New beauty therapies for a waxing therapist

I know that I haven't blogged in a while but I have been very busy (that is until the snow came and all my clients disappeared but that's another story!)

Until I was left twiddling my thumbs this week, I have been deciding what other beauty therapies to offer my clients alongside what I offer from my home in Woking Surrey already:  shiatsu massage, swedish massage, indian head massage, sports massage, hot waxing and strip waxing.

I have been training in facials, have completed the practical courses and I am now half-way through doing half a dozen free facials to prove that I can actually do it! Oh and then there is the paperwork. Oh how I hate paperwork.

So anyway, back to this snowy weather and my lack of clients; everyone stays at home unless they have to go out. I have taken this quiet period to get a plumber round and he is now half-way through installing a sink in my therapy room; I need the water so that I can do facials without running into the kitchen every two minutes!

So let's hope I get busy again very soon...

How to get more male waxing customers

As the economy doesn't look like it is going to pick up anytime soon, maybe - like me - you are looking for help to increase the number of people coming to your massage or male waxing business

This is the first of a few blogs about how to get more massage, waxing and beauty therapy customers coming through your doors

First of all - do you know the difference between Marketing & Advertising?

It's important to understand the difference between marketing your practice and advertising it. Often many people don't know the difference but it will help you a lot if you do

You could say that advertising is a "non-personal announcement of your products and services through a platform or sponsor to their existing audience". So that means a listing on a massage internet directory or distributing leaflets for your male waxing business in Woking.

That's the easy bit and can be done on a day-to-day basis.

For marketingyou neeed more of  a long-term strategy. Marketing is "a plan  which is carried out in a methodical manner. Here you are trying to strategise in an organised way, price your products - maybe with discounts and promotions -  to create and maintain relationships to achieve what you want."

In non-marketing speak, that means you bring sellers and buyers together so that the customer buys your product or service and the supplier sells their services or products.

More soon...

Daniel
http://www.danielbeauty.co.uk/

How to cure neck pain

Do you have a pain in the neck? And I am not talking about your wife/husband/parnter!

The cause of the pain - and the type of neck pain - will vary for each person. If you sit at a computer all day, this can put pressure on your neck; it's one of the most common causes of neck pain.


If your neck pain is caused by stress you should consider making changes to your lifestyle to reduce the pressure on the area.

There are several alternative therapies that can help; you could consider body work therapies like swedish massage, indian head massage and shiatsu massage.

Daniel
http://www.danielbeauty.co.uk/

Are you stressed? Massage can help!

Are you often Irritable? Angry? Depressed? Or can't sleep?


Are you often jealous or have you withdrawn from your friends? Do you always  put yourself down or have a tendency to cry a lot?

If you have answered yes to any of these, then you may be stressed.

It's impossible to go through life without being stressed at some time or another. The most stressful events in our lives are, in the main, unavoidable. They include getting married, the death of a loved one, moving home, getting divorced and changing jobs.



But even if  you are not going through one of those life-changing events, most people feel stress at some time.
And if you are stressed for a long time, this can cause significant problems. Long-term stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.



The way we live our lives these days means there is a lot of pressure on us and we all deal with this pressure differently; having a massage is an excellent way of de-stressing.   

As well as Swedish Massage (with oils) I also offer Shiatsu Massage, Sports Massage and Indian Head Massage.

Daniel
http://www.danielbeauty.co.uk/

How a massage can help your headaches

Do you suffer from headaches? Most headaches are far from serious and, within a few hours, will go on their own. But if you find that you have severe headaches or regular headaches, you should consider going to your GP. He or she will be able to offer advice and rule out more serious problems.

A headache describes any pain that you feel in the head and neck area. There are a very many causes of headaches. The main ones are stress and tension. Headaches can also be caused because of dehydration and pressure on your blood vessels.

If you would like to have help with treating your headaches, you may find that having an Indian head massage can help.

After having an Indian head massage, you will have a greater feeling of tranquility and balance. As well as headaches, back pain, insomnia and eye strain are reduced.


Daniel
http://www.danielbeauty.co.uk/

How massage can help with back pain

One of the most common problems that people suffer from is back pain.

Very easily back pain can develop into a chronic problem. Unfortunately there is little that conventional medicine can do to help you.

Back pain is caused by tension in your muscles or tension in your muscles; it can happen anywhere along your spine.

