Aromatherapy: What you need to know

Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses essential oils from plants and flowers. Designed to treat the whole body, aromatherapy aims to assist the body’s natural abilities to heal, rest and recover from stress and illness. Aromatherapy has been used for hundreds of years and research into its uses continues to grow.

On this page, we’ll explore the benefits of aromatherapy, look into what it can help with and discuss the different ways it can be used.

What is aromatherapy?

While plant oils and herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, aromatherapy is believed to have originated in 1928 when a French chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé accidentally burnt his hand. In reaction to the burn, Gattefossé plunged his hand into the nearby vat of lavender oil. When the burn healed quickly and he was left with no scar, he felt compelled to investigate the oil further.

Aromatherapy is now one of the most popular forms of complementary therapy. Essential oils are used with the hope of treating and preventing illness, as well as encouraging rest and relaxation. For this reason, aromatherapy is especially beneficial for stress-related concerns like headaches, insomnia and anxiety. An aromatherapist can target the cause of stress and create a personal plan (and a suitable concoction of essential oils) for the individual.

How does it work?

Aromatherapy typically works in two different ways, through sense of smell and through skin absorption. Let’s look at skin absorption first; many essential oils contain anti-inflammatory properties and may be applied to the skin to fight infection or relieve pain.

It’s important to consult with a professional aromatherapist before trying this and if you suspect an infection, it’s important to consult your GP. Perhaps the most common use of essential oils on the body, however, is through aromatherapy massage.

Aromatherapy massage

During a massage, essential oils are added to a carrier oil to dilute the mixture and massaged into the skin. An aromatherapy massage usually lasts between one hour and 90 minutes. The oils used will be tailored to suit your specific requirements.

Aromatherapy massages are incredibly relaxing, bringing together the powerful benefits of both aromatherapy and massage. Here are just a few psychological and physical benefits of this method:

Psychological benefits

• Can help to lift mood (physical touch boosts our happy hormones).
• Promotes relaxation, reducing stress and improving your sense of well-being.
• Reduces nervous tension (our bodies hold a lot of psychological tension when we’re stressed, so releasing this can be helpful).

Physical benefits

• Stimulates the body’s immune system, protecting itself from illness.
• Eases muscle tension (making you feel more relaxed and soothing aching muscles).
• Encourages lymphatic drainage, helping to reduce fluid and toxin build-up.
• Boosts circulation (helping blood and oxygen circulate the body to promote healing).

Aromatherapy is now being recognised in the science world and is listed on The NHS Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners. It has gained steam in palliative care and is increasingly used alongside conventional treatment. Research into its effectiveness is encouraging and continues to grow.

What can aromatherapy help?

The therapeutic qualities of essential oils are thought to ease stress, boost the immune system and encourage overall well-being. The evidence for its effectiveness varies and often further research is required, however, there are several conditions aromatherapy is thought to help with, including:

Stress - Certain scents can trigger a relaxation response in the brain. When combined with massage especially, it can help to reduce feelings of stress. Understanding the cause of your stress and increasing self-care practices can help you keep on top of stress.

Anxiety - Studies have found that aromatherapy can have a positive effect on those living with anxiety. As a complementary therapy, it is best used alongside other therapies such as talking therapy.

Insomnia - Many people find aromatherapy a helpful aid for sleep. Burning a relaxing scent in your home or adding essential oils to a warm, evening bath can help prepare your body and mind for sleep.

Dementia - The interest in the effects of aromatherapy for conditions such as dementia continues to grow. Research into the therapy revealed many benefits and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests it may help treat feelings of agitation in those with dementia.

Chronic pain - Aromatherapy is thought to be especially helpful for easing any chronic pain-related anxiety. If the pain is muscular, a massage using essential oils may be helpful. As with any new therapy, please consult your GP before starting.

Cancer - Aromatherapy may help to reduce pain and anxiety for those with cancer in the short-term. According to Cancer Research UK, many people with cancer turn to aromatherapy. It appears to make patients feel happier and more able to cope with the changes happening.

Palliative care - Aromatherapy massage is becoming increasingly popular in palliative care. The combination of scent and massage is thought to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Most commonly used essential oils

There are hundreds of different aromatherapy oils, all of which have different benefits. An aromatherapist may recommend a single oil for the treatment, but it is likely they will use a combination.

