Category

Health

July 3, 2021
3

WHY LOVE YOGA

By | Fitness, Food for thought, Health | One Comment

Most of us are well-informed about the benefits of yoga. We associate this activity with healthy lifestyle, flexibility and mental well-being. But sometimes it seems so hard to force ourselves to do it. If you are one of those people who think “Yoga is not for me”, here are some good news! YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE.

Let’s first reexamine some of the benefits in comparison to other physical exercises.

There’s a tremendous amount of research confirming that certain yoga types can improve health through down-regulation of hypothalamic– pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). These two systems are the main responders to stress in our bodies. Therefore, the more often there’s a need for them to work, the more disbalanced your body’s response to triggers gets. This dysfunction then leads to obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, depression, substance abuse, and cardiovascular disease.

Yoga has immediate effects on stress hormones and increase of natural killer cells. Studies even suggest that it reverses the impact of stress on the immune system. Moreover, you can actually feel the change, as yoga has also been shown to decrease anxiety and increase feelings of emotional, social and spiritual well-being.

Many studies have compared the effects of yoga and other physical activities such as fitness, stretching, walking, running or dancing. And, while the results on blood sugar reduction were similarly positive, yoga has been shown to have much greater benefits on the psyche.

In most of these comparisons yoga has been shown to be as effective as or superior to exercise on nearly every outcome measured.

The research conducted on women in labor or experiencing menopause confirmed the ease of the symptoms as well. While the pregnant women practicing yoga experienced an increase in maternal comfort and shortened labor time, the occurrence of hot flashes for menopausal participants reduced significantly.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOGA

Time Consuming

A lot of people who have never practiced yoga believe that it is really hard to choose a studio, yoga type, instructor or the time to start. However, they forget that the main focus of any yoga type is to bring balance to one’s life. It doesn’t matter if you start with Asana Yoga or Ayurveda, your instructor is going to focus on your specific needs.

Thus, all you need to do is click on “Book an Appointment” at glowconcierge.ch and your instructor will come straight to your door and care for a smooth start in your yoga journey.

Women’s thing

Surveys show that men can feel uncomfortable in yoga classes, either because they are surrounded by women or because they do not feel comfortable doing some exercises. Other than that, it is a common belief that if an exercise does not include weight lifting or enormous calorie burn, it is not worth doing.

But as we have mentioned earlier, yoga has many benefits on your general well-being. A skinny, exhausted figure is not a guarantee that you won’t get burned out the next day.

The bottom line is that everybody, men or women, want to stay healthy and yoga is an easy solution for that.

Doesn’t burn enough calories

Maybe yoga will not burn as many calories as an hour of running on a treadmill. But it has been shown that people who practice yoga tend to make healthier nutrition choices. Combine this fact with the lowered stress and blood sugar levels, and here you’ve got all the calories you would have burned doing something else.

Yoga is boring

This one is a classical fear of people willing to start yoga. They view it as standing in one position for 10 minutes without anything to do. However, yoga offers a huge variety of exercises oriented at different muscle groups at once. After all, in 3000 years of existence of yoga there must have been developed some exciting exercises.

To sum up, yoga does not only improve physical and  psychological conditions, but is also a great relaxation technique. It engages many muscle groups while keeping your mind at peace at all times. If you are suffering from lower back pain, cardiovascular disease or experiencing stress, yoga is exactly what you need.

We always test the providers before they start to work with us. So you can be 100% sure that the person who comes to your home has the friendliest personality and is well qualified. If you still haven’t fallen in love with yoga, let them help you make the first step.

Your Glow Concierge

June 26, 2021
3

THE PLANK TO EASE LOWER BACK PAIN

By | Fitness, Health | One Comment

Everyone knows the plank, not many people love the plank! It strengthens the core muscles involved in ‘anti extension’ which is basically any movement that resists extending the lower back. This exercise uses all of your abdominals, as well as glutes, legs, arms, and shoulders, doesn’t it just sound magical?

In 2018 a study was conducted, where 30 people of both genders who had lower back pain (for more than two weeks) were asked to do 5 plank exercises every day for three weeks. The results have shown that a plank not only strengthens various muscle groups, but also reduces back pain and improves the quality of life.

The key to the perfect plank is keeping your hips in line with the rest of your body, don’t stick your bum in the air and equally don’t let it fall towards the floor making an arch in your back…easier said than done! It is crucial to focus on doing the plank correctly, otherwise you might hurt some muscles, or even worse – suffer for no result!

