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The Greening of Personal Care: Eco-friendly Estheticians Set the Tone
There is nothing novel about the idea of natural skin care products. More than just a few beautiful, radiant complexions are the result of using soap and water, with just a bit of moisturizer for extra glow. For generations, home remedies like witch hazel, aloe vera, and shea butter have been the treatments of choice for a number of different conditions. Civilizations as early as the ancient Egyptians utilized holistic treatments that incorporated natural ingredients.
Due to the present-day need for green skin care, natural skin care products have returned to the forefront -- and aren't going anywhere. Natural and organic skincare products have quickly become the personal care products market front-runners. Leading estheticians need to get in line with this burgeoning interest in environmentally friendly cosmetics. The current trends are leaning more toward health and wellness, bringing the spa lifestyle to a far more expansive market than in the past. What this means is there is going to be a huge need for highly qualified, licensed estheticians, who are trained to apply natural or alternative personal care treatments, including aromatherapy, body wraps, salt glows, and reflexology, just to name a few.
This interest in eco-friendly personal care and fashion has also resulted in the development of new eco-spa resorts — luxurious retreats where clients are pampered, knowing they are doing so in an environmentally sensitive environment. Spa visitors can cleanse mind, body and spirit and refresh themselves in a calming retreat close to nature, while they treat themselves to healing therapies such as salt sea scrubs or hot stone treatments. Other spas are also "greening" themselves, utilizing eco-friendly products like low-flow shower heads, flooring made from bamboo, and more efficient lighting, while offering their clients bed linens, towels, and robes that are made from organic cotton. This commitment to responsible and eco-safe practices has caused a number of spas to seek out astute, compassionate estheticians who can motivate their clients and develop relationships with them.
Adam Federico, representing the third generation of the Federico family, manages AJF Salon, which is located at 3016 J Street in Sacramento, California; his salon stocks environmentally friendly hair care products that are manufactured by Davines. Davines pays respect to the environment by manufacturing its high quality products using only the finest, all-natural ingredients. Bioelements actually had the foresight to use recyclable glass jars and earth-friendly ink and paper from its inception in 1991. AJF clients especially like the paraben-free suite of Biolements products, which include such items as Urban Detox, Equalizer, Stress Solution and VitaMineral Power Pen.
Gary Federico is the President of Federico Beauty Institute (and father of Adam), and has placed environmental issues at the forefront of his list of priorities. Recently, Gary Federico received an award from Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails for operating a business that promotes clean air and engages in business practices that are eco-friendly.
Gary Federico believes, “It’s not just about hair or skin care, but also about giving back,” and he has responded to the need for more responsible products and practices by installing a photovoltaic carport system, changing all lighting over to energy-saving Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL’s) and installing sensors that automatically turn off the air conditioning and the lights when they are not needed. Employing solar technology alone has reduced the school's CO2 emissions by 165,643 pounds, which is equal to removing fourteen cars from the roads.
About Federico Beauty Institute
Since 1946, Federico has been committed to the highest standards in the beauty industry. This premiere accredited educational facility for cosmetology and esthetics in the Sacramento, California, includes a state-of-the-art salon, spa, school with theory and practice rooms, café, and beauty boutique. Federico Beauty Institute is dedicated to providing progressive, quality education while promoting individual creative expression. Visit www.federico.edu or call (916) 929-4242.