Some of the most common essential oils include:

Ginger – Ginger can help ease digestive problems. The scent is known for revitalising the body.

Lavender – The ultimate relaxer, lavender is recommended for those who find it difficult to sleep.

Clary sage – This oil is believed to manage labour pains and relieve menstrual cramps. It is also known for its stress-relieving properties.

Eucalyptus – This oil is known for relieving respiratory congestion, so it can be helpful if you are suffering from a cold.

Peppermint – Mint is an energising oil which may help ease migraines and relieve nausea.

Lemon – An uplifting and detoxing scent, lemon can help energise you and lift your mood.

Fennel – Fennel is thought to help the digestive system and encourage menstrual regulation.

Mandarin – A calming oil with a warming citrus scent. It is often combined with lavender oil to help children relax.

You have heard it all before, the good, the bad, and the ugly about waxing. Well, we are here to praise waxing as one of the best hair removal methods, because it is! Despite the fact that a stranger will have to see your body hair, and apart from the pain that inevitably comes when your hair is being pulled out from the root, waxing offers many amazing benefits. It's definitely worth it to put up with a little rain if you want to see the rainbow and the pot of gold at the end: silky smooth skin with finer regrowth -guaranteed.

1: You will have less regrowth in between appointments; There is a good reason why regrowth seems slower when you wax: the hair is pulled from the root. In this way, your skin will remain smooth for a period of time that spans from the renewal of the ripped hair follicle to the moment the hair shaft reaches the skin surface. This whole process usually lasts three to four weeks, the average time that goes by between waxing appointments. On the contrary, when you shave, the razor is only cutting the hair shaft on the skin's surface. As you can imagine, this is the same reason why everyone will ask you to stay away from the razor if you've chosen to wax regularly. The rhythm of hair removal with the waxing appointments can be disrupted if you cut hair at the surface. At the end of the day, you will definitely see less regrowth once you start waxing consistently, and this is one of the best advantages you can get from it.

2: Your hair will grow back progressively finer and sparser: This is because waxing tears hair off from the root, which causes the hair follicle to get weaker over time. Weak hair follicles produce finer, sparser hair. However, genetics still determines most of the characteristics of your hair, such as coarseness, colour, and growth rate. Do not expect dramatic change from coarse to fine in a couple appointments. It will take some time to see a substantial change.

3: Your skin will get gentle exfoliation: Waxing strips off the outermost layer of skin, which means that your skin will feel smoother and brighter, but keep in mind that waxing is not exfoliation. In fact, it is highly advisable that you exfoliate a couple of days before your waxing appointment to prepare the skin for the procedure. Do not exfoliate on the same day of the appointment since this could make your skin too sensitive. A couple of days after the appointment, you can wax again: any redness will more than likely have subsided by then, and pores will be closed. Post-waxing exfoliation is one of the ways to keep ingrown hairs at bay.

4: Your skin will be less prone to inflammation: Did you know that repeated shaving leads to chronic skin inflammation? The friction from the razor —as well as the natural skin-to-skin friction in this area— give way to inflammation and discoloration. The latter happens because the skin reacts to inflammation by becoming thicker, and melanocytes (the pigment-making cells in the skin) become more active. Discoloration is more common in darker skin types, and it can sometimes be a sign of diabetes. This is a very common disadvantage of shaving that can be greatly relieved with waxing since the skin will be less exposed to repeated friction: only one appointment a month means less inflammation.

5: You will have less annoying itching and prickliness: When hair surfaces, is when it starts itching and giving a prickly sensation. When you wax, hair will take longer to reach the surface of the skin; therefore, you will feel smooth for longer. It's also worth mentioning that the prickly feeling of growing hair is more noticeable after shaving because the razor cuts the hair in an angle, which is the same reason why hair seems darker. You can be relieved that, once you start waxing, you'll be less bothered by this prickly sensation.

6: You will avoid the risk of nicks and cuts: There is always risk of getting cut when you're using a razor, even more so when your hands are covered in foam and soap, and you're in one of the least safe places in the house: the bathroom. When you start waxing, your skin overall will be less exposed to damage.

