What is Spa: February 2012

SWOT Analysis -- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

When conducting strategic planning for any company -- online and/or offline -- it is useful to complete an analysis that takes into account not only your own business, but your competitors' activities and current industry happenings as well. A SWOT is one such analysis.

Completing a SWOT analysis helps you identify ways to minimize the affect of weaknesses in your business while maximizing your strengths. Ideally, you will match your strengths against market opportunities that result from voids in your competitors' products and/or services.

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Traditionally, a SWOT confines strengths and weaknesses to your company's internal workings while opportunities and threats refer only to the external environment. Here, I suggest a twist to the "text book" approach. To get a better look at the big picture, consider both internal *and* external forces when uncovering opportunities and threats.

A Basic SWOT Analysis

You can develop the basic analysis in a brainstorming session with members of your company, or by yourself if you are a one-person shop. To begin the analysis create a four- cell grid or four lists, one for each component:

Then, begin filling in the lists.

Strengths. Think about what your company does well. Some questions to help you get started are: What makes you stand out from your competitors? What advantages do you have over other businesses?

Weaknesses. List the areas that are a struggle for your company. Some questions to help you get started are: What do your customers complain about? What are the unmet needs of your sales force?

Opportunities. Traditionally, a SWOT looks only at the external environment for opportunities. I suggest you look externally for areas your competitors are not fully covering, then go a step further and think how to match these to your internal strengths.

Try to uncover areas where your strengths are not being fully utilized. Are there emerging trends that fit with your company's strengths? Is there a product/service area that others have not yet covered?

Threats. As with opportunities, threats in a traditional SWOT analysis are considered an external force. By looking both inside and outside of your company for things that could damage your business, however, you may be better able to see the big picture.

Some questions to get you started: Are your competitors becoming stronger? Are there emerging trends that amplify one of your weaknesses? Do you see other external threats to your company's success? Internally, do you have financial, development, or other problems?

Expanded SWOT Analysis

You can take an additional step beyond a traditional "text book" SWOT analysis by delving deeper into industry dynamics. A more in-depth SWOT analysis can help you better understand your company's competitive situation.

One way to step beyond a traditional SWOT analysis is to include more detailed competitor information in the analysis. Note Internet-related activities such as trade organization participation, search engine inclusion, and outside links to the sites. This will better help you spot opportunities for and threats to your company.

You can also take a closer look at the business environment. Often, opportunities arise as a result of a changing business environment. Some examples are:

A new trend develops for which demand outstrips the supply of quality options. Early on, the trend toward healthy eating coupled with an insistence on good-tasting food produced a shortage of acceptable natural food alternatives, for example.

A customer segment is becoming more predominant, but their specific needs are not being fully met by your competitors. The U.S. Hispanic population experienced this phenomenon in the late 1990's and early 2000's.

A customer, competitor, or supplier goes out of business or merges with another company. With the demise of many pure- play "dot coms", examples of this abound. As each went out of business, opportunities arise to gain the defunct business' customers.

You can also expand the reach of a SWOT analysis through surveys. You can learn more about your own as well as competitor's sites and businesses. Areas to consider researching include 1) customer awareness, interest, trial, and usage levels, 2) brand, site, and/or company image, 3) importance of different site or product attributes to your customers, and 4) product and/or site performance.

Whether using a basic or more advanced approach to SWOT analysis, you are sure to come away with newfound insights. Use these to increase your company's effectiveness and as input into your business or marketing plan.

SWOT Analysis -- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

Bobette Kyle draws upon 12+ years of Marketing/Executive experience, Marketing MBA, and online marketing research in her writing. Bobette is proprietor of the Web Site Marketing Plan Network http://www.WebSiteMarketingPlan.com and author of the marketing plan and Web promotion book "How Much For Just the Spider? Strategic Website Marketing For Small Budget Business," ( [http://www.HowMuchForSpider.com/TOC.htm] ).

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Natural Sea Salt Versus Table Salt, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

If you have read other health articles that I've written you know that I am not a believer in Man messing with Mother Nature when it comes to the food we eat. In this article I want to address a common spice we all use on a daily basis. Salt!

Salt as we know it is a pure white free flowing spice that we find essential to flavoring our daily foods. Usually one doesn't even think about it much unless we have a medical condition where a doctor will tell us to decrease the amount of salt intake.

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Table salt is normally rock or ocean salt that is mined, heat blasted, chemically treated, and then anti-caking agents and iodine added to it. What you have left is table salt that is basically dead. It is now just dry sodium and chloride. Once again man is cheating us of one of Mother Natures most perfect foods. Processed salt is now devoid of all the essential minerals and macrobiotic nutrients that our bodies need to survive.

Consider this, when you cry your tears are salty, and if you've cut yourself and tasted your blood, you know it is salty. The fluids in our bodies are like an ocean environment. Salt is essential for life and yet our bodies cannot make it so it must come from an outside source. Most often it comes from meat or regular table salt. The problem is that our bodies don't really know what to do with processed salt. Years of processed salt intake can damage almost all areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys, muscles and bones and it is processed salt that bloats us and causes water retention. Processed salt can put a body out of balance. According to Dr Langre's book, people that have an aversion to salt or tell you they dislike salt most likely have too much sodium chloride attached to their organs and tissues, are really telling you that they are sick and are in need of essential minerals.

100% natural sea salt maintains its integrity. Quite frankly, natural, organic sea salt is completely unfooled around with and is still harvested the same way it was done 2000 years ago by French salt farmers. It is hand raked and left in the sun to dry. All of the trace and micro-nutrients are fully intact. The correct balance of sodium and chloride are present as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and 90 other trace and micro-nutrients. These are charged minerals that retain a lot of moisture and are grey in color. If your sea salt from the health food store is white and free flowing then it is processed and should not be used.

