It Works! Body Wrap Trial

Well – I have to admit it has been a long time since I’ve “guinea pigged” anything. One of my clients recently said she had tried the “It Works!” body wrap. She said “It works!” so…here I go embarrassing myself for the good (or maybe not so good) of potential “wrappers” everywhere.

For those of you who don’t know, I had thyroid cancer in 2009 during which my entire thyroid was removed. It’s amazing how much you learn about what your thyroid does once it’s gone! The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the front of our necks. It stores and produces hormones that affect the function of virtually every organ in our bodies. Thyroid hormone (Triiodothyronine or T3) regulates our metabolic rate and is associated with modest changes in body weight and energy levels. Major targets of thyroid hormone are the skeleton, the heart and the metabolic machinery of every cell.

The first three years I was on phentermine (prescription grade speed) to fake my body into thinking I actually had a metabolism because without it I can easily gain and sometimes lose 5-7 pounds in one day! Every 6 to 9 months I would take myself off the phentermine for about 45 days which means going through withdrawals for the first 15 days. Eventually I would start taking it again because the weight would creep back on.

In the winter of 2012 I decided enough was enough and took myself off phentermine for the last time but prior to doing so removed a bunch of really good, carb ridden, comfort foods in order to keep my weight gain and belly fat to a minimum – which worked for about 5 months. Needless to say (since the pics follow this post), the belly fat has ungraciously found it’s way back! Lord knows even if I had a man in my life he would not be too thrilled to look at what I have to look at every day now!

Soooooo…I am back to taking all the fun foods out AGAIN but thought I would also try this here body wrap to see if it really works. OMG! This is so embarrassing but I’m trying to be honest – my waist measurement is 34.5″ and my hip area is about 41.5″ and weight is – give me strength…GULP…177.5. Please keep in mind – my optimum weight is actually 160 so 177.5 isn’t too bad but it sounds so flipping fat – Just sayin’!!

The wrap was placed then plastic wrapped over the top at 12:30 am 7/16/13. Two 16.9 oz bottles of water have been downed. I intend to sleep (and probably pee) for about 3 hours then take the wrap off. I can taste kind of a menthol-ish (not toothpaste) and the lotion on the wrap is very cooling – not unpleasant.

I will check in with ya’ll tomorrow. Tuesday is going to be interesting! Holy crap my arms need work and please ignore the stupid bathing suit halter – it was all I could find that would completely bring embarrassment to a new level!

http://official-home.com/nonohair/

A few clients have asked me about the No!No! Hair Removal device. Admittedly, I have not used this device but wanted to find out more so I could give an informed answer when asked.

My bad! It was logical to think IPL was used (IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light; also referred to as photo rejuvenation, Photofacial or IPL Photofacial due to its use of “selective photothermolysis” during treatment. Photothermolysis is the process by which IPL lasers convert light energy to heat energy and treat unwanted hair and skin pigments. IPL lasers can use photothermolysis to remove unwanted hair, or to correct skin hyperpigmentation, rosacea, age spots and the appearance of sun damage – sorry for the lengthy explanation).

The problem with IPL when used for hair removal is it’s not permanent. It interrupts the growth cycle and slows down regrowth but it eventually it will grow back. The No!No! device does not use IPL!

The No!No! device reduces the growth and appearance of body hair by 70%. It is possible to go weeks without having to repeat the routine. If hair grows back, it is very fine and hard to see. If you added up the cost of approximately 3 professional body waxing treatments it pays for itself.

IPL and laser hair removal systems do not work on all hair types or skin colors. Dark-skinned people or those wishing to remove light-colored body hair won’t have success. The No!No! device removes hair of all shades, colors, and texture regardless of skin color. It can safely be used on any body part including the face, bikini area, legs, armpits, and more.

Unlike waxing, traditional laser treatments, and other options, hair is removed without pain. It is considered by experts to be as effective and long-lasting as comparable salon services. This is definitely on my list of “gizmos-to-get”!

I found this review from a professional review author named Cindy Walters. She stated the following: “This device is much more than just your average, run-of-the-mill hair removal system. It’s a doctor-recommended, high caliber device designed to give you salon-quality results right at home. It’s safe, effective, and simple! The product works by way of innovative Thermicon technology that uses the power of heat to prevent hair follicles from regrowing the hair people try so hard to get rid of. No dangerous lasers to worry about.”

In particular Ms. Walters says: “It is extremely important that consumers be fully aware to exclusively purchase No No Hair Removal from the official authorized web site. Purchasing from any other website is not recommended since you will not be guaranteed the latest and most up to date model of the device. Purchasing from the official website is also the only way you can be sure to receive the 100% full money back guarantee.” Which I would suggest to anyone buying a specific device! You want to make sure you have the money-back guarantee – save all receipts, make sure to take note of the date you receive your order so you have plenty of time to return if the device for some reason does not work for you.

