Remedies for Sunburn from Believe

We're back from vacation! Well, actually we at Believe are only taking a vacation from our vacation. We are open NOW (call soon!) and then we are here for the long (hot) haul until our next break, August 29th-September 4th.

We had a great time on our vacation and hope you have one on yours, but if you have overdone the sun a bit, here's a few remedies to help repair the damage. Let's start with hair, because that's what we do...

• Sun-damaged hair: Those harmful rays wreck havoc with hair, drying it out and stripping it of all natural oils. If you've overdone the sun, make an appointment with us here at Believe for a deep conditioning treatment. We'll give your thirsty hair a deep drink of good humectants to bring all that shine back and leave your hair manageable, glossy and ready to show off at all the picnics, BBQs and outdoor parties left to come during Summer 2012.

We at Believe will also send you home with some fabulous products to help you win the battle of dry hair. Try Aestlance Butter chock full of healing herbs. A little dab will not only give your hair a drink, but you can rub the rest on your elbows, hands, heals and all your scaly sunburnt bits.  Another summer must-have is our new product line from Italy, Kaaral Real Purify, with royal jelly in the shampoo, conditioner, leave-in solution and treatment vials perfect for dry dehydrated hair. And from a continent who knows a thing or two about sun, Africa provides their precious gift of Agadir Oil--found in the fabulous Moisture Masque to help moisturize sun-damaged hair in a luxurious way. (You'll feel like Cleopatra every time you apply a precious drop.)

   And because we care about every part of you here at Believe, we'll share a few other secrets. Here's some natural remedies for your sunburnt skin:

•                    Sea Buckthorn oil: Dilute a few drops with olive oil and rub into the skin. Repeat two,     eight and 24 hours later. Sea Buckthorn oil extract helps heal the burn itself.
•                    Chickweed: Has a cooling effect on sunburn. Pulling some up from the ground and applying it to the affected area or crush with a mortar and pestle into a paste and bandage it on the burn.
•                    Echinacea: Slows down the destruction of collagen, which keeps your skin elastic. Make some Echinacea tea, let it cool, and dab on skin.

•                    Calendula and Carrot Oils: Calendula or Carrot oil reduces inflammation and stimulates the growth of new skin cells. Mix 20 drops of oil with 4 ounces of water and dab on skin with cotton balls. Both oils will help soften and reduce the pain. Carrot oil even is used to treat pre-cancerous spots on skin.
•                   Witch Hazel: A great everyday toner for normal skin, it also helps sooth sunburn. Just soak some cotton and swab the skin.
•                    Green Tea: On the go? Soak some bags in cold water and pat then wherever you are burnt (yes, even your eyelids.) Tea fights free radicals your skin produces when exposed to UV radiation.
•                    Cucumbers: Cucumber slices reduce swelling and sooth the burn. Put them right on your skin and rest for a while.
•                    Aloe: Protects the skins from the inflammation caused by sunburn. The gel from inside the plants leaves should be applied several times a day until the burn is gone.
•                    Other sunburn soothers: Try spraying any of these onto your skin:
•          Plain yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk (rinse after 20 minutes)

•          Tomato juice

•          Apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon diluted in 1 cup water.) Yes, you'll smell like an Easter egg but the scent will dissipate. Old wives say vinegar turns your sunburn brown overnight.
•                   Take a tepid bath: Add plantain (which contains the proven healer of skin cells, allantoin) or cornstarch, baking soda, oatmeal or lavender oil (which has both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.) Keep the soaking down to 20 minutes, pat dry, and rub coconut oil deep into the skin.
•                    Potatoes for pain: Take two potatoes and blend in a food processor liquid. Pat the burned areas with the pulverized potatoes. Wait until the potatoes dry, and then take a cool shower. Or apply the mash to a clean gauze and place on the burn. Change the dressing every hour.

There you have some of Believe's best tips if you find yourself a Crispy Critter this summer. Be sure to call soon to make that appointment for a deep conditioning treatment (and bring your vacation photos to show us! We miss the beach already.)

When the cat's away...

Every boss in America holds their breath a little when they go on vacation and have to leave their business in the hands of their staff...everybody but Lisa Koebbe Bevan, owner of Believe, that is.

She gets to head on down the highway knowing her business is safe, sound and running like clockwork, thanks to Believe's Manager, Shannon Marriott.

“Shannon is my right-hand woman,says Lisa. "She's smart, intuitive, hard-working and the clients love her, almost as much as I do.”

There is a lot to love. Not only does Shannon lend a hand on the styling side (blow-drying, helping with the fun extensions-some with feathers—Believe uses as fundraisers for charity, doing color for select clients) but is a whiz at the administrative side of the business.

“I set appointments, order supplies, send out email blasts, run payroll and make sure things run on schedule,Shannon says. "Sometimes that does mean lighting a little fire under Lisa's rear end, I admit.”

In return, Shannon is learning a lot. She gets to observe, up-close and personal, the workings of her boss, Lisa, who is a board-certified colorist (one of only 2,500 in the country). Shannon, who studied Cosmetology in high school is ever enthusiastic about adding new techniques and tips to her stylist toolbox. But Shannon is equally grateful to interact with (and learn from) all of Believe's great clients and staff.

“I majored in Communication and minored in Business at the University of Albany and I get to use my education every day in my position here at Believe, says Shannon. "I am learning about how people work together, how best to communicate with the varied personalities of the staff and, most importantly, how to meet the needs of our clients and keep them happy.”

Shannon, who has been with Lisa for three years (she answered an ad in the Pennysaver and Lisa is still thanking her lucky stars) will be manning the ship on July 19^th and 20^th while Lisa is away for a short vacation.

“I'll be doing color and blow-dry sessions, answering the phones, scheduling appointments and will try to find time to even get a little cleaning done,says Shannon. "I like being busy and this summer at Believe is keeping us all hopping...and that's a good thing.”

Call Shannon now to schedule your Believe appointment before leaving for your own vacation.