Should You Spend Money on Detox Skin Care Products?
Creams, lotions, pads, and potions claim to remove so-called toxins from the body. What does that mean?

You may already know that so-called liquid “detox diets”—espoused by celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow—are not recommended by most doctors and nutritionists, who say they’re worthless at best and may cause health problems at worst. But the entire concept of “detoxification” has made its way to products for your skin and body, too, from facial masks to bath soaks to foot pads. Are those products any more worthwhile?

The problem with any topical product that says it can “detox” is that the term doesn’t really mean anything, says Perry Romanowski, an independent cosmetic industry scientist and one of the bloggers at thebeautybrains.com. “It’s a vague enough claim so that you’re not really making a medical claim,” he says. “Cosmetic marketers are clever enough to find a word like this and use it.”

The toxins that products claim to remove range from vague “impurities” to more specific things that may or may not be affected by a skin product. “Certainly it’s possible to apply products and ingredients to the skin that are protective against exposures,” says John Bailey, chief scientist at the Personal Care Products Council, which represents the cosmetic and personal care industry. Sunscreen, for example, protects against harmful UV rays.

Dennis Gross, a dermatologist whose MD Skincare line includes several products advertised to remove toxins, says in his case he’s referring to environmental pollutants like the heavy metals and chlorine in tap water. Ingredients that neutralize or remove those substances can reduce the chance of skin irritation like eczema or damage, he says. “I won’t go so far as to say they’re helping [the entire body], but they clearly can make the skin better,” he says.

Some detox products, including some of Gross’s, also include antioxidants, substances that sop up the free radicals that are implicated in aging and skin damage. And topical antioxidants have been shown to reduce the impact of those ills, at least in the test tube. (That said, free radicals are not “toxins” and cannot be eliminated by the body.) It’s less clear whether topical antioxidants will reduce wrinkles caused by sun exposure or the aging process, or provide any other visible benefit, and it’s also unknown what dosage and for how long they must be applied to see any potential benefit, says Paula Begoun, author of Don ‘ t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. (After years of reviewing products, Begoun now has her own line of personal care products, some containing antioxidants.)

If you’re looking for antioxidant-containing products, it’s better to look for that specific word on the label or packaging, says Leslie Baumann, a dermatologist who directs the University of Miami’s Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. Some ingredients to seek out: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), green tea, idebenone, coffeeberry, and coenzyme Q10.

Protecting against external damage is one thing; whether putting something on your skin can actually suck out harmful substances from your skin or elsewhere in your body is another question. “The question it poses is, if there are toxins lurking in the skin, what are they?” says Begoun. “What’s poisoning our skin? Pesticides? Which ones and how do you get them out and measure the effects?” she says. “I don’t know of any toxins lurking in the skin. It’s a pretty dynamic organ and turns itself over every three to six weeks and every two to three months when you get older.” She says “toxin” is so vague it could mean anything.

Even if there are undesirable substances floating around the body, it would be tough to get them out via the skin, says Romanowski. The skin is generally not permeable and few chemicals can pass through it. It’s instead the liver, kidneys, and digestive system that generally remove waste and toxins from the body. That’s one of the chief reasons he and other experts dismissed the claims that last year’s trendy detox foot pads can somehow remove toxins through the soles of your feet as you sleep.

Better than attempting to remove unwanted things from your body via your skin is not exposing your body to those things in the first place. That means avoiding excess sun exposure, anything more than moderate drinking, and smoking, says Baumann. And improve your diet, adds Begoun: The traditional Mediterranean diet—centered around fruits and veggies, whole grains, fish, and “good” fats—includes omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants in their natural state, and may help improve the structure of the skin, according to studies.

Nothing you put on your skin can make up for a hard night out. But if detox skin products aren’t the miracle workers some of the ads make them out to be, nor are they likely to be harmful, Baumann says. That was a relief for one of her patients, who worried a new facial cream would nullify the active ingredient in one of her other beauty mainstays. Says Baumann, “She was worried it would detox her Botox.”

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America’s first detox day spa, located in midtown Manhattan. Called The Beljanski Wellness Center, is said to be the only true day spa that has detoxification as its focus. It will be staffed with a doctor, nurse and nutritionist and will offer chelation, a process that removes heavy metals from the body. Other detoxifying treatments include colon hydrotherapy, seaweed body wraps, massage, and facials.

Beljanski Wellness Center has a serious, medical approach in a beautiful, French atmosphere that can support your ongoing efforts to achieve health and beauty inside and out. It is scheduled to open early next year!

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Soothing spa ’staycation’ relieves years of pain
Bill Lukas usually goes on an out-of-state summer vacation with his wife and two daughters each year. With the cost of gas increasing last spring, the family decided to try something new: “staycations.”

