Should you choose an indoor or outdoor sauna?

If you have recently visited your local spa and tried the sauna or have been researching the health benefits of using a steam room on a regular basis, you may have decided to join the millions across the globe who have a sauna installed on their own property.

In the UK, saunas are still considered a luxury item, despite falling prices and increasing affordability, but in other cultures they are considered a necessity. In Finland, for example, there are over 3 million saunas installed in a country with only 5 million people, and all domestic homes are expected to have one installed.

The benefits of installing your very own home sauna are tremendous, speeding up muscle recovery, helping to remove toxins from the body, providing a fantastic space for socialisation and meditation, and so much more. Having one installed is, therefore, a no brainer, but where are you going to put it?

Another major benefit of modern home saunas is that they can be installed pretty much anywhere. Infrared saunas, for example, have taken the home sauna market by storm in recent times, and without the need for mains water access or traditional wood cladding can be designed to fit in most spaces, no matter how big, small, or uniquely shaped they may be.

Most people either choose to have one of the rooms in their home transformed into a steam room, have a sauna built in if they are building their own home, have an infrared sauna installed inside their current bathroom, or have a garden sauna installed in their outside space.

Both indoor and outdoor saunas have their pros and cons, which will be examined here in detail, giving you all the information that you could possibly need to make your decision.

Pros and cons of an outdoor sauna

Outdoor sauna

An outdoor sauna shares all the fantastic benefits of any sauna or steam room, with the additional advantage of helping you to reconnect with nature and enjoy your heat therapy session in the great outdoors.

Installing a home sauna will give you a place to escape from the stresses of the day and offer a great opportunity to relax after coming home from a tough day at work. As we all know, however, the home can sometimes become pretty stressful to, and a garden sauna is the ultimate retreat, letting you relax and unwind away from your troubles and enjoy the peace and quiet of a good sauna soak.

Some of the biggest benefits of outdoor sauna installation include:

Increase Property Value

Installing a home sauna can add significant value to your property, but this can be compromised if the installation comes at the cost of removing a bathroom or other valuable inside space.

By installing a barrel sauna or infrared sauna in your garden, this won’t be the case, and with no planning permission required, this is an easy way to improve your home life and add value to your property should you ever come to sell.

Private escape

There is nothing quite like an outdoor sauna when it comes to retreating from reality and entering into a state of quiet relaxation. No sauna is exactly bad for this purpose, but taking the sauna outside your home and into the great outdoors only amplifies the effect.

Enjoy a range of health and wellness benefits

home sauna

Having an outdoor sauna installed next to your home give you access to your very own private spa experience at any time of the day or night.

Enjoy all the skin cleansing, mind relaxing, and detoxing experience of a spa sauna experience without having to venture out to your local spa or gym. Garden saunas can even be used as a valuable tool for those looking to lose weight, putting your body into calorie burning mode in a similar manner to cardiovascular activity.

Negatives of outdoor sauna installation

Let’s be honest, there aren’t many downsides to having your very own sauna sitting in your back garden. Before you make this investment however, there are a few things that you should consider.

Outdoor space needed

Some people would love an outdoor sauna but simply don’t have the outdoor space attached to their property for one to be installed.

Outdoor saunas do come in all shapes and sizes, however, so you don’t need a huge garden to benefit from them, with 1-4 person options available to suit the needs of a variety of different people and properties.

Electrical requirements

Outdoor saunas will require access to electricity, except in the case of very traditional Finnish saunas that still have wood burning stoves. This may limit the locations in which you can have your sauna installed and means that a licenced professional will be required to carry out the installation.

Hidden benefits of Chemical Peels you Might not Know

Get_a_Chemical_Peel

Many people believe that once the signs of aging have begun to show that the only way to reverse the effects it through invasive surgery.

The fact is, however, that a younger looking, fresh, rejuvenated layer of skin is literally just under the surface.

A chemical peel glasgow will remove damaged, wrinkled, and discoloured skin in no time, revealing the healthier looking unblemished skin below.

The benefits of a skin peel are huge and over time more and more people have opted for this treatment instead of a surgical facelift or similar.

In fact, chemical peels are not the 3rd most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatment in the UK, only behind Botox and soft tissue fillers.

With a very reasonably priced selection of peels available, it is not just celebrities who are able to take advantage of this fantastic procedure!

Depending on what you are looking to achieve from a chemical peel you may only have a single treatment or may have to return on a number of occasions but either way you will begin to see the benefits after just one visit to the clinic.

All sound good so far? Well, the benefits don’t end there. Read on to learn about all the benefits of a chemical skin peel treatment.

Exfoliation

Before applying a chemical peel, the clinician providing the treatment will clean your skin and applying the gel like substance of the peel itself.

Besides a slight burning sensation, there is no discomfort associated with this process which is one of the biggest attractions.

When the peel is removed, your new skin will be revealed, producing smoother skin with an improved textured.

