Self-Care

Spa treatments that can actually support you during the sick season

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It’s that time of year! The temperatures have dropped and the germs
are having a field day. And while it may feel like all you need for
the yucky feelings is chicken soup and whatever is at the pharmacy, we’re here to tell you that there are certainly more luxurious ways to beat the season.

 

MASSAGE
Going for a massage isn’t only about sore muscles and needing to relax. Massage is also a great way to boost circulation, stimulate healthy nerve function, move lymph and break up congestion. Those may sound like benefits which require specific treatments or tricks, but it’s really simple to turn ANY massage into a more therapeutic and healing experience. Whether you prefer the most gentle touch or are a fan of deep tissue work, there is good work being done at the cellular level. The key is to let your technician know how you are feeling. They are not medical professionals, but can easily adjust movements and pressure to support your acute needs.

BODY TREATMENTS
The marketing of body treatments is often based solely on their aesthetic benefits. And while they are perfect for removing dead skin and reviving a beautiful glow, they provide systemic benefits, too! Scrubbing away skin cells encouraged healthy cell turnover, which improves elasticity and strength, which ultimately strengthens this vital protective organ. The act of scrubbing and the use of heat and stimulating products boosts circulation, encouraging a flushing of the system, moving nutrients, toxins and oxygen through and out. If steam is involved, you can be sure your respiratory system is benefiting as well.

PEDICURE
While we’d like to believe that a fresh coat of nail color could fix everything, that’s not what we are implying here. No, we’re focusing on that 30-45 minutes of pampering before the polish; the soaking, the scrubbing, the massaging and even the paraffin waxing. As we keep raving about, circulation is vital to our health. After the blood leaves the heart, it ends up at the extremities and then moves back toward the heart. Well, your feet are a key extremity, and when you dip into that hot footbath, you are not only supporting what’s already happening, but encouraging even more. Scrubbing your feet not only leaves them soft but allows for the skin to rebuild, preventing cracks which can lead to infection. Same with those toes — regular pedicures helps prevent fungus and infections of the nail bed.

FACIAL
Just like body treatments, a good facial can work wonders both on the surface and deep down. The simple act of laying down with a gentle recline encourages drainage. Calming your mind and body allows for the system to enter a state of recovery. Music and aromatherapy will lull you into a more rhythmic breathing pattern. As for the treatment itself — you don’t realize just how much good sinus work is being done until you’ve come in congested. As with a massage, let your technician know if you are feeling stuffed up in any way. Many Estheticians know effective massage techniques for the head and neck, and can leave you feeling like you can breathe again.

SCALP MASSAGE/CONDITIONING TREATMENTS
We often go in for a cut and color and that’s it. But there are a number of services that can be enjoyed between your regular services that can boost your hair health, and your immune system! Remember all that talk about how important your feet are? Well the same goes for your head. The simple act of someone else brushing your hair induces a more calm state almost immediately. Deep conditioning treatments encourage cell turnover and rush blood to the scalp. Adding an aromatherapy scalp massage will greatly boost this benefit! Take some time to go in a few weeks before or after your last service, just to receive some extra conditioning and a good style. It’ll restore healthy blood flow to your head and may even come to help your hair grow as a result!

DON’T FORGET
Homecare is really what it’s all about. What your spa starts, you continue at home with products and techniques they will recommend based on your needs. So make the time to take extra care of yourself as you need. Longer showers, hot baths, yummy scrubs and salts. Make healthy self-care the beauty trick you master this season!

7 ways to maximize your next facial

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Treating yourself to a facial often sounds like a luxury. It even feels like one, depending on where you are receive it. But it is easily one of the best things you can do for your skin. These days, the average facial experience easily blurs the line between the dermatologist’s office and spa industry, and oftentimes, with little to no atmospheric difference. The products are stronger, the technicians are highly skilled, and the results are immediate. But still, we want to help you get even more out of your next facial!

SLEEP WELL THE NIGHT BEFORE — AND AFTER
Good sleep is vital to any body treatment. With your skin being your largest organ, rest benefits it greatly. Simply getting your eight hours the night before will encourage healthy bloodflow, which will leave you feeling less puffy and more bright, and help welcome all those yummy products your technical will apply. Sleeping well the night after will allow all that hydrated skin to receive the new collagen your body builds as you sleep.

HYDRATE!
We say it all the time and it’s worth repeating — meet your water intake everyday, no excuses. Check out this post if you need a quick hydration refresher.

CLEANSE WELL
You don’t need to go on a full scrubbing mission, but you should do your best to clear your skin of makeup and impurities. Yes, your technician will cleanse your skin during the treatment, but going in with as fresh a face as possible allows for the most clean canvas to work with. Your technician will be able to clearly assess your pores, skintone, and how your skin generally feels after your own skincare routine.

THINK “FAT”
No, we are serious! A diet rich in healthy fats is key to maintaining that healthy glow and reparative integrity that our skin is known for. The Vitamin E in avocados fights oxidative damage, the Zinc in walnuts helps calm inflammation, and a serving of fatty fish can deposit all the nutrients necessary for helping to fight autoimmune conditions like psoriasis.

