!

For a Free Consultation Call 520-795-3341!

Here Come The Holidays!

Look Your Best For The Holiday Social Scene

The holidays are here and with them come the parties, dances, family gatherings, and charitable events. Are you ready for all the excitement? We all want to look fabulous for these festive occasions. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare. Plan your look ahead of time for you and your significant other! Check out these great ideas to help you celebrate in style!

Ladies, obtaining the perfect outfit is your first priority. First, make a mental note of all the events you will attend. Are you celebrating with co-workers, friends or both? Keep in mind, your dress at an office party should definitely be more conservative than that of a party with friends and family.

The popular little black or red dress are always a safe bet. You can accessorize to fit the occasion! Dress it up with sexy heels, earrings, a necklace, etc., or add a pop of color with a silky, red scarf, red lips and red nails. Or, downplay it a bit for that business party with modest heels and jewelry, and neutral makeup and nail tones. It depends on the statement you want to make.

And don’t forget about the special man in your life. Make sure you select the perfect tie for him that matches your dress. A traditional black suit and tie are always in style!

Don’t forget the most important part of your pre-party plan. Schedule your spa visits and hair appointments in advance so you can arrive to your social events looking refreshed and vibrant. Reserve your chemical facial peel to eliminate dry, rough skin and top it off with a hydrating mask for soft, supple skin. You won’t believe how beautiful your makeup will look once applied after these treatments! We still have appointments available, book now! 520-795-3341 and ask for Holiday Specials

Once you have found the dress, you can plan your makeup. Stop by the spa for holiday makeup tips and check out the latest colors. Remember, don’t overdo it. We want a healthy look … not a fake one.

You’ve got the dress, accessories and makeup in place. All that’s left is the perfect hair design to complete your look. Start thinking about your hairstyle a few weeks ahead of time so you don’t have to stress about it the day of the event. Make your appointment with your hairstylist way in advance!

Want to lose a few inches before you slip into that dress? A body wrap is the perfect solution. Reduce cellulite and lose inches quickly and safely with a signature body wrap. You’ll feel so confident when you head out to spend time with friends, family and co-workers!

Remember, less is more. Keep it simple, yet classy. That’s a guaranteed winner every time.

Easy Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season

It’s tempting to fall into a routine around the holidays and focus on your own family and friends – which is wonderful! But remember that not everyone experiences such joy and contentment during the holidays. Fill your heart and those you’re giving to by donating.

One of the best parts of life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love that affect others in ways the giver may never know. Here’s a list of pay-it-forwards we like to share with others this time of year.

1. Serve A Holiday Meal

Many shelters serve holiday meals to hundreds and thousands of people in many communities across the country. Volunteer a few hours to help serve. In return, you’ll meet some amazing people. We sure have over the years!

1. Donate Your Change

The coins you’ve been collecting in the bottom of your purse, in the cupholder of your car and in your change jar can go to a good cause! Cash the coins at the bank and donate the proceeds to a local shelter or food bank.

1. Share The Furry Love

Share your sweet, loving fur baby with a local senior living community or senior center. This is sure to bring smiles to all their faces, including yours!

1. Give Back To Those Closest to You

It’s wonderful to give back to strangers in need, but think of your own family and friends. Is anyone struggling? Could someone you know use a night off? A hot meal? Or an ear for venting? Sometimes the small gestures matter the most.

1. Make Care Packages For The Homeless

These can be simple with just a few essentials and a lot of love. The homeless need basic needs met, so consider including a pair of socks, a couple of snacks, a water bottle, wet wipes and a handwritten note. You can always include more if you choose!

1. Adopt A Family

This is such a fun way to give back during the holidays and it’s the perfect option if you have kids who want to get involved. Shop for and wrap gifts for a family in need this holiday season. You usually can get connected to families through local organizations.

1. Pay It Forward

Done throughout the year in big and small capacities, paying it forward is taking care of the people in your community through unexpected kindnesses. Have you been the lucky one in the coffee shop drive-thru? Have you paid for someone’s meal at a restaurant? Or an unsuspecting driver at the pump? Give a stressed-out stranger a spa gift card. This is a blast to play out with the kids, too!

We hope you’ll try a few of these this holiday season, or share with us what you do to give back during the holidays!

Avoid Holiday Weight Gain With These 5 Simple Tips

The holidays are notorious for weight gain woes. As soon as Thanksgiving arrives, it’s as though the universe is pointing us out like Uncle Sam: “We want YOU to eat this pie.” Okay, we’re being dramatic, but it takes incredible self-control to reach New Year’s without a few added pounds. We aren’t suggesting you abolish all the joy of holiday eating, because that’s unrealistic and no fun! Instead, use the following tips to strive for balance and moderation when you’re holiday party hopping.

1. Keep Healthy Habits During The Week

Since the weekends during the holidays fill up fast with food-indulging frenzies, it helps to keep your diet and exercise routine during the week as normal as possible. If you want to add some pizzazz to your regular meals, use Pinterest or Google to find healthy meals that incorporate new spices, vegetables or ingredients you don’t usually use. This will help you feel that you aren’t missing out on indulgent meals. Also continue your weekday workout routine whenever possible. Fit in your healthy habits during the week so you can treat yourself on the weekend!

1. Only Eat The Foods You Love

This is a game of “Rate your Food!” Before filling your plate with everything in sight, take a moment to rate it on a scale of 1-10. Then, choose only those foods that you rated as favorites, in the 9 or 10 range. Healthy options, like fresh veggies, make the perfect way to balance out the other not-so-healthy food.

1. Avoid Going Back for Seconds

The goal is moderation, folks! Going back for seconds is a slippery slope to overeating and regret. If you want a taste of everything, take small sample-sized portions to save yourself from overindulging. Remember, if your body is not familiar with fried, greasy food or a lot of alcohol, it’s best to take it easy and avoid feeling sick or uncomfortable after the fact.

1. Sleep Is Sacred

Get eight hours or more each night and your body will function better. Sleep affects so many areas of your body and mind, including weight gain and eating habits. Did you know that the more sleep deprived you are, the more hunger hormones your body creates? Getting enough sleep also will help you avoid sickness during the holiday months, because no one has time to be sick!

1. Keep Stress Levels Low

Stress typically goes hand-in-hand with the holidays, but this year we challenge you to stay stress-free! This might mean adjusting your lifestyle and learning to say no when too many activities are stacking up. Whatever it means to you, go for it! Stress can increase cortisol levels which are directly related to weight gain, too. Less stress will help you stay healthier and in turn, you will keep the weight off!

These simple strategies lay a foundation for a healthier holiday season and a happier one, too! Happy and healthy is the name of the game!

Reserve a weight loss treatment or a body contouring treatment for the holiday season.