In the News This Week

The Diseases we thought we’d defeated

We have been hearing a lot more recently about the importance of vitamin D for healthy, strong bones and overall well-being, and concerns have been rising about the number of people deficient in vitamin D. A new report released today (19.3.14) found that 60% of parents in the UK aren’t worried about the risk that comes with a lack of vitamin D. This report was discussed during the TV programme Daybreak http://www.itv.com/daybreak/health/the-diseases-we-thought-wed-defeated  

Over the last 10 years, cases of rickets (along with TB, scurvy and scarlet fever) have risen dramatically. The figure has risen from 180 cases of rickets 10 years ago to more than 800 by last year. One of the reasons for this is a lack of vitamin D.

The report’s findings have raised concerns amongst health experts that under five’s in the UK may be missing out on this essential vitamin. In fact the chances are that anyone not taking a vitamin D supplement will be deficient.

So why are we all lacking in vitamin D? It’s made when exposed to UVB rays present in sunlight. UVB is only present at midday during summer months. The lack of sunshine in the UK restricts our level of sun exposure and in fact a large number of people avoid sunlight for fear of developing wrinkles and skin cancers. In addition, the increased use of sunscreens has reduced our exposure to UVB. An SPF of just 15 will literally knock out UVB and many of us are using SPFs as high as 50.

We can gain some vitamin D in our diets through oily fish, eggs and cheese. It’s also added to milk and orange juice. However, as we discussed in our blog InsideSkincare, you can’t get all the necessary nutrients through diet alone.

As well as rickets, inadequate levels of vitamin D can lead to a weakened immune system, increased risk of cancer, poor hair growth and osteomalacia, a condition of weakened muscles and bones. 

Most people don't realise that vitamin D is also vital for healthy skin. It aids skin rejuvenation, boosts skin immunity and fights free radicals.

To get the most out of vitamin D, you need to combine it with vitamin A. These two powerful nutrients work in synergy resulting in healthy skin and bones.

Here at Euphoric we believe in better skin from the inside out and treat skin both topically with our Environ Skincare products and internally through skin specific supplements. The Advanced Nutrition programme is a cutting edge range of supplements that supports skincare regimes. Only the finest, purest ingredients are used in a form that is easily absorbed by the body. The supplements contain the optimum daily levels of vitamins, minerals and plant extracts to help maintain vibrant, healthy and glowing skin.

These two nutrients work so well together that vitamin D has now been added to the popular Skin Vit A supplement, available from the Advanced Nutrition Programme. It has been renamed Skin Vit A+ to reflect this exciting change.

To find out more about how we can help you achieve a healthy skin for life, call to book a consultation with one of our expert skin therapists on 01903 206600 or e-mail us info@euphoric-beauty.co.uk

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@EuphoricBeauty) for more beauty and skincare tips, like us on Facebook (fb.com/EuphoricBeauty) and see our boards on Pinterest.

Skincare the Euphoric Way

Here at Euphoric, we’re passionate about achieving the best results for you and your skin. That’s why we’ve adopted a three-pronged approach to skincare through the use of the brands we stock – Environ skincare products, Advanced Nutrition Programme (ANP) supplements and jane iredale  skincare make-up - to give our clients a total skincare solution. We call this the three F’s of great skincare: Feed, Fortify and Finish.

The first step for great skin is to feed the skin from within. The Advanced Nutrition Programme is a range of premium quality supplements designed to target specific skin concerns and promote overall wellbeing.

We’ve all been told “You are what you eat” which is true; vitamins and nutrients are the building blocks of the body. However even if you eat a well-balanced diet, it’s unlikely your skin is getting all the nutrients it needs as intense farming methods mean vitamin levels in food have dropped considerably.

If your body is making healthy skin cells on the inside, your skin will look good on the outside. ANP supplements give any skincare regime or in-salon treatments a head start because the cells start off healthy.

Having created the building blocks for healthy skin with good nutrition, our second step is to fortify the skin with our topical skincare, Environ. These products are enriched with powerful antioxidants, active vitamins, growth factors and peptides, which all help to protect and repair skin, leaving it glowing with health. Combining a bespoke skincare regime using Environ homecare products with regular in-salon treatments will achieve the best results.

