Skin Care
Can men benefit from skin care products and treatments?
Should I continue to use soap or switch to Gel?
I think I have acne, how can I treat it?
What does 'SPF' mean and is it safe to lay in the sun?
Nail Care
Why should I go to Pura to have my nails professionally manicured?
How long will a basic manicure or pedicure last?
Will my natural nails continue to grow under the acrylics?
How long do artificial nail applications usually last?
Why do nails split or become yellow?
Waxing
How long does the hair have to be and what are it's origins?
Are there any health precautions to keep in mind with waxing?
What is the effect of waxing and how is it different from shaving?
Are there any disadvantages to Waxing?
Massage
How often do I need to get a massage?
Do I have to take off all of my clothes to get a massage?
What Should I Do During the massage Session?
What Should I Do Before My Treatment?
What Should I Do After My Treatment And What Should I Expect?
What Are The Benefits of Massage?
Skin Care
Q: Can men benefit from skin care products and treatments?
A: Men can benefit from a professionally-recommended skin care treatments. This could be to remove shaving problems as well as other problems associated with mens skin. Men tend to have more hair and their skin produces more oil than women.
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Q: Should I continue to use soap or switch to Gel?
A: Men The only soap we would recommend is Dermalogica's "The Bar".
Soap is a combination of boiled solvents and animal fat which does more damage to your skin than good. "The Bar" is acid balanced to your skin and contains conditioning extracts which does not leave you skin dry or tight. If you are looking for a Gel we recommend Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel for a good cleanse, it is a soap-free, foaming gel designed to thoroughly remove impurities without disturbing the skin's natural moisture balance. You can follow this with Dermalogica's Active Moist which is a lightweight, oil-free lotion for daily moisture protection to actively combat surface dehydration. This sheer, easy-to-apply formula contains Silk Amino Acids and a unique combination of plant extracts to help smooth and improve the skin's texture.
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Q: I think I have acne, how can I treat it?
A: Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. There are a number of professional skin care products including Dermalogica's Anti-Bac Skin Wash, Skin Purifying Wipes and Oil Control lotion which are designed as medicated, skin purifying formulations to control oil and prevent acne. Please consult a professional therapist.
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Q: What does 'SPF' mean and is it safe to lay in the sun?
A: SPF('sun protection factor') is a standardized measure that indicates how much additional time you can spend in the sun without getting burned. For example, if you usually spend 20 minutes outside before burning, an SPF15 sunscreen will increase that time by 15 times (20mins x 15 = 300mins).
Recommended SPF
| Skin Type | 1hr | 2hr | 3hr | 4hr | 5+hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Fair/Extremely Sensitive | 15 | 30 | 30 | 45 | 45 |
| Fair/Sensitive | 15 | 15 | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Fair | 15 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 30 |
| Medium | 8 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 30 |
| Dark | 4 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 15 |
Keep in mind that any sun exposure, whether you are light-skinned or not, means that aging UVA Rays are entering the skin unless you are vigilant about using a sunscreen. You many not notice even the slightest tan, but the damage is being done. Also, if you are swimming or perspiring heavily, you'll have to re-apply your sunblock frequently. Look for a 'waterproof' sunscreen such as Dermalogica Waterproof Solar Spray SPF25.
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Nail Care
Q: Why should I go to Pura to have my nails professionally manicured?
A: Our hands do a lot for us and need nurturing in return. A Beautiful, well-groomed nail is an important part of your overall look. Attractive nails and hands enhance your appearance, whether you spend your days in a kitchen or in a boardroom. A basic manicure takes between 30-45 minutes.
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Q: How long will a basic manicure or pedicure last?
A: A basic manicure or pedicure will last one to two weeks, depending on your lifestyle. Maintaining your nails between salon visits with Solar Oil will give your nails a just-manicured look.
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Q: Will my natural nails continue to grow under the acrylics?
A: Yes. If your nail technician uses good products, such as the OPI or Creative Nail systems, and applies and maintains them correctly. Artificial nails can actually improve the health of your natural nails by protecting them from biting, picking, excess moisture and other elements that can weaken or damage them.
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Q: How long do artificial nail applications usually last?
A: Artificial nail applications should be maintained every two weeks. It is important to have regular fills/re-balances because if the artificial nail lifts away from the natural nail, moisture and bacteria can accumulate between them. A professional nail technician can spot problem areas better than someone with an untrained eye.
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Q: Why do nails split or become yellow?