When natural sea salt is ingested, it immediately works with the saliva in the mouth (amalese in particular) and starts the digestive process. The more minerals present in the mouth the more digestion takes place. Digestion continues in the stomach. Natural organic sea salt has been known to lower blood pressure and decrease water retention. It enables the liver, kidneys and adrenals to work much more efficiently. It can boost the immune system. Natural sea salt has all the elements of the ocean and this means that the survival potential of a body is much greater than if you remove these vital elements.

Do your body good and get natural grey sea salt. It won't pour like table salt because of the moisture content, but the health benefits can be significant.

Natural Sea Salt Versus Table Salt, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Willie is a freelance writer and researcher whose own health problems prompted her to take responsibility for gaining as much information on health as possible and to share that knowledge with others. She is co-owner of http://www.cleanbodydetox.com a site that focuses on health and detox through ionic foot baths.

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Achieving Excellence - In Salon Spa Customer Service

A wise friend and colleague said to me over 25 years ago:

"Your client expects more from you today than she did yesterday. So, you'd better finds ways to constantly improve and keep her excited and eager to return

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Because if you don't someone else will...."

To keep ahead of the game requires being constantly on the look out for new and innovative treatments; techniques; treatment room set-ups; products; product presentation displays etc. In fact anything that keeps the business full of life and vitality. This is part of your on-going, continued research into and growing the business. But to be a real front runner in the 21st Century Beauty Business an effective Customer Service Policy is essential. It will be the blueprint for how you want your clients treated by the entire team.

Today's aware salon or spa client expects "Five Star Service" each and every time they visit. They want a level of care only deliverable by highly professional therapists and aestheticians. And that can only be guaranteed if systems and policies are in place. In developing your salon / spas Customer Service Policy document you first need to know what level of service your clients receive at present. Is it?

The expected
Above expectations or is it
Out-standing, the type of service that makes them walking advertisements for your salon / spa.

If you like the idea of free word-of-mouth advertising then aiming for and maintaining the "C" type service requires effort and organization. You then need to ask yourself do all clients coming into my facility receive.

A warm welcome - they are you guest
Detailed treatment menu information - aware of all the salon / spa offers
Great 'first impression' - superbly maintained premises
Guaranteed hygiene - premises, equipment, staff
Full consultation / analysis before service - pre-sells the treatments on offer
Professional highly skilled therapists - educated on all treatments & products
Treatment / treatment program recommendation - one treatment gives good results a program gives lasting results
Magic Moments - all the little things that delights the client and sets your salon or spa apart and above the competition
Education - an informed client is a trusting loyal client
Home skincare prescription - professional recommendation and correct retail product usage advice
Client focused Retailing - 24/7 only delivers and maintains on-going results
Detailed client record files - knowledge is a powerful tool for the therapist
Re-booking - essential for the clients long-term results - salon spa profitability and staff retention
Appointment reminders - confirming is part of the service
Follow-up care - lets the client know you care
Client retention / retrieval - if there is a complaint fix it
Regular contact - telephone, newsletter, email, Birthday and Christmas card
Loyalty Program - reward them for being consistent and loyal clients

Using these guidelines an effective Customer Service Policy can be formulated to suit the individual salon / spas requirements. I believe Achieving Excellence in Salon Spa Customer Service should be the goal of every beauty business owner. And it can be achieved with formal written policies and workable procedures and systems. Every beauty business must have a Salon Spa Policies Systems Manual that the entire team is inducted into and upholds so they can deliver -- Excellent Customer Service each and every appointment.

Achieving Excellence - In Salon Spa Customer Service

Caroline Nelson is a beauty industry specific business coach and author of the Ignite Your Beauty Business For $uccess- Salon, Staff Policies Procedures & Systems manual. To learn more about her step-by-step program for salon spa success, and to sign up for her FREE e-Book "3 Top Salon Spa Money Making Secrets", visit http://www.salonspabusiness.com.
You can also follow her on Facebook for free salon advice and coaching.

Natural Hair Loss Remedies

Fact: There is no sure-fire way to prevent all hair loss. However, some methods that have been used work on some people. Here are some suggestions for natural remedies to hair loss. Massage Massaging the scalp in general for a couple of minutes a day can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles and in mild cases stimulate some hair growth in minor cases of temporary hair loss. There are several electric massagers on the market that have an attachment for scalp massaging as well. An oriental method called Qi Gong (pronounced Chi Kung) has been used to increase circulation to the scalp and face also. Aromatherapy A blend of six drops each of lavender and bay essential oils in a base of four ounces of either almond, soybean or sesame oil massaged into the scalp and allowed to sit for 20 minutes has been used by aroma therapists to stimulate the scalp. Saw Palmetto Extract There is a definite connection between the prostate and hair loss for men. Saw Palmetto has been found to work in fighting benign prostatic disease by lowering levels of DHT, which is a known cause of androgenetic alopecia. Saw Palmetto extract is an effective anti-androgen and shows promise as an effective treatment for hair loss prevention. More information on Saw Palmetto for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Women on oral contraceptives or hormone therapy should not take Saw Palmetto. Nettle Root Extract Nettles are rich in vitamins A and C, several key minerals and lipids that can be beneficial to the hair. Nettle Root Extract has been used successfully in Europe as an inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase in treating BPH. Rosemary and Sage Rosemary and sage are two herbs that have shown benefit traditionally when used externally. Boil together in water rosemary, sage, peach leaf, nettle and burdock. Then strain the loose herbs from the liquid and use the liquid to wash the hair daily. Jojoba Oil If you are predisposed to seborrhea, eczema, psoriasis, or dandruff, you could consider using jojoba oil. Mexicans and southwestern Native American nations have used jojoba oil traditionally for centuries to promote hair growth and the control of dandruff. Jojoba oil is great for hypoallergenic skin because it is a great moisturizer and mimics the scalp's own sebum. Aloe Vera Aloe Vera has been used by Native Americans, Indians and many in the Caribbean to promote healthy hair and prevent hair loss. Aloe's can help the scalp by healing it and balancing the pH level of the scalp while cleansing the pores. A common preparation of Aloe Vera gel with a small amount of wheat germ oil and coconut milk is used as a shampoo and has traditionally shown great benefit. Henna Henna is a traditional Indian herb that acts as a natural conditioner and is excellent for the maintenance of healthy hair. It can help heal the hair shaft by repairing and sealing the cuticle, protecting hair against breakage and loss of shine. Polysorbate-80 Polysorbate-80 is an FDA approved surfactant that is also approved as a food additive. Although not proven, Polysorbate-80 is said to remove deposits of DHT and cholesterol from the scalp. Polysorbate-80 is being recommended by some naturopathic practitioners as an application for the scalp approximately 15 minutes prior to shampooing. Cleansing and Detoxification Cleansing should be a major part of your regimen to maintain and grow hair. Many scalp related diseases are directly the result of toxemia, while toxins in the body adversely affecting the body's systems indirectly affect other conditions. Cleansing can be performed through oral means regularly and occasionally by enema or colonic irrigation. More remedies for detoxification Psyllium husk Fiber is vital to cleansing, and most North American diets are deficient in natural fiber. Psyllium husk is a bulking laxative agent that can be used to safely move waste through the colon. Psyllium is a very good substance as it gently scrubs the walls of the colon to remove waste that is stuck to the walls.

