Clear.ca

So you want to open your own shop?   Congratulations- But you need to think ahead.

First off, you need to decide how to launch it on the cheap.  If cash is tight, you’re going to want to try and convert a section of your house or apartment into suitable studio space.  Fortunately, a quick trip to Ikea can create quite a few options for separating your space.  Using their inexpensive curtain options, or their Lack bookshelf system can give you the room divider you need to make a separate space to get your studio established.

A prime consideration also need to be sanitation.  No one wants to receive esthetic services from a less-than-pristine workspace.  This may mean looking closely at your flooring situation to ensure that if it is carpet, that it’s cleaned regularly along with any changing or bathroom areas.  Any entrance areas where clients will have to exit or enter via should also be kept clean.

Supplies: Make sure that you’re adequately stocked, but don’t go overboard on unnecessary supply until you’ve got a steady cash flow coming in.  The essentials are all you want to focus on at this point.

Financing:  A lot of new shop owners try to deck things out as fancily as possible in the beginning, well before a single penny has come in in revenue.  Avoid this tendency and try not to go too far into debt when getting set up.  Rather than trying right away for a bank loan, try using a portion of your existing credit line, credit cards or grab payday loan if your personal credit is less than pristine.  Payday Loans Canada has some good sources for Canadian short term credit providers.

Marketing:  Give some consideration to how you’re going to get the word out.  Word of mouth can be your strongest asset early on, so make the most of your existing contacts and straight-up ask for their business.  Very few business owners are bold enough to simply ask for business directly, and you can take advantage of this situation by making sure that you’re more aggressive in recruiting than they are.  Every little bit helps from a competitive advantage standpoint, don’t neglect the basics.  There are plenty of places like Vistaprint to get a few free sample business cards that can also help you keep your marketing costs down early on.

Starting a new shop is an exciting time, be sure to keep your expenses and investment in check, ensure a clean and pleasant environment and go for it!

Stephanie, a seasoned real estate agent and author of the Victoria Real Estate blog, shared with us a number of her tips for putting her best foot forward to clients and partners alike.

“It’s important to project an image of success”, says Stephanie.  ”Clients are want to deal with someone who has an aura of success, particularly when they’re looking for a selling realtor”.  A solid skin care regimen is a strategic asset in this regard, both for male and female realtors, especially as they tackle advancing age and the stresses of the housing market.

Stephanie’s favorite tips include:’

-A twice-daily cleansing ritual, featuring an oatmeal scrub and replenishing cream.
-Seaweed wraps three times per week
-Nightly ice baths to reduce swelling and improve sleep quality
-Regular use of a face shade or visor to prevent sun damage:

Taking the time to project success will make your clients comfortable that you’ll provide excellent service and care about how you look to prospective buyers.  Be sure to focus on your look and “Be Success!”

We’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things that go beyond the merely skin-deep.  More and more research is starting to show that stress can have a bigger impact on our skin and appearance than previously thought.

Our parents used to tell us to ‘turn that frown upside down’ for fear our faces would stay that way, but in a sense it’s true.  If you compare the before an after pictures of people who have been under acute stress for a sustained period of of time, you can see a noticeable deterioration in their complexion and worry lines etc…  You really notice it when you compare someone like the President of the United States before and after his term.  They look completely ragged after their years in the crucible.

One of the best ways to decrease stress, focus and center your mind is to learn a new activity.  You could try a new fitness class, volunteering, or even taking music lessons.  Try something different.  For instance, we’ve been actively taking piano lessons in Calgary Alberta where we’re located.  Though it was a little awkward at first, the boost to self confidence and stress reduction that comes from trying something new and applying yourself in a refreshing direction can’t be understated!

In short, take the time to try something new and don’t let stress drag you down!

In my incessant search to find new articles to bring to the fantastic readers of clear.ca, I came across this article about 10 questions to ask your dermatologist, and thought it would be a great Christmas  present  for anyone that has (or is considering) a dermatologist.

A dermatologist is a doctor that specializes in the largest organ in the human body – the skin.  Most people think the dermatologist is only for acne, but you might also seek a professional opinion for psoriasis, eczema, hair, and/or nail problems. If it has anything to do with the outer layer of your body, the dermatologist is probably the right person for you.