The best way to start is from kneeling, come onto your forearms with your palms flat on the floor, next you need to activate your thigh muscles to straighten your legs. If you really push your elbows into the floor, then your shoulder blades will open up. Next tuck your tailbone, squeeze your glues and draw your stomach in, try pulling your feet towards your elbows and vice versa. Now for the hard part…hold it!

If you’re not used to it, then try holding for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times. As you get used to holding the plank position, try and extend how long you’re holding it for. See if you can work up to 2.5 minutes and again, repeat 3 times.

As plank activates all your muscled it might be a good idea to do it in the very beginning of your workout as a mini warm up (it does not substitute a proper warm up). Next time you roll your yoga mat out to exercise start with a series of planks switching from the regular elbow plank to the side ones.

If you stick to the instructions and do it often enough, there’s a chance you will love this exercise at some point. Good luck! You can do it!

Your Glow Concierge

June 19, 2021
2

NUTRITION HACKS FOR BETTER PERIODS

By | Food for thought, Health, Nutrition | No Comments

“That time of the month” doesn’t need to mean bloating, mood swings or painful cramps. Avoid period fatigue with these nutrition tweaks and you could be on your way to downgrading or eliminating symptoms all together!

UP THOSE OMEGA 3’s
Good fats, like Omega 3’s, are a dream at helping your body reduce inflammation which is key in reducing cramping. High-quality fats are exactly what your body needs to balance hormones and they even help clear skin. Look to add avocados, olive oil and grass-fed butter to your diet. They are great to sneak into your smoothies and salads – you’ll barely notice.

SAY BYE BYE TO PROCESSED FOOD
Eating whole foods is brilliant for your body and its functions. Your body is intelligent, when you put an apple into it or lean chicken, it knows what to do with it.
Go and check your pantry now, pick up a food that has a label on it. Read the list of the ingredients – if there are ingredients you can’t pronounce, then it stands to reason that your body won’t know how to digest them either!

EAT THE RAINBOW
Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables. When you get playful and try and eat every color of the rainbow you soon find you have added additional fiber, vitamins and minerals without even trying. With a special shout out to phytonutrients which only exist in plant based food. They talk directly to our cells, helping increase immunity and decrease inflammation.

GET PICKY WITH YOUR PROTEINS.
It’s very simple when you think about it. Our bodies produce our own hormones and then balance them in line with our cycle. If we start to add new hormones – from factory farmed meat – we give our body new work to do and evolution hasn’t yet taught us how to do this and maintain a pain free period.
Buying organic grass fed meat (and where possible keep it local) takes this stress off of our bodies so it can focus on what it does best. Many people have noted that reduced meat consumption provides a more comfortable flow.

Daisy Quin – Yoga Instructor and Nutritionist in LA

@spiritualmixtape

June 5, 2021
4

FACE LIFTING – BETTER THAN ANY CREAM

By | Beauty, Fashion, Health | One Comment

Why do we believe expensive creams can help our face look younger, and yet exercise to do the same thing for our body? There are 43 muscles in the face, but we only use 30 percent of them. Can it be beneficial to work with them as well?

A throughout massage of the face and daily exercises can lift and smoothen your face better than any cream or serum. We are not telling you to throw away all the beauty products you own. But the next time you stand in front of the mirror, consider massaging your face for a couple of minutes, and you’ll see the results as soon as you do it!

Why exercise?

Let’s take the “abs” for example. In our everyday life there are not so many occasions when these muscles are really working. And yet every single person is willing to die in the gym for a six-pack.

The same happens with our facial muscles. Daily we are using just a little portion of them while chewing, smiling, talking etc. But if we were to spend at least 15 minutes a day on facial exercises, there would be no more complaints of saggy necks, jowls or puffy eyes.

Manual lifting

Manual lifting is another technique to make your face look younger and skin smoother. Done on your own or with the help of a professional, this massage prevents aging, aids lymphatic system and drains excess water from the face.

After just a couple of minutes of rubbing and stroking, you can already feel your face become slimmer and cheekbones more visible. Isn’t it a dream come true?!

Don’t make it worse

Both these procedures, however, need to be done with caution. It is very important not to do any harm or make it look even worse. We recommend consulting with a professional before starting these exercises or massages on your own.

Our providers are always there to help. For example, try out the facial toning with Nadia ONLINE. In just 30 minutes she’ll teach you all the basics of facial exercises which you can easily perform on your own, or even at the elevator, in the car or walking down the street.

