Christmas Gifts for your loved ones

Yes it is time to do this again! Not knowing what to get for the special people in your life?

Here is some ideas that may help with this mammoth task that does not get easier as the years pass.

Absolutely Gorgeous Beatique Gift Vouchers

All of these products are available in our on-line shop at:
http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za/

Please click on the images, the link will take you through to the on-line shop

Vitaderm Energising Body Wash and Mesh Sponge 
Buy yours now R110.
This invigorating shower gel contains extracts of lemon, sandalwood mint and lemongrass. The fresh aroma of this fragrant gel was will put the spring back into your step!

Vitaderm Energising Body Wash and Mesh Sponge 

TheraVine™ Men Facial Care Combo. Only R 536, you save R292!
For the man in your life, buy the Men Active Daily Face Wash and Active Daily Spritz and receive an Energising Exfoliating

TheraVine™ Men Facial Care Combo

TheraVine™ Nail Care Kit R314
Purchase all three of the TheraVine™ Nail Care Products and receive 25% off,  you save R105!

The 7 in 1 Miracle Elixir is a complete conditioning program highly enriched in actives for stronger, smoother, shinier and healthier nails. What truly makes this a multi-purpose miracle nail treatment system and a prodigy in its field is that it is packed with a highly conditioning keratin-like peptide that provides targeted repair to the most damaged areas in your nail and in doing so adds to the natural keratin found in your nails, reinforcing them to prevent breakage.

A nourishing, cuticle treatment oil, used to maintain the suppleness of the cuticles as well as to minimize cracking and peeling of dry and brittle cuticles. Provides a well-groomed contour to the nails.

A fast acting cuticle remover that gently loosens and melts away overgrown cuticles. For best results, follow with TheraVine™’s Cuticle Treatment Oil.

TheraVine™ 3-in1 Nail Care Kit

TheraVine™ Pro-Youth Starter Kit. R384, you save R172!
For The Younger Ones. Help you children to start a skin care routine that will take care of all that unwanted breakouts and  to help them keep it that way. Purchase a Gentle Foaming Wash and Balancing Mist and receive the Exfolaiting Skin Glow FREE!

TheraVine™ Pro-Youth Facial Care Range

Vitaderm Introductory Kits for only R400, you save R80!
There is an Introductory Kit for every Skin Type available. Use it for yourself as a Travel Kit or buy it for someone else as a perfect gift!

Vitaderm Introductory Kits

Why we need to exercise for the rest of our lives.

Fitness is defined as good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition. Before the industrial revolution, it was also be describes as our ability to carry out daily tasks and routine physical activities without undue fatigue.

Meditate at least 10 minutes per day!

However, with changes to our modern lifestyle and automation, fitness is now considered a measure of the body’s ability to function at optimum levels for work and leisure; to be healthy and to be able to recuperate after illness. There is a general consensus that everyone will benefit from activity as it promotes good mental and physical health.

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults should exercise at least 150 minutes (2 hours/30min) a week of moderate intensity of 75 minutes (1hour/15min) of vigorous intensity.
The WHO says that a healthy lifestyle is extreme important to improve cardio,respiratory and muscular fitness, bone health and to reduce the risk of disease and depression

What is a healthy lifestyle?
There are different components to a healthy lifestyle. You need to look at the following;

• Regular exercise
If you exercise on a regular basis, not only will your body strengthen and be more resilient to illness, it will also help to decrease your stress levels.

• Balanced diet
This is such an important part of being healthy that I cannot emphasise this enough! Get rid of your bad eating habits and see your body and mind will flourish.

Change your eating habits for long terms benefits

• Manage your external stressors
It is so important to learn how to manage your daily stress. Conditions such as obesity, insomnia and various diseases can be directly linked to our ability to manage stress. Try meditation to help with you stress overload, it really helps!

• At least 7-8 hours of sleep
• This is vitally important! Your body cannot recover and heal itself if you do not get enough rest. Less than 6½ hours of sleep, will affect your hormones and will lead to more health issues.

Sleep is a good thing!

To increase and/or maintain your physical fitness you should look at a combination of strength, cardio exercises and flexibility exercises.

Strength training is a type of physical exercise specializing in the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction which builds the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. It includes gym circuit training, gymnastics, resistance training and martial arts.

Cardio or cardiovascular exercises are  any exercise which involves working your large muscle groups and raising your heart rate for an extended period of time example  running, swimming and cycling. The purposes of this exercises is to improve your heart’s and lungs’ capacity, to make it stronger so that it can work more efficiently.

You do not have to join a gym to get your body moving.

Flexibility training includes stretching exercises for the purpose of increasing one's range of motion. Look at yoga, foam rolling and any other stretching exercises.

Try to exercise at least 3 times a week and slowly build up your time as you grow stronger. Strength training includes gym circuit training, gymnastics, resistance training and martial arts. Cardio,  and look to yoga and stretching exercise for flexibility.

What are the risks of not maintaining our physical fitness?

