your SPRING BODYCARE ROUTINE
Spring’s here (almost) and it’s time to step up your grooming game. (Sadly, hairy-leg-hiding sweatpants aren’t going to work all year round… we took it hard too.) So we’re bringing in the big guns: laser hair removal, luxe body oils, specialised treatments and a bit of faux tan for that just-back-fromvacay glow.
HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
Lasering is the way forward when it comes to hair removal. We chatted to popular Cape Town-based clinic Deluxe Laser & Spa, and got them to answer all the questions you’ve been dying to ask. Which area do most women choose to have lasered? With our latest technology lasers, we’re able to laser any part of the body where you have unwanted hair. The areas vary according to the season as well as trends. Most women start off with their underarms and move on to areas that are generally exposed in summer. Is lasering painful? Absolutely not – our lasers offer permanent, pain-free hair removal with no downtime. The process is non-invasive and most clients actually experience relaxation. What does lasering do and how does it work? It utilises laser energy that converts light into heat within the hair follicle. This heat is drawn to the bottom of the root, where the ‘factory’ that produces the hair is located. This factory in effect is destroyed and can no longer produce new hairs.
How many sessions does it take before the hair doesn’t grow back at all? The number of sessions varies according to your hair character, growth pattern and the area you’re lasering. We recommend a minimum of six sessions and a maximum of 12 for effective hair removal. Any tips for pre-treatment prep? The laser process requires the area of treatment to be clear of surface hair. This means either shaving or using a chemical depilatory to remove the surface hair before your laser sessions. We suggest you avoid waxing, tweezing, threading or epilating for at least four weeks before you start laser treatments and throughout the treatment course. The treatment area should be clean and dry. Also, avoid direct sun exposure on the treatment area before your appointment. What is the easiest area to laser? Our qualified therapists can safely laser any area of the body including the toes, fingers, nostrils, ears and even the most intimate areas. Visit: www.deluxelaser.co.za for more info on lasering.
BODY OIL BENEFITS
It’s no secret that we adore body oils! But in case you need a refresher on the benefits, here goes: Oils will… • Penetrate the skin faster than a lotion • Protect the skin’s lipid barrier • Give you a radiant glow • Absorb quickly (and are non-greasy) • Help fade stretchmarks • Improve skin tone Plus, a little goes a long way. A few drops of oil in your bath can leave skin feeling intensely hydrated for hours on end as it locks in moisture. (Western Cape, we’re not talking to you here, by the way – stick to massaging in your body oil, post-shower.) WE LOVE: • Nivea Q10 Plus Firming Body Oil, R119,99 • Dove DermaSpa Goodness Silky Body Oil, R129,99 for 150ml (if you want a bit of shimmer)
SAVE YOUR SKIN
A change of season often means an increase in skin sensitivity. Itchiness, redness and dryness are common occurrences in September. These lotions, oils and balms are the best to soothe sensitive skin. WE LOVE: • Eucerin® Urea Repair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea, R189,99 for 250ml • Eucerin AtoControl Bath & Shower Oil, R179,99 for 400ml • La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume AP+, R280 • Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion R298,68 for 200ml
GET YOUR GLOW ON
A spray tan means you get a sunkissed look minus the sun damage. Seeing that the skin is the largest organ, chemicals are absorbed within seconds, and can be carcinogenic, so choose well. We recommend a non-toxic spray tan like Vita Liberata. Faux tan lifespan:
The duration of a tan depends on the condition and health of the skin, which depends on inner cell hydration and general good health through a cleansing regime, diet, lifestyle and water intake. Dry skin or skin that hasn’t been properly exfoliated flakes faster, so the tan won’t last as long. Nourished, hydrated skin can retain a tan for 10 to 12 days before it fades.
How to prolong your spray
tan: Exfoliate, preferably with a non-toxic, organic exfoliator. Avoid those that contain oil as they can create a barrier on the skin and prevent the solution from penetrating. Why Vita Liberata? With Odour Remove™ technology for zero smell, Moisture Lock™ technology for 72-hour skin hydration, 80% certified organic ingredients and the first completely non-toxic formulation, Vita Liberata is the most natural, skin-caring tan available. It treats the skin while tanning it, promising a flawless fade with no scaling or patching. Their tans also match your unique skin colour (that you’d naturally get from a suntan) – so none of that dreaded orange! Vita Liberata’s Hero Products • Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week TanningMousse,R1135 •VitaLiberataBodyBlur,R1030 • Fabulous Illuminate Wash Off Body Bronzer in Medium, R425
HAVE YOU HEARD OF BTL?
BTL is a major developer and producer of medical devices used in physiotherapy, cardiology – and aesthetic medicine. Technologies like radio frequency and ultrasound are used to tighten skin and address body concerns. BTL tells us more. How does the treatment work for ‘zapping fat’? Both BTL Exilis Elite and BTL Vanquish ME can ‘destroy’ fat cells. The process, called apoptosis, is natural and common to the human body. Slimming occurs after heating the fat cells, which induces apoptosis. The fat cells are removed from the tissue, resulting in a lower number in the treated area, which reduces the size of the area being treated. The process doesn’t pose a danger to any organ.
Which treatment is best for toning the stomach, arms, legs and thighs?
A combination of either BTL Exilis or BTL Vanquish and BTL X-Wave, as the combination of different energies maximises the effect. BTL Exilis and BTL Vanquish use heat to create a response in the tissue, while BTL X-Wave uses acoustic waves. We also recommend a regular lymphatic massage which increases the metabolism and blood flow in the area, and removes toxins. The tissue gets more nutrients and metabolites are removed more effectively. We use a machine that provides mechanical lymph drainage, called BTL Lymphastim.
Can anyone have these treatments?
Women and men of all ages can have the procedures done. There are few contraindications, and pregnancy is one of them. You can go for treatments six months after giving birth. Is it painful? No. You might even fall asleep during some treatments. When do you start seeing results? It varies from person to person, but most feel or see the difference after the third session – usually two to three weeks after starting the treatments. How much is it? The price depends on the area and the treatment time. It’s about R1000 a session for the abdomen or for both legs. Full face is R2000 a session. The course consists of four to six sessions. Visit: www.btlaesthetics.com for more info.