Beauty & Fitness
New Barre Class at Studio Logic
Studio Body Logic Classes
Barre Body Classes at Studio Body Logic
Two locations: Del Ray and Ballston
for class times and online registration
Questions? Call 703.527.9626
A New Face – Best Skincare in Alexandria
A lovely lady in her sixties recently told me she that she had had a face lift and if she could do it all over again she would have started taking better care of her skin and doing treatments when she was in her thirties — so that she could age “gracefully” over the years instead of going through the major surgery. Twenty years ago there weren’t many reasonable options available but now we have all kind of technology and innovation to help us age gracefully.
I wanted to look into some different options from high quality skin care to lasers so spoke with a few Alexandria experts.
Rodan & Fields
Rodan & Fields is the latest craze in at-home skin care. Formulated by the dermatologists behind Proactive, R&F is sold by local consultants. I spoke with Layton Griffin, the top Rodan & Fields specialist in Alexandria.
Layton’s favorite is the ANTI-AGE Regimen. It layers powerful cosmetic ingredients and proven peptide technology to visibly firm skin and reduce the appearance of line, wrinkles and enlarged pores.
“The overnight cream is amazing and leaves my skin feeling so smooth and hydrated in the morning.” She also adds the Anti-Age eye cream to her daily regimen, which has optical brighteners for immediate results while it works on dark circles and elasticity.
“The most popular trend we’re seeing is the AMP MD Roller. It’s the only thing like it on the market, and the closest thing to it requires a trip to the dermatologist,” explained Layton. It’s a little blue plastic roller with 192 acupuncture grade needles on it that you roll all over your face and neck in the evening before popping open a serum capsule and spreading the magic liquid all over. “It feels like a cat’s tongue, so it’s not scary, but what you’re essentially doing is creating millions of little micro-channels in your skin and allowing the serum to penetrate much deeper into your dermis than it would if you just applied it topically.
In clinical tests the results are 500 times better than just using the product without the roller. The doctors are even seeing better results over time and continued use from their patients using the roller than they are from their Botox patients.
Layton highly recommends the REVERSE line which is resulting in the most dramatic changes. ” It’s the regimen designed for sun damaged skin, and people are seeing sun spots and freckles that have been there for years literally erased!
Rodan & Fields Specialist, Layton Griffin
For More information about Rodan & Fields contact Layton Griffin
layton.griffin@gmail.com
Wesbite
202.255.3403
Alexandria Associates in Dermatology
Alexanria Dermatology Associates
If you’re looking for something more aggressive you may want to make an appointment with Alexandria Associates in Dermatology – Dr. Simpson and Dr. Bray. In addition to standard dermatological care, AAID provides a whole host of cosmetic dermatological options including injectables and lasers.
Their most popular treatment combo involves Botox or Dysport and topical products such as Obagi Nu-Derm and Refizza. Refissa is a prescription-strength topical tretinoin cream that is clinically proven to reduce fine facial lines and hyper-pigmentation. Its pricey at over $100 a tube but its one of the only topical treatment s proven to minimize fine lines.
They also have offer fillers like Restylane and Perlane and powerful V-Beam lasers that can take care of everything from rosacea to spider veins. There are a number of different treatments and they are all performed by doctors.
Izalia
posh reception area
Now if you are looking for some serious treatments in an elegant, private environment you must try Izalia. A posh boutique style spa, Izalia specializes in laser hair removal and sublative skin rejuvenation. The spa is warm and beautifully decorated. They offer clients Italian sodas and a seat at the antique bar to chat before sessions.
Izalia offers all kinds of skin treatments from laser hair removal to micro dermabrasian. One of the most popular, Sublative Rejuvenation, is considered the “non-surgical face lift.” Unlike botox and fillers, Sublative works from the inside out and helps stimulate cell regrowth. Sublative is clinically proven to treat fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and stretch marks, textural irregularities caused by excessive sun exposure, and skin tightening.
- I had the opportunity to look at some of the before and after photos and it really is amazing. Many of them look like they look like they have had surgery. Izalia also offers laser hair removal for anywhere on the body you can imagine. Other than the obvious places you can also remove hair on places like your arms or the back of your neck to clean up the hairline.
- Izalia is located at 114 S. Patrick Street, Suite 1 , Alexandria 703-549-0911
If you know of other great places for skin care, treatments and services
I’d love to hear about them
Time To Get Fit
Setting fitness goals and accomplishing them can be difficult on your own. That’s why exercising with a friend or linking up with a skilled personal trainer can be paramount to your success. I’ve explored lots of fitness options in Alexandria and here is what I recommend.
Photo via Urban Body Works
Urban Body Works
This posh boutique personal training studio specializes in training women. The owners/trainers, husband and wife team, Casey Purpus and Shaun Shepard, are passionate about what they do and have over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. Originally from LA and San Diego they’ve been training clients of all ages and ability in Old Town for 15 years. They really listen to their clients’ needs to create a personalized training program. They even take care of the little details like a customized workout play list and water bottles chilled at exactly the right temperature for training ( not too cold).
Having participated in different fitness programs and gyms what struck me the most about Casey and Shaun was how down to earth they are. They are experienced and understanding– real people and professionals who care about the people they are training. It’s a completely different experience than training with the 20 year-old part-time trainer at Golds who got into the business primarily to meet girls.
