Do you REALLY know whats in that product you saved money purchasing online??

We are all guilty for making those online purchases because we can get a great deal.  If we spend $XX we get either FREE shipping or a gift with purchase.  How can you resist???  

Well I am here to tell you WHY buying online isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Being an Esthetician, I trained & learned about the skin & how the skin works with certain products.  I also understand skin conditions & how certain products can make or break the desired results of your skin.  I understand that I can suggest a product to you & you can turn around & purchase it cheaper online.

Here are 5 reasons why you should take my advice and purchase through a trained professional...

#1 MOST PRODUCTS PURCHASED ON AMAZON OR EBAY ARE EXPIRED!!!!!!!! 

This is why products are sold so cheap!!!  You can be buying expired products, which means that the active ingredients are no longer effective.  Also bacteria can begin to grow because the preservatives begin to lose their effectiveness. 

Or worse yet, you're NOT getting the product that you actually bought, because it's been repackaged!

#2 HAVE YOU HEARD OF DUMPSTER DIVING??

Some people have even gone to extremes and sit outside of Sephora or Ulta or the malls waiting for expired, damaged or already opened & returned products to be tossed and they grab them and turn around & sell them online!

This is really scary, again because even if it's packaged as the product you're buying, it may not be that product!  If a product was damaged, they can replace it as something else.

#3 I WILL SAVE YOU MONEY OVER THE LONG-TERM: 

Here's a great example that I hear a lot in my spa..."I just bought this amazing serum because my friend told me her wrinkles are gone!".  Being a trained professional, I immediately begin to ask questions.  What kind of skin does your friend have?  Are her skin care concerns the same as yours? How does YOUR skin feel when you use it?

I see it constantly, most of us are using the wrong products that just don't work for our skin.  Most OTC product lines carry specific lines, such as anti-aging, acne, rosacea or treatment of dark spots.

By using a professional line and getting the help from a Licensed Esthetician, you will be using a product that works and you won't have to waste your money trying all these products that can dry you out, strip your skin of oil or even cause breakouts!

#4 YOU CAN TOUCH, SMELL & FEEL PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS!!

Most spas & Estheticians offer FREE skin care consultations that INCLUDE a Cleanse, Exfoliation & Moisturizing treatment.  We also have you bring in your current products to see what you’re using to ensure nothing will irritate or create a negative effect in your skin.

Again, being licensed in Skin, we can understand if something is not working and we can get you in a product that will work.  

#5 YOU ARE IN THE BEST HANDS (NO PUN INTENDED)...

When my clients come in, the first thing I do is touch their skin & feel it before beginning any service.  This tells me the current condition of your skin and can help guide me to ask questions about products or your current regimen.

I then base my facials to fit specific needs at that time and re-evalute your at home products and adjust at the end.  

Estheticians are your personal skin care consultant.  Find one that you love and stick with her, because your skin WILL Thank You in the end!

Holiday Detox Tips

It’s the Holidays!!!!

But with the Holidays comes all the excessive food, drinks, sweets…overindulgence!!  We feel tired, bloated & by New Years most of our pants are starting to feel tighter.  A great tip I learned from a skinny chef is to take a little bit of EVERYTHING then have 1 or 2 bites of each – you still get to enjoy all the delicious foods but without overdoing it!

How about doing a Detox-like diet starting NOW!!  This way you can feel better, even if you do indulge!

When you think of Detox do you automatically think STARVATION, HUNGER & ONLY LIQUIDS??  I know I always do!

How about a Detox-like Diet or should I say Detox Lifestyle – this way there’s no deprivation, only getting rid of the bad foods that your body doesn’t need anyways.

When done correctly, detoxing is great at restarting a sluggish or slow-moving Digestive system, cleansing the Liver, Colon, Intestines & Kidneys all while improving your Immune system’s function (which is a MUST during the Flu season).  When these systems don’t work properly, it creates Discomfort, Sick-like feeling, Diseases, Skin problems and Allergies.

The biggest benefit is WEIGHT LOSS – why??  Because toxins that have been stored are now being released from the cells in our bodies.  This helps our bodies rid itself of unwanted weight, which helps our body absorb MORE nutrients when it functions properly.

Detoxing also increases Energy, Alertness & Improves our Attitudes, because our bodies lack the ability to function at its best when it becomes bogged down from our “all American diets”.

