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What is Microblading?

If you don’t have any tattoos, it’s probably for one of two reasons. Either you don’t know what you would get, or you have fear: a fear of commitment or pain. If you’ve heard of people getting makeup tattooed on their face, again, you probably had one of two reactions: you thought they were crazy or you envied the thought of never having to experience those irritating mornings of “one eye looks better than the other.” We live in a day and age where our culture puts so much emphasis in appearance and body-modification. While tattooing the face seems extreme, someone realized that offering a semi-permanent solution to a basic aesthetics need would not only become wildly popular, but would appeal to a much larger client pool while being extremely lucrative. And how genius: what could be better than offering a service people love that goes away after a year or two, keeping them coming back for more?

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Microblading, a technique thought to have originated in Asia, is also known as Eyebrow Embroidery, Microstroking, or Japanese Makeup Method. The idea is that rather than implementing solid line tattoos which tend to bleed (meaning the line, which begins crisp and defined, ends up blurring), apply an ultra-fine line mimicking hair with a tool that keeps the line in its original condition.

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The Technique

There are seven actual layers of the skin, the three main layers are the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat. While tattoos go deep into the dermis, the pigment in microblading only goes as deep as the epidermis. This not only hurts less, but is also the reason that microblading only lasts a year, for some up to three. It all depends on your type of skin. The other significant difference is that microblading, like the term suggest, uses a blade to minorly slices the skin to deposit the color, rather than puncturing. The blade is a handheld tool, comprised of 6-14 needles, and pushes the pigment into the skin. A pigment is a substance that gives something color; it can be plant or mineral based and is crucial to this art form. It is also the quality of pigment versus tattoo ink, along with the non-puncturing blading technique, that keep the lines thin rather than bleed. It is the slicing and the level at which the pigment is placed that keeps the color out of the lymph system, and in turn, keeps the lines “drawn” looking like the original, not blurred. The process is still not over. Once the eyebrows look just the way you want, it’s time to set it. This is done by turning the pigment into silicone form, which prevents it from being absorbed further into the body. The healing process differs from person to person, but generally redness and/or swelling will go away in about two weeks.

Uses

Microblading.jpgYour first thought might be that this is a frivolous beauty expenditure. However, that would be judgmental, as every human spends more money on something than the person next to them, whether junk food, clothing, sports tickets, or a mortgage or car payment. There are also health reasons that would encourage a person to seek out this type of aesthetic care. Chemotherapy, a common treatment to ward off cancer cells, also leaves the patient hairless (with prolonged treatment), and not just the hair on the head. Remember, hair falling out means throughout the whole body, including eyebrows and eyelashes. What a beautiful way to offer a low-stress option of reinstating the brow, to a person who is going through the worst time in their life. Microblading is also beneficial for other ailments. For example, alopecia is a condition where people lose their hair for unknown reasons. Mental distress, as in trichotillomania, causes some people to pull their hair out. You can’t pull out a tattoo! Other issues that reduce hair include autoimmune disorders, thyroid imbalances, systemic diseases, and fungal infections of the head and scalp.

This is a relatively new procedure in this country. In fact, bringing you this blog took almost fifteen different windows and web searches to get all the information. At Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, we try to enlighten our community to relevant and important topics. If you do not already subscribe to our blogs, please sign up: in a few weeks, we’ll be featuring one of our Great Graduates has immersed herself into her natural aesthetics career and has already begun offering microblading in the Valley! Stay tuned for the one and only Georgia Nelson!



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Skin Rejuvenation: The Use of Rosemary from Food to Face

‘Make thee a box of the wood of rosemary and smell to it, and it shall preserve thy youth.’ –Banckes’ Herbal

Rosemary is a well-known herb that grows incredibly well here in the desert land of Tempe. You can see it bordering buildings on the ASU campus or in residential gardens. Tug gently on a branch when you walk by, and you’ll be left with an authentic aromatherapy dose on your fingers. It is a symbol for remembrance and was used in funerals; it is also a symbol for friendship and has been used for centuries in wedding ceremonies. The spiky herb can be quite helpful around the house with uses ranging from a spice for cooking, essential oils, a memory enhancer, perfume, tea, or in the medicine cabinet for skin care. The green sprigs are also quite useful in meat preservation by wrapping the pieces tightly before storage. Rosemary is in the mint family and similarly aids in digestion and calming the digestive system or simply ridding a headache. Externally, if made into an oil, it can aid as a muscle relaxant, treating sciatica, pulled, or strained/overworked muscles. Interestingly, it naturally contains its own essential oils such as borneol, camphor cinelole, linalol, and verbenol.