Exercise Finally, although exercise does absolutely nothing directly to grow hair, most holistic practitioners recommend it. Exercising can improve blood flow, the delivery of oxygen to the cells of the body, and help the digestion of foods, all things that aid the health of hair follicles. Disclaimer: The advice here is not presented from a medical practitioner. Any and all dietary and medical planning should be made under the guidance of your own medical and health practitioners. This information does not replace medical advice from a professional physician.

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Natural Hair Loss Remedies

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Priya Shah is the Editor of The Glutathione Report, a newsletter featuring regular updates on the health benefits of glutathione. For a comprehensive report on hair loss, see Hair Loss Prevention Secrets.
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Itchy Scalp, Natural Scalp Treatments: Using A Natural Home Remedy For Itchy Scalp Conditions

Yes it can be extremely annoying and embarrassing having a scalp condition like dandruff, eczema, scalp infections or a nasty itchy red rash on your scalp.

If you are suffering from:

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itchy scalp, sore scalp or do you have a flaky dry scalp with redness and rashes that drive you crazy?

scalp picking - do you constantly find yourself picking at & scratching?

oily scalp and limp hair leaving you feeling less than your best

embarrassing dandruff falling on your clothes

or even a fungal infection of your scalp...that can lead to lesions or scalp sores.

Hair falling out & patches on your scalp

Your instinct might be to pick up a product from the store shelf or your doctor. Most of these scalp treatments that promise relief from dry scalp conditions sound very attractive until you start reading the fine print.

Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)? What's that? Why do you have to call a Poison Control Center if you accidentally swallow shampoo? And what are those warning labels on the back all about? What does it do to your head if it's that toxic?

Stop! What you must know is that several chemicals, especially SLS, strip the natural oils from the skin and even corrode it, along with your eye membranes. Have you also noticed that your hair has been thinning? Well hair follicle damage is another little known but very common symptom of these chemicals.

Actually, most commercial shampoos & scalp treatments are designed to meet people's "sensory" expectations...offering instant gratification and the illusion that they are doing their job. So therein lies the problem. For example adding silicone to conditioner induces an artificial shine but in truth can create problems long term including sensitivities.

Most people expect a shampoo to:

Foam up nicely

Smell good

Take all the so-called "nasty" oiliness out of their hair

Make their hair feel squeaky-clean

And that's a reasonable ask - think about it...if your shampoo didn't foam up, smell good, or leave your hair feeling squeaky-clean, would you trust it? Well, here's the thing: 90% of commercial shampoos achieve the foaming effect using the equivalent of engine degreasers to strip off not only dirt and grime but also valuable natural oils that your scalp needs.

Yes --your scalp needs natural oils. Without them, your body has no natural defence - those oils are there for a reason! Your scalp needs to maintain a natural PH balance that if disturbed - can develop into a dry, itchy irritated scalp. The good news is that there are many natural remedies you can use with moisturising oils and natural powerful alternatives to heal & reverse any scalp problem by restoring balance safely. You can easily repair follicle and damage - even boost hair growth and use your own home remedy for scalp cell regeneration. There are also the artificial aromas that are added - its alarming the huge percentage of people who are mildly to severely averse or allergic to artificial scents - resulting in itchy scalp, skin rashes etc and we don't even know it.

So what non toxic itchy scalp treatments and natural remedies can help? Well there are many non toxic shampoos which are nourishing and conditioning while still giving you're the "foam effect", they smell devine with the addition of the natural oils they contain. So you do have a choice and it does NOT have to cost you more - in fact most of them are less - you just have to know what to look for.

So lets have a look at natural oils for treating your scalp...

Here are some of my favorite natural oils you can use for hair & scalp treatments.

Zinc Pyrithione: Wonderful stuff for dandruff & itchy scalp conditions. First synthesized in the 1930's, this is the most widely used active ingredient from a natural source. It's used to treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitus, psoriasis, eczema and numerous other skin and scalp disorders. It has strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Jojoba: Is excellent as a scalp moisturiser and helps to rebalance sebum.

Tea Tree: Oily hair ... Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands, enlivens the scalp and brings the cells & follicles to attention

Basil: Oily hair ... promotes growth

Chamomile: Fine to normal hair ... gives golden highlights

Clary sage: All types of hair ... dandruff treatment

Lavender: Normal hair ... Scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and even lice!