SKIN is the biggest benefactor in a Detox!  When our organs & systems become congested from the food we eat & even our environment, the skin becomes affected.  Acne, Rosacea, Eczema & even Melasma can occur on our skin.  What we put into our bodies DOES affect our skin.

Let’s talk Detox…please remember if you are going to follow this to check with your dr. first!!!

1) Eating a diet full of RAW, organic fruits & vegetables are important.  Organic fruits & veggies are a MUST during a detox because you are trying to clear the system of toxins & it would be counterproductive to eat food full of pesticides.  At least 2 meals a day should be raw vegetables.  Fruits make great snacks – Citrus have a positive effect on the skin.  Apples prevent cell & tissue damage.  Pomegranates & Berries are high in antioxidants which fight free radicals.

TIP:  Eating fruits on an empty stomach helps to easily process all of the nutrients, fiber, and sugars.  If fruit is eaten with or after a meal, it stays in the stomach longer and can ferment or rot; causing bloating or gas.

Vegetables such as Kale, Collard greens, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts & Cabbage can help detoxify the Liver.  Kale, Spinach, Collard greens, Broccoli, & other leafy green veggies protect cells from damage and are a great source of Fiber, which helps to clean out the Bowel.

Making a Smoothie containing fruits & veggies help to give the most benefit during a detox & if you’re not a fan of vegetables, helps to make it easier to consume.

2) Our bodies do NOT need as much protein as we think.  Protein takes longer to digest, which means that undigested food can remain in our intestinal tract – this results in stress of the organs.  Most of our proteins tend to contain hormones, chemicals or antibiotics which again isn’t the best to consume when trying to rid our bodies of the bad stuff!  When detoxing, it is best to avoid animal proteins – you may feel weak at first but your body is working so hard to deplete itself of all the toxins it has accumulated over time.

Not only will minimizing animal proteins make you have more energy but your skin will improve too!!

DAIRY – contains hormones & antibiotics which can be linked to Acne (I have read a few articles in my Trade magazines about the relationship between Acne & Dairy).  Soy should be avoided because it can be an allergen but Almond, Rice & Coconut milk can be great alternatives.

3) The most important of all – ELIMINATE PROCESSED FOODS, like Soda, refined sugars, alcohol, coffee, smoking, etc.  There are so many chemicals & toxins in these foods that our bodies don’t even recognize.  If a label has ingredients you can’t pronounce, then you shouldn’t be consuming it because most likely its BAD FOR YOU!!

Refined sugars, when consumed regularly (and are in EVERYTHING processed) can cause Obesity, leading to Diabetes, Kidney disease and many other health conditions.  Refined sugars depress the Immune system, prohibits the absorption of Vitamin C into the cells which is important for the health of our bodies & our skin’s appearance.

Coffee drinkers know that limiting coffee can be difficult to break, but the health benefits you experience even by cutting back can make a difference.  Coffee is VERY dehydrating, so make sure to drink water along with it, as well as before your first cup.  Any milk, sugar or creamers can be full of chemicals & deplete the benefits to caffeine.  Green tea is a great alternative & can be drank during a Detox (it’s full of antioxidants).

Alcohol is also very dehydrating.  Which shows in the skin by dilating blood vessels.  Alcohol can actual worsen facial conditions such as Rosacea.  Alcohol should be avoided during a Detox.

4) Drinking lots of water will hydrate the body as well as the skin.  Remember that the skin is the LAST organ to receive hydration, which means if you’re feeling thirsty then you’re already dehydrated & your skin is suffering!!

Water helps to remove toxins, cleans out Kidneys, aids in regular bowel movements, muscle performance & weight loss as well as helps with energy levels, prevents cramping in the bowel and can even prevent or lessen a headache!  Drink water throughout the day, especially if you exercise, to ensure you’re flushing your system of toxins released from exercise.

TIP:  Drink a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning – this helps to jumpstart your digestive system, aids in cleansing the liver, balancing pH levels & boosts the immune system.   Lemon water is alkalizing which helps to rid toxins from the blood & can keep the skin acne-free.

Sticking to a whole-food & plant-based diet will keep your body efficiently detoxing as well as continuing with the higher energy levels & weight loss will continue well past the initial detox.  After the detox process begins & the toxins start to leave, the cravings for unhealthy foods subside & you will LOVE the way you feel!!!

Why Men need Facials Too!

Why should Skin Care be only for women??

In today's society, men are becoming more aware of their appearances and also have the desire to age slower and maintain their youth, just like women do.

This means that more and more men are heading off to the spa for Facials, Waxing, Barber and Massage services!

