October 22, 2018 at 11:26AM Ask any seasoned beauty editor if they’ve tried the treatments their careers have been spent writing about, and you’ll likely receive mixed responses. The deep-tissue massage at Paul LaBrecque? Yes, and it was amazing. The micro-current facial at Mario Tricoci? Of course, would do it again. It’s the medical treatments that get tricky: A lot of procedures are so cutting-edge or specific (How can I remove that unwanted tattoo? Or: How do I erase the summer’s rays from my complexion) that a doctor’s explanation is often as deep as one can dive. Despite their inherent mystery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) reported that last year saw a near 20 percent increase in light and laser treatments, with over three million procedures performed in 2017. And one can hardly scoff at the wide-ranging benefits from sun-damage reduction to collagen stimulation. In an effort to finally experience a few of the most futuristic developments firsthand, I turned to a team of professionals in fields that range from optometry to complexion perfection to gather the facts. “The general trend in cosmetic procedures is patients seeking lower downtimes, and it is always safer to make slow, incremental improvements,” shares Dr. Arash Akhavan, the board certified dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology & Laser Group in New York City who’s built a reputation for his expertise in leading technology (and a particularly light touch). “We always stress to err on the side of natural and gradual results—there are no quick and easy fixes, and
Category: Relaxation
If sound baths don’t relax you at all (*raises hand slowly*), try 3 other ways to unwind
October 22, 2018 at 08:41AM I recently attended my first sound bath, a ritual that’s been described as sharing Zen space with the yoga and meditation worlds, but in a super-accessible way that doesn’t require knowing how to quiet your mind or contort into crow pose. So, totally ready to slip into what I expected to be the deepest savasana ever, I was ready to listen and unwind. The two-hour process kicked off with a group guided meditation before the main attraction, which was complete with singing cups, gongs, and other noises. I’m always looking for bleeding-edge ways to relax, and anything new-agey is right up my alley, so I already felt late for trying this practice, which has been on the up and up in New York City, where I live, for a few years now. While I was stoked to silence my sound-bath FOMO, the result felt kinda tone deaf to me. But, despite being stoked to silence my FOMO with the sonic exercise, the result felt kind of tone deaf to me. Midway through, my eyes snapped open from a deep, meditative state thanks to the tinging of the singing cups. For the next 40 minutes, I laid with my eyes open—and anyone who’s ever spent a night in bed, inexplicably awake, can probably how this session ended. Sure, when I left, I felt slightly more relaxed than I had when I walked in, but my mind was in high gear rather than blissed out. After chatting
I got a CBD facial—this is what happened to my complexion afterwards
October 19, 2018 at 12:08PM If you had to dub one ingredient the all-star, MVP, queen of the wellness world right now, without hesitation, it would be CBD. Cannabidiol, the anti-inflammatory, non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, is now known for being an incredibly powerful, healing substance that’s able to do everything from alleviating pain to quelling anxiety. Of course, while it has an impressive list of benefits, the one I’m personally the most excited about is its beauty-boosting prowess. Since it’s anti-inflammatory, CBD is being infused into skin-care products so that it can soothe irritation. So, as one does, I started hoarding each and every CBD-spiked beauty product I could get my hands on—you know, to have a chilled-out, un-inflamed complexion—but then I saw that CBD facials are becoming a thing, and so I had to give one of these babies a test drive. Celebrity facialist and skin guru Ildi Pekar is offering a CBD Vibe Facial, and it’s meant to “vibe you out,” she says. Pekar is no stranger to CBD, either—the beauty expert already sells a CBD-laced tissue repair facial serum and sleeping mask with CBD oil, so she’s a big fan of its benefits. Dermatologists don’t necessarily hate it either. “CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits on skin,” says Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, a New York-based dermatologist. “So it might calm any rashes that you might be having, and should help control free radical formation in your skin.” Despite the clear perks for your complexion, Pekar tells
This is the one body part you’re not paying attention to but should be