ARRIVE EARLY
This is your appointment, so arrive on time with all your questions and desires. These are technicians, not magicians, but a little participation goes a long way. Know your goals for your skin and be ready to talk about what has been happening to your skin in the last few months. The better you can get your technician up to speed the better they can (and will!) serve you.

BE PRESENT
Facials are as much about how you feel during the session as they are about how you look when you’re finished. So breathe deep and pay attention as you relax into the treatment. Take note of how you feel during applications. Visualize the stress and aging and toxins literally leaving your body with each tingle and extraction and steam. Feel free to ask if there are any ways you can mimic a certain techniques at home. Enjoy it with the intention of being able to recreate this experience anytime you want.

TAKE THE HOMECARE SERIOUSLY
Your tech is going to suggest products, and for good reason. Though the last 45-60 minutes was some of the best attention your skin has received, it’s not enough to get you through without some commitment on your end. Your skin loses moisture as you sleep. One night of not washing off your makeup can create what looks and feels like weeks of damage to your skin. Simply skipping your sunscreen can expose you to just the right amount of UV rays that can push a dormant issue through. The point: listen to your technician and do the steps at home. Whatever they suggest is based on what they just witnessed through a magnifier and bright lights. They know your skin on a whole other level — you can trust what they say.

Self-Care Check-in

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Self-Care: it’s kind of a big deal. And we don’t just mean keeping your nails done and your latte full. Those are amazing things, but they aren’t what we are talking about here. What makes a good self-care routine isn’t always about what is luxurious.. or even fun. It’s more often about doing what you need to do to be your best self rather than just look like your best self. 

Since summer’s peak has passed, we want to encourage you to use these next few wild and free weeks to consider five key areas where you can take on some truly life-changing self-care, and move into the fall season like the boss babe you are.

PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Ok, yeah, this is super important. You gotta make sure you feel good on the outside. While this isn’t the most vital aspect of a solid self-care routine, it’s a big deal and so we want to help you take stock in how you’re seeing yourself. (notice we did not say how others see you..)

  • Does your personal style truly reflect you?
  • Are your hair and makeup enhancing your natural features?
  • Are your beauty routines working for you?
  • How much water are you drinking each day?
  • Do you cleanse and moisturize every night?
  • When was the last time you hit the gym, or walked, or stretched?
  • Is there a fruit and veggie rainbow in your fridge?

SOCIAL SELF-CARE
We miiiight have made up this one, but we can assure you, it’s a thing. Given the fact that so much of our lives are lived on the internet, it’s necessary to consider what kind of interactions are happening there — whether interpersonal or in our own hearts.

  • Do you truly enjoy every person/group/account that you follow?
  • When you scroll, are you left feeling inspired and encouraged, or envious or defeated?
  • How does your mood shift if interactions or responses don’t go as you hoped?
  • Is your online life a true reflection of your reality?
  • What is your motive when you post or share?

RELATIONSHIP SELF-CARE
People happen everyday, whether they are our blood relatives, best friends, co-workers or total strangers. We are constantly interacting with others in real time and real life and feeling real emotions. Caring for this space is vital to being the strongest person we can be.

  • Do you honor your boundaries consistently and unapologetically? (or even have them in place?)
  • Are you going into interactions fully loving yourself, first?
  • Have you called your mom? (or Dad or Grandma or your favorite Aunt?)
  • How often do you think “What can I offer?” as opposed to “What can I get?”
  • Do you celebrate others’ wins?

MENTAL SELF-CARE
We have heard it said that we only use a (very small) fraction of our brains. It’s pretty amazing to think that we are still accomplishing so much, considering! Still, our minds need some TLC. Whether it’s rest, or self-awareness, or something new and challenging, how well are you taking care of your most vital organ?

  • How often do you simply rest your mind and try to not think of anything?
  • When was the last time you learned something new?
  • What book are you reading right now?
  • Do you know your personality type, or strengths, or gifts?
  • Would you consider switching from music to intellectual podcasts a couple days a week?

EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Thoughts and feelings run wild if we don’t keep them in check, and even the most wonderful of moments can turn ugly if we don’t have a strong connection to our emotions. Take a moment to consider what your emotional space might need.

  • Do you forgive yourself?
  • How often do you speak good, strong words over yourself?
  • What is your plan for healthily processing your feelings?
  • Have you ever kept a journal or expressed feelings through art?
  • Can you simply observe without judgment or taking things to heart?

HOW WE CAN HELP!
When it’s all said and done, those trips to the spa are pretty darn amazing, and any service you enjoy at Indigo will not only fill your bucket, but will help you look and feel your best as well. Consider booking with one or more of our incredible staff to support your self-care routine!

  • Set up a hair or makeup consultation to discuss whether you’re due for a change.
  • Enjoy a massage or body polish to rejuvenate your skin and calm some emotions.
  • Enjoy a customized facial and clear your mental space.
  • Relax in our pedicure suite and eye all the goodies in the boutique!