According to the International SPA Association (ISPA), men are making up 47% of spa-goers.

This tells me that men are looking for spa services because they suffer from conditions like Acne, age spots, and even razor bumps and need skin care products targeted specifically to their concerns as well.

Men have different needs than women - especially when it comes to shaving because of the fact that many are shaving  their faces daily and this causes damage to their skin when not caring for it properly post-shave.

Shaving is a necessity for men in the workplace because it's just not "clean-looking" to have a full beard.  Plus it gives the appearance of youthfulness.

In today's competitive job market, men need to have good looks, great skin and maintain a youthful appearance and it's no longer just women who are being turned down for jobs.

Men also need to understand HOW to properly care for their skin.  Most male clients who come to my spa for the first time, only use bar soap to wash their faces.   No lotion or nothing to add to the skin post-shaving!!

My husband uses a bar of soap to wash his face (even though I'm an Esthy and try to explain what to do).  Post-shaving, he just wipes it off & walks out the door.  No moisturizer unless it's cold out & his skin is flaky & dry...drives me NUTS!!!

Men are simple by nature, so they need spa services and a skin care line that is also simple and un-complicated.  Their facials need to be structured in a way that they can see & feel the results during and after their service.  

Skin care should also be very basic.  Most men aren't going to go home with 5-7 products and do a morning or nightly skin routine.  They are just wasting money and the Esthetician should KNOW better!!!

Remember, men have ONLY used Bar soap up until this point.  They need to start slower and add in products as they feel comfortable and ready.  They also don't want heavily fragranced or products designed for women with pretty labels or designs on the box.

There are a number of product lines that are specific to the Male clients, but you always need to look at ingredients because most of the OTC products have dry, irritating ingredients that are NOT going to help with Acne or Razor bumps - they will only exacerbate the conditions.

Lastly, Facials are so important as a maintenance for men.  The Esthetician will get a chance to make sure they are continuing on their home-care.  They will also get to see how well their skin is responding and if it IS helping.  Our job is to get to know your skin and make sure that the products and treatments are making a change and improving your skin.  If not, we can always adjust the products or our facials to ensure the skin is looking & feeling great.

With the Holiday season approaching, NOW is a great time to start thinking about getting your hubby, brother, uncle, grandpa, or guy-friend in the spa...get them a Gift Certificate so they can try it!

Most of my male clients have come from my women clients referring to me because Men aren't usually ones to schedule a facial, it has to be done for them.  Once they're hooked, they begin to come on a regular basis and they love the results!

Any questions, please email me samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com

Are You Addicted to Sugar??

Guilty as charged!!!!

I remember being a child & spending summers at my grandparents' pool.  The minute we got there, the first place I would go was her pantry because my grandma was known for her strong sweet tooth (and so am I).  

She always had the BEST sweets in her house and it was free-range!  

I always loved when I got an invite to a birthday party, because I knew there would be cookies, cake, and/or ice cream (not the actual party itself).

Sugar is one of the most addictive substances in our food and it's in almost EVERY food we eat.  And it's highly addictive - its proven to be more addictive than Cocaine!

Americans consume 150 pounds of of sugar each year! The average adult will consume about 22 tsp of sugar daily, while the average child consumes 32 tsp daily!!!

If you have kids, it's always nice to "treat" them with something sweet.  Even going to mom's groups or parties, there are always bowls of candy or some kind of dessert put out to pick on after a few glasses of wine (also high in sugar).

Two reasons why is sugar so bad:

1) Too much sugar irritates blood vessels and creates inflammation and damages the skin.  This damage leads to puffiness, redness, excessive oiliness or dryness.  Too much sugar also increases our blood sugar levels and causes them to spike quickly.  This rapid spike causes the collagen & elastin in our skin (which is known to keep the skin taught and youthful).  This prevents the collagen & elastin from properly repairing themselves and over time, leads to aging.

2) It causes Glycation!  Glycation occurs when sugar binds to proteins in the skin.  It collapses to form wrinkles and dry skin.

Eating a sugar free diet isn't the answer either, because our bodies still get sugar from breads, pastas, rice & other starches we consume.  Sugar is also in ALL processed foods in some form and not necessarily listed as sugar.

There are at least 61 different names for Sugar listed on food labels, some of the most common ones are Sucrose, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Barley Malt, Dextrose, Maltose & Rice Syrup.

