What’s up with Sun Protection?

UVA Rays According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA Rays account for up to 95% of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. This affects each and every one of us.  What does happens when you expose your skin to the sun’s rays? Unprotected skin can cause damage in the skin cells, premature wrinkles and potentially skin cancer. What causes your skin to burn? UVB rays which also plays a major role in aging and skin cancer.

So what is the difference between drugstore, department store sunscreen and quality sunscreens? Micronized zinc oxide is the single ingredient that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. The quanitity of these ingredients in the sunscreen is what sets a quality product apart from the rest.  I have watched with my own eyes a young boy ( around 10 years old)  burn very badly accross his whole face.  Both mother and son were exposed for the same amount of time playing at the beach.  Both of them reapplied sunscreen after 90 minutes and used a similar amount of sunscreen. The young boy was so severly burned that the skin on his face blistered.  The mother was absolutely fine and got that beautiful “sun kissed” glow.  There was only one difference here.  The mom was wearing Elta MD Sunscreen SPF50  and the young boy was wearing a drugstore product with a SPF50. People sometimes say “seeing is believing.”

Along with sensible clothing  and  hats, sunscreen, without a doubt, is the best defense against aging, burning and skin cancer.  Zinc oxide can be safely used on all skin types, including sensitve skin, in its micronized for and  does not leave any residue on your skin. If you don’t have the time to reapply cream through the day,  Colorscience Mineral Sunscreen is fast, easy and can be applied on top of makeup, anytime, anywhere.


Hair Extensions

It is often described as the “crowning glory”. Silk tresses and long luscious waves can be summed up as soft, sexy and irresistible. Truly, your hair can be “a woman’s glory”. Why is good hair such and important aspect of a woman’s appearance? Self-worth, social acceptance and beauty all seem to be tied into every woman’s hair. What can you do with your hair, you may ask? You can tie it, you can braid it, color it, perm it, wave it, curl it and of course straighten it.
As of recent, you can also add volume, add length and add different colors. We are talking about hair extensions. In North America, we often look at celebrities for hair trends and what we observe is mostly long beautiful shiny hair. Interestingly enough, Europeans watch the fashion runways for hair trends and direction.
So, for those of us who want glamorous and sexy hair…what do we do to get it? Its not as difficult as you may think.

Since there are so many extension techniques available out there we decided to talk about the best system available; Great Lengths. When you talk about having hair extensions in for up to 6 months then we assume that you would want the best quality while having the most manageable and ease of styling. Some clients find the extensions are easier than their own hair to work with and the style lasts longer because of the quality of the hair. They are made from 100% Indian virgin hair with natural texture. Great Lengths utilizes only “remy” hair which means that the cuticle layers are all facing the same direction from root to end and, therefore, do not tangle. This also ensures that the extensions behave exactly like your own hair, blending in superbly with yours and looking super natural! The polymer bond mimics the human hairs’ molecular structure acting like a glue. This method utilizes heat to soften the bond so the bond can be moulded to the group of natural strands that the bond is attaching to. This method is virtually impossible to detach from your hair and is great for growing out an existing style or to create an entire new look instantly! Add highlights or blocks of color without having to bleach or damage your own hair as well!

To maintain a consistent service for the client, Great Lengths makes sure that the extensions are only done by fully licensed hair stylists who have completed the certification program and that the salons are approved to keep it a professional company. Meaning no “basement salon” can offer this system. If your dream has been to have long luscious locks or beautiful volume and shine, come in for a consultation and have this dream become a reality.


Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hair

We all know that good quality haircare is essential for maintaining beautiful hair and scalp. What goes into our bodies is as equally important as what we apply topically. Consuming whole foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and biotin may help promote healthy scalp and hair.

  1. Dark green leafy vegetables like swiss chard, kale, spinach are great sources of Vitamins A and C. Another nutrient dense choice are dandelion leaves. You will benefit from the calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin K when enjoying these greens raw or steamed. These vitamins help produce sebum which is a natural conditioner for your hair.
  2. Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Try to buy wild Alaskan salmon which is also a good source of protein which is also beneficial for your scalp. For those who don’t like fish then choose a good quality fish oil supplement or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed. You can add flaxseed to your breakfeast very easily in a nutritional shake (Vega One is an excellent choice) or on top of cereal or yogurt. We recommend buying fish oil at a good health food store.
  3. Beans and legumes. These delicious staples are a good source of protein and very easy to cook if you soak them overnight. Protein, iron, biotin and zinc can help promote hair growth. Sometimes biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.
  4. Nuts. Delicious anytime of the day. Great for snacking on and easy to take with you to work or when you are running out the door! Some varieties can promote the health of your scalp. Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium. For a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts are a perfect choice. Again, you can throw these into your nutritional shake first thing in the morning. Nuts contain vitamins and minerals with many benefits including conditioning of your hair from the inside out. Choose the raw nuts to maximize the healthy aspects. (Add Zinc and Silica to your diet if you are experiencing hair loss)
  5. Eggs. A good source of protein, which helps prevent dry, weak and brittle hair. The omega 3 in eggs is beneficial for your hair and you will find that most grocery stores and health food stores sell good quality fresh organic eggs that come from cage-free hens.