Lemon: Oily hair ... Gives golden highlights; treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands

Myrrh: Dry hair ... Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands

Patchouli: Oily hair ... Dandruff treatment

Peppermint: Dry hair ... Promotes hair growth

Rose: Fine hair ... Soothes scalp

Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil: Itchy Scalp, Dry Scalp Excellent for itchy scalp, dry scalp and dandruff

Rosemary: Oily hair ... Dandruff treatment; promotes hair growth

Tea tree: Oily hair ... Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and underactive sebaceous glands

Ylang-ylang: Oily hair ... Dandruff treatment

Neem: ... a wonder oil from India. Neem is amazing for all of the wonderful "stuff" it does. It's also derived from a type of tree bark. Neem is an effective fungicide and insecticide (great for head lice when used with geranium, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus oils). In clinical studies Neem extracts and oil were found to be as effective as coal tar and cortisone in treating psoriasis with none of the usual side effects accompanying the use of Neem as there was with Coal tar and cortisone. Neem extracts and oil removes redness and itching when applied directly to your scalp...and it's a great skin conditioner. Best of all its excellent for relieving itching fast.

The best part of knowing that there are alternatives is that you can have mix these into super powerful blends like a super moisture boosting home remedy for dry scalp, or soothing itchy scalp treatments. Dry itchy scalp can be dealt with fast and permanently without spending a ton on traditional scalp med products.

Here's just one easy remedy you can make today:

Home remedy for dry itchy scalp Take ¼ c oatmeal and soak in water for 20 mins. Mix well and then strain the liquid adding it to a cup. Add 5 drops lavender oil (or lavender stalks steeped in ¼ cup hot water. Add 5 drops rosemary (or rosemary stalks steeped in ¼ cup hot water. Allow to cool until tepid.

Mix the liquids together and dab on your scalp...leave in for 10 mins to soothe the itch. This a good temporary soother for itching. Chamomile tea is also soothing!

There are hundreds of ideas that are excellent scalp treatments from dandruff to scalp infections like scalp sores & psoriasis. These remedies combined with the knowledge of what causes itchy scalp and other scalp conditions will enable you to be free from itching, dryness and allow you to grow fabulously thick, shiny beautiful hair also.....so have fun experimenting and "luxuriating" by giving your hair a treat using the many natural gifts from nature that are right under our noses! There are also many natural shampoos that so not use these ingredients and do wonders for your hair such as Akin shampoo, and Thursday Plantation which is fantastic as an effective anti-dandruff shampoo.

I have included a few more remedies and uses for oils below. There are many many more in "Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies " and a list of shampoos that are not toxic. They are nourishing & repairing for your scalp & hair.

SOOTHING & HEALING ANTIFLAMMATORY REMEDY: Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon of Neem oil (antifungal & antiitching) 1 teaspoon Teatree or Manuka (also antifungal) which much stronger than teatree, one teaspoon of Rosemary oil and one teaspoon of Lavender oil together in 3 tablespoons of carrier oils such as Olive or Almond oil (Wheatgerm and Macadamia carrier oils closely match your natural sebum) and apply to your scalp daily.

Alternatively add the oils together minus the olive/almond oil to one cup if water in spray bottle and shake vigorously then spray on your roots. If you can get a teaspoon of hemp oil add that to the mix as well.

GARDEN REMEDY: Go to your garden and get 3 sprigs of Rosemary, and chop up and add to 3 tea bags of Chamomile tea. Boil gently, let cool, strain and rinse your hair with this liquid for a calming antiflammatory effect.

As with all remedies please patch test first and use at your own risk. And but only non toxic shampoos without ingredients that cause your head to react, flake itch and burn....plus more remedies in "Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies "

Heres a little about the oils above which can be mixed to create various formulas to treat different conditions and add condition to your hair found in my eBook "Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies ".

Neem Oil: Derived from a type of tree bark it is an effective fungicide and insecticide (great for head lice when used with geranium, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus oils). It has a very strong odor which can overpower other fragrances but its effectiveness is proven:

In clinical studies Neem extracts and oil were found to be as effective as coal tar and cortisone in treating psoriasis with none of the usual side effects accompanying the use of Neem as there was with Coal tar and cortisone.

When applied to the skin, Neem extracts and oil removes redness and itching while improving the condition of the skin while being treated. In the case of eczema clinical studies demonstrate that even the application of weaker Neem leaf extracts effectively cured acute conditions of eczema with the fresh cold pressed oil with its high concentration of active ingredients.

Neem effectively kills the bacteria that cause Acne and studies prove that Neem will reduce inflammation caused by acne and other bacterial infections.

Its also good for other skin conditions such as Dry Skin, Wrinkles, Dandruff, Itchy Scalp, Skin Ulcers and Warts which can be effectively remedied with soaps and other products containing Neem oil.

Lavender Oil: Lavender is known for its calming properties both emotional and physical. There are different varieties of lavender and certain ones are favored more than others for medicinal treatments. Lavender is effective to soothe itching from skin and sore scalp inflammations such as burning red itchy scalp, and dandruff to insect bites as well as having a powerful calming effect to treat scalp itching and irritated scalp as well as relax you and help you nod off to sleep.

In one study of 86 people with alopecia areata (a disease of unknown cause characterized by significant hair loss, generally in patches), those who massaged their scalps with lavender and other essential oils daily for 7 months experienced significant hair re-growth compared to those who massaged their scalps without the essential oils. It is not entirely clear from this study whether lavender (or a combination of lavender and other essential oils) was responsible for the beneficial effects. Scalp massage is also highly beneficial to stimulate follicles and blood supply to the skin's surface.

Aromatherapists also use lavender as a tonic in inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections (like candidiasis), dandruff, eczema of the scalp, wounds, scalp acne, with lavender oil. It is also used externally in a healing bath for circulatory disorders and as a rub for rheumatic ailments (conditions affecting the muscles and joints).