Manufacturers aren't REQUIRED by the FDA to list total amount of sugar on their labels, which means that we don't know how much extra sugar is coming from fruit, grain or milk sources.


What can we do about eliminating Sugar??

1) Eat more Grass-fed proteins, Beans, & Good fats like Avocados and Coconut Oil and read food labels when buying processed foods.

2) Eliminate foods such as sweets, high fructose corn syrup, soda, breads, pastas, rice, and even alcohol.



Any questions, please email me samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com - I LOVE to help!

The Problem with Sunscreen

Fall may be here, but that doesn't mean we should ditch the sunscreen!  Even in the cooler months, the sun is still shining and on cloudy days the UVA rays are still penetrating.

There's tons of information about sunscreens and how important it is to wear them on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, how do we determine which sunscreens are good and which are bad??  

Media, Celebrity endorsements and the Internet is over-loaded with information and we get so confused that we just buy the cheapest, or what's on sale or we the coupon we clipped from a magazine or newspaper.

But do you really know what ingredients are in those sunscreens??  

A good client of mine, told me about this article that states Neutrogena is the #1 WORST sunscreen on the market because of false advertisement and ingredients that are toxic and can actually CAUSE skin cancer.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) posted it's 2015 list of the top 10 worst sunscreens.  Luckily, at the end, it does list recommended sunscreens.

Spray sunscreens (while super-easy to use) are the biggest fault, not to mention that any sunscreen over SPF of 30 is really ineffective and doesn't protect MORE than 97% of the sun's rays.  The only thing those sunscreens are doing is adding more chemicals to the sunscreens.

What should we wear??

There are 2 types of Sunscreens on the market; Physical and Chemical sunscreens:

Chemical Sunscreens are just that and there are hundreds of ingredients that make up a chemical sunscreen.  Some are just UVA or UVB protective and others can protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Here's the bottom line.  When you apply a Chemical sunscreen, your skin absorbs the chemicals and some do have the potential to get into the bloodstream and can cause Estrogenic effects in the body.  

Once absorbed into the skin, which takes about 20-30 minutes after application, the skin then absorbs the sun's rays and disperses them either throughout the body or the bloodstream.  The problem with this method is that the sun is still causing Free Radicals in the body. 

Free Radicals mean that an atom has an extra Oxygen molecule and another atom will "steal" that oxygen atom to make itself even.  The problem with this, is that it's a vicious cycle and that our bodies are constantly stealing atoms to make others "complete".

Chemical sunscreens and sun exposure make this Free Radical reaction worse!!

Physical Sunscreens consist of only 2 ingredients, Zinc Oxide (the most common) and Titanium Dioxide.  These are both UVA and UVB protective.

Here's what makes Physical sunscreens better...
#1: If you have sensitive skin, you will NOT react from either of these ingredients.
#2: These are minerals and your body recognizes them.
#3: These ingredients do NOT cause harm to our bodies or create Free Radical damage.

When you apply a Physical sunscreen, it still takes about 20-30 minutes for your skin to absorb.

Here's the difference, when you are exposed to the sun, Physical sunscreens act as a mirror and deflect the sun's rays away from your body, so there is very minimal sun absorption in our bodies.

Also, if our bodies are to absorb the Physical sunscreens into our bloodstream, Zinc Oxide is a natural mineral and our bodies can actually USE the minerals.

Bottom line, read labels!!!

You want to switch to a Physical sunscreen because it is less likely to irritate the skin, it's easily absorbed and you are not putting chemicals in your body.

Also, make sure that the Zinc Oxide is at least 8-10%.  Also read labels because some companies say they are Zinc Oxide-based, and add chemicals to make up the difference.

Any questions, please comment below or email me!!

Facials aren't just a Luxury anymore

Do you remember being little and watching your grandmother sit with that green mask on & cucumbers on her eyes?? Or better yet, put on that shiny mask she would then peel off??

Yes, because my grandma was one of those women and I remember watching her and being so in awe of how cool she looked & couldn't wait to try it!

I also remember watching movies as a child and every time the "wealthy" mother would get a facial, she would lay with a white or green mask on, cucumbers on her eyes, and a glass of champagne!  

At the time, facials looked so luxurious and seemed that it was only something the rich and famous were able to do.

Even though more and more spas are popping up with Facials being the main focus, many of us still have that thought process about Facials = Luxury!

From an Esthetician's point-of-view, I'd like to change that misperception.

When I was in beauty school, I learned all about pampering and how to give a GREAT European Facial, complete with a full facial & neck massage.

