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Details Body Clinic Day Spa Woodstock Ontario News Articles
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Oxford Review November 5, 2005
HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
BY KERI SCHRAM, SUN MEDIA
When Paul Devlin, a 28-year-old police officer from London, noticed a patch of hair growing on his upper back, he wasn't pleased. So like many people who aren't satisfied with their appearance, he decided to do something about it.
"I had heard about [laser hair removal] so I figured I'd try it out," he said. "A few guys at work were talking about getting it done. It seemed pretty safe and everything I'd heard about it was pretty positive."
So after doing some research, Devlin scheduled a meeting with Dr. Jennifer Bonnett, a Woodstock physician, who has been doing laser hair removal for a year and a half. So far, Devlin has had four treatments and he's happy with the results.
"I've noticed a big difference," he said, noting he has one treatment to go.
Devlin is one of the many people who have tried laser hair removal to get rid of unwanted hair. In fact, it's estimated that 1.4 million Americans underwent the procedure in 2004 and that's up 53 per cent from 2003.
Even in Woodstock, the demand for the procedure has been growing.
"I think it's been pretty popular for our population here," said Bonnett, who estimated she sees about 40 (mostly female) clients a month.
Men are most concerned about the hair on their back and beard while women are troubled by hair on their bikini line, underarms and chin. Laser hair removal works by disabling the hair follicles.
During a treatment, the hair follicles absorb the light from the laser. This vaporizes the pigment and stops the follicle from making new hair. But because hair grows in cycles and not all hair follicles are active at the same time, clients usually have to come back for four to eight treatments, depending on the area being treated.
At upwards of $100 a treatment, that can get pretty expensive. So why is it so popular? Three reasons: it's quick, it's relatively painless and it's permanent. On a small area like the underarm or upper lip, a treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes and to ease the pain, you can apply a numbing cream beforehand.
Lia Kittmer, a 29-year-old hospital worker from Woodstock, compared the sensation to having an elastic band snapped against your skin.
"Some spots are more sensitive than others but it's way less painful than waxing," said Kittmer, who had her bikini line done.
The main draw, however, is that it's permanent. That being said, don't expect to never shave again.
Every once in a while you might have to touch up an area with a razor because even after several treatments, not all the follicles will be zapped during their active phase.
"You can get up to a 90 per cent reduction, but no laser can get more than 90 per cent at this point," Bonnett said.
Clearly, with the number of people going under the light, 90 per cent is good enough for most people. But before you head to your local salon or doctor's office, there are a few things to consider.
First, laser hair removal doesn't work on everyone. People who have blond or gray hair are poor candidates because there's not enough pigment in the follicles to absorb the laser's light. Also, people with dark skin need to be treated with a different type of laser.
And just like any cosmetic procedure, there are risks.
"Some people could get some colour changes to the skin. Your skin could be slightly red afterwards for a couple of hours as if it's been sunburned. You could also get a blister or a scar but that's extremely rare," Bonnett said.
It's also important to note that laser hair removal makes skin much more susceptible to sunburn. While undergoing treatment, wear sunscreen and stay covered.
To minimize your risk, do your homework. Make sure the technician or physician operating the laser knows what they're doing. You don't have to be a doctor to do laser hair removal because, as Brendalee Engelhardt of Eden Esthetics and Day Spa in Simcoe explained, laser hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, not a medical one. That's why laser technicians go through the same training as a doctor.
"The companies that make the lasers give courses on the lasers they sell so you learn (to operate) that specific laser," said Sandra Shank-Verbruggen, owner of Details Body Clinic in Woodstock.
The only difference between going to a doctor and a technician for treatment is that lasers doctors use can be a bit stronger and calibrated for other medical procedures.
"My laser is not that strong," explained Shank-Verbruggen. "So the client might need a couple of extra treatments." Overall, it's important to choose someone you feel comfortable with and trust.
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Gel Nails Versus Acrylic Nails©
Woodstock Sentinel Review May 21, 2005 by Keri Schram
Gel nails vs. acrilic nails: which is the better buy?
Well, first of all, what's the difference? "The difference between gel and acrylic is that gel (is cured by a) UV light and acrylic is done with a powder and liquid that gets painted on the nail," says Laura Barber, manager of Tabu Spa in Delhi.
So which one's better? Generally, gel nails are considered the better buy.
