Meet Krista! Our nail technician at Urban Skin Care who is known for her reflexology and personality. Get to know her with these 20 questions!

1. Where are you from?
Santa Barbara, CA

2. What do you like to do in your freetime?
Hiking, biking, cooking, tennis, playing keyboards, learning drums, & spending time with love ones.

3. What is your favorite Holiday tradition?
Pot Luck at Thanksgiving

4. Describe yourself using only 2 words?
Passionate & Driven

5. What’s the best advice your mom has ever given to you?
Speaking negatively of others speaks negatively of yourself.

6. If you had to eat just one genre of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi

7. What beauty product can you not live without?
Lip gloss

8. Brad or George?
Both…at the same time

9. Where’s your favorite place to shop?
My closet at home!

10. What do you love about San Diego?
The people, climate, abundance of things to do, & the beauty.

11. What is your favorite homemade skin care remedy?
My scrubs, of course silly!

12. Beyonce or Lady GaGa?
Lady GaGa

13. Chest hair on your man, good or bad?
Neutral, but prefer none.

14. What’s the one type of makeup you can’t leave the house without putting on?
Lip Gloss

15. Coffee, Tea, Energy Drink, or none (you wake up with a ball of energy)?
Tea

16. What is your favorite fall/winter fashion trend?
Boots & imitation fur vests

17. Best gift you’ve ever given?
Myself!

18. Best gift you’ve ever received?
The gift of life.

19. What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego during the holidays?
Decorate the house & get together with loved ones.

20. What is your favorite part of your job?
Everything!  The women I work with, the amazing clients, the atmosphere, the music, my craft – LOVE IT!!

Q: What is reflexology?

A: Reflexology is a form of complementary therapy that involves treating the body through the feet. It is based on the premise that there are reflex areas in the feet which relate to all the body parts including organs, and that therefore the whole body can be treated through the feet. The earliest findings of reflexology were dated back to 2330 BC. A pictograph was found on the Egyptian tomb Ankamor, of a man using thumbs on another’s feet, signifying acupressure. Reflexology symbols were also carved on the feet of statues of known leaders in China and India. Today it is used widely as a complementary treatment in 1/3 of cancer patients. Any person male or female can benefit from the use of a reflexology treatment. Pregnant women in their first trimester need to tell your therapist of your pregnancy, as certain parts of the feet and hands need to be avoided. It is perfectly safe however during pregnancy.

Q: What are the benefits?

A: A wide range of disorders can be helped by reflexology including problems such as migraines, sinus congestion, backache, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, circulatory problems, and rheumatoid arthritis. Reflexology does not claim to be able to cure all disorders, but there are very many instances where treatment can be of great benefit.

Q: What should I expect from this treatment?

A: During a reflexology treatment, acupressure using the side and tip of the thumb will be used on each of the reflex areas of the hands or feet. A firm but not heavy pressure is applied to the area, the pressure held for a moment or so and then, released. If the part of the body corresponding to the reflex area is out of balance, then a degree of tenderness will be felt in the feet or hands when pressure is applied. In some areas there may be a sharp feeling and in others a slight pain, but these feelings should never be very uncomfortable; in areas corresponding to parts of the body that are in balance, then just the feeling of pressure will occur. For the therapist, it feels like small pebbles under your skin where there is a detection of stress or toxicity.

Q: What should I expect after the treatment?

A: Following treatment, it is possible in some instances for certain ‘healing reactions’ to occur, such as streaming nose (if there is sinus congestion) or increased bowel and bladder activity. These reactions will only be short term and will occur only after the first few treatments. After treatment, many people feel tired, though others may feel quite energized, and often people report how well they sleep.

Q: How does it work?

A: There is an arrangement of reflex “zones” used like a map of the body and translated to the feet and hands, with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body and the left foot to the left side of the body. A system of longitudinal and horizontal energy zones provides the link between the reflex areas and the body parts and organs. For example, while applying pressure to the tip of your toes, the top of your head, brain and sinus area are affected.  Moving to the base and underside your toes, your teeth, ears, eyes and shoulders will be stimulated. Thyroid, heart, lungs, are located under the balls of your feet, the middle of your foot corresponds to your waist, kidneys, colon, etc.. On the right side of your body, you have your spleen, on the left, your heart, thus why the zones are created. The bottom of the feet (heels, ankles) and hands when reflex points are pressed, is the lower part of the body, ovaries, testes, fallopian tubes, uterus, bladder, etc. The top of your foot corresponds to lymph, and breast.

Q: How is reflexology different from massage or acupuncture?

A: Reflex points used on one part of the body affect another, therefore similar to acupressure. Reflexology uses micro movements with the thumbs on and hands and feet, and works the organs and other body parts.  Massage works with the muscles and soft tissue using larger movements. In a reflexology treatment you are fully clothed, and seated in a chair with your feet raised and supported, and in massage you are partially or fully unclothed, and draped with sheets.

A big thank you to Krista for telling us more about Reflexology and what we can expect from this great technique! To learn more about Krista, visit this blog post where we introduced her. Also, if you have any other questions about Reflexology, email us at urban@urbanskincare.com!

In Health and Beauty,

Erin and Larissa

Here is a little more about Krista from Krista:

A little about my background as a nail tech and reflexologist. I am professionally trained and licensed with 16 years in the spa business. I am a reflexologist for Major League Baseball. I have been a celebrity manicurist in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Arizona and San Diego. Some of my work has been televised on the BBC, Sonoran Living, Good Day LA and the Arcadia Newspaper. My goal is to make your life easier by providing 100% natural nail services. I specialize in problematic nails and skin. My goal is that you find my services to be the best you have ever encountered.

Krista’s Hours

Mondays: 11 am to 7 pm
Thursdays: 10 am to 6 pm
Fridays: 10 am to 6 pm
Saturdays: 9 am to 5 pm

Krista’s Services

Spa Mani $30.00
(45.min) includes exfoliation scrub, aromatherapy massage with reflexology, and spritz.

Spa Pedi $40.00
(1 hour) includes exfoliation scrub, aromatherapy massage with reflexology, and spritz.

Express Mani $25.00
(25 min) cuticle removal, nail shaping, nail polish only (Men buff and shine included instead of polish)

Express Pedi $ 35.00
(Men buff and shine included instead of polish)
(35 min) cuticle removal, nail shaping, nail polish, cream on feet. Does not include
callus removal , scrub, or massage.

Full Set of solid color gel with length extensions $ 65.00
(1hr 15 min) includes exfoliation scrub

Full Set of of pink and white gel with length extensions $ 75.00
( 1hr 1/2) includes exfoliation scrub

Gel mani on natural nail with solid color $ 35.00
(45 min) includes exfoliation scrub

Gel mani on natural nail with pink and white $ 40.00
(55 min) includes exfoliation scrub

Gel pedi on natural nail with solid color $ 50.00
(1 hour) includes exfoliation scrub

Gel pedi on natural nail with pink and white $ 55.00
(1 hour 15 min) includes exfoliation scrub

Additions:

Adding glitter to any gel or polish $5.00
(Allow additional 5 min)

Nail art includes white polish french tip, color polish french tip, rhinestones, stickers,
hand painted designs. $5.00
(Allow additional 5-10 min)

Hot moisture dip for hands or feet $ 5.00 with any service, $ 10.00 without.
(5 min with service, 10 minutes without)

Add masque with steam towels to any service for $5.00
(Allow additional 5 min)

Polish change includes filing and polish only. $ 15.00 (25. min)

Call 619.233.0306 or email urban@urbanskincare.com to book your appointment with Krista or any of the other Urban Skin Care Girls!