Fast forward to now and the European facial is hardly ever promoted or even given anymore.

Clients are searching for results and want instant gratification, which is why Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion and Laser services have become so popular.

Unfortunately, these treatments cause the skin to become inflamed by removing too much of the skin's delicate barrier.  Inflammation as we all know is swelling.  When you inflame the skin, it swells and that is exactly why Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and most "spa-like" exfoliation treatment is so popular - INSTANT GRATIFICATION!

So now what??

What I'm seeing now from fellow Estheticians, Trade magazines and the Media, is that the majority of us are suffering from some sort of skin condition that makes us uncomfortable and have to wear makeup to "hide" our not-so-perfect skin.

We are seeking Facials that not only relax us but TREAT our skin!  This is where going to an experienced Esthetician comes in...

6 years ago, when I opened my own Spa, I took the time to read, research, and find out exactly what it is clients want NOW.

The answer = RESULTS!!!

There is a way to get a great facial and get results too!  As a client, YOU are the one who has to be 100% on board.  We have the training, education and knowledge to help guide you, adjust products and utilize our tools.  But it is up to YOU to follow through and stick with your regimen.

We are able to help you with Acne and re-hydrate dry skin or  treat Acne, Melasma and control oil all in one treatment.

My biggest piece of advice, is to do your research on your Esthetician.  Go online, check out the spa's website and schedule a consultation with your Esthetician to get a feel for her personality and her recommendations for your skin.

Ask questions and bring in your current home-care so she knows EXACTLY what you're doing at home.  Unless we see your skin and your current products, we can't figure out exactly what's going on or why certain things aren't working for you.

Even though Facials are now results-driven, doesn't mean they're not relaxing.  You get both!!  But instead of the entire facial being all about massage, a portion is because we want those active ingredients to get into the skin and we can't do that without a great facial massage!

Please reach out to me with questions: samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com - I LOVE to help!

Please check out my website: www.skindeepIL.com

Importance of Good Home Care

The Media is flooded with Beauty products and every magazine has the latest and greatest anti-aging product to make us look 20 years younger. 

But do you REALLY know what you're putting on your skin??

And just because XYZ magazine's beauty editor said that this great new ABC cream is awesome, does it really work for YOUR skin's specific needs??

Then we find ourselves at a department store beauty counter, Sephora or Ulta or even CVS just to pick up that amazing cream the beauty editor said would make your skin look and feel great.  

We leave with that product and a few others, because we just need to get rid of those wrinkles or acne or even out those sun-spots.

Suddenly, are skin is left with a feeling of dryness, the wrinkles may have diminished but we are now breaking out or our pores look bigger or the spots got darker, etc.

Whatever the reason or the problem, unfortunately, most of us are NOT fixing the problems we had to begin with, because we are using products that are WRONG for our skin.

I see it all the time with my clients.  Every new client that comes into my spa, gets a full-skin analysis and that includes them bringing in their current beauty products and we go through EVERYTHING they're using.

Honestly, almost every client I see is using something that is not only wrong for their skin, but they are damaging the skin and creating more harm or causing the aging process to worsen.


Here are 3 reasons WHY we end up using the Wrong products for our skin...

Reason #1: While reading our favorite magazine, the beauty editor told us that ABC cream is amazing and got rid of her wrinkles!

Beauty editors are just that, an Editor of a magazine who happens to work in the beauty area.  Manufacturers send boxes of products to them (for free) to try out and write about in their upcoming articles.

They know nothing about the science behind skin and rarely, if ever, mention what skin-type they are.

And they are just basing their information on the way the product feels on their skin, not on how the active ingredients are meant to target specific skin conditions.

Reason #2: We open up another magazine and see celebrities with flawless skin on the advertisement for our favorite beauty brand and attached is a coupon!

I can guarantee you that most celebrities do NOT use the OTC products they are PAID to promote.  Again, manufacturers spend millions of dollars on celebrity endorsements to sell their products.  

Unfortunately, the quality and amount of active ingredients are NOT high enough to make a difference.  Plus, they make such large quantities of products at once, they need more preservatives to keep the shelf-life longer because they can sit on the shelves in warehouses for 6months to 1year before even hitting the shelves in stores!

Reason #3: The information you're getting is NOT from a Trained Professional!

This is my biggest pet-peeve!!!

Estheticians spend between 400-1000 hours (depending on their state) getting educated in Skin.  We understand the basics of skin, the biology of how the skin functions and how products are absorbed or not.  