Once you’ve achieved great looking, healthy skin you don’t want to undo all your hard work by applying make-up that’s full of harsh chemicals and pore-blocking compounds. We recommend jane Iredale, a mineral makeup which is free from fillers and potential irritants. The pure pigments provide flawless, radiant coverage while allowing skin to breathe and function normally.

We hold monthly in-salon skin events. During your hour appointment your skin will be analysed with medically proven imaging equipment to reveal damage and signs of ageing on and beneath the surface of the skin. Your skin analyst will create a bespoke regime, and then you finish by relaxing and enjoying a soothing tailor-made facial.

To find out more about how our experienced skincare therapists can help you achieve the skin you’ve always wanted, or to book for one of our skin analysis events, contact us on 01903 206600 or visit our website www.euphoric-beauty.co.uk

Brilliant skin begins at Euphoric!

New Therapists Join the Euphoric Team

We’re pleased to welcome not one, but two new therapists to the Euphoric team and Worthing beauty salon and skin clinic, plus a new receptionist.

Lizzie Hibbs

Lizzie joins us from a well known, very busy chain of beauty salons and has eight years’ experience in the beauty industry, having worked in spas and salons all over the country and, in fact, all over the world. Lizzie offers a wide variety of treatments including eyelash extensions, gel nails and massage.

Lizzie says: “I love everything the salon offers and felt that working here would be a great opportunity for me. I can’t wait to train in Environ, Advanced Nutrition Programme and Jane Iredale products as well some of the more advanced treatments on the treatment menu, and famous names like OPI and Endermologie.”

Hannah Joiner

Hannah is also an extremely experienced therapist, having gained her qualifications ten years ago. She has spent the last five years working in a large spa. Having worked for so long in a spa environment, Hannah specialises in massage and brings a new treatment – Lomi Lomi Massage - to the Euphoric treatment menu.

“I’m very much looking forward to joining the Euphoric team and meeting all the regular clients as well as building up my own regular clients. The salon is so friendly and offers a real variety of treatments. It’s a very different environment from where I was working previously so I’m very much looking forward to the challenge,” says Hannah.

And on reception ...

When you visit Euphoric, a new face will also be there to greet you on reception. Jess Bates joined the team at the beginning of February as part of the Front of House team and is currently studying for her NVQ level 2 in Beauty Therapy.

Special Introductory Offer - Buy one get one half price on treatments when you book with our new therapists (for terms and conditions please see our website)

Come and see us soon and meet the new Euphoric team. To book an appointment To book call the salon on 01903 206600 or visit the website www.euphoric-beauty.co.uk

New Treatment - Billion Dollar Brows

New Treatment – Billion Dollar Brows

March sees the launch of the latest edition to Euphoric's treatment menu - Billion Dollar Brows, the must-have eyebrow treatment direct from Beverly Hills.

Eyebrows are one of the most important features of our faces - and yet they are often the most neglected. Billion Dollar Brows was created to overcome this and help customers all over the globe get the beautiful brows they deserve, at a sensible price.

Eyebrows alone have the power to transform a face. You can do a fabulous face of make-up but if your eyebrows are overlooked, your make-up will appear unfinished and unpolished. Eyebrow trends come and go (currently the trend is for bold brows) but one thing is always consistent – they must be defined.

A great arch will soften your face and add femininity, and bold but beautiful brows make a real statement. Audrey Hepburn is a great example of this.

Using the patented Billion Dollar Brow Buddy tool to design your eyebrows, we can be sure to create the perfect brow to suit your face shape and enhance your features.  

Salon owner Zoe Clark explains: “This treatment fits in really well with Euphoric’s philosophy of educating our clients and extending our client care beyond the salon. During the treatment you’re taught how to dress your eyebrows so you can recreate your fabulous look at home. As always, the Euphoric team is on hand to help, should you have any questions after you leave the salon.”