After you’ve found a dermatologist (we’d recommend that you find one through referral instead of just searching for one – you want to make sure that you get someone that will be able to help you with your condition, and the best way to do this is by using a doctor that your friends/associates have already tried)

To make your visit to the dermatologist as productive as possible, consider asking him/her some or all of these questions:

1. How much is enough sunscreen and what active ingredient should I look for?
2. What are the signs of skin cancer and how often should I have my moles checked?
3. How is my makeup affecting my skin?
4. What can you tell me about the latest anti-aging products?
5. What is the best way to treat visible sun damage?
6. How will hormone replacement therapy or birth control affect my skin?
7. How should I take care of my nails?
8. Are self-tanners really safe and do you recommend them?
9. What is the best facial cleansing routine for me?
10. How should I take care of my hair if I perm or color-treat it?

You should schedule a visit with your dermatologist once a year, and discuss any changes or concerns that you might have about your skin.

Choosing the right professional is an essential part of maintaining your healthy skin.  If you don’t have a dermatologist, talk to your friends that already have great skin to see if they can recommend someone for you today.

-Jason

What is your secret to dealing with your blemishes?

Do you cover them up or take steps to eliminate them in the first place?  Do you have a fool-proof way of getting rid of acne, fast?

For me, the secret I’ve found is the need to shave daily.  If I shave regularly, with a disposable blade, I can virtually guarantee my skin to be blemish free.  The problem comes from the weekend, the two days that I generally don’t shave due to my undiagnosed case of extreme lazyness. So, if I’m not careful, Monday can see a fresh outbreak of whiteheads.  Not quite what you want to see on a nearing-40 professional.

So, to make the rest of the week manageable, this is my normal routine:

-          Shower, gently scrub face using Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser

-          After showering, I shave using a sensitive skin targeted shaving cream

-          After shaving, I wash my face again using the Cetaphil

This top secret blend helps me keep the blemishes to a minimum, but I’d love to know what works for you.  Let me know in the comments, and I will share it in future posts.

-Jason

The fine folks at acneteam.com were kind enough to develop a list of ten guidelines to follow to help you have healthy, radiant looking, and most importantly, blemish free skin.

You can find the original link here, as we have condensed their list a bit:

10. Treat yourself to a day spa once every two or three months – The soothing effects of a thorough pampering can do wonders for your sense of well being, while the expert provides you with cleansing alternatives that you may not have considered.

9. Stress is bad for you and worse for your skin. – Your body reacts when it’s under stress, and this can result in break outs or flare ups, so take care of your mental health to take care of your physical health.

8. Make sure that you get plenty of rest. – Your body needs proper rest to provide it with the tools and energy to fight off whatever is attacking it.  Help your body win these battles by getting proper rest on a regular basis.

7. Don’t squeeze pimples, or pick at any sores. – Yes, this might give temporary and instant relief from small areas, but leaving the infected material on your skin can result in more pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads. If you absolutely have to squeeze one away, make sure you thoroughly wash the area and your hands to minimize the chances of contaminating other areas of your skin.

6. Don’t avoid the sun altogether – The sun is your friend, and in moderation can help you and your skin look great.  The vitamin D that the sun provides you is good for your skin – as long as you remember to practice moderation. Hydrate yourself and your skin, use a balanced sun screen, and pay attention to the UV index to prevent damaging your skin.

5. Eat a well balanced diet – This doesn’t mean that certain foods are going to cause you to break out, but it is something to be aware of to help your body be prepared to fight the upcoming infected battles,

4. Hydrate the body – and the skin – with water – Get water in you on a regular basis, and give your body the building blocks to healthy skin

3. Keep your hair and hands off your face. Your hands and hair are covered in oil, which can transfer to your skin and result in blocked pores if you aren’t paying attention.  Wash your hands regularly, and try not to rest your face in your hands.

2. Reduce the use of cosmetics as much as possible. You don’t need that much foundation to smooth out your skin.  Find out what the least amount of makeup that you can wear and still be happy with your look.  Think of how much money you can save by not buying so much makeup.