Tea Tree Oil: One of the strongest known natural antiseptics. Also has punative skin penetrating capacity as an anti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial, germicide and fungicide. The scientific name for it is Melaleuca Alternifolia.

Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil has a pronounced action on the brain and the central nervous system and is wonderful for clearing the mind and mental awareness, while having excellent brain stimulant properties, as well as improving memory.

It helps with headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion and the antiseptic action of rosemary oil is especially suitable for intestinal infections and diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders and jaundice and relieving pain associated with itchy flaky scalp, rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain and gout. It also helps for arteriosclerosis, palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins.

The diuretic properties of rosemary oil are useful with reducing water retention during menstruation, and also with obesity and cellulite.

On the respiratory system, it is effective for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinus and whooping cough. Because of its astringent action, it is also effective for countering sagging skin. Its stimulating action benefits scalp disorders and encourages hair growth.

On the skin, it helps to ease congestion, puffiness and swelling and can also be used for acne, dry inflamed scalp, dermatitis and eczema, but a very popular use of this oil is the use in hair care products, as it has a pronounced positive effect on the health of the hair and scalp. It increases the circulation to the scalpand is therefore also effective for promoting hair growth after having conditions such as dandruff or scalp sores causing hair loss, scalp itching and scratching.

Rosemary oil is effective for mental fatigue, circulation problems, pain relief for the muscular system, decongests the respiratory tract and is a skin and hair booster.

Itchy Scalp, Natural Scalp Treatments: Using A Natural Home Remedy For Itchy Scalp Conditions

Mia Wadsworth who founded http://www.DryItchyScalpRemedies.com to help hundreds of sufferers of Itchy Scalp, Dry scalp, Dandruff, & Sore scalp, relieve & eliminate their condition fast & permanently. After curing her own painful condition, Mia now helps sufferers learn what causes itchy scalp, dandruff & other scalp infections. She also explains how to use powerful home remedies & scalp treatments to eliminate scalp conditions permanently to regain confidence, a healthy scalp & beautiful hair!

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Detox Your Body With a Soothing Crystal Salt Bath

For those of you who are not yet familiar with Himalayan crystal salt, you do not know what you are missing! This good-for-you salt is not just a wonderful flavor enhancer, but multi-purpose health aid as well. It is as different from other salts as a diamond is from coal, and is even better for you than the high-class sea salts on the market. It can be used in a variety of protocols for improving health, both internally and externally, but possibly the most pleasant application you will find for crystal salt is using it as a bath soak ingredient. If you are heavily toxic and find that drinking a salt brine solution designed to detox the body brings on discomfort or a healing crisis due to an accelerated detoxification process, you can always discontinue taking it and do salt baths instead. They are easier on your system because the toxins are drawn out via the skin and do not have to pass through the liver and kidneys to exit the body.

And you do not have to worry about the salt drying out your skin--it will actually have the opposite effect. The salt is alkalizing, and even though you may have heard you need to use products with an acid pH to maintain the mantle of the skin, that is a dermatological myth. Most adults do have acidic skin, but that does not mean that is the way it is supposed to be. We all know the saying "soft and smooth as a baby's bottom," and the fact is that babies have an alkaline skin, with a pH of 8.0. The amniotic fluid where that skin spent months living and growing actually has an even higher alkaline pH of 8.5. Using crystal salt in your bath can actually alkalize the water to 8.5, just like the fluid inside your mother's womb. This results in an incredibly relaxing, rejuvenating experience and a soft, smooth, silky feeling on your skin. It can also provide some people who suffer with chronic pain a level of relief from their symptoms.

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So using crystal salt in the tub not only helps with detoxing the body, but also makes for a wonderful home spa treatment that gets rid of dead skin cells and softens and rehydrates the skin. For best results you should have a minimum salt concentration of 1%; that means for an average 28 gallon bathtub you would need 2.35 lbs. of crystal salt (the formula for a 1% solution is 1.28 ozs. of salt per gallon of water). Soak for 15 to 30 minutes or more (the salt will help maintain the heat of the water). If there are any un-dissolved salt crystals left by the time you are ready to rinse off, you can use them on your washcloth to help exfoliate your skin even further. Afterward, try foregoing using lotion as you normally would and just let your skin dry naturally. Then wrap up in something warm and rest for at least 30 minutes.

Other Health-Promoting Baths Using Crystal Salt:

Oxygen Bath -Oxygen baths can be valuable detoxing agents and increase the body's energy. Try adding 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide to your bath water for 3 to 7 days to produce effects. This bath routine is stimulating rather than relaxing, and helps balance pH, reduce skin cancers, clear asthma and lung congestion, and relieve arthritis and rheumatism and other conditions where increased body oxygen is desirable. Add 1/2 cup crystal salt and 1/2 cup baking soda for extra benefit.

Mineral Replenishing Bath - Whenever you suffer from diarrhea, whether it is due to an illness or just part of the side effects of a detoxification program you are engaged in, you can loose vital minerals that will need to be replaced. This simple bath routine helps replenish minerals through the skin. Add the following ingredients to a tub of warm to hot water and soak for 20 minutes.

1/4 cup baking soda
1/8 cup crystal salt

Disclaimer: This information is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician or healthcare practitioner. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Detox Your Body With a Soothing Crystal Salt Bath

You can learn more about Himalayan crystal salt and it's many uses and benefits by reading A Healthier You From the Inside Out, available from http://www.allonetogether.com. Also visit the To Your Health page of the site for tips about crystal salt and other simple, yet effective, means for improving overall health and well-being.

Free Body Wrap Recipes For Cellulite

If you're a cellulite sufferer, you are obviously interested in free body wrap recipes, right? Well, if that is indeed the case, you are in luck! Just below is a cellulite body wrap recipe that may very well help you to remove cellulite and keep it off for good.