A full range of Billion Dollar Brows products dedicated exclusively to eyebrows is available to support your treatment. Products include Brow Boost, a conditioning treatment to restore brows that are thin and sparse due to over-tweezing, pencils, gels, powders and tools. All products are made of the finest ingredients and materials while still offering tremendous value. Ask your brow artist for details.

This new treatment is on offer at an introductory price of £15 (usually £25) throughout March.

To book call the salon on 01903 206600 or visit the website www.euphoric-beauty.co.uk.

Exciting New Product Launches

I have seen Dr Des Fernandes, founder of Environ skin care, speak many times and each time I enjoy it more than the last. Des is an amazing man, full of knowledge and a true inspiration. One of the things I love most about him is his obvious desire to achieve results for his patients and solve their skin concerns. This is something we are also passionate about at Euphoric and is one of the reasons I chose to offer Environ all those years ago.

“I went with Zoe last year to see Dr Des Fernandes, and when we heard he was coming back again this year I was very excited to get the opportunity to see him again. He is so inspirational and I love learning more tips to help my clients. He also launched some new products which I can't wait to use!” – Stacey Pellett, Senior Therapist

Des continues to research and develop new and innovative products and at his seminar on Monday 2nd September he launched some new additions to the range which we are very eager to incorporate into our treatments to make them even better, together with his first book "Your Skin Factory" a production manual for better skin. 

Revival Masque

This new mask, which is part of the intensive range, contains Asiatic acid to promote healing. Lactic acid increases hydration and stimulates the skin cells to release growth factors. The mask is ideal for pigmentation, vascular skin and the refinement of pores.

Après Cit

This product is used immediately after CST treatments to intensify the release of growth factors. The use of Peptide Complex Crème at home will further improve results (see below).

Sono Peptide Serum

This contains four top of the range peptides which deliver fantastic results. The serum is a professional product which requires sonophoresis (sound waves) for penetration due to their molecular size.

Peptide Serum

Peptide serum is a home use product to support in salon treatments. It is an advanced product which also contains four top of the range peptides.

RAD Spray Sunscreen SPF 25

With all the same properties as RAD cream but with a spray application. The higher SPF level is due to the thinner application.

We will be introducing all of these new products as soon as they are available. Speak to one of our skin therapists to see how these new products can benefit you.  

Effective Treatment or Marketing Hype?

The beauty industry is an industry filled with so many empty promises. Our quest for eternal youth has led to companies using marketing tools to make us all believe the latest treatment or product will achieve this.

In a world driven by instant gratification and celebrity endorsements, how do you decide which treatments and products are worth investing in and what is simply marketing hype?

As the original ‘results-driven’ salon in the area, we offer only those treatments we know will achieve the best possible results for our clients and therefore consider very carefully which services we offer. Our philosophy is that of educating our clients to make the right choices for their skin. I decided to write a series of blogs looking at some of treatments on the market to explain why we have chosen to offer those we do.

Oxygen Facials

One treatment with a massive celebrity following is the oxygen facial.  Madonna is one of the most recognised celebrities who regularly has this treatment and according to her website, she apparently has her own personal oxygen treatment facialist on staff.

Oxygen facials are increasing in popularity but also raising a number of questions about effectiveness and credibility due to both the lack of scientific evidence and the growing awareness of the link between oxygen and free radical damage.

What are oxygen facials?

Oxygen facials use medical grade oxygen to deliver active ingredients into the skin. The oxygen is compressed and sprayed at high pressure directly onto the skin surface. Active ingredients such as nutrients or vitamins are introduced to the oxygen stream just before the skin, and the combined oxygen and ingredients (in the form of a high pressure jet) forces its way past the skin’s barrier defence systems and into the lower levels of the epidermis.

The oxygen’s main function is theorised to be an increased absorption of the active ingredients such as that experienced with Iontophoresis or Sonophoresis (as in the Environ Vitamin Facials).

The oxygen is also used as a wash over the face which claims to stimulate or feed the skin so new collagen growth can occur. The oxygen is thought to have rejuvenating properties.
A course of treatments is recommended once a week for six weeks followed by monthly maintenance.