• Future weight problems
The top 3 killer-diseases in our modern society are heart disease, strokes and chronic lung diseases.  However, for the first time in history, in 2015, more people died from obesity related diseases then those that died from starvation related diseases. Between 1980 – 2000 obesity rates in the USA Doubled This is very concerning and highlight the problem with our obsession with fast foods and unhealthy food.

Yoga is ideal to maintain posture and relieve stress.

• Postural and back problems
Lack of exercise can contribute to our society’s growing number of people who complain about lower back pain and. It is important to be aware of your posture during the long hours in front of your computer. Get up and stretch your body often during your working day and stand and walk tall!


• Reduced mobility and flexibility as we grow older
Our joints lose their flexibility and an exercise routine which includes all the different exercise groups will help to keep you mobile until well into your golden years.

• Health problems
It has been shown over and over, that a strong and mobile body will be much healthier and will be able to fight of diseases.

• Lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases are a ‘modern man” problem as this is directly linked to our lifestyles; too little exercise, bad diet, drug and alcohol consumption, smoking and our social habits of sitting in front of the Television or computer. It is also known as Non-Communicable Diseases. A non-communicable disease is a medical condition or disease that is not caused by infectious agents. Diseases that impact on our lifestyle are heart disease, stroke, obesity and type II diabetes

Life is too short not to make the most of it!

With the advances in nutrition and medical treatments, modern man will far out-live all his ancestors. So, if you do not want to spend your later years sickly and maybe in a wheel chair,you should strive to keep your body in perfect condition to enjoy your life full-on.

Product review: TheraVine™ Face Muscle Relaxant Ampoules

AGB Salon reviews are written by a trained beautician with first-hand experience with the product as well as interactive feed-back from clients for more than 13 years.

http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za/beauty-products/theravine/theravine-face-relaxant-ampoules-forsale.html

Presentation: 60 ampoules

Product description:
This age-defying, satiny smooth serum contained in an ampoule targets the formation of lines and wrinkles caused by skin folding due to the contraction of facial muscles as well as natural ageing. It contains a clinically proven active, Argireline®, which has shown to reduce the skin depth of wrinkles by up to 50% within 30 days. It is a milder and safer atlernative to Botox.

How to use: Cut the tip of the ampoule and squeeze the contents into your hand. Gently massage into the forehead and expression lines around the eye and mouth.

Active ingredients

Argireline®-Acetyl Hexapeptide-3:  It reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by the contraction of the muscles of the facial expression up to 50% in 30 days

General comment/s: These ampoules have a “ready-to-use” dosage contain within, so it is easy to use without any waste.

Evaluation Keys:                 

Product effectiveness         = Does it do what it says

Value for money                 = Good value compared to similar products

Advanced Ingredients        = Modern technologically advanced ingredients

Skin Effect                         = How does it feel

Absorption                        = Does it absorb into the skin

AGB Salon Review

Product effectiveness:      95%

Value for money:              90%

Advanced Ingredients:      95%

Skin Effect:                       90%

Absorption:                      95                          

Overall rating:                   93%

Best used with: TheraVine™ Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream and TheraVine™ Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

Please contact gerda at; gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or 082 398 9817 for more information

The role of Vitamin A in skin care formulations

The role of Vitamin A in skin care formulations

Retinol capsules

Cosmetic chemistry is a very wide field and it takes many years of study to become an expert in the field.  However, with modern technology and the internet, these formulations are readily available to everyone.

I am not suggesting that all of us should make our own cosmetics!  It is just much easier nowadays to get hold of the information that is out there, for us to make informed decisions about which products to buy.

Laboratory equipment

In this series of articles, I will try to explain how the most innovative and the dependable work-horses of the beauty industry work, and what the benefits are to our skin. I am not going to give Cosmetic Chemistry lessons and bore you all to death, but will be as clear and concise as possible. 

Vitamins as active ingredients in cosmetic chemistry:

Vitamins are nutrients that are essential to all life.  They are fundamental building blocks for our bodies and perform many functions. These articles will deal with vitamins as active ingredients in cosmetic formulations and not as nutritional actives.

These days vitamins in cosmetics are nothing new, but up until the mid 1990’s very few vitamins were used in cosmetics. It was very difficult to stabilize and to maintain the active action of the vitamins in cosmetic formulations. With the progress made with new formulation techniques and discoveries as to exactly how vitamins function in our bodies, it is now much easier to use these ingredients effectively and safely.

Vitamin A in its many forms…

Beta-carotene or pro Vitamin A

As an anti-oxidant, beta-carotene is very stable and will almost always be combined with other anti-oxidants, such as Vitamin C.

Beta-carotene has inherent photo-protective properties, which makes it ideal to use in sun protection creams. Its ability to reduce redness during sun exposure, makes it a key ingredient in products to prevent and treat photo ageing as well as after-sun –exposure treatment.

Retinyl Palmitate

This Vitamin A ester account for around 80% of the total vitamin A found in the skin. The skin cells convert retinyl palmitate into retinoic acid which then sustains the DNA and cellular structures in our skin. Because of the skin’s ability to use this form of Vitamin A, this is the ingredient that is mostly used in topical application formulas.

