​Body organs aren't all internal like the brain or the heart. There's one we wear on the outside. Skin is our largest organ—adults carry some 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and 22 square feet (2 square meters) of it. This fleshy covering does a lot more than make us look presentable. In fact, without it, we'd literally evaporate.
Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals. It also exudes antibacterial substances that prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones. Skin additionally is a huge sensor packed with nerves for keeping the brain in touch with the outside world. At the same time, skin allows us free movement, proving itself an amazingly versatile organ.
Skin is made up of 3 layers. The outermost is the epidermis. This consists mainly of cells called keratinocytes, made from the tough protein keratin (also the material in hair & nails). Keratinocytes form several layers that constantly grow outwards as the exterior cells die & flake off. It takes roughly 5 weeks for newly created cells to work their way to the surface. This covering of dead skin is known as the stratum corneum, or horny layer, & its thickness varies considerably, being more than ten times thicker on the soles of the feet than around the eyes. The epidermis harbors defensive Langerhans cells, which alert the body's immune system to viruses & other infectious agents.
The human body performs amazing feats every day, from sending signals rocketing through the brain at high speed to distributing oxygen over 1,600 kilometres of airways.
The epidermis is bonded to a deeper skin layer below known as the dermis, which gives the organ its strength & elasticity thanks to fibers of collagen & elastin. Blood vessels here help regulate body temperature by increasing blood flow to the skin to allow heat to escape, or by restricting the flow when it's cold. A network of nerve fibers & receptors pick up feelings such as touch, temperature, & pain, relaying them to the brain.
The dermis houses hair follicles & glands with ducts that pass up through the skin. Sweat glands bring down internal temperature through perspiration while ridding the body of the waste fluids urea & lactate. Apocrine glands, which develop during puberty, produce a scented sweat linked to sexual attraction that can also cause body odour, especially around the armpits. Sebaceous glands secrete oil-like sebum for lubricating the hair & skin.
The skin's base layer is the subcutaneous, which includes a seam of fat laid down as a fuel reserve in case of food shortage. It also works as insulation & cushions us from injury.
Skin colour is due to melanin, a pigment produced in the epidermis to protect us from the sun's potentially cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays. Darker-skinned people produce more numerous & deeper-coloured melanin particles. People with the darkest complexions are native to tropical regions, particularly those with few densely forested areas.
Fair skin is an adaptation found in people from northern latitudes where solar rays are relatively weak. Here the benefits of dark skin are outweighed by the need for bone-strengthening vitamin D, produced through exposure to UV rays. But hotter, sunnier environments bring the risk of serious skin damage. Australia, where the majority of the population is of northern European descent, has the world's highest rates of skin cancer, accounting for more than 80% of all cancers diagnosed there each year.
Look after & protect your skin. If you want to improve your skins health & appearance, book a complimentary skin consultation with a Nik @ Mojo Beauty www.mojobeauty.co.nz 

Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), also known as medical skin needling, dermal needling or micro-needling, is a minimally-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment designed to improve the skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as scars on the face and body. Micro Dermal Needling works using a specialised electric stamping device (unlike a manual handheld roller), which creates ‘micro wounds’ in the dermis of the skin, that stimulates the body’s natural collagen production by generating a wound healing response. Over time a thicker layer of tissue will develop which ‘fills in’ the cavities left by atrophic scars and wrinkles.

As with all cosmetic treatments, the ideal candidate should have realistic expectations and be in generally good health. The treatment is suitable for all skin types, unlike some laser or chemical peels procedures. There are some skin contra-indications that should be discussed like active coldsores or impetigo beforehand , so a consultation needs to precede the appointment to ensure that you may be a suitable candidate for Collagen Induction Therapy:

Before you undergo this invasive cosmetic treatment, it is important to have a consultation with Nik of Mojo Beauty, a  qualified beauty therapist to ensure you are suitable for treatment. This will be your opportunity to ask any questions you have about the procedure and for her to explain the pros and cons. A medical history will be taken and you will be asked to sign a consent form to make sure you fully understand what the procedure involves and any associated risks and complications. Once your therapist has decided you are a suitable candidate, your treatment can go ahead:

