Happy New Year!  After all the celebration of last night, I hold up a glass of water and say, "Cheers to you!" on this first day of 2017.
We have all heard about the benefits of drinking water, and lots of it, for weight loss and good health. However, it is just as essential to your skin to drink water in order to maintain good health - especially during the summer months.
One of the biggest benefits of drinking water during summer months is to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated benefits not only your organs, but your skin as well.
Dark Under-Eye Circles
Sometimes dark under-eye circles are truly from lack of a good night’s sleep or perhaps because of genetics. However, dark under-eye circles are sometimes caused by lack of hydration.
Taking in more water throughout the may possibly reduce those puffy dark circles. If your body is in need of more water, then it will hold onto whatever it has for storage purposes. By drinking more, you can decrease puffiness around the eye area.
Color, Tone, and Texture of Skin
Take a good look at your skin on days when you do not have good color, tone, and texture. Keep a journal if you like, as this will help you to see first-hand the benefits of drinking additional water. When you spend time in the sun, you will notice that your skin will appear dryer, no matter what you do or how many cosmetics you place on your face. Water can help moisturize from the inside out!
Dryness and Peeling
Most of us have had the experience of staying out in the sun too long and being burned! By drinking extra water, you provide a natural barrier for skin so that it is hydrated and moist. Dryness and peeling will heal that much faster the more water you drink. 

​

A great skincare routine doesn’t end with regular facials and making sure that you use the best quality products. You can boost the look and health of your skin from the inside by taking care of your diet as well as you do your skincare routine.
All vegetables are really good for your health and so you should eat a wide variety of them every day. If you want to improve your skin condition, you could also consider adding in a few of our recommended veggies – you’ll soon start to notice the benefits.
Vegetables your skin loves
1. Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkin
These super-veg contain beta-carotene, which your body converts into Retinol – otherwise known as vitamin A. Retinol helps to protect your skin from being damaged by the sun. Beta- carotene also helps to prevent premature skin ageing from UV light, pollution and smoking.
2. Avocado
Avocado is a popular super-food at the moment and with good reason; the avocado includes a range of health enhancing nutrients like alpha-carotene, beta carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. These compounds protect your skin from the free radical damage that can lead to visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Avocados have a high oleic acid content, a monounsaturated fatty acid which helps keep skin moisturized and hydrated. If you suffer with dry or irritated skin, avocado can really help as the oils will help reduce any facial redness and irritation.
Scientific studies have shown that increasing the amounts of carotenoids in your diet can improve your skin’s density, thickness, tone and general appearance. Avocado also contains vitamin C which your skin needs to create elastin and collagen.
3. Carrots
In addition to the benefits of beta-carotene, carrots are rich sources of potassium, and upping your carrot consumption can really help skin hydration and moisturizing as well as providing a boost to your UV protection. Potassium helps regulate the amount of water in your cells, and not getting enough of this valuable mineral can cause dry skin and other skin disorders.
4. Spinach
As well as the benefits from antioxidants that spinach shares with other fruits and veggies, the vitamin K in spinach can help you if you’re prone to dark circles under your eyes. Dark circles tend to be a result of a lack of sleep, genetics, alcohol and aging. Vitamin K helps to fight this by strengthening blood vessel walls, which helps diminish dark circles. It also keeps your skin clear, reduces skin inflammation and enhances blood circulation.

5. Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts contain vitamin C and antioxidants, but also have the added benefit of silica. Silica plays an important role in skin health. As we age, skin cell renewal slows down and can lose its ability to retain moisture. This leads to dull, saggy or prematurely aged skin. Silica slows the degeneration of the skin down by boosting elastin and collagen.
Getting your daily vitamin and mineral boost from a plate of veggies has to be one of the simplest and least expensive ways to make your skin radiant, and will keep the effects of your salon facials lasting longer too. 

My product spotlight today is an eye serum that I totally freak out about.  I seriously run around the spa putting this on people when they are waiting for a service.  And then I hand them a mirror.  It's the coolest thing ever!  

Eminence describes it as follows: "Boost collagen levels to see reduced signs of crow's feet and fine lines.  Treat the delicate skin around the eye area with age defying ingredients to nourish and hydrate for a youthful look and feel".
What they humbly forget to mention is that this product works right before your very eyes!!  THAT'S why I keep the mirror handy.  You go from dehydrated to smooth in about 5 seconds.  