Retinyl Acetate

This is a much gentler form of vitamin A. Like retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate is often used in cosmetic products because of its superior thermal stability over retinol.

Retinyl Palmitate and Retinyl  Asetate  are the two forms of Vitamin A that are most used in cosmetics and they provide the same benefits and results as the more “aggressive” versions of Vitamin A, such as tretinoin (retinoic acid).

Studies have shown that these two esters absorbs better into the cells and therefore produce better results.

Retinol-the alcohol form

Retinol is on the most usable forms of Vitamin A, but has a short shelf life.  It absorbs quickly into the skin from surface applications but changes into retinyl palmitate to enter the cells.

Pure retinol is extremely sensitive to oxidation and is prepared and transported at low temperatures and oxygen free atmosphere (the containers are filled with nitrogen). 

Vitamin A creams can be used by men and women.

Why do we need Vitamin A in our skin care?

Isotretinoin,  know as the trade names Accutane or Roaccutane, is used orally as a treatment for severe acne.
Retinol is used as a topical treatment for acne, pigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines and prevention of ageing in the skin.

Vitamin A creams can be used by men and women.

Use a SPF daily and try to avoid the sun!

A word of caution:
Products containing Vitamin A should only be used at night and washed off in the morning. One should always wear a sunscreen if you use Vit A.

Which products in the salon contain Vitamin A

Vitaderm Skin Perfection Capsules-Retinol 
This high performance product contains an extremely effective form of Retinol.  The fact that it is encapsulated in a liposomal formulation, increases penetration and decreases the sensitivity that is normally associated with this active form of vitamin A.

Within a week of starting to use Vitaderm Skin Perfection Capsules,your skin will develop a renewed suppleness, regardless of age or skin type.  Within 2-3 weeks of use, wrinkle depth will appear to be reduced, while there is a noticeable increase in skin radiance and elasticity.

Use only at night.  It is essential to use a sunscreen daily since Retinol can cause photo-sensitivity

Vitaderm Skin Perfection Capsules

Vitaderm Vitamin Night Cream-Retinyl Palmitate
This vitamin-enriched cream contains both vitamin A and vitamin E.
Apply after cleansing and toning at night only. Use only at night.  It is essential to use a sunscreen daily since Vitamin A can cause photo-sensitivity

Vitaderm Vitamin Night Cream

Please feel free to contact me at 082 398 9817 or gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za for more information.

Which Facial for my Skin Type?

This is a question many of my clients always struggle with. I offer quite a lot of  facials from 5 different product houses, so yes, it can be a bit confusing.

I tried to streamline the process and hopefully it will be easier to choose a treatment in future.

How to choose a facial:

What is my concern about my skin?
Is it oiliness, dryness, breakouts or is it in need of a deep cleanse?

What is my skin type?

Normal skin: This is the ideal skin type and you should thank you stars, your mother, father and their forbearers for gifting you with these genes. It is fine and even textured, firm, supple and has a good balance of moisture and oil secretions. The skin looks clear, without any impurities or blemishes and slightly warm to the touch. Pale skins will be pink in colour, and darker skins will have a mauve hue.

Dry skin: This skin type is caused by too little oil secreted by the skin. It has a very fine texture with no visible pores and may have a thin, almost transparent look. It will often feel tight and slightly hot and is prone to early, very fine lines and expression wrinkles. It is often sensitive to cold and wind, air conditioning and needs lots and lost of moisture/ oil combination creams.


Oily Skin: This skin type is caused by too much oil secreted by the skin. The skin texture may look shiny and uneven, having large pores with black heads (comedones) or even pastules (inflamed spots). It is difficult too keep clean but also very important not to over clean and dry out the skin. The good news is that oily skin tends to age slower because the sebum (oil) naturally prevents water loss.

Combination skin: This type of skin has both oily and dry patches. The oily part usually forms a “T” zone across the forehead and down the nose and chin. There may be enlarged pores over the oily part but the rest of the face and neck will be dry or normal.

Mature skin: This, to me is not a skin type but a skin condition as we were not born with mature skin but this (as we all surely know) develops slowly over time as we grow older. I will
describe the ageing process in another blog post.

Sensitive/ allergic skin: There is still a bit of debate going an about the difference between these two. However, I have always been able to contribute this problem to the use of incorrect products and it always disappears when the client uses the correct home-care products! It is usually dry with fine pores and may have red patches over the cheeks and nose. It may react to heat, cold, pressure, irritation or nervous conditions. It often responds to an allergic stimulus.

What is my budget?
There is always a facial for every budget. It may not always be the best facial available but it will address all your concerns and leave your skin comfortable and soft.

Which product range should I choose from?
If you are already using one of the product house's home care products, say Vitaderm, it is best to stay with that range and use one of the facials that they offer.

If you are not using any of the product houses that I stock and cannot decide on this,  please discuss it with me and I will find the best one available for your budget and concerns.