We also learn science and spend many hours learning products and the science behind ingredients and how to use the products to achieve results in the skin.

Most importantly, we are trained that your home care routine is the MOST important aspect of skin care, because YOU are in control of your skin everyday!  We only can do so much in the little time we spend with you each month.

We recommend products that are customized to your skin's needs.  Based on your current skin concerns, we can see what you're using or not using that needs to be added to your routine and truly care about seeing you happy and confident with the way you look and feel about your skin.

My biggest recommendation is to find a good Esthetician who is passionate about skin and understands and continues to educate herself (or himself) to be up to date on the latest information and beauty trends.

Call the spa and ask to speak to the Esthetician prior to booking your facial and bring in your beauty products so you both know what's being used on a daily basis.  A good Esthetician will fill in the spaces that need to be filled and add to your home routine so you can get the best results.

Lastly, by using the right products, you will actually SAVE money, because you won't be spending money on products that don't work and end up sitting on your shelf (collecting dust) or even thrown away because your skin reacted negatively or just isn't happy with that product.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, I'm happy to take a look at your skin.  If you don't live in the Chicago area, I'm happy to look at your skin via Skype or FaceTime.

My website is a great resource to help guide you and get my contact information.

How Gluten affects our bodies

Most people now think of Gluten-Free as the newest fad, like Atkins or Fat-Free or even the Paleo diet.

Unfortunately, there's more to being Gluten-Free than just a diet fad.

Gluten is actually very harmful to us and research is starting to show more and more studies that are PROVING Gluten is the cause of many of the Auto-immune, Skin and most Health-related diseases.  

Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye.  Gluten is a good source of protein, but many people are either sensitive or completely intolerant to it.

For those that are either sensitive or intolerant, Gluten can create what's called, Leaky Gut.  In sensitive people, Gluten causes the gut cells to release a protein which breaks apart the tight junctions that hold your intestines together.

Once these tight junctions break apart, the gut becomes leaky, which allows microbes, toxins and undigested food particles to escape from the intestines and travel through your body through the blood stream.

Here's some Gluten facts:

* 99% of people who are Gluten intolerant or have Celiac disease are NEVER diagnosed!

* About 15% of the US population are Gluten intolerant

The following symptoms are linked to Gluten:

1) Gas, Bloating, Diarrhea and Constipation 

2) Hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS, PMS or even infertility

3) Inflammation, joint pain or swelling

4) Anxiety, Depression or Mood swings and even ADD

5) Migraines

6) Hashimoto'syndrome, Rhumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Eczema, Scleroderma or MS

7) Keratosis Pilaris (chicken skin on the backs of arms) or white bumps on the backs of arms

Now that we understand what Gluten intolerance or sensitivities cause in our bodies, how do we know if we are??

The best way is to implement an elimination diet.  This
means COMPLETELY eliminate Gluten for a minimum of 2-3 weeks!  

Gluten is a large protein, it may take more than 3 weeks for Gluten to completely be removed from your system.  If you can, try going longer than 3 weeks.

Here's the tricky part, even if you're not eating breads, pastas, or grains that contain gluten, sometimes there are still traces of Gluten hidden in these foods.  

When eating out, always ask for a Gluten-Free menu, because these items are NOT made with any gluten and if you tell the waiter you have a sensitivity, the chef will not contaminate the food.

Keep a food diary of not only the foods you're eating but also the way your body is feeling during this elimination period.

Once you've eliminated Gluten from your diet, slowly add in gluten.  For example on day 1, eat a small bowl of pasta for lunch.  See how you feel throughout the afternoon and evening. 

Again, keep notes in your food diary and note any changes or signs that you notice.  For example, do you feel better without eating Gluten??  More energy, no headaches, less fatigue, etc.

Or do you feel worse once re-introducing Gluten??  Bloated, gassy, stomach pains, headaches, fatigue, etc.

If you are still unsure, you can always have testing done from your doctor to see if you are sensitive or intolerant.

Any other questions, please feel free to email me: samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com

When was your last Skin Cancer check??

By now, most of us have seen the photograph of 27 year old Tawny Willoughby, the girl who's Facebook post went viral because of her Skin Cancer selfie.

Tawny was a typical teenager who went tanning (like most teens) to get a base tan before a trip, during the winter months (to avoid looking pasty-white) and before Prom's, Homecoming's and Weddings.  Willoughby said it was "normal to tan 4-5 days a week without thinking about the future or skin cancer then".