The Dermal Needling Procedure
The skin is cleansed with Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse twice to sterilize and prepare it.
A topical anaesthetic, Emla Gel, is usually applied before treatment to minimise any pain and discomfort.
Hydrating serums are then applied to the skin to empower and help the machine slide.
The tip of the micro needling device will glide over your skin creating stimulating channels.  The length of the needles used on the micro needling pen for Collagen Induction Therapy will vary.  The longer the needle, the deeper into the skin it will penetrate, and the more dramatic results you will see.
Your treatment can take up to 1.5 hours, depending on the area you are having treated. After your Dermal Needling Treatment, you will notice a reddening of your skin and some sensitivity, this is normal. This indicates that your skin is injured and will invoke a wound healing response and the redness will fade away within 2 days.  You may also get some bleeding and bruising, however this should be minimal and will depend on the length of the needle used during your treatment. The downtime with this treatment is very quick and you should have recovered between 24-72 hours.
As each fine needle punctures the skin, it creates a channel or micro-wound. The micro-channels created spontaneously close after 10 minutes so that epidermal barrier integrity remains intact. The needles injure superficial dermal collagen strands and small blood vessels triggering a controlled cascade of inflammation including the release of platelet-derived growth factors transforming growth factor-alpha and beta (TGF β-3), connective tissue activating protein, connective tissue growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor. These lead to the production of new collagen, elastin, and capillaries.
Neo-vascularisation and neo-collagenesis lead to thickened skin and a reduction of scars, with improved skin texture, firmness, and hydration.
To ensure the right healing environment, for 2 days post treatment YOU MUST AVOID using AHA’s (glycolic acid), any Retinol (vitamin A) including Medik8 Retinols or anything acidic or “active” ingredients. If you’re unsure about your skincare products, please ask Nik at Mojo Beauty.
For the next 24 hours,Nik suggests that you only use a soothing Medik8 Calmwise cleanser, and Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense to help hydrate as your skin will become very dry. Ensure that you use Medik8 Physical sunscreen if you'll be in the sunshine as your skin will be compromised and vulnerable for a few weeks afterwards.
Avoid sweaty exercise and sun exposure for 72 hours post-treatment.
Nik at Mojo Beauty will encourage you to use active specific cosmeceutical grade skincare such as Medik8, to enhance your treatment results.
Because the results of dermal needling rely on kick-starting your body’s own collagen production, it can take up to eight weeks before you start to fully see the benefits. A series of between four and six treatments is usually recommended to achieve maximum results.

Face (not including neck)…. $225 per/treatment
Face, Neck, Decolletage (below the neckline the area that reveal or emphasises cleavage)… $275 per/treatment
One isolated area like, Backs of hands …. cost $159 per/treatment
Out of courtesy, we kindly ask that you provide a minimum of 24 hours’ notice if you wish to change or cancel your appointment. We reserve the right to charge full price for no shows, cancellations and changes made with less than 24 hours’ notice.

•     Minimise fine lines/wrinkles (especially around the delicate eye and lip areas)
•     Reduces pigmentation and restricts pigment formation
•     Improves skin texture and laxity
•     Reduces the appearance of scars (such as acne, chicken pox, injuries or surgery)
•     Diminishes stretch marks
•     Reduces pore size
•     Naturally increasing the skin’s collagen formation strengthening the skin barrier

Nik specialises in lash and skin treatments especially Medik8 peels and dermal needling treatments @ Mojo Beauty.

Humans are visual and social creatures. It makes sense thus that, historically, we have been collectively preoccupied with beauty. Someone’s appearance is the first thing we notice about them upon meeting them. The nature of beauty itself has been the focus of Aesthetics. People have been using makeup, skincare and cosmetics since ancient times: the Egyptians use of dark eyeliner is present in everyone’s mind through their paintings and deities, while most know that Victorian women often fainted not because of their demureness, but because of the wide-spread use of lead based creams to “improve complexion” together with constricting girdles. For the most part, these rituals were conducted by women, and were relatively secret: one had to uphold the idea that beauty was natural and effortless, not an artifice.

