Located in Edmonton, Dérmica offers waxing and IPL hair removal options.
Waxing- Short term hair removal
Traditionally, waxing involves the use of warm wax, typically honey or pine resin-based and cloth strips. The esthetician first preps the area by disinfecting and applying a protective barrier to the skin. The warm wax is then applied using a wooden spatula and covered with a cloth strip; this is referred to as strip waxing or soft waxing. The strip is then quickly pulled off parallel to the skin and voilà your skin is left smooth and hair free!
Prior to booking a wax service ensure your hair is at least ¼ inch long, and has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or prescription acne medications. Avoid caffeine for a couple hours before your appointment to reduce sensitivity. Results are visible for about 2 weeks, with 4-6 weeks before you are ready for your next visit. After care for waxing includes: avoiding heat, sun exposure, strong/fragranced, lotions, and washes for 24 hours and frequent skin exfoliation.
IPL- Long term hair removal
For a permanent solution, opt for IPL hair removal treatments. These advanced treatments should only be performed by trained and certified technicians. They are somewhat of an investment and can cause injury to your skin if not delivered properly, so do your research and make sure operational requirements are met by both the business and technician.
If you choose to have your treatment performed by the experts at Dérmica, here’s what you can expect:
Our tech begins by disinfecting your skin, she provides you with your protective eyewear, then off she goes zapping away.
Some lasers, like ours, are equipped with cooling systems, making your service a breeze. The cooling system makes your treatment significantly less painful (if at all), and 100% less messy than other lasers.
For the following 24-48 hours you will be required to avoid direct heat, perspiration, sun exposure, strong/fragranced soaps, lotions and washes. Ensure your skin has not been sunburned, treated with AHA/BHA, or medications/vitamins that may affect your skin.
Typically you will notice a stunt in the growth of hair, followed by what seems to be continued growth, then towards your 4-6 week the hair will begin to fall out. At this point you are ready for your next session.
Located on Whyte Ave, Dérmica offers the ultimate Relaxation Massage service: The Relaxation Body Treatment.
This treatment starts off with a dry brush to exfoliate the skin. The Swedish Massage incorporated into this relaxing service helps to soothe and loosen the superficial layers of the muscles. Service is complete with a steamed towel press.
Your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, and legs are then treated to a hot towel press. This promotes blood flow.
What is the difference between relaxation massage and deep tissue massage?
Unlike deep tissue massage, a relaxation massage is not a therapeutic treatment. Instead, it’s meant to pamper and relieve stress through light, soft touch and pressure point techniques.
If you are seeking treatment for injuries or chronic pain covered by Alberta Health Care, we recommend accessing the services of an RMT.
Unwind Wednesdays
Sore and tired and its only hump day?
What better way to renew your senses midweek than with the ultimate relaxation massage?
Enjoy a 60 minute Relaxation Body Treatment for only $60, all day every Wednesday!
We recommend calling to book simultaneous appointments. Why not make it a date to remember? Ask us about our spa packages. We offer other spa favourites, for example, facials and pedicures. In addition, Dérmica’s liquor menu adds a twist to your spa date!
Located in Edmonton, Dérmica offers a hybrid skin and beard care treatment- the Beard Facial. This specialized facial for men with beards offers the best of both worlds. It includes all of the essentials of a classic facial along with mild extractions, and a beard shampoo and conditioning treatment.
Beard facials help get rid of buildup consisting of sweat, dead skin, and oil that can lead to an itchy beard. In addition, they clear congested skin by extracting blackheads, milia, and other skin blemishes.
Can beard hair affect the skin underneath?
Yes, beard care is necessary to maintain the skin below healthy. Improper beard care can lead to skin issues, for instance, infection of the follicles. Other examples include fungal infections, ingrown hairs, and folliculitis. Infections are often confused for ‘beard acne’. However, it should be noted that ‘beard acne’ is not a condition and is most likely being mistaken for ingrown hairs.
Folliculitis vs ingrown hairs
Folliculitis is a condition that is characterized by multiple, consistent ingrown hairs. On the other hand, a single ingrown hair is a rare event.
The perfect beard line
Other beard treatments at Dérmica include IPL Beardline Hair Removal. With IPL phototherapy, we are able to permanently shape the beard line with laser precision. IPL treatments zap live hair roots. As a result, regrowth stops in the treated areas.
As Service Providers, we see all types foot conditions including bruised nails. We’ve answered some common questions below that we receive during pedicures.
Do bruised nails grow out?
Yes, they do grow out. However, if there has been trauma to the matrix of the nail, there may be permanent damage such as ridges. The matrix is where the nail is developed, in other words, a damaged “nail factory” will produce damaged nails.
How long does it take for a bruised nail to grow out?
