Facial Treatments: What Is A Chemical Glycolic Peel?

The following post Facial Treatments: What Is A Chemical Glycolic Peel? was first published to Toronto's best spa - Jiva

When it comes to facial treatments in Toronto, there are many different options to choose from.

And if you’re trying to discover the best treatment option for you, it can sometimes be overwhelming.

With so many different options, where do you even start?

In this first of a multi-part series, you’ll get a chance to better understand the benefits of the different options for skin treatment. That way, when it comes to making a decision about what to do, you’ll have the knowledge you need.

Of course, no blog article is a substitute for speaking with an experienced professional. Here at Jiva Spa Toronto, we provide these articles for educational purposes only. Before you decide on any facial treatment, whether a chemical glycolic peel or something else entirely, we recommend speaking with an experienced esthetician who can help you understand your options. We have professionals on staff which can help you make the right decision for your skincare needs.

With that out of the way, today we’ll be talking about chemical glycolic peels. What is a chemical glycolic peel? What are the effects of a chemical glycolic peel? And will it give you the results you’re looking for? Read on to find out.

What Is A Chemical Glycolic Peel?

A chemical glycolic peel is a facial treatment which helps rejuvenate the skin on your face, giving you a fresher more youthful glow.

When it comes to skin face treatments in Toronto, a chemical glycolic peel is one of the many options.

Using glycolic acid, a natural alpha hydroxy acid found in sugarcane, which is one of the most efficient ways to penetrate deep into your skin’s pores and clean out any unwanted elements. It’s designed to damage your skin in a controlled manner, eating away at your outermost layer.

Since this layer of skin is made up entirely of dead skin cells, the process will clear this away, leaving you with healthier, more youthful looking skin.

Should You Get A Chemical Glycolic Peel?

Chemical glycolic peels can deliver great results, but they aren’t for everyone.

Chemical glycolic peels work best on people with fairly mild skin imperfections. Because the treatment is one of the harsher ones when it comes to non-surgical facial treatments, those with more severe skin conditions can sometimes have adverse reactions.

If you have acne scarring, or are experiencing fine lines, a chemical peel can help reduce those.

Chemical peels are also considered effective for acne treatment, since they exfoliate your skin and unclog pores.

Chemical Peel Vs. Microdermabrasion

When looking at the benefits of a chemical peel and comparing it with that of a microdermabrasion, you might find them to be very similar.

And in fact they are. Both treatments are effective for similar skin conditions. Both treatments work by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells. The primary difference is in the methodology.

Where a chemical glycolic peel works using glycolic acid, a microdermabrasion uses tiny crystals. We’ll talk more about how exactly that works in the next article.

Which option is best for you depends on your skin type, conditions you hope to treat, and the results you’d like to achieve. Speaking with an esthetician will help you understand the differences, and which option is best for your needs.

Best Facial Treatment in Toronto

If you’re looking for a facial treatment, a chemical glycolic peel is just one of the many options to choose from.

And while the information in this article is true, everyone has different skin. That’s why it’s always best to consult with an esthetician who can help you better understand your skin’s unique needs and determine the best treatment plan.

Contact Jiva Spa Toronto to book a consultation with one of our estheticians and start your journey toward clearer, healthier skin.

Read more information on: JivaSpa.ca

Is Juvederm® The Best Anti Aging Skincare Treatment?

Read more on: Anti-Aging and Beauty Spa - Jiva

It happens to the most fortunate of us.

It’s part of living life in the modern world.

Medical science, combined with a better understanding of how our bodies work, is allowing us to live longer, healthier lives.

In 1921, Canadians could expect to live to the ripe old age of about 57. Today the average life expectancy is 81. That’s 24 more years to enjoy life, but it’s also 24 more years to age.

As a result, more people than ever are looking for anti-aging treatments to help them retain a youthful appearance as they grow older. And there are more options than ever.

How do you know which option is best for you? Read on to find out.

Plastic Surgery?

One option is, of course, plastic surgery. If you’re planning on making drastic changes to your appearance, plastic surgery can help.

However, there are several drawbacks to plastic surgery.

First of all, plastic surgery is expensive and isn’t generally covered by OHIP or other health insurance plans except in the case of medical necessity. Not only is it expensive, but the recovery time can set you back even further as you take time off work to heal.

Second, there’s always the risk for complications. Plastic surgery is, after all, surgery, and any time you go under the knife you run the risk of complications. This is, however, rare in the hands of a skilled surgeon.

And because of the surgical nature of plastic surgery, there’s an intimidation factor that needs to be overcome. In other words, surgery can be pretty frightening.

Nonsurgical Facelift In Toronto

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going the surgical route if that’s what you want. But for those who want to take a nonsurgical approach to improving their appearance, there are many options to choose from.