October 19, 2018 at 11:20AM You might have a robust skin-care routine. You know, the kind that includes a 5-step ritual for your face, the best natural shampoos and conditioners for shiny hair, and supplements for healthy nails, and yet you still might not be paying attention to one very important body part—your legs. “Your legs can really tell you a lot about your health, your emotions, and your mentality,” says Julie Elliott, skin-care expert and founder of luxe natural brand In Fiore. “Legs tend to carry a lot of water retention, and they’re also where you can have circulatory problems and issues with lymphatic flow.” “Our legs can really tell us a lot about our health, our emotions, and our mentality.” But they’re also a seriously powerful tool. They get you through spin class, boot camp, chair pose, and you can almost liken them to the shocks on a car, since they absorb much of the impact from all of these activities (and you know, from walking down the street, too). If you’re anything like me, though, the most TLC you give your legs comes when you finally shave (sigh) or when they’re so sore you’ve got to foam roll them out. “We shouldn’t forget to nourish harder-to-reach areas like the legs,” notes Robert Anolik, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist. “Inflammation from dry skin and wear and tear can cause skin barrier breakdown, leading to scaling and itchiness.” The thing is, simply slathering on your typical moisturizer isn’t going to necessarily solve all potential leg woes. That’s why Elliott concocted the Firmante Elevating Leg Tonic (coincidentally, Hannah
Everyone poops—and, wow, does my husband know it
October 19, 2018 at 11:17AM Listen, I get it: If you’re having a nice and relaxing night out, enjoying some, say, spaghetti bolognese, you might not be itching to hear the ins and outs of my latest BMs. In fact, even if you’re not consuming a meal that closely resembles diarrhea, you may not want to hear it. This preference is totally reasonable; some people are simply poop people and others aren’t. And after enough double dates that have left me and my husband feeling like third-graders who got caught giggle-whispering curse words by a friend’s parent (i.e., someone who finds the behavior so unfunny but isn’t going to punish you for it), I’m more than aware that there are also poop couples and distinctively non-poop couples. That said, most poop couples start out as non-poop couples until someone breaks the ice—or, er, cuts the cheese. In my case, the event happened early on and I was the culprit. We were watching a movie one night in his bedroom, and when he got up to adjust something on the TV screen, I thought I’d pull a fast one. It might’ve been zippy, but jeez did that silent sucker linger. Sure, I was embarrassed! Being the first to fart is similar to being the first to say “I love you”; even if you can’t possibly hold it in, it’s scary business. But just like how one “I love you” often leads to a whole avalanche of ‘em, one fart is well…let’s
Combat ultra-tight legs with this yoga flow for runners
October 17, 2018 at 06:27AM For so many people, running is movement gold. It’s a way to clear the mind, amp up the endorphins, and cross off a sweat sesh all in one go; yet, as weekly mileage creeps upwards, and muscles get tighter, however, incorporating a stretch day or two into your routine is just the ticket. Or in other words, yoga for runners is good way to balance out that trendy treadmill class to be able to run farther, go faster, and all around kick more booty. As someone who runs about five times a week, I can sympathize. Real talk: My gams can feel as heavy as cement, feet can feel the pain, and the various muscles throughout them can easily become tight—all making it decidedly difficult to get back out there. While a simple stretch is always helpful, yoga in particular can really open up your body so that you feel relaxed and ready to jog it out again. At the Well+Good Cedar Lakes Retreat a few months ago, yoga instructor superstar Beth Cooke—who teaches at New York’s Sky Ting studio as well as private clients like Lena Dunham—revealed a yoga sequence that’s particularly magical for runners. The secret? It’s all about opening up the legs, stretching out the hips, and—one that people often forget about—tending to the feet. While the flow definitely gets you warmed up in all the right spots for a kickass run, it’s also equally beneficial for cooling you down after you log your miles. So namaste
Not to stress you out or anything, but this is most-Googled symptom in a *lot* of states
October 05, 2018 at 10:11AM What would the world do without Google? With just a quick search, you can easily learn so many varied things, like how often to water your Monstera and how to get some much-needed relief from a painful sunburn. And of course, there’s the opportunity to do some recon on your health-related symptoms. As it turns out, a lot of people are Googling the exact same thing. After analyzing the most-searched symptoms of the past year on Google Trends and seeing which had the highest search volumes in each state, MedicareHealthPlans.com found the most common in a fifth of the states to be stress. It’s really no surprise, either: Whether due to politics, career, relationships, or something else entirely, stress is on the rise—it’s even causing hair loss in women. While other top searches include issues with digestion and sleep, nothing came close to being on the same level as stress. Whether due to politics, career, relationships, or something else entirely, stress is on the rise—it’s even causing hair loss in women. So, what can you do to stay less stressed and keep those Google searches to a minimum? Basically, take the time to focus on self-care, even if that means clearing your schedule of other responsibilities. “Focus on a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, and relationships,” says stress specialist Amit Sood, MD. “Consider yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques, like music, massage, coloring, gardening, or reading.” Of course, if these strategies don’t work for you, see a doctor. Armed with expert advice and intervention, you’ll be fully