Growth in the beauty industry, however, has boomed in recent years, in a trend that many link to a broader generational trend of attention to physical wellbeing. Millennials are often quoted as being the main drivers behind the growth of the beauty segment. There have been many articles written on this trend, citing everything from the ageing of the millennial demographic to a focus on “self-care” as a coping method against a difficult political and economic climate. And the beauty industry is notably anti-cyclical.  Consumers will still purchase luxury items in an economic downturn and will prioritise beauty treatments, skincare and cosmetics over other items and this is a rated as a necessity to them.

Some companies found a gap in the market: they created new shopping 'experiences' for consumers, mainly women, who are given additional choice beyond going to the mall or purchasing beauty products at a pharmacy or supermarket. They importantly stocked products at different price points, from elite brands to store own-labels and had the chance to have their chosen product professionally applied to their face. A total day out and beauty excursion for some young girls and their friends.

Another significant change that propelled the beauty industry forward has been the rise of social media, in particular of image-based social network Instagram. Obviously, a visual medium is optimal for a beauty brand: it fully allows it to explore the visual potential of its products. Not only, but Instagram has enabled brands to cultivate a stronger image, interact with consumers in a more direct way, as well as creating an entirely new marketing category, that of influencers, which, in turn, have at times turned into fully-fledged entrepreneurs.
mostly written by N Ketabchi
​https://www.instagram.com/mojobeautynz/

WHAT IS DERMAPLANING?Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation that utilizes a specialized instrument designed to “scrape” away the accumulated dead skin cells and vellus hair. It is a very comfortable, relaxing procedure that can be combined with other services to improve their efficacy.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD DERMAPLANING BE DONE?It is recommended to have a treatment every 3-4 weeks to maintain results and continue to see improvement in pigmentation, skin tone and texture while diminishing acne scars. Results are cumulative so your skin will continue to improve each time you come.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DERMAPLANING?

• Immediate improvement to skin tone
• Skin will be softer to the touch and smoother in appearance
• Brighter complexion with a more youthful glow
• Active ingredients in skin care products penetrate more deeply improving your skin health
• Make-up glides on easily so less is needed to look your best
• Great for all skin types and colours
• Will not aggravate telangiectasia or the most sensitive skin types
• Helps reduce blackheads and enlarged pores
• Can be performed on clients using Retinol
• Minimal risk of post – procedure breakouts
• There is NO downtime

Frequently Asked QuestionsDoes it make hairs grow back thicker and darker?
Dermaplaning is gaining in popularity because it removes “peach fuzz” from the face. This allows for make-up to have a flawless finish. When the “peach fuzz” is removed, excess oils and dirt are also removed from the skin.
Dermaplaning does not affect the actual hair follicle. Every individual hair follicle has its own individual DNA, which we are born with. This will determine whether it is vellus (light, thin) or terminal (thicker, darker). Terminal hairs are predetermined, they tend to appear due to hormone changes i.e.: pregnancy, menopause and hormonal abnormalities.
So therefore, Dermaplaning does not affect how your hair would regrow.
Does it hurt?
No, Dermaplaning does not hurt; it can even be quite relaxing. Clients tend to be very relieved once they witness the excess skin / dirt that has been removed from the face.
Is there downtime?
There is no downtime, occasionally the client will appear a little red post Dermaplane for up to an hour.

If you have a low-maintenance makeup routine, lash extensions are like a cosmetic cheat: Whether you've just woken up, been to the gym, gone for a swim or lived through a stomach flu, It's amazing how much your eyes pop, and by how quickly you can get ready. Make up application becomes so much easier!

What are lash extensions?
Unlike temporary false lashes, eyelash extensions are neither a D.I.Y. affair nor a fleeting commitment.
They are professionally applied, one on each natural lash, with a semi-permanent glue meant to hold them in place for several weeks. Lash Extensions enhance your lashes with the length and volume that nature didn’t gift you (and beyond what multiple coats of mascara and a lash curler could), but at a length your face deserves.

