Thando's Therapy

WHAT BEAUTY MEANS TO ME

thando — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:04:11 +0000

I had to take time to think about this piece, because in actual fact this is my personal story. There was a time in my early 20,s when I didn’t know what beauty meant to me. I was lucky in my teenage years I didn’t struggle with teenage acne, and because of that I took for granted having a beautiful ‘flawless’ skin. Its something I never thought about, in fact I was more focused on my weight, how much slimmer I could get after being obese for a while. I didn’t even realize that all the exercising and eating well had a positive impact on how my skin looked. I was controlling stress, was drinking so much water my skin was so clear. I would have said its just genetics really.

Few years down the line, early after losing Dad, stressful and emotional time, moving to a new country, studying at tertiary, I started having mild acne. Again didn’t even realize what could be triggering it. Obviously I’m not on any skincare regime or even aware there is such a thing. I’m also at a stage where I’m being influenced to use Makeup to enhance my beauty. I don’t have information how using a mineral powder foundation could be clogging my pores. I didn’t even see this change in my habits could be causing a problem for my skin. Acne gets worse, frustrated I visit a Dermatologist who will obviously take the medical approach without considering the contributing factors to me having acne all of a sudden.

This point of my life, my self esteem has been shot because I’m using all these prescribed medication, my skin is getting drier, the acne is getting worse and in an attempt to remain ‘beautiful’ my makeup is getting heavier. I actually cannot go without it. I meet a lady with a business concept that involves retailing of an international brand, because she can see I love makeup. Little did I know through that brand I will learn so much about skincare, using quality makeup still and my skin will cleared from acne from following a consistent skincare routine.

A career was born, I further decided to study Beauty Therapy out of treating my own skin. When I say I know what it feel like to not be fully confident because your skin does not feel great, I pen my thoughts down on what beauty means to me from my skincare journey.

Beauty to me means I can feel confident to choose not to wear makeup, if I do its because I just want to enhance what I’m already feeling great having. It means not having to cover up anything because it makes me feel conscious. It means being associated with an international skincare brand that promises and delivers my desired skincare goals without making me feel i need to look perfect. Its about knowing I can still feel beautiful even with that pimple breakout because I know when I finally understand how my skin responds in certain situations, I have the information and correct products to sort it out.

Its about knowing I have expert professional well researched advise I can access to make sure my skin continues to look amazing despite different stages or situations that change in my life. Its also being confident in knowing I don’t have to follow and look for the latest trends to remain relevant. My skin is unique and I feel it deserves to be treated with my own unique routine. My skin is not perfect, but I am so confident when I step out that I love what I see in my mirror.

Its been a long journey, and it continues… Dear Skin, I promise to continue to take care of you, you give me my confidence. To me real Beauty means Confidence!

What does Beauty mean to you?

TOO MUCH SUGAR? EFFECTS ON YOUR SKIN AND BODY

thando — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 02:21:35 +0000

Guilty as charged, yes I’m definitely a culprit at this. Life gets hectic and stressful that you feel you just need that strong cup of coffee with lots of sugar just to get going in the morning or that slice of cake or biscuits with your tea mid morning just to make it through the day. My job requires me to have lots of energy, and I can say I have been overdoing it on the sugar side.

Here is the irony, the more sugar you have, the more fatigue you feel. Coming from a family medical history with Diabetes I have always had to be careful with my sugar intake, but yes we fall off the good habits and back to what we know is bad for us. Although I’m aware of the effects of overindulgence in sugar, I had to experience it as a reminder. Basically this has been me this last couple of months.

Lack of sleep, Troubling staying asleep
Fatigue, Lethargy even when I get 8hours sleep
Acne, Skin Breaking outs, Scarring
Fines Lines on forehead, Skin not absorbing Product
Body pains, lower back and shoulders causing me a headache
Anxiety, Irritability, Panic Attack
Trouble Remembering, Brain Fog

Sound familiar? Yes we all get tired but I know I could have coped better if I was better with what I was eating. Here is what happens to your body when you over indulge in food that is high in refined sugar.

Sugar is basically acidic, meaning an over indulgence pushes the healthy balance of your body to be over acidic, this weakens your immune system and creates inflammation around your joints, tissues, muscles. Inflammation causes chronic pain, hence all the body pains especially on your back you will feel. You will have trouble sleeping, because you not sleeping well mentally you can’t cope. The anxiety and mood swings will just kick in. You tired, you consume more sugar to try cope, and if you like me, Insulin resistant, you just push your immune system to the edge because your body struggles to breakdown sugar.

Immediately there is inflammation in your body, it also tips off the balance in your skin, that’s when you start breaking out and having Acne because your skin is telling you there is no balance. Your skin will struggle to repair and renew itself because you don’t realize that excess sugar is attaching itself to your skin fibers causing what we call glycation. This breaks down the elasticity (what makes your skin feel firm) in your skin, allowing Skin to age at a faster rate. Your Skin at this point struggles to absorbs treatment product because its inflamed and just rejects everything. That’s where it starts looking dull as well.

What we can do about it?
Back to basics. Healthier diet, Exercise, Water, Regular Massage/ Facial Treatments, Home Care Routine.
Massage especially assists in flushing out all the acid when we use the oils, hot stones, technique. Its not just a treatment to relax, we heal the body, we heal the
immune system. Having regular facials is important to bring back balance into your skin by feeding it with the ingredients necessary to correct what is out of balance. Equally important to maintain these results with a home care routine.
I however cannot advise you with your diet and exercise routine, but I hope I have inspired you to make healthier choices to your lifestyle.

I hope to be part of your journey….

