By Susan Sagar-House

Having recently completing a colour therapy course with the School of Natural Health Sciences and being totally captivated by it, I was delighted to discover how much value I could add to my existing beauty therapy business without detracting from practicing colour therapy as a separate entity.

At present, the market for beauty therapy continues to expand worldwide. In St Germain-en-Laye, the largest shopping area, west of Paris, France, it has exploded to the point of saturation. With the combination of impossible parking, exorbitant overheads, expensive treatments, products, and stiff
competition, it thrives! It will be curious to see how many salons survive the next twelve months. The amount of salons, however, re-iterates the high demand for such therapy. The way to stay afloat is not only to give excellent service with the personal touch but also to be aware of the latest trends, associated therapies and to offer something different. Colour Therapy could not have come along at a better time for my business.

Both Therapies, in fact, go back to the ancient cultures, e.g. the Egyptians used colour therapy, sunlight (the colour spectrum) to aid healing, and beauty therapy to enhance a women's charms. Women were obsessed with beauty to the point of wearing crushed beetles for a particular lip colour. Methods
of hair removal from bodily parts distinguished the rich from the poor, e.g. amber wax was used by the affluent and a sugar preparation for the less affluent. Both methods are still practiced today, without social stigma, at about the same price.

World wide, millions of pounds and dollars have been made, and millions have been re-invested on continued research and development for new trends, products, treatments, sales and marketing. Beauty therapy is without question, established and here to stay. It is one of the reasons that so many other
treatments from other therapies, some of which are also classified as `alternative' therapies, appear on the beauty therapy treatment list of services, e.g. Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage and  La Stone Therapy; in addition to the original beauty therapy treatments.

Colour therapy on the other hand, remains (apart from the enlightened minority) one of the world's best kept secrets. Perhaps one of the reasons for it's revival is because of the technique called Kirlian photography which produces photos showing the energy field around objects. The energy field also known as the Aura plays a vital role in colour therapy. Another reason, possibly corresponds to the recognition of *Dr Norman E. Rosenthal's work on `Seasonal Affective Disorder' (SAD) named in 1981. SAD is a winter condition brought on by sunlight deprivation. The high levels of melatonin hormone, released by the pineal gland causes behavioural disorders, depression and increased appetite. The treatment involves exposure to a light box, using the full colour spectrum bulb. SAD is one of many conditions which can be treated with the use of colour therapy. Other examples include: nervous exhaustion, low self esteem, varicose veins and asthma, etc.

Colour Therapy can be practiced as an individual therapy or combined  to enhance other therapies, e.g. Beauty Therapy, Crystal Therapy, Reflexology and Kinesiology.  Despite the amount of books written on the subject, and articles appearing in general and professional magazines and the extensive information and self help available on the Internet, colour therapy still remains a mystery to many people. It's future is uncertain but without doubt the subject holds enormous interest and potential.

COMBINING COLOUR THERAPY AND BEAUTY THERAPY

Before combining two therapies, approaches, similarities and differences must be taken into account. The treatments need to relate to enhance whichever therapy is being used e.g. Waxing is a beauty therapy treatment. After the wax and hairs have been removed from the skin, a lotion is applied, to cool and moisturise the area. For allergies, ice cubes are an option when used with care, otherwise they can stick to and burn the skin. The better choice is to use Blue Solar Water, colour therapy, which has cooling,
cleansing and antiseptic potential. Examples of treatments from both therapies follow:

Colour Therapy, Affirmations; Art and Music Therapy; Chromotherapy; Colour Diet and Solarised Water; Colour Silks and Clothes; Colour Reflexology; Computer interaction; Crystal treatments; Fragrance (essential oils); Interior Decoration; Meditation, Breathing and Visualisation.

Beauty Therapy Body Scrub; Eye Brow/Lash Tinting; Facials; Hair removal; Image Consultancy;
Make-up and Artistry; Manicure; Pedicure; Weight Problems; Indian Head Massage.    

Of the above treatments, there are three beauty therapy treatments that would be better combined with colour therapy, i.e.
1. Weight Reduction.
2. Pedicure.
3. Image Consultancy and Makeup.

1.Weight reduction ~ Beauty therapy approach - consists of dietary advice based on portion
control of a well balanced diet, comprising three meals a day, consisting of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, roughage; minimum sugar and salt; approximately eight glasses of water and minimal alcohol. Promoting natural ways to prevent constipation and/or sluggish digestion, i.e. through diet, e.g. roughage and hydration; and exercise. Improving life style through activities, and suitable exercise, i.e.
dancing, swimming. Use of cellulite creams or gels with massage gloves, or special belts and
machinery. Use of beauty treatments and counselling to improve self esteem and image.