And if you drive all day or sit in an office all day you are more prone to develop these problems. Normally this happens when you keep your back tense. This means your muscles are tight and therefore don't relax.

If your back pain felt becomes chronic it can make it difficult for you to move.

There is good news though: often this can be solved by doing the right exercises or by using relaxation techniques like yoga. And I should know as I do them every day!

Some of the other therapies which you could look at include massage, acupuncture, acupressure, osteopathy, reflexology or pilates.

If your back pain is stress-related, then you should have a therapy that will help you relax. Sometimes relieving stress removes the back pain. And having a massage is ideal for this.

Daniel
http://www.danielmassage.co.uk/

No cheques please I'm a Male Waxing Therapist

I am a trusting sort of guy. Sometimes I am too trusting for my own good.


Unfortunately it takes only one person to destroy that trust. And that person is being named and shamed today. He is Stephen Stickland of Odiham in Hampshire.

I used to happily accept cheques from clients who visit my male waxing and massage business in Woking. But no longer.

Not only did the named individual give me a cheque which bounced - three times - but he also gave me a cheque drawn on a closed account. How he managed to keep hold of his cheque book when he closed the account, I don't know. Why Surrey Police are not interested in pursuing this case of fraud, I don't understand.

So sorry I don't take cheques now.

I am a trusting sort of guy. Sometimes I am too trusting for my own good. But no longer.

Daniel
http://www.danielbeauty.co.uk/

Male Waxing Therapist does his own marketing

Earlier this week I got yet another cold call from someone who had got my details from my listing on one of these free massage, beauty therapy or male waxing directories.

It was the usual gambit: So how is it going on that site, Daniel? Are you getting enough business from that listing, Daniel? Of course the answer which you are being pushed into here is "no". (Why do these people always use your name all the time?!)

And then of course the cold caller was well into her stride, how they "work in partnership with Google" and 90 per cent of all search enquiries are made on Google, how they can get my website onto page one. Blah Blah blah. I have heard it all a dozen times before. Normally I just hang up. But this day she caught me with a quiet five minutes and I indulged her.

All these people want to do is to manage your Google Adwords campaign, choose the correct words and key phrases to help your website get found and then charge you a fortune for it. I run a massage and male waxing business. How difficult can it be to work out which words someone looking for massage or male waxing would put into a search engine? How about "masssage" or "male waxing"?

In fact, if you use Google Trends you can work out for yourself which words to use. Which gets more hits: "swedish massage" or "sports masssage" Use Google Trends to find out.

Anyway, back to this nuisance cold caller. I told her that I do my own marketing, manage my own Google Adwords, do my own Search Engine Optimisation and I am listed at the top of page one on Google for "massage surrey". She didn't believe me and checked online there and then. That got rid of her pretty quickly as she agreed that there was nothing she could do for me.

And for once I didn't have to hang up on a cold caller.

Why my male waxing and massage business is cash only

I am a trusting sort of guy. Sometimes I am too trusting for my own good.
Unfortunately it takes only one person to destroy that trust. And that person is being named and shamed today. He is Stephen Stickland of Odiham in Hampshire.
I used to happily accept cheques from clients who visit my male waxing and massage business in Woking. But no longer.
Not only did the named individual give me a cheque which bounced but he also gave me a cheque drawn on a closed account. How he managed to keep hold of his cheque book when he closed the account, I don't know. Why Surrey Police are not interested in pursuing this case of fraud against a self-employed massage therapist, I don't understand.
So sorry I don't take cheques now. Cash only.
I am a trusting sort of guy. Sometimes I am too trusting for my own good. But no longer.

A Male Waxing Client on the Telly

Having been running my massage business for a couple of years - and doing very well with it - I decided to offer waxing as well.

A colleague had suggested that it would complement the massage therapy business nicely. Afer a couple of waxing courses (body waxing and then intimate male waxing) and practising on my partner and several friends, it is going surprisingly well.

Some people come for a back and shoulders, others for the infamous BS&C and a few for full-body waxings (including a couple of young men who were off on a stag night; others just wanted to show off their bodies during the summer holidays.)

But the other day I had a call from a man who was being PAID to having a full body wax. He was a bit nervous, apprehensive and not wanting to be removed of all his hair at all! You see he was about to film a television commercial and is being well rewarded for it. Apparently he will have his body painted and will appear in an advert during the Christmas period.

