Category Archives: Health & Wellness

Dear valued clients,

For more almost a decade, Vixen® has lived by a core value to  “to operate with the highest sanitization and cleanliness standards”.  This value guides us as we face the global challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please know that we are vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation and continue to strictly follow government health regulations while ensuring precautions are in place for a healthy and safe experience for our team members and clients.
It is always been our business model to go over and above on sanitization. This is our competitive advantage, it is the Vixen® Difference

Thank you in advance for putting your trust in Vixen® as you plan for your spa visits.  Should you require booking accommodations for your existing or future appointments, please feel free to contact us.

Over the years the Vixen® brand has provided a wide array of services to tens of thousands of clients.  It only makes sense to continue to do so at a higher standard than the rest and consistently deliver The Vixen® Difference.
Hence, Vixen® Laser Hair Removal.

What Makes Vixen® Laser Hair Removal Different From Other Options?
The traditional treatment for laser hair removal involves a visual inspection of your skin and evaluation of your medical history, which is useful but does little to determine the pigment density in your skin and hair follicles.  At Vixen® locations we use The Skintel™ Melanin Reader, it eliminates this issue by quickly measuring your melanin and giving our certified estheticians the best understanding of your skin tone and its threshold for laser energy. We’re able to reach remarkable precision with the Skintel™ reader and give you excellent results with no risk to your skin. Our devices have both large and small spot sizes to complete procedures in all areas of the body fast and effectively.  More importantly, The Advanced Cooling Tip ensures a Pain-Free hair removal process.

Our laser machines are considered the least painful laser treatment available for hair removal, but it’s been recognized for several other benefits when compared to previous lasers such as:

• Permanent hair removal for the widest range of skin types
• Eliminates any chance side effects and complications
• Most comfortable laser available in the business, Pain-Free!
• Gets rid of hair quickly and requires fewer treatment sessions than other clinics & salons

Laser away unwanted hair permanently with the best equipment
in the business that is safe for all skin types!

Come enjoy the benefits today!

For those of you who are familiar with Dermalogica® products, you’ll know that it is a brand that does not pad out their products with unnecessary fillers and contains no artificial colours or fragrances.  Each ingredient in every individual product has been carefully selected for its skincare benefits to help you achieve great skin health. Dermalogica® is not about gimics, they are functional, streamline and sophisticated.

Below are some of the benefits of booking your next skin treatment at Vixen® and getting you on the path of improving your skin!

Non-toxic Ingredients
When it comes to skin care many people have worries and concerns on various products that contain harsh chemicals that are said to be toxic and unsafe for regular use. Dermalogica® products only contain natural ingredients that are very gentle to every skin type and safe to use regularly. Skin health will be improved over time with the right Dermalogica product/s.

Product Variety
Dermalogica products are available for both men and women and for all skin types. Whether one has oily or dry skin, there are Dermalogica products for every skin type. People can also choose their product preference from creams to skin gels or face masks.

Expert Advice
The best thing about coming to our locations for skin treatments is we offer expert advice through a face mapping.  This feature basically helps people determine their specific skin problems to get the appropriate Dermalogica® product.

There are various brands of skin care products in the market today but Dermalogica® boasts of natural and safe ingredients in all their product lines, this is synonymous with the Vixen® brand.  The main advantage over other salons and brands is that we help customers to know their actual skin problems and eventually choose the right products through their skin mapping service and through our expertise.

Improve Your Skin Today!

Once the socks, closed-toed shoes, and boots get tossed to the back of the closet,  bare feet, sandals and strappy stilettos come out for some fun in the sun, most people visit us for Vixen® pedicures instead of going for a Vixen® facial.
We like to suggest that getting a customized Vixen® facial in the summer is definitely worth the investment.

Your complexion changes with the seasons and it’s important to adjust your skincare routine to reflect the current environmental conditions. Your skin may have been dry and dehydrated this past winter because of low temperatures and cold winds mixed with heat from furnaces. But now, with the extra sun exposure and heat and increased activity, your skin may be turning more oily, or sensitive or may spark more breakouts than usual.

How are you supposed to keep up with all of these fluctuations and variations?  The answer — having a Vixen® facial. Regular facials at least quarterly will help clear up any outstanding issues you may be having with your skin and keep you looking great throughout this summer.

Benefits of Regular Facials

1. Maintaining healthy skin and having radiant-looking skin
2. Correcting certain skin conditions such as overexposure to Ultraviolet Rays from the sun;
3. Treating conditions such as dryness, oiliness or redness
4. Deep cleansing and releasing environmental pollution like smog that may be trapped in your pores;
5. Exfoliation and Refinement which makes your skin feel smoother and softer
6. Increasing circulation
7. Detoxification
8. Relaxation of the body and mind through massage and aromatherapy
9. Stimulation of metabolism
10. Looking younger and more beautiful;
11. Slowing down premature aging and softening lines and wrinkles;
12. Helping clear up blemishes and minor acne;
13. Reducing stress;
14. Sleeping better at night.