Rather than traveling the country, the Lukas family visited closer locations like Port Huron, Silver Lake Dunes, Frankenmuth, the Toledo Zoo and various local festivals, fairs and small towns.

“In past years, a summer vacation to an out-of-state destination was a given. This year, it was decided that the summer vacation would consist of a different concept as we wanted to ensure that the budget would not be compromised; thus, affecting our primary family winter vacation to Florida,”

Lukas said. “The family agreed that we would partake in the new concept of ’staycations’ by doing day trips that involve the exploration of local Michigan activities, historic landmarks, metro parks, beaches, fairs, carnivals, outdoor concerts, camping, physical fitness activities, bike riding and anything that promotes better health and welfare.”

Lukas, 49, was at Leo’s Coney Island in Novi talking to a waitress last month about his chronic hip pain and general lack of energy when she suggested he look into Read more…

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Get in the game

Your Day, Etc.
COST: Membership fees are customized to each client. 
FITNESS FACTOR: 4.5 stars
FUN FACTOR: 4 stars

It isn’t often that I stumble upon a completely unique fitness experience, but I did last week. I checked out Your Day Extraordinary Transformation Center, a new gym and spa rolled into one very awesome building.

Your Day was created by Day Adeogba (brother of former Atlanta Falcon Siddeeq Shabazz), who is one of the most enthusiastic gym owners I have ever met. Actually, he would be mad at me for calling him a “gym” owner. He refers to his gym as the “stadium,” members are “athletes,” and he and the other trainers are “coaches.” When you come into Your Day, you’re practicing and training to get better at the game of life. How? By getting fit and healthy and having six-pack abs, you will inevitably be a better employer, parent, friend, spouse, etc. (Well, I don’t know if the six-pack abs actually help, but Day let me feel his, and that made me a happier person.)

This concept isn’t a new one—if you’re healthy and balanced, it makes sense that you’re able to Read more…

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Why Sweat It? The Benefits of the Sauna

You know you should go exercise, but don’t feel up to it? Try substituting a session in the sauna occasionally.

The health benefits of saunas are not a recent discovery. For thousands of years on all continents, numerous cultures have used steam or smoke as part of religious, social, and family traditions. The practice has cleansed the body, reduced stress and heightened spirituality.

While proponents of the sauna have exaggerated some of their claims, and other effects are difficult to measure, modern science has confirmed several physical benefits of sweating it out in the sauna.

Detoxification
The sweating process helps the body rid itself of toxins. Simulating a fever, the sauna prompts your body to flush impurities through increased sweat and blood flow. Your internal organs kick into high gear, dispelling heavy metals, uric and lactic acid, alcohol, cholesterol, nicotine and other toxic chemicals.

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Healing and Pain Relief
Heat from saunas stimulates the production of white blood cells and improves circulation, which in turn promotes healing of infections and soft tissue injuries. Since fevers are the body’s natural defence against bacteria and infection, the artificial fever of the sauna facilitates the healing process. Because viruses and germs do not tolerate heat well, the body can heal itself in the high temperatures of saunas and steam baths.

With the removal of lactic acid, muscle stiffness and spasms are alleviated. Saunas are particularly suited to treat heat responsive pain such as lower back and shoulder aches. Those who suffer from arthritis and other joint disorders have found relief in the sauna, as well.

Weight Loss
While you’re soaking in the comforting warmth of the sauna, your body will work to cool itself. This increases your heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate. The blood flow in a sauna can double and studies have compared the regular use of a sauna to that of moderate cardiovascular conditioning.

A person in healthy condition can shed 250 grams of sweat in a 30-minute sauna session, which equates to 200 or 300 calories burned. While the water weight will be quickly regained in re-hydration, the energy burned in the process means the calories are gone forever.

Skin Conditioning
The skin is a complex organ with blood vessels, oil glands, nerve endings and cells that stop bacteria from getting into our bodies. Saunas purge the skin’s clogged pores of deeply imbedded impurities and dead cells. Increased blood circulation encourages a healthy flow of nutrients to your skin that help relieve acne, eczema and, psoriasis. After a sauna, the skin is left in supple and pliant condition.

Easier Breathing
Almost immediately on entering a sauna, you will feel nasal passages clear and sinuses drain. The increased demand for oxygen in the sauna forces you to take deeper, fuller breaths, resulting in the temporary benefit of increased oxygenation to your cells.

The Newest Innovation: Infrared Saunas
For a long time we have used wet saunas, dry saunas, smoke saunas and steam saunas. Each type affects our bodies in a slightly different way. Infrared saunas are the most recent advance in spa construction. They use a special heater that generates infrared radiation rays similar to that produced by the sun. Unlike the sun’s UV radiation, however, infrared is said to be beneficial to overall health. Its warm rays penetrate the skin far more deeply than other sauna types, in particular magnifying the detoxifying, healing and conditioning effects.

