Staff Highlight: Dina LaFera

Dina has joined us on staff at Urban Sanctuary with 18 years of success in the field of esthetics under her belt. To name a few of Dina's gifts, she has a wonderful passion for skincare, a nice sense of community and a great love for people. We are thrilled to have Dina with us.

Dina gives facials, facial peels, waxing and microdermabrasion treatments at Urban Sanctuary during the week and weekends. Call us at 706-613-3947 to find out which available appointments suit your schedule and book yourself in for a great spa service.

Dina, tell us about your career background and your skincare philosophy.
I have come full circle with my skincare philosophy. I began working in esthetics 18 years ago at Natural Body in Buckhead and later grew into medical esthetics for a while.

I believe in balance. You must feed your skin, the largest organ in your body, the same as you would feed your body. Use whole and organic ingredients as much as possible and save the pharmaceuticals only for occasional use.

Where are you from and what brought you to Athens? 
I was born in Kingston, New York. I later moved to Athens from Atlanta to simplify my life with my children and escape Atlanta traffic. I am blessed with two angels, my daughter Gabrielle and my son Sasha.

How long have you lived here?  
7 years

Tell us what you love about Athens.  
There's an amazing sense of community here! I used to love WOW boot camp at 5:30 with my sister Andrea. (Andrea owns A LaFera salon here in town). I also really loved watching my son, Sasha (a musician), find his happiness with the help of Nuci's Space. Nuci's Space is amazing. Also, I've had the best clients in the world here! I have bonded differently with my clients in Athens than I have in any other city where I've worked. The relationships have been stronger.

What do you put your energy into when you're not at work?
I love cooking with my fiance, Martin, and cooking for friends. I love gardening and specialize in growing herbs and flowers. Fresh flowers in my house are a must!

You come from a big Italian family, right?
Yes, I am one of seven siblings. I love American Italian classic music and anything that reminds me of my family.

Anything else that you'd like to share?
I love people and food from all over the world. My dream would be to be able to speak every language and experience all cultures in my lifetime.

What a beautiful dream, the product of a lovely human being's imagination...

Read about the many services you can book with Dina and the other talented estheticians at Urban Sanctuary on our facials, facial ad-ons and microdermabrasion website pages. Microdermabrasion benefits, pumpkin and cherry facial benefits are listed on our blog, as well as the general benefits of getting facials regularly.

Urban Sanctuary is open seven days a week. Pick a day and come by for an hour. Smell the delicious soaps, try on a hot neck pillow and sample our vast array of eco-friendly, organic skincare products and gifts for the home. Some of our products can be viewed online. Gift certificates can be purchased online.

Advanced Microdermabrasion Facials

            

Turn up your glow - turn up your radiance.

                             

 

 Microdermabrasion enables your skin to breathe and regenerate more powerfully, which in turn creates that incredible glow we all associate with vitality and youth. Glowing skin is associated with beauty, health and happiness. Wouldn't you enjoy all of that beaming off of your face? 

  With microdermabrasion facials, you can actually increase your glow and radiance. It's incredible! There's no substitute for kindness and good living (of course) to enhance one's inner glow. However, microderabrasion facials are second to none for creating radiant skin and glowing beauty from the outside-in.... Here's a list of some of the benefits:

microdermabrasion

• increases oxygen to your skin
• brings out your healthy color
• increases elasticity
• stimulates collagen production
• refines your pores
• plumps up your skin
• makes skin very smooth, even and soft
• increases circulation

it treats 

• sun damage
• enlarged pores
• acne
• acne scarring
• fine lines and wrinkles
• dull or grey complexion
• discoloration
• devitalized skin
• age spots
• scar tissue
• under eye circles

   Microdermabrasion facials are performed with state of the art spa equipment. A vacuuming process both lifts and rolls the skin while performing a very thorough, very deep exfoliation. The exfoliation, rolling and massage combined increase oxygen flow to the skin, detox the soft tissue and release holding patterns in the face. Stress lines are literally erased!

