It should come as no surprise that "going green" is a movement that is front and center in today's society. The concept of eco-friendly and sustainable living is not a new idea. Twenty to thirty years ago, those practicing these concepts where associated with the hippie movement and labeled as tree huggers. Today, the tide has shifted to the point that nearly every household at minimum practices recycling, with businesses following along.

Nationwide, spas and salons are taking on the challenge of becoming eco-friendly, capturing the philosophy that they not only conduct wellness for the body, mind, and spirit, but also wellness for the planet. Here are some signs that your personal services provider is working on the planet's wellness too.

• They turn off lights in unused rooms, unplug any unused appliances, and/or use Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs).
• They use Energy-Star appliances and/or have given up detergent in the laundry. LaundryPure, by EcoQuest is a unit that attaches to the washing machine, and using oxygen and silver ions cleans laundry without the use of either harsh detergents or the hot water cycle.
• They've gone orange by using cleansers that contain citrus extract. Clearly, state laws regulate sanitation practices and the requirement for hospital-grade disinfectants. However, in the areas that are not regulated, using organic cleansers that contain naturally disinfecting, gentle ingredients like tea tree oil and vinegar are perfectly acceptable.
• They attempt to cut back on waste by using non-disposable mugs and plates, recycled toilet paper, and cloth towels instead of paper.
• Where spas and salons can have the most fun going green is to use natural and organic products. This is an industry that is itself growing by leaps and bounds. There are literally hundreds of these products available to choose from. A few examples that are in the forefront of "conscious beauty" are SpaRitual, Naturopathica, Emminence and Jurlique.
• Lastly, in the physical space itself, spas can use sustainable materials such as bamboo flooring, recycled building materials, and non-toxic paint.

In the DC metro area, Natural Body Spa and Shoppe in Arlington & Ashburn, VA, Washington, DC, and Potomac, MD, and Derma Hair Care - Organic Medi Spa in Falls Church, VA, are both notable in their commitment to preserve the environment.

If you are a business or consumer interested in consulting services on how to be more eco-friendly, email us at green@velvetbell.com.

Dog and cat owners everywhere, one simple change in your routine can make a huge impact in preserving the environment and reducing your pet's pawprint on the planet. Every year, approximately 10 million tons of pet waste travels to landfills in this country alone, with 2 million of those tons alone attributed to non-biodegradable cat litter. Clay-based cat litter is NOT an eco-friendly pet product. Instead, choose biodegradable and organic litters made from plant-based material. You can find them made out of everything from corn to recycled newspaper to green tea leaves. Not only are these litters eco-friendly, they are more cat-friendly too by providing a softer and more pleasant environment in which your cat may go about his or her business. Try World's Best Cat Litter.

The dog owner's equivalent to eco-friendly litter is the biodegradable waste bag. It is important to pick up after your dog, most obviously because not doing so forces others to have to deal with it. But not picking up your dog's waste has even larger ramifications—it can be washed by rain into a storm drain that empties into a lake or stream, thereby polluting a water source. And yet, wrapping your dog's waste in a plastic bag and tossing it into the garbage isn't the most ecologically sound choice either. On the other hand, the biodegradable bag allows everything to decompose, reducing landfill waste to some extent. You can find these bags at Poopbags.com.

If you are an individual that wants to be more eco-friendly, you can start today and you have complete control over the level of green you become. For businesses wanting to go green, there are several obstacles to consider such as achieving buy-in from the staff; balancing financial costs vs. long-term environmental benefits; dealing with bureaucratic red tape when considering a green build; and, finding those green signature treatments. For those willing to forge ahead, consider that there are three levels to going green: first, the quick and easy steps; second, getting serious; and third, living the eco-conscious life. You will find a detailed listing of these steps in the archives of www.renewprofessional.com under a three part series called The Green Spa.

Going green may seem a daunting task whether in one's personal life or in business. However, if you are finding that this movement is calling to you, remember that small steps are better than no steps. Among the leaders of this movement is Michael Stusser, who 20 years ago built the Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone, Calif., using recycled wood. Today, with the support of nearly a dozen 'seed' spas, Stusser has founded the Green Spa Network. Their mission is to provide environmental education and encouragement to all spa professionals. Among their programs currently under development is the Green Spa Toolkit that will serve as the go-to document tailored for spas wanting to go green. The kit will include topics like: lighting, non-toxic cleaners, water conservation, etc.

For a more personalized approach to achieving eco-friendly goals, businesses may choose to hire a consultant, like Eco-Coach, a DC-based business that provides a wide range of services that will help them become more eco-friendly. These services include green business audits, workshops that educate employees, and strategic planning sessions and support with benchmarking to determine where they are and where they would like to go. Eco-Coach can help businesses or individuals determine how green they would like to be, then work with them to reach those goals. They will also help businesses achieve certifications that are available, as well as incentives offered to businesses with green buildings. To learn more about how Eco-Coach can help you, email us at green@velvetbell.com.

Following are some other resources that may be helpful:

• Green Spa Network
• Co-op America (promotes green and fair trade practices)
• Fluorescent and high-intensity lamp recycling
• EcoQuest
• National Geographic Green Guide
• Green Home (products for going green)
• U.S. Green Building Council

Dear Beauty Editor: When should I start getting Botox? Also, I'd like to know if there are ingredients in Botox that people have allergic reactions to.

- Erin, Richmond, VA

Dear Erin: Botox is now being widely used not only as a corrective treatment, but also as a preventative treatment. Women in their early twenties are beginning to use Botox as prevention for wrinkles. So really the decision is up to you and your surgeon or dermatologist as to how early you can begin treatment. As for allergic reactions, in addition to containing the botulimium A protein, Botox contains saline and human albumin. Unless you are specifically allergic to these components, you should be fine. Your doctor will discuss any risks and/or side effects with you directly as well as any other options. As with any procedure, be sure to do your research and find a doctor that is board-certified and has had theoretical and practical instruction as well as hands-on patient experience.

Submit your questions about skin or hair to our Beauty Editor for the April newsletter.

Who else but a green business as this month's featured business? An obvious choice for us is Derma Hair Care - Organic Medi Spa in Falls Church, VA. You may never meet a sweeter person than owner, Honi Borden. And, her commitment to preserving the environment is admirable. She pays special attention to everything from the business she processes her credit cards through (they donate 25% of gross revenue to the charity of Honi's choice, Earth Conservation Corp) to purchasing renewable energy to printing all marketing materials on post consumer recycled paper to using organic products in the office and on her customers' skin. Her efforts go on and on.

"The concept of my business is my signature," Honi said. "Due to personal aspiration and passion for my clients, I decided to take a dramatic approach by introducing Organic World to the field of Medical Aesthetics." Honi was the pioneer of the organic approach to the field and was recognized by Co-op America in April 2007 as a socially responsible Green company.

"The reality is, the nature of my business is far from being organic," Honi said. "But, who said I cannot be socially responsible, environmentally conscious, and ethical while providing beauty treatments." Her signature services include laser treatments on dark, ethnic complexions; organic facials and massages; and organic sunless spray tan.

Honi is offering a special to first-time clients - 35% off any in-house service. It cannot be applied to packages, previous purchases, or combined with any other offer and reused, transferred to another person. Holistic Health counseling is not included. Click here to learn more about Derma Hair Care - Organic Medi Spa.