How to turn your tiny bathroom into a self-care sanctuary
October 04, 2018 at 11:47AM When you’re living in an apartment, bungalow, or even a charming (read: small) single-family home, chances are, you’re going to have to deal with a tiny bathroom. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t still double as a self-care sanctuary. All it takes is the right storage, thoughtful features, and a little ingenuity. Below are four brilliant tips to turn your small bathroom into an oh-so-soothing space. 1. Good vibes aren’t restricted by square footage so up yours with a little ambiance A small bathtub doesn’t automatically mean you miss out on restorative soaking sessions. It does mean you’ll have to get creative with the real-estate around it, though. Wellness influencer Alison Wu likes to rest small crystals and candles on the edges of her tub to cultivate an “inviting, calming, and grounding space.” Then, she fills her bath with salts, Crosby AMA Water Fragrance, and flowers from her garden. 2. Spotlight self-care essentials and store everything else to eliminate clutter Open shelving nestled alongside a bathroom door is the perfect place to showcase beloved products and decorative pieces. Plus, it’s an amazing space-saver. “I love to be able to have all my favorite products in easy reach, says interior consultant Hannah Atkins. “When they were stored in the cupboard, I couldn’t find things easily.” Her favorite Ikea hack is using its picture ledges to create #shelfie-worthy storage. By decluttering her space, she has more room for another self-care essential: shower-friendly foliage. “In the bathroom, plants
Everyone poops—and, wow, does my husband know it
October 04, 2018 at 11:43AM Listen, I get it: If you’re having a nice and relaxing night out, enjoying some, say, spaghetti bolognese, you might not be itching to hear the ins and outs of my latest BMs. In fact, even if you’re not consuming a meal that closely resembles diarrhea, you may not want to hear it. This preference is totally reasonable; some people are simply poop people and others aren’t. And after enough double dates that have left me and my husband feeling like third-graders who got caught giggle-whispering curse words by a friend’s parent (i.e., someone who finds the behavior so unfunny but isn’t going to punish you for it), I’m more than aware that there are also poop couples and distinctively non-poop couples. That said, most poop couples start out as non-poop couples until someone breaks the ice—or, er, cuts the cheese. In my case, the event happened early on and I was the culprit. We were watching a movie one night in his bedroom, and when he got up to adjust something on the TV screen, I thought I’d pull a fast one. It might’ve been zippy, but jeez did that silent sucker linger. Sure, I was embarrassed! Being the first to fart is similar to being the first to say “I love you”; even if you can’t possibly hold it in, it’s scary business. But just like how one “I love you” often leads to a whole avalanche of ‘em, one fart is well…let’s
I had an unhealthy relationship with coffee—here’s how I healed it
October 04, 2018 at 08:31AM To say that I love coffee would be a total understatement. (Seriously, just check my bio.) I’ve always been that girl, the one who couldn’t function without a cup of java first thing in the morning. You know those memes that say, “But first, coffee”? That’s basically my life mantra. And, it wasn’t just a once-a-day habit. Every day, I craved another coffee at 10 a.m., and then usually again around 3 or 4 p.m. The thought of going even one day without it—and enduring the inevitable headaches, brain fog, and other caffeine withdrawal symptoms—made me cringe. I was sure that if I stopped drinking coffee, I wouldn’t be able to get any work done, let alone hit the gym or be pleasant at a social event. And, to be totally honest, I wasn’t convinced that I even needed to cut back on coffee, despite all of the things I’ve read about the potential side effects of too much caffeine. I drank mine organic with coconut cream or almond milk, and sometimes even added collagen or drank it Bulletproof style. A #wellnesswin, right? Turns out, not exactly. (At least, not for me.) No matter how much caffeine I consumed, I always felt tired and even started resorting to energy drinks just to give me a jolt. Fast forward about six months after I moved to New York City, where people hold coffee cups like fashion accessories when they walk the streets. No matter how much caffeine I consumed,