For beautiful hair… make sure these top five foods land in your grocery basket!


Sun spots! Liver spots! Age spots!

You may call them what you wish but they are those bothersome flattened dark spots on your skin.

Melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin (colour), get damaged over time and produce dark and uneven pigment. Most often the damage is caused by ultraviolet rays. How many times have we heard, “Oh, I have always had freckles?” “Really?”  How many babies were born with freckles…none!

We have solutions for you, but if you continue to expose your unprotected skin to sun, the solutions won’t work and you may as well stop reading right here. You need to commit to taking care of your skin or you will be wasting your time and money. Even though makeup sometimes contains small amounts of sunscreen it is not enough to protect your skin.

A gold standard product to use as a base is Elta MD. If you will be outside, reapply quickly and without mess with our Colorscience mineral powder.  You must protect your skin every single day, even in the winter. Even though you may not see the sun shining you will still be exposed to ultraviolet rays. Some people notice that the left side of their face is worse than the right side. This is caused by more sun exposure while driving.

So, if you are willing to protect your skin with a good sunscreen, let’s talk about solutions!

Exfoliate your skin to increase cellular turnover. Preparing the skin with a chemical peel will be a good start in fading the brown spots.
Silk Peel therapy refreshes, exfoliates and renews your skin by reducing your stratum corneum. The results you will see with your smoother skin are a brighter, more luminous and more vibrant complexion. Silk Peel treatments also infuse the skin with customized serums to target your condition.
Several treatments with Intense Pulse Light or AFT will finish off your treatment program. Not only with IPL reduce or fade your brown spots but you will also enjoy reduced pore size, evening out of any redness or skin discoloration and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
Using homecare is also crucial to encourage exfoliation and fading as well as for maintenance in order to achieve great results.

Treatments should be customized to every individual and their needs. The above recommendation is a general guideline to show multiple approaches to achieve optimal results. The laser technicians at Pino’s are trained and continually educated with the latest techniques and products to customize your very own treatment plan- one that is affordable and results oriented!

Before                                          After


Fall Preview 2012: A Time To Dream

Beautiful Coiled Curls

Have you ever had a dream in which you never wanted to wake up? That was the main theme of the Angelo Seminara’s collection yesterday at the Metro Academy in Toronto.  Mackenzie, Yesy and I represented our Pino’s Salon team with much anticipation and excitement. Award winning Seminara “British Hairdresser of the the Year” took the stage to show us his fabulous and dreamy new fall 2012 hair collections.

We  noted that Seminara’s styles are based on classic looks updated by dusty colors, custom shapes and textures. Almost like an Alice in Wonderland theme, this collection brings seductive, feminine and nude looking tones in hair color. It represents a modern woman that is bringing forth something that has been inspired by the past.  Seminara loves the element of dreaming,   In turn,  this image of dreaming provides unity in color and shades.  “We have to be able to dream in life and to come up with all this beautiful work” he says.  We cut and style the hair in a certain way or have specific techniques but for Seminara it’s about opening up your mind in order to seek the unknown. This is what unleashes the creativity!

Architecture is a major part of how trends are born in modern hair dressing.  A video of modern Parisian structural designs was shown during the presentation. The buildings had classic Parisian designs with a great modern feel.  I felt that Seminara’s proposals were very relevant to this architecture because they combine both the classic and fresh designs.

Mirroring our belief in using natural products Seminara also agrees that staying away from plastics and silicone is the direction our industry needs to embrace.   Our Pino’s Salon team loves that we can provide clients with  new products and services like ammonia free color, pareben free and gluten free products.  These are gentle for the clients’ scalp and hair and are very enjoyable also for the professional stylist to use.  More and more we are conscious of the environment and how the planet is impacted by the use of harmful chemicals.  Not only do these harmful toxins cause problems in our bodies but they have a huge impact on our earth.  New methods of doing hair promotes this type of natural movement.