What You'll Need For This Home Body Wrap Recipe:

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1 cup of one of the following ingredients: Capsicum powder, Alfalfa Powder, Fennel Seed Powder, Ginger Root Powder, Yellow Dock Root Powder, Chamomile herb, Ginger herb, or Lavender herb.

1 Cup Epsom Salt

1 to 2 Cups of Clay: Bentonite or Green clay

2-5 Medium to Large Size Towels. Towels Should Be Thin

2 Cups of Boiling Water

6 Steps for Cellulite Home Body Wrap Recipe:

1. Put all the ingredients (clay, herbs, powder, and epsom salt) in with the boiling water. Mix thoroughly until wet paste can be seen. Paste should be somewhat thin, so add more water if necessary.

2. Allow the clay mix to cool until it is warm to the touch.

3. Apply the body wrap mix liberally to your body, targeting the most problematic cellulite areas.

4. Tightly wrap (not to tight) your body with the towels, or with proper body wrapping sheets if you've got them. Proper body wrapping sheets will typically provide better results.

5. Lie down in the tub or in an area that can be easily cleaned. Stay in that place for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

6. After 1 hour period is up, unwrap the towels, gently wash away the mixture with warm water, then apply your favorite anti cellulite lotion to the skin.

Additional Tips:

- Drink plenty of water before and after the wrap. At least 2 glasses before, and then as much as you can after.

- Make sure you take a nice, hot shower to open up your pores before the wrapping begins.

- Think ahead and bring something to do during the "waiting" period of the body wrap, whether it be a book, a television set, a CD player, etc.

- For the next 48 hours, avoid consuming caffeine, fatty foods, sugar, soda, alcohol, and anything else that is unnatural or processed.

Free body wrap recipes for cellulite, such as the one listed above, are not at all hard to find. Yes, there are some people out there charging for their so-called "secrets" -- but that doesn't mean there aren't helpful people giving away cellulite reduction information free of charge.

Free Body Wrap Recipes For Cellulite

As a matter of fact, if you were to head on over to http://www.CelluliteRemovalMethods.com right now, you'd find a wealth of cellulite reduction information that you could use to reduce cellulite immediately. Not only that, but you'll probably find some more free body wrap recipes to boot!

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Coffee is Good For Your Skin

Are you the kind of person, just like millions around the world, who gets cranky the whole day if you weren't able to drink at least one cup of your favorite coffee? If you are, then you will definitely perk up with these new facts you are about to read.

According to recent studies coffee has several health benefits other than keeping you awake most of the day. It is said that just smelling the coffee upon waking up in the morning is good for the brain. The smell of coffee can help resist succumbing to stress due to deprivation of sleep. Other studies on coffee also show that it can lower risks of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, colon cancer, and even skin cancer. Yes, coffee is good for your skin!

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Coffee can keep your skin healthy in a lot of different ways. Other than preventing skin cancer and melanoma-related diseases, coffee has anti-oxidant ingredients that can help:

Your skin be free of different radicals that can cause acne, eczema and other skin diseases
Improve the flow of micro-cellulars in your skin
Break up fatty deposits which cause those ugly cellulites
Clear up your skin of acne and other blemishes
Act as sunblock and prevent sunburn and wrinkles
Absorb and neutralize strong odors such as fish and other smells

How can you get all these skin benefits from coffee? There are two ways. One is to go to a spa that offers coffee treatment, and the other option is to make your own homemade coffee skin care treatment. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare your own coffee skin care products:

Use coffee beans to rub on your damp skin before taking a steam bath or going in a sauna bath. Coffee beans can lightly exfoliate your skin and its rich oils can soften it.
After having your fill of your morning coffee, used coffee grounds can be reused into a variety of skin products:

Coffee grounds mixed with olive oil - Apply this mixture all over your cellulite regions, and wrap these areas using plastic wrap. Leave this on for at least 5 minutes, remove the plastic and shower off. This can help reduce cellulites from your body.
Coffee grounds mixed with egg white - Apply this on your skin as an exfoliant for softer skin.
Coffee grounds mixed with your skin cleanser - This mixture can be your very own coffee exfoliating scrub.
Coffee grounds mixed with cocoa powder and whole milk or cream - This mixture is a great smelling facial mask.

Coffee as an ingredient for skin care products have been used by women from Russia, Hawaii, Bali, and South America for several years now. So why not visit your favorite spa or skin product store and check out their line of coffee skin products? Better yet, why not make your own?

Coffee is Good For Your Skin

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Do Weight Loss Body Wraps Really Work?

What Different Kinds of Body Wraps are There?

There are basically two different kinds of body wraps being used today. Both types are largely focused on the healing, moisturizing, and conditioning of the skin. However, the primary role of the two kinds of body wraps is radically different. Read on to find out more!

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The Water Loss Body Wrap!

The first type of body wrap, enables you to lose inches through water loss. These water loss wraps can be useful for a large event or special occasion, when you might want to be looking your best for that night. However, the inch loss from a water loss wrap is only temporary.

Losing inches in this manner is similar to that which could be obtained through excessive sweating during exercise.

The Weight Loss Body Wrap!

The other type of body wrap is basically known as a weight loss body wrap. This type of body wrap creates inch loss by aiding the lymphatic system in the removal of stored toxins. These toxins enter into your system through poor dieting, the environment, and pollutants!

Weight loss body wraps stimulate lymphatic drainage which releases toxins and fatty acids from your cells into your capillaries. These toxins are then eliminated along with the system's natural waste process.

During a weight loss body wrap, drinking large quantities of water is beneficial in aiding in detoxification and fat loss.

Although the results from the weight loss body wrap can vary depending on an individual's toxicity level, the loss obtained is often permanent.