There is no feeling quite like the silky smoothness of a post-chemical peel face.

Skincare assistance

There are no skin care products on the market that will be able to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of skin as effectively as a chemical peel.

Removing the top layer of your skin will prompt the living cells beneath to spring into action, multiplying and moving to the surface.

This will boost your collagen production, increase elasticity and result in a much more youthful appearance.

Furthermore, your regular skincare routine will suddenly become much more effective as the dead cello which once blocked the products ingredients from being able to penetrate the surface and so their jobs will be able to do so much more effectively.

Tackle discolouration

There are any number of reasons why you may have discolouration on your skin that you would like to ease the symptoms of.

Sun damage sports, hyper-pigmentation, age lines, and unknown blotches are all perfectly normal but for those who would rather have them removed or diminished, a chemical peel is a great option.

Reduce wrinkles

Chemical peels vary in intensities from mild created from fruit, lactic acid or similar to deep peels which can help to treat deep scars, fine lines and wrinkles.

A deep peel could require several return visits to the clinic but it is more than worth it, although it will take longer to heal.

Given the more significant effect that they can have, deep peels are more popular among older clients as they are effective at eliminating many of the common signs of aging.

Once the peel has been completed you should take care to protect your skin and prevent it from needing to be repeated any time soon. These precautions should include applying sunscreen and wearing a hat on a hot day.

Lessen the signs of acne

If you deal with acne, a chemical peel could help to ease outbreaks.

They could also reduce the signs of scarring from previous outbreaks.

They do this by unclogging pores and depositing ingredients into the skin that will help to fade scars.

Unlike more intrusive scar removal there is no downtime associated with a chemical peel aiming to remove acne signs.

Many different options

The term chemical peel actually refers to a number of different peels all made from different ingredients and all having a different effect upon the skin.

Chemical peels are incredibly versatile, work on every different skin colour and have no attached risk of hyperpigmentation.

They are classified by the strength of the ingredients.

With so many different options to choose from it can be difficult to know which chemical peel to opt for so make sure to consult with a professional, tell them exactly what it is that you are looking for and they will be able to make a recommendation based upon past experience.

For more information on chemical peels or any other cosmetic treatments targeting the signs of aging, get in touch with Luxe Skin today and arrange an appointment with one of our highly respected qualified clinicians.

6 tips for vacant property security

Solutions-for-vacant-properties

If you are a property owner, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, it is almost inevitable that your property will be vacant for a period of time at some point.

For owners of office space and other business properties, the impact of Covid-19 has made this all the more common.

Unfortunately, vacant properties are magnets for theft, vandalism, and other criminal activity so it is essential that you know how to keep your property as secure as possible at this time.

In this guide, we will look at 6 of the best things that you can do to protect a vacant property based on the real-life experiences of experts within the security industry.

1. Board up all windows and doors

The term ‘boarding up’ refers to the traditional security measure of using plywood or OSB board sheets to protect windows and doors from intruders.

However, in recent times steel has become a much more popular choice for those serious about vacant property security as wood is far easier to remove and break through.

Installing steel screens over your windows and doors is a fantastic way to keep a property that is expected to be unoccupied for a prolonged period protected against theft and vandalism.

Steel is non-combustible, almost impenetrable, and will deter opportunistic criminals from even attempting to target your property.

To allow access to authorised individuals if required, steel doors will be fitted with deadlocks that are immune to lock-picking attempts.

2. Install concrete barriers

For vacant properties in rural locations or with significant areas of land attached, fly-tipping is a constant concern.

Fly-tipping is not only costly to deal with but can also be dangerous to those nearby should the abandoned materials be hazardous or combustible.

Installing concrete barriers around the entranceways to your vacant property will prevent unauthorised vehicles from gaining access and force those intent on illegally dumping waste to look elsewhere.

Another benefit of such a measure, that could save you from getting stuck in an expensive and time-consuming legal battle, is that it will also prevent illegal traveller encampments from springing up overnight.

3. Install perimeter fencing

Concrete barriers will help to prevent vehicular access to your site, but to prevent intruders altogether, perimeter fencing should be installed around the boundary.

This will be your first defence against any intruders, so it is vital you choose a fence made from high-quality materials and installed by a company that knows what they are doing.

Once installed, you or your security staff should conduct regular examinations of the entire perimeter throughout the vacant period to keep an eye out for any breaches or storm damage.

4. CCTV

CCTV is an integral part of any security system, with the level of CCTV service chosen varying according to budget and level of threat.

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, CCTV cameras can now be controlled and accessed remotely from anywhere in the world via your mobile phone or similar smart device.

This is ideal if you plan on leaving your property for an extended period but want to be able to keep an eye on goings-on from afar.

CCTV systems help to guard against crime at all stages, from deterring potential criminals from targeting your property in the first place to helping the police to identify and find the culprit should they escape.

For maximum security, it is recommended that you opt for a monitored CCTV system managed by a professional security firm.

