Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin to promote cell turnover and thereby retain a smooth, radiant complexion. Here’s an overview of the two main exfoliation techniques and the benefits they provide.

Chemical exfoliation

This technique relies on acids or enzymes to gently dissolve dead skin cells. The most common ingredients used in chemical exfoliants are alpha and beta hydroxy acids, often referred to as AHAs and BHAs. Alternatively, enzymes derived from fruits and plants can be used.

Chemical exfoliants can be incorporated into cleansers, scrubs and peels. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of BHAs make them a good choice if you have oily or acne-prone skin. If you have dry or sun-damaged skin, AHAs will be more effective at helping your skin retain moisture.

Mechanical exfoliation

This method refers to the manual removal of dead skin cells using a granular substance. A variety of natural ingredients can be used as mechanical exfoliants including sugar, oatmeal and coffee grounds. A more intense form of mechanical exfoliation is microdermabrasion, a procedure that uses abrasive crystals to reduce the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles and acne scarring.

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Gentle mechanical exfoliants such as jojoba beads are a good choice for dry and combination skin, especially when used in conjunction with a chemical cleanser. However, this type of abrasive exfoliation can easily cause inflammation and should be avoided if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

What are the benefits of exfoliation?

In addition to improving the appearance of your skin, there are several advantages to making exfoliation a regular part of your skin care routine. It can:

• Unclog pores and release your natural moisturizing oils
• Reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts
• Help fade age spots and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
• Facilitate the absorption of skin care products
• Improve skin elasticity by boosting collagen production

If you don’t exfoliate regularly, start slow and work your way up to a daily routine to avoid irritating or damaging your skin. Additionally, remember to moisturize your skin after exfoliating.

Visit a medical spa in the GTA

If you want to enjoy the benefits of getting a professional exfoliation treatment, visit a Ģ������Ƶ medi-spa clinic. We offer microdermabrasion and chemical peels, in addition to our various skin care and waxing treatments. If you want a career in medical esthetics, we offer a variety of cosmetology programs including a chemical and mechanical exfoliation certificate. For more information, or to schedule an appointment at a medi-clinic in the Greater Toronto Area, contact us today.

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Constantly wearing socks and closed shoes can dry out your feet and cause a buildup of dead skin. If your feet are hard, cracked and flaky, here are five steps to get them ready for sandal season.

1. Soak

Fill a washbasin or bathtub with warm water and soak your feet for 15 to 60 minutes. Add Epsom salt and your choice of essential oils to promote relaxation and soften the skin. If necessary, a few drops of tea tree oil will help treat nail fungus. After your soak, rub your feet with a soapy cloth and rinse with cool water.

2. Exfoliate

This is the key step to remove the dead skin and calluses that tend to build up during winter. Gently scrub your feet in a circular motion using a wet pumice stone or foot brush. Alternatively, rub your feet with a granular foot scrub that you purchase or make at home. Combine equal parts oatmeal and milk to create a simple exfoliating paste.

3. Moisturize

Once you’ve removed dead skin from your feet, apply a lotion or foot oil to promote healthy cell turnover. Ideally, you should moisturize your feet after every shower or incorporate it into your nighttime routine. Since the skin on your feet is thicker than elsewhere on your body, opt for a foot-specific cream. Avoid moisturizing between your toes, however, as this can promote bacteria growth.

4. Trim

Wait to trim your toenails until they’re dry to avoid tearing and bending. Be sure to cut straight across to prevent ingrown nails. For a smooth finish, gently move a nail file in one direction across the top of each toenail. Use a cuticle stick to push back your cuticles, and scrub away any remaining dirt with a wet nail brush.

5. Embellish

Once your feet are ready to show off, feel free to brighten them with colourful nail polish. Opt for playful summer tones like coral, teal or dusty rose. Use toe separators to make the process easier, and apply a top coat to help prevent chipping when you’re on the go.

Keep in mind that while these steps are sure to get your feet ready for summer, they should be part of a regular foot care routine throughout the year.

