Shizuka New York Day Spa Blog

We’ve been telling you about the dangers of tanning for awhile now. In case you need a quick refresher, here it is in a nutshell:

1. Tanning is a MAJOR cancer risk, according to the World Health Organization, along with arsenic and mustard gas, due to the UV rays in sunlight and in tanning beds.
2. Tanning is your skin’s natural reaction to DEFEND itself from the sun’s UV radiation, not encourage you to stay out longer.
3. Tanning seriously ages your skin, weakening connective tissues in your skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation (sun spots).

Here’s more bad news for the tanners out there. If you’ve been in search of that ever-elusive full body tan, you will be searching a long time, according to a new study.

Published in Experimental Dermatology, the study found that some parts of your body (ex. buttocks) are just less prone to holding a tan. There’s tan through swimwear out there in addition to nude sunbathing, tanning beds, and that guy above. However, our bodies seem to be telling us that there are some places that are just not meant to be tan. Staying out for hours in the sun may not get you closer to the full body tan and it only increases your risk of skin cancer.

So stick to spray tanning or, better yet, no tanning. Keep in mind that skin cancer is on the rise, especially among younger women, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS protect your skin with a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily.

[LiveScience via FoxNews]
Photo Source: DailyStrength

Okay, so we’ve all seen those crazy Swarovski-crystal-studded false lashes, right? (Think Ricky’s at Halloween-time). If you could go matchsies with your car this Halloween, would you do it? If so, Carlashes^TM has the solution for you that gives new meaning to “pimp my ride.”

This BMW is ready for her(?) close-up. Find more information about eyelash treatments for people here.

[Carlashes via TheFrisky]

Beautiful Claire Danes is the latest celebrity to endorse Latisse, an exciting eyelash treatment that grows inadequate lashes in just 16 weeks. Claire joins fellow actress Brooke Shields who also saw significant growth in her lashes from Latisse.

In New York City, Latisse is available only with prescription and behind the counter at your local pharmacy. Shizuka New York Day Spa’s Dr. Robert Silich provides Latisse consultations in our relaxing spa environment conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan near Rockefeller Center.

Learn more about Latisse, including instructions on how to apply the Latisse solution here.

View Claire Danes’s full gallery of Latisse before and after photos here.

[Latisse via TheFrisky]

TheBerry.com posted a collection of 27 epic plastic surgery fails titled I think their plastic surgeon used a butter knife. From mammoth lips to breasts that could keep you afloat on the open seas, it’s clear that some of us will go to extreme lengths for “beauty,” and that the concept of beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Is there a moral to this story? Less is more. People generally prefer natural over circus-freak beauty. Rather than resorting to extreme plastic surgery, try simpler treatments such as Botox and Juvederm administered by a tasteful and skilled doctor (such as Dr. Silich). Plus, if you find Botox and/or Juvederm aren’t for you, the results are not permanent. This may not be the case for many of those poor souls you’ll see after the jump.

See more plastic surgery fails.

[TheBerry via TheFrisky]

Our new LED Gel Nails are featured in a “Best Bets” post on New York Magazine’s “The Cut” blog.  As you may know, LED spa treatments are not new to Shizuka New York Day Spa…

Anyone who has sat patiently through a professional manicure only to have it chip or peel a day or two later can appreciate the popularity of the gel system, which lasts weeks. This is especially important during the summer months, when chlorine and humidity are punishing to traditional polish. Until now, the standard gel manicure was set with UV light, which not only made the process take at least an hour, but exposed the hands to damaging rays. Shizuka New York has introduced an updated gel manicure system that uses LEDs instead of UVs. Not only is it healthier, it takes about half the time to set and the results are just as pretty. Best of all? Shizuka offers a no-chip guarantee: If your gel nails chip or lift within ten days of treatment, they’ll reset them for free.

We are currently offering a introductory offer of $40 for the LED Gel Manicure NYC (one color) that lasts through Labor Day, September 6, 2010. This is 20% off the list price of the manicure!

FYI, the LED gel manicure pictured above also uses gradation (color blending, +$20) and sparkly glitter gel (+7). However, a single color is equally stylish and the results speak for themselves!

With Shizuka New York Nail Salon’s 10-Day No Chip Guarantee, we will also fix LED gel manicures that have chipped or lifted within 10 days of the initial treatment.

Read more about our LED Gel Nails.

[NYMag.com - The Cut]
Photo by Melissa Hom

The Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial was on ABC News Now  Health on July 8, 2010. Also included in this segment titled “Bizarre Beauty Secrets” was the wacky Fish Pedicure where tiny garra rufa fish literally nibble the dead skin off your feet.

Bizarre Beauty Secrets was hosted by ABC’s Tanya Rivero and also featured Dr. Susan Evans, a Los Angeles dermatologist. Other weird beauty rituals shown were leech therapy and skin care treatments made of volcanic ash, beer, and papaya.

Shizuka Bernstein of Shizuka New York Day Spa was invited on set to view the taping and you can also see her behind the scenes photos on this blog!