(Nadia is also teaching yoga in Zug. To access her online yoga and facial toning lessons, dial 6300 Postcode on our website)

When it comes to manual lifting, both Caterina and Eleftheria are offering 1 hour long facial massages in Zurich Lake and Zug regions. These qualified masters will follow all the essential lines on the face and reactivate the muscles so that the skin becomes smoother and gains elasticity.

Caring for your health&beauty since 2018

Your Glow Concierge

May 1, 2021
1

THE HEALING POWER OF A MASSAGE

By | Health, Massage | No Comments

We’re often told that a massage is beneficial for the whole body. But what exactly does “the whole body” mean? Is it just the body or can this treatment benefit the soul or even bring some psychological changes?

Massage is perhaps the oldest healing technique known to us. Its origins cannot be traced back as practically every culture had used some kind of massage. In this article, we’re going to be concentrating on the positive effects of it on all the major systems of our body.

Nervous System Benefits

The very first thing one experiences at a massage table are its relaxing powers. The sudden feeling of complete calmness and letting go occurs as soon as the person even thinks of having a massage. As it is not only the calming music and the scents of oils that calm us down, but also the opportunity to “meditate” so to say, to shut the mind off from the rest of the world.

A short outline of the main effects on the nervous system:

  • Decrease of heart rate and nerve firing
  • Helps reduction of pain
  • Possible remedy against insomnia
  • The reduction of fascial and muscular tension
  • Reduction of joint stiffness
  • Release impingement of peripheral nerves.
  • Helps reduce musculoskeletal signs and symptoms of various disease states
  • Prevention of burnout

Circular System Benefits

The physical rubbing and stroking that the masseuse is subjecting you to have the most significant effects on the circular system. You can feel it as soon as you lift your body off from the table. We all know that feeling in the beginning: the mind trying to understand what has changed, why it takes so much less effort to move the body parts, where are the previous restrictions gone.

A short outline of the main effects on the circular system:

  • release of muscle tension
  • increases venous and lymphatic flow
  • helps clear metabolic wastes and by-products from tissue damage and inflammation
  • indirectly assists arterial flow for efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to the body’s tissue cells
  • helps release fascial tension, muscle spasms, and restrictive scarring.
  • May help prevent or slow the development of varicosities.
  • Reduces edema, bruising.
  • Massage helps in stretching and realignment of scar tissue.

Effects on your appearance

We often treat massage as a wellness treatment – meaning it is not supposed to have any significant visual effects. But little do we know that massage can actually enhance metabolism. This happens due to the increased blood circulation and clearing of the waste and toxins that accumulate in the body. Moreover, the mobilization of joints and decreasing muscle tension from a massage helps facilitate nerve feed to the various digestive organs.

Among other benefits of a massage is promoting a better posture, improved breathing and relaxed diaphragm tensions. As we now are not able to travel much a relaing Thai massage or an old Japanese technique might be the experience your body and soul desire most.

The spa-like atmosphere can be created at the comfort of your home. You don’t need to dress up and look for a parking spot for half an hour. We come to you!

Our top massages:

In Zurich Lake Region, Aargau, Zug

Jet Lag Treatment from Caterina. Full body signature massage, including stretching. A special mix of essential aromatic oils with a relaxing and invigorating effect. Lifts the mood and stimulates the mind.

Thai Reflexology from Eleftheria. Thai reflexology is a complete holistic treatment for body, mind and spirit. By using a Thai wooden stick (specially made to perform the technique) the therapist treats the reflex points on the feet and massages the energy lines on the legs to balance and stimulate the movement of energy throughout the body.   

The Glow Concierge Signature Fusion Massage from Andrei. Our signature massage is a combination of multiple massage techniques, such as Thai Massage, Swedish, Deep Tissue and Asian Style Reflexology. For an exceptional massage experience.

In Lucerne, Zug

Lomi Lomi Massage from Barbara. Lomi Lomi is a Hawaiian massage technique using the palms, knuckles, elbows, forearms and sometimes even stones.

Reiki Massage from Barbara. Reiki is a Japanese form of alternative medicine called energy healing. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through which a “universal energy” is said to be transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or physical healing.