Visit a medical spa in the GTA

If you want to enjoy the benefits of getting a professional pedicure, visit a Ģ������Ƶ medi-spa clinic. We also offer manicures, waxing and a range of skincare treatments to make sure you look your best this summer. If you’re interested in cosmetology, we offer non-vocational certificates in manicures, pedicures and gel nails. For more information, or to schedule an appointment at a medi-spa clinic in the Greater Toronto Area, contact us today.

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Are you ready to embrace your natural hair colour? If you want to ditch the dye for good and grow out your grey hair, here are four ways you can make the transition.

1. Chop it off

Cutting off your locks is the quickest and easiest way to get rid of previously dyed hair, but it’s not for everyone. You’ll need to be comfortable wearing short for a while. If you opt for this method, it’s a good idea to let the roots grow out for two to three months beforehand. This will give your stylist some length to work with and help them create a flattering look.

2. Get highlights

This method is ideal if you have lighter-coloured hair because it blends your natural grey roots with the dyed ends. Ask your colourist to add pale highlights throughout your whole head and finish off the look with an ashy-toned gloss to create a seamless look.

3. Try lowlights

This is a great choice for people who have been colouring their hair with dark tones or who only have a little bit of grey hair. Whereas highlights are lighter than the rest of your hair, lowlights are darker. Your grey hair will shine between the lowlights, but the line of demarcation between your old and new colour will be camouflaged.

4. Let it grow

This option can take up to two years to complete, depending on how long you wear your hair. Be sure to get your hair trimmed at least once every three months to keep it healthy. This will also speed up the re-growing process by removing the dyed ends.

Maintaining your grey hair

You’ll spend a lot less time on your hair once you embrace your natural colour, but you’ll still want to make an effort to keep it healthy and beautiful. Factors such as air pollution, smoking and the water you wash your hair with can make your strands look yellow and dull. To maintain a vibrant colour, wash your hair once a week with a violet shampoo.

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Visit Ģ������Ƶ

If you need advice about hair, makeup or skincare, the stylists and medical aesthetics specialists at Ģ������Ƶ can help. Schedule an appointment at our salon or medical spa today. Or, if you want to learn the secrets of cosmetology, contact us to get more information about the benefits of studying at Ģ������Ƶ.

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It’s easy to find a lipstick colour that you love, but sometimes, the colour doesn’t love you back. If you’ve ever bought a tube from the cosmetics store only to find that it clashed garishly with your skin tone, you can probably relate. However, as the cosmetology experts at the Ģ������Ƶ will tell you, picking makeup that flatters your comes down to one thing: your skin’s undertones. Here’s what you need to know.

Cool undertones

Take a look at the inside of your wrist. If your veins appear blue, chances are, your complexion has a cooler undertone.

When your skin has cool undertones, you tend to look best in lipstick shades with a blue or purple hue to them. For instance, if you’re looking for a statement-making red lipstick, steer clear of reds with an orange hue.

A classic red with a blue undercurrent is a better shade for you, or even a reddish mauve would be a lovely choice. Plum wine, dusty rose and purple-hued mocha also tend to be complementary to cool complexions.

Warm undertones

Let’s try that wrist trick again. Maybe you think your veins look more green than blue. In that case, you have a skin complexion with warm undertones.

Lipsticks with peach, orange and bold red undertones are ideal for warm skin tones. Think salmon pink, copper, merlot and nudes that lean into the orange spectrum. Warm shades are your friend here, so stay away from any lipsticks with cooler blue or purple undercurrents.

Neutral undertones

Now, there is a chance that you have cool and warm undertones in your complexion. In the beauty world, we refer to this as having “neutral undertones,” and for makeup artists, you’re the equivalent of a unicorn.

Basically, you’re supremely blessed because the whole rainbow of lipstick colours looks amazing on you. Having neutral undertones allows you to play around and choose a shade based almost exclusively on your personal style and preferences.

Just like anyone else, there will be colours that will complement you more or less, but the sky is truly the limit when it comes to lipstick shopping.

Want more cosmetology trips and tricks?