If you still haven’t done it, you can enter to win a FREE BIRD POOP FACIAL through today!

Shizuka Bernstein was invited to the set of ABC’s Good Morning America Health this morning to watch ABC News’ Tanya Rivero and Dr. Susan Evans discuss bizarre international beauty treatments, including Shizuka New York Day Spa’s own Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial.

The segment will air today at 2pm and 5:30pm (check your local listings for GMA Health), and will also be available online later today at abcnews.go.com. More information will follow when it is available.

Also featured in the program are the fish pedicure from Alexandria, VA, and other unusual skin treatments made from beer, volcanic ash, leeches, and papaya.

We are extending our Free Geisha Facial Contest for GMA Health viewers through July 9, 2010, so keep those entries coming!

Shizuka Bernstein with Tanya Rivero on the GMA set

Shizuka Bernstein with Dr. Susan Evans

Shizuka watches ABC's Tanya Rivero get a Fish Pedicure

If you’ve tried (or thought about trying) the Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial we want to hear about it!

Leave a comment and let us know what your experience was like! Was it weird? Funny? Effective?

If you haven’t tried it yet, would you want to?

Enter here to win a FREE Geisha Facial with owner and master aesthetician Shizuka Bernstein.

Entries will be accepted until June 30, 2010. One entry per person. Does not include airfare or NYC accommodations. Winner will be contacted by email. Prize is non-transferable and has no cash value.

Okay, so we know it’s cold outside in NYC, and it’s hard to even imagine summer when it’s snowing, but now is actually the perfect time for Laser Hair Removal. Take 10% off all laser hair removal in our NYC spa through March 31st, 2010 when you mention this website.

Shizuka New York Day Spa uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to permanently reduce unwanted hair in as little as five minutes. Because IPL treatment can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, it is best performed during the winter months when the sun is less strong and when we are less likely to be outdoors.

IPL laser hair removal is great for women who want to toss out their razors and achieve smooth and groomed underarms and bikini lines. It is also perfect for men who want to permanently remove excessive back hair, or who suffer from persistent ingrown hairs in the beard area.

Schedule an IPL laser hair removal appointment today by calling Shizuka New York Day Spa at 212.644.7400 or emailing contact@shizukany.com.

How far will people go in search of beauty, and what the heck does beauty mean anyway? The Frisky posted a series of wild (and often disturbing) examples of bod mod, a.k.a. body modification, practices ranging from the “lip window” to Lord of the Rings-style elf ears, scarring and more.

All of these make the Geisha Facial seem vanilla in comparison.  After all, it’s just bird poop! They also demonstrate to what great lengths women and men will go to in search of beauty. [The Frisky]

Mega-retailer H&M recently settled a lawsuit brought on by a consumer watchdog agency regarding the lead content in its handbags, wallets and other accessories. Believe it or not, some of the items contained as much as 115 times the legal limit for lead!

Remember that it was lead in their thick white makeup that first led ancient geishas to experiment with nightingale droppings like the ones used in Shizuka New York Day Spa’s Geisha Facial. [The Frisky]

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Shizuka New York Day Spa with soothing couple’s massage (the perfect date idea) and a V-Day spa package designed to provide much-needed pampering to the singles out there. Receive a complimentary chocolate and champagne toast with either of these Valentine’s Day spa treatments February 12 – 19, 2010.

50 Minute Couples Massage, $200 per couple
80 Minute Couples Massage, $290 per couple
Find more NYC couples massages here

Single (And Loving It!) Spa Package

2.5 hours, $195, Available 2/12 – 2/19/2010.

Celebrate YOU with a detoxifying infrared sauna session, Coffee Break Mud Wrap, Express Facial, and a special champagne toast for one!
Find more NYC spa packages here

Recessionistas beware! Before you buy that $20 imitation perfume from a street vendor consider that said knockoff may contain bacteria, antifreeze, and even urine (gross!). A beauty expert for ABC news posited that the urine found in certain fake perfumes tested may have been there purposefully to alter the pH of the liquid and also “for color” (double gross!). If you are not yet convinced, these cheap imitators can also cause major skin irritation. Do your body a favor and save up for the real thing, even in this economy, because genuine perfumes are more closely monitored and regulated. [ABC News]

Take advantage of a great spa deal and take 10% off any of the photo facials in our NYC day spa through next Wednesday, January 27 when you mention this website!

Find more details here…

You may remember from our recent post, Style Watch: Nail Bling, that Katy Perry rocked a ‘disco ball’ manicure at this year’s VMAs. Other fans of this celebrity manicure include Serena Williams, Pink and Beyonce.

Time Out New York featured this trendy nail look at Shizuka New York Day Spa as a great way to bling out your New Year’s Eve look. What goes into a disco-ball manicure? Hundreds of shimmering Swarovski Crystals that will make your nails shine like the Swarovski star atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree a few steps away from our NYC day spa. The price of a disco ball manicure is $180, although you can get it for $150 through December 31, 2009 when you mention Time Out.