Do they work?
Are there any scientific results to back up the claims of this treatment? There is no doubt that following an oxygen treatment, the skin’s surface appears plumper and smoother which can hide imperfections and provide a warm glow to the skin. Effects can last up to 48 hours but what are the long term effects and benefits?

The most logical reason for the smoothing effect is a mild inflammatory response caused by the forced breaching of the lipid bi-layers of the epidermis, however there appears to be no scientific evidence the active ingredients actually reach the target area at the dermal/epidermal junction. If there is any evidence, then it is not widely available. As the inflammation is mild, it is unlikely that fibroblast activity (cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin) is stimulated enough to increase long term collagen production.

There are a number of reasons why it is unlikely the oxygen used during the facial actually provides therapeutic effects from a topical application or that it can increase the energy in the skin’s cells. 

One of the functions of skin is to provide us with a waterproof covering. Although skin can absorb some substances (like some drugs typically administered through a skin patch), we do not absorb any substance through the skin that is important to life function. The skin does not respire. It is only the lungs that require oxygen for respiration; therefore, we can live without air on the skin (except for temperature regulation).  As for increasing energy within skin cells oxygen, as an energy-providing fuel, is delivered to the dermal cells via the microcirculation along with other vital nutrients and not through the skin.

What about free radicals?

We also need to consider that oxygen itself is in fact a free radical. It is also known that oxygen is the main factor leading to the oxidative process (effectively rusting). Both free radicals and oxidation contribute to skin ageing and the development of wrinkles. Therefore, why would we want to force the oxygen past the lipid bi-layers under pressure to an area where we really need to control any oxidisation? Antioxidants are incorporated into many skincare products (they factor highly in Environ products) and we supplement in the diet to further protect the body and skin from free radicals and therefore the ageing process. Why protect the skin from free radicals only to introduce additional free radicals to the skin in the form of oxygen during a treatment? Surely this is a contradiction? 

On a final note, it is also interesting that the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has not approved oxygen facials. 

Dr Christopher B Zachary, a professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the School of Medicine, University of California, has been quoted as saying “The concept that high-pressure oxygen would do anything to help the skin is such nonsense as to be laughable ".

Despite the lack of credible evidence to date that oxygen facials actually have a long term benefit, they will remain popular due to the amount of publicity and celebrity endorsement surrounding them. 

Here at Euphoric we love Environ skincare and the Advanced Nutrition Programme (ANP) because the whole philosophy behind their treatments just makes sense! We take a holistic approach to skincare, feeding the skin both from within and topically, based on scientific research and proven results. 

To find out more about Environ and ANP, visit our expert skin care therapists for a consultation or why not attend one of our very popular Skin Analysis Events?

Call us on 01903 206600 to find out more.

Celebrating 8 years of results with Environ

 

8 years, I really can’t believe how quickly time flies but that is how long I have been working with the Environ range of products and I have to say that taking on Environ was the best thing that I ever did.

When I first opened Euphoric almost 10 years ago my plans were very different, as was the industry. The spa was very much the ‘thing’ of the moment and I aspired to grow and open Worthing’s first Day Spa. I’m not sure whether my passion for massage and complementary therapies started to fade due to the three years I’d spent carrying out massage treatments on Virgin Atlantic flights, or whether my passion for skin became so great that it took over.

I developed an interest in being able to help those with skin concerns. Having grown up with a brother who suffered, like so many teenagers, with acne (he got the bad skin, I got the puppy fat) I’ve seen first-hand how skin problems can affect an individual’s life. If only I’d known then what I know now!

At the time we stocked bareMinerals, now a very well-known brand of mineral make-up (at the time, mineral make-up was relatively unheard of and I was the first stockist in Worthing). BareMinerals was part of a company which also distributed a cosmeceutical skincare brand. With my desire to treat more complex skin conditions than were generally faced by the therapist (according to therapists everyone is dehydrated, but that is a discussion for another time), I felt I needed a range of products based on slightly more advanced technologies. A cosmeceutical product contains active ingredients based on scientific research and development, and is a cross between a cosmetic (which works very superficially) and a pharmaceutical product. This particular company was achieving great results but the products were based predominantly on peeling of the skin.

