Ask the Experts with Jill Darin

        

Ask The Experts

Jill Darin, Nail Technician

Pedicures

What are the benefits of having regular pedicures not just in the summer, but also in the winter?

Having regular pedicures year round is a good maintenance program for your nails. Skin and nails tend to get dryer during the winter, so it keeps your feet and nails moisturized, help circulation, and stimulates the nails.

A lot of senior citizens have pedicures. Are there any special considerations?

As people age, their toenails tend to grow thicker, and it may become more difficult to keep your nails cleaned up and at a healthy length. It’s awkward for people of all ages – not just seniors - to trim their own toenails correctly due to the angle you have to be in to trim your own nails. Add to that any mobility or sight issues that seniors might have, and it’s a good way to ensure seniors keep healthy feet and nails. It’s not really age-specific – it’s true for everyone.

What is your most popular pedicure and what does it involve?

Our Signature pedicure takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It’s a good, relaxing way to maintain your pedicure. We work on the nails, cuticles, and callus areas. This is followed by a sugar scrub and a foot and leg massage. The last step is polish, if the client wishes.

Another popular pedicure is the Petite pedicure, which takes about 45 minutes. It offers everything in the Signature except for the sugar scrub and massages.

Can diabetics have pedicures?

Yes, but that’s the first thing we need to know if a client has diabetes. Diabetes affects circulation, many times in the feet, which makes them more prone to infections. We take great care, particularly in trimming cuticles or providing any service that may place a client at risk. For a diabetic client, I recommend talking to your regular physician first.

Is there a magic formula you look for when choosing a nail color for clients?

That’s my most-asked question. Aside from a special event or clothes that you may be trying to match, there really isn’t a special “formula.” It’s really about what color do you like and would like to look at for a week or two. When a client asks me point-blank, I really look at that client’s personality to determine a color. It’s all about feeling good and looking good.

Many people worry a lot about nail fungus. What do you recommend as a treatment?

I have seen through my experience that many people just tend to carry a nail fungus and there’s not a lot a person can do about it. The only real treatment to get rid of nail fungus is to see your doctor to prescribe oral medications. Some topical creams you can buy over the counter can help the way it looks. I recommend keeping toenails clean and trimmed back as much as possible. Then, make sure to apply the topical as directed on the nail and cuticle, and also pushed under the edge of the nail at the top.

To see a menu of nail services: www.whatsnewthesalon.com

To book a nail appointment: 615-890-5020

Christmas Trees at Community Care of Rutherford County

What's New The Salon's Christmas Tradition

Once again our staff has participated in decorating a tree at Community Care of Rutherford County. This is an event that we have participated in for several years and there are so many levels of enjoyment and fulfillment to it.

Businesses and organizations are invited to put up a tree and fully decorate it. There are usually about 15 different trees, all decorated in a unique fashion. Some are old fashioned, some high fashion, some are whimsical, and some are just plain fun. 

After all the trees are decorated, the silent bidding begins. Someone will be able to purchase a tree with all the trimmings for a great price and a great cause. 

The money raised goes to a shopping spree for the residents to purchase toys to then be donated to the Toys for Tots program. 

In addition to those great causes, the trees and the excitement bring joy and nostalgia to the residents, who enjoy watching the decorating and the visitors.

Please take the time this year to visit Community Care of Rutherford County, see the trees, bid on one or two, and see what an awesome program this is.

Great Advice about Facials

Ask the Expert

Tammy Young give some great advice about facials.

People have always associated facials as a “special treat” for relaxing and getting their skin cleaned and moisturized.  Has that changed?

There is still that special treat factor, but because of improved products, research, methods and equipment, it’s become much more than that.  It’s a way of uniquely addressing problem skin.  For many clients, it is the foundation for continuing skin care, whether it’s remedying problem skin or maintaining healthy skin – it’s more mainstream than in the past.

What is the biggest misconception about having a facial?

One size fits all is the biggest misconception about facials – it’s the way things were done in the past.  Regardless of your age, each person’s skin is unique with its own set of characteristics and issues.  Continuing scientific research and discoveries that lead to improved products and methods enable us to tailor a skin care program that it unique to each client to address issues head-on.

Walk me through the process you go through when a client books a facial.

I’ll use our Signature Facial as an example.  I start with an extensive consultation with the client to learn about allergies, skin reactions or other conditions that they have experienced in the past.  I look at the client’s skin under a lighted magnifying glass to identify any problems that may not be even immediately noticeable to the client or the naked eye.  I then create a facial or a program to address the specific needs of that particular client, using appropriate products and methods unique to their skin. 

So a client may be thinking one kind of facial and they get another type of facial?

It happens a lot, which I discuss with the client during the consultation.  For example, a client may have originally come in wanting a smoothing, anti-aging treatment, but the client has some blemishes.  An anti-aging procedure at that time would be too heavy to do and would tend to aggravate blemishes.  It would not be the best use of the client’s time or money.  For this client, I would recommend a unique treatment that would first deal with the blemishes.   Once that has cleared up, we can then move on to other types of treatments that are appropriate to that client. 

I see multitudes of products available at the drug and department stores – cleansers, masks, moisturizers, and a variety of other products that may cost a little or a lot.  People can create their own facials at home.  Do they work as well and what are the benefits of having professional facials? 