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At Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, we try to spotlight our natural friends who support our skin in a healthy, positive way and rosemary is no exception! Aesthetically speaking, it is considered to be a natural skin rejuvenator and toner. You may be familiar with Queen of Hungary Water, a popular beauty tonic: its main ingredient is rosemary. Our friendly herb helps strengthen the capillaries and improve circulation for a natural, healthy glow. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties will fight against early day puffiness after sleeping, although be mindful of application in the eye area. In Arizona, we pay special attention to skin preservation due to our intense exposure to the sun and rosemary is an excellent combatant of sun damage, sun spots, and free radical damage. The rich nutrient content of iron, calcium, vitamins E/A/C, natural fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytonutrients is another reason many skin and hair products use rosemary in their products. Hylunia, a highly regarded company who produces some of SWINA’s aesthetics-grade skin products, also supports these findings and adds that it is an excellent ingredient for anti-aging creams, toning, and for binding loose or sagging skin. An astringent contracts the skin tissue, resulting in a tighter complexion; rosemary oil, when applied to a cotton ball, can be used on the face after washing and before applying a moisturizer. It is also wise to treat acne or pimples with products containing rosemary because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties. Is there anything this plant can’t do? Remember (need some rosemary?), we’re lucky that rosemary grows well in hot, dry climates. To utilize this plant in your own yard, plant one in your garden and take a look at the following ideas.

DIY Recipes & Ideas

Oat & Rosemary Mask or Facial Scrub


~ Exfoliate ~

  • Finely grind oats and dried rosemary with mortar and pestle, food processor (on pulse), or a handcrank grater (usually for cheese).
  • For Oily Skin: mix with cool boiled water
  • For Dry Skin: milk and & 1 T honey (moisturizing)
  • Topically apply over face; wait 15 minutes and rinse.
  • Facial Scrub: moving in circular motions, exfoliate well

Only make as much as you think you will use because it will spoil. The dry mixture can be stored in a mason jar for next time!

 For Sensitive Skin

  steam.jpg ~ Open the Pores ~

  • You will need a ½ cup dried rosemary
  • Bring 3 quarts to a boil and remove.
  • Add the dried rosemary to the pot of steaming water. Wait 5 minutes.
  • Place your face about a foot above the pot and drape a towel over your head so that the face can absorb the steam. Every minute or so, stand up straight to take some fresh air. Repeat the process for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • To finish, cleanse the face with a mild cleaner and rinse with water.

 

Hot Rosemary Oil Scalp Treatment

 rosemary-bottle-aroma2.jpg ~ Stimulate & Penetrate ~

  • Using a small bowl, pour 2 tsp of coconut oil and 2 tsp of castor oil and heat for 1-2 minutes on a low flame. Add 4-5 drops rosemary essential oil and stir.
  • Massage into scalp after it has cooled.
  • Mix with almond oil with lavender and clary sage and smooth down length of hair. Comb/brush through to disburse evenly.
  • Repeat every 2 days if desired.

Rosemary is simply a power-herb for all sort of remedies and treatments. It is also an excellent antibacterial and anti-fungal and can be mixed with a myriad of other essential oils. Through the next few months SWINA’s site will be posting more incredible uses for other herbs and essential oils. If you haven’t yet, plant some herbs in your yard and reap the rewards for offering your love and care!

Learn more about skin rejuvenation services offered by SWINA. We also invite you to learn about natural aesthetics educational programs offered by the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics.





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Organics x (Fruits +Veggies + Protein) = Great Skin

swina_Hylunia_Product1.jpgOne of the secrets to great looking skin is a great looking diet filled with organic protein, fruits, and vegetables for the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, or what enthusiasts call holistic nutrition. When you eat processed foods filled with refined sugars and unnatural chemicals (like food coloring, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners), the body struggles to remove these toxins. Guess where the body stores the excess waste: the skin! Wrinkles are generally a result of a lack of moisture in the skin, which the body also struggles to produce on its own because of the natural aging process. A healthy, holistic diet provides the essential nutrients that support healthy skin moisture and structure. Hylunia, one of Southwestern Institute of Natural Aesthetics’ favorite skin care product lines, makes a wonderful, anti-aging, vitamin C topical serum called, Beyond Complex C,  which nourishes and protects the skin while aiding in natural moisture production, increasing the skin’s brightness, vitality, and smoothness. If you wanted to go the extra mile, take a daily anti-aging supplement to help reduce the storage of disease-causing toxins and support cellular regrowth for younger looking skin. Be successful at implementing better habits and keeping them by clicking the link below and checking out our other blog on our SWIHA site!