At Jiva Spa Toronto, we offer several different options to give you a more youthful appearance, but one of the most popular and innovative is Juvederm® anti aging treatments.

Juvederm®, like Botox, is an injectable facial filler designed to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. But unlike Botox, Juvederm® is made from a naturally occurring sugar in your body, hyaluronic acid. When combined with the water in your skin, Juvederm® refreshes your skin, giving you the appearance you’re looking for.

What To Expect With Juvederm®

A Juvederm® treatment can be administered in as little as 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the area you’re hoping to treat. And because Juvederm® contains a naturally pain-reducing substance, you’ll be surprised at how painless the entire experience is.

Juvederm ® treatments can last up to two years as well, and you can generally see results instantly after your first visit, and with almost zero recovery time.

We advise not to wear makeup for 12 hours after treatment, and to avoid the sun and extreme hot or cold (such as saunas, steam rooms, or Canadian winters) for two weeks after treatment. You may also experience redness, itching, swelling, or small bumps. These symptoms generally clear up on their own within a week, though in the rare case that they persist longer we advise speaking with a doctor.

Is Juvederm® Safe?

In general, yes. Thousands of people worldwide have received Juvederm® treatments and enjoyed softer, smoother, more youthful looking skin. However, Juvederm® is not for everybody.

If you have a history of anaphylaxis, epilepsy, porphyria, rheumatic fever, multiple severe allergies, allergies to hyaluronic acid or other filler products, or allergies to local anaesthetics including lidocaine, a history of autoimmune diseases, or recurrent sore throats, speak to your doctor before undergoing any Juvederm® treatment or any other cosmetic treatment.

You should also consult your doctor if you’re currently on blood thinners or any medications which prolong bleeding, you’ve recently had other skin treatments (like microdermabrasion, IPL treatment, or chemical peels), other fillers (like Botox), you’re experiencing acne, cold sores, or other skin conditions, or if you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you’re under 21y ears old.

When you visit Jiva Spa Toronto, you’ll get a chance to sit down with an experienced Juvederm® specialist who will explain to you all the full benefits and potential drawbacks. This will help you discover whether Juvederm® is for you.

Results of Juvederm®

At Jiva Spa Toronto, we’re proud to be one of the leading provider of Juvederm® Anti Aging Treatments in Toronto. And one of the main reasons is the results you can achieve.

Juvederm® can reduce laugh lines, circles under your eyes, crow’s feet, sagging skin, and wrinkles of all types.

At the same time, it can give you fuller, more kissable lips, fill out your cheeks, and give your eyes a livelier, more beautiful look.

To find out more about Juvederm® treatment and whether it’s right for you, contact Jiva Spa Toronto. You’ll get a chance to speak with an anti aging skincare specialist who will help you understand the best treatment plan to meet your unique needs.

Contact Jiva Spa Toronto today to take your first steps toward a more youthful, beautiful appearance.

Read more info on: JivaSpa.ca - Nutrition and Beauty

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?

Read more on: JivaSpa.ca

Do you have a bit of fuzz on your chin that you’d like to get rid of?

Some little sprigs peeking out from your upper lip?

Or maybe you’re just tired of shaving and want to be done with it once and for all.

If so, you may have considered laser hair removal.

It’s a safe, effective way of removing unwanted body hair, leaving you soft, smooth, and hairless wherever you want.

If you’ve heard about it but aren’t sure if it’s for you, this article will give you a better understanding of its benefits, its potential drawbacks, and whether it can give you what you’re looking for.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal is one of the most common cosmetic procedures done in Canada, and one of the more popular services here at Jiva Spa Toronto. Along with it is a common question – how does it work?

From a scientific view, laser hair removal works by shining a laser onto your skin. Your hair follicles absorb the light, and are destroyed in the process. This prevents new hair from growing in that spot.

At Jiva Spa Toronto, we use a Lumenis Lightsheer laser, one of the leading laser hair removal devices. It’s quick, relatively painless compared to other hair removal methods like waxing and plucking, and has longer-lasting results.

Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

This is the second most common question related to laser hair removal.

And the simple answer is YES! Laser hair removal does work, but it’s not for everyone.

It’s easier for light to be absorbed by darker colours. That’s why the black leather interior of a car is so hot when it’s been sitting in the sun, but it’s not so bad with other colours. As a result, it works better on people with darker hair. Those with blonde, white, or red hair will see limited results.

Laser hair removal is also sometimes less effective for those with darker skin, and for a similar reason. The laser won’t be able to target the hair as precisely, and will instead spread it out across the skin. That’s why we use the Limenis Lightsheer laser; it’s more effective for all skin colours, which allows us to offer one of the best laser hair removal options in Toronto.