And the quantity needed is the smallest bead.  The size of about grain of rice!  And your eyes will thank you so much.  Value for the dollar is there 100%.  I highly recommend you try a bit the next time you are at Ashton Wellness.  And don't forget to ask for the mirror! 

Summer is upon us! Out come the weekend warriors, the gardeners and the flip flops. Before you start to complain of an achy back, do some self preservation. Before you do any exercise, start with some basic stretches.
-ankle rotations
- quad and hamstring stretches
- slow back twists ( trunk rotations )
- shoulder rotations ( front and back)
- and neck rotations
Be sure to use your abs when lifting or digging to avoid a back injury. And keep the flip flops for around the house. Poor shoes can wreak havoc on your entire body. Wear good supportive shoes for long walks and activities!!
Too late?? Come see us at Ashton Wellness! We'll fix you up and show you how to maintain a healthy back.

Have a great summer!
Wendy :)

*Wendy Abbott is a certified massage therapist with Ashton Wellness. She graduated from Kine-Concept Institute in several modalities including Massokinesitherapy. 

I would like to thank everyone that came out for our Sip, Socialize & Sample event last Thursday, May 5th.  We had SO much fun!  It was bristling with excited people having great conversation, enjoying the food and free demos that were graciously presented by LAUREN'S SUGAR & SPICE Body Sugaring, Christian Villemure and Josee Perry of VENUS FREEZE and of course, my very talented and dedicated massage therapists, Caitlin Provost, Helga Pont and Wendy Abbott.  I was very fortunate to have a committed and dedicated team to help me with this event, and it was a great success.  I hope you all had as much fun as we did.  And of course, congratulations to the winner of our drawing for a year of free massages, was Maureen McCabe!  Woooo Hoooo! :D

"It's embarrassing!  I am in my 30's and I'm having break outs!", she said.  My client sat on the side of the massage table feeling very dejected.  I've seen this time and time again.  Hormonal Acne! *insert screams of horror*  The fact is, it happens to a large portion of the population and not just women.  Our bodies are in hormonal flux from time to time.  Lack of sleep, job deadlines, stress, poor diet, etc.  All of these reek havoc on your skin and next thing you know, those little red pimples show up. 

But don't despair.  When any of the above triggers come into play, the body produces more testosterone than usual.  This in turn, triggers more oil production in the skin.  In our spa, we have found the Eminence Organics Eight Greens products to be extra helpful.  They work like a dream to be precise.  This unique line is loaded with phytoestrogens (estrogen from plant sources) and antioxidants to normalize oil production and also improve the skin's elasticity.  The result is beautiful skin.  So if you want excellent results, come and see our staff for a skincare evaluation.

Our product spotlight today is the Eight Greens Starter Kit ($72.00).  The kit is a one month supply of products, PLUS a cute skincare bag.  Included is the Stone Crop Gel Wash, the Eight Greens Phyto Masque (hot/stimulating), Eight Greens Phyto Masque (not hot), Eight Greens Youth Serum and Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer.  Contact us today to pick one up and see blemish free skin fast!

These are a set of Chroma-Stacked volume (3&4D) lash extensions.  The smaller lashes closest to the actual eyeball are in black and the upper layer of lashes done in hot pink/purple.  Fun & Dramatic! 

Our Natural Organic Facial can be used to target any of 4 skin types.  For today, I want to address hyper-pigmentation.  SPOTS and discoloration on your face, neck and chest.

• Step 1: Cleanse twice a day with Bright Skin Cleanser with Gigawhite and a Natural Hydroquinone Alternative – to give skin the appearance of being brighter and younger looking.
• Step 2: Masque 1 to 2 times per week with the Bright Skin masque to correct and prevent further discoloration.
• Step 3: Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster Serum used each time you moisturize to brighten your skin; either straight out of the bottle or mixed into your moisterizer
• Step 4: Bright Skin Moisturizer with SPF 30 to lighten the appearance of dark spots and protect against further sun damage.
  

Combine this home regime with monthly professional facials and you WILL see a change in your skin for the better.  We recommend a series of facials once a week for 4 to 5 weeks for those with serious concerns that want beautiful, even skin fast.
Contact us for more information or a consultation.