Sandra Shank-Verbruggen, owner of Details Body Clinic on Light Street in Woodstock, always recommends gel nails over acrylic ones. In fact, her salon no longer offers clients the acrylic option because she feels he gel product is so superior. "There are no harmful fumes and it doesn't smell... Gel nails look and feel more like natural nails do," she says.
There is also less of a chance that a fungal infection will occur with gel nails because they stick to the natural nail better without a lot of filing. And "they absorb impact better and bend like a natural nail," she says. This is important because fungal infections occur when the corner of a fake nail lifts and water gets trapped underneath. "We've never seen a case of fungus with gels," says Shank-Verbruggen. There's also no chance of a reaction from MMA because gel nails don't use that type of adhesive.
So why would anyone choose acrylic? Well, gel nails are usually more pricey (up to $20.00 more) and take more skill to apply, while acrylic nails are thicker and tougher. "Acrylic has always been number one but now gel is taking over. Gel nails have a more sleek and natural look and they are better for your nails," Barber says.
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Fake Nails Look Great, But Are They Safe?
Woodstock Sentinel Review May 21, 2005 by Keri Schram
With spring proms and summer weddings coming up, many women will be heading to the salon to get stylish fake nails applied over top of their short, natural ones.
Fake nails, which are commonly made of sculpted acrylic or a UV light-cured gel, have been extremely popular in the last ew years, as spa treatments become a more mainstream indulgence.
"It's always been popular but now it's more popular than ever," says Laura Barber, manager of Tabu Spa in Delhi. Barber notes that it's even becoming common to get nails applied to the toes as well.
Both gel and acrylic nails, topped with fancy nail art or simply left in a plain French manicure style, can look fabulous and last for two to three weeks without needing to be filled or repaired.
But getting your nails done doesn't always lead to beautiful results.
"An unclean salon poses a great deal of danger for infection due to the improper cleansing of tools and files," Barber says,
Fancine Paquette, a public health inspector from the Oxford County Board of Health agrees.
"There is a risk of infection when you are poking and prodding around the nail bed like that," she says.
Fungal, viral or bacterial infections and even serious blood-borne illnesses such as AIDS or Hepatitis can be transmitted at unclean salons. In fact, after a spate of fungal and bacterial outbreaks in the United States, a 20/20 investigation revealed that not only were many salons not sanitizing their tools properly, but also they were still using products that the FDA claimed had potentially dangerous ingredients.
A cheap adhesive called methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been responsible for allergic reactions, nail disfigurement and nail discolouration in many clients. And even though the FDA ruled (as far back as 1974) that salons stop using MMA based products, discount salons continued using them so they could charge lower, more competitive prices.
Although the board of health regularly inspects salons in Ontario, it's up to the buyer to beware.
So, how do you tell if the salon you're visiting is safe? Here's what you should look for.
1. General Cleanliness: Before you get your nails done, visit the salon to get an overall impression of its staff and facilities. Ask if it's been inspected by the board of health and check to see that the manicurist is licensed to do nails. The manicurist should wash his or her hands (or wear gloves) and ask you to wash your hands before treatment.
2. Sterile or disposable instruments: All instruments should either be disposable or be sterilized in a barbicide type solution. Be sure that you see this being done. Also, nail files should never be used on more than one customer. This includes electric files. If you ever have any doubt about the cleanliness of the instruments at a salon, ask about their procedures, choose a different salon, or bring your own set of tools from home.
3. Ask Questions: The Staff should be knowledgeable about the products they are using so feel free to ask if they contain chemicals like MMA. The safer alternative to MMA is called ethyl methacrylate or EMA. Although not everyone has a reaction to MMA, it's still a good idea to avoid it. Be wary if the prices at one salon seem way lower than another and take note if a product has a strong, bitter chemical smell that makes your eyes water.
4. Get Answers: "One of the most important things a personal care provider can do is provide the customer with information," says Paquette. A good salon will let a customer know what signs and symptoms signal infection (such as redness, discomfort or green spots) and encourage you to come back if you have concerns.
Avoiding Nail Damage
Even though many reputable salons use products that are considered safe, there's still the chance that getting fake nails applied will damage your natural nails. "You will damage your own nail if you try to take them off yourself," says Barber. "That means no picking, pulling, biting or chewing."
Instead, return to the salon so the nails can be removed professionally. If you get your nails done often, it's also a good idea to give your real nails a break once in a while.
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