What's the Answer?

Yes, weight loss body wraps can help you to lose weight and feel great!

The general consensus by many industry experts is that weight loss can be facilitated through a weight loss body wrap regiment.

However, you must be sure that the body wrap is not formulated for water weight. The body wrap must be created to aide in weight loss through detoxification and lymphatic drainage.

Many industry experts also concur that body wraps should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program to achieve true results. Simply using a body wrap once will not keep the inches off, if your diet and/or exercise regiments are not balanced.

Do Weight Loss Body Wraps Really Work?

Looking to lose inches fast and feel sexy again with a real weight loss body wrap?

Find out here where you can get the best body wrap on the market today.

Brandon Walsh is considered an expert in the body wrapping industry, and is a professional marketer and distributor of It Works! herbal body wraps nationwide.

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Natural Skin Care - Oatmeal is Not Just For Breakfast!

You may be surprised to learn that oatmeal; yes that wonderful cereal we enjoy for breakfast, (or maybe not!), is one of the best natural treatments for dry skin. Plain rolled oats, can be used to make a gentle and very effective natural skin cleanser, facial scrub, and soothing facial mask. An excellent multi-purpose skin care treatment, oatmeal helps to relieve dryness, restoring natural moisture balance to aid in healing minor irritations due to the many causes and sources of skin sensitivities. Minor skin irritations can be caused by sensitivities to the ingredients in skin care products, exposure to chemicals found in household cleaning products, exfoliation with the wrong product, excessive scrubbing or rubbing during the exfoliation process, and many other factors. Cleansing the face with oatmeal helps to soothe skin irritation and reduce discomfort.

Oatmeal, when used as a skin cleanser, actually absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while providing very gentle exfoliation, leaving skin smooth, soft, and clean, without soap. As a facial mask, oatmeal deep cleanses pores without irritating and drying out skin. And as a facial scrub, oatmeal gently but effectively removes dead skin cells, to reveal softer, smoother looking skin. In addition, cleansing and exfoliating with oatmeal provides the bonus of a natural, healthy glow.

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To enjoy the beauty benefits of oatmeal skin care you will need:

- Rolled oats (not instant) - found in the supermarket cereal section

- Blender or food processor

Directions: Grind oats in blender or food processor until oats have the consistency of flour. Pour into a jar, cover tightly, and use as follows:

Oatmeal Facial Cleanser & Scrub: Pour a small amount of ground oatmeal into palm, and add a little water to make a paste. Apply to face and throat and massage onto skin. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer.

Oatmeal Facial Mask: Pour a small amount of ground oatmeal into palm, and add a little water to make a paste. (For a more moisturizing mask, use milk instead of water.) Apply to face and throat and leave on skin for about 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer.

Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask: Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to oatmeal and make a paste. Apply to face and throat and leave on skin for 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer. Weekly use of Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask can help to bleach dark spots and freckles naturally. Lemon juice contains citric acid and vitamin C that functions as natural alpha hydroxy acids to help dissolve dead skin cells for brighter, more even toned skin.

Caution: Fresh lemon juice can cause a tingling sensation that may become uncomfortable. For sensitive skin, dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water before mixing into oatmeal and applying to skin. If tingling becomes severe, rinse skin immediately with warm water.

Do not use Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask after exfoliating skin.

Note: This information is not intended to be used to treat, heal, or cure any medical condition. Please consult your physician with any health issues you may have.

Natural Skin Care - Oatmeal is Not Just For Breakfast!

For natural skin care products specially formulated for dry and sensitive skin visit: EsanSpa.com

Kim Mujahid has developed and created natural botanical skin care, beauty spa therapy, and massage therapy products for over 14 years. She is the founder and president of Esan Natural Skin Care.

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A Definition of Natural Beauty

The term "natural beauty" gets thrown around often enough that many people don't actually know what it is. Is it a way of avoiding having to enhance one's appearance for public presentation? Does it mean that a natural beauty only uses things made from nature? Or is it someone who can look great no matter what? To some degree or another, the answer to all of these questions is yes.

To start, natural beauty doesn't require anything. If someone is said to have natural beauty, that person can get up in the morning and still look as though just a change in clothes ought to be enough to appear dazzling. The person in question doesn't need to look like a super model. After all, many super models spend hours dealing with hair, clothing, make-up, and even the right way to stand for a picture or show. No. Natural beauty doesn't necessarily have anything to do with specific body features. A little enhancement never hurts to bring forward someone's natural radiance.

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Even though being naturally beautiful is defined as looking great without enhancement, that doesn't mean that someone doesn't or shouldn't use clothing, styling, or make-up to enhance what's already there. For most natural beauties, styling is usually much lighter than for everyone else. In the case of make-up, many natural beauties use colors that blend with the skin so well that it looks as if the extra pigment was there to begin with. Hair styles are usually simple for most days, and clothing isn't always something from the latest fad. For many people with natural beauty, dressing is a matter of what feels good as opposed to what looks good. Ironically, someone who dresses to feel good often looks great!

So what about those enhancers? Are they only made from nature? This is usually the case. Many natural products are priced beyond the capability of some people's finances. Therefore, many people wanting natural products get what they can at the best price and fill in the gaps as best as possible with other products. Sometimes, natural enhances are as simple as not using hair spray and sticking to shampoos that have natural extracts. A lot of people use home remedies to take care of minor problems that occur in the skin and hair. Diet and exercise are great ways of treating the appearance from within. It's always easy to tell who feels healthy and who doesn't based on how they present themselves, and using natural products from the inside out is a great way to feel healthy.

Natural beauty is no mystery. It's easily within everyone's grasp, and no one has to portray themselves as hippies to achieve it. Being naturally beautiful is more about presenting oneself in a style that suits that person individually without major fuss.