1. Wash your face twice each day – the fine folks at acneteam.com actually say to wash your face at least twice a day, but as we’ve said in previous articles here at clear.ca, twice a day should be adequate.  If you are in an excessively greasy environment, then washing more than twice a day might be beneficial to you.  But for most of us, a thorough clean with a mild cleanser is the right combination to minimize your breakouts.  Consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find what the right combination is for you.

Print these guidelines off and post them by your bathroom mirrors.  Use them as a guide to help you get clearer, healthier skin.

- Jason

While researching for material to write about tonight, I stumbled upon this article from acne magazine about horrible home remedies for acne.  It got me thinking about some of the things that I’ve been told would help me with my acne.  Things like:

-          Honey – smear a bit of honey on your acne before you go to bed each night.  For me, this just resulted in extra love from my dog, and very sticky pillows.  It didn’t do a thing for my acne, good or bad.

-          Eat apples and carrots – One home remedy said to eat an apple or carrot three times per day to “soothe your skin.”  All this did for me was make my jaws hurt, and make me really sick of carrots.  I didn’t mind eating the apples all the time, but a person can only eat so many carrots.  This “cure” was another flop – but at least it didn’t do anything to make my acne worse.

-          Nutmeg and unboiled milk – First of all, I had no idea what unboiled milk was.  Isn’t it all unboiled? Second, after 3 weeks and no change, I figured it wasn’t worth it to keep testing it.  Maybe I should have used skim milk? J

So – what is the weirdest ritual that you have used to eliminate acne?  Let me know in the comments – especially if you found something that worked great.

-          Jason

Tonight we’re going to take a quick look at some of the common myths about acne, shed a bit of light on them, and hopefully stop these myths from spreading any further.

Myth #1 – you’ve got acne because you don’t wash often enough

Not true at all, and this thought process might even cause people to aggravate their acne.  Wash your face twice a day with a mild soap and then pat your skin dry.  If you scrub too aggressively, or use too harsh a cleanser, you can rob your skin of the essential oils that it needs, causing your body to make your skin oily, causing more pimples.

Myth #2 – you’ve got acne because you eat crap

Ok – crap may not be exactly the medical term, but we’re all heard it before: pizza, chocolate, ice cream, or other fatty foods all cause acne.  This isn’t true at all.  Some people have reported that their skin reacts after eating certain foods, but this is more likely a skin allergy.  Follow a healthy diet plan, to keep your body as healthy as possible.  But with the right acne treatment, you don’t need to worry that what you’re eating will cause a break out.

Myth #3 – you’re acne is just a cosmetic problem

Well, no – this isn’t quite the case.  Many people with acne, from moderate to severe, are affected psychologically by their acne, as they feel that people think more about their acne than their personality.  As, well, the scarring and potential infections can cause actual damage to the skin, which isn’t just cosmetic.  Acne can go away if it’s properly addressed.

Myth #4 – you’re acne will go away when it’s ready to go

Nope – you can make acne play by your rules.  Control the variables that you can; follow a set routine for your skin hygiene, use the acne products that work best for you, and if that doesn’t work, consult with your friendly neighborhood dermatologist.  Treatment for acne continues to improve every day, so there’s no need for you to suffer from it.

Put yourself back in charge of your skin – share this post with your friends so they know that acne doesn’t have to leave its mark on them.

- Jason

Our focus here at clear.ca is clarity for you, which might be clearer skin or clearer vision.  Today we are going to look at one of the ways that you can clear up your vision, and never have to worry about losing your contacts, or fogging up your glasses again.

LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, is gaining public approval due to the number of people that are able to shed the glasses that they’ve had to wear most of their life.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a procedure where the doctor will peel back a small section of your cornea, near the top, that will allow a focused laser to reshape your cornea and get rid of any tissue that can be identified as the main cause of your vision problem.  While LASIK isn’t 100% effective at giving everyone perfect 20/20 vision, it can help many people see better.

What are the risks?