I did an assessment and a training session at Urban Body Works. Shaun did the assessment and afterwards sat down and talked with me about my goals. She was honest and provided helpful advice and suggestions. During the training session they showed me several cool exercises I’d never seen before. Casey emphasizes the importance of technique over the amount of weight for maximum results and avoiding injury. Their equipment is absolutely state-of-the-art with some machines, like the Power Plate, that are all the rage on the West coast but can’t be found anywhere else around here.
This energetic duo is full of inspirational advice and tidbits. One I found particularly helpful is, “You are only one meal and one workout away from getting back on track.”
If you are looking to get back on track and like the idea of a private training studio I highly recommend Urban Body Works. Its a supportive, non-intimidating environment for women and they have experience training everyone from athletes to disabled children.
Urban Body Works (703) 838-3618
Its Helps to Run with a Group
Pacers Running Programs
As far as cardio goes nothing does it for me like running. Like many people I prefer to run with others because it pushes me to run faster and longer than I would on my own and the conversation takes my mind off the fact that I’m running which actually makes it enjoyable.
I’ve searched for a number of running groups in Alexandria and the one I like best is Pacers. They offer many different options for their fun runs and track workouts including morning and evening times. There are several different meeting spots so its easy to find one close to home or work. The fun runs are free of charge. In the summer they organize informal races through Crystal City on Fridays. In addition they offer more formalized coached training programs for runners of all levels year-round.
Via Insanity Website
Insanity
If you are looking for the world’s best workout video you have to try Insanity with Shaun T. If you aren’t familiar with it, Insanity has a following similar to P90X but the workouts are shorter and require no weights or equipment.
This video series saved me during the blizzards of 2010 when I couldn’t leave the house for 2 weeks. Yes the infomercials are cheezy but the workout is fantastic. Insanity is an extremely tough workout that you can do with no equipment in a pretty small space. You will be drenched with sweat and worked to exhaustion by the end. The videos include shorter (38 min workouts) for the first month and longer (55-60 min workouts) for the second month. If you really follow the program and their eating plan you will see dramatic results by the end of 60 days.
While my results would have been better if I had followed the eating plan I did see pretty significant results. After you complete the 60 day challenge these are great videos to just pop in when you want a challenging workout and don’t have time to leave the house.
Pre-Race Dinner
What’s the best part about racing? I don’t know about you, but I love the loading up on carbs the night before my long runs and races. As someone who normally tries to avoid pasta I really love the pre-race indulgence.
The Army Ten Miler is tomorrow and the Marine Corps Marathon is in two weeks. Here are my suggestions for a nice big pasta meal.
Il Porto – This place has been around forever and is a standard for classic Italian pasta dishes from ravioli to fettuccine. they are all good and I think the pasta is house-made. You can also order an entree with a side of any of their pastas. This is great for getting in protein and carbs.
Geranio – One of my personal favorites for any occasion. I think Geranio is an Old Town gem- wonderful food at reasonable prices. Beautiful pastas and other dishes. We’ve done several family dinners here (family meaning extended not toddler). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- the lobster risotto is unbelievable.
Landini Brothers – Nicely done pasta. The dishes here a little more refined (for example you may not find spaghetti with meatballs) but if you like seafood and veal this is a safe bet. An excellent Old Town standard.
A la Lucia - A varied menu with several pasta dishes and other entrees. Its off the beaten path so parking is easy.
Trident Crossfit
If you’re ready to kick your work-outs into high gear check out CrossFit. It’s a complete conditioning program for everyone from the beginner to the elite. The workouts include moves used by police academy programs, tactical ops teams and military special ops units.
I had heard a lot of buzz about CrossFit and after trying out a couple of other CrossFit gyms decided to train with Trident CrossFit near Delray in Alexandria. The atmosphere is supportive and encouraging to people of all levels. I did the early morning classes which was made up people from their 20s to their 60s and of all ability levels. The co-founders are former Navy Seal, Chris Smith, and former competitive gymnast, Andrea Seward, and they have a team of excellent coaches from Green Berets to moms of young kids.
I have to tell you these coaches are great and when you are a beginner they devote all the time necessary to making sure you are able to do the workout safely and effectively. Also if you are a beginner you won’t feel self-conscious here. Everyone is doing the workout at their own pace and there is no focus on who is doing what. Everyone is doing the same routine but at different paces so there is no embarrassment if you are slower than others. Also people are so focused on their own workout that nobody pays attention to what anyone else is doing. They scale the workout to you based on your ability and make sure that you get a good workout at the right pace without getting hurt. Its like having a personal trainer.
The workouts are intense but brief (sometimes only 20 minutes!) They typically involve lifting weights and doing moves like push-ups, ring pull-ups, sit-ups and burpees. Again, the key is that the workouts are totally scalable so you will see a Marine doing the same exercises as a total beginner.
Trident offers early morning, late morning, mid-day, evening and weekend classes. What’s great is that if you have a flexible schedule and miss the early morning class you can still make the late morning or mid-day (if evenings don’t work for you).
2504 Oakville Street Alexandria VA 22301 (240) 230-7705
Pacer’s Fun Run Group Alexandria
I’ve been a runner for over half my life and I’ve found that running with others make it easier and more enjoyable. There are numerous running groups in the area but Pacers works best for me. In addition to personalized training programs Pacers organizes early morning fun runs (some start at 5am and others at 5:30)from several locations such as Old Town, Pentagon Row, Rosslyn, Logan Circle, Fairfax and Silver Spring. The Old Town run begins at 5am which is a tad early for me so I opt for Pentagon Row at 5:30. It seems early but once you get into the habit of waking up at this time its nice because you can fit in a great run and be home before anyone else in your house wakes up.
1301 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-1463
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