7: You will have less chance of ingrown hairs: It is important to use the correct waxing technique to avoid ingrown hairs (hair that regrows back into the skin, causing red bumps). The pull has to be quick and the skin has to be held taut while going at the procedure. However, you should know that you might be especially prone to ingrown hairs with any hair removal method. Luckily, exfoliation and moisturizing can be a great help against this pesky problem.

8: You will have a wide range of waxes to choose from: As you might know, many different types of waxes are available. Your esthetician will choose mainly from soft body waxes and hard body waxes for bigger areas, and strip wax for smaller areas such as the face. You can get all the insight on the two main types of wax in our blog post "What Is the Difference Between Hard Wax and Soft Wax".

9: You will enjoy the attention of a professional esthetician: This should be the first and foremost reason why you should always choose to have a professional waxing before attempting to wax at home. Professionals know exactly how to handle every step of the process, have the right techniques and plenty of experience behind them. On top of that, most salons nowadays offer a full experience of relaxation. Do not put your skin at risk and save the hassle of waxing at home, go to a professional esthetician!

 

The Benefits of getting a facial and why you need one every month.

A good daily skin care routine is essential for maintaining a healthy looking, fresh skin, but every once in a while we need to leave it to the professionals and get a facial treatment at a beauty salon or a spa. More precisely, you should get one once a month or every 6 weeks. Making it a habit of scheduling a regular appointment in beauty salon. A facial is a multi-step, multi-purpose skin treatment including steam, face masks, exfoliation, cleansing, a face massage and a variety of creams and lotions. There are many types of facial treatments, and choosing the one you need depends on your skin type and skin issues. Some are highly moisturizing, cleansing, a face massage and a variety of creams and lotions. There are many types of facial treatments, and choosing the one you need depends on your skin type and skin issues. Some are highly moisturizing.

Deep Cleansing: A better, deeper cleanse than the one you do at home – a cleansing facial will help your skin get rid of oil build up, toxins and dirt from your everyday environment, thoroughly removing all the bacteria that could cause skin issues. A good exfoliation like microdermabrasion will remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and unclog your pores, allowing the absorption of other products. This will also make your skin look and feel softer and smoother, making your makeup blend easier and look better. Extraction, if needed, is great for removing blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and preventing breakouts. This is a must – do step for everyone struggling with acne because it clears out the skin and gives it a purifying effect.

Anti-Aging: Facial treatments can help slow down the aging process and prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Massaging your face with an anti-aging cream will immediately increase the blood circulation and oxygen flow, which promotes collagen production and enhances the elasticity of your skin. This leads to a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and preventing their appearance. Remember: It’s never too early to take good care of your skin! 

Relaxing: Messages are so good for relaxing, relieving stress and balancing your mind. Just like your body, your face muscles need a massage and most facial treatments include one. The boost in circulation you’ll get will stimulate the lymphatic vessels and detoxify your skin, making it look healthy and youthful. The nice smell of face masks is only another incredible addition to a soothing, relaxing experience. 

Skin Rejuvenation: The exfoliation, extraction, massage, steam and mask application during a facial treatment lead to skin rejuvenation, or in other words – a fresh, renewed skin. This improves the appearance of the skin, giving it a healthy, radiant glow and balanced complexion. You might not see the results instantly, but on the long run, your skin is going to get restored! So keep in mind that being regular and consistent with your facias is a key.

Improved Skin Care Routine: A good aesthetician will analysis your skin condition and help you choose the best facial treatment for your skin type. You can pick up some good advice by a professional, talk about your daily skin care routine and get recommendations on which products would work best for your skin. This is important because you can use these tips to prevent further issues and keep your skin in good condition. The specialist will diagnose your skin disorders, if there are any, and alert you of changes in moles or suspicious spots if noticed, that could be a sign of a more serious skin problem and require the attention of a medical professional.

Treating A Variety Of Skin Issues: After being diagnosed with a skin condition, getting a regular facial treatment will help treat it and heal your skin. Issues like blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, sunspots and sun damage, acne, inflammation and redness, rosacea, dehydration, wrinkles, acne scarring, loss of firmness and elasticity can be minimized or completely treated with the right facial treatment.

Treating Yourself: Last but not least, treating yourself with a day at the spa or a quick trip to the beauty salon will boost your mood and make you feel beautiful. Having a little time for pampering yourself in a peaceful environment will definitely uplift your spirit and clear your mind. So once in a month, take some time off and treat yourself!