Select here to view KVOA's segment by Martha Vazquez
on Elaine Pichet's Artistic Touch

Select to listen to John Tesh on permanent makeup
 

ELAINE'S SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

July 2009 - Spring Symposium of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Laguna Niguel, CA

March 2009 - Breast Cancer Survivors Boot Camp, Tucson
(Repigmentation of the Aureola)

February 2009 - Fountain of Youth Seminar at Splendido, Tucson

"Permanent cosmetics are gaining popularity"

PERMANENT COSMETICS IS A FAST GROWING FIELD; it is a wonderful option for women but it can also be a nightmare if the application is not properly done. If you are considering permanent cosmetics, do your research. Many options are offered to you whether you go on the web and consult with the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (S.P.C.P), the American Academy of Micropigmentation (A.A.M), or the Permanent Makeup Society of Arizona (P.M.S.A.Z.). You need to take into consideration that permanent makeup is tattooing and therefore permanent. Unfortunately, the permanent makeup industry is not regulated in Arizona and a lot of poorly skilled technicians will be performing procedures.

There are a few different methods utilized to apply pigment such as the coil machine (used for body art tattooing), the pen machine, rotary or digital machine and the hand method. No method is better than the other; it is purely by choice of the technician. Many technicians are versed in all of the methods but favor one in particular. Some methods may be presented to you as new and better but only pigment brands and/or hand tools may differ. Most technicians will also use a form of anesthetic ointment to numb the skin before a procedure.

Talk to your technician about allergic reactions; some allergic reactions have been identified but are rather rare. Have a test patch before you undergo your procedure although it would not prevent you from developing an allergic reaction, sometimes, many years later. All current manufacturers of pigments assure their pigments are MRI safe and hypo-allergenic. Also, all permanent makeup procedures will fade with time; touch ups every two or three years are to be expected.

Before any procedure there are several questions that you should address with your technician. Here are some examples: Where is the procedure performed? It is illegal in Arizona to perform tattooing out of a residence. Is sterilization available? Are needles reused? How about cross-contamination? Are universal precautions taken for your own safety as well as the technician? Are preventative steps such as anti-viral medication suggested? Do they have pre and post-procedure instructions?

Always check your technician's credentials, continuing education, how many procedures were performed, board certifications (memberships are not enough), portfolio, informed consents and detailed paperwork, blood borne pathogens certification, etc. Have many consultations although, the best is always a solid referral from a friend, family member, physician, plastic surgeon and/or a co-worker. Lastly, make sure your technician is also an artist; your features are unique, so should be your permanent makeup application! Many times a bargain in permanent cosmetics is not a bargain; your face is being permanently marked.

As a woman and a permanent makeup artist, I would like to stress the importance of researching thoroughly before you make any decisions. Patients will always say that permanent cosmetics was the best thing they have ever done but it is heartbreaking when I hear and see some very unfortunate outcomes.

AZHealth Magazine - January 2005

Ever feel like your immune system is working overtime? If so, you might want to give it some help by working with a massage therapist or skin care professional trained in manual lymph drainage. This mysterious sounding name refers to a technique that was invented in Europe and is widely used there. The treatment can not only boost your immunity, it can help the body detox, move congestion out of the body, and reduce swelling, especially after surgery.

The lymphatic system supports the body’s immunity function and involves several organs (adenoids, thymus, tonsils, spleen), hundreds of lymph nodes, and a network of vessels. A clear fluid called lymph flows through these vessels and filters metabolic waste through the lymph nodes. These wastes include bacteria, dead cells, fats, fluids, proteins, and viruses.
When a trained therapist gently stimulates lymph nodes, it helps correct swelling and stagnation in the nodes, boosts the immune system, reduces local fluid retention, and provides relaxation. Giving this treatment requires advanced training and is practiced with a very specific set of light, massage-like strokes.

These strokes are light, and there should be no discomfort. You may feel you are hardly being treated at all, but lymphatic drainage goes a long way in terms of the benefits you may gain.

AFTERCARE

After your lymph drainage treatment, it’s important to drink plenty of water. It’s possible you could feel some mild, flu-like symptoms, depending on how much strain your body has been under prior to treatment because of environmental pollutants, medication, and diet, especially where alcohol and sugar are concerned. Most people leave a session simply feeling relaxed; but if you don’t feel at the top of your game, drink plenty of water, watch your salt intake, and be physically active.

Manual lymph drainage is one way to manage your wellness in a busy world that makes many demands on your time and energy. An ounce of prevention is definitely better than coming down with the sniffles or other pesky ailments. Make the choice to fortify your immune system and sail on feeling and living better.

This article is from the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Body Sense magazine. Provided courtesy of Associated Skin Care Professionals.