If you’re curious to know more insider beauty secrets, keep an eye on . Covering such topics as cosmetics, skincare products, waxing treatments and medical aesthetics, our articles are updated regularly and written with the modern beauty enthusiast in mind.

To learn even more — and make makeup your career! — consider enrolling in one of Canadian Beauty School’s exceptional cosmetology certificate or diploma programs delivered in the GTA. Contact us today to find out more.

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Frizzy, unruly hair is the root cause of many a bad hair day. It’s made even more frustrating by the fact that it feels like there’s nothing you can do about it. Luckily, that’s not true. With a few simple tricks, you’ll be on the way to taming your unruly mane in no time.

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Choose the right shampoo

It’s something people often overlook, but the ingredients in your shampoo matter. If you’re looking to combat frizz, you should choose a shampoo that is both sulfate-free and high in glycerin. Sulfates create a lather that dries out your hair by stripping it of its natural oil, while glycerin penetrates your hair to provide thorough hydration.

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Don’t skimp on the conditioner

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually need to shampoo your hair multiple times a week. However, even if you choose not to use shampoo, you should still be applying conditioner. This hair product helps keep your hair hydrated, preventing it from becoming dry and frizzy. To avoid oily hair, stay away from your roots and condition your hair only from mid-length to the tips.

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Add coconut oil to your routine

Coconut oil is the unsung hero of the beauty world. It can do wonders for attaining soft, silky hair. For long-term results, you can use it as a mask, coating your hair with it and letting it sit for a few hours or even overnight. If you need a quick fix, you can also use a small amount to tame any flyaway hairs.

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Limit use of hair tools

Heat dries out your hair, so if you’re prone to frizz, don’t overdo it with the hair tools. Let your hair air dry as often as you can. If you do need to use a blow dryer, wait until your hair is partially dry and use a low setting. Instead of curling or straightening your hair daily, look into other trendy hairstyles, like cute ponytails or braids, to give your hair a break from all the damaging heat.

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Study cosmetology in the Greater Toronto Area

To become a makeup artist or pursue a career in medical aesthetics look no further than Ģ������Ƶ. With our experienced staff and state-of-the-art equipment, you’ll be on your way to surpassing your career goals. Take the first step towards making your dreams a reality by contacting us today!

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There’s a lot to love about summer—warm weather, shorts, cold brew and the holidays are just the start. Unfortunately, the mix of hot weather and air conditioning can wreak havoc on your skin. Luckily, with a few tweaks to your skin care routine, your face and body won’t have to suffer.

Summer skin care

To keep your skin from becoming uncomfortably dry or red, make these six changes to your beauty routine.

1. Take cooler showers or baths. Long, hot showers may feel great on a, but beware: prolonged exposure to hot water can leach the moisture out of your skin leaving it dry and irritated. Take shorter, lukewarm showers instead.

2. Switch your cleanser. The cleanser you use to control your dry skin in the winter may be too oily in the summer. Switching to a thinner, non-foaming formula will keep your skin happy.

3. Start using a serum. If you’re not already using a serum between exfoliating and hydrating, summer is a good time to start. These lightly hydrating products can target specific skin concerns like aging or texture. They also help your moisturizer protect your skin.

4. Don’t lick your lips. When your lips get dry and chapped, it’s tempting to lick them. However, this is a bad idea. Your saliva contains enzymes that help break down food, which irritates your lips and makes chapping worse. Instead, use a moisturizing lip balm or plain old petroleum jelly.

5. Don’t forget your SPF. Wear sunscreen everyday, even when it feels like the sun is hiding. Harmful ultra-violet rays are always present during daylight hours, even on the dreariest summer days.

6. Don’t ignore your body. Your entire body needs some extra TLC during the summer, not just your face. Make sure to moisturize after every shower, and consider getting a humidifier to keep the air in your home from getting too dry.

If you need some help with your summer skin care routine or want to try out some new products, visit the students at one of Ģ������Ƶ’s Medi-Spa clinics.