Finally, laser hair removal is most effective at removing coarser hairs, like the ones found on your legs, arms, underarms, chest (for men), face, and genitals, but isn’t as effective on the finer baby hairs you find on the cheeks of most women.

Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

Laser hair removal is entirely safe, and has been used by a large number of people with few if any adverse effects. However there are some mild risks involved.

Your skin may feel blistered or sore afterward, much like it does after a sunburn. This is completely normal and should fade after a day or two.

You’ll also notice hair continuing to grow out over the next month or so. This is actually your body pushing out what’s left of the dead hair follicles, so don’t be alarmed.

Occasionally you’ll see a small amount of swelling or redness in the treated area, a shift in the pigmentation of your skin, and a small amount of scarring. While rare, these changes can occasionally be permanent.

The fast majority of those treated with laser hair removal, though, enjoy a full laser hair removal experience with little to no side effects.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

A single session of laser hair removal isn’t enough. Most people can experience permanent hair removal in between four and seven sessions.

Over time, your body will create new hair follicles, so we recommend periodic maintenance visits in order to stay smooth.

Full Body Laser Hair Removal

If you’re considering laser hair removal for any part of your body, contact Jiva Spa Toronto for a consultation. We’ll help you understand the most effective treatment plan to give you the hair growth pattern you’re hoping for.

We offer laser hair removal services for your entire body – yes, including brazilians – for both men and women.

Contact Jiva Spa Toronto today, and take your first toward the body of your dreams.

Find more information on: Toronto Health Spa - Jiva

Is A Facial For Acne The Best Acne Treatment For Adults?

Is A Facial For Acne The Best Acne Treatment For Adults? is republished from http://jivaspa.ca

Ahh, a good night’s sleep.

You wake up a few moments before your alarm was set to go off, giving you a few minutes to relax.

Refreshed by a great night’s sleep, you get out of bed feeling great, like you could take on the world.

The challenges life throws at you today won’t slow you down! No way, you’re a superhero. Unstoppable!

You walk over to the washroom for your morning beauty routine, set to clean yourself up and face the day.

And what do you see staring back at you?

A BIG!

FAT!

ZIT!

What Causes Acne?

We know that acne forms when the oil glands in your skin produce too much of a waxy substance called sebum, which teams up with dead skin cells to clog your pores. This mixture is the ideal snack for bacteria, which grow and irritate your pores, which is where you get the red, swollen pigmentation.

But what triggers the sebum growth? Why do some people seem to be assaulted with acne and others get a free ride along the clear skin train?

This might be the worst part of it – we don’t know. It seems to be different from person to person.

Adult Acne Treatment

Teenagers are the ones most associated with acne, and with good reason. The hormonal changes our bodies experience during puberty can cause all sorts of issues, and acne is one of the big ones.

But many people continue to experience acne well into their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or even 50’s. For some, it’s a lifelong battle.

There’s no shame in adult acne, although many do feel embarrassed by it.

But what can you do about it?

Facials For Acne From Jiva Spa Toronto

In our day-to-day lives, dirt, grime, dead skin cells, and impurities build up on our skin. You can’t avoid it, even if you lived in a bubble. It’s part of being alive.

Whether or not you have acne, it’s a good idea to wash your face twice a day to remove all this. Not only will this help you reduce acne, it will keep your skin looking fresh and healthy, which is something we can all enjoy.

You can also benefit from facials for acne in Toronto here at Jiva Spa. Our acne facial is specifically customized to your skin type, leaving you with the healthiest skin possible.

It starts with a deep cleansing treatment with salicylic acid. A beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid is more oil soluble than other acids, which means it has an easier time penetrating through the layer of oil on your skin and getting right down to the pores, cleaning the impurities out. It’s also an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce the prominence of cystic acne.

Next, we start with a deep exfoliation of your pores. Exfoliation is the process of removing the outer layer of dead skin cells on your face. While the deep cleansing treatment will clear some of these dead skin cells away, the exfoliation process clears anything left behind.

Finally, we focus on extraction of any existing acne, clearing out these problematic areas and allowing your skin to begin the recovery process.

How often should you have a facial for acne? That depends on the nature of your acne (mild vs. severe, cystic vs. nodular, etc) and your skin type (normal, oily, sensitive, combination, etc). Speak to your esthetician to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.

Other Ways To Reduce Acne

While the causes of acne aren’t fully understood, there are several factors which can help you reduce the acne you experience.

First, try experimenting with your diet. While the idea that chocolate causes acne has been debunked, some people still find that limiting chocolate in their diet can help reduce the amount of acne they experience. Others have found similar results with eliminating dairy, sugar, peanuts, wheat, and processed foods.