The price of eyelash extensions varies depending on the style, the technician, lash artists experience and the area in which you live, but you can expect a professional full set to start around $100. Personal recommendations from friends, reviews and client photos posted on sites like Facebook and Instagram are invaluable for offering insight into both the quality of service and the style of lashes a company provides.

Nik Henshaw owns Mojo Beauty, an eyelash extension (and Lash Lift) studio in Christchurch. 

Take a quick glance to make sure all products used during your service are new or sanitised. Your stylist should be certified and this should be posted somewhere in the salon/studio.

You should arrive at the salon with your eyes entirely clean of makeup.

Eyelash extensions are available in a wide variety of lengths, diameters and curls. The health and thickness of your natural lashes as well as the shape of your face and eyes will be used to determine the right set of extensions for you.

To begin, you’ll lie down on your back and get comfortable. Your bottom lashes will be shielded with under-eye pads, stickers or tape. Prepare for your eyes to remain closed for the entire application, as your technician delicately affixes each extension with tweezers. The procedure is gentle enough that you might very well find yourself dozing off. 

After your appointment, don’t let your extensions get wet for the next 24 hours, so that the glue can dry completely. Steer clear of humid environments like saunas, too. 
To preserve your extensions, keep them clean and gently detangle them with a pristine mascara wand or spoolie brush every day. You can wear eye makeup, but accept that oils and oil-based makeup remover are your lashes’ worst enemy, because they break down the adhesive. When it comes to mascara specifically, the experts suggest skipping it.
To keep your extensions looking full and fresh, touch-ups should be scheduled every two to four weeks. (After a month, you’ll normally be charged for a full, new set.) Extensions, properly applied and cared for, should not make your eyelashes fall out, but you will notice some inevitable casualties as your lashes grow and shed according to their natural cycles. Among the medical concerns associated with eyelash extensions are the possibilities of trauma to and infection of the eyelid or the cornea, permanent or temporary loss of the eyelashes, and allergic reactions to the glues.
Should symptoms like pain, itching or redness present themselves, don’t take matters into your own hands. Nik at Mojo Beauty strongly recommends against attempting to remove your extensions at home, contact her and she can remove them for you without any damage to your natural lashes.

Aftercare for better lasting lashes
 
You have just received a set of Mojo Beauty Eyelash Extensions. How long your lashes will last mostly depends on the aftercare of your extensions until your next visit with me.
 
Normally we can shed up to 5 natural lashes per day. You will loose more lashes on the side you sleep on, and the lashes on the corners of your eyes. Wear and tear will also play a big role on how long they last like – sleeping, rubbing, crying, washing, swimming, make-up and environmental factors. If you shed more a lot of lashes in the first week, please contact me and I can trouble shoot. Before making the call, first consider any products that you have used on your face, the natural oiliness of your skin can also play a role in lash retention.
 
Don’t use oil based products around your eyes as it will impact the effectiveness of the glue and use make up gently around your eyes.
 
The In-fills
 
Your first Mojo Beauty Lash In-fills should be approximately 3 weeks following your first set of eyelash extensions. After that you’ll be able to determine how often your lashes need filling. Some can wait 5 weeks while others need and infill more regularly. You must have no less than 30% of the extensions left when coming for a lash infill. If you expect that you will have less lash extensions left, we need to set aside more time to give you a full set of lashes again. I recommend booking your in-fills directly after your first appointment. You’ll make sure you get a suitable time since I tend to book out.
 
Clean your eyes before your appointment to get rid of oils, fats and grease that may have been caught in your lashes. Don’t worry about lashes falling out as the loose lashes will need to be removed when you come for your in-fills anyway.
 
I put a lot of time, skill and energy into my Mojo Lash Extension Masterpieces. We discuss what length and shape you desire and would be appropriate for your lifestyle and eye shape. You can trust me to do the best lash extension treatment with long lasting retention.
 
Nik @ Mojo Beauty