If skin care is your passion, and you’d like to make it your career, we can help make that happen. Our beauty colleges in the Greater Toronto Area offer many different programs from medical esthetics to hairstyling and beyond. Contact us today to find out more.

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Look your best with these treatments

We offer many types of treatments that will leave you looking and feeling your best, including the following:

• Skin care
  The cold air outside and the dry, heated air inside can wreak havoc on your skin at this time of year. Allow one of our interns or senior estheticians to bring your skin back to life. We offer a variety of facials designed to target different skin concerns, including acne, excessive oil and dehydration. Let us give you the gift of flawless skin.
• Medical esthetic
  Medical esthetic treatments target skin concerns that can’t be corrected with traditional skin care. If you have acne scars you want to get rid of, or would like to turn back the clock on your fine lines, our fractional lasers can make a noticeable difference (note that this service is only offered by senior estheticians). We also offer chemical peels to make your skin look younger.
• Makeup
  If you struggle to apply your own holiday makeup, let us help you get ready for your parties and special occasions. Getting your makeup applied by one of the student estheticians at our school in Toronto will help you make an impression. Why not add false eyelashes for some extra drama?

Other services we offer

Skincare, medical esthetic and makeup application aren’t the only services we offer at our medi-spa clinics. We also provide laser hair removal treatments that will leave your skin smooth in time for your upcoming winter getaway. And our hot stone massages will melt the holiday stress away.

Make an appointment today

No matter what beauty or esthetic service you decide to treat yourself to, you’ll benefit from the excellent training provided to the students and graduates from our five cosmetology colleges in the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us today to make an appointment.

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How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal works by sending the light of a laser through the pigment of your hair. The light converts to heat and destroys the bulb and follicle of the hair. Because each hair may need multiple sessions to be destroyed completely, and hairs grow at different rates, it’s necessary to go in for six to eight treatments. After those sessions, your hair’s gone for good.

Is laser hair removal the best way to get rid of unwanted hair?

As with anything, there are pros and cons to laser hair removal.

Pros

Laser hair removal is:

• Suited to those with sensitive skin
• Appropriate for any part of your body, even your face and underarms
• A permanent solution—after a few sessions, your hair won’t grow back

Cons

Laser hair removal is:

• Not suited to those with very fine or pale hair
• Not a one-time treatment—many sessions are necessary to remove the hair for good
• Not the most affordable option—it’s more expensive than waxing or shaving

Which laser is best for you?

You may have heard that laser hair removal only works for people with light skin and dark hair, but this ��only partially true. There are now lasers that work for all skin types and colours, but they still won’t work for those with very pale hair. This is because the lasers aren’t able to detect the difference between the pigment of your hair from that of your skin.

Before your first laser treatment at one of our Toronto area medi-spa clinics, your laser technician will look at your skin and hair to determine if you’re a candidate for laser hair removal.

Interested in a career as a laser technician?

If you’re fascinated by hair removal technology and passionate about making people feel good about themselves, you should consider providing laser hair removal for a living. Ģ������Ƶ will equip you for an exciting career in the beauty industry. Our schools offer comprehensive training for people all over the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario. We have five different campuses to serve people in Barrie, Bolton and parts of the GTA. Call us today to find out more about our laser diploma and certificate programs.

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Redefine your diet

We aren’t talking about fad diets or flash detoxes. We’re talking about truly putting some thought into everything you put into your body. There’s a lot of truth to the old adage, “You are what you eat,” after all! So, no matter what your beauty goals are, changing your diet can be extremely beneficial to reaching them. A few further tips:

• Fresh fruits and veggies make excellent snacks. They’re low-calorie and packed with vitamins and nutrients that can help your skin, hair and nails look their very best. Nuts, which are full of protein and healthy fats (also amazing for your skin!) are equally great choices for curbing hunger when it hits.
• When you do feel like treating yourself, don’t be shy—just do it differently. Instead of reaching for that mass-produced “chocolate” bar at the corner store, why not invest in some high-quality chocolate? Moderation is always key, of course, but dark, quality “bean-to-bar” style chocolates are especially packed with antioxidants that can give your metabolism and overall health a boost.
• Drink more water. You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating. Good hydration is key to looking and feeling you best, no matter what that means for you. It can help you lose weight, clear your skin, and boost your mood, to name but a few benefits.