 

10 Tips To Help You Stay On Your Dieting Track

Professionals in nutrition across the globe would agree that limiting bad (saturated) fats, incorporating more fruit and vegetables, and eating a diet that limits sugar, is fundamental to our well-being. However, holistic nutritionists would also strongly advocate for balance and moderation of potentially fattening food, rather than complete food restriction because we all know what happens when we say, “No, you can’t have any ____.” The time spent on the diet will be cut short. Like quitting a bad habit, good habits will also take time to instill, so be gentle and patient with yourself and others. For more support and encouragement, Life Coaches or Nutrition Coaches are available to guide you and cheer you towards your goals. It is a better choice to ask for help than give up because you feel like you failed or aren’t strong enough to meet your mark. Many of SWIHA’s Great Graduates have Life Coaching certifications and are currently serving the community. You may find a coach in your area by reading our blogs with the tag Life Coaching.

SWINA_toxins.jpgWhat To Eat

It may seem impossible at first, but changing your diet is possible. If you’re the type who resists change, it might be easier if you change one thing at a time. You might have to get creative so your food has flavor and it’s enjoyable to you. The effort you put in will make the transition smoother. Here are some ideas to get you going.

A Mediterranean diet, which includes fish or chicken olive oil, fruit, and tomatoes, is not only heart-healthy, but supports healthy skin. The omega-3 fatty acids in the fish will help keep skin-cell membranes strong and elastic, while the olive oil and tomatoes have high antioxidant levels which assist in preventing chemical reactions in the skin that lead to sun damage.

  • Chicken is high in magnesium, an essential electrolyte for maintaining the skin’s hydration. Found in B vitamin complexes, choline aids in the production of collagen and will also fight against free radicals. Grill 6-12 chicken breasts and let cool. (The steam will turn to ice and make the chicken soggy if you do not let cool completely.) Salt and pepper alone is delicious; for more flavor, use worcestershire or squeeze lemon on as they cool. Individually place them in a baggie and store in a large bag in the freezer. Take one out as you need.
  • The same exact thing could be done with fish of your choice. (Salmon, mahi mahi, ahi tuna (moderately), snapper, halibut, sea bass, shrimp, or tilapia are some good options.) Omega-3’s are fatty acids that are known to be anti-inflammatory and are crucial for sufferers of dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis, or chronic acne. Additionally, omega-3’s have demonstrated a resistance to UV radiation which may even reduce the risk of skin cancer.
  • Turkey is high in biotin (B vitamin-good for moisture retention), zinc (for inflammation caused by blemishes), and selenium (neutralizes free radicals before they can lead to wrinkles), all of which maintain healthy skin. A pound of ground turkey or beef (buy 93%-7% Fat) can be made into taco meat, using sautéed onion, garlic, and your favorite spices. Add the taco meet to organic greens with salsa and no dressing is necessary.
  • Cocoa hydrates your skin, making it firmer and more supple, for that natural glow! Dark chocolate or cacao are your best bets, over milk chocolate (high in fat and sugar). Cacao contains flavanol which has been noted to have positive effects on facial wrinkles and elasticity.
  • Plain Greek yogurt is loaded with protein, moderately low in carbs, and low sugar. (Avoid the flavored options and can also be used as a sour cream substitute.) Dairy helps the skin become firmer, so it resists lines and wrinkles.
  • Walnuts contain omega-3’s and are loaded with copper. As previously stated, omega-3’s improve skin elasticity and copper boosts collagen production. Add to the Greek yogurt with your favorite berry for a super-skin breakfast or snack. Sunflower seeds are also high in omega-3 and a sunflower seed oil can hydrate lips and heels when topically applied.
  • Fight crow’s feet with bell peppers. Carotenoids, the antioxidant found in yellow and orange vegetables, can decrease the skin’s sensitivity to sun, as well as fight the smiling creases around the eye.

You can do it!

SWINA_secret.jpgWhen making positive changes in life, we all have to start somewhere! Don’t compare yourself to the Jones’ or to your favorite pop star on TV. You are you and you have the ability to accomplish anything. With the internet at your fingertips, you can look up recipes that suit your needs as well as your palate. Don’t forget to keep foods you love in your weekly routine, just monitor your servings. If you can’t give up chocolate, don’t: eat a couple Hershey’s Kisses or a small handful of chocolate chips; not half the bag. Can’t give up your favorite muffin at the coffee shop? Don’t. Eat half and save the other for the next day. If you love happy hour with your friends, try a light beer instead of the IPA or a glass of red wine. Learn to reward yourself in other ways, like buying a new shirt on sale, a manicure, or a new yoga studio you wanted to try. When you’re constantly adding new things to your life, you won’t feel so badly for giving up the foods you love. As always, be kind to yourself, and it’s ok if you slip and eat five slices of pizza after a bad day. It’s not the end of the world. You just get back on track the next day! Also, before making any major changes, you might want to discuss your thoughts with your healthcare profession.

Be Smart, Stay Healthy!

 

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