A Definition of Natural Beauty

If you'd like to discover how to use nature's wonders to become healthier and more beautiful, read this article: 50 Tips For Ultimate Health, Gorgeous Skin, Beautiful Hair & A Perfect Body by clicking here

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LED Facial Rejuvenation Treatment

As we grow older our skin becomes less elastin, collagen breaks down and wrinkles, face lines and sagging skin appears. Aging is a natural process but there are many things that we can do to avoid most of the signs of aging, stress, pollutions, sunlight, excessive alcohol and smoke are some of the things that damage the skin over time.

Fortunately there are various anti aging facial rejuvenation treatments like LED Skin Rejuvenation that uses natural variable wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity and reduce the signs of aging.

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Led facial Rejuvenation is basically the interaction of light which is delivered through (LEDs) Light Emitting Diodes to activate cell receptors, it therefore causes the skin to produce collagen.

Some people confuse LED treatment with Laser treatments, there is a fundamental difference, LED facial rejuvenation does not use thermal energy to wound the skin and create changes, LED does not have to hurt the skin.

Several treatments are needed which are applied through several months, it depends of how severe is the situation and treated areas. It does not cause any pain, the treatment is very relaxing.

So as you can see the main job of LED facial rejuvenation is to stimulate collagen and elastin in the affected areas of the body.

However i want to let you know that there are also some new natural anti aging creams that contain breakthrough natural ingredients like CynergyTk that have been proven to stimulate collagen and ealstin within the skin, therefore reducing wrinkles and making your skin look smoother.

Xtendlife.org has some of the best natural creams from New Zealand. The most important point is that you should not use creams with hard chemicals or rare synthetic ingredients, use natural active ingredients and you will see dramatic results.

LED Facial Rejuvenation Treatment

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Low Calcium - Complications Associated with Low Calcium Level in the Body

Calcium is an important nutrient and plays a vital role in the development of healthy bones and teeth. Recently it has been found that calcium is also required by the body to fight against many diseases like prolonged depression, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, colon cancer and obesity.

An abnormally low calcium level in the blood is termed as hypocalcaemia. People who are deficient in calcium often feel irritated, depressed and weak. They have fragile bones, brittle nails and suffer from frequent muscle cramps. Other complications associated with low calcium level are joint pains, PMS, fatigue, high risk of developing bone disease in old age, frequent eye twitching and infections.

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Hypocalcaemia should be treated immediately with the help of medication and nutritional supplements rich in calcium and some vitamins. The benefits of a well-balanced, proper diet cannot be over-emphasized. However, in addition to this calcium-rich tablets should also be consumed on a regular basis by people of all ages to overcome low calcium levels and live a healthy life.

If there is a sudden drop in calcium level in the body due to some other complication or improper diet, the person may feel his/her muscles tighten up. If the low calcium condition is not controlled, it may cause dry nails and hair, prolonged tiredness and inability to expend effort.

When you consume calcium-rich nutritional supplement, you have to be sure that maximum amount of calcium is absorbed by your body. For this, try to find supplements that contain vitamins such as vitamin D and K2 and some other minerals that help in the absorption of calcium. Recently it has been discovered that coral calcium (obtained from fossilized coral reefs in an environmentally friendly manner) has a high absorption rate than normal calcium.

Many good-quality supplement products are now available on the market that use coral calcium obtained from the Okinawan island of Japan. This coral calcium has been found to be a highly refined form of calcium carbonate which contains traces of other important minerals like magnesium, potassium and sodium in just the right quantities.

Low calcium as well as abnormally high calcium level in the body is dangerous for health. You should introduce green leafy vegetables and dairy products to your everyday diet. Also, exercise on a regular basis and consume high-quality calcium-rich tablets to overcome this deficiency in a controlled manner. These supplements have no side effects of their own and also help to control the accumulation of calcium in tissues, nails and other parts of the body where it is not needed.

Low Calcium - Complications Associated with Low Calcium Level in the Body

For optimal bone health, we have been using a special natural calcium formula and for good reason, this formula is known as Bone Protect. We have personally been using this formula for over 3 years with excellent health results.

You can learn more about our product of choice and why we use this product above all other calcium formulas at optimal bone health

John Gibb is the manager of a series health websites. His latest addition discusses the calcium formula himself and the editors consume. For more information on calcium, coral calcium, and bone health as a whole, be sure to check out http://www.optimal-bone-health.com

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How to Keep Your Face Young - 3 Ways to Keep an Aging Body Looking Amazing

Learning how to keep your face young is important because that is the first thing people see when they bump into you. It could mean the difference between getting the man (or woman) you want or getting that job you've always wanted.

Let's be honest, beauty plays a big role in our society whether we admit it or not, so looking your best is important. Luckily, there have been many advances made in the last few years that allow you to take care of your skin naturally and look better now and in the future.

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A few of the ingredients that I am about to list are some of the ones that have helped me look younger than most of my friends and family, so make sure you look these up when you're looking for skin creams, moisturizers, lotions, gels and serums.

1. Retinol is a topical ingredient that is very powerful with proven anti-aging effects. It helps promote collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles effectively. Retinol has also been proven to improve your skin tone, skin color and reduce patches on your skin.

2. Alpha-Lipoic Acid has been called a universal antioxidant for its ability to be both water and fat-soluble. This means it can be absorbed by your skin easily and help protect your body and skin from free radicals from the inside out.

3. Vitamin C is another good ingredient that will help your body produce more collagen and elastin, which keeps your skin elastic, firm and young. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, kiwi fruit and almost any other fruit available. It is especially powerful when applied topically in a natural skincare line.

How to Keep Your Face Young - 3 Ways to Keep an Aging Body Looking Amazing

If you're interested in learning the secrets of finding the best anti-aging creams, visit my website, where I share what anti-aging skin care products I use for fast, and effective results.

You can visit my website at http://www.moisturizerreviews.net/

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