Shake up your beauty and skincare routine

Take some time to consider your current skincare and makeup routine. Don’t have one? Well, there’s a great place to start working toward your beauty goals! A basic skincare routine, for instance, should include the following elements:

• A gentle cleanser (never use soap straight on your face!)
• A toner
• A moisturizer suited for your skin type
• Sun protection (this is absolutely essential to preserve your skin’s elasticity, keep wrinkles at bay, and prevent skin cancers. Apply sunscreen every day, even in the winter!)
• A richer moisturizer for nighttime, if you feel the need

If you aren’t the most comfortable applying makeup (or if you’d simply like to update your current routine), we recommend making an appointment with a trained makeup artist. He or she will be able to recommend products and colours that really work for you. Nothing beats starting out on solid bases! The same is true for hairstyling or esthetics.

Graduates from cosmetology colleges are the most knowledgeable people you can turn to when it comes to maximizing your chances of reaching your hair, makeup, skincare or body goals in 2018 and beyond. Want to take your learning to the next level? Why not sign up for a semester of esthetician courses or hairdressing school? If you’re in Mississauga, Toronto or elsewhere in the GTA, contact Ģ������Ƶ to find out about your options.

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Effective anti-aging treatments used to be synonymous with invasive procedures that included a long recovery period. Today, leading beauty schools in Ontario offer far more advanced techniques and easier alternatives. You can fight the signs of aging with a procedure that involves the use of tiny, sterile micro-needles to improve your skin, without requiring any recovery time. Micro-needling is a treatment that uses a tool with 12 very fine needles to create small pinpricks to the skin. This relatively painless procedure promotes collagen and elastin rejuvenation. The slight superficial “injuries” also serve as canals to allow active ingredients to reach the deeper layers of your skin.

Micro-needling has existed for more than 15 years – with good reason. In recent times, it is gaining greater popularity due to the proven results and convenience it offers. This procedure has the ability to minimize pores, induce skin tightening, improve acne scars, and may even help with the appearance of stretch marks. If you seek to restore, balance, firm, tone, and create beautiful skin, . You must make sure, however, that the individual administering treatment has proper medical aesthetics training in Toronto.

How do you Prepare for Your Micro-Needling Treatment?

Although micro-needling is a minimally invasive treatment, there are still certain risks involved if you are not adequately prepared before visiting an aesthetician’s office. Find out what preparations you can make for the most successful results:

• Consult with your skin care professional before the treatment in order to understand your skin’s unique needs. The specialist may recommend a pre-treatment skin care regimen so you can fully benefit from the post-treatment effects.
• Avoid using retinoids and treatments for auto-immune disease for at least 24 hours prior to treatment.
• Do not have a treatment performed if you have used Accutane or Isotretinoin within the last 6 months.
• Avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours prior to treatment.
• Refrain from wearing makeup to your micro-needling appointment.
• Ensure that you have no active acne. In this case, treatment will only spread harmful bacteria around your face.
• Maintain the moisture of your skin as it heals by drinking plenty of water in advance.

Is Micro-Needling a Staple in Modern Skin Care?

Micro-needling has proven that it is here to stay. If you want to ease into preventative anti-aging methods without resorting to extreme measures such as Botox or surgery, then micro-needling may be the best and most effective option for you. You will find greater results with regular maintenance but if the thought of taking tiny needles to your face is not for you, there are still a number of other treatment options available you can discover at leading salons and certified beauty schools in Ontario.

If you are interested in getting hands-on, medical aesthetics training in Toronto, or simply want insight into a new anti-aging treatment, Ģ������Ƶ has you covered. Our courses and services will allow you discover the latest trends and technology and reignite your passion for the world of beauty.

For more information about our beauty schools in Ontario, across the Toronto area, call Ģ������Ƶ at 1-866-720-4920 or contact us online and we will get back to you promptly.

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