Please follow the links provided to help you choose a facial just for you:
Description of facials on offer

Please feel free to contact me at 082 398 9817 or gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za for more information.

Related article; http://agbeautysalon.blogspot.co.za/2016/09/different-skin-types-different.html

Everyday skin care routines for all ages

I received a number of requests to explain the everyday routines one should follow to help one on a path to easier skin care, with optimal results.

Care for your skin, you'll be glad you did.

There are such a huge variety of skin care products available, that it is very easy to get confused and discouraged to start a skin care routine.  This as a simple step-by-step routine that anyone can follow, no matter what your age, skin type or concern.

Assuming that you already have established what you skin type and skin concerns are, you need to ask your beautician to recommend the following products, suitable for you:

Basics: Cleanser, toner, day cream, night cream, sun screen and eye cream.

This is the basics that you will need. Yes, everyone needs and eye cream and a sun screen, no matter what your age. Please note that your day and night cream can be the same, it does not need to be two different creams, as long as it does not contain a sunscreen or products that you should not be wearing during the day, ex Vitamin A.

Optional extras: Make-up remover, exfoliator, face mask, serums and oils.

If you are just starting a home-care routine, you may not want, or be financially in a position, to buy everything that is in the salon for your skin type immediately- these are nice to have, but it will not be a disaster if you cannot buy it as well.

 If you can afford it, regular visits, once every 4-6 weeks, to your beautician, will be awesome for your skin, and use the best products that you can afford.

Basic routines that everyone can follow:

Morning routine:

Cleaner, toner eye cream, day cream, sunscreen.

Evening routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, night cream.

Once a week: Clean , exfoliate, mask, tone, eye cream, day or night cream-depending on what time you do this.

Teens to Thirties

This is the stage of your life where you want to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Whether you have normal, oily/acne or a combination skin, you can keep your routine simple.

Daily Skin Care Routine For Teens to 28/30 Years of age

 Thirties to Forties years of age

This is the time to start with an anti-aging routine. Yes, anti-aging! It is not too soon as we all are exposed on a daily basis to environmental aggressors that create havoc with our skins.

Most good skin ranges will have products that are formulated to be used as an early prevention against ageing. You do not need to use all the anti-ageing products, but it is a good idea to change your eye cream and night cream to an anti-aging range. You can now also look at a hydrating serum or oil to add to you products, as it is then very easy to customize your routine a bit more. Add  the serum and oil in the morning and/or night, depending on how dry your skin are in either of those times.

How to incorporate your serum or oil into your routine:

Morning routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, serum or oil, day cream, sunscreen.

Evening routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, serum or oil, night cream.

Once a week: Clean , exfoliate, mask, tone, eye cream, serum or oil, day or night cream-depending on what time you do this.

Daily Skin Care Routine For Thirties to Forties

Forties and upwards

At this stage on our life, our skin texture and oil/water ratio changes and all of a sudden your normal skin products are not just doing the job anymore.

It is now time to ask your beautician to re-evaluate your skin concerns and your product range.  You will most likely have to start using a richer day and night cream and please change all of your skin products over to the anti-ageing range.

You will have to start looking at products with ingredients such as Vitamin A (retinols), collagen synthesis stimulating ingredients, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, etc that have powerful anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle properties.

You can also incorporate an exfoliator that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids in your weekly routine.  It will stimulate cell-turnover, which can slow down as we age.

Please contact Gerda at; gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or 082 398 9817 for more inforation or to book an apppointment for a free-of-charge skin consultation 

Absolutely Gorgeous Beautique Product Review: Vitaderm Pre-Cleanse

AGB Salon reviews are written by a trained beautician with first-hand experience with the product as well as interactive feed-back from clients for more than 13 years.

Presentation: 150ml bottle with pump

Product description:
Pre-cleanse is a completely water-soluble oil-gel suitable for all skin types.  It can be used as a make-up remover prior to normal cleansing or it can take the place of one’s cleanser. For oily and acne skin, it is best to use a gel cleanser afterwards to cleanse the skin.

Pre-cleanse is popular with men as a shaving product.

How to use:
To remove waterproof eye make-up; apply a small amount sparingly to a slightly damp cotton wool pad and wipe eye lids gently from the outside to the inside, repeat with clean, damp cotton wool. Caution-do not let the product get into the eyes.

Clean your skin gently

As a cleanser; apply one pump to the face , do not add water.  Use gentle circular movements all over the skin, then dampen the fingertips with tepid water, emulsify the Pre-Cleanse and massage it into the skin.  As soon as the water is added, the oil-gel will turn milky.  Continue to add water until the skin is clean. Rinse off with tepid water and pat dry. Follow with appropriate toner or use the normal cleanser as a secondary cleanse
.
General comment/s: Keep this away from steam and do not use it in the shower! It will turn milky before you had a change to work it in.