  Microdermabrasion facials are all the rage! Because of their ability to produce dramatic results, they have become wildly popular at destination spas, day spas and resort spas all over the country. Men and women alike enjoy the dramatic and visible results.

  Baking soda verses aluminum oxide? We prefer the natural baking soda method. That is what we use at Urban Sanctuary, because it is non-toxic, anti-inflammatory and very safe to use around your eyes and mouth. The natural baking soda microderm wand can be used directly under and around your eyes. It's excellent for dark under eye circles and fine lines. The wand can actually be applied right over your lips to include them in the facial. Because of the natural soothing properties of baking soda, redness and irritation are minimal after a baking soda microderm facial.

 Microdermabrasion facials are not right for you if you're on medication that causes thinning of the skin or excess inflammation. Please consult with us if you are on prescription medications for your skin or medications that effect your skin. We want to ensure your safety. If you have acne or rosacea, microdermabrasion could be very good for your skin. However, it's important that you have a short consultation before booking your facial. The progression of your acne or rosacea needs to be assessed before booking the facial to ensure that it is right for your current skin condition. Sunburned skin cannot be treated.

  Call Urban Sanctuary at 706-613-3947 to learn about our three choices in advanced microderm treatments and our series price breaks. View our choices and prices online. Enjoy your microdermabrasion facials with Layne, Misty, Lizzy, Jennifer or Alan.

 

Cherry: For Bright Beautiful Skin

    















          
      
      Sweet smelling cherry facials are a great solution for dull skin. Vitamin rich cherry brightens and softens the face beautifully, while addressing hyperpigmentation, sun damage and dryness. Naturopathica’s Sweet Cherry Enzyme Peel is one of our favorite skin remedies. We absolutely  love this anti-oxidant boosting mixture of cherry and pomegranate extract. It feels and smells divine!
     
      Women with  dry skin and those who travel frequently benefit wonderfully from a Cherry Brightening Facial. It's the perfect facial to liven up and revitalize dry, stressed complexions periodically... For clients wishing to visibly reduce sun-damage or hyperpigmentation, a monthly Cherry Brightening Facial or two is recommended. A twice weekly application of a cherry mask or peel at home will greatly improve results over time. Whichever concerns your face, the natural, vitamin rich properties of cherry make skin bright and beautiful.

      Cherries are known for their vitamin and phytochemical content, especially Vitamin C and Beta Carotene. They are packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. The darker a cherry's skin is, the more skin-soothing chemicals it holds. Cherries are also natural humectants, meaning they retain moisture. These combined properties make them great for dry, inflamed skin. Eat cherries for a good complexion as well as other health benefits.

     At Urban Sanctuary, our Cherry Brightening Facial starts with a skin analysis, followed by a deep skin cleanse and steam to open the pores. The lactic acid and fruit enzymes of the Sweet Cherry Enyzme slough off dry, dead skin. Its enticing, sweet smell reminds us of cherry jubilee! Your esthetician may perform extractions for any remaining clogged pores. A cooling, hydrating mask turns freshly exfoliated skin to silk... A combination of moisturizers and serums are massaged into your skin to complete your revitalizing facial. 

      



















       Our enzyme peel facials use a 15% strength peel formula by Naturopathica, and we carry a 3% version for at-home use. Naturopathica’s Sweet Cherry Enzyme Peel uses sweet cherry puree and pomegranate extract to exfoliate and pump the skin full of antioxidants, promoting a smooth and bright complexion. In addition, this peel features resveratrol, the antioxidant in wine that makes it “heart healthy.” Naturally-derived acids, including lactic acid, work with the properties of the fruit to eat away dry, damaged skin.
 
     Call Urban Sanctuary at 706-613-3947 to inquire about our  Sweet Cherry Brightening Facial or other skin brightening treatments, such as advanced microdermabrasion. Our entire facial menu and extras can be found on our website facial extras  - you may also email us at info@urbansanctuaryspa.com for a personal skincare consultation.

    Stop by our spa boutique any day of the week if you'd like to take a jar of the enzyme peel home with you. You'll enjoy a visible difference in the smoothness and brightness of your face in just a few weeks of regular masks.