This is an ever-changing area of our website, designed to give you information about some of our services and information about new research or products that are in the public arena. If you have further questions about any of these topics, please contact us at 415.989.0014 or info@earthanskyoasis.com

What Are Facials For? by Jill Jodar, Licensed Skin Care Therapist

These days, the types of facial treatments available are as varied as the skin conditions and people scheduling them. Rather than try to cover endless possibilities, I thought I’d break down my own personal philosophy on facial treatments.

A facial is basic maintenance for your skin. Think of it this way- you brush and floss every day (right?), but you still need to see your dentist for regular cleanings. The same holds true for facials- they are a great boost for your skin, but do not by any means replace consistent care at home (and hey, they’re a lot more enjoyable than the dentist). Consultation and skin analysis will help determine not only what your goals are, but also which treatment and products are best. All of my treatments are customized- so your facial can address anything from acne, to lines and wrinkles, to sensitivity and dehydration. I use professional products that are often stronger than those you use at home to optimize results. The techniques, tools and products I use will differ based on your skin. So, while one client may have a Power Blend facial that addresses pore cleansing and adult acne, another may have the Power Blend as well, but address stress and sensitivity.

Your treatment is also a great time to use me as a resource to tweak your home care routine (or get started on one!), get advice on achieving long-term goals, or, when necessary, get a referral to another professional.

So what is a facial for? In a nutshell- a boost of whatever you want it to be. Treat sun damage, lessen sensitivity, get a burst of hydration- or just unplug. With treatments ranging from 30 minutes to 75 minutes- as well as complementary consultations, I can tailor a treatment, or program to fit your schedule and your needs.

Ready to get started? Click here to see the special for the New Year!
Questions? Call my booking line at 415-997-8141, or email me at
jill@earthandskyoasis.com

Reorder your Skin Care products online at jjodar.com!

Jill’s online store is open!

I hope you find this a conveneient way to reorder the product I’ve suggested for you in the treatment room,
or browse for something new. Products can be ordered for in-store pick up, or, as always, I ship first class for free in the US.
Best of all, you can order 24 hours a day- and no phone tag!
Happy Shopping!

www.jjodar.com

Featured Artist: Shannon Amidon

Shannon Amidon was born and raised in San Jose, CA. Her artwork is described as photo-based mixed media and alternative process photography.

Her subjects often involve objects the artist has found in nature or collected in her travels such as: feathers, seed pods, butterflies, and flowers. Using Xerox transfers, hand distressing, painting and other non silver techniques, Amidon creates unique pieces that reflect the mysterious and natural world around her. It is her intention to blur the lines between fine art and traditional photography by altering, layering and distressing her photographs. Through these techniques, Amidon breaks through the boundaries of traditional media and conventional fine art by creating an experience that goes beyond the paintbrush and camera.

Shannon has participated in many gallery and alternative space exhibits in the California Bay Area. She is also a member of many arts organizations in the Bay Area and is active in the arts community. She is also involved in education outreach for children and young artist mentoring.

Efflorescence:
A state or time of flowering; anthesis - A gradual process of unfolding or developing

Ghostly color prints are made using a method evocative to that of William Henry Fox Talbot, who made camera-less images of botanical specimens in the 1830’s. Like Talbot, these distinctive lumen prints are made outdoors using direct sunlight and extended exposure times, to create the images. Plant specimens are placed directly on unexposed black and white photographic paper and exposed to the effects of light, time, temperature, and humidity. Once the image is formed, it is made permanent through a chemical fixing and washing process. The results vary, due to atmospheric conditions, effects of time, natural characteristics of the plants and the type of photographic paper. Each unique image is a one of a kind print revealing an astonishing array of images from representational to absolute abstractions of color, shape, and form that celebrate beauty and uniqueness of nature.

ACUPUNCTURE BENEFITS IMMUNITY

Japanese researchers have investigated the effect of acupuncture on the human immune system. They measured CD-positive cell counts and cytokine expression levels in the peripheral blood of fifteen healthy volunteers before and after acupuncture, to determine the activity of T cells, B cells, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of CD2(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD11b(+), CD16(+), CD19(+), CD56(+) cells as well as IL-4, IL-1beta and IFN-gamma levels in the cells after stimulation of acupuncture points. These observations indicate that acupuncture may regulate the immune system and promote the activities of humoral and cellular immunity as well as NK cell activity. (Acupuncture Regulates Leukocyte Subpopulations in Human Peripheral Blood. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Dec;4(4):447-453).

HERBS BOOST IMMUNITY

In a study on 16 healthy subjects it was found that Echinacea purpurea, Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) were effective in boosting key blood lymphocytes, the basic building block of the immune system. Echinacea and Gan Cao stimulated proliferation of CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells and NK cells, all three herbs (administered either singly or in combination) were able to activate CD8 T cells (Huang Qi causing the most activation), Gan Cao stimulated NK activation, and all the subjects who received Echinacea tincture showed CD25 activation at 24 hours compared to 0 hours, which persisted at seven days. (21st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, August 9-12, 2006, Portland, OR).

GINSENG PREVENTS ‘FLU

Older nursing home residents, 90% of whom had received the current ‘flu vaccine, who received an extract of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) in the form of the proprietary product Cold-FX, were 86% less likely to contract influenza than those who receive a placebo. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 52, January 2004, pp. 13-19).

Research shows massage restores immune function

From Self Magazine June 2009
Intense activity may temporarily impair immunity, but massage can boost your system.  Subjects who followed tough sessions with a “rubdown” (massage) restored levels of molecules in their saliva that stave off germs, a study from the University of Granada in Spain finds. Schedule yourself a massage right after your workout to promote a healthy, high functioning immune system.

Therapeutic Massage and Palliative Cancer Therapy

By Richard Nelson of Mesothelioma.com 

In recent years, the role of alternative therapies in cancer care has transformed the way many patients cope with illness and related side-effects. An older paradigm suggested that cancer could only be effectively treated with traditional treatments like surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Many patients refused this notion and sought alternative therapies outside of their treatment regimen. They found that these treatments were not only relaxing but eased side-effects associated with traditional treatment regimens, including those caused by chemotherapy drugs.

Today, not only patients but also the medical establishment recognizes the importance of alternative therapies, and particularly the importance of massage therapy in comprehensive cancer care. Massage, like most alternative cancer therapies, is most effective when used in conjunction with traditional treatments.

Massage is unique in alternative cancer therapy because it is able to remedy feelings of isolation that many patients battling a difficult disease encounter. The experience of human contact is particularly important when facing a difficult diagnosis and massage can provide that unique experience to cancer patients, who often succumb to feelings of being overwhelmed by the nature of their diagnosis, family implications, and other difficulties associated with cancer treatments.

Often, the most valuable treatments to patients battling a difficult diagnosis are those which can allow the patient to be as comfortable as possible. Patients battling aggressive cancers, such as mesothelioma, often forgo traditional treatments which will put their body through a great deal of stress and discomfort in favor of those such as massage, which provide peace of mind and comfort. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often find that treatments which are able to relax their mind and body, will dramatically lessen side effects like nausea, restlessness, and fever.

As with any treatment, massage therapy may or may not benefit a particular patient’s treatment regimen. However, given the positive experience many patients have benefited from, it is certainly worth exploring. Maximizing your cancer treatment with cooperation between patient, family, and physician will allow patients to live longer, healthier, and be more comfortable, which is the goal of all comprehensive therapies.