Evaluation Keys:
Product effectiveness = Does it do what it says
Value for money = Good value compared to similar products
Advanced Ingredients = Modern technologically advanced ingredients
Skin Effect         = How does it feel

AGB Salon Review
Product effectiveness:       95%
Value for money:    80%
Advanced Ingredients: 88%
Skin Effect:         90%
Overall rating:         86.25%

Active ingredients:
Lecithin-emulsifier
Vitamin E (Tocopheryl acetate)-Prevents oxidative rancidity

Best used with:  Vitaderm Gentle Eye Make-up Remover

Please contact gerda at; gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or 082 398 9817 for more information

Which cleanser for my skin type?

Choosing your cleanser with care is very important, as this will lay the foundation of how well your skin will respond to the rest of you beauty routine. Please note that a cleanser should do exactly that and no more!

Clean your skin everyday

A too oily/greasy cleanser can leave you skin with clogged pores and leave a film of product behind that will stay on the skin, which will then prevent the skin from absorbing the rest of the products. A cleanser that dries out the skin too much will result in the skin feeling dry, tight and uncomfortable. It may also cause flaking skin that may be difficult to correct without using a multitude of products.

If you do a little homework before you buy a cleanser, you may find it is actually very easy to get it right. First, establish what your skin type is. Please read our Facial Skin Types article to help with this. Your current skin conditions will also play a role in which cleanser will work best for you.

Well cared for skin

There are three types of cleansers available that will fit into one of the following categories:

Water soluble cleansers:
-described as Cleansing Milk, Creamy Milk, Mousse Cleanser, Lotion Cleanser or Liquid Cleanser.
This is a cleanser that you can remove with a couple of splashes of water. It should wash you make-up off leaving the skin comfortable and fresh looking and should not contain any irritants, i.e. abrasives and harsh chemicals. These cleansers are the best option if you have a normal to combination skin and if you prefer water on your skin, but do not wish to use a soapy cleanser.

Lavender flowers

Ingredients to look for in this type of cleanser: 
Lavender Essential Oil-soothing and calming
Sweet Orange Essential Oil-balancing

Salon products that I can recommend:
Vitaderm : Mild Gel Cleanser
TheraVine ™: Cream Cleanser
Vitaderm: Pre-Cleanse- an excellent product that can be use prior to normal cleansing, or it can take the place thereof.


Wipe-Off Cleansers:
-described as Cold Cream, Cleansing Cream or Cleansing Milk.
These have a thicker consistency than the milk and can be removed by wiping it off. This is a very good choice for dry and dehydrated skins but make sure to use either damp cotton wool or a very soft wash cloth to remove it. Feel free to wash it away with water, this type of cleanser will not leave your skin feeling dry at all.

Grape seed oil

Ingredients to look for in this type of cleanser: 
Avocado Extract-excellent for softening or soothing the skin.
Grape Seed Extract-anti-oxidant, anti-aging


Salon products that I can recommend:
Vitaderm: Gentle Cream Cleanser, Nourishing Cream Cleanser
Vitaderm: Pre-Cleanse- an excellent product that can be use prior to normal cleansing, or it can take the place thereof.

Soaps: 
This comes in a variety of forms and strengths. It can be a bar of soap, a mousse, a gel or a liquid soap that either foams or not. This can be very useful for acne and oily skins however, please be very careful when you use these types of cleansers as they often contain sodium lauryl sulphate which can be very harsh on your skin. Look out for cleanser that contain natural “soapy” ingredients like for example soapwort, which can be found in Vitaderm Mild Gel Cleanser.

Soapwort

Ingredients to look for in this type of cleanser: 
Soap Wort Extract-Natural foam booster
Decyl Glucoside-Gentle and safe foaming cleanser

Salon products that I can recommend:
Vitaderm: Purifying Gel Cleanser
TheraVine: Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Vitaderm: Pre-Cleanse- an excellent product that can be use prior to normal cleansing, or it can take the place thereof.

Chamomile Oil

Make-up Remover: 
This is a product formulated specifically for the eye area and can either be a liquid or a thicker, milky lotion. If you use water proof mascara make sure that the one you choose can cope with this very difficult-to-remove make-up product. Be very, very gentle when cleansing the eye area as it is very easy to stretch the skin. If you cannot be gentle please rather use a water-soluble cleanser that can wash it away!

Ingredients to look for in this type of cleanser: 
Calendula and Chamomile Essential Oil

Salon products that I can recommend:
Vitaderm: Gentle Eye Make-up Remover
TheraVine™ Ultimate Eye Make-Up Remover
Vitaderm: Pre-Cleanse- an excellent product that can be use prior to normal cleansing, or it can take the place thereof.

Soaps in all colours

Double/Triple Duty Products
Do not use a cleanser on a daily basis that contains grainy particles, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids or any anti-bacterial ingredients.

There are absolutely nothing wrong with these ingredients and in the proper product they will do wonders for your skin. However, using it on a daily basis will be a waste of a good ingredient as you will just wash it off and they will not do your skin any good that way! Using a granular cleanser daily will strip away far too much natural oils and will over-exfoliate your skin.

Please read our articles “The importance of cleansing your skin” and “Toners, etc.” to further help you to correctly treat your skin.

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 for an appointment or if you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @Agbeautysalon

Why more than one Lipogon treatment?