To make an appointment for a disco ball manicure, contact us online or call (212) 644-7400. BTW, Shizuka New York Day Spa is open until 6pm on New Year’s Eve, and while you’re at it, try our brand new Collagen Boost Facial, the ultimate pre-party facial on special through December 31.

Is Katy Perry’s look a little too extreme for your style? Try our Crystal Manicure ($65), a more subtle and affordable version of the celebrity manicure.

Celebrity facialist Shizuka Bernstein spoke with FoxNews.com recently about ‘manscaping’ and current trends in male grooming. Over the past few years, her spa, Shizuka New York Day Spa, has seen a steady growth in the demand for men’s beauty treatments, including men’s facials, manicures & pedicures, and hair removal treatments including laser hair removal, electrolysis and waxing. The following is an excerpt. Read the full ‘manscaping’ article here.

‘Manscaping’ – 3 Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair

There was a time, back in the 1970s, when a hairy chest and a few gold chains were all the rage in men’s fashion.

But the birth of “metrosexuality” over the past decade has men striving for a “smoother” look, paving the way for a movement called “manscaping.”

Men have been going for men’s facials, manicures and pedicures — grooming procedures once limited to women. And one of the more recent trends involves the removal of unwanted hair, mostly on the chest and back.

Some men try shaving the unwanted hair off, but quickly tire of the daily requirements of shaving and soon head to the salon to seek out alternatives.

“Men have been coming in for facials for a while, but I would say it’s really the last 10 years that men have been doing hair removal,” said Shizuka Bernstein, owner of Shizuka New York Day Spa in Manhattan.

Read more…

Check out this space-age-looking Japanese creation that tells you if your breath is date-ready. The Digital Bad Breath Checker is $50 at Japan Trend Shop. They say it’s for women, but maybe we all could benefit from such a handy gadget. BTW, the English product name does not do the original Japanese justice, loosely translating to Loving Breath. [TheFrisky.com]

Here’s a bit more of Japanese culture in a crazy kitty. From Chopsticks Feeding Squirrel-Like Kitten on Youtube:

“To avoid being bitten and pounced on during kitty training, we have been using chopsticks and toothpicks to feed the kittens their treat. As seen in this video, this technique has worked particularly well with training “Gluteus,” where the kittens will sit up straight, balancing on their buttocks muscles (the largest of which is the gluteus maximus).”

Crazy? Cute? Crazy cute?

You’ve heard of Atkins, South Beach and Master Cleanse, but what about cookies? The new Hollywood Cookie Diet promises to slim your waistline while satisfying your sweet tooth. An indulgent meal replacement program, the Hollywood cookie diet replaces breakfast and lunch with four high-protein and high-fiber cookies.

At $19.95 for a three day supply, the Hollywood Cookie Diet is not so cheap (you still have to eat a full dinner), and we can only imagine that these are NOT your grandma’s cookies. [Allure]

A study this year at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University used a unique method to show the effects of lifestyle choices on aging. Researchers photographed and interviewed 186 pairs of twins during the 2006 and 2007 Twins Festival in Twinsburg, OH and compared these data to find clues into how our daily choices affect the way we age.

In the above example, researchers recorded an over-11-year gap in perceived age difference between 61-year-old twin sisters Jeanne (left) and Susan (right). “We don’t have the same taste in men and weather,” says Jeanne who lives in Ohio and has aimed for “as little sun exposure as possible” in contrast with her sun worshiping Floridian counterpart. In addition to her tanning habit, Susan also smoked a pack-and-a-half per day for 16 years during her 20s and 30s.

The evidence of aging is far stronger in twin sister Susan’s hyperpigmentation (sun damage and age spots) and the greater appearance of fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes and around the mouth.

In addition to sun exposure and smoking, another major factor in the appearance of age in the twins was weight. In women below 40, lower weight generally translates to a more youthful appearance.  However, in women over 40, more weight contributes to a younger look by filling in fine lines, wrinkles and skin sagging. In the case of the above 46-year-old twins, Laurie (left) weighs 38 pounds less than her sister Lisa (right) which contributes to her more pronounced wrinkles and sagging in the eye area.

Other factors that could contribute to aging include birth control pills (younger), antidepressants (older) and stress (older). [MSNBC.com]

DCL’s Super Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50+ DCL Skin Care’s Super Sheer Sunscreen 50+ combines powerful sun protection in a lightweight and sheer application. DCL’s Super Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50+ is non-whitening, PABA-free and fragrance-free for all skin types. Size: 2.5 oz Price: $24.00

The Huffington Post debuted a new series this week titled “The Big Picture” where you can find blown-up and untouched photos of celebrities in all their glory, or lack thereof. Take a look at the above closeup forehead crops of Lindsay Lohan (age 23) and Elizabeth Hurley (age 44) who were among the first lucky celebs to be featured. Can you guess which photo matches which celeb? Click on the images to find out!  [TheFrisky.com]