Striving towards excellence means that you constantly seek new and better ways to make the clients’ experience superb!  Affiliating ourselves with suppliers and educators that continue in their search also for excellence keeps us inspired, excited and moving forward…with…and for our client!   Healthy and shiny hair with an element of fun can certainly be achieved. Dare to dream.

 

Me Yesy and Mackenzie

 


Paraben Free

In the last few years you have probably heard a lot about paraben free beauty products.  So, what’s all the hype about? Why should you care about what’s in your product? The most important investment you have is your health! For nearly 70 years parabens have been added to our daily regimen, its time to understand the negative effects.

Parabens are used to preserve products in order to give the product a longer shelf life. They are the most widely used preservatives in personal care products because they are cheap and widely available. There are different types of parabens like methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl.  The reason why you should be aware of this is due to the fact that these chemicals can get into your bloodstream through your skin and scalp. This may create hormonal imbalances and increase the amount of estrogen in your body. Your body cannot break down these harmful toxins so when they get into your blood stream your body doesn’t know how to break them down.  There are also studies that have been linked to cancer from the use of  parabens.   Some people experience skin problems due to parabens and toxins in your system. Your skin is the mirror of your internal health so by eliminating the cell damage caused by free radicals we could significantly affect the aging process of the skin. When suffering from any condition you need to always think about what you ingest and what you apply to your skin and body. A thorough investigation may sometimes reveal something that your body is not compatible with.

There are more and more companies that are finding ways to make paraben free products. Kaaral has their line of Purify shampoo and conditioner that meets these standards and the company is in the process of bringing in more styling products that are paraben free as well.  Kaaral Hair Care is manufactured in Italy.  They are continually conscious of the health and well-being of consumers and strive to keep their prices competitive.  We are finding that some European products are more consumer friendly and they tend to produce products that are better quality.  The old saying ” you get what you pay for” is quite relevant in this instance.

It’s understandable that you can’t possibly avoid every single paraben,  but making yourself aware and making better choices may bring you to a life with less toxins.  Many items that don’t have parabens might be a healthier choice and small changes can be made every day to a healthier and better you. Be smart, stay beautiful, and let’s make the world paraben free!


Germany Hair Show May 2012

We visited Germany’s amazing Hair Show in May and came back with a number of photos to show off. Take a look at the photos below for unique hair styles that wow.

 


6 Perfect Mother’s Day Ideas

Mother’s day is THIS weekend so now is the time to make her feel special!  Moms deserve to be acknowledged and appreciated for all the hard work they do all year long! Whether you see your mom every day, or once a month, you can make this Mother’s day very special by doing one or all of the following tips.  They are easy and they come from the heart!

  1. Go for picnic on Mother’s Day! Have you ever taken your mom to a crowded restaurant for a rushed Mother’s day meal, only to feel disappointed with the quality of time spent?  If so, why not enjoy a peaceful picnic instead.  Whether it’s in a serene garden setting or your very own backyard, mom is sure to feel loved on Mother’s day.
  2. Make her a home cooked Mother’s day meal!  Making your mom stay out of her kitchen is sometimes a difficult task. While you’re preparing, cooking and CLEANING up afterwards, mom can just sit back and relax.  There’s no better way to get a smile on mom’s face on Mother’s day.
  3. Bake her some cookies!  It might sound cliché but baking your mom some cookies would be fun!  Get your apron out and your oven mitts on and bake away the afternoon.  Your mom will get a tasty treat and the whole house will smell like fresh baking.  Just don’t forget to clean up the messy evidence!
  4. Make Mom a flower garden! Go to your local nursery and choose a variety of colored flowers to create a beautiful masterpiece.  Whether you plant them in a hanging planter or a rustic ceramic pot, mom will `be reminded of Mother’s day every time she smells them.
  5. Allow Mom some time for herself! If you are an older sibling, then taking the younger ones off her hands for a break, would give mom some time to herself.  All mom’s could use some extra time in their day, why not help her relax on Mother’s day!  You can take the little ones to buy mom some flowers or everyone can work on some homemade cards.
  6. Pamper her with a Pino’s Spa Package! If all else fails and you’ve simply run out of time, pamper mom with a luxurious spa package from PINO’s salon and medispa.  Starting at just $99, your mom can enjoy some hard earned, undisturbed time to herself.

So, whether you’re taking over the kitchen or spoiling your mom to a getaway at Pino’s, she is sure to feel special this Mother’s day.