The answer to that question depends on where the trauma is located on the nail. Typically it takes about a year for the nail to fully replenish itself; that is assuming the bruise is at the base of the nail.
On the other hand if the trauma is midpoint, it is safe to estimate it will take about 6 months to grow out. If the nail trauma is a quarter of the way down, it should out take about 3 months, and so on.
Does a new nail grow under the bruised nail?
No, a new nail does not grow underneath, but it grows behind it. So, if the trauma to the nail is bad enough, then the nail will eventually fall as the new nail starts to push out that damaged nail. Depending on how bad the bruise is, sometimes the nail will just slowly grow out.
Home care tips for bruised nails.
Keeping them clean and dry will prevent your vulnerable feet from developing other conditions, such as athlete’s foot or nail fungus. Avoiding tight shoes will prevent unnecessary pressure and will therefore allow normal blood flow to the feet. We recommend wearing sandals in the summer time, it is safe to cover up the bruise with nail polish.
If it is a pretty bad hematoma (bruise) it is recommended to have it drained by a doctor to alleviate some of the pressure.
Pedicures not only help wit the esthetics of a bruised nail, they also remove any collection of tissue and blood that collects between the nail and the nail bed.
What is the difference between a corn and a plantar wart?
Plantar warts appear only on the sole of the foot. They are unique in that sense whereas other warts can transfer all over the body. Plantar warts usually appear in clusters. The main difference is that corns are not contagious. They are caused pressure. On the other hand, warts are caused by a virus. Moreover, they are contagious.
A good pre-indicator of a wart is the diversion in the natural print of the skin. Just like palms and fingerprints, feet have a unique set of ridges that make up the print of the skin. If you spot something that you think may be a wart, check for diversions on the ridges. The ridges on warts will completely grow around the wart.
Another way to test if you are dealing with a plantar wart is by squeezing the tissue around it. If it hurts, it is most likely a wart, otherwise it could just be a corn. It’s always best to check with your doctor.
Where do plantar warts come from?
A wart is a virus that is spread by touch and cross contamination (being exposed to it after someone has touched that surface). For instance, exposing broken skin to the virus will result in a wart.
Are plantar warts an STD?
No, they are strictly affect the sole of the foot.
What happens to a plantar wart if left untreated?
If left untreated, plantar warts will continue to grow through the sole of the foot and become very painful. They are easy to spread through touch or cross contamination. If the virus continues to get worse, it will start pulling nutrients from your body. In addition, it will start pulling blood supply from that area. All this leaves you vulnerable to other infections.
Treatment
If it is manageable with over the counter medications, you can get pads or ointments. However, medical intervention is required if warts spread out of control, the person is usually prescribed an antiviral oral medication and/or have them frozen off with liquid nitrogen which is painful on the foot.
Home tips to prevent Plantar’s Warts
👉Always wear sandals in a public space.
👉Don’t share socks or shoes.
👉Clean pedicures.
Can you get a pedicure if you have plantar’s warts?
In minor cases you can have a pedicure that is properly staged for prevention for cross contamination. If you wish to book a pedicure and you have plantar warts, please include a note on your booking.
Also known as Tinea Pedis, Athlete’s Foot is a foot fungus found between the toes. Because of their appearance, many people mistake them for moisture blisters. We recommend following our tips below if you believe you may have Athlete’s Foot.
The fungus is localized during early stages. However if it starts to spread, it goes all over the foot often mimicking dry skin. This may cause some people to think their feet are just simply dry. However, it is contagious, so it’s best to seek Athlete’s Foot treatment immediately. A good indicator is if it’s only affecting one foot or one section more than others.
In its developed stages Athlete’s Foot leads to scaly, dry skin and can become itchy and hot in its bad stages. Plus, it smells! Be on the lookout for a particular musky smell.
Athlete’s Foot Causes
Foot fungi are often spread through cross contamination in locker room floors, swimming pools, sharing shoes/socks. Their preferred environment is humid and therefore thrive in feet enclosed in humid shoes, as well as toes that have not been dried properly.
Home care tips
Wear cotton socks.
Change socks and shoes regularly.
Wear flip flops in public places.
Avoid home slippers made of cloth material on the inside.
Get clean regular pedicures.
Avoid close-toed slippers at home.
Athlete’s Foot Treatment
Use a scrubbing glove to get rid of dead skin between the toes. Getting rid of that dead skin eliminates food sources for the fungus to grow. Afterwards when getting out of the shower, use powder in between the toes to absorb moisture. In addition, you can use over the counter foot sprays with urea.
Regular Pedicures
Regular pedicures are important to maintain foot health. Our pedicures are designed to provide you with all the benefits of a traditional pedicure combined with our treatment approach and signature touch of luxury.