What causes acne?

The causes of acne are complex, but usually involve the overproduction of oil, the blockage of follicles that release the oil, and the growth of bacteria in those follicles. This can be triggered by many things, including a change in medications or a change in hormone levels caused by stress or other factors. It’s important to treat acne early to avoid scarring. Acne is not only painful but can be very emotionally and psychologically challenging as well.

There are 4 grades of acne.

• Grade 1 is the mildest form, with open and closed comedones (whiteheads and blackheads).
• Grades 2 and 3 include papules and pustules as well.
• Grade 4 is the most advanced form, with all the above plus the appearance of cysts or nodules beneath the skin surface, that can be dime size or larger and often require medical attention to treat.

Lash Dip – Not!

A few of my clients had read about LashDip in a magazine and seen it demonstrated on The Today show. It is advertised as a “mascara replacement” which is supposed to last up to 6 weeks – in actuality it is 2 weeks at most and then return for a “lash refresh” in order for it to last another 2 weeks.

The LashDip website was misleading; definitely too good to be true but why would all these top beauty magazines have positive reviews? At the time, there was nothing negative found to discourage seeking certification to provide this service.

My biggest mistake was not getting it applied to myself first because it would have saved a lot of money, wasted time, and knowledge that this is a treatment I would NEVER provide to my worst enemy let alone treasured clients!

The LashDip certification class cost slightly less than $1500 – inclusive within the class was the LashDip kit. Far more expensive than any other training certification I have ever seen or participated in and undoubtedly not worth the cost. A total of 19 ladies attended the certification class. Do the math and you will find LashDip makes quite a hefty profit from their 2 day classes.

Two things were not disclosed to the attendees prior to plopping down their hard earned money (in actuality was not told to attendees until the 2nd day of class):

• Before the certificate is given to the practitioner, they must apply LashDip to 10 models and provide pictures of each. These pics are critiqued and if the LashDip people don’t like what they see you will be sent an email requesting another 5 or more models. Class attendees were told they were not allowed to charge for the models and have 30 days from the last day of class to get pics in unless they get approval from LashDip to extend.

I spoke with 3 other attendees from the class – all of us were sent emails requesting we submit 5 additional models and w/photos with no guarantee of receiving the certification! Keep in mind – service time for each model can be anywhere from 1 hour but in most cases much longer as this stuff is not easy to work with.

• Certified technicians are not allowed to set their own price. LashDip sets down the law and monitors what their certified techs are charging. I believe the lowest at the moment is $150 upwards to $300.

If other certified LashDip techs see lower prices offered they are encouraged to advise LashDip and then the certificate can be taken away from the “offending” tech.

That said – let’s move on to my experience with surviving LashDip treatment. The first few days were good. I could appreciate a few extra minutes of not having to apply mascara. Worth $150 or more? No way!!

There is also no way this stuff is “carefree”! You are told oil-based products and oil in general breaks the LashDip seal. Great – uh…so let me see, oil on fingers so no touching eyes; not sure I know anyone who doesn’t do that at some point let’s say during REM cycle??

Most moisturizers, sunscreens and makeups have oil in them so now a different method for daily skin care has be modified – and that’s not all!  The special lash cleaner and oil-free eye make-up remover. The list continues for this “carefree” treatment!

After 3 days, lashes looked ok. Using the special cleaner morning and night and I had plenty of “does feet” (basically a disposable lip gloss wand) but that would probably be a problem for most as I know very few ladies who keep these on hand. The lashes don’t look so good and they keep sticking together which is really annoying when you can’t use your “oily” fingers to detach them!

After the first 7 days I wanted the stuff off! There was no way I was going to make it to the 2nd or 3rd week for lash refreshing. Quite a few of my lashes broke off and even now, a full year later there are still a few bald spots in my lash line from this horrid product! The worst part is knowing the models that participated experienced the same!

Get it yet? I have nothing positive to say about this product nor the company that manufactures it.

Feel free to post.

Other Tanda devices

While I was learning more about the Tanda Zap, I happened to notice they have a few other interesting gizmos as well. Yes, it’s true – I am a “gizmo girl”!

Tanda started out with LED array devices (I mentioned the Tanda Zap in an earlier blog) and now they have about 5 devices including both red and blue LED treatments, a smaller blue light treatment that is very affordable, IPL permanent hair reduction and ionic teeth whitening system. Blue light therapy is used for acne and red light therapy is used for wrinkle reduction and collagen boosting. Their company website is tanda.com (go figure?!).