A professional facial offers clients products, services and tools that are either not available at home or you’re unable to do at home.  Take facial cleansing for example:  your skin is like a sponge.  No matter how well you cleanse your face at home, there is still a gradual buildup of makeup over time.  As experienced professionals, we have access to products that are stronger and/or with ingredients that are not available over the counter.  Coupled with our experience and specific tools, the results of at-home products are not as good.  Professional facials offer the best results possible for the money. 

What is the biggest mistake that clients make? 

It is using the same daily skin care regime that a client used, say, in their 20s.  We all know skin changes and ages – what worked in your 20s may not work in your 30s and 40s.  Because your skin care program hasn’t been updated, the products you’re using may be wrong now and can actually be the cause of skin sensitivities.  I recommend for anyone who hasn’t updated their daily skin care regime to do so, using age-appropriate cleansers, moisturizers and masks.  Clients in their 40s, or earlier, definitely need to add a good eye cream.  The skin is naturally very thin around the eye and is the first place you see age-related skin problems.

Every skin care article I read says sunscreen is a must.  Do you agree?

Yes, most definitely.  There was a product trend where moisturizers were combined with sunscreen – an all-in-one product.  However, they found that people have reactions to various sunscreen ingredients, so the products now tend to be again offered separately.  Sunscreen is here to stay year-round for overall skin care.  A very good liquid foundation (but not powder) usually serves as a total sunblock. 

What are the different categories of facials you offer?

The Signature facial lasts an hour and 15 minutes and is more of a spa experience:  skin consultation with specific facial services for that client’s needs, with some perks like a heated table, a comfortable wrap, and a scalp, hand or foot massage.  Our Clinical facial offers skin care only - the same as the Signature but without the additional perks.  The Petite facial, which we call our lunchtime facial, is a 20-30 minute facial using appropriate cleansing, exfoliation and moisturizing.  We also offer the Petite during our Spa Parties. 

You also offer a Rosacea facial.  How is this different from your other facials?

Rosacea is a skin condition where the skin is inflamed and may be itchy or painful.  It usually is accompanied by enlarged blood vessels that give the skin a red, ruddy appearance.  Flare-ups are most common among very fair-skinned people of European descent, but can occur in anyone.  These flare-ups can be brought on or aggravated by spicy foods, fruity alcohol such red wine or tequila, hot tubs, cold weather or a number of factors. 

Our Rosacea facial is very gentle. We use no scrubs or acids.  All products and methods we use on our Rosacea clients have anti-inflammatory properties designed to soothe and help take the redness out. 

Finally, what is your secret skin care tip to do at home?

It’s not such a secret, because I tell all my clients this:  Cleanse your face only at night.  You do not need to cleanse again the next morning because it washes away needed natural oils – a splash of water will do each morning. 

Ask the Experts: Jill Shults, Nail Technician

                                                                       

Ask The Experts

Jill Shults, Nail Technician

Pedicures

What are the benefits of having regular pedicures not just in the summer, but also in the winter?

Having regular pedicures year round is a good maintenance program for your nails.  Skin and nails tend to get dryer during the winter, so it keeps your feet and nails moisturized, help circulation, and stimulates the nails. 

A lot of senior citizens have pedicures.  Are there any special considerations?

As people age, their toenails tend to grow thicker, and it may become more difficult to keep your nails cleaned up and at a healthy length.  It’s awkward for people of all ages – not just seniors - to trim their own toenails correctly due to the angle you have to be in to trim your own nails.  Add to that any mobility or sight issues that seniors might have, and it’s a good way to ensure seniors keep healthy feet and nails.  It’s not really age-specific – it’s true for everyone.

What is your most popular pedicure and what does it involve?

Our Signature pedicure takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.  It’s a good, relaxing way to maintain your pedicure.  We work on the nails, cuticles, and callus areas.  This is followed by a sugar scrub and a foot and leg massage.  The last step is polish, if the client wishes. 

Another popular pedicure is the Petite pedicure, which takes about 45 minutes.  It offers everything in the Signature except for the sugar scrub and massages.

Can diabetics have pedicures?

Yes, but that’s the first thing we need to know if a client has diabetes.  Diabetes affects circulation, many times in the feet, which makes them more prone to infections.  We take great care, particularly in trimming cuticles or providing any service that may place a client at risk.  For a diabetic client, I recommend talking to your regular physician first.

Is there a magic formula you look for when choosing a nail color for clients?

That’s my most-asked question.  Aside from a special event or clothes that you may be trying to match, there really isn’t a special “formula.”  It’s really about what color do you like and would like to look at for a week or two.  When a client asks me point-blank, I really look at that client’s personality to determine a color.  It’s all about feeling good and looking good. 

Many people worry a lot about nail fungus.  What do you recommend as a treatment?

I have seen through my experience that many people just tend to carry a nail fungus and there’s not a lot a person can do about it.  The only real treatment to get rid of nail fungus is to see your doctor to prescribe oral medications.  Some topical creams you can buy over the counter can help the way it looks.  I recommend keeping toenails clean and trimmed back as much as possible.  Then, make sure to apply the topical as directed on the nail and cuticle, and also pushed under the edge of the nail at the top. 

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