KELP FROM THE SEA It may not seem as appealing as its sweet-smelling counterparts, but algae is a powerful addition to spa menu. Slime. Slop. Sludge. Algae doesn’t always bring to mind the most appealing thoughts. But don’t let its looks—or smell—fool you. Algae is the Renaissance ingredient of the spa world, providing an answer to everything from dry skin to cell regeneration and even anemia, says Szilvia Hickman, senior vice president of Ilike Organic Skin Care. “Algae is essential for the environment, because it absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen during photosynthesis.” Believed to be the oldest type of plant life on earth, algae in its most complex form—seaweed—has been an important food source in Asian cultures for centuries. Even the Irish have a taste for seaweed, using the carrageen varietal in everything from drinks to desserts. Seaweed is a very powerful plant rich in 18 amino acids, 42 trace element and minerals, and 12 vitamins, It improves circulation and purifies and oxygenates skin.” Algae is often used in thalassotherapy, whose origins date back to Egypt 4,000 years ago and which was later made popular by the British and in France circa the 1900s. “Algae is one of nature’s most perfect foods,” says spa director Berni Campbell. “Our bodies readily absorb it, because it is almost identical to our interstitial fluid.” Algae’s ability to stimulate the metabolism— it’s a draining agent that improves peripheral and lymphatic circulation—is what makes it effective in weight loss, combats fluid retention and reduces the appearance of cellulite. With approximately 13,000 known species, algae is a highly versatile ingredient and can be used in spa treatments for the entire body. Ilike’s product line features three different types—red, brown, and green—in a number of anti-aging products. Algae is a good source of antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, which neutralizes free radicals, and omega-3 fatty acids for combating wrinkles, “Algae increases the absorption of the ingredients, is soothing and calming, and help with inflammation,” says Victorian. “Skin is left smooth, supple, and luminous.” And if that weren’t enough, the scope of algae’s potential is even more remarkable when you consider that there are more than 40,000 varieties of sea- weed—that’s just one kind of algae—on the planet. Because algae helps the body absorb other ingredients, it pairs well with other active ingredients. Ilike combines algae with vitamin C and other antioxidant-rich elements. The staff blends it with essential oils like juniper and birch, as they both also aid in detoxification. Of note is the fact that algae increases cellular metabolism, so clients with hyperthyroidism should steer clear. Due to possible high levels of iodine, so should spa- goers with related allergies.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:20:41 +0000
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