Unfortunately, at the age of 21, she was diagnosed with skin cancer and continues to get checks every 6-12months and each visit, she has at least 1 skin cancer lesion removed.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.  Exposure to tanning beds increases the risk of Melanoma, the deadliest form of Skin Cancer, according to the AAD.  The AAD also reports that more than 419,000 skin cancer cases diagnosed each year are linked to indoor tanning beds.

Read the rest of the CNN article

Now my question to you is when was YOUR last Dermatology appointment for a Skin Cancer check??

If you've never scheduled an appointment, do so immediately!!  There are hundreds in your area and I'm happy to pass my local Dermatologist info to you.  

I finally went this past summer for my first checkup.  Growing up in Chicago, my family frequently went to Florida over Thanksgiving, Mexico for Spring Breaks and spent the summers at my grandparents pool.

Sunscreen was NOT an option then and because I have olive skin, I rarely burned, so my mother never worried about applying sunscreen on me.

I will never forget the smell of Hawaiian Tropic Oil (with an SPF 2) that my mother swore by.  When I see it in her sunscreen bag, I yell at her.

Lastly, how old is your sunscreen??  Do you have bottles in your closet or pool/beach bag from last summer or even longer??  If so, throw it away!!!  The sunscreen ingredients are no longer effective or worse yet, can cause irritation or skin inflammation if you use these expired products.

As always, please feel free to email me with any questions or check out my website to know more about my facial services and how I work with clients internally to improve the way they look and feel on inside as well as outside.

Meet my Zits - Bob and Fred...

So it's true, I have 2 Zits and they are so ugly and nasty that I decided to have a little fun while they annoy me and I named them.  

The big nasty one on the bottom that is SOOO painful is Fred.  The smaller, less annoying, but more visible one, right above Fred, is Bob.

Bob and Fred came up because I was a bad girl and ate both Gluten AND Dairy over the weekend!!!!  

How do I know that food is my Acne trigger??

Because when I'm good and avoid both foods, my skin is clear and literally 2-3 days after eating something I'm not supposed to (because who wants to live a boring life??) I get new nasty friends pop up on my face!

Being an Esthetician, I do have the tools to minimize them, get rid of them and even hide them, but I'm human and do expose them to the world to see.

My point is this...

Do you have Acne or Rosacea???

Here are 3 steps to help you control your skin's inflammation...

Step 1:  Start a food diary and write down all your foods for 2 weeks straight.  Then at the bottom of each day, make a note of your skin.  Is your Acne or Rosacea flared up??  What foods did you eat.

With both Acne and Rosacea, the inflammation can come up as early as 2 days and as long as 1 week, depending on how sensitive you are to certain foods.

Step 2:  Go through your Food diary and see if you can find common foods that make you feel yucky or even are showing up regularly and can help you pin-point the inflammation.

Step 3: Once you find the culprit, do an elimination diet and for the next 2 weeks completely avoid the trigger food.  Also, keep a diary and make note of how your skin looks and feels.

What do I do if I don't know my trigger??

Start with Gluten (because gluten is highly inflammatory) and completely eliminate from your diet for 2 weeks.  It's hard for a few days, but you will find easy alternatives and you really won't miss it.

Then the following 2 weeks completely eliminate dairy from your diet and again, make note of any changes or improvements in your skin.

Some other common foods that trigger inflammation in the skin:
1) Peanuts
2) Eggs
3) Soy
4) SUGAR

Some great foods to substitute your diet:
1) Fresh fruit and veggies
2) Grass-fed beef and Organic chicken
3) Chia seeds

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com

Also for more information about my services or to schedule a FREE consultation, visit my website.

Toxic Ingredients in Beauty Products

Many of us are aware of reading food labels and purchasing certain produce because it's on the Dirty Dozen list.  We know that pesticides and GMO's are bad to consume, so we try hard to avoid them on a daily basis.

But did you know that there is a Dirty Dozen in beauty products too??

Certain ingredients that are commonly used in many beauty products are cheap to use and serve as either a great fragrance, smooth application or even as a preservative to keep the product from spoiling quickly.

When big box manufacturers produce beauty products, they dump all their ingredients in a vat and make HUGE batches at a time.  These products are filled with large amounts of fillers and preservatives because they sit on shelves in warehouses for months or even years before you purchase them from a store.

Worse yet, all they need is less than 0.1% of an active ingredient to state on the label that it will reduce wrinkles, minimize acne or even the skin tone.