Your Glow Concierge

April 24, 2021
5

BABY SOFT FEET IN 1 MINUTE

By | Beauty, Health | No Comments

OUR FEET ARE OFTEN NEGLECTED

While it’s common to take good care of our face and hair, our feet are often neglected. 
Many people care minimally for their feet or skip foot care all together because the products on the market are usually very time-consuming and tedious… So yes, we leave our feet to get dry, hard and cracked.⠀
Lovisa Walker, founder of new Swiss skincare brand LOVASKIN, says that when the feet are not cared for, people tend to feel uncomfortable being barefoot in yoga class or at the beach, it leads to their feet being hidden away in socks and shoes.
it seems indeed to be a common problem – according to a study by Kelton Research for the American Podiatric Medical Association, more than 50% of women say their feet embarrass them “always, frequently or sometimes”.⠀
What about you, have you ever chosen a different pair of shoes because your heels were dry and possibly had cracks? Or dreaded going to the pool because you were embarrassed by your feet? Or focused more on hiding your feet than on the actual pilates or martial art practice…?
Perhaps it sounds dramatic, but the fact is that our freedom is limited and our confidence takes a toll when we feel that our feet are unsightly. 

LENGTHY PROTOCOLS 
Lovisa says she felt the same about her feet. As many women, working and being a mother of two small children, she lacked time for self care. And her poor feet came last on her priority list. 
Pedicures at salons usually have lengthy protocols, including long foot soaks sometimes with products added to the water to soften the hard foot skin, then the feet are covered with patches with aggressive softeners and finally wrapped up in plastic film and you are left to wait… After this extensive preparation, it’s time for gommage and filing and then, at last, the toe nails get their attention.
The result of a professional pedicure is usually fabulous and the nail polish done on the toes last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. The only problem is that the foot soles need care more often than that.
Having tried exfoliating socks, which took weeks to show results, and a myriad of other brands and products which promise the earth, but fail to deliver, Lovisa felt increasingly disappointed and decided to create her own foot treatment. 


A NEW CONCEPT –  THE INSTANT FOOT PEELING
In 2019, her small family owned company LOVASKIN launched its first product, the Instant Foot Peeling.
This new concept foot treatment works extremely fast and provides immediate incredible results! It is effective beyond belief and makes the feet smooth and healthy looking already after the very first treatment – ideal for both professional pedicures and foot treatments and as a home treatment in between appointments at the beauty salon.
It couldn’t be easier to use: just spray onto dry feet, wait 60 seconds for the potent active ingredients to work, and then remove the dry, hard, dead foot skin and reveal the soft, new healthy feet underneath. 
At the end of its first year, the revolutionary Instant Foot Peeling was awarded the prestigious Cosmoprof Award “Best New Product” in the category feet, hands and nails.

PROFESSIONALS LOVE IT TOO
Beauticians, nail technicians, spas and even podiatrist worldwide have started using the LOVASKIN Instant Foot Peeling for pedicures and foot care because it is so quick and practical. They save precious time as no preparation is needed. This way they can do more treatments per day.
They reverse the usual pedicure protocol and begin with the callus removal because this new peeling works best on dry feet. They spray a bit extra on the cuticles to make them easy to push back and cut, and if they still want to include a foot bath, they do it after all the dead, dry foot skin and calluses have been removed, and the feet can really benefit from salts and oils and their well-being properties. 
They also like that it is environmental friendly and requires no single use items – not even plastic gloves as the peeling is gentle, yet extremely powerful.

A BALANCED FORMULA – SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE
LOVASKIN Instant Foot Peeling is formulated and manufactured in Switzerland. It is the perfect balance of fruit acids that gently, but effectively exfoliate dead skin, with plant extracts known for their moisturising properties, such as aloe vera, prickly pear and Swiss glacier water. 
Thanks to its unique formulation, the feet feel soft and look amazing after just one simple treatment.
With its light fresh scent, the product is 100% unisex, because “beyond aesthetics, having healthy feet is important for the general well-being”, explains Lovisa. It is a product that everyone can use, women and men, young and old… ⠀
Moreover, it is vegan and free of parabens, phthalates, sulphates, dyes and petrolatum. It is cruelty free (not tested on animals). 

OUR FEET NEED REGULAR CARE 
When it comes to our overall health, our feet are probably the most underrated part of the body. They carry us through life and are exposed to considerable stress every day. They really deserve tender loving care. 
We need to start considering foot care as important as taking care of other parts of our body. And foot care is not a one-off treatment and then you’re done – feet require regular care in order to maintain the beauty and good health and prevent the appearance of hard and dry skin.
With LOVASKIN’s new treatment, foot care is no longer a “chore” and being almost effortless, everyone should add it to the regular skincare routine. Your feet will thank you.