WHAT’S THE HYPE ON VITAMIN C?

thando — Thu, 19 May 2022 22:34:28 +0000

The question I get very often, do you have products that contain Vitamin C? When you read almost every skincare ‘influencer’ page they all want to make sure you have a Vit C product on your shelf. While it’s a fantastic addition to your skincare routine, in thus article I hope to bring to your attention which skin its suitable for, for what reason.

What Vitamin C does?
Basically it helps with the health of your skin cells, turning them over at a high rate bringing new skin to the surface. Hence skin looks more radiant, even toned and youthful. With this function we use Vitamin C along with other ingredients to target; Hyper pigmentation, dark spots/ uneven complexion, Sun damage spots, Premature ageing Skin, Ageing/ Mature Skin.

When not to use it?
• Be very careful using a product with Vitamin C if your skin is prone to breakouts or if you are treating acne. As mush as the dark spots are frustrating, you want to focus on treating the acne first, over stimulating with a rapid exfoliant can aggregate the condition.
• Sensitive skin can feel like it’s burning depending on each individual. Although Vitamin C helps to strengthen capillary walls that may be prone to breaking in such a skin type, if the product feels uncomfortable rather not.
• Make sure to apply an SPF over any serum, cream that contains vit.c. Because of its exfoliating properties, exposure to the sun can make pigmentation worse. You should be wearing an SPF daily anyway, my advise rather use your Vit.C serum at night routine.
• Don’t use too close to the Eye area. Specific eye treatments should be used.

At what Age should you start using it?
The best answer to this, always consult with your skincare therapist on the best treatment plan for your skin. When it comes to skin it can never be a one size fit all. It is however an amazing addition to not only your home routine but facial treatments as well.
Happy Youthful Skin !

THE DREADED WINTER

thando — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:06:51 +0000

It’s season change again, although we are meant to be in Autumn, it already feels like a cold, dry winter sucking all the moisture out of the skin. What this indicates, its time to switch up on your homecare regimen. Yes, just like you dress warmly for the winter season, your skin needs to be dressed accordingly as well.

Why?

Dry winter, not enough moisture in the air means your Skin will feel drier. Dry skin is easily irritated, feeling more sensitive, may appear red on the surface, feel uncomfortable even causing a fine rash, eczema, breakouts.
That trauma on the skin breaks your capillary walls, which is where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged for your skin to function well and look healthy and youthful.
Dryness, trauma to skin is a cause to premature ageing skin, dull complexion and breaking out.
It really feels uncomfortable

What You Should Be Doing in Winter?

Hydrating Facials – quite an obvious but not so easy because its cold we don’t want to undress. Keeping up your treatments in winter will help to re enforce moisture in your skin. Particularly the
Hydradermie Youth Facial we use active gels to penetrate moisture and nutrients deep into the skin for longer effects. The use of High frequency enables exchange of oxygen between your skin cells keeping it healthy and functioning well. Please do check out the Facial menu under Guinot Facial Treatments.

Add a hydrating Mask – I always say how can you sand your table and not varnish it, it won’t last long. Exfoliating your skin is good to open pores, but make sure you feed your skin and protect it. Using a hydrating mask 2*per week helps lock in moisture, especially the Hydra Beaute which you can sleep with just infuses the skin with water and plumps it up leaving it youthful and radiant.
Add a Serum – the fastest way to see results is using serums in your routine. Serums have the highest concentration of whatever treatment your are focusing on. They have the smallest molecule structure, meaning they penetrate easily in the skin and influence change. Always make sure to seal it in with a moisturizer on top, because the skin still needs to be protected.

Your Skincare Routine is unique to your needs, make sure you have consulted with your skincare therapist before making any changes. I am also available for an online consultation to advise on what will work best for you.

Have a Warm Winter with Glowing Skin!

MY PIGMENTATION, CAN I EVER GET RID OF IT?

thando — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 02:54:31 +0000

I can safely say one of the most Skin frustrations I’m asked to help with is hyper pigmented areas on the face. Men or Women, everyone would like to have an even toned complexion. Before I can even attempt to tackle this concern, its important to firstly understand treating hyper pigmentation is the most difficult condition simply because its not just on the surface of what we see.

A very crucial point is understanding the cause of that ‘mark’, how long you have had it and what attempts have been made in treatment. Hence the importance of a thorough Consultation before Treatment. Some of the major causes could include:

Medication which could cause change in Hormonal behavior
Sun Damage this could be as far as childhood
Hormonal Changes during pregnancy
Incorrect use of skincare products
Illness affecting the Immune System

In determining some of these factors during consultation we can assess how deep the pigmentation could be and how long it could possibly take to treat. Commitment and Patience is required, but I can proudly say I have seen great results from committed clients. Very important to know the mark will appear darker first before it evens out,this does not mean its getting worse. We are treating your Skin from the inside by highly exfoliating it to get new skin. This will be through peeling and renewing using active ingredients in professional treatments and home care.

At Guinot our aim is not just to get you an even skin tone, but an overall healthy, glowing, youthful skin. With Treatment Facials like the Hydradermie Youth and Hydra Peel, pigmentation can be treated with managed expectation. What you use at home is 80% your results, therefore following Home care recommendation is also crucial. The Guinot Newhite Skincare targeted at hyper pigmentation is the only scientifically proven range where results can be measured in time.

Let’s treat your Skin!

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

thando — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 02:42:06 +0000

I am a qualified Beauty Therapist excited to be bringing to the comfort of your home, the best beauty therapy services and products. Based in Johannesburg, Thando’s Therapy aims to offer you private, relaxing sessions that will leave you feeling amazing about yourself.

I have been in the Beauty Industry for 12 years working in spas, local and international. An absolute passion is offering a fantastic spa experience and help you reach your beauty goals. Let us see your beauty journey together. Follow my blog for more tips and updates!

Your Beauty Is My Passion!