I decided to do some further research and found that, although great for many skins (mine included), some skins had become sensitised through the continuous use of AHA’s. I looked at a few other product ranges before I made my final decision. One of the ranges I looked into was Environ. The products were barely heard of in this country, the packaging was old-fashioned and unappealing and the formulations did not have that lovely pleasant smell my current product range did. However, there was something about the rep that came to introduce the range to me that made me feel this would be the right range for Euphoric. Liz obviously knew her stuff and was very passionate about the products. Although no longer my rep, Liz now operates her own skincare clinic using Environ and I still see her occasionally at training courses.

I went ahead with launching Environ. I won’t say it hasn’t been tough. There were of course clients who, having been with me for years, just trusted my professional advice and purchased the products without question - however people are very wary of something they’ve never heard of. Clarins, Dermalogica, Guinot, these are all product names which are known and therefore trusted. Having had no prior experience with the range I had no personal results to quote to my clients, only those put forward by the company. I relied on the training I received and gradually built up a loyal Environ following. I started to see results for myself and I believe my passion for the brand has been the key factor in its growth to become a major part of what Euphoric is all about. There’s nothing better than hearing from clients how their skin has improved, how much they love the products and that great buzz of knowing you can improve people’s skin and therefore how they feel inside, which relates to their confidence and self-esteem.

We are nearing our 10^th birthday at Euphoric and over that time I’ve seen the Industry change a great deal. These days people are a lot more concerned with ageing and there are so many technologies available which aim to prevent and reverse signs of ageing - some with great results and some not so great! Cosmeceutical skincare is the fastest growing segment of today’s personal care industry, growing at an annual rate of 4.6%. Thanks to the internet, clients are much more informed and knowledgeable about treatments and products.

This never-ending recession has also had a big impact. Money is tight and therefore must be spent wisely. Nobody wants to waste money on ineffective products and clients want results. For these reasons we’ve grown and developed Euphoric into a skin clinic and developed a reputation for our innovative and advanced treatments.

We’ve received a great many testimonials about the excellent results our clients have achieved with Environ. Below is one of my favourites:

I have been having Environ Facials for over two years now. Zoe recommended the treatment to me as I was unhappy with the complexion on my face and had been for years. I was getting married and really wanted to get it sorted for my big day. After a six week course of facials followed by monthly ones, the results were really fast and my skin hasn’t looked better. I use the products at home as well and would never use anything else on my face. I’m so much more confident now and I highly recommend the treatment.

               Debbie Morgan, Worthing

We hold regular skin analysis events and have done since the company introduced them. We find them extremely beneficial as clients can see what is going on under the surface of the skin. A bespoke treatment programme is then created and clients are encouraged to attend future skin analysis events to see measurable results. Below is what one of our clients had to say about the skin analysis events:

I thoroughly enjoyed my first Environ event and have been using their products ever since. My consultation was very informative, the taster facial was really relaxing and I would recommend everyone to try it. The offers on the day are excellent value for money and I will be booking my June follow up skin analysis.Thanks for introducing me to Environ :-)

                Lorraine Bailey, Worthing

Over the last eight years I’ve attended numerous training courses and seminars. The education Environ provides is second to none and my passion to learn has never diminished. The industry continues to change with new developments and it’s important to keep up with these.

I’ve seen many changes and developments within the range over the years, and training and education are the only way to keep up with these changes. We attended our most recent educational seminar only a week ago. We were told Environ has grown so much, the company is moving in to new offices with a fantastic new training department. Apparently they had been looking for a quote to place on one of their walls. They came up with the following as they felt it summed up what they as a company are all about:

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail

             Ralph Aldo Emerson

This made me smile as I also feel that this sums up the essence of Euphoric.

The Original Range - Environ's signature moisturiser as it was 8 years ago

The AVST Range - Environ as it is now

As part of our anniversary event we are offering FREE consultations throughout March 2013.
For more information on Environ or to find out how we can help you achieve healthy skin for life, contact us on 01903 206600.