The aftermath of a vacation can be a depressing time.
But what upset Carla Green following a family trip to Mexico nearly 10 years ago were the holiday pictures.
“She was looking through the photos and she goes, ‘Do I really look like this?’” recalled Carla’s husband, Bill.
A health and wellness practitioner with training in acupuncture and physical therapy, Carla resolved to renew her aging features. Bill, whose background included work as an electronics technologist, pledged his assistance.
With Carla serving as the “guinea pig,” the Rocky Mountain House couple tested various rejuvenation techniques.
“Within a little while we came up with a process,” said Bill, noting that his wife experienced “phenomenal results.”
In fact, people began quizzing her about her improved looks and the procedure she had undergone.
“We were just overwhelmed with people phoning and saying, ‘Can you teach me?’”
Today, Second Chance Facial Rejuvenation accounts for a big part of the Greens’ clientele at their Rocky Mountain House Physiotherapy.
The couple have also taught their system to students from across Canada, the United States and even Australia.
Bill estimates they’ve trained about 120 facial rejuvenation practitioners in Canada, and 25 to 30 in the United States.
These have included cosmetic surgery specialists and other doctors, as well as people with no medical background.
Many more students have learned the system for their personal use only.
A key component of the Second Chance Facial Rejuvenation process is micro current treatment, which involves a low-amp current being applied to the subject’s face.
This helps adjust muscle length and stimulates collagen production and cell repair, said Bill.
Micro currents also balance the body’s acupuncture meridians and promote proper energy flows, he added.
Clients and students also learn about dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals that contribute to a healthy look, and topical products like skin creams.
“All of these things are sort of stacked on top of each other,” said Bill, adding that the focus is on the whole body, and not just the face, because overall health is important for a youthful appearance.
Treatments takes about an hour, with most clients undergoing a dozen sessions and then returning periodically to maintain and enhance their appearance.
“I’ve had clients now that I’ve been seeing since 2003 that I still see about every two months,” said Bill.
The Greens have trademarked the Second Chance Facial Rejuvenation name, and also their slogan: in Canada, and applied to do the same in the United States.
They’ve also trademarked their slogan: “With age comes wisdom . . . wrinkles are optional.”
With an aging population that places a priority on looking young, the potential market for their system is huge, said Bill.
“I’d say we’ve just barely scratched the surface,” he said, acknowledging that he and Carla haven’t been marketing Second Chance Facial Rejuvenation as aggressively as they should be.
Still, they conduct regular courses in Western and Central Canada, with the next scheduled for Edmonton on Feb. 6 and 7. Others in California and Utah are expected to follow soon after.
Those who complete the training, treat three patients and score 90 per cent on an exam can become a certified micro current facial rejuvenation practitioner.
Additional information about Second Chance Facial Rejuvenation can be found online at www.secondchanceface.com.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com