It’s been a challenging time for all of us, but do you know what has kept us going here at AVIE!? You! We want you to know that you are the reason we come to work every day, and that we will always be here for you, even when we can’t see you in person, because it’s our passion and privilege to help you feel amazing. But there’s another person who is always there for you — Mom! With Mother’s Day only a few days away, we wanted to share a few simple gift ideas inspired by our gratitude for you!

This year, celebrate Mom by giving her…
Love!
Physical affection literally releases endorphins, those feel-good hormones, and is also associated with lower blood pressure and reduced stress hormones. All that, and it’s also FREE! “The best gift is always hugs and kisses,” says Kim Marinetto. “I know they make my day!”
A gratitude journal
Keeping a gratitude journal is a terrific way to keep your attitude in shape, especially during stressful times when it’s easy to get down in the dumps. Research indicates that having an attitude of gratitude is super healthy because it helps lower stress and conserve energy so your body has more strength to fend off illnesses. Positive thinking is also associated with a lower risk of disease and greater happiness, so giving Mom a gratitude journal is a perfect wellness gift! And don’t forget about yourself! Start your gratitude list today and see the difference it makes!
Gift certificates
In recent months, gift certificates have become extremely important to our economy by helping closed businesses stay afloat! But we love gift certificates for so many other reasons. For starters, it gives Mom the freedom to choose exactly what she wants. Secondly, she can schedule it for a time that works perfectly for her schedule. And third, it’s a self-care gift, boosting Mom’s wellbeing by giving her a special treatment she can look forward to! What’s better than that?
Your own gratitude!
When was the last time you sat down and really thought about the reasons you’re grateful for Mom? This is not a question to make you feel guilty! Most of us haven’t done this, and we want you to feel inspired. It doesn’t have to be a long list, either. “I’m grateful for you, Mom!” works perfectly. The whole point is to share your gratitude, because what you’re really sharing is joy and happiness.
Despite the uncertainty in recent months, we know a few things that will always be certain — that gratitude, love and hope will continue to carry us through! Happy Mother’s Day to all the fabulous mothers out there!
To buy a gift certificate at AVIE! Medspa or to learn more about our services, please call 703.870.3844. You can also request a consultation online today. See you soon!

Ever feel overwhelmed by get-healthy advice? From the recommended 10,000 daily steps to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), keto, intermittent fasting and other fitness fads, it’s hard to know where to start or what’s right for you when it comes to being healthy. Instead of feeling lost, we’d like you to feel empowered by all the little things you CAN DO right now to boost your health — no special training, equipment or diets required.

Here are three simple adjustments you can make to your everyday routine to help you feel great and get a little healthier today.
Get a few more steps in.
Forget about the 10,000 and try introducing a few steps here and there when you can. Park far away from the store, take the stairs, walk around the block. Every little step counts. Walking is super good for you. It’s proven to reduce your risk for disease and depression. But the other good thing about walking is that you’re not sitting! According to the experts, we sit way too often during the day, whether at work or in front of the TV, and sitting is the great enemy when it comes to our health. Did you know that sitting for long periods of time raises your risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer? Research also links prolonged sitting to obesity, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels. This is scary research, we know, but at least sitting is something we can easily manage, and the solution is simple: stand more!
Remember, it’s only one day at a time.
This saying has been used forever but it’s a simple truth. Good or bad, life is one day at a time. The problem comes in with our brains, which love fretting over the past or worrying about the future. All this worry can add up to anxiety and depression. But we can take back control with a little tool called mindfulness. Being more mindful, or living in the present moment, is associated with so many benefits, they are hard to count. But when you focus on what’s in front of you, experts say you are likely to feel more productive, focused and content. One way to be more mindful, according to mind-body researchers, is breathwork. At one point in your day, try a quick breathing exercise. Here’s one we like from Kaia Roman, author of the highly acclaimed self-help memoir, The Joy Plan.
“Let it go” breath (shared from mbgmindfulness.com)
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position with your feet planted solidly on the ground. Close your eyes and bring your awareness to your breath.
As you inhale, feel your belly and lungs expand. As you exhale, feel your feet grounded on the Earth, steadying you in uncertain times.
On the next inhale, visualize moving any negativity that you’ve been experiencing all the way up from your grounded feet, through your body, into your head.
On the exhale, imagine pushing all of that negativity out through your ears as gray smoke. See and feel it leaving your body completely.
Repeat this breath and visualization as often as you like. I recommend using it multiple times a day.
Pamper yourself.
While we are experts in pampering you here at AVIE!, we are not referring to that kind of pampering, though we are always thrilled to serve you! Right now, we are interested in the things you are doing at home to make yourself feel good every day. For example, are you wearing something you love today? The power of your outfit cannot be underestimated! Loving the way you look puts a pep in your step, there’s no doubt about it. There are other simple ways to pamper yourself: Buying a new lip gloss or a new skin care product, cooking your favorite meal, getting lost in a good book, reaching out to an old friend, quiet time with a cup of tea…
Taking care of yourself is your most important job, and we can’t wait to help you have a lovely spring doing just that! To learn more about our services, please call 703.870.3844. You can also request a consultation online today. See you soon!
— Kim

We know that summer is right around the corner because it’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which happens every May. How knowledgeable are you about skin cancer? Do you know what you need to do to protect yourself? Take our quiz to brush up on the basics. All statistics are provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

True or False:
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
True. More than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the U.S. More than two people die of the disease every hour.
The more unprotected exposure you have to the sun, the higher your risk for skin cancer.
True. Sun damage is cumulative. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. Fortunately, when melanoma is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99%!
Most sun damage occurs when you’re young.
False! Only about 23% of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18. Here’s the breakdown of sun exposure by age:
Ages Average Accumulated Sun Exposure*
1-18 23%
19-40 47%
41-59 74%
60-78 100%
*Based on a 78-year life span
An estimated 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun.
True! We like to blame genetics, but the sun is the main culprit for our skin’s aging. The good news is that you have control! People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24% less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily. We love using medical-grade sunscreens because they not only protect your skin from UV damage, but are also packed with antioxidants, peptides and other nutrients to improve the look of your skin. For your convenience, you can shop at our online stores any time. Also, feel free to call us if you have any questions! We are here to help: 703.870.3844.
Tanning beds don’t cause skin cancer.
False! The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization, includes UV tanning devices in its list of agents that are cancer-causing to humans. Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation in amounts 10 to 15 times higher than the sun at its peak intensity. What’s more, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75%.
The good news is that you can reduce your risk for skin cancer by applying sunscreen today! You can also reverse sun damage and help trigger healthy new collagen and elastin growth by undergoing skin rejuvenation treatments with us, which includes (but is not limited to) BBL^™ photofacials, Halo^™ laser skin resurfacing, microneedling and chemical peels.
To learn more about protecting and renewing your skin, please call 703.870.3844. You can also request a consultation online today. See you soon!
— Kim