Stress is another factor that can cause acne, but this is another one of those cases where we don’t know why. We know that skin cells (the ones that produce sebum) have receptors for stress hormones in them, but exactly how that links stress and the appearance of acne is still not understood.

If you suffer from stress, reducing it is a great way to reduce your acne as well.

What’s The Best Acne Treatment For Adults?

If you aren’t sure what to do next, start with a FREE face mapping here at Jiva Spa Toronto.

A face mapping will help you better understand your skin’s unique needs, the underlying causes of any skin conditions, and what you can do to get the healthiest, most beautiful looking skin you can.

Contact Jiva Spa Toronto and book your FREE face mapping today.

Find additional info on: Toronto Spa - Jiva

5 Ways To Get Healthier Looking Skin

5 Ways To Get Healthier Looking Skin is courtesy of Toronto Beauty Spa - Jiva Spa

What’s the largest organ in your body?

Your lungs? Your brain? Your digestive system?

None of the above.

Your body’s largest organ is something you wouldn’t even think of as an organ, because it’s on the outside of your body.

The largest organ in your body is…

Your skin!

Yes, your skin is larger than every other organ in your body. And that makes sense, right? After all, it’s what holds everything together. From your head to your toes, everything is covered in skin!

(by the way, in case you were wondering, the liver is the second largest. Then the brain, lungs, heart, and kidneys.)

But these organs are all buried underneath the skin. So not only is your skin your largest organ, it’s also your most obvious.

What’s Skin For, Anyway?

First of all, it holds everything together, and in that sense it’s the most important part of your body, in the same way that the most important thing you get in the grocery store is the bag you use to carry it all home.

It also defends against diseases by putting a barrier between the outside world and all the squishy bits inside. It helps your body regulate temperature, and even helps produce certain vitamins.

So keeping your skin healthy is about more than just beauty and aesthetics. It’s crucial for your overall health.

How To Maintain Healthy Skin

Of course, we all like to look our best, and there’s nothing wrong with that. With healthier, cleaner skin comes a greater sense of confidence and happiness.

Simply put, it’s easier to face the world with a clean, fresh face than with one that looks unhealthy.

Whether it’s for health or for beauty reasons, here are some of the best ways to maintain healthy skin.

Keep Your Body Hydrated

When you’re even a little bit dehydrated, your body starts to slow down. It cuts corners wherever it can, saving resources in case you don’t get to drink anything for a while.

And since your skin is your largest organ, it’s the easiest place to cut corners.

When you don’t get enough water, your skin will begin to look cracked, flaky, dry, and saggy. Moisturizer may help, but the simplest solution is to stand up, walk over to your kitchen, and pour yourself a nice refreshing glass of water.

Your skin will thank you for it!

Minimize Sun Exposure

Sitting in the sunshine on a nice day can be a great feeling, especially after the harsh Canadian winters we have to deal with. And even better, getting a nice tan can leave you looking fabulous.

Even better, your body can convert sunshine into vitamin D, which has all sorts of health benefits.

Be careful, though – too much sun exposure and your skin may burn or dry out your skin, and it also puts you at risk for skin cancer.

How much is too much? Different experts are conflicted on it, and it depends on your skin colour, age, and other factors.

But in general, wearing sunscreen can help you protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun while still allowing you to enjoy the sunshine.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night will help you with almost every facet of your life.

It helps your brain process the day’s events, and prepares you for the next day by clearing pathways for new synapses to form.

Getting a poor night’s sleep can also cause your skin’s pH to drop, becoming more acidic. This prevents it from creating enough moisture, which leads it to dry out, crack, flake, and become itchy. It can also trigger breakouts – the last thing we want to face on our face in the morning!

How much sleep do you need? That varies from person to person, but the general rule of thumb is that 8 hours of sleep each night is ideal.

Clean Up Your Diet

Sugar, processed foods, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can all lead to damaged skin. I know these foods are often the most fun, but the trade off is the health of your skin.

On the other hand, including a variety of different vegetables in your diet can help you enjoy healthier skin.

Different vegetables have different vitamins and health properties in them, so the more different types of vegetables you can eat, the better.

Visit A Health Spa

Jiva is a full service health and beauty spa with a wide range of solutions to help your skin retain its natural glow and beauty, no matter your skin type.

We offer the best deep cleansing facial in Toronto, which is customized for each skin type. Whether you’re suffering from acne, looking for anti-aging solutions, hoping to rehydrate dry skin, and everything in between, Jiva Spa can help you keep your skin looking its greatest.

If you’re not sure what your skin needs, contact us to book an appointment with one of our experienced skincare specialists. We’ll help you discover more about your skin and how you can look your absolute best.

Find additional info on: JivaSpa.ca