It’s that time of the year! 

Open Enrollment for health insurance in Minnesota is November 1 - December 15th for health insurance coverage effective January 1, 2024. MNSure has an extended enrollment from December 15 - January 15th for coverage effective February 1, 2024

Anderson Benefit Partners can help you find out if you qualify for assistance, explore your options, and enroll! We are
MNSure certified and works with over 250 individuals and families to obtain their coverage through MNSure.

Important to note, you don’t pay any more (or less) when you work with us! Our job is to help you understand your options and make the right insurance choice for 2024. This is also a great time to explore your dental, vision, and life insurance needs.

Hey there friends at the Salon Spa Association, Mike at Anderson Benefit Partners here. I wanted to put together a message for you that speaks to the end of the COVID public health emergency.

As you may or may not know, that formally ends as of May 11th. And in Minnesota Minnesota has started the unwinding process of the guaranteed public programs that have been in play since April of 2020.

So beginning in April, communication will be sent out for medical assistance renewals. Renew in July and then every month you know, May would target August, and so on and so forth. If you are one of the 1.5 million people in Minnesota that are currently enrolled in a public program, action will be required to renew your coverage.  Medical assistance will renew the month it was approved and Minnesota care will renew at the end of this year during our regular open enrollment period for January 1st. https://mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/

Are YOU ready for EARTH DAY?

Did you know?   Senator Gaylord Nelson, the junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States.  Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Earth Day 1970 would come to provide a voice to this emerging environmental consciousness and put environmental concerns on the front page. 

In 2009 the United Nations started calling it INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY and is now recognized worldwide with 190 countries taking part in EARTH DAY. Today, over a billion people across the world participate in EARTH DAY. 

The Biden administration declared a public health emergency (PHE) for Monkeypox - 4/4/2022

Salons and Salon Professionals should be aware of this new public health threat. Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare viral illness. Anyone can get MPX, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Since mid-May 2022, cases of MPX have been identified in the U.S., where cases don't normally occur. MPX symptoms often include a rash that can look like pimples or blisters. The rash can appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body.  

Here are two helpful links to learn more:

SUMMER FOOT CARE

Now that it's summer and your client’s feet have emerged from winter hibernation here are some tips for summer foot care.

Professional Pedicures are designed to give basic care to your feet and toes. Each step of a pedicure is designed to help keep our feet healthy. Here are just a few of the important steps to a professional pedicure.

HOW TO SMOOTH LINES AND WRINKLES  AND MINIMIZE PORES

Does it seem like every time you look in the mirror your pores look bigger and there seems to be a new line or maybe even a wrinkle? Are you wondering, how did this happen overnight? How do I minimize those expanding pores, smooth those lines, and soften those wrinkles?

Even as an esthetician I look in the mirror and ask myself these questions, how about you?

If you do maybe it’s time to do a self-recheck and remind ourselves what causes pores to look larger, lines to appear, and wrinkles to show up. And just maybe, we should also take the time to do what I call a Reboot of our own home skin care program.

SUMMER is HERE!  It is time to enjoy the beach, go on vacation, and have fun in the sun.  So, pack that SPF Sunscreen. It is HOT out there, share your professional sunscreen knowledge. 

Protect your guests, focus on the right SPF to protect their skin and hair.  Foundations, facial cream, body products, as well as hair products contain sunscreen.  Research your product line for sunscreen protection, then engage in a dialog with your guest.  Find out their summer plans and how much time will spend in the great outdoors or just time outside.  That pool is so inviting! 

Everyone needs sunscreen, from the toddlers to the retirees encourage them to use sunscreen DAILY.   Protect your guests from ultraviolet radiation and help prevent skin cancer.  They will Thank You for also helping to prevent wrinkles, aging, and dark spots.  Let’s not forget about how important it is to protect their hair, so encourage them to wear a hat or use a sun protector hair product.  That beautiful sun they love so much will fade that gorgeous hair color they spent their dollars and your creativity on!  Remember to check for any allergies as some are very sensitive to sunscreen. 

Kick the Heat to the Curb and ENJOY summer!

Young Blood and Plasma Transfusions

The FDA recently warned that plasma infusions from young people provides “no proven clinical benefit” against normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease, or a host of other diseases. 

Directors Gottlieb and Marks from the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research say young-blood transfusions can pose risks.

Most research thus far into young-blood transfusions has been conducted in mice. Some of the mouse studies have been encouraging, but other studies have been less encouraging. One biotech company is currently testing a plasma-derived product in Alzheimer’s patients; a previous study from the company yielded mixed results.

NUTRITION MOMENT

Your Diet and Your Brain!

The way you feed your body affects your brain.

Evidence is starting to line up in favor of certain foods with the aim of reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Our brain requires certain nutrients to function smoothly and biologically. One major study showed that a strict adherence to a diet known as the MIND diet reduces dementia risk by up to 53% for people ages 59 to 98.