This allows for a real-time response to any incidents identified on CCTV and will ensure the police are notified the instant an unauthorised individual enters your site.

5. Change the locks

Often, if you are the owner or manager of a commercial property, your site will be left vacant whilst you search for a new tenant.

If those who are allowed access to your property change on a regular basis, it can be hard to keep track of exactly who has a set of keys.

Leaving this to chance simply isn’t worth the risk so you should change all the locks on your property as soon as possible once it becomes vacant.

6. Install signs

One of the cheapest, fastest, yet most effective measures you can take against would-be intruders is installing signage that alerts people approaching to the security measures you have in place.

A sign stating ‘CCTV in operation’ for example, even if you don’t actually have CCTV cameras in place, will convince many potential opportunistic criminals to steer clear, adding an extra level of deterrence to active security measures such as CCTV and manned guarding.

Conclusion

No two vacant properties are the same and only a full security assessment conducted by a security professional will be able to identify exactly what measures will be most effective for your property.

For more information on vacant property security, contact us today and our security experts will be delighted to help.

Health Benefits of Cleaned Carpets

carpet-cleaning

Many people are aware of the aesthetic benefits of professional carpet cleaning – a renewed look for your home and a reinvigorated appearance when it comes to your carpet. But few people are aware of the serious health benefits that come with carpet cleaning.

Acorn Carpet Cleaning has been working in the industry for years and has extensive experience providing service to a huge range of clients. In this article, we’ll discuss the kind of health benefits which can be derived from a professional carpet cleaning service by our team.

The causes of Indoor Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution is the by-product of a range of contaminants. These include,

  • Food
  • Bacteria
  • Dust
  • Dust
  • Dust mites
  • Pollen
  • Dead Skin cells

These will always be found in our homes. They’re the by-product of our everyday habits, and sometimes result from us tracking them into the house on our shoes or clothes. These then become trapped in fabrics, linens, and most important – our carpets. Overtime they’ll manage to escape the carpet and float in the air. All of these are allergens, and as such can cause effects like,

  • Sneezing
  • Congestion
  • Irritation to the eyes and nose
  • Issues with breathing

If you have any kind of respiratory allergies, these can be seriously impacted by the presence of allergens and particles in the air.

In some cases, these can also spread disease, such as colds. The bacteria that are trapped in carpets is especially a problem for both young children and the elderly (as their immune systems aren’t as robust as those of adults).

Carpets will rapidly fill up with these particles. Dust is especially prevalent in carpets, and many people are unaware of just how much is in a carpet. This isn’t to mention the huge number of dust mites or pollen to be found, or the build-up of bacteria that occurs. We often take the cleanness of a carpet at face value, and regular hoovering can ensure a carpet maintains a clean appearance. But much of the dirt, grime and other particles that fill the air are found in the fibres and cannot be seen.

Professional Carpet Cleaning Can Handle It

Regular cleaning can only do so much – and while it’s important you keep up with regular hoovering and ensure stains are quickly cleaned up, the best way to approach carpet cleaning is using professional carpet cleaning provided by Acorn.

Acorn Carpet Cleaning can offer a range of serious benefits when it comes to your health. Our treatment involves the use of powerful vacuums and other techniques which will ensure,

Good Air Quality

One of the biggest issues with domestic and commercial vacuums is that they cannot reach the deepest layers of the carpet, where much of the contaminants lie. Because of this, vacuuming via traditional methods will rarely help to improve your homes air quality which is so often badly impacted by the dirt and dust in your carpet.

Acorn Carpet Cleaning makes use of a powerful vacuum which will drag the contaminants right out of the carpet, while our use of an agitator and biodegradable sprays will make sure any dirt or grime is properly pulled out of the carpet and from the fabrics. This will help to guarantee an excellent air quality in your home, and free the air of any unpleasant particles or pollutants.

Handling Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic insects not dissimilar to fleas. Many people are completely unaware of the presence of Dust mites in their homes.

Dust mites are an allergen and can cause a range of allergic reactions. This includes sneezing, irritation to the eyes and nose, and there’s been suggestions that they may worsen asthma.

Dust mites are difficult to remove by normal means of cleaning as they infest the deepest parts of a carpet. But Acorn Carpet Cleaning’s industrial standard vacuums, hot water extraction and agitation technology will guarantee the Dust mites are handled.

Cutting out Pollutants

Standard cleaning methods will struggle to remove pollutants such as Bacteria, Dust, Bacteria, Dirt, and Pollen. It can help cut down the amount, but it will never fully remove in. In some cases, commercially available vacuums and cleaning products can cause a worse spread of the Pollutants in the air.

Acorn Glasgow can perform extensive, deep cleans that will see Bacteria, Dust, Dirt, Pollen, Dust mites and other toxic gasses and pollutants pulled out of your carpet and not freed into the air itself. This is accomplished via our use of powerful industrial quality vacuums, hot water extraction and other techniques that ensure the trapped pollutants are safely removed.