Colour therapy approach - consists of dietary advice in relation the Yin/Yang principal, i.e. eating the appropriate coloured ray foods that provide the balance between salt and sugar to stop cravings which lead to excessive weight gain. Minimise salt and sugar. Treatments include exposure to violet light and drinking yellow solar water before meals to suppress the appetite, prevent constipation and increase circulation. Green ray foods help to provide balance and prevent binging. Affirmations said with yellow
in mind first thing in the morning and on retiring at night, provide extra conviction to positive thoughts. Counselling objectives centre around taking control and boosting self esteem. By combining both approaches, the client receives a different perspective, promoting higher levels of interest and motivation, leading to greater chance of success.

2. Pedicure ~ Professional pedicures are usually given by a Chiropodist or trained Aesthetician. The Chiropodist deals with feet that are affected by medical conditions, e.g. diabetics, deformities and other problems such as: verrucae, fungal infections, corns or thickened nails. The pedicure is simple, correctional and given out of necessity. Beauty pedicures are an option for normal feet with slight irregularities. The treatment includes, cleansing, removal of dead skin, softening moisturising, nail care and polish. When using the Reflexology spa, it becomes a luxury treatment. How does one then improve on such bliss?  Simply by using a little colour Reflexology. By rubbing yellow oil over the solar plexus area of the foot, colour energy travels to the solar plexus where it's dispersed to needy areas of the body. To tone all the glands and organs, apply pressure to the seven chakra points while massaging the foot, (foot massage is not
compulsory in the beauty pedicure). The therapeutic effects of foot massage, e.g. improved circulation will make the ultimate difference. 

3. Image Consultancy (clothes aspect) and Make-up ~ Image Consultancy and Make-up are specialist areas. However, it is not difficult to combine related aspects of colour therapy because each area
uses the seasons as a reference point or theme. The seasons influence the way we feel, the foods we eat, the clothes we wear and our need for different colours throughout the year, e.g. black more of a winter colour because it absorbs heat, white reflects it. Fashion exerts strong influences but it is not always reliable because trends and colours change frequently and many of them often don't suit people or their age.

Clothing is usually discussed in terms of styles, fabrics and colour. All of which reflect the individual's personality. Style relates to climate, body shape and age. Understanding the benefits of wearing natural fibres can influence the choice of fabric, e.g. the skin is able to breathe and colour energy is absorbed through them.

Many people, especially women, have a problem choosing the right colours, even with the seasonal colours as a guide. An alternative is to learn about  colours, their benefits and associations e.g. you choose the colour you think you need for each day, e.g. the need to impact and influence - wear yellow because it's a lively colour which stands out. Yellow supports, good ideas, communications and stimulates the mind. When helping to create an image, linking the personality to a season is useful because the concept is
credible and easy to follow, e.g. Spring personality: traits - positive, energetic, scatty, bright, friendly and impulsive. Colours - corals and greens.

Make-up relates to occasion, personality and choice of clothes. If you get the colour combination right you are two thirds of the way there. Make-up application is a skill which needs practice to make perfect.

With the examples above, you can see how therapies can be mixed. There is a great deal of interest in alternative therapies but there is still a lot of skepticism and ignorance. Beauty therapy can make colour therapy more acceptable by association. After all, most therapies impact on the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual levels for the purpose of achieving good physical and mental health for well being.

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE IS GOOD FOR MOST THERAPIES

Indian Head massage is an experience of it's own. It provides instant relief from tension in the head, neck and shoulders while promoting healthy hair and growth. All systems benefit from the stimulation of the massage because the brain is the centre of the nervous system. Other benefits include: relief from emotional stress, fatigue and irritability; improved concentration and sleep. Increased circulation, facilitating rapid
distribution of hormones effecting metabolism, growth, balance and removal of toxins and waste products which relieve sluggishness and headaches.

The Main Advantages of Indian Head Massage are:

-It is a transportable treatment that can be practiced in most places.
-It takes approximately 30 - 40 minutes.
-It can be given in place of a full body massage.
-It is excellent for demonstrations because the client remains fully clothed.

Some of the techniques used in Indian Head Massage can be integrated into a Classic Facial Massage, e.g. massage of the whole head, tapping, gentle hair pulling, pressure on the marmas and chakras and squeezing. The combination is clearly more superior because the client goes into deep relaxation. This
is probably why so many Beauty Salons offer it as a treatment. Indian Head Massage works well with most therapies. The link to colour therapy is through the three chakras, i.e. the throat - blue; the third eye - indigo; and the crown - violet. Stimulation to each centre promotes colour energy flow that releases blockages causing negativity.

Despite my recent Indian Head Massage qualification, I have practiced head massage for over 25 years. Interesting enough, the Sri Lankan doctor, who I worked for as a nurse receptionist, back in the late 1970's, recommended 20 minute head massages in her surgery, to patients suffering from headaches,
stress or personal problems causing emotional distress. The treatment was not universally known or practiced at the time. I thought it was a much better approach than popping pills. I also learned about the value and importance of the power of touch.