Just like any other surgical procedure, there are some risks with LASIK that must be considered.  In order to assess your current corneal status, your doctor will ask you to switch to your glasses for a few weeks (or longer if you are currently using hard contacts) as well as no smoking and no drinking.  This is to ensure that your eyes, specifically your corneas, are healthy so the doctor can accurately measure them and detect the cause of your vision impairment.  As with any medical visit, you should inform the doctor of any other medications that you are currently taking, prescription, herbal, or over the counter, as well as any allergies you might suffer from.  Your doctor will assess your current situation, and all the mitigating factors, to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK.

Surgery

OK, the doctor has said you’re a good fit for the procedure; you’ve booked the appointment as well as a few days off work to recover.

Make sure that you thoroughly clean your face to get rid of all traces of creams, perfume, lotion, and make up.  This will help eliminate the chance of infection, so be thorough.  Next, you’ll need to have your transportation options figured out before the procedure.  You are going to be able to see after the process, but between the procedure, the medications, and any pain meds, it would be very unwise for you to drive.  Phone a friend, take the bus, or call a cab – don’t let your investment be ruined by your poor planning.  Legitimate LASIK clinics won’t let you leave alone – someone will need to pick you up.

After Surgery

There are a few things to remember after your procedure, but one of the most important ones is Don’t Rub Your Eyes – you don’t want to risk damaging your newly improved corneas, so keep your hands away from them.

Your doctor is going to meet with you shortly after the procedure to check how things went.  Now is a good time to let him know about any burning, itching, redness, or excessive watering.  You might be a bit blurry still, but if it does continue, make sure you let the doctor know.

After the doctor determines that everything is healing ok, he will probably let you know that you should refrain from any activities that might cause undue stress on your eyes, activities that include running, jumping, or watching “Marley and Me” (just kidding).  Until your eyes are fully healed, it’s best to stay away from hot tubs and swimming activities to prevent infection.  Your doctor may advise you to eliminate any eye makeup or lotions for the first few weeks, again to give your eyes the best environment to heal in.

Some side effects that you might notice over the next few weeks include a sensitivity to glare, seeing halos, as well as your ability to drive at night might be more difficult.  For many people, these symptoms go away after three to six months.  Check with your doctor about your symptoms if anything seems out of the ordinary.

So, now that you can see the world clearly again, what are you going to do?  And with all the time that you are saving by not changing your contact solution/looking for your lost glasses, you’ve got plenty of time to figure it out.

Use that extra time to come back to clear.ca to find out other ways we are helping you live life clearly.

-          Jason

We’d like to start doing a new weekly feature here on clear.ca – but we’re not too sure what to call it.

Some of the ideas that we have come up with:

-          Celebrity Skin (probably not a great choice, as it sounds like it might be a bit NSFW)

-          Pimple Pop (kinda like this one, but it might be a bit, uhm, gross)

-          American Acne Idol  – (ok, probably not)

-          Skin Problems of the Rich and Famous – hmm, good enough for now.

We would like to use this post to share with you the fact that celebrities have to fight the same problems as we do.  OK, maybe they have an army of makeup experts and photo-shoppers to help them cover up their blemishes, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have skin problems, too.  The internet is full of the pics that you fav celebs don’t want you to see – but we’re pretty good at digging up the dirt.

So who would you like to see us profile?

Some of your favorite leading men, like Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, or Dane Cook?

How about some of the leading ladies, like Cameron Diaz, Penolope Cruz, or Alyssa Milano?

Do you know which actress said “They even had to schedule filming around my breakouts sometimes because all the makeup in the world couldn’t hide it”?

We’ll investigate the secrets that the celebs use to cover up their skin challenges, from cleansing products, skin care maintenance programs, make up applications, or how to find the right photographer that can make you look great, while hiding anything that might resemble a blemish.

But we don’t want to focus on only the problems, we’re happy to include some celec success stories.  The celebs that were able to find a solution that helped them break free from acne, or the celebs that just show that they didn’t care about it.  They’re just happy with who they are.

Let us know in the comments which celebrity you’d like us to focus on, and we’ll dig up some pics and maybe write up an email to thank them for being normal – just like the rest of us.

-          Jason

(If you said “Alyssa Milano” had breakouts so bad they had to change the filming – then you’re the boss!)