Dermaceutic Medical Peels at Pino’s

What is a medical peel? Medical Peels are an accelerated form of exfoliation, induced through stimulation by a chemical action of the skin.  The medical peel’s depth of action makes it possible to revitalize and refresh your skin.  They are safe and common practice.  Superficial medical peels contain Alpha-hydroxy acids and Beta-hydroxy acids, particularly glycolic acid, which is the smallest molecule in fruit acid.  For medium medical peels, the most commonly used agent is TCA.

What is The benefit of a medical peel? A medical peel in no way alters the shape of your face.  It is an entirely natural and effective procedure performed by a
professional.  It is discreet, so those around you will find you radiant without knowing why!

Do I need to prepare before beginning a medical peel treatment? It is strongly recommended to use the home care prescribed by your technician to prepare your skin.  You will need to start care at least weeks before your first medical peel.

What happens during a medical peel session? A session generally lasts approximately 30 minutes and is made up of several steps: the cleansing of the area to be treated, the application of the medical peel and finally, only in certain cases, neutralization.  For most medical peels, you need to do at least 4 sessions a couple of weeks apart.

What are the after effects of a medical peel? A few hours after the medical peel session, a slight redness to a sunburn effect will appear, depending on the type of medical peel treatment you have received.

Is a medical peel painful? During the application of the peeling agent, you will feel tingling, a perfectly bearable feeling of heat and then everything will settle down.

What safety precautions should I take? Tell your laser technician if you are pregnant, have had any allergic reactions, or are undergoing any beauty (hair removal, tanning, micro-dermabrasion) or medical treatment.  You must be sure to protect yourself from the sun (Sun Ceutic) for at least a month after treatment.

We have four types of medical peels that treat everything from oily, acne-prone skin to dilated pores, fine lines, pigmented spots and hyperpigmentation.
Schedule your complimentary consultation today, at Pino’s medispa, with
one of our trained laser technicians to find out which medical peel is best
suited for you.


Group coupon purchasing…are they a scam?

There is a lot of confusion and misleading information about internet/email or “deal of the day” website advertised group coupons. This also includes coupons for hair, spa, and medical spa services. When a consumer purchases the advertised item, the marketing company will receive 50 to 60% of the cost of the item that is sold. Spa’s and salons (and other businesses) cannot possibly provide good quality and safe services or even break even at these ridiculously low prices. They cannot afford to pay their staff, educate their staff, buy quality products, provide proper sterilization, or pay their utilities and rent. One client mentioned that she went for cosmetic injections that were offered at a “deal.” First of all, do you really want to have a non-physician injecting you? The product she received was less than the advertised amount of one full syringe. She received only half a syringe of product, she was rushed through and put up with a lot of aggressive up selling afterwards. This is just a way to get you in through their doors with the hope that the providers will be able to sell more services or products at regular price to make up for their loss. Other clients have tried these “coupons or group purchases” and they report that they receive sub-standard services and again, what is advertised is not what you receive. Often, the staff will treat you differently when they see you have the “coupon.” Also, to make the deal more tantalizing, the marketing company convinces the business owners to inflate the regular price so that the sale price seems even better. Is this honest business? Do we really have to resort to trickery in order to sell your product?

What happens to a business when they don’t make any money? Eventually, they close their doors! Guess who’s making money? Only the website/email/marketing company is making the huge profits!!! They promise to promote you and deliver thousands of emails to consumer’s email boxes. Yes, they do, but at what cost? If you are not able to provide quality, safety, value, skill and a good experience to a client, you not only disappoint the client but also damage your reputation.

Unfortunately, many of the businesses that were convinced to provide these coupons are no longer in operation. Everyone should be allowed to make a fair living but there are always people and companies that prey on individuals or businesses that are desperate and experiencing tough economic times. When business is down they will try to convince you that this is the answer. They are promised great results but end up “loosing their shirt.” As business owners we need to think twice and research what we do in order to promote our products and services….. we need to make rational decisions, not decisions based on emotions! A win-win situation should always be our primary goal. The client’s goal should be achieved with the utmost integrity and there should be a reasonable profit margin for the business.

At Pino’s we are dedicated to providing excellent services at reasonable prices. Our staff is continuously training and learning so we are always able to offer our clients the best services possible.
We offer special monthly promotions but rest assured that the services that you receive are exactly the same as when the service is regularly priced. It is not changed, minimized or shortened in any way. We will not compromise your services or your safety and always offer high-quality value.

As a side note………who purchased one of the most expensive mansions in the history of the United States? Hummm????
Perhaps, the founder of a “group purchasing” marketing company.