BODY DIAGNOSTICS The New tool for skin and body wellness

by Tess Walls

Working extensively with aesthetics and spa therapies I have come to understand the importance of reviewing the whole body if we want to achieve true anti-ageing results. We must not forget that the skin on one’s face is influenced by internal factors, so as aesthetic therapists we should be looking beyond the skin and also investigate what is also going on within the body.

When dealing with the skin, as a rule we would conduct a skin analysis prior to our skin treatment, but how many salons, clinics or spas actually carry out an extensive body analysis, or in fact, do a combined skin and body analysis?

How valuable would it be to us if we could also be able to identify what is going on within the body? What if we could gain information that could help us discover for example, why having treated a particular client for years she/he is still struggling with recurring lymphatic congestion and general toxin build up in the body? Despite our good intentions and recommendations we have not been able to get the results we were looking for?

With modern diagnostic advancements we now have new tools to assist us to accurately identifying internal factors that may point to the root of the problem.

In this article I would like to share with you the new world of body diagnosis that is now available to beauty therapists, and how you can combine it with salon/spa body treatments.

A THREE PRONGED APPROACH

During my initial consultation with a client I like to break up my diagnosis into three areas:

1. Identifying the PROBLEM that needs to be addressed

2. Investigating the REASONS that may have contributed to the problem

3. Planning my approach in providing a SOLUTION.

The most difficult one to get right is gaining the right answers for the reasons to the problem even after carrying out a thorough client consultation. However, there is now new tools available that can assist us in gaining a more thorough internal analysis and that is through a saliva and hair analysis test that is available through PathLab in Melbourne.

PathLab is the largest independent diagnostic laboratory in Victoria. They are non-corporate and owned by a core group of scientists and pathologists that also operate the laboratory and pride themselves on offering the highest quality pathology services.

PathLab provides quality, comprehensive pathology services to the medical community. It is a fully accredited (both NATA/RCPA and ISO) and automated laboratory staffed by a highly experienced team of pathologists and scientists. Among the diverse and extensive range of diagnostic tests available through their laboratories they also provide Hair Analysis for heavy metals and trace elements using Atomic Absorption as well as Saliva Testing to determine antioxidant levels and to identify other internal deficiencies.

Here is an example of how these tests can be of benefit to you as an aesthetic therapist:

PROBLEM

I have a client that presents with the following:

The skin and body are both looking sluggish and out of balance. I have taken a full client history in which I have identified that the client does not manage her stress very well and she is starting to show signs of premature ageing. Additionally she is suffered from headaches, her skin is dull and sluggish and she also tends to get bloated easily and suffers from puffy legs. She visits her doctor regularly and no medical condition has been identified. She is also not on any medication. So what factors could be causing these symptoms?

This is where a hair analysis and saliva test could give us some further insight into why these symptoms exist within her body.

We recommend the tests to the client. The client goes ahead with the test and you send it away for detailed analysis. The test results return and identify that the cortisol levels (stress hormones) are elevated. I have identified that due to constant stress the adrenaline and cortisol levels have disturbed the digestion causing bloating, as well as restricting the immune system causing dull sluggish skin. The high levels of cortisol have also contributed to the symptoms of premature ageing in the skin, which is identified through poor elasticity and excessive wrinkles for her age. Scientific studies have proven that high cortisol levels caused collagen loss in the skin, which can be ten times greater than normal.

REASON

Armed with this information we now can proceed with a treatment plan that is based on more comprehensive analysis and assessment results. Having identified the problem we now can confirm that the reason for her symptoms is linked to the high cortisol levels as a result of not coping well with stress. As the elevated cortisol levels contribute to her congested circulation, digestive problems and premature ageing we would choose treatments that work specifically to support the body in minimise the impact of stress on the organs and the skin.

To further understand how stress can impact the skin and body here is a brief outline:

When we get stressed our body goes on alert status. Since the stress response is our basic survival mechanism, when it gets triggered it overrides all other systems of the body. It virtually transforms and affects change in all major organ systems to provide us with quick energy. As a result here is some of the activities that may occur within the body:

* Adrenalins and cortisol, the stress hormones, flood our bloodstream to increase the body's metabolism and overcome the effects of fatigue.

* Sugars, fats and cholesterol from the liver are converted into fuel for quick energy

* Saliva dries up and the digestion and elimination systems slow down as blood is be directed away from our internal organs to our muscles and brain.

* Muscles become tense ready for action

* The immune system's efficiency is suppressed

* The skin may experience congestion and breakouts, especially in the form of lumps under the skin. This is the body’s way of saying “I will put a bubble around this problem as I don’t have the time or the energy to fix it now”. Impurities are then encapsulated and will sit there until such time as the body has a higher immune system and the energy to break it down

* They body may retain fluid and extra toxins as the lymphatic system is also compromised due to the high stress levels

SOLUTION:

To reduce the cortisol levels and balance the stress induced hormones here are some treatment recommendations:

* MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE to increase lymphatic flow and reduce fluid retention.

For home care recommend detox patches to reduce toxin build up. I would recommend a dry body brushing every morning, seaweed bath weekly at home (a min of 70mls of pure seaweed extract applied to a bath and soak for 20mis at least 1x per week)

For further stress management I would recommend essential oils such as basil, juniper, lavender, chamomile or marjoram and relaxing bath products for home use.

* RELAXATION MASSAGES with appropriate aromatherapy treatment-strength oils.

* Hydrotherapy bath with detoxification ingredients (seaweed and/or sea salt).

* WARM BODY WRAPS to hydrate the body enriched with vitamin C and other antioxidants to improve skin tone and elasticity and counteract premature ageing.

* FOR THE SKIN, AN ANTI-AGEING SKIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Include active serums that include Vitamin A and Vitamin C, Peptides for wrinkle management and to minimise the appearance of premature ageing.

* INTERNAL RECOMMENDATIONS – 1000 mls of Omega 3 fatty acids and a diet rich in antixidants as well as the use of fibre such as flaxseed and psylium husk. A complete B group vitamin as well as vitamin C as these will support the nervous system.

* MUSIC THERAPYas this has been proven to reduce cortisol levels in certain situations.

* Green tea, which is high in anti-oxidants. Black tea in moderation as this speeds up recovery from a high cortisol condition.

With a multi-facited target approach that addresses both internal and external factors you are providing your client much more than skin deep therapy – you are servicing her with a total wellness anti-ageing program with multiple benefits and much greater value. I believe that the therapists of the future will be utilising more advanced diagnostic tools as the need for more comprehensive solutions in not only appearance, but also wellness is now becoming mainstream.

Tess Walls is a qualified Beauty Therapist, Trainer and Director of ISPA Group and the Australian Distributor of the skincare brand Germaine de Capuccini. She has 17 years experience in the spa and beauty industry in Australia ad has a passion for helping others build their business step-by-step. Tess has also undertaken studies on the psychology of sales and loves importing her knowledge to others. She works extensively within the aesthetic and spa industry teaching therapists how to offer exceptional client services to their clients. Tess is no stranger to success. She has owned her own salon and managed spas in exclusive international resorts, including they Hyatt Regency Spa, Grand Cayman Island, Caribbean and is an acknowledged expert in spa and salon systems.

If you believe that Tess can help you grow your business phone 1300 432 100 or mobile 0424 419 876.

And be sure to follow her on Facebook for more advice!