They may not be the first areas you think of when caring for your health, but your feet, neck and hair need some regular love, too! It ’s important to stay up on the latest trends and know the right questions to ask when choosing a salon or spa to help. We’ve tapped some local experts for advice on keeping them in tip-top condition.
clean pedicures
by the book
We’ve all heard stories about pedicures that went wrong and caused health problems. But with careful consideration, the right nail spa and good overall hygiene, you can stay on the healthy side of beautiful feet.
Huy Ho, owner of Clayton Nail Spa, says customers should start by asking what steps a nail salon takes to ensure safety and cleanliness. “We have to meet sanitizing guidelines monitored by the state board of cosmetology,” he explains. “It’s taken very seriously. A violation can result in a fine or even closure of the salon.” So it’s important to look for a nail spa that cares equally about the health and safety of its staff and customers.
Denise Baich, owner of The Pedicure Plus, says clients should ask if a nail salon uses an electric autoclave to sterilize its instruments. “Some salons just use a liquid cleaner, but that’s not enough,” she notes. “Each set of tools should come out of a packet sealed with autoclave tape that indicates they have been sterilized. At my salon, the autoclave is out on the counter so customers can see it being used.”
Ho says his nail technicians are required to keep multiple sets of nail tools so there is always a freshly sterilized set on hand. He also insists on single-use pedicure chair liners for added cleanliness. And when the customer requests a gel, no-chip or shellac polish, LED light for curing them is safer than outdated UV light methods, he notes.
natural choices
Baich says ‘soakless’ (water-free) pedicures can help ensure a sanitary spa visit. Nitrile gloves should be worn by technicians since some people have latex allergies, and tools like emery boards and nail buffers should be single-use. Some clients may have health conditions that make them more susceptible to infection, so it’s always best to be on the safe side, Baich adds. (Spas with pedicure basins can help ensure cleanliness by using disposable plastic liners.)
Baich says her salon’s moisturizers and other products are made with natural ingredients for better health. “We think this helps reduce skin irritation, especially for people with allergies,” she says. “It’s a good idea to look at the ingredient lists for any products your nail spa uses.” She also advises visiting safesalon.org for a list of ‘Safe Salon Certified’ spas in your area. “Just like anything else we use every day, our feet and hands need attention and maintenance,” Ho says. “Safety and hygiene should always be a top priority.”
neck skin care
We may not think of the skin on our necks as being different from the rest of our body, but it actually is, says Dr. Michele Koo, a plastic surgeon in private practice. “It’s thinner and more delicate, like eyelid skin,” she explains. “It’s also one of the most exposed yet most neglected areas of the body.”
She says prevention is the best medicine. “The most important intervention for moderate damage reversal and preventing looseness, crepiness and deep neck lines is a medical-quality antioxidant sunscreen,” notes Koo, who produces her own line of products, Dr. Koo Premier Skincare. “The earlier you start using it, the less damage and loose, thickened, lined skin you will have.” She also offers treatments like chemical peels, microneedling and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections to help skin look younger. “Retinol products designed specifically for the neck can be very effective as well,” she adds. “Purity, concentration of the retinol blend, and product formulation are extremely important. Neck skin is sensitive and can be very fragile.”
Nurse practitioner and licensed esthetician Jackie Carr, owner of Pur-One MediSpa, says topical products like GrenzCine Serum and Nectifirm are useful with aging neck skin, too. She also recommends microneedling treatments to improve texture and boost collagen production by triggering the skin’s natural repair process.
“Coolsculpting is also an option,” Carr notes. “It’s an FDA-approved, noninvasive procedure that uses controlled cooling to get rid of fat and smooth the area.” Elasticity can be difficult to recreate in the neck, but these products and techniques can help, she says.
a workout for your neck
To make your neck skin look more toned, consider adding some simple, do-anywhere exercises to your regimen.
Search online for techniques like the following that can help tighten sagging neck skin:
>> cow face
>> head raise
>> baby bird
>> neck roll
beautiful hair
a new hue
What better way to update your look this fall than with a rich change of shade for your tresses? “There’s no end to the hair colors you can choose,” says Dominic Bertani, owner of Dominic Michael Salon. “You can play off the color you have, enhance it by lightening
or darkening a bit, or deviate drastically with a lot of contrast.”
He says color trends tend to come and go, but some processes like balayage continue to gain popularity. The technique involves creating highlighted areas without harsh lines between light and dark tones. Celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba have been seen sporting the look, which is reminiscent of natural summer highlights from the sun.
“The treatment is customizable depending on the texture, natural color and porousness of your hair,” Bertani notes. “We often pay special attention to the areas around the face that the client will see most in the mirror.” He says his stylists also can apply a gloss treatment afterward to add shine.
what’s popping
Susannah Danforth, owner of Breeze Blow Dry Bar and Beauty Boutique, says striking red hues are especially popular at her salon this year. “We’re getting a lot of requests for rich auburns and fiery copper reds,” she says. “Warm colors like this are great for fall.” She adds that another popular trend is a beige-brown base with sun-kissed golden highlights, which works well for natural brunettes.
“Gray tones are gaining traction too, from platinum to smoky gray and almost blond,” Danforth notes. “We can make the look very subtle and natural, or bolder.” Even young clients are hopping on the gray trend. “We see a lot of young girls choosing a platinum shade, then adding fun shadows in colors like pink or blue,” she says. “It’s really beautiful!”