Lipogon/Nu-Contour (lipolysis) Frequenty Asked Questions:

1. Can I use Lipogon just once and see results or should I come back for a second treatment?

Simply put; a minimum of 3 treatments are needed for optimum results with our Lipolysis injections. One treatment will yield results but not as prominently as a second or a third would be.

Lipogon Slimming Results before-and-after

2. What is happening in the body after injections?

Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) is a compound that naturally occurs in your body as a membrane layer, i.e it covers the fat cells found in your body's fat reserves. When you inject PPC into those fat reserves your body uses the liquid and adds it to the membrane, this then causes your body to want more water outside the fat cell because the chemicals on the outside are more concentrated than these on the inside; so it pushes the content of the fat cells out of the PPC membrane (around the fat cell) through diffusion, into your interstitial fluid on the outside of the cell (this causes the perforation in the cell membrane) . This liquid is now in equal proportions in the cell. Now your body needs to move, so your body uses the energy of that cell for fuel, and the content of your fat reserve gets drained into your lymphatic system (finite amounts into your circulatory systems, intestinal systems as well as your muscle nervous system {these systems mainly use the energy from food you eat, the extras get stored in the fat cells and get used when you're starving, so it mainly drains into the lymphatic system when movement occurs}) hereafter it gets secreted out of the body. This is also why its so important to get some exercise so you can stimulate your lymphatic system, this fluid will then drain out of the body quicker and more effectively.

At Macno, they have added their special blend of cellulite cocktail to speed up this process of draining out of the reserves; the cocktail contains organic silica which causes slight inflammation (the itching feeling one gets after an injection) which speeds up the drainage through the correct channels and increases that areas' collagen production (tightens the skin while it's at it). Now the PPC and the cellulite cocktail move together to the lymphatic system and get secreted out of the body; that fat cell is now drained and has been secreted out, this process takes approximately 2 weeks to be completed. This is why the first month is the hardest, the body doesn't recognize the substance immediately, so it has to create all these pathways from scratch, but once they're created, they're there.

Lipogon Slender Form Smoothie

The second month of treatment is a recognition phase: The second month is crucial because the fat reserve that was injected in the first month now has the pathways created to drain effectively. In the second month, your body recognizes the substance, leads it to the cell membrane and drains it out through the lymphatic system. Because the pathways were created in the first month, the second month your lymphatic systems drains the excess fluid out in a week or less, depending on how blocked the lymphatic system is at that point. The  tincture drops increase the flow of the lymphatic system and help speed up this process. The recognition phase is the most important phase because your body has now gained the pathways and speedily flushes the system of that excess fat deposit, and here is where you have your first glimpse of what's to come by using Lipogon.

The third month of treatment is a maintenance phase: To ensure that the body doesn't close it's pathways and store the fat back into those reserves, a third month is essential. With the third month of treatments your body uses these pathways to cement the road taken by our PPC and cocktail to maximize effectiveness, i.e whenever the body comes into contact with these compounds again ,in that specific area, it will recognize it and send it through the lymphatic system and out of the body again. After this phase is completed, a decision can be made if you're happy with the results or if you would like to carry on with a fourth or fifth treatment, where each additional treatment yields better results.

Note: if a different area is targeted (for example the stomach was injected with the first treatments, and now the thighs want to be looked at) then the process starts at the introduction phase again. The filtration and secretion of the fluid in the lymphatic system will be much quicker, since the body has come into contact with Lipogon before, but the introduction phase will repeat in the newly looked at area.

Lipogon TrimFX-Increased Fat Burning

3. WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS (if any)? 
Since it is a non-invasive procedure, patients can return to work immediately after the treatment, although there following recommendations:

• Avoid hot showers and baths should best be avoided for eight hours after treatment. 
• Refrain from excessive exercising and massages for the first week after treatment. 
• It is a relatively painless procedure although patients may experience discomfort from the initial injection pricks. 
• Light swelling, redness and a burning sensation may be experienced at the targeted areas for one to four days. 
• Light bruises will disappear within a week. 
• In rare cases, some hardening may occur (deep haematomas, bruises), but these disappear by themselves after 2-6 weeks.

Altogether, the therapy can be regarded as low in side-effects. If a person has a low pain threshold it is recommended that the patient takes a light pain killer after the treatment. 

For more information please read more here or phone Gerda on 0823989817


Thanks to Macno Cosmetic Solutions for the information supplied above.

Healing Rose Glow Facial Treatment R260/45min. Come and spoil yourself and rejuvenate body and soul! You’ll be so glad you did!

Experience the healing powers of Rose Quartz and Rosewood Essential Oil…..

Healing Rose Glow Facial

In conjunction with the restoring and wonderful aroma of the rose scented oil, the treatment also includes a crystal massage specially designed for this facial. Suitable for all skin types and conditions.

Rose Quartz is used to balance the emotions, bring peace and calm, release stress and easing feelings of anxiety.  All these emotions carry the energies for forgiveness, tolerance, compassion and enabling us to see the good in both ourselves and others.