I don't know if I will recognise him on the tellybox when he does appear and I doubt very much if he will be a repeat customer but it's rewarding to know that my handiwork will be seen my millions.

I also offer Male Waxing

Did you also know that - as well as offering Shiatsu massage, Swedish Massage, Indian head massage and Sports Massage (now that I am qualified) I offer the surprisingly popular service of hair removal by waxing.

There are two types of male waxing I can offer you. One is for your body parts (legs, back etc) and the other for, well, shall we say, the more -ahem - intimate areas of your body:

Warm waxing (strip waxing) is used for your legs, arms, bikini-line back and chest. Warm waxing is the most popular method as it removes hairs quickly and efficiently. It can be used on larger areas and is suitable for most hair types. I will put the warm wax on your skin in a very thin layer using a special new dispenser. Then I will use a fabric strip, pressed onto the waxed area and remove it as quickly as possible.


And then there is Hot Waxing (hard waxing) which is normally used for - down below - that is Brazilian and Hollywood waxes. I will put hot wax on your skin with a spatula. As the wax cools it hardens and it contracts around your hair. I will then pull it off your skin quickly and - this is the important thing -  the hair removed from the root.

And because the hair is removed from the root, rather than shaving which doesn't remove it - the lovely effect lasts for up to 6 weeks.

So does it hurt? I will use my special numbing cream before hand so probably not as much as you think it might. And if you come regularly for waxing treatments, the hair - when it does grow back - is much finer than before and is therefore less painful when it is pulled out. And each subsequent treatment becomes less and less painful. Easy eh?

What is Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a bodywork technique aimed specifically at people who take regular exercise or engage in a professional sport. It can help competitors to recover from competing; it can even help prevent you getting injured in the first place. The way in which the massage is carried out and the pressure that is applied will depend on the muscle being treated and what effect you want to achieve. Quite often a sports person will have a massage pre-event and afterwards as well to make sure that they keep their body in tip-top condition.


But it is important to note that you do not need to be a professional athlete to benefit from a sports massage. If you like to keep yourself in shape and exercise on a regular basis then you could find a sports massage beneficial from time to time. Many people could also get some benefits from sports massage. Some of the conditions that sports massage could help include muscle pain and stiffness, muscle strain, muscle tension, sore spots, repetitive strain injuries, oedema (swelling), muscle soreness, muscle sprains and tendinitis.

Uniforms for a Massage Therapist

How difficult is it to get made-to-measure uniform for my hair removal by waxing and massage business in Surrey?


Here is a copy of a complaint letter to Inline London - bizarely based in Guildford, Surrey. Let's hope for a swift and satisfactory conclusion

"Dear Sir

I am absolutely appalled by the service which I have received from your company.

As a self-employed Massage Therapist, during a recent visit to an exhibition in London I visited your stand and was measured by one of your representatives for a a new brown tunic and matching trousers.

Eventually this arrived by post. The top was fine but the trousers were waist 34" (I am waist 30"); they were also 8 centimetres too long. I therefore returned the trousers (at my own cost), asking how these could have possibly been made to measure and pointing out that they were the wrong size.

A month and several phone calls later, I have now received a size 32" trousers which are still too long and too big in the waist. While I appreciate your policy on returns for made-to-measure clothing, my point - which I cannot get through to your employees - is that these trousers were NOT made to MY measurements.

The trousers are not "as described" or "fit for purpose" and therefore your company is in breach of the Sales of Goods Act 1979. Please either supply me with trousers that fit or refund me for the trousers, the postage and the tunic (which is no good on its own) within 14 days."

Indian head massage

Indian head massage is based on many of the principles of ayurvedic medicine which has been practised in India for thousands of years. Just like other massage therapies, the aim of Indian head massage is to release the tension and stress in the head, neck and face.


The benefits of Indian head massage are similar to other forms of massage; you will experience a reduction in tension, feel more relaxed and balanced as well as have your blood circulation and lymphatic flow improved.

As toxins are released from your body after this treatment, it is important to drink a lot of water afterwards to flush them out of your body. The main health conditions that can be improved due to this therapy are stress, tension, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, migraine and sinusitis.

You may also consider waxing by hair removal as a treatment at the same time.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a form of deep tissue massage that involves applying hot stones to the body during the massage. The heated stones are applied to change the temperature of the body. This therapy has been seen in many cultures including native America.