PRACTICAL “ESSENTIAL KIT”
The Instant Foot Peeling is available in different size bottles for beauty and health professionals, who can add it to all their pedicures and foot treatments, but it is also available as a home-treatment. 
LOVASKIN has put together an “Essential Kit” with everything needed for successful foot care at the comfort of your home. Because even if we have professionals pedicure and feet treatments done, we still need to care for our feet in-between treatments with our beautician or podiatrist. 
It is also perfect for your partner, for a friend and for elderly parents who perhaps never go for foot care. With this practical kit you can give your feet a quick and incredibly effective treatment anytime, anywhere.

ALL IN THE NAME
It is not a coincidence that Lovisa chose to call her skincare brand LOVASKIN – “lova” means to promise is Swedish, her mother tongue.
It is her philosophy and has been the vision from the start, to formulate easy to use, fast acting and effective products. Products which keep their promises! 
The Instant Foot Peeling makes it possible again, after only one 2-minutes treatment, to chose the open shoes or sandals that best fit the outfit and to stand confident in mat class and focus solely on the postures. 
Make the promise to yourself to take good care of your feet – all year round. 

Lovisa Walker
Founder LOVASKIN

GLOW CONCIERGE NOTE

Does it sound too good to be true? Try it out with Laura! Our masters are more than happy to share their tips and tricks with you, so that you can take the best care of your skin between the treatments. Book a pedicure with Laura to get to know more about this magical peeling product.

Thank you for reading our blog. Every week we search for the most useful and up-to-date advice. As a gift for getting so far and an encouragement to try out this product we would like to give you a promocode for your next pedicure with Laura. Type in blogpost at the checkout and get a 5% discount on any pedicure with Laura.

March 13, 2021
1

MAKING THE SWITCH TO NATURAL HAIRCARE? 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FIRST

By | Beauty, Fashion, Food for thought, Health | No Comments

As the founder of nul, a no-nonsense natural personal care brand, I speak with many clients who want to make the switch to more natural products.

For a good reason, too! At their best, natural products:

  • Are more environmentally friendly
  • Don’t use potentially harmful chemicals
  • Nourish your skin and hair with many beneficial plant extracts
  • Often have plastic-free packaging

However, there are also some things to be aware of when making the switch. Here are the top 5 things you should know before making the switch to natural haircare.

1.    Is it really natural?

Natural beauty is a hot trend right now, and with this comes greenwashing. Many brands claim they have 100% naturally-derived products, but it’s not the case when you look closer. 

Take one of the most common ingredients for shampoo bars: sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI). While it may be derived from plant oils, it’s not a natural product. The process to make SCI requires harmful chemicals, which are also used in processing crude oil. 

The easiest way to know if a product is really natural is to look out for a COSMOS certification from BDiH, EcoCert, or Natrue. 

However, many small producers can’t afford the certification. So if you’re looking to buy from an indie brand, ask them if their products comply with the COSMOS-standard.

2.    No more silicones

Natural products don’t contain silicones because they don’t biodegrade in the environment. Products containing silicones coat your hair and skin with a thin layer of plastic. This can make it feel great: smooth, soft, strong and “repaired”. This is why silicones are found everywhere in the beauty industry.

However, although your hair and skin might feel great, silicones aren’t doing you any favours. It can build up on your scalp and strands, making it look greasy and heavy. If you don’t use a clarifying shampoo regularly, it can also coat the strands so well that it doesn’t allow any hydration to penetrate your strands, drying them out over time.

Despite this, people find it hard to leave silicones behind as they are so used to their effect. When making the switch to natural products, be aware that there will be an adjustment period where you get accustomed to seeing your hair in its natural state and not covered in plastic.

3.    It’s not safe just because it’s natural

There is the perception that natural automatically means its safe. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. I look on in horror when I see people coat their skin in (or even drink!) undiluted essential oils – it’s a recipe for an allergic reaction.

Nature is amazing and it’s capable of producing a lot of powerful ingredients and compounds. When not used with consideration, these compounds can be harmful. It’s, for this reason, there are strict rules about the use of essential oils and plant extracts in products. In general, most oils are safe at a 1% usage ratio. All commercial products will follow these rules, but you may run into problems with some indie beauty brands. To be on the safe side, ask them if a certified chemist has approved their products. This is a legal requirement in Switzerland and Europe, and all reputable brands get their products certified. 