Rosewood essential oil rejuvenates the skin and keeps it looking youthful and glowing. It is wonderful for the treatment of acne and it stimulates the skin cells to regenerate. Rosewood will also help to restore the skin’s elasticity, thus promoting a smooth and wrinkle free skin.

The overall soothing pink colour also reflects our femininity, softness and youthfulness.

Optional extra: Buy your own Quartz Facial Skin Treatment Kit for only R25
#beautyblog
#absolutelygorgeous


Reference: Spirit, All Natural. "Tag: Science of crystal healing."

Ozone therapy in skin care- Vitaderm Lipid Complex with Activated Oxygen

Ozone is one of the most exciting ingredients to appear on the health and skin care horizon in decades.

Selection of oils

What is zone?
In the presence of ultra-violet light, oxygen (O2) is converted to activated oxygen (O3), which is commonly known as ozone. Medical grade ozone is produced by passing pure oxygen trough ultra-violet light.

Properties of Ozone.
Ozone has incredible anti-bacterial and healing properties. There is aa dramatic increase in the use of ozone world-wide. In Europe it is used to sterilize hospital theaters and air-conditioning and in other industries it is used to sterilize food preparation areas.

Recently a technique has been developed whereby ozone may be applied topically. This process allows for Ozone to be infused into naturally derived, organically grown plant oils, at high concentrations under a controlled environment until it slowly begins to solidify.  Doing this effectively captures and preserves the ozone, increasing its lifespan. There is no need to use chemicals, preservatives, or stabilizers. The oil becomes a gel or cream, making it easy to apply to the skin for a variety of conditions with no known side effects.

Good news; Ozonated oils don’t lead to the problem of micro-biological resistance — as do antibiotics. So it is safer to use these oils than antibiotics for acne and skin infections!

Ozone oils moisturise the skin and improve the appearance of blemishes, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles

According to research, these oils have amazing effects:

• Stimulation of growth for skin cells
• Acts as a free radical scavenger on harmful toxins
• Cellulite Reduction
• Wrinkles reduction
• Soothes and heals burns, wounds, cuts, ulcers, insect bites and stings
• Cleans and sterilizes the epidermis
• Reduces swelling and redness
• Calms the nerves and reduces the amount of pain in skin conditions
• May increase cellular function and cellular memory
• Reduces scarring
• Sore muscles (helps to remove lactic acid from pores)
• Dermatitis
• Diaper Rash

Vitaderm Lipid Complex with Activated Oxygen. 50ml R 376. 

Vitaderm Lipid Comples with Ozone

On special promotion until end of June 2017, only R 320 !

This treatment product is a natural blend of plant based oils that has been infused with ozone.  The addition of sandal wood and chamomile extracts makes this a light textured complex suitable for all skin types, including oily/acne prone complexions. It actively oxygenates the skin, improving colour and tone of the skin.

Please contact me if you have any queries at gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or Cell 0823989817


#absolutelygorgeous
#beautifulskin

Exfoliations and Gentle Peeling Products for home use

Absolutely Gorgeous Women

As a child I read about Cleopatra’s milk baths and Marie Antoinette’s red wine baths. I found it extremely peculiar, but it was only during my time at Beauty College that I realised they were not mad after all! They were probably the pioneers for fruit acids treatments.

We get lactic acid from milk and tartaric acid from red wine, so their baths had a wonderful exfoliation effect and I’m sure they were as smooth as butter afterwards.


Before I get carried away about their ingenuity, let me get back to basics.

Basics on skin cells
Our skin has five different layers and each layer has a specific purpose and lifetime. New skin cells are created in the lower or first skin layer and thereafter all the cells move upwards through the different layers while changing shape and eventually die and fall off.  This whole process is called desquamation.

The cell-life from birth to death usually takes 28-32 days.  As we grow older, this process slows down and it can then take up to about 45 days.  As the dead skin cells take longer and longer to shed, the skin starts to look dull and lifeless.  This is then when a good exfoliating product is a lifesaver.

Loofah to use on body

What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells on the outermost surface of the skin, without causing trauma.

Until about 15 years ago the most popular exfoliating products on the market were granular-based. These granules were usually obtained from apricot pips or walnut shells, which were finely ground and then added to a cream or gel base.

The formulators for the beauty products then started to use different kinds of plastic micro-beads as well as finer granules obtained from various plant-based materials.

However, these micro-beads were found to be extremely harmful to marine life, and will be banned in the UK and US during 2017 as per this article
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/02/uk-government-to-ban-microbeads-from-cosmetics-by-end-of-2017)

Due to newer technology, the latest offering from the beauty industry is fruit enzymes in gel and cream bases. These products are much gentler on the skin and my preferred products, with the exception of Wesson Therapeutics’ Micro Exfoliant, see comments below). The ingredients that are used in these formulations are for example, pineapple enzymes or bromelain, papaya enzymes or papain and tomato enzymes.  These enzymes only need gentle friction or heat to activate it so it is a good idea to use it while relaxing in the bath tub.