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BODY WRAPS: Lewiston spa treatment can reduce inches

Instant gratification. It’s something we all strive for but seldom are able to achieve — especially when it comes to our bodies.

But it’s exactly what Margie Mokhiber offers at her Slender Inspirations Cellulite Treatment Inch Loss and Detox Program at D’Amore Salon & Day Spa in Lewiston.

Of the three wraps offered by Mokhiber, two are meant to help women lose inches and get rid of unsightly cellulite.

The Ayurvedic Seaweed Herbal Wrap is for women who want to lose inches, while the Sea Clay with Aloe Vera Herbal Wrap is for those who are already at their weight goal but want to tighten their skin.

But although the wraps might offer instant results, Mokhiber warns that keeping those extra inches off is up to the customer.

“You can’t just go back to your old ways. The wraps work, but I always try to tell my customers about proper nutrition and exercise. The thing is, seeing the instant results is such a motivator, they just want to keep going,” Mokhiber said.

The wraps don’t dehydrate, but instead rid the body of toxins. In fact, Mokhiber urges her customers to drink a lot of water both before and after treatments.

A certified nutritional consultant, Mokhiber knows the importance of proper diet and exercise and said that her wraps are not a substitute for either.

Mokhiber began offering the wraps at D’Amore Salon about a month ago, and business has grown ever since.

“I started in my house trying out different formulas on five of my ‘guinea pig’ friends. It took me a little while to get the formulas right, but now they work perfectly,” Mokhiber said.

One of those friends is Rebecca Dowsey, who was in the salon for her second seaweed wrap in as many days. With her first wrap she lost 7 1/2 inches, and the second took off 5 1/4 inches.

“The wraps are just great. I was one of Margie’s ‘guinea pigs’ and once she got the formula right, it was amazing. You can see the results as soon as the wraps come off — plus your skin feels really soft,” Dowsey said.

The wraps stay on an hour, so customers should plan on staying at the salon for about an hour and half. First-timers take a little longer because they have to fill out a detailed personal information chart. After that, Mokhiber measures the client at several spots over her body so that progress can be charted.

The, it’s on with the wraps, which are actually Ace bandages soaked in a special warm solution before being wrapped completely around the body. Then customers put on a sauna suit and plastic zip-per bags on their feet and wait an hour before the wraps are removed and more measurements are taken.

“When you’re wrapped, you look just like a mummy. The sauna suit keeps you warm because after a while, the solution cools down and you’d be really cold without the suit,” Mokhiber said.

The suit also helps drum up a lot of business.

“When people see my customers out in the salon with those suits on, they ask what’s going on, and that’s how I’ve been getting a lot of new business,” Mokhiber said.

That’s exactly what happened with Lesa Saffen of Youngstown, who was in the salon getting her hair cut when she spotted one of Mokhiber’s suit-clad clients.

Since then, she’s had two seaweed wraps, a week apart, and is pleased with the results.

“After the first wrap, I lost six inches. When I got home and put on my jeans, I could really feel the difference. After that, I was afraid I would regress and put the inches back on, but I didn’t. The wraps just make you feel so good and upbeat, it’s amazing,” Saffen said.

Cheryl Mathes of Lewiston was also in the salon when she spotted one of the clients and decided to try the clay wrap since she didn’t really need to lose inches but wanted to firm up.

The sea clay wraps tighten and tone and can diminish cellulite. But Mathes saw an extra benefit.

“My first wrap, I was lucky and I lost four inches. After that, I didn’t expect to take any more inches off, but so far, I’ve taken off 10 altogether. It’s an added bonus. I’ve been working out, and it also helps with sore muscles. It leaves my skin feeling great,” Mathes said.

Mokhiber said the clay, which is painted on the body before the wraps are applied, tightens the skin while the aloe detoxifies. Clients are also asked to exfoliate with a dry brush, which is available for purchase at the salon, before the treatments and are asked not to shower right before the wrap or six to eight hours afterward. Lotions also should not be used because they clog the pores and inhibit the detoxifying process.

While the wraps offer “instant results,” Mokhiber would like to see all of her clients use them as a jump start to a healthier lifestyle.

“I always try to give people advice on staying fit in the long term, with diet and lifestyle changes. I also tell everyone we have to love ourselves and be realistic about our goals. That’s the most important thing,” Mokhiber said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Detoxifying, inch-reducing and firming body wraps

WHERE: Slender Inspirations Cellulite Treatment Inch Loss & Detox Program at D’Amore Salon & Day Spa, 705 Center St., Suite 2, Lewiston, NY

WHEN: The salon is open from Tuesday through Saturday, with spa services offered Monday by appointment only.