COLOUR THERAPY ~ A CASE HISTORY

Sally (aged 9 years) came to her colour therapy appointment expecting a session of `fun with colours'. What Sally didn't know was that her mother had given me Sally's case history prior to the consultation to prevent the session from becoming too serious. According to Sally's mother, Sally was experiencing anxiety related to her inability to settle at her new school (family had recently moved to France) because of the aggression from some of the children in her class. Sally's other problem was that she was not as quick as the others when it came to answering verbal questions.

By the time Sally came, I was very uncertain about how it would go. I knew that I could provide a `fun experience' but I also knew that Sally's `anxious' mother had to attend because of insurance obligations. However, she had promised to stay in the background. Having given Sally's mother various beauty treatments, it was obvious that her own anxieties were tied in with Sally's. I decided to give the colour therapy as a joint session with the focus on Sally but to include Mum when ever I could. It didn't seem
right to push her into the corner with a cup of tea and a magazine.

Most of the client profile card had been filled in so I didn't need to formalise the consultation at the onset. It was likely that some of the information would be changed due my own conclusions based on body language, involvement, through interaction and observation. Before doing anything, I asked Sally why she thought she was there. The answer was to have fun and that Mum had promised her a special present. I also asked what she expected. Mum had already told her she was going to have a foot massage, nail polish
with stickers, magic light, computer stuff and painting.

We started the therapy by Sally choosing her two favourite colour cards, which happened to be indigo and light blue. We then went on to the Internet, pro-active colour site, and had fun clicking on to colours that she liked, i.e. blue and purple; and ones she disliked, i.e. pink. After that she clicked on to the Lusher Test (not knowing what it was, her summary was approx. 85% accurate in relation to her problems) and finally on to the `Stroop Affect', i.e. saying the colour of the words that flash on to the screen. The colour
and the word do not match so the brain has to cope with the conflicting information. I recommended that she repeated this exercise at home, to facilitate quick thinking. It was then time for her foot bath, foot and leg massage (focus on the solar plexus) and nail polish with stickers. Sally hated pink, so as a joke, I painted sparkly pink, nail polish and stuck two lilac and green flowers on her big toe nails. I told her that pink was a friendly colour that could help calm her down if she felt agitated. Sally looked at her toes and said that pink was not so bad after all.

The next part of the treatment included painting (art therapy). She chose water colours and using her imagination painted what constituted happy on one sheet and sad on the another. Both paintings were happy, even the sad painting had smiles. The only colour missing was yellow and there was minimal use of green, not so keen. When Sally was painting sad, I asked if there was anything in her life making her sad and she told me about the annoying kids. I showed her the breathing technique and asked her to imagine
being surrounded by a lovely white light that would protect her from them, the next time they bugged her. She liked that idea. I also asked her to drink yellow solar water or to wear something yellow when she knew she'd have to do some fast thinking at school.

The last treatment involved the use of irradiation, sound therapy, and fragrance. We picked peppermint essential oil, mixed it with water and lit the tea candle. While I  closed the shutters Sally changed into a white pair of pyjamas then eagerly leapt onto the beauty bed. I directed a green desk light to her chest area (for balance) and covered her eyes with cotton wool because she thought it was a cool thing to do (she wanted pieces of cucumber over her eyes). In the background we listened to the gentle sounds of `Au
fil de l'eau' (CD of natural water sounds, i.e. ocean, rain and waterfalls, etc.) When Sally had enough, it was time to wrap it up. Sally and her mother were thrilled by the experience.

While writing up my report I was rather pleased with how it went. There was no need to ask Sally too many questions during the therapy because I could see by her reactions and involvement that she did not have serious problems. Moving to a new country, new school, new friends, takes time and adjustment.
When I telephoned Sally's mother, I reassured her that her daughter was a delightful child who was eager, enthusiastic and highly receptive. It was obvious that Sally needed some order in her life (her painting was
influenced by the fear of spilling the water or making a mess). The reason why she may have been slow could be related to perfectionist traits, lack of confidence and age. Sally basically needed lots of stimulation to channel her natural intelligence and creativity. Sally's mother was satisfied with my opinion.

I was asked to provide Sally with a `fun experience' and that is exactly what I did!

Reference:

* Pauline Wills, 2000, `Colour Therapy', New Perspectives, Element Books

Colour Therapy ~ Promoting Awareness

Following 13 years of nursing ( Hospital and Surgery) and having successfully completed Colour Therapy;  Professional Relaxation Therapy and Indian Head Massage courses with the School of Natural Health Sciences, Susan Sagar-House is now self-employed, running her home based, Salon/Studio, S.H.E. (Sagar-House-Experience) which she opened in France in May 2003 serving mostly the International Community.

Sagar-House-Experience offers the following therapies: Beauty Therapy:  (21 years Experience), Colour Therapy, Indian Head Massage and Professional Relaxation Therapy.