A hot stone massage is quite similar to other forms of massage but the hot stones are used to do the work rather than the hands of the massage therapist. As with other forms of massage there are many health benefits to this treatment; they include an improved circulatory system and softened, relaxed muscles.Toxins are released from the muscles and it gives you a sense of peace. The illnesses that can be treated include stress, anxiety, tension headaches, migraines, back pain, neck pain and general muscle pain.

Daniel Bester is a massage therapist and also offers intimate male waxing services.

What is Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage - or holistic massaage - is a full body massage therapy and I, as your massage therapist, will use grapeseed oil. This is by far the most popular form of massage in the UK.


There are 5 main techniques that are used during a session:

Effleurage – this is the most common stroke which involves a gliding, stroking movement across the muscles. It is used to warm up the muscles.

Petrissage – a kneading technique where I work your skin in a similar way to dough; it's aim its to release tension from the muscles.

Friction – this is pressure stroke and works on a deeper level than the other techniques.

Vibration – this is where I will use my hands or fingers to vibrate the flesh in certain areas. This removes tension in specific areas.

Tapotement – this is a very quick choppy movement on certain areas of the body and stimulates and tones the body. This may be too strong for some people and other will find it invigorating.

The use of Swedish massage can be very beneficial to many people as it uses a variety of techniques. On a physical level, it can help release tension from muscles, relieve muscle cramps and spasms, increase the range of motion and improve the strength of your muscles.

It can also calm the nervous system, improve blood circulation and make your skin firmer. Swedish massage can relieve the symptoms of asthma, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic and acute pain syndromes, myofacial pain, headache, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and athletic injuries.

Swedish massage can also help you relax and improve the quality of your sleep. It can also improve your levels of concentration.

The specific conditions which Swedish massage can help are: stress, anxiety and depression.

(You cannot have a massage and a waxing on the same day).

What is Shiatsu Massage?

So how does Shiatsu differ from Swedish Massage? (which is by far the most popular form of masssage in the UK) Well it's so very different. For a start, shiatsu massage doesn't involve covering you in hot oil.


Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage; it includes a number of other techniques that include Amma, acupressure, massage and stretching. Shiatsu is a holistic treatment because it aims to treat the whole person and not just the condition. It uses the concept of Ki which is the same as the Chinese Chi: that energy flows through the body and illnesses are caused by blockages in the flow of this energy. The therapy works by massaging the body along meridian lines or applying pressure and acupressure points in the body. By doing this, the energy in the body will be able to flow freely and the healing process will begin.

People who have a Shiatsu Massage will usually experience reduced levels of stress as well as improved circulation and a stronger immune system. It has also been shown that Shiatsu can be very useful for relieving nausea, as well as helping to reduce chronic pain - particularly in the back and neck. Other conditions that Shiatsu Massage is thought to be beneficial for include diarrhoea, indigestion, constipation, and other disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract; menstrual and menopausal problems; chronic pain; migraine; arthritis; toothache; anxiety; and depression. Oh and it's also more relaxing than you might think.

Shiatsu Massage is just one of the treatments (alongside Swedish Massage, Indian head massage and Sports Massage) - and hair removal by waxing - that I offer from my home in Woking Surrey.

What is deep tissue massage?

I am often asked about the various forms of massage, and how they differ from each other.

Well here is a start..

Deep tissue massage is a form of massage that works on the deep layers of the muscle tissue. The aim of the therapy is to release deep-seated tension from the muscles. It will generally use slower more focused strokes then other types of massage. As it focuses on specific areas and can be quite hard, the client can often feel pain the day after the massage but you will feel much better within a couple of days.


Deep tissue massage will release a lot of toxins that are blocked in the muscles and causing the tension. For that reason it is important to drink a lot of water after the therapy in order to clear the toxins out of your system.

There are many conditions that can benefit from deep tissue massage and they include chronic pain, limited mobility, recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, and sports injury), repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, postural problems, osteoarthritis pain, fibromyalgia, muscle tension or spasm.

Deep Tissue Massage - or Sports Massage - is just one of the therapies  - alongside hair removal - that I offer from my home in Woking, Surrey.

Wise words for the massage business

Wise words for the massage business - or any business for that matter. I can't remember where I found this or who wrote it.

It is unwise to pay too much but it’s unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much you lose a little money that is all.
When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was not capable of doing the thing you bought it to do.
The common law of business prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.
It can’t be done.
If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run.
And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better