Personally I will be saving up for the Tanda Pearl (ionic teeth whitening system)! Each of the devices they sell come with a 30 day money back guarantee.

Average cost Tanda Pearl:  $195.00

Heated Lash Curler – New Eyecurl II

The New Eyecurl II, a heated lash curler is by far my favorite daily tool! This “open-wand” type curler heats to a comfortably warm level and safely curls your lashes both with and without mascara. Uses 1 AA battery and needs approximately 15-30 seconds to heat.

The most awesome thing about this lash curler is it does not do the damage of the traditional “crimping” style lash curlers our moms used. No “kink” in the lash and no lashes being torn out by the roots! You simply start at the the lash line at about a 75°-90° angle and move up lashes every couple of seconds. It is amazing how long it makes your lashes look! One of my clients asked me if I had false eyelashes in because they were so perfectly curled by this little gizmo!

Small downside: You will go through lots of AA batteries! On average I replace about once a month.

• Most Ebay sellers are from overseas – make sure to check their rating and get free shipping if possible.
• Average cost $12 – $15

NuFACE home microcurrent device

Since MicroCurrent Face Lifts (Lunchtime/Dinnertime Lifts) are a new service offered at A Beautiful Face & Skin Care, I wanted to mention some  home maintenance tools available to give you the option of purchasing your own maintenance or scheduling treatments with an esthetician at 4-6 week intervals.

Note: If you use one of these devices in conjunction with the professional microcurrent treatment you will obtain lasting results much quicker not to mention you will already have it available to maintain your results. At home maintenance devices do not have the strength of spa equipment. It will take longer to obtain the results at home that it takes in just a few treatments from an esthetician.

NuFACE is a hand-held home microcurrent device that is FDA cleared for facial toning and stimulation.

The manufacturer sent me sign up info in order to distribute/sell from my treatment room, but at the moment it is a bit out of budget constraints to buy into. You can bet it is something on my “to-do” list!

Their website is mynuface.com and I would encourage you to order from them directly.

For the most part they have 2 model types: Trinity (newest) and Classic which comes in different colors. They also mentioned a model that appears to be for professional estheticians called Advanced. It was not clear as to whether this unit would be sold to the public.

They have “refreshed” Classic models which have been refurbished at quite a savings. The Trinity model runs about $100 more than the Classic and boasts a “Smart Skin Sensor” which picks up minuscule changes in your skin’s hydration level which alters the conductivity for microcurrent success.

• Average cost for Trinity:                        $325.00
• Average cost for Classic:                       $249.00
• Average cost for Refreshed Classic:    $175.00
• Website: mynuface.com

 

 

Zeno Heat Treat and Zeno Hot Spot

I have had a few clients who have asked me about the Zeno device. This device has been around for over 10 years now. The tips of Zeno tools needs to be replaced every 35 – 90 blemishes – yes, I did say blemishes so if you break out a lot you will be replacing the tip (at $40 each) quite frequently! Both models use heat treatment but no blue light to kill bacteria. The Heat Treat is used in conjunction with a blemish prevention lotion. The Hot Spot appears not to require lotion.

From the reviews I have read and, I believe the Tanda zap to be superior and if you add up tip replacement you could run into quite a bit of cost.

• Average cost Zeno Heat Treat & lotion $50.00
• Average cost Zeno Hot Spot $39.99
• Average cost Tip replacement $40.00
  

DermaSeptic skin healing device

DermaSeptic is a multifunctional tool. It treats acne, cold sores, herpes outbreaks, fungus, fever blisters and rashes which are caused by bacteria and viruses that develop beneath the skin’s surface. Topical creams and salves can’t penetrate to reach viruses where they live. The website states it works on warts; however, most of the reviews I have read show no success of wart treatment.

DermaSeptic painlessly delivers natural anti-microbial silver ions directly to the infected tissue and because of this it can’t be rubbed off.

I have a friend who suffers from an auto-immune illness that causes her to break out in “herpes” like lesions around her mouth and cheek area. She bought one of these a few years ago and whenever she feels that “little tingle” one is about to pop up she uses the DermaSeptic on it. She says it has been a “lifesaver” for her!

Google for best price as I have seen they definitely vary!

• Average cost is approximately $50 – $99.00

Tanda Zap

TANDA Zap acne spot treatment device: Combines the same powerful blue light technology used by dermatologists with sonic vibration and gentle warming to give you clinically proven clearing results with no pain, no irritation, and no drying.

LED (Light Emitted Diode) therapy has been used for years. There are different colors for different results: blue for acne and breakouts, red for wrinkles, green for healing, and mixed colors for varied results.

This is a very affordable way to treat acne and breakouts safely without the use of harsh topical products.

• Website: tanda.com
• Average cost is approximately $49.00