A: Nails can split or yellow for a number of reasons. Excessive exposure to the elements or chemicals, poor diet, nail biting and other habits can be the cause.
Do artificial nail enhancements damage the natural nail?
In essence the technician damages the nail, not the product. Therefore you are advised to visit only stores like Pura who employ only qualified technicians to have your enhancements applied.
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Waxing
Q: How does waxing work?
A: A wax combination is spread thinly over the skin. A cloth strip is pressed on the top and then ripped off with a quick movement removing the wax along with the hair and dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth. Pura uses both strip wax and hot wax. When wax is warm, it enters the follicle, allowing the hair to be pulled out from the root.
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Q: How long does the hair have to be and what are it's origins?
A: At least 1/8 of an inch long. The average person's head has 100,000 to 150,000 hairs. A hair grows by 0.3 to 0.5mm per day - about 1 to 1.5cm a month and 12 to 15cm a year. African hair grows more slowly and is more fragile than European hair.
Asian hair grows the fastest and has the greatest elasticity. African and European people are more prone to balding than Asian people. Hair is the second fastest growing tissue in the body. Only bone marrow is quicker. Finally, The word shampoo comes from the Hindi 'champna', meaning to massage or knead.
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Q: Are there any health precautions to keep in mind with waxing?
A: At Some physicians do not recommend waxing for persons suffering from diabetes or who have varicose veins or poor circulation as they are more susceptible to infection.
Users of Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Accutane are advised not to use waxing on the face as these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed.
Waxing should not be done on areas of skin affected by warts, pimples, moles or rashes or on skin that is irritated, chapped or suffering from sunburn. Never apply wax to peeling, broken skin or varicose veins.
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Q: What is the effect of waxing and how is it different from shaving?
A: As dead skin cells are removed in this process the skin can feel quite smooth afterwards. The waxing action does cause the skin to sting and many find a soothing skin healing cream to be helpful afterwards.
Some persons find the skin reacts with redness and bumps which disappear a few hours after waxing. Waxing, like tweezing, removes hair below the skin level, which is why it's a fairly long-lasting method of hair removal. Better yet, the hair grows in softer, not stubbly. Shaving is the worst way to treat unwanted hair. By continually cutting the hair you are, in fact, stimulating its growth.
What's more, over time this growth will become stronger, darker and denser, and you may find the hairs splitting. Shaving is also the most temporary hair removal method. Coarse stubble appears quickly and eventually you will find you have to shave more frequently to achieve a smooth result.
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Q: Are there any disadvantages to Waxing?
A: The disadvantage to waxing is that it can be painful for those with sensitive skin. And hair must grow back by inch before waxing again (up to six weeks).
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Massage
Q: How often do I need to get a massage?
A: There are no ground rules for how often a massage should be taken. Some people find that a weekly massage is just what they need to keep themselves well. Others get a massage when life gets to be too much, so they might get just a few massages each year. We encourage people to use massage to support themselves, however often that may be.
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Q: Do I have to take off all of my clothes to get a massage?
A: You can take off as much as is comfortable. We encourage you have a shower beforehand. Some people take off everything and some people only take off their shoes. During the massage, you will be draped with a sheet at all times. Only the body part that we are massaging will be uncovered.
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Q: What Should I Do During the massage Session?
A: Make yourself comfortable. The therapist will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Others like to talk during their session. Feel free to ask the practitioner questions about massage in general or about the particular technique you are receiving. At Pura we provide music to suite the mood.
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Q: What Should I Do Before My Treatment?
A: Please come in 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to fill out an information sheet, this is so we can have time to discuss your needs before the time of treatment. Avoid heavy eating and alcohol consumption prior to massage or body treatment.
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Q: What Should I Do After My Treatment And What Should I Expect?
A: Please drink lots of water, as it helps flush out any toxins that were released during treatment. Most people feel relaxed and/or refreshed after a massage. Occasionally, some people experience post massage soreness the day after their massage. This is nothing to worry about. Most people feel a great reduction of their original muscle tightness and/or pain after the delayed soreness resolves itself.
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Q: What Are The Benefits of Massage?
A: It increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs including the skin. Massage stimulates the lymph flow, the body's natural defence system, against toxic invaders. It relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles increasing recovery time. Managing your stress with massage can allow for greater energy and reduction of stress related disorders such as depression, anxiety, muscular pain, chronic aches, persistent infections, headaches and insomnia. Massage quiets the nervous system and relaxes the mind, which leads to improved emotional and mental health.
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