And please, never use undiluted essential oil no matter what anyone tells you!

4.    pH is important

Any product containing water or mixed with water has a pH level. This includes shampoo, soap, conditioner (even in bar form), and most styling products.

The pH level of your skin is typically around 5.5, and the pH of your hair can be as low as 3.5.

pH levels are particularly important for hair as it’s not a living organism. It’s made up of “dead” cells. While your skin can be exposed to a range of pH levels and recover it’s natural pH level quite easily, your hair cannot regulate its pH levels.

As your hair is acidic, if you expose it to something alkaline (like soap) the cuticles on your hair can raise – allowing moisture (and color if you have color-treated hair) to escape and giving your hair a rough and dry appearance.

A good shampoo and conditioner will have an acidic pH between 5.5 and 4.5. This acidity seals the cuticle, trapping moisture and color and giving your hair a shiny appearance. 

As a general rule, don’t use soap on your hair. If you absolutely must, ensure you rinse it with diluted vinegar afterwards to re-seal the cuticle.

But what I really recommend is finding a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner instead.

5.    Less can be more, but not always

There is a perception with natural products that the shorter the ingredients list, the better. Many commercial products are unnecessarily complicated, and the long ingredients list can hide many harmful chemicals. 

However, there are many wonderful natural active ingredients out there that can greatly improve your hair’s health and appearance. And it would be a shame to miss out on them just for a shorter ingredients list.

Instead of just looking at the length of the ingredients list, look at why each ingredient is there. With increasing consumer mistrust, more and more ethical brands are disclosing why they use each ingredient. At nul, we even have a page for each ingredient that explains why we use it, where it comes from, whether it’s vegan, and how it scores on the environmental working group scale.

Making the switch to natural hair care is not always easy, but it’s worth it for you and our planet’s long-term health. I hope this post makes it easier to switch in the right way. 

Thanks for reading, and please reach out if you have any questions.

And if you want to try a shampoo that’s truly natural, silicone-free, safe, pH-balanced and contains active ingredients, check out our range of shampoo bars.

Katie

About the author

Katie Cullen Montgomerie has worked in technology marketing for the past 10 years. Before founding Nul she was the head of marketing and communications at a top Swiss start-up. 

Working in technology, she saw a large number of start-ups working to solve environmental issues. In stark contrast, the personal and household care industry has stagnated with little innovation.

With an MBA and a passion for green chemistry-based natural cosmetics, Katie decided to challenge the status quo. In 2020 she founded nul, a not-just-for-profit company bringing sustainable products to consumers in Switzerland and the world.

About nul

nul is a not-just-for-profit company with the mission to make the personal and household care industry more sustainable by offering eco-friendly alternatives that actually work.

No water. No plastic. No toxins. No nonsense.

February 20, 2021
2

WHICH FACIAL IS BEST FOR YOU?

By | Beauty, Health, Massage | No Comments

Winter, continuous mask-wearing, junk food… A lengthy list can be made of all the factors influencing the health of your skin. This is still not an excuse to “not give a damn” about it. And while you working on your habits and perfecting your skincare routine is the main part of the treatment, facials can also help a lot.

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a nice face massage, your cosmetologist applying yet another aromatic mask or this feeling of glowing skin after the treatment. Sounds great in theory, but how to get there? Which facial to choose?

Unfortunately, there is no single solution for everybody. Facials are usually chosen based on the current requirement of your skin. Thus, we decided to sort them by skin types.

(If you are unsure about your skin type, the right master will always know what to do)

Oily skin

Facial massage with extremely oily and creamy masks is not recommended for those with oily skin. This type usually requires deep cleansing and masks reducing the pores.

Our tip. Andrei has a number of facials designed for oily skin and inflamed skin. The Acne Skin Facial deeply cleanses the pores without stripping the hydrolipidic film away. It has a strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and keeps the hydration at an optimal level (plus you get a short massage as a bonus while waiting for your mask to work)

Dry skin

This skin type needs a treatment opposite to the previous one. The aim of the facial here would be to enrich the skin with vitamins and minerals and regenerate the tissues, urging them to work.

Our tip. Vitamin C or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are both meant for all skin types, but will definitely benefit those with dry skin. While the former stimulates the production of collagen fibres and protects the cells from free radicals, the latter is famous for its extreme hydrating effect.