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New clearing spa treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York

The Clearing Factor is a new breakthrough three-to-four-hour treatment dedicated to restoring and clearing the body, bringing it to a naturally revitalized state of balance and vitality, by using a carefully customized sequence of intensive detoxifying therapies including exfoliation, lymph drainage techniques, massage, a clay body wrap and traditional cupping.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York is delighted to announce a new, breakthrough treatment that takes the enhancement of mental and physical wellbeing to a new level.

The core of The Clearing Factor lies in the use of gentle manual maneuvers known as Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT), which helps restore balance to both body and mind by moving stagnant energy. “Health and vitality is the body’s natural state of being,” explains Spa Director, Denise Vitiello.

“The more toxins we hold on to, the farther away our bodies are from optimal health, both physically and emotionally. Some people who have experienced this special treatment use it as a stepping stone toward healthier living and change. It’s also the perfect treatment to have when the body is transitioning from one season to another – in this case, it’s a great ‘spring cleansing’ treatment.”

The Clearing Factor was created by The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York’s senior therapist Wafa Cunningham-Mzeghet. Wafa has been dedicated to the study of Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) for seven years and her passion is educating others to understand the fundamental benefits of lymphatic health.

“Maintenance of a healthy, well circulating lymphatic system is the cornerstone of good health,” explains Wafa, “which is why LDT is The Clearing Factor’s key component. LDT helps re-circulate body fluids in areas of stagnation, regenerate tissues and filter out toxins so that the immune system is stimulated and the nervous system is brought to a balanced state. When LDT is administered, the body can experience all kinds of benefits, including decreased water retention and swelling, tissue regeneration, deep relaxation for better sleep patterns, relief from inflammation, stress, depression and fatigue, and a decrease in muscle spasm.”

Treatment

After a brief consultation with a senior therapist, The Clearing Factor begins with a full body exfoliation using a freshly mixed blend of fine grain Dead Sea salts and Kama oil. “The scrub is a freshly mixed blend,” Wafa explains, “because freshly mixed salt and oil stimulate the skin more actively versus salt that’s been soaking in oil for an extended period of time.”

Dead Sea salt was selected for its high concentration of minerals, including potassium, magnesium and sodium, which are very therapeutic for the skin. The Kama oil is an organic and holistic product from India made up of essential oils of lemongrass, rosemary and geranium that contain a host of antioxidants.

The exfoliation process cleanses and prepares the skin for the rest of the treatment and promotes relaxation, allowing for a more effective release of blockages and toxins. After exfoliation, the therapist does a gentle facial cleansing so the entire surface of the body is clean and prepared.

Next, the therapist administers LDT by focusing on specific areas of the body using soft-touch opening techniques that encourage movement and drainage of the lymph system. This aids in the recirculation of body fluids and eliminates areas of stagnation to optimize regeneration and give the immune system a healthy boost. “When the lymph system becomes congested,” Wafa explains, “waste and fluids accumulate in the tissue hindering the normal physiological process. Sometimes the body needs help in removing this toxic build up of cellular waste and that’s when LDT has been proven to be effective in accelerating the flow, decongesting and clearing the system.”

Once the opening process is complete, a massage follows that is primarily Swedish in technique, due to its systemic approach in assisting the release of impurities from muscle tissue. After the full body massage, traditional cupping – an ancient method of body purification, is used on the back to draw more impurities to the surface for elimination.

A full body wrap using anti-oxidant Neem Black Clay follows the cupping treatment. “There can be mild skin irritation from cupping,” Wafa notes. “So this special clay uses neem plant extract, aloe, clove (a mild natural analgesic), orange and lemongrass ingredients which have a very soothing and healing effect on the skin.”

The clay, made by the company Pan Puri, contains Pelan clay mud drawn from the lake bottoms of Latvia. “We chose this particular clay because of its exceptionally high concentration of organic matter which makes it very effective in drawing out toxins and restoring balance to the body.” During the 25-30 minute body wrap, the therapist administers gentle, soft-touch lymph work on the face.

“Lymph acts like a pumping mechanism that enhances flow in the lymph system. This creates a vacuum that stimulates blood flow and enhanced circulation,” says Wafa. “LDT on the face can act like a natural face lift by decreasing puffiness, improving circulation and firming the skin.” Once the wrap is finished, the body is cleaned and hydrated with a gentle moisturizing lotion. Taking the time to relax in The Spa’s tea lounge afterward is an important last step to acclimate the body after the treatment.

The Clearing Factor is exclusive to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York. The three-hour treatment with a senior therapist is priced at $ 675 Mondays – Wednesdays and $ 695 Thursdays – Sundays. The Ultimate Clearing Factor, a four-hour version of the treatment with its creator Wafa, is priced at $950 Mondays – Wednesdays and $ 975 Thursdays – Sundays.

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