Good Health - not just Skin Deep

Properly caring for your body is important not only to your physical but also your mental well-being.  Unfortunately, in today's world, with its non-stop communication that hinders our being able to completely 'unplug', most of us work so hard that we find it nearly impossible to make the time to take care of ourselves. The harder we work, the more difficult this becomes.  

The hectic non-stop pace of our lives, coupled with the tremendous demands of work and home lead to most of us being just plain overworked, overstimulated, and overtired!  We find it hard, if not darn near impossible, to relax and rejuvenate on a regular basis. In fact, the only thing 'regular' in most of our lives is that we are 'regularly' stressed!

Routine exercise is an important component to any healthy lifestyle, as is getting adequate sleep, eating properly and taking good care of one of the most important parts of our bodies - our skin.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and thus needs to be properly taken care of in order to perform vital functions.  It receives a third of the blood that circulates throughout your body. It is strong, flexible and virtually waterproof. This amazing organ can regenerate and repair itself under most conditions. It provides protection, thermoregulation, sensation, and allows secretion. It is your body’s first line of defense, protecting you from harmful pollutants and providing you with immunity.  It helps to regulate your body temperature and lets you know when we are not getting proper nutrition and water intake.  If maintained properly, your skin can help to keep you looking young for years to come. Unfortunately, when your health is compromised or if you are not taking proper care of yourself, your skin is often the first place this is evidenced. Sometimes poor self-care makes itself known on the skin through breakouts, rashes, wrinkles, dryness etc.

Proper skin care goes beyond washing just your face.  It includes proper hydration internally and proper maintenance of the skin on your neck, chest and back, arms, hands, legs, and feet etc.  Good skin care includes regular cleansing, exfoliation, moisturizing, and also massage!  Massage not only relaxes the muscles in your body, it also stimulates the nerve endings in your skin.  The use of high quality massage oils, lotions, gels and butters further help to nourish your skin, providing it with the moisture and vitamins that help it to remain healthy.

At Wings Massage & Bodywork, we use only the highest quality organic, vegan, and all-natural massage oils, creams, lotions and other massage related products. Throughout the year, we are always thinking of ways to pamper and do something special for our regular clients. This month, we've concocted homemade body butters using only the best and purest ingredients to help counteract the drying effects of the season on our clients skin. These butters make an awesome and nourishing treatment for dry, cracked areas that are in need of a little tender loving care - the hands and feet!  This is just one of the many things we like to do to demonstrate to our clients how much we appreciate and care for them.  Our special body butters use 100% pure organic African Shea butter, along with a number of other high quality oils to produce a whipped butter cream which is awesome for dry skin! 

Shea butter is one of the best moisturizing, anti-aging regenerating and protecting natural products in the world! It helps protect skin from UV sunlight, harsh climate, dehydration and pollution damages. It is also considered one of the best anti-aging agents for skin. It strengthens skin by stimulating the production of collagen, which is the youthful scaffolding protein in skin. It makes skin more supple, more alive, nourished and radiant. If you have wrinkles, fine lines and crow feet or if your skin is dry, very dry, damaged or devitalized, Shea butter will make all of these problems vanish and bring your skin back into life and beauty. It is great for use during both the cold and sunny seasons.

If you don't remember when was the last time you took a moment to take care of yourself, or if you do remember and it's been a while - why not take the time right now, go to http://wings-massage.com/preview/book-appointment/ to book an appointment at Wings Massage & Bodywork studio.  Come on in, and let us take care of you! Getting regular massage and bodywork from a certified licensed Massage Therapist at Wings Massage & Bodywork Studio will not only relax your mind and body, it will also help your skin to maintain that natural, healthy glow!


Wings Soothing Body Butter Recipe
Makes about 2 1/2 to 3 cups whipped butter.

1 cup organic, raw African shea butter*
1/2 cup organic coconut oil
1/4 cup organic extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup organic almond* oil
1 tablespoon Jamaican Black castor oil
5 drops therapeutic grade rosemary essential oil
5 drops of therapeutic grade jasmine essential oil
4 drops of therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil

1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. 

2. Stir in olive oil, almond oil, castor oil and essential oils (feel free to substitute with oils of your choosing.*

3. Place oil mixture in freezer or (if winter) outside for at least 20 minutes to chill.

4. Wait until oils partially solidify then whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved. 

4. Place in clean, glass or plastic jar and enjoy! Use in moderation as a little stretches a ways!

*Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be put directly onto skin. Some oils cause irritation and are not child-friendly so please do your own research before adding any.  If you have nut allergies, you should not use any of the above nut oils.


Tips:

1. You can use any oils you wish, just keep the mix ratio at 75% solid to 25% liquid.

2. Chilling the butter is crucial. If you don’t chill properly, it won’t whip or stay whipped.

3. Store in a cool, dry place 

4. Butter should keep for two months (not sure if shelf life beyond that since I usually use mine up within two months)

5. The body butter melts as it goes on and absorbs quickly and leaves skin very soft.

6. For extra help softening the feet or hands, take a scoop of butter, rub into feet or hands (may need someone else's help with hands), wrap foot or hand in plastic wrap, then with a moist, heated towel to help the butter penetrate the skin. Leave on until towel cools.

7. This butter is also great for dry and naturally curly hair. Can be used as a deep conditioning treatment.