The granular formulations tend to be a bit harsh on the skin, especially in the hands of clients with oily/acne skin, as they tend to overdo the process a bit

What does it do?
A good exfoliator gently removes dead skin cells to reveal a smoother and more refined complexion. It should stimulate cellular activity while enhancing firmness, radiance and younger looking skin.

One should never exfoliate more than once a week in the case of oily/acne skins, and once every two weeks for all other skin types. This is probably not the advice that you have read, or heard all your life, but trust me, this is the way to go. If you exfoliate too much, you irritate the skin and overstimulate the oil glands in your skin and it then just produce more oil. You exfoliate again and the vicious cycle begins…….

Any exfoliating product should be removed with lots and lots of water.

Exfoliation for sensitive skins
Clients with sensitive/reactive skins usually are very wary of exfoliators. However, there are some product ranges specially formulated for sensitive skin like Wesson Therapeutics. I am in love with the Micro Exfoliant as it contains cactus saccharides (sugars). These granules are gentle on the skin and dissolve with the application of water and then wash away.


A Bit More Punch………..Fruit Acids please

Fruit Acid mask being applied

If your skin is still looking dull and lifeless, even if you are following a good skin care routine, it is time to look at the role that different fruit acids can play in getting that glowing, youthful looking skin.

Fruit acids are classified in two different categories; Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids.

Alpha Hydroxy acids (AHA’s) that are normally used in cosmetics and cosmeceutical products are glycolic acid (derived from sugarcane or grapes), lactic acid (derived from milk), malic acid (derived from apples or beries), citric acid(derived from citrus fruit or from fermented sugar solutions),  as well as a myriad combinations with other ingredients.

There is only one Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), namely salicylic acid and its related substances, esters and salts, salicylate, sodium salicylate.

All these fruit acids may be used alone or in combinations in beauty products, depending on what the formulation will be used for.

In fruit acid exfoliators these ingredients will act as follows:
• Decrease the cohesion between surface skin cells-dissolve the”glue” that hold the cells together.
• Increase superficial skin exfoliation
• Increase cell turnover (the skin cells will move quicker between the layers)
• Stimulate collagen production-exceptionally good for anti-ageing results.

A word of caution
Fruit acid exfoliators give better and quicker results as those mentioned earlier, but come with a couple of cautionary notes:
Please follow your beautician’s instructions on how to incorporate this into your daily skin care routine.
Please do not overuse as it can cause skin sensitivity.
Please do not use it if you skin is sun burnt or show any other sings of damage.
Please use a SPF 30+ everyday, no matter what the weather looks like.
Please stop using it if you experience any adverse effects

In spite of the caution, these are highly effective ingredients that will deliver on its promise.

Be gentle with your skin

The following exfoliators and home care fruit acids treatments are available from the Beautique:

Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream R 285/60ml

Active ingredients-Extracts of peppermint, lavender and sandalwood, apricot seed powder.
 This product is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. It stimulates circulation and revitalise the complexion.

Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream

Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator R295/60ml
Active ingredients-Papaya and pineapple enzymes, citrus fruit extract.
This product is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. It revitalise a dull complexion by gently and effectively remove dead skin cells, enhancing the skin’s radiance.

Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator

Vitaderm AHA Active Gel 465/50ml
Active ingredients- lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid.
This AHA Active gel is rich in fruit acids which work actively to smooth the skin’s surface and flush excess pigment. It restores radiance to all skin types and assists in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In the case of oily/acne-prone skin types, the gel encourages fewer breakouts by replenishing the acid mantle of the epidermis. By restoring the natural acidity, the skin is able to protect and heal itself more effectively.

Vitaderm AHA Ative Gel

Wesson Therapeutics Micro Exfoliant R 180/50ml
This product contains an ultra-fine grade of cactus sugar ( trehalose) to gently polish away dry epidermal cells. It is fragrance free and hypo allegenic.

Wesson Therapeutics Micro Exfoliant

Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy R890/50ml

Active ingredients-
A powerful one-step resurfacing cream that can be used every day. The continual renewing action of powerful poly0hydroxy acids, works 24 hours a day like a time-released peel, continually shedding the epidermal layer. Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy can be used to achieve instantly glowing skin with long term results on the appearance of wrinkles, freckles, age-spots and even acne scarring.

Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy

TheraVine™ Grapeseed Exfoliator R286/50ml
Active ingredients-Crushed Grape Seeds, Walnut shell beads, Neroli, Sweet orange
A gentle cream containing crushed Pinotage grape seeds, which sloughs off dead skin cells and makes skin look younger.

TheraVine™ Grapeseed Exfoliator

TheraVine™ Pinotage Exfoliating Enzyme R307/50ml
Active ingredients-Grape seed extract, pineapple and papaya extract, Sweet Orange.A highly effective deep cleansing serum based gel which effectively exfoliates the skin.

TheraVine™ Pinotage Exfoliating Enzyme

Please feel free to look at our website at AGBeautysalon for more information on these and other products.

Prices correct at time of publication, but may change without any notification.