Aging skin

Over time our skin can start loosing collagen, which is responsible for keeping it lifted. The oil glands and organs responsible for skin cell reproduction can also become less active.

Weekly scrubbing, face massage, moisture-rich masks and retinoid-based creams are recommended to keep the skin in shape and help it with its functions.

Our tip. Eleftheria makes the best rejuvance facial, also known as “The Fingertip Facelift”. Deep massage of the facial tissues is a great non-invasive treatment to encourage the natural functions of the body to regain their vitality.

Next step – Microneedling

Microneedling is a more intensive facial treatment that also enables highly effective ingredients to be infiltrated into the skin effectively. The skin naturally forms a protective layer on the surface against environmental influences. This layer makes it difficult for active ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin. With the help of sterile disposable needles, this procedure perforates the skin, in order to introduce the active ingredients into the skin exactly where they can be best used. The ingredients can be always chosen to your skin type. This is the perfect treatment to deal with wrinkles, black spots or dry skin.

Our tip. Check our Instagram page to see the results of microneedling with Monique! You will be surprised. A single treatment includes: cleaning, enzyme peeling, disinfection, needling with active ingredients (tailored to the respective skin treatment type), bio-cellulose aquaxyl mask, final care including sun protection.

Facial or microneedling – treat yourself, your skin deserves it! At Glowconcierge we have more than 6 masters ready to tailor their facial treatments to your needs. We come to you ♡

Your Glow Concierge

January 14, 2021
1

NEVER TRUST A FAD AND WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

By | Beauty, Fitness, Food for thought, Health, Nutrition | No Comments

If it looks like it’s too good to be true, then it probably is! “Lose 10 kg in 5 weeks”, “Juice cleanse to detox your body”, “Eat these magical pills and reduce your clothing size within a week…” We get bombarded with weight loss tips, teas, pills, powders and “new year, new me”–gibberish, all year around, but it escalates during the Christmas and New Year time. Many people and businesses are willing to go very far to get hold of your money, and well marketed health-claiming products would also have ended up in my cupboard if I didn’t know better.  However, instead of pouring out money on products with no function and of bad quality, let’s go back to basics. 

  • Be sceptical, be curious, ask questions – do not believe everything you hear, see and read
  • Check the sources of the products or article. Are they reliable? Do they have scientific back up? Has this been proven or disproven?
  • No juices, powders, tablets etc. can help you to detox the body. This is simply a marketing-concept! The liver, kidney and skin is responsible to “detoxify” your body, these organs do work even without the rainbow-pills  
  • If you lose 10 kg in 4-5 weeks, you have mostly just lost body water. If weight loss is the goal, then time is what you need. Generally, you should not lose more than 0,5-1 kg per week in order to be able to maintain the weight loss and avoid the yoyo-effect
  • For a controlled weight loss, it is important that you plan your meals and find a suitable meal rhythm e.g. Breakfast, Lunch, Snack & Dinner.
  • Make sure that you have a lot of vegetables/fruits on your plate for every meal
  • Carbohydrates are not dangerous, but necessary. Nevertheless, make sure to choose the complex carbohydrates – the ones with a high fibre content, such as whole wheat pasta, wild or brown rice, buckwheat, barley, whole wheat bulgur.
  • Have a good protein source at least twice per day, such as fish, meat, tofu, tempeh, dairy products, pulses and legumes.
  • Fat is also necessary in your diet, choose foods high in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids e.g. salmon, mackerel, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
  • Sugars are not dangerous for the body, but they should be kept to a minimum. WHO recommends not to eat more than 25 g/ 6 tsp. of sugar per day.
  • Alcohol can be enjoyed once in a while, but know that it does not provide the body with useful energy, and it is recommended to drink less than 14 units per week. (1 unit =25 ml of spirits, ½ pint, 87 ml wine etc.)
  • Make sure to try and always eat at the dining table, preferably spending 20 minutes for a meal, so it can be enjoyed!
  • Exercise is not only helpful for a potential weight loss, but also important for maintaining bone health, muscle mass and our cardiovascular system.
  • Rest and sleep! This is a must! It is very difficult to lose weight if you are already fatigued. Aim for a good quality sleep of 7-8 hours. 

This article is written by Henriette Saevil, Clinical Nutritionist

(IG: @nutritionbyhenny). 

If you have any questions or want to book a consultation please feel free to contact me via our website: https://nutrition-az.com/appointments or drop me an email: henriette.saevil@nutrition-az.com