We love doing facials because we love to help people relax and feel good about themselves. We love seeing the smiles customers make when they first look at themselves in the mirror after they experience a Vixen® facial. If you haven’t had one already, we know you’ll be pleased with your results too.

Spring is here and its time to remove the winter fuzz build up.  The winter season may have left you with a little extra hair in the wrong places!  The worst thing you want is for the unsightly hairs to reveal themselves and surprise everyone.  Now is the perfect time to get your waxing routine in order.  Here are some waxing tips for smooth spring skin.

1. Get a head start – Prepare for the summer by starting a regular waxing cycle and continue it year round.  With regular waxing, you can lengthen the time in between your treatments; the more you wax, the weaker the hair follicle becomes, making it easier to remove. If you are new to waxing and want to make it last, schedule a “Touch Up” service to help you transition your hair-growth pattern from shaving to waxing. To maintain your smooth skin, you can continue touch up treatments every four weeks.
2. Exfoliate, Exfoliate – Body scrubs or body brushes are the perfect way to shed your winter skin and prepare for your wax.  The day before you decide to wax, exfoliate in the shower. This will remove dead skin, allowing the wax to grip shorter hairs.
3. Let it grow a little – Let your hair grow out about one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch before going in for waxing.
4. Moisturize – Daily moisturizing is necessary to keep your skin soft in between waxes.  Moisturize from the inside as well, drink a lot of water to plump up the skin to allow the hair to be removed from the follicle easily and prevent breakage of the hair at skin level.
5. Protection – Using sun protection is recommended when exposing your skin to the sun and is especially important during the first 24 hours post-waxing in order to avoid redness.
6. Cautious Tanning –  No tanning 24 hours before or after your wax to avoid irritation. If you plan on getting a spray tan, make sure you do it the day after your wax.
7. Perfect Your Timing – Going on a vacation or a specific outing and you want to look your best?  We recommend waxing two days before your trip for best results.

Although, your whole body deserves special care during the harsh winter months, your hands require extra special treatment to keep them healthy.  Your hands are one of the most exposed and used parts of the body.  Direct exposure to water, sunrays and chemicals that exist in soaps, dish-cleaners and detergents also takes a toll on hands not to mention the hundreds of things we touch unconsciously daily, your hands respond by becoming dry and lifeless very quickly.

Soft and beautiful hands add the charm in an individual’s personality, while dull and unappealing hands demote it.

Here are some tips to keep your hands beautiful and sexy during the winter season – Like a Vixen®

1. Regular Manicures
   Show your hands some love on a regular basis and they will reward you with a healthier and beautiful look. Little things like well-shaped nails and hydrated cuticles not only look good but protect your hands in the harsh winter
2. Wear gloves every time you go outside
   The frosty air and cold winds can dry out hands. The easiest way to protect your hands is to wear gloves. Keep a few pairs of gloves, in your car, by the front door, etc. so you always have a pair handy.
3. Invest in some good hand cream or moisturizer
   Even if you have normal or oily skin you should go for the moisturizer that is for dry skin. That will take care of dryness and simultaneously prepare your hands for colder conditions, because you never know when the temperature is going to plummet. We have a variety of hand care products at the spa.
4. Don’t use hot water to wash your hands
   Hot water soaks all the moisture and makes hands dry and dull, so go for luke-warm water rather hot water
5. Stay hydrated
   Moisturizers alone cannot help in protecting your hands from dryness so you need to drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. Drink 3 – 4 litres a day is ideal
6. Use rubber gloves when doing housework
   Housework isn’t just done in the winter so this tip is really for all seasons. Use gloves when cleaning with chemicals and washing dishes. Overexposure to hot water and chemicals can strip your skin of its natural oils making them look dry and chapped.
7. Add humidity to your home
   Using a humidifier or simply putting a bowl of water near your heaters can add moisture to the air in your house. Your skin will thank you!

The word “manicure/pedicure” derives from Latin: manus for “hand”, “Pedis” which means “of the foot” and cura for “care.”  Manicures have been around for over 4000 years, and for good reason. The history of pedicures dates back to ancient Egypt. A carving of a pharaoh’s official was noted as representing pedicures and manicures.

Manicures and Pedicures have become a staple of beauty and expression.  What you don’t know is that Manicures and Pedicures do have numerous health benefits as well.
Having a professional manicure and pedicure performed regularly is necessary for maintaining your overall nail health.

Here are some known benefits of Manicures & Pedicures

• Prevention of nail diseases and disorders
• Ingrown nail prevention, especially toenails
• Prevention of nail fungus growth
• Nail thickening & brittle nails
• Promote growth of short bitten nails
• Improves the overall look of your hands & feet

Here are some unknown benefits of Manicures & Pedicures

• Foot Massage – The foot massage that comes with most pedicure services helps to stimulate circulation in the feet, which is important for your overall foot health.  This can reduce pain and help your body distribute heat during cold months.
• Callus Removal – The removal of calluses on the feet can prevent the formation of pressure points from uneven weight distribution.  This will prevent future shoulder and back problems caused by misalignment.
• Relaxation – Manicures & Pedicures are mainly utilized for appearance purposes but equally as important is the relaxation aspect.  The 1 – 2 hour time out produce unseen benefits similar to mini vacation.  See our Spa Packages.
• Mental Health – It is a known fact that manicures and pedicures are proven de-stressors, therefore improving mental cognitive thinking and awareness.

