With over 12 years of experience in Clinical Biochemistry, Ida Fanelli is a holistic aesthetician at Esthetics by Ida, where her passion for health and well-being takes center stage. Transitioning from a successful career in Medical Laboratory Technology, where she diagnosed illnesses through laboratory testing, Ida found her true calling in aesthetics. Driven by a desire to reduce stress and enhance her clients’ self-esteem, she believes that looking good directly contributes to feeling good.
Ida’s foundation in science informs her approach to holistic care. After government cutbacks prompted her career reevaluation, she discovered a fulfilling path that combined aesthetics with reflexology, allowing her to address stress-related health concerns while engaging directly with clients. Her journey took a transformative turn when she consulted a Naturopathic Doctor for personal health issues, leading her to pursue courses in Zanqara Skin Care, which she continues to use in her practice today.
Ida’s commitment to holistic wellness also led her to study energy work, further enriching the services she offers. A kind-hearted individual with strong Italian roots and a robust work ethic, Ida embodies a love for science and health. Her interests extend beyond her professional life; she enjoys outdoor activities and participates in non-competitive sports. Striking a balance between her introverted and extroverted sides, Ida cherishes both her interactions with clients and her moments of quiet reflection. Through her practice, she aims to create a comforting and uplifting environment, helping clients feel their best inside and out.
Fusion of Beauty and Wellness Services
As the owner and sole operator of “Esthetics by Ida,” Ida offers a diverse array of services designed to enhance her clients’ well-being and beauty. Her offerings include manicures and pedicures, with Shellac polish as an option for both. Ida specializes in eyelash and brow tinting, brow shaping, and Henna tinting for brows. She also provides soothing treatments like head and shoulder massages, as well as Swedish body massages, utilizing techniques she has refined over the years.
In addition to traditional beauty services, Ida offers the AMD Ion Cleanse, a detoxification treatment that works through the feet, which she combines with energy work. She has been providing reflexology since 1993, a therapy akin to acupressure applied to the feet. To enhance skin healing and toning, she utilizes the Dolphin MPS device, which employs microcurrent therapy and is effective for loosening old scars.
For hair removal, Ida offers waxing, sugaring, and SharpLight IPL for hair reduction. She also provides SharpLight IPL treatments for skin rejuvenation and vascular pigmentation, addressing issues like skin toning, sun spots, and visible veins on various skin types.
Furthermore, Ida retails and recommends Zanqara skincare products, a vegan and organic line established in 1959, for her holistic facials and peels. She incorporates LED light therapy into her holistic facials, peels, and other services, enhancing the overall effectiveness of her treatments.
The most fulfilling aspect of Ida’s work is witnessing the positive results she achieves for her clients, whether through immediate improvements during treatments or receiving feedback later about the lasting impact of her services.
Healing Beyond Beauty
Ida aims to improve society and enhance people’s lives through three key initiatives. First, she is passionate about sharing information that empowers individuals to improve their health. Through her blog, she covers a variety of health-related topics and offers aesthetics-based first-aid tips, drawing from the extensive knowledge she has gathered over the years. Ida believes that by spreading awareness about health and wellness, she can inspire others to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Secondly, Ida advocates for greater respect and recognition for aestheticians and their expertise. She feels that her profession is often undervalued, despite the significant impact aesthetic services can have on people’s overall well-being. By elevating the status of aestheticians, she hopes to create a greater understanding of the essential role they play in health and beauty.
Lastly, Ida envisions a more prominent role for aestheticians in the treatment of slow-healing surface wounds. She has received sporadic requests for assistance in this area and has been more than willing to help those in need. By integrating her skills and knowledge into wound care, she believes that aestheticians can contribute positively to their clients’ healing journeys, further enhancing the impact of their work in the community.
Healing through Technology
Investing in IPL Laser technology marked Ida’s most significant financial risk, reflecting her commitment to gaining clients’ trust and ensuring the longevity of her business. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, particularly when her profession was labeled one of the top ten most dangerous to frequent, Ida persevered. After government restrictions were lifted, she welcomed clients back into her home and salon, implementing enhanced safety measures to reassure them. She utilized copper’s biocidal properties on various surfaces in her salon, complementing traditional cleaning methods. To educate her clients and family about these precautions, she created an informational video highlighting copper’s antiviral benefits and shared it via email. Additionally, Ida employed UV light sanitization between appointments to meticulously clean every corner of her salon, and she placed activated charcoal bags to filter impurities from the air. Her knowledge of essential oils also expanded, leading her to develop an antiviral blend that she used daily.
Another substantial investment was the Dolphin MPS Neurostim device, which she purchased in 2019. In 2021, she acquired its Vagal Stim attachment, designed to promote relaxation by stimulating the vagus nerve, a critical nerve connecting the brainstem to various organs in the thoracic cavity. This device has proven beneficial for her family’s well-being and has been approved by Health Canada for treating COVID-19 Long Haulers.
Ida understands the intricacies of the facial lymphatic system, particularly in professions that involve facial treatments. The facial massages she performs stimulate this system, helping to drain swollen lymph nodes in the neck and allowing the body to cleanse itself effectively. She also takes the time to educate her clients on how to utilize their facial lymphatic system to mitigate respiratory illnesses when necessary, underscoring her dedication to their health and well-being.
Sharing Knowledge Across Platforms
Ida continues to grow professionally by educating herself and sharing her knowledge through various platforms, including social media and blog articles. She has published numerous pieces on her website and Medium, where her work gains greater visibility. In September 2023, she became an executive contributor for Brainz Magazine, where she writes about how her expertise has benefited both her family and clients dealing with health issues and first aid. Additionally, Ida provides comparative analyses of different ingredients, offering consumers valuable insights into their usage. By September 2024, she advanced to a senior-level executive contributor role, maintaining her informative writing style while expanding her reach through the publication.
Ida is also proud of a YouTube video she created titled “How to Reuse and Recharge a ZeroWater Filter,” which demonstrates sustainability practices. Her advice to those starting their careers is to listen to their inner voice and visualize their goals. She emphasizes the importance of accepting that change is often necessary and staying informed about positive trends in their field. Maintaining a positive mindset and staying calm during adversity are crucial for long-term success.