When a product DOES work to reduce wrinkles, it's NOT the active ingredients working, it's the fact that your skin has had a reaction to the fillers and irritating ingredients and becomes inflammed, which causes the skin to swell or "plump" the skin which gives the appearance of diminished fine lines and wrinkles.

The problem is that this causes MORE aging to the skin and overtime creates unnecessary skin sensitivities that can be prevented.

Without further ado, I give you the Dirty Dozen in beauty products...

1) Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
Used in garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers, this ingredient is in 90% of our beauty products. SLS is what gives our products their ability to foam.  SLS can poses serious health threats and young eyes may not develop properly.  SLS may also damage the skin's immune system.

Found in baby washes, baby shampoo, antibacterial hand soap, shaving cream, shampoo & body washes.

2) Propylene, Butylene and Ethylene Glycol (Propylene Glycol is the most common)
Found in Antifreeze and used to de-ice planes.  Glycols acts as a surfactant (wetting agent & solvent) that penetrates the skin & weakens the protein & cell structures.  Glycols are strong enough to remove barnacles from boats and factory workers are required by the FDA to wear protective clothing when using & disposing of these ingredients. 

Found in baby wipes, diaper creams, baby lotion, facial cleansing cloths, facial cleansers, body washes, shampoo & toothpaste.

3) DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine)
Hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing nitrates.  These ingredients can potentially increase the risk of liver and kidney cancers which can be more prominent in children.

Found in body lotion, body washes, cleansers & shampoo.

4) Polyethylene Glycol
Carcinogenic petroleum-based ingredient that reduces the skin's natural moisture.  Polyethylene Glycol increases the appearance of aging and leaves you vulnerable to bacteria.

Found in baby wipes, diaper creams, baby lotion, cleansers, body washes & deodorant.

5) Sodium Hydroxide
This caustic Lye is the main ingredient in Drain-O.  May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed - AVOID all contact with skin, eyes, mouth & clothing.  Olives are soaked in Sodium Hydroxide to give them their "black" color.

Found in toothpaste, baby lotions, hand & body creams.

6) Triclosan
Commonly used anti-microbial agent that accumulates in our bodies and has been linked to hormone disruption and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.  Triclosan is found in our sewage treatment plants, ground, surface and drinking water and CANNOT be completely removed during water treatment processes.

Found in antibacterial hand washes, soaps and toys.

7) DMDM and Urea
These formaldeyhde-releasing ingredients are KNOWN carcinogens.   These ingredients act as preservatives and can cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep.

Found in body washes, body lotion, antibacterial hand washes, cleansers and shampoo.

8) Parabens
Have the ability to cause estrogenic-effects in the body.  The problem is, the Dutch study that started the paraben scare, was a blind study and only showed that parabens were present in ALL breast cancer patients.   Parabens are a preservative and are seen as methyl-, ethyl, propyl-, and butyl-parabens.

Found in baby wipes, baby lotions, baby washes, antibacterial and hand soaps, facial wipes, body lotions and shampoo.

9) Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)
Drying, irritating solvent that strips the skin of its natural moisture and immune barrier, making us vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.  Made from the same petroleum-derivative as shellac and antifreeze.  Alcohol promotes brown spots and premature aging.

Found in creams, lotions and deodorants.

10) Mineral Oil
Petroleum by-product that coats the skin, similar to plastic wrap, which clogs the pores.  Mineral oil interferes with the skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promotes acne and other skin disorders.  It also slows down skin function & cell development, which promotes aging.

Found in lotions and creams.

11) FD&C Color Pigments 
Synthetic coal tar that deposits toxins on the skin, causing skin irritations.  Absorption of certain colors can deplete oxygen in the body.

Found in makeup, shampoo, toothpaste, body washes, cleansers, baby products, wipes, hand washes, deodorant, lotions and creams.

12) Fragrance
Can contain one of 4,000 ingredients (which over 2,000 are toxic or carcinogenic).  Fragrances are NOT regulated by the FDA and a fragrance is a general word put on a food or beauty label.   Fragrances affect the Nervous System and can cause headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions, depression, nausea, vomiting, coughing, skin discoloration, hyperactivity and irritability.

Found in practically EVERYTHING!!!  Even non-fragrance products contain some form of fragrance!!!!!

Here's the bottom line, print this out and read labels when shopping for beauty products.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, I'm happy to guide you to safer products for you and your family.