Maintenance is key; although access to personal care is so easy these days because of discount nail salons, you must be aware of sanitization.  It makes no sense trying to maintain the health benefits and to end up with health risks.  At Vixen Nails & Spa we use hospital grade sanitization products ensuring a safe environment for our clients.  For more questions see our FAQ’s.

Our hands and our feet are the parts of our body we use everyday for movement and human interaction, therefore it only makes sense to maintain and enhance them for optimal health.

At Vixen® Nails & Spa we believe when you take care of yourself you will take care of everything else.  Self-care isn’t just about looking good it’s feeling good too.

Manage Your Time, Book Online!

Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.”  It has unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health.  This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.

Recent studies are showing that saturated fats are harmless. Many massive studies that include hundreds of thousands of people prove that the whole “artery-clogging” idea was a myth.  Coconut oil doesn’t contain your average run-of-the-mill saturated fats like you would find in cheese or steak.  they contain so-called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.  Medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.  They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source energy or turned into so-called ketone bodies, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

Here are the top 8 health benefits of coconut oil that have been confirmed in human studies.

1. Weight Loss – Given that coconut oil can reduce appetite and increase fat burning, it makes sense that it can also help you lose weight.  It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight.
2. Immune System – Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.
3. Increase Energy – It is a fact that different foods affect our bodies and hormones in different ways. In this regard, a calorie is NOT a calorie.  The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil can increase energy expenditure compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats.  One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totalling about 120 calories per day.
4. Hair Care – Many people are using it for cosmetic purposes and to improve the health and appearance of their skin and hair.  It helps in healthy growth of hair and gives your hair a shiny quality.
5. Skin Care – Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil.  Study shows effectiveness as sunscreen, blocking about 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays
6. Boost Brain Function – In Alzheimer’s  patients, there appears to be a reduced ability to use glucose for energy in certain parts of the brain.  In one 2006 study, consumption of medium chain triglycerides led to immediate improvement in brain function in patients with milder forms of Alzheimer’s.
7. Dental Care – If you’re looking for a natural alternative to regular toothpaste, try going the DIY route. Your plan: Mix coconut oil with baking soda until it’s pasty enough to spread on a toothbrush.
8. Oil Substitute – Lightly coat the bottom of your skillet with coconut oil to create a non-stick surface and delicious eggs or the next time you make your favorite brownie recipe, replace the vegetable oil with coconut oil. Your friends will be begging you for the recipe

This is really just the tip of the iceberg. People are using coconut oil for all sorts of things with incredible success.

As you know it is Breast Cancer awareness month and we continue our support by facilitating vital information to keep you healthy.  Below are some lifestyle advice that may seem  like common knowledge but it is the simple things in life that we must pay attention to that keep us alive and optimize life.

So take a second, think and ask yourself, can I do any of these things better?

1. Stay Physically Active – As simple as walking each evening, making sure you walk a minimum amount of steps per day will result in long term benefits.
2. Know Your Family History – Knowing yourself is very important.  Fortunately we are not all the same, some people are more prone to diseases than others.  Know what you can do from what you can’t and live life responsibly.
3. Stay Away From Tobacco Products – Although this may seem like common knowledge there are still millions of smokers and with smokers comes second hand smoke affecting more people.
4. Eat Healthy – It is a known fact that what goes in your body is imperative to how you will look and feel.  Eating a more alkaline based diet provides you with the antioxidants that are needed for cancer prevention.
5. Alcohol Intake – Although the enjoyment of alcohol very much a part of our culture, moderating and balancing your intake is a wise choice.
6. Protect Your Skin – Everyone loves the sun!  However excessive exposure to UV rays not only make you look older but puts you at risk for skin cancer, always wear sunscreen.
7. Your Weight – Maintaining a healthy body weight for your body size throughout out your life will make you look and feel good but is also a strategy for cancer prevention.
8. Regular Check-Ups – It is always emphasized that regular check-ups and cancer screenings are important as early detection is always the best scenario for cancer remission.  View Full Screening Guideline
9. Stress – Last but not least, and the  most underrated. Limit Stress!  Psychological Stress  whether it be mental, physical or emotional pressure induce the  destructive behaviour that lead to cancer.  All the distractions of the world is never worth your most important asset, your health.

It is now Breast Cancer Awareness month and it is important to know that Breast Cancer on average claims the lives of 14 Canadian women each day and continues to be the most common cancer among women.

Today marks the start of our ManiCURES campaign.  At Vixen Nails & Spa we have joined the fight.  For the month of October, we are doing our part by donating a portion of all the proceeds from all Shellac Manicures to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Also, we are not limiting the fight to only women, men are being challenged to join the fight by painting their nails pink.

Spread the word to all your friends and family and join us in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer by indulging in a manicure for a great cause!

Book Your Appointment Now!