Living in Sonoma, with its almost perfect climate, women are subject to more sun exposure than they realize. The damage adds up — skin gets congested, loses its elasticity and becomes dull. In the winter, cold air and heated homes dry out the skin, making it more vulnerable. “The skin is our biggest organ,” said Janet Cocoles, owner of Koko’s of Sonoma. “Everything we do impacts it, from weather to food, medication or the products we use on it.”
Koko’s is a boutique-style spa, offering personal, individualized care for women and men. Cocoles, who had her own business on the Peninsula, opened her spa here in 2006. “Women in Sonoma are conscious of the health of their skin as well as their diet and fitness, so it’s natural for them to want the right regimen for their skin.”
Trying to figure out your skin type and what will best nourish it is a job for a professional. Cocoles begins by determining what factors might be affecting the customer’s skin. “We first ask if they are taking medications or have any allergies, or if they have health issues, so we can recommend the best treatment.” She then does a gentle cleansing and examines the skin. That is followed by an exfoliation appropriate for the skin type. Rather than use harsh chemical peels, Cocoles prefers a range of treatments, including microdermabrasion. “We want to make a positive change in people’s skin, not be too aggressive and injure it.” The treatment includes a massage to increase circulation and a revitalizing masque and then is finished with a moisturizer to hydrate and balance the skin.
For skin that is sun-damaged, or customers with rosacea, a reddening of the skin, or those with broken capillaries, Cocoles recommends using the Revitalight LED therapy. “This is a non-invasive technology using light frequencies that penetrate deeply into skin tissue to stimulate gradual healing and lymphatic activity.”
Cocoles works with her customers to find the right combinations of treatments and skin care products that produce the best results for them. She recommends that once they get the right regimen, “Stick to it. The key to better skin is consistency in your care.”
Koko’s of Sonoma is at 1262 